996 RTurbo (Ruf) on 3K mile trip from Dallas to Vancouver

I'm the happy, 'new to me' owner of a 2002 RTurbo Ruf from Ruf Auto Center in Dallas. Flew down to get the car on Monday, Aug. 4th, and am currently half way through a 3K drive back to Vancouver. The Ruf Auto Center is a visual and experiental treat, with an amazing array of Ruf modified cars, great premises, and great staff. Thanks to Jonathan Peck for all his help! Some tech specs. It's a 550HP/575ft/lb TQ conversion, including heavy duty clutch and Ruf exhaust. It has a Ruf coil over suspension, Ruf 'Big Red' front brakes, Ruf short shift, and 19" Ruf 3 piece Superleggra wheels, shod with 235s on front and 315s on rear, and 3m bra. It also has carbon fibre spoiler, side mirrors, and internal carbon fibre panels, and dash material that looks excellent. Car has 16K miles. On first seeing the car and doing my personal 360 inspection, I would have assumed the car was new both inside and out, had I not known otherwise. Initial Driving Impressions: The car is a dream in so many ways. But if I had to sum it up, I'd say its a fabulous grand tourer with super high end punch and cornering. I've only opened it up to a limited extent, but the consistent surge in power is truly impressive. When Ruf says 550HP, that means 550HP on any dyno, any time. Comparison to my 993TT (modified to 490HP). With the Ruf mods, the immediacy of the driving experience between the 996TT and 993TT is very close. Recall that 993TT affecionadoes lament the lack of rawness and disengagement in the cushier 996TT. No way hosay with this Rturbo. The only rawness the 993TT can claim over the 996TT stems from being more ancient with more rattles. I love the 993TT (black on black) but I'm afraid it will be finding a new home. Comparison to my Ferrari Challenge Stradale. IMHO, the Ruf is "hot and aggressive" looking. In contrast, my CS is "hot and exotic looking". The Ruf beckons more like a cup car, ready to race, the CS beckons more like movie star, ready to go on stage. Having said that, the CS is a stability marvel on the track and with F1 shifting one feels like Schumi. The Ruf will certainly outaccelerate the CS but I'll have to wait for my track day to determine just how much the car will shine on the track. Well, that's it for now. I have another 500 miles of twisties in Wyoming mountain country ahead of the Ruf tomorrow. I'm sure there are other Rtubro owners out there and I'd welcome any insights or suggestions they might have. Cheers, Paul

Gorgeous car! Congrats!

Very sweet looking. Enjoy the rest of your drive home.

what an incredible car - and what must be a tremendous cross country driving experience! I hope the seats are comfy and you brought the V1 - I sense a little law braking in that thing!

That is Sweet!!! Enjoy!

That is great. I bought my car in Chicago and drove it back. Its an experience I will never forget. Your drive is nicer than mine and you have the option to go through Montana. Is Montana still a state with high speed limits on their freeways?

WOW beautiful car, congrats... I always love to stop by Ruf for service so that I can check out their inventory and I think I have seen this one over there. Enjoy & be careful w/ this rocket on wheels. Cheers.

Sounds like fun - I've driven across country several times, myself. I went from San Diego to Michigan and back, twice; San Diego to San Antonio and back; and San Diego to Baltimore 6 months ago when I moved here. Every time has been great. No problems - just comfortable cruising and this thing can eat up the miles no matter what the conditions. This is my Garmin trip stats from the last time I drove back from Michigan to San Diego - taken in Utah, right before my first stop for the night (600miles to go): My max speed was on an open stretch in East Utah, and my speedometer read ~168mph before I let off.

DROOL! ME+YOUR CAR=JAIL

Envy does not even begin to describe how I feel about both your car and your journey. Congrats on both!

Awesome! Does the car have a RUF VIN#? I have never seen one up here north of the border. Congrats!!!

Congrats! Enjoy the beast FYI, there is a Ruf registry on the 993 board (not just 993s, that's just where it ended up). https://rennlist.com/forums/993-turbo-forum/300616-got-a-ruf-register-here.html -td

Threads no good without trip pictures, but nice ride none the less.

Ruf.... FTGDMFW!!!!

Sweet. Very Sweet!!!

NICE! I've been looking at that car from the RUF's website. Congrats on the purchase!!

I am in Dallas and would gladly deliver any RUF vehicle for FREE (+ gas and plane ticket home) (bus fare negotiable in place of plane ticket on select