996Outpost.com

I really am enjoying my 2001 996 Turbo. It is mostly stock, extremely well sorted, runs super strong and looks great. But I still occasionally get the itch for something new, and occasionally see something tempting

I have an opportunity to pick up a 997 Turbo at a fairly decent price. My delta cost would be ~$10-13K, plus another few grand in sales tax burn.

Here's the specifics:

Current:
2001 996 Turbo Coupe

• Arctic silver over black
• Manual.
• 61K miles.
• Mostly stock, cobb tune, a few minor (and reversible) cosmetic mods
• Very well, sorted, cosmetically A, you have to look pretty hard to find a blemish inside or out.
• Extensive service history, multiple owners.
• Projected ask price upper forties?

Possible:
2007 997 Turbo Coupe

• Arctic silver over black
• Manual.
• 51K miles
• 100% stock, never touched mechanically by anyone but the Porsche dealer.
• Perfect mechanical condition, One owner. fully dealer serviced, full records.
• Cosmetically an A, with the exception of 4-5 clustered paint chips on passenger door, likely from a door opening into it.
• Projected purchase price upper fifties. Plus sales tax, plus transport.

Anyone here with experience in both? I know the 997 has more power, but probably fairly similar to my 996 with Cobb Tune. i also know they changed the AWD system significantly with the 997, and they also added SPASM as standard. Some feel the 996 is more raw (in a positive way).

Don't have experience with these forced-aired cars, but it seems like we're splitting Turbo hairs here. This itch you have for a newer Turbo is only going to lighten your wallet a little for what? Lights are not as perfect as the 996? Maybe a little HP that you'll never use? This is light trading mules my friend... you have a good one now, but the next one could be a total jackass. Be patient - remember, the second mouse always get the cheese!

Paul:
Well, the 997TT does have a potential problem with the camshaft sleeves spinning. They are just pressed on the end of the camshafts. The fix is to pin them, but it is an engine-out procedure. I saw an estimate of $7,200 to fix it. I don't know if it is a "common" problem (like our hydraulic wing actuators - not a matter of "if", but "when" those fail), but there are several threads online about it. Here's one:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-turbo-f ... aft-2.html

It is my understanding that the Mezger in our 996TTs are considered a superior engine.

That being said, for $10k to $13k, I'd upgrade.

Well, nothing it seems is as easy as it first appears...

When I called the Porsche dealer local to the 997 Turbo I'm looking at to enquire about scheduling a PPI, it turns out they did one a couple of months ago at the dealers expense, as they themselves were looking at buying the car... The service advisor was actually really cool, and although he said he couldn't send me the PPI results, he did essentially read me the entire thing over the phone.

A few more issues than the seller had described, leaking front diff, lipped rotors, out of spec tires, another small ding the seller hadn't mentioned, a second wheel with minor curb rash . They also reported that it had 11 range 4, 5 range 5, and 1 range 6 over revs, the most recent about 100 hours ago. Nothing catastrophic, just not exactly what I was hoping for.

I really want to give the seller the benefit of the doubt... He is a Porsche enthusiast, PCA member, etc, doesn't seem very mechanically or technically inclined and perhaps didn't know what the hell some of that meant when the dealer told him the results, thus never feeling the need to pass it on... Or maybe the dealer just said 'pass' and never gave him the detailed results. Or maybe the Seller just feels caveat emptor is appropriate for buying/selling a Porsche.

I hate the feeling when things don't line up with what a Seller says and what becomes factually evident. Still interested, at the right price. Just not exactly sure what that right price is, and if the Seller will take it.

b3freak wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 5:29 am Don't have experience with these forced-aired cars, but it seems like we're splitting Turbo hairs here. This itch you have for a newer Turbo is only going to lighten your wallet a little for what? Lights are not as perfect as the 996? Maybe a little HP that you'll never use? This is light trading mules my friend... you have a good one now, but the next one could be a total jackass. Be patient - remember, the second mouse always get the cheese!

I agree with all of these comments.

Except the last one is the incorrect analogy.

It should be: "The early bird gets the worm. But, the early worm gets eaten."

....but the thrill of the hunt!

Cuda911 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:23 pm

b3freak wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2018 5:29 am Don't have experience with these forced-aired cars, but it seems like we're splitting Turbo hairs here. This itch you have for a newer Turbo is only going to lighten your wallet a little for what? Lights are not as perfect as the 996? Maybe a little HP that you'll never use? This is light trading mules my friend... you have a good one now, but the next one could be a total jackass. Be patient - remember, the second mouse always get the cheese!

It should be: "The early bird gets the worm. But, the early worm gets eaten."

hahaha... not sure that makes sense, but ok.

Second mouse expression is abbreviated of course. The full version I've always heard is ... "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse always gets the cheese."

Picked up a 997tt to go with the 996tt late last year. The 997 is much more refined but lacking in the character of the 996. The interior on the 997 is wonderful but find the lighting on the cluster a little harder on the eyes at night vs the 996.

The PASM suspension really shines for road trips as does the additional fuel capacity.



However, the 996tt is so much more raw and connected as a drivers car. Plus has better looking head lights

If you pass on the 997 Paul, let me know. Maybe I'll pick that one up too, since I got the last one you past on. lol

It is the right color and what I really wanted in the first place. lol