Thinking about a 996 Turbo

[JP_Albin]

Hi,

After many many happy years with my 993, i am considering trading up to a 996 Turbo.

Are there any "issues" that i should be on the look out for?... I have seen 3 at www.autobahn.co.uk, which look fantastic.

Any help and/or advice is gratefully appreciated, as i have no mechanical/technical clues!!

Thanks!

 

[garyw]

Stuart will be your man with the low down on the 996Turbo...

Luckily no issues with the RMS which I'm sure you will have read about..
I've had no serious problems with any of mine, had the front shocks replaced under warranty and a few front spoiler lips replaced- one last week []... not the end of the Earth but a £200 job, just depends on what the roads and speed bumps are like around by you..
I've read reports of Sunroof s leaking, but thats not specific to the Turbo, watch out for stone damage on the front rads, have a good look at them..
garyw

 

[sniper]

I went from a 993 turbo to a 996 turbo - around 3 months ago.

Very happy with the 996 - fantastic to drive. Cheaper to insure as well for whatever reason. Also been told that PMD service is approx half in cost when compared to the 993. Fuel economy slightly better too. Quciker - although only fractionally and has a far more supple ride. Handling is much much better.

Do miss the 993 though[] - had more character, and looked more agressive if a little more dated.

 

[C V Read]

I had exactly the same thought about 6 months ago - spent a lot of time looking for the right car (there's no shortage but a lot of variety). The only thing was, in the end I couldn't actually part with my 993 for several reasons:

- it just looks nicer
- it sounds nicer
- it feels better built
- there are relatively few about
- I know where I stand with depreciation and servicing

The turbo is a great everyday car but in terms of character its not a patch on the 993. I finished up trading my audi for the turbo instead and its been great - refined, usable, reliable, air conditioning that works over 25 degrees, etc. with the added benefit/problem that you don't really have to put much effort in to go quickly. I haven't had any problems with it (but I did buy from an OPC just in case) and it even hits 30mpg on a motorway cruise. Its a great car and one that anyone can get into and drive but I don't look forward to a trip the same way I do with the 993.

Charlie

 

[JP_Albin]

Thanks for your comments!

Charlie, I have heard that from a couple of friends (993 owners !)... I think i need to weigh those factors up!

Cheers!

 

[Grant]

ORIGINAL: C V Read
I had exactly the same thought about 6 months ago - spent a lot of time looking for the right car (there's no shortage but a lot of variety). The only thing was, in the end I couldn't actually part with my 993 for several reasons:
it just looks nicer -
Love is in the eye of the beholder, personally I think the 993 is very dated inside & out, I'm not knocking your choice, great if you like it, but I don't, to me the 996 is meaner, sleeker, modern!
- it sounds nicer -
I have a Cargraphic sports exhaust on mine makes the 993 sound like a sowing machine!
- it feels better built -
Why? the 996TT doesn't have any specific reliabilty issues!
- there are relatively few about
Fair point, but you have to wonder why 996's have sold so much better, people tend to vote with their cheque book!
- I know where I stand with depreciation and servicing
Depreciation is much better on the 993TT agree fully a very good reason to own one .
Servicing isn't, 993TT MUCH more expensive to run excluding depreciation, more likely to have expensive issues due to age.
Charlie

The 993 Turbo is a fabulous, fantastic car (I can't blame you for wanting to keep yours as it obviously floats your boat!), yes the 996TT is more civilised than the 993, climate control that works, fabulous stereo, better ride quality, much more flexible engine with vastly quicker turbo spool & variocam plus, but it is something of a "jeckle & hyde" so it is still a fantastic drivers car, you just have to adjust to it's style!
Do a search on this section of the forum & you will find a host of stuff on the 996TT from past posts.

 

[JP_Albin]

Thanks!

Decisions, decisions ! []

 

[Lancerlot]

ORIGINAL: jp albin

Hi,

After many many happy years with my 993, i am considering trading up to a 996 Turbo.

Go for it lad. I've had 8 new Porsches and my current 996 Turbo is the best by far!

 

[SNB993]

Hi JP
I have just made exactly that step having weighed up a 993TT vs. 996TT and went for latter.
The difficulty for me was finding one that wasn't tiptronic OR silver!
It is very smooth and very easy to live with.
Simon (also Titanic!)

 

[911_turbo]

ORIGINAL: sniper

I went from a 993 turbo to a 996 turbo

Me too; about a year ago and haven't looked back since. Go for it - they're amazing value now

 

[JP_Albin]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments, i really appreciate them![]

I do think i will trade up to the 996Turbo, within the next few months, once i have found a home for my 993.

Has anyone got one with a TUBI exhaust system ? It is suposed to sounds great!

Cheers

 

[Guest]

Just to add a thought.

I bought a LHD 996 turbo in Feb. It is a may 03 car with 20k and cost me with a full years service 45k. I find that astonishing for such an amazing car. The thought of losing close to 50k in just under 3 years shows that Porsche is perhaps now producing too many cars.

The good news is the chance to buy a truly amazing car for the price of a specced up audi estate...

My problem is that I am going to turn it into a high mileage car!

 

[lee fulford]

ORIGINAL: jp albin

Hi,

Thanks for the comments, i really appreciate them![]

I do think i will trade up to the 996Turbo, within the next few months, once i have found a home for my 993.

Has anyone got one with a TUBI exhaust system ? It is suposed to sounds great!

Cheers

I have a Tubi on my TT........ask the guys who were at Brands yesterday (separate thread) to know if they thought it sounded well.

 

[911_turbo]

ORIGINAL: lee fulford

I have a Tubi on my TT........ask the guys who were at Brands yesterday (separate thread) to know if they thought it sounded well.

Hi Lee, I've been thinking about getting a Tubi for mine. Does it make a difference to the sound on tickover / low revs or only when you put your foot down? Also, what's it like on long motorway journeys; does drone or get annoying?

 

[lee fulford]

Hi

The exhaust is quiet at normal throttle or cruising, only a slight boom at around 2000 revs.....I don't notice it but my daughter does. Tick over is awesome when you initially start up from cold but for some reason tuns more muffled after about a minute.

When you nail the throttle it sounds LOUD and anyone that is around says it sounds the nuts. It's not an easy thing to get a turbo car to sound good but I reckon this is as good as it gets. If you're near Kent then take a listen one day.

Worth getting one.....slightly more interesting noise when cruising without being obtrusive.

 

[911_turbo]

Lee, I'd like to hear it in person so I'll try to make it down to a club night soon now that P&D have moved it back to the Moat. Otherwise maybe you'd be up for coming along to this:

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=214672&mpage=1&key=&#214672

Cheers,
Barry

 

[lee fulford]

May well be up for that Barry......Difficult to say at the moment as I'm moving house that week.

I only live in Sevenoaks so if you're pottering about one day pop down,