986 vs 996

[poloman]

I joined here looking for some thoughts on buying a Porsche from people already owning one. I have the opportunity to pick up a used 996 Twin Turbo x50 model at a good price. The 986 on the other hand would be new and have a drop top. I could upgrade the engine in the Boxster to the power levels of the TT, but the cost would be rather high I think. If I put too much in the Boxster I think it would be all lost if I sold the car.

What do you think, should a Boxster be kept to it true identity, or is all right to modify it to the extreme.

[Adam]

The turbo would be pretty hard to resist. The x50 has 444 hp compared to a new box S that has 260hp or a new boxster that has 228hp. Why is this even a hard decision? Unless you absolutely have to have a drop-top, I would get the x50 in a heartbeat. They just started making 911 x50 turbo cabrio's in 04 by the way, so if you want the best of both worlds, it can be had at a price. Aren't used x50's still at least 100k though? I thought new x50's run near 150k. A regular 911 turbo runs 125k. If it is less than 100k, I'd be worried about something. Is the title still clear?
Many people say that the mid-engine design of the boxster is superior to the rear engine design of the 911's because it is more balanced. Other than that, the 911 x50 turbo kicks the boxster's ass in every respect. Don't get me wrong, the boxster is an incredible car, but the 911 x50 is basically the ultimate porsche.
Poloman, I don't see anything wrong either with modding a boxster if thats what your heart desires. As you said though, mods wont really add any value to it; you will take a hit when resale comes along.

[Stryke]

Sorry, I can't take this question seriously!

[red*farm]

Ditto.

I think I'd have to go for a 97 boxster riding on 3 good tires and a spare over a 996T.

[Adam]

I realize now that it was probably a joke and I just fell for it. Boy, I feel stupid.

[jfmillr]

Well obviously the 996 TT and the 986 are two totally different cars, but I have driven in a 986 TT and its funny to watch a 996 TT get a little upset when a 986 TT runs circles around its parent
FYI the price of a 986 TT will be significantly less then a 996 TT in most cases.
Guess it depends what you want...
I have opted to go the 986 route and upgrade with the parts i want instead of going with a stock 996.

[Stryke]

It's still not comparing apples to apples. This question can only be one of two things:

A. A joke, or
B. A very misinformed person.

I would hope and lean more for A.

[Adam]

What exactly is a" good deal" on a used 996 x50? 110- 120k? Thats WAY out of the boxsters league!

[Stryke]

When new my car's MSRP with all the options was about $68,000 (I forgot exactly). Regardless, a 996TT will always have much better residuals and it is just alot more car, period! We are not even comparing apples to apples here.

[Adam]

Why do the turbo porsches and more the expensive models hold their value so much better than a boxster? Is it because they are more rare than the 986?

[Stryke]

Less made and the 996TT is also considered an "exotic." It is for a different market. Any Joe Schmo can own an entry level low optioned Boxster while you need good money to purchase a new 996TT.

[Adam]

So the "cheap" porsches get cheaper while the the expensive stay expensive. I'm glad I don't plan on selling mine soon.

[jfmillr]

yeah any joe can own a 986, but it takes a lot more money then the ave joe has to modify a 986 to run circles around a stock 996 TT.
My wife keeps trying to get me to upgrade to one, but again I have more fun with a 986. Around where I live I see a whole lot more done up 996's then 986's so I feel a little more unique.

[Stryke]

The thing with me is that I'm getting married in a year and before that I wanted to have a little bit more fun so I bought a 986S. I live in NYC and can't use the full performance of this car so spending more on a 996 and getting hurt more on resale didn't make sense. I wanted the car because I enjoy the styling and the tight feel. I know I'll own more P-Cars in the future, including a 996TT. I am not one to go messing with engineering so I don't do any performance mods. If it was more speed I was after, I would have bought a faster car. I do not race, nor do I have anything to prove to the poor soul at the light who feels that he does!

To each his own, I guess. Enjoy your cars in good health, whatever you choose to do with them and whatever your reasons are.

If we all had the same goals and aspirations, we could look in the mirror each time we wanted to post on the forum.

[jfmillr]

I agree with you to some degree. I grew up in NY and lived in Westchester for 15 years. Too many stop lights and not enough places to really go fast. Its all about what makes you happy. Living in NoVa to some degree reminds me of the traffic from NY and all the cars and stop lights...
my 986 wont be the last P-car I ever own, but with all the work I am doing to it I plan to make it a long term addition to my garage. I dont race my 986, its really just a show car with a lot of power that is driven on the street too...

[Stryke]

Westchester is very suburban. NYC is much worse and the pot holes and roads here are miserable. I would eat my heart out each day with a new rock ding or dent on the bumper or hood if I had a 996TT. As long as I live here I will not buy a $100,000+ car unless it's leased and so far I've owned all my cars. I'll lease an S500 after the wedding for my wife. I need a lease through the company anyways.

[Adam]

You guys are getting to old. LoL To be honest, some of the best fun I have in my car is when I go head to head with some guy in whatever they have. I am not completely stupid,as I don't race when the when the conditions are dangerous. I have had to turn down some guys I know I could have taken, but it is better to be safe and alive. I need to find something more structured like an autocross.

[Stryke]

From 19-23 I had a 1990 Mustang GT Convertible with close to 350HP. I raced it here and there too. I guess as you grow up your priorities change.

[Adam]

Yeah, your right styke. I'm 23 now, so I better live it while I still can. The andrenaline pump from racing is pretty addictive isn't it?

[Stryke]

I used to get my rush from skydiving and my Yamaha1200 jet ski. These days I get it from collecting watches. Every new piece I acquire keeps me busy for a few days!