Which is better?

As my first pot I thought I'd ask which is better.. Only joking!! I have been lurking for a while so not completely clueless but what I would like is real world ownership experiences of 996 ownership. Originally I had planned to get a 3.6 low £20k's model but the budget inevitably has crept up and up and now I find myself gazing at the £30k turbos. So what I would like to know would I be mad getting a £30k ish turbo? What is annual cost ownership like? Reliability etc etc problem is I have hankered after a 911 turbo for years and feel the itch needs scratching.

The 996 turbo engine is more robust than the standard 996 so you unlikely to have problems. I would expect running costs to be marginally higher than a standard 996 especially when it comes to tyre and brake maintenance. And depending on your age and from what car you comimng from (age 21/Nissan Micra or age61/Ferrari), it would be worth checking what you will be paying for insurance on the turbo as compared to the standard 996 But whatever you chose, make sure to have it checked by an reputable independenant first!

Personal choice, NA and TT are both great cars, buy the one you want. You'll get the 'I want one of those' feeling every time you drive past one. As mentioned brakes, tyres, rads etc will cost you slightly more, on experience so far 20-30% more.

I am 37 so insurance will not be ridiculous and I currently have an integrale so I used to hefty bills!! My main concern is £30k for a 996 turbo too low? Is it just going to need a LOT of love and attention t keep it on the road. One thing I don't want to do is go for one car that needs constant tlc into another.

For £30k you are probably looking at a 2000-2001 Turbo, and I don't think you will have many more issues than you would with any other similar mileage 996. In 8-9 years, or 50-60,000 miles the car will have needed some work, and you just want to make sure that the common things have been done, rather than need doing just after you get it. Things like aircon condensers, etc., although that applies to any 996. Running costs are slightly higher. Apart from the obvious - higher fuel consumption, tyre wear, etc., servicing costs are a little more, and spark plug changes are much more expensive. Other than that, the cost of running one isn't substantially different. Of course, you can be lucky - or not. Badasan is right though - they are both great cars, but it will nag at you if you don't get the one you really want.

Alternatively buy a cheaper NA 996, run it for 6 months so you get used to the car and it's issues, then if you like Porsche ownership (and who wouldn't) you can upgrade to the turbo. I've owned many sports cars, but the 996 was the oldest car I had ever brought. I've started with a 2000 C2, which I'll probably upgrade to something like a 2003 C4S in 6 months, then if I'm still hooked I'll go for a turbo. By this point I should hopefully have a lot better idea of the things to look out for when buying a 996. Alternatively just say sod it and get the turbo!!!

I went to a Porsche specialist a couple of months ago and most of their stock was very shabby and it was a dissappointment. I expected to fall in love with a 996 and have to raid the piggy bank. But it didn't happen as the ars were poor. But at the weekend I went to a different dealer and their car were a totally different standard and I can say that a 996 turbo is what I want. Hopefully in the next month or two the stars can align and everything fit into place that means I can buy one. Wish me luck

Matt Welcome aboard the quest for TT ownership Sometimes it takes a while Sometimes not so long.Alas for me the former for various reasons. I was bitten by driving one. I am in tune with what is available for sale and feel 30k is not enough money at present.It was a while ago but TT's are going up and good stock is moving fast. List your wants and don't wants and have a PPI done before handing over your money. If you are like me the yearn will only get stronger as time passes to the point of "it hurts"

turbo all day long for me. But then i would say that as I have one. It's a fantastic car. I've just got back from a blat along the South Coast and haven't stopped smiling, lol. I'm 30 years old and pay £361 with Admiral so not expensive at all. My last car was £1200 over the same term and on limited mileage (Noble). But I agree with what has been said already, you are the one buying it so you should go with your heart. Don't worry about what over people say. Good luck Jim

Turbo for 30k There are a number of Turbos out there that have been brought because the media has constantly fed a diet of "get into a super car for 30k". These owners cannot afford the proper up keep ie oil change every 6 months, tyres etc so do not spend then sell on cheap. 30k will not imo get you a good well looked after 996 Turbo. 40k upwards is reasonable, but get it looked over by independent

I know there is always the overwhelming natural reaction to over value ones car and on every car forum / enthusiasts site the subject of car value is always "keenly" debated but £40k upwards?? Really? I have only just started looking and have seen some mint 03 turbos with 40k miles on them from dealers for considerably less than that. I'd also argue if you afford £30k you can afford oil. I would not buy something I was not 100% satisfied with and if when I come to buy the nice one are higher than expected I will put more in the pot.

