(OT) What is the 996 tt really like..a question for tt owners and experts.

[MikeT]

Hiya all

Today we visited a porsche garage, firstly it was really nice(for you brits its AFN in guildford opposite the PC world and Curries)

Really clean and there was even a 917 Lemans car driven by steve mcqueen, Anyhow onto the turbo. There was this beeut basalt black(kinda like carbon black) turbo. I have seen a few TT in my time but boy it really is just so stunning!

Now onto the questions...
1)do any of you guys have them as daily drivers to say work or for everyday things? Are they a useable everyday car?The impression I got was most definetley yes..
2)What is the performance like?I say this as the only performance car I can say i have really been in and know is the beast(which is still really fast)So could you guys give a description of what acceleration is like from motorway speeds..0-60 etc?
3)Is the turbo a really really good track day car?In other words capable of keeping up with some serious machinery costing quite a bit more than it?
Just a few more questions..what is this performance upgrade which I have heard of for the 02 models?460bhp or something?Aerokits etc?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
all the best
Adam and Mike

[Angel]

I had the liberty of driving one not to long ago and I had all the same questions. IMHO, it would make a great daily driver. At first I thought no, (but that was before I drove it) but I was very suprised as to how comfortable it was.

Performance is.....AMAZING!! Accelaration is to die for and the stopping power is incredible. I have not noticed any kind of lag when I was behind the wheel. I never tracked it but from speaking to those who have, it is perhaps one of the the most fun cars to track. Did you ever see Tiff Nidel's demo of the 996TT? AH!!!!!

About the the extra HP, the package is called the X50 power kit and it consitsts of some changes to the turbos and exhaust. I think the price for the X50 package is something like $25,000+. NOT WORTH THE $$$!!! I looked into this and having spoken with other 996TT owners and dealers, $25,000 can give more than 600 HP if you go aftermarket. The only advantage that you have with the power kit is that it is covered under the Porsche warranty..a good thing unlike techart and other aftermarket companies.

I do like the Aero kit, it's about $3,000+ and it looks nice. This can be retrofited to another 996TT, but the power kit (X50) can not.

[A_Train]

1) I use it every day. Comfortable and reliable.
2) Performance is excellent. The car sometimes feels a tad heavy in the turns (it's about 3,400 pounds). There is some turbo lag down low but once you are above 3500 rpm the power is strong.
3) I don't track mine though there are many people who track their 996TT's. The cars, modified from mild to wild, are quite competent on the track. To get the most bang for the buck in a new car with relatively cheap mods, one is better off in a Camaro or Z06.
4) The X50 factory option is $17,700. '02 is the first year it is offered. It increases horsepower from 415 to 450 and torque from 415 to 457 lb/ft. The new package includes modifications to the turbo charger, air intake cooler, electronic control unit, exhaust system and a strengthened transmission. Aftermarket tuners can deliver 490-540 bhp for $7K-12K, albeit with possible subsequent warranty issues.

A previous car was an M5. The 996TT has some mods.

- A-Train

[SCH]

1. The turbo is definitely a car that could be used as a daily driver. The ride is a bit harsher than the M5 but not bad. I probably drive it to work once or twice a week.

2. The power is pretty amazing. I don’t always realize how fast the car is until I look in the rear view mirror and note the other cars WAY back as I enter the freeway.

3. I understand it is a good track car. Despite working ten miles from Laguna Seca I have never tried.

4. The X50 option was already mentioned and in the U.S. is pretty limited availability. They also added an aero kit option for 2002, which has a larger spoiler and a few other minor exterior changes. Cost is $7,500.

Scott

[polvoronn]

I don't own a 996TT and neither have I driven or been in one, but as I can imagine and as Greg might say: "WOOF!"

-paolo

[greg]

I published a comparison once - the URL has changed - it is now at http://www.heumann.com/comparo/

My take is a little different than some of the earlier posts, which just goes to show reasonable people can see the same situation differently.

I could live with it as a daily driver, but:

1) I think the ride is a LOT harder than the M5 - it is in fact harder than all the other 996 models as well. (possible exception C4S). It is also harder to get in and out of. For this reason, my wife and my father (who is in his mid-seventies) doesn't like to ride in it. He loves the M5.

