Porsche 996 Turbo - Any buying tips and what do people know about these?

Gibbo

Gibbo

Gibbo

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Hi there

First of all don't worry guys, the Mustang is going nowhere yet, but I am beginning to think whats next and at the moment Porsche is favourite.

My main thoughts are how does the tiptronic and manual differ?
Also had does the tiptronic work, does it have paddles? Is it automatic? Is there a clutch? Are there manual modes etc. and how do they work etc?

How does performance differ between the manual and tiptronic?
Also what changes were there to the cars in the different years. At the moment I can afford a 2000/2001 model but I suspect in 6-12 months I will have money for upto a 2003 model too. What revision changes were there over the years?

Any must have options as well, as in when new what options were a must so then I know to try and get a car with those options?
I am aware of the X50 pack which I shall certainly be looking for as those give a claim 450BHP but those who tested cars with them see more like 480-500BHP.

What tuning options are there? With the tiptronic can the ECU be tuned for faster changes maybe?

I have also heard the tiptronic is a lot more reliable due to stronger tranny, clutches last much longer and they don't suffer from the problems some manuals have which is 2nd gear pop out which is a walk away thing or overrevs which are basically when the engine has been overeved and as such recorded by the ECU.

Sorry for so many questions, but if anyone knows the answers it would helpful. At the moment I've seen 996 Turbo as cheap as 38k in the UK with real nice examples between 42-46k. What most annoying though is that in America you can get a 2003 model with X50 pack and sub 30,000 miles for £30,000. How come even the yanks get better pricing on a car made in the EU?

Also any good Porsche tuners in the UK, or places where after market items such as CAI, exhaust and remaps can be purchased etc?

P.S. Other contenders will be Dodge Challenger if it comes out soon enough or maybe a Corvette Z06.
 
Slackworth said:
Enjoy a bit of a 4WD action earlier then?
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There is no doubt that 4WD is truly fantastic, especially in the current conditions. Only bit I did not like is when you realised that 4WD is useless when all four wheels loose grip. ;)

Though saying that went out in the BMW tonight, drove everywhere with my foot to the floor, its RWD, but I guess the power difference and its less responsive throttle and huge fat profile tyres make it a bit more suitable, plus it go sideways nice too.

Just found these pics, which make me drool:-
Meet_04Nov2006_03.jpg

Meet_04Nov2006_05.jpg


I like that, except from the wheels, I preferre the standard Turbo wheels or maybe something different.
Think I definetely preferre back or the dark grey for the colour.
 
With all due respect, you may be better off asking these questions on Pistonheads, or EVO forum...I can't imagine there's many people on here who can offer an owners opinion (which is the only opinion that would matter)

Oh and edit.... 993T > 996T. Perfect example shown in the picture above....!
 
I don't know how good they are WRT Porsche, but Revo will take a 996TT to 465-490bhp for just over a couple of grand.

EDIT:\ AMD do a remap for ~£1350

EDIT2:\ AMD also remap the X50 to 480 for £1350
 
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Matmulder said:
With all due respect, you may be better off asking these questions on Pistonheads, or EVO forum...I can't imagine there's many people on here who can offer an owners opinion (which is the only opinion that would matter)

Oh and edit.... 993T > 996T. Perfect example shown in the picture above....!
Click to expand...

Pretty sure there are at least 2 Porka owners here, not sure which ones they drive....
 
Matt said:
Where do you get all the money from! I'd love to be in the same position :cool:

You don't live at home do you? :D
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Hi there

Yup do live at home, but my monthly outgoings are minimal so a mortgage I could afford and still keep the Mustang and BMW whilst having a nice house. Just for the moment I don't really get that urge to get my own pad and at times I am not at home so much. Plus living at home has huge benefits and it means I save a lot more money and quicker. :)
 
Gibbo said:
P.S. Other contenders will be Dodge Challenger if it comes out soon enough or maybe a Corvette Z06.
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Even I wouldn't recommend the new Dodge Challenger over a 996 Turbo, despite being an American car fanboy. The Z06 on the other hand....if we're talking about the C6 'vette, then the Z06 would be very interesting indeed. The 996 is probably better day-to-day, and probably easier to drive in poor conditions thanks to the 4WD.

But the Z06 has a 7 litre engine.









:D Ain't no replacement for displacement!
 
JRS said:
Even I wouldn't recommend the new Dodge Challenger over a 996 Turbo, despite being an American car fanboy. The Z06 on the other hand....if we're talking about the C6 'vette, then the Z06 would be very interesting indeed. The 996 is probably better day-to-day, and probably easier to drive in poor conditions thanks to the 4WD.

But the Z06 has a 7 litre engine.









:D Ain't no replacement for displacement!
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Hi m8

Its basically a case of my brain says Porsche 996 Turbo. Prices are dropping like a stone making them a much better buy due to the newer 997 version. Its 4WD so it can utilise all its power and it will do so even in poor weather conditions. Plus if the tiptronic is good makes it even better.
Only downsides at the moments I can think of are possibly running cost as in servicing as I am sure Porsche are not cheap. My other worry is turbo lag!

My heart says go for another American muscle car, unbeatable power and responsivness on the engine and cheap running cost and a car easily serviced and modded by myself. Plus I love the in your face and retro looks of the muscle cars.
 
Matmulder said:
With all due respect, you may be better off asking these questions on Pistonheads, or EVO forum...I can't imagine there's many people on here who can offer an owners opinion (which is the only opinion that would matter)

Oh and edit.... 993T > 996T. Perfect example shown in the picture above....!
Click to expand...
Agreed. I'm not sure what you're gonna learn on here about 996 Turbos that you don't already know.

Try Rennlist

Also stuff in US prices only seems very cheap now as compared to the UK market due to the exchange rate.
 
jamoor said:
Giving someone else your money to let them make money is for suckers, you should invest the money and make it yourself instead of letting the bank do it.

Go buy a house and let it out.
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Hardly the best idea now is it? House prices have stopped rising as much as they used to. Buy it,rent it and let them pay the mortgage......but your probably not gonna make much back on such a long term investment.

Houses are for living in not for making money on.
 
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