I think £30 -32k is about right for a reasonable 01/51 plate. Mine is a 51 plate with 58k miles and if I was to sell the car privately that is the money I would expect. To say a car is ropey and may have not had an oil change every 6 months because of the price is ridiculous. Mine has had a 12 page article on it in T911 and has been maintained to the highest standard never wanting for anything. I know for a fact that when I come to sell mine there are two or three people waiting to have it off me. So in short £30k will get you into an earlier 996tt. Just make sure you get a proper inspection done and find out as much about the car as you can.

Hi, I went through the exact same dilema. Having never owned a Porsche before, started nearly a 2yr process of picking my way though the model range, specs, & nice to have's. Started with £20K budget into the 996 range. Tried C2's & C4's, nice cars, but I fould I was still waiting & expecting something else in the performance side. I now attribute that towards having "turbo" cars in the past, and the way that type of performance was delivered. Anycase, over the 2yr period still looking, going from early 996's £20K and up, C2's and C4's etc, Oct/Nov 08 arrived, and the previously priced mid £40K turbo's had dropped to the point (early £30K's) where spending another £10-£12K seemed worth while. I also found some comfort in moving towards the 3.6 built proof advice, as apposed to the early 3.4 problems. I found it incredibly difficult to get a test drive in any turbo, and indeed did not get one until I went to see the 1 I know have. I even flew from Aberdeen to London to a dealer who had a std 996 turbo and a modified one, but who wouldn't let them out for a test drive. When I drove the turbo, I was not disappointed, it delivered everything I was missing, and today still makes me smile, as a perfomance package it's an incredible machine. Ownership, and I'll be careful what I say (incase all goes pete tong) has not hit the balance to hard, I had to buy 5 tyres within 1 week, but thats another story, apart from that, performed a front wheel bearing change out myself, PMS & ABS sometimes get confused, but a ingnition switch off/on always resolves, it flew through the MOT last week without breaking sweat, and I'm just about to arrange a minor service at Porsche (menu pricing), all in all, it has been a very pleasant experience to date. I have a couple of rattling noises here and there, but nothing to alarming and will get to them when time allows. PLanning for the winter to remove the front bumper, check/clear the rads, check uner neath, another valet type treatment etc, i.e. nothing to onurus. Keep on top of the oil consumption, and other service levels, tyre pressures, wash it reguarly, generally some good common sense low level maintanence, keep the SH up to date all should be well, don't abuse it, i.e. wait till warm before lighting it up. As mentioned, out of interest I've been watching values and am pleasantly surprised in values holding and increasing for any cars with that extra nice to have's. I paid £32.5K in Nov 08 for an 2001 (Mk2) 996TT, cobalt blue, 38Kmls, FSH, plenty of extras and a Tubi exhaust system. My only comment is that getting the right colour combo is a personnel choice, but will affect re-sale, as during my search it played a major part in the selection process, not so much getting the right choice, but more towards avoiding selecting the wrong choice that would be avoided by the masses. I think, and completely dependant upon the car, for a good one, somewhere between £30.5K - £34.5K should bag a good one. If your comfortable with the private route, make time to have a good natter with the owner, get a feel for how you think the car has been treated etc. As for spending a little more (much more in my case) to get a TT, absolutely, I did, and have smiled ever since, how they can legally produce cars that deliver this type of performance is beyond me, but thank goodness they do. Drooling ?

Sure am drooling. Cheers for all the replies. Getting a trip in a turbo is proving tough.. I have driven a 993 and 997 turbo but not a 996. I am sure it won't dissapoint. A 911 turbo is one of my all time dream carsso I think Must go the full hog and get one rather than an na. I know I'd always be looking at turbos thinking "I should have" as they say - people turned down the sweet trolley on the titanic. Certain stars have to align before I can hand over the cash but one of those three stars has already aligned!! Hopefully within about 2 months I can go looking with cash in my hand.