996 or 997 turbo

Ryanb · 11 Jun 2014

Hi all this is my first post just looking for some advice
I am currently looking at buying either a 996 or 997 turbo

I have wanted one of these ever since I can remember and I am lucky enough
To be in a position to buy one now

I am looking to keep the car for maybe 2 years at the most
As I am about to have my first child later this
Year so it's either now or much later

I have between 30-50k max to spend so could
Get a nice 997 but I want to know which you feel
Will offer me the best value for money so that its not going
To cost me a forums during ownership but also not lose me lots in
Depreciation in a couple of years.

Also I have always been keen on the manual but is it worth
Looking at the tiptronic as well??

I have a test drive in a 997 on Friday this week

Look forward to your feed back

Thanks

T8 · 12 Jun 2014

Hi Ryan

:welcome: to 911uk

So much depends on exactly how much you want to spend. £30k will get you a good 996T. £5k more will get the very best 996T available from a dealer but it will still be a 9 year old car. Good cars are holding their value at the moment but there's a big difference between what a car costs to buy and what it will be worth if you want to trade it in. Buying and selling privately is the only way to minimise depreciation. Buying now might mean you wouldn't lose anything in two years.

At the moment there aren't many sub £40k 997Ts worth considering - unless you can get a good one privately. There's some great cars around in the £45k -£50k bracket but these will still be depreciating, especially if you buy from a specialist.

Just looking at a 996T and a 997T should allow you to make a 'value for money' decision. Most people with a £50k budget would probably go for the newer car for the more modern looks alone.

Manual v Tip is a very personal thing. Both are superb cars but they are obviously different. Driving both is the only way to know for sure. Both have their fans on here.

Happy Hunting. :thumb:

ragpicker · 12 Jun 2014

A friend of mine has an independent dealership and is also a porsche fanatic owning a lovely collection of rare GT models, along with more modern cars such as a 997.2GT2RS

He tells me that whenever he has someone looking at a turbo he finds it very hard to justify the 997. In his opinion (and this is an opinion I respect due to his experience at both owning, driving and racing these cars) the '96 is the better car all round. He says the '97 is one step removed from the driving experience (the way the '96 is from the '93), the '96 is more alert and responsive during cornering, and there is no difference between the two cars in terms of performance. Either can be modified to the 'nth' degree in terms of performance anyway.

The 997 turbo has a completely covered underside which lends itself to earlier corrosion of components too I believe.

When I was looking at changing my car I was able to look at financing a 991 turbo (and therefore also able to look at the 997 and 996). I ended up choosing the 996 because of the following reasons:

1) I prefer to buy my cars in cash and not have any finance at all.
2) I absolutely cannot stand depreciation. I really don't mind high day to day running costs and maintenance but to lose a huge chunk of money on top does not appeal
3) I love the look of the 996 body shape. The 996 C4S is my favourite porsche shape of all time and the turbo is similar.
4) The interior really doesn't bother me. Some say it is dated but I spend most of my time enjoying the driving experience than feeling the leather trim.
5) Perceived value for money - Throw a few quid at a 996 turbo and they have the same performance as a standard 991 turbo S and about £100k difference in price!

I can't see me ever selling my 996. I will certainly be buying other cars, most likely a 991 turbo in 5-6 years and maybe a 964/993/boxster NA in the interim.

Just my reasoning, everyone is different though. Enjoy the hunt! :thumb:

Nytol · 12 Jun 2014

ragpicker said:
A friend of mine has an independent dealership and is also a porsche fanatic owning a lovely collection of rare GT models, along with more modern cars such as a 997.2GT2RS

He tells me that whenever he has someone looking at a turbo he finds it very hard to justify the 997. In his opinion (and this is an opinion I respect due to his experience at both owning, driving and racing these cars) the '96 is the better car all round. He says the '97 is one step removed from the driving experience (the way the '96 is from the '93), the '96 is more alert and responsive during cornering, and there is no difference between the two cars in terms of performance. Either can be modified to the 'nth' degree in terms of performance anyway.

The 997 turbo has a completely covered underside which lends itself to earlier corrosion of components too I believe.

When I was looking at changing my car I was able to look at financing a 991 turbo (and therefore also able to look at the 997 and 996). I ended up choosing the 996 because of the following reasons:

1) I prefer to buy my cars in cash and not have any finance at all.
2) I absolutely cannot stand depreciation. I really don't mind high day to day running costs and maintenance but to lose a huge chunk of money on top does not appeal
3) I love the look of the 996 body shape. The 996 C4S is my favourite porsche shape of all time and the turbo is similar.
4) The interior really doesn't bother me. Some say it is dated but I spend most of my time enjoying the driving experience than feeling the leather trim.
5) Perceived value for money - Throw a few quid at a 996 turbo and they have the same performance as a standard 991 turbo S and about £100k difference in price!

