997TT - buy or wait for DSG?

[blueSL]

I've put my £10k down and have a delivery slot of May next year.

All sounds fine until I think about the things I don't like about the 997TT - I don't want a tip car but I don't want the "slower" car either. I want the sport button but I don't want the ridiculous clock thing. I want to be able to dock my iPod, not have to burn MP3 CDs. I want, but cannot have, blue seat belts. And isn't this thing a little bit too bling? And how's the exhaust note? Is there too much electronic intervention like there is in my SL55 AMG? You have to have the Porsche Tracking System but they have you over a barrel with annual subscription, no competition, no alternative no lifetime subscription like there is with with Tracker, or Tivo for that matter. And will it really reduce my insurance premium?

That's before I think about the depreciation on my Oct 03 996TT, 15k miles, bought last year for £75k, great car. What will I get for it in 9 months time, 22k miles? £50k if I'm lucky. It's that £2 a mile number again.

So, the options are, go for the 997TT and swallow the depreciation or wait for the DSG gearbox, run the 996TT for longer and "get my money's worth".

Which would you do?

 

[Sunil]

I too have paid my deposit and am expecting mine in March 2007. I haven't test driven the car yet but my issues are:

1. Although I like manual cars, and would never consider a tiptronic, DSG is expected on MY08 so does it make sense for me to wait? I think so.
2. I'm concerned about the facelift Porsche are giving the 997 which, again, is expected for MY08 cars.
3. I'm very concerned about the depreciation. The 911 isn't as solid as it once was. Porsche was propped up by the Cayenne the sales of which have been in massive decline in the US. I suspect that the company is releasing not just new models but increasing supply of existing models to maintain their cashflow. I can't remember where I read it now but Porsche make as much profit off a single TT as they do from 4 regular 911s or 7 Cayennes - does that mean that they will increase supply of TTs as well?
4. Everything I've read about the TT indicates that it's an amazingly fast car. I don't want to buy just a fast car, I want to enjoy the experience of driving a sports car. If I just wanted a fast car I'd buy an AMG. I get the impression that the car seems a bit too sanitised. Noise is just as important as anyone with PSE can vouch for. Maybe I'm wrong but I'll see once I've driven it.
5. It really doesn't look any better for the £35k more than my 911S which is a car I love looking at. In fact, I saw a basalt black 997TT and it just didn't look very special at all. My OPC thinks that the wheels are hard to match up with a body colour.

So, in conclusion, I have to wait till I've driven it. If I don't leave the car raving about it and desperate to buy one, as I normally am after having driven some cars, I'll consider my options and I'm not so sure that Porsche will be amongst them.

 

[sawood12]

There is a statement in this week's Autocar from Porsche that says they are still developing their DSG box (they are not necessarily pinching it from Audi) and they have no intention of introducing it while they thing there is still more development in the Tiptronic box. The cynic in me thinks that is a bit of marketting blurb to protect the sales of the tiptronic turbo models until they release the DSG so people don't hold off ordering one until DSG is available.

 

[Sunil]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

There is a statement in this week's Autocar from Porsche that says they are still developing their DSG box (they are not necessarily pinching it from Audi) and they have no intention of introducing it while they thing there is still more development in the Tiptronic box. The cynic in me thinks that is a bit of marketting blurb to protect the sales of the tiptronic turbo models until they release the DSG so people don't hold off ordering one until DSG is available.

I haven't seen this week's Autocar as I've been away (ahem, out of the country not away away) but they're talking a load of bull. They'll introduce it if just to increase sales.

So far as development of the Tip goes:

Compared to the slow, jerky, and cumbersome Tiptronic gearbox, the DSG is light years ahead and miles better.

Porsche to Introduce 7-Speed DSG Gearbox
http://www.carpages.ca/go/autonews/07302006,porsche_to_introduce_7speed_dsg_gearbox.aspx

Furthermore, with respect to when DSG will be released and the upcoming facelift:

It was originally intended to be launched on the recently introduced 911 Turbo, but delays in the development of the new gearbox now mean it is unlikely to appear until the face-lifted version of the current 997-series 911 is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next year.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116301

 

[garyw]

I am lucky enough to have driven the 997Turbo and compared to my 996Turbo the drive was brilliant, the front end and infact the whole car felt so much more compliant. Hard to say if it was much faster than mine as the road didn't allow a full test and my car feels quick anyway, so muting the effect.
Whilst not as loud as we possibly would like it, the new car did have a more interesting sound to it
If its the drive your looking for then I don't think you'll be disappointed, however there is the GT3 in the equation..[]

I'm expecting delivery in October/November and would so of liked DSG, but I'm fully aware it won't be available for me to spec...
I enjoyed the manual drive so much that I'm not really feeling that I've missed out on anything, Tip/manual speeds are similar and possibly a rechip would gain you the extra tenths easier and cheaper than some other options ??

garyw

 

[Alex L]

After MUCH deliberation I have decided to WAIT to trade in my 997 C2S Cab for the TT. PDK I've been told (by my OPC) won't be out until the facelift IN 2008 - which means MY2009 cars.

Weighing the pluses and minuses...

Speed: 'Crazy fast' against just 'fast' - but I can barely use my 'fast' C2S now on a daily basis. The TT does seem to hunker down to the road better when accelerating though from my brief test drive.
Looks: My C2S Cab wins hands down there (especially with the roof down), the side-scoops and rear spoilers definitely interfere with the 997's lines.
Noise: My PSE (hacked to always be on) is simply 1/2 of the driving pleasure now for me. The Turbo will never sound this good.
Fun: I'm not sure I could afford the TT Cab so would probably have to go for the coupe which means no more convertible. I think I'd really miss it.

So really I'd be losing at least £20k in depreciation and then another £40k to upgrade.

The TT with no PDK and no facelift goodies (incl. I believe a front extendable spoiler to aid that light steering feeling when accelerating) is just not worth the extra money right now for me when stacked up against my current C2S Cab. It may of course be a different answer if I didn't already have a 997 though"¦