2) There is a great deal of road noise. This requires listening to the stereo at much louder volumes before you hear "clean" music - and this, for me, gets old.

3) Its gas mileage is even worse than the M5.

4) It is awfully impractical - you just can't get much in it. The front trunk is very small because the AWD goodies take up about half of the space you'll see in a C2.

If I could only keep one car, I would have to keep the M5.

Now, with all that said, I have to also say I freakin' LOVE the car. It IS truly awesome in its performance, and it delivers that with real meaningful usability. And it is WAY fun on the track -

SCH - why don't you sign up for Tracquest at LSIR on 4/20, 4/21? I will be there, and at least one other 996TT will be there. My friend with the 360 has never done anything like this before and he is going to give it a try. I highly recommend it. Feel free to contact me privately if you have any questions about what goes on.

[Deanger]

Enjoyed several years of 993TT before stupidly selling it. I am very curious as to how the 996TT compares to the 993TT?

Not just in drive but everything.

Thanks,

Dean

[A_Train]

The 993TT was definitely stiffer in suspension feel and more fun to drive -- it simply feels much more raw. The 993TT was fine as a daily driver but not as good as the 996TT, which is very comfortable. Performance figures on paper are virtually the same and feel that way on the road, too; very low 4's to 60 (careful with that clutch) and low to mid-12's in the 1/4. The layout of the controls in the 993TT was poor, whereas the 996TT is much more intuitive. The shift-throws in the 993TT are longer but more precise, though both gearboxes are a bit sloppy / vague (easy to correct with B&M short-shift kit). Visibility is equally good in both. 11 mpg in the 993TT (!) and about 14 in the 996TT under similar driving conditions. The clutch requires a bit more effort in the 993TT. The 993TT sounds much better than the 996TT. Both benefit sound-wise from an aftermarket exhaust, but the 996TT's lame stock exhaust really needs help. Looks are up to the beholder. I actually think the 993TT is better looking, with its more exaggerated rear fender flares (though the 996TT is actually wider) and whaletail fixed spoiler. The standard stereo is poor in both (though the new for '02 Bose is much better). Build-quality has been equal in my experience.

- A-Train

[bgomez]

I have been thinking about getting a 996 tt instead of taking delivery of the C4S I have on order. I miss the 2000 996 I had but it seems to me that with the added weight of AWD it will be just as quick as the 00-01 996 but not quicker than the M5. I am curious about several issues.

How good/durable is the clutch? I now people have complained of the M5's but I have had no problems

Is it difficult to launch?

How are it's resale values?

Given the current state of the economy/stock market can a new 2002 996tt be had for less than sticker?

Thank you all, Bill

[william996TT]

1) You can definently use it as a daily driver, It is one of the most userfriendly Porsche out there. The 996 series are all design to be a daily driver supercar with the exception of GT2,GT3. The cabin in the Turbo is very quiet for a sport car, my C2 sound more urging during higher rev. I don't recomend the sport seat if use for daily driving, definetly make your backache after a long drive.

2,3) I wouldn't consider the 996 Turbo a good track car. First, the car is alittle too heavy for toss and turn, understeer is still the handling charactistic of the car even with rear engine. The Turbo is more suitable for highspeed or mid speed corners which you can take full use of the 4WD. Rear engine help decrease the polar moment of ineria but you still have to know how to weight balance the car to be able to take full use of it. The car is by far one of the easiest porsche to drive fast.. most inexperience people can keep up with most of the supercar out there. If you want rear track car that provide raw, driving thrill.. my choice is 993 RS, 996 GT3. Even though it might take you a year or more to fully learn the car potiential, but driving reward is much higher
than the Turbo.
Performance wise, the turbo is really fast. One of the fastest car in staight line performance, Turbo sometime feel lack of responsiveness. Alittle lag here and there. But the feeling of Turbo kick in will put a grin on your face
I would go with Ruf for performance upgrade.

[Adam]

Thank you all for your very kind and helpful comments!

all the best
Adam