I can't see me ever selling my 996. I will certainly be buying other cars, most likely a 991 turbo in 5-6 years and maybe a 964/993/boxster NA in the interim.

Just my reasoning, everyone is different though. Enjoy the hunt! :thumb:

Awesome post, and I fully agree, except the bit about looks, as I prefer the 997, but the depreciation is enough to put me off for a while yet.

I've heard it said by a few people, including Chris Harris that the 996T is a more engaging drive than the 997T.

The money you save in depreciation will mean you'll be able to keep it, even after the baby arrives

Ryanb · 12 Jun 2014

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to my test drive
Tomorrow.
Looking forward to ownership but very concerned
That I don't want to loose 10k in a couple of years if I spend
50k on a 997?
How ever I do prefer the look of this car

Ryanb · 15 Jun 2014

Thanks for the help all I have now brought a 59 plate 997 turbo should pick it up next week.

looking forward to ownership.

T8 · 15 Jun 2014

:congrats:

Looking forward to hearing more details and ........... don't forget ........

:useless:

Eey_ore_9 · 15 Jun 2014

We'll well well

Man what are you thinking of 996 or 997 turbo with a budget of £30,000 to £50,000! I chose a 996 turbo over the 997 just on driving both of them, I agree the 996 is a better involving drive and much better value for money! But but....... £30,000 to £50,000 that's 996 gt2 territory, superb looking car to die for and it won't depreciate. if you get one now it'll more than likely go up n up! Just go have a look at some gt2s get a drive but be very careful with your right foot. Look on piston heads cars for sale there's usually one or two on there test drive and then have a ppi done on it. Really hope you take my advice and I'm surprised no one else has mentioned one yet :roll:

nicholas lawrence · 16 Jun 2014

I'd go for the 997 :thumbs:

cheshire911 · 16 Jun 2014

There's only one thing worse than a GT2. That's a bent crashed repaired wreck GT2! Take great care is all I can say. If you don't know what you're looking for, entrust that job to a specialist who does know what he is looking for. £50k will just about get you into a reasonable GT2, but a budget of £55k-£60k is better.

On the post of 996 v 997 Turbo. The 996 will be a best-value purcahse as depriciation seems to have bottomed out. The 997 will fall further in depriciation over time. Personally, I'd say the 996 Turbo in Manual - but I'm biased. I couldn't see myself chaning froma 996 Turbo to a 997 Turbo as its not a big enough jump in motor and characteristics.

Ryanb · 17 Jun 2014

I have always wanted a turbo since I was 10 years old so that is what I have gone for.

I prefer the look of the 997 to the 996.

I have gone for the look of the car as much as the speed and I don't want a car with the roll cage in etc as I have no interest in taking this car on track which is what they were meant for.

I have another car that I do that in wanted this as a nice car that I could look after and be in comfort.

But its each to their own the gt2 and gt3 are fantastic cars just not what I wanted at this moment in time.

Jamesyg · 17 Jun 2014

Enjoy it - sounds to me that you have bought exactly what you wanted.

I'd agree that the I much prefer the look of the 997 turbo over the 996, would I have bought one over a 996 for +£20k? Probably not, I'd also have looked for a 996 GT2.

However, the point is it's totally subjective and dependent on what you are after - and that is totally down to you.

Looking forward to seeing pics! :thumb:

911TEL · 17 Jun 2014

I think that you made the correct choice for your budget, IMHO the 997 Turbo is a better car overall, it will probably depreciate a little bit as the other guys have advised here but most cars do anyway, and it's all about your feeling for the car you drive each time you get in it.
Was it the one from 911Virgin by any chance , they had a really nice 59 plate there and recently sold?
So enjoy your 997 relax knowing you made the right choice( I am also biased !)

T

Ryanb · 17 Jun 2014

I will put some pics up when after I pick it up
On Friday so when I stop driving it over the weekend

I will get around to it

It's a 59 plate 997 turbo trip tonic with 37k
On the clock

It's in mint condition with regards to body work
As well.

Never thought I would buy a trip tropic
But was surprised how much I liked it must be getting
Lazy

Mark j · 17 Jun 2014

Good choice, as others have said it is down to personal choice hence why I bought one recently.
I would think the argument over the 996 handling better over a 997 would not apply to 90% of drivers including me, I drive it hard but will probably never get the full appreciation of what these cars are capable of.

996 or 997 turbo

Ryanb

New member

T8

Super Moderator

ragpicker

Portimao

Nytol

Montreal

Ryanb

New member

Ryanb

New member

T8

Super Moderator

Eey_ore_9

Monza

nicholas lawrence

Barcelona

cheshire911

Portimao

Ryanb

New member

Jamesyg

Hockenheim

911TEL

Albert Park

Ryanb

New member

Mark j

Trainee

Similar threads

Latest posts

New Threads

Porsche Model Range

Porsche 911

Porsche Hypercars

Other Current Porsche Model

Porsche Legacy Models

Forum statistics