Thinking of buying a 996 TT - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Ckrikos · 10-19-2013, 05:05 PM

I have always wanted one and am thinking of getting one now that prices have come down to around 40k for a low mileage 02/03. Does anyone have any experience with them. I think they are fairly bullet proof, they don't have an IMS so not grenading motors. I probably would be looking for a stock model, not a souped up car. I'll probably keep my boxster as its worth more to me than 10k or whatever they sell for these days, problem is that it will get driven even less. I'll have to teach my wife to drive stick so she can take it out.

Chuck W. · 10-19-2013, 05:15 PM

I have my Boxster for sale so I can buy an '04/'05 996tt cab. Take a look at the below link. It is to the Rennlist 996 turbo forum. Tons of information there and some great folks.

996 Turbo Forum - Rennlist Discussion Forums

j.fro · 10-19-2013, 05:18 PM

Do it! 996 TT is one of the best sports car deals out there. Prep yourself for DIY maintenance and it is a great move.

Paul · 10-19-2013, 07:02 PM

Go for it, but keep your Boxster it's more fun in the twisties.

ChrisZang · 10-19-2013, 08:35 PM

I think the only "known issue" are the coolant pipes which at one point will crack. It's not a maybe like with the IMS, it's just a question of time.
Just Google "996 turbo coolant pipe: and you get the idea

Last930 · 10-20-2013, 04:59 AM

The 996TT is an unbelievable car, but not without the usual Achilles heels all Porsches seem to have. Second gear pop-out, clutch accumulators, diverter valves, coolant pipes... That being said they are great cars. The power is addictive. Get a good ppi!

jacabean · 10-20-2013, 05:35 AM

Te biggest problem with the turbo in my opinion is that it is so tightly packaged that it will be very difficult for the DIY types to do maintenance and repairs on it . Take a good look at the engine bay and underside it is crazy tight !

Flavor 987S · 10-20-2013, 06:11 AM

If you can get past the headlights, the 996TT is a hell of a car and a great value right now in the used Porsche line-up. You need to start living on Rennlist and learn all you can.

coreseller · 10-20-2013, 06:45 AM

I have yet to hear from any P-Car enthusiast who made the jump that you are contemplating say anything negative about their experience. As others have stated, the 996 TT is a supercar bargain right now.

Nine8Six · 10-20-2013, 07:21 AM

got to be a very fun car, regardless of what the front-end looks

thstone · 10-20-2013, 07:26 AM

The 996TT is an incredible car and a great deal! Do it.

Standard DIY stuff can easily be done, but you'll eventually need some professional help as the engine is quite complex compared to a standard M96.

san rensho · 10-20-2013, 07:40 AM

Excellence mag had a great write up on turbos a couple of months ago. Gives a good overview of the water cooled tubos.

Perfectlap · 10-20-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ckrikos

I have always wanted one and am thinking of getting one now that prices have come down to around 40k for a low mileage 02/03. .

Last I checked on Autotrader (which tends to be on the high side of Porsche pricing) many decent low mileage 996 Turbos' were well into the 30K's. Some were spotless and nowhere near $40K.

The thing I don't like the about the 996 Turbo is that when the rear end slides just a bit it cuts power back there and you get even more understeer than it already has. It's a porker in my book but that's just the nature of an AWD grand touring. It's just not a nimble car, ditto for the 996 C4S. Also, if you plan to drive it every day in our state get out the piggy bank, like any Carrera Turbo the maintenance is much higher over the NA engines. But if down-grading on handling is not important to you and you'll only be driving it ocassionaly then its a tremendous bargain for a grand touring car that at one time was the Porsche you could park next to an F355 or F360. Personally for a two season car, I would go 996 GT3. That might be the last raw 911.

Topless · 10-20-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ckrikos

I have always wanted one and am thinking of getting one now that prices have come down to around 40k for a low mileage 02/03. Does anyone have any experience with them. I think they are fairly bullet proof, they don't have an IMS so not grenading motors. I probably would be looking for a stock model, not a souped up car. I'll probably keep my boxster as its worth more to me than 10k or whatever they sell for these days, problem is that it will get driven even less. I'll have to teach my wife to drive stick so she can take it out.

The "grenade" on a 996TT is the cracking coolant pipes and necessary retrofit. If one blows while performance driving it dumps coolant on the rear wheels causing loss of control. There is a fix much like the IMS fix that requires dropping the motor and replacing all the cooling pipes. Cost is around $3500 from a recognized shop.

If you like the 996TT buy one with eyes open, retrofit the cooling system, and enjoy the car.

Perfectlap · 10-21-2013, 09:41 AM

^worth every dime. GT1 engine, unlike what they put in street version Carreras, is a tank.

Ckrikos · 10-21-2013, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the replies. I mostly want one because I need the four seats and don't want another m96. I use to drive in a very spirited fashion, now that I have kids that's hardly the case anymore. I will take advantage of the hp from time to time, but am looking more for long term reliability because I plan to keep her for a long time. I have had my 986 for nearly 12 years now, and I still love her as much as when I first picked her up. No matter what anyone says she has enough hp you just have to know how to get the old girl moving.

Perfectlap · 10-22-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ckrikos

Thanks for the replies. I mostly want one because I need the four seats and don't want another m96. I use to drive in a very spirited fashion, now that I have kids that's hardly the case anymore. I will take advantage of the hp from time to time, but am looking more for long term reliability because I plan to keep her for a long time. I have had my 986 for nearly 12 years now, and I still love her as much as when I first picked her up. No matter what anyone says she has enough hp you just have to know how to get the old girl moving.

I would stick with enthusisast-owned 996 Turbos sold in the forum classifieds.
Prior maintenance is very important in those if you want avoid being the one to do all the delayed pocket-digging. If you're going to go for a Carrera, go for the one with the more limited engine production. At the end of the day a Porsche's cash value comes down to the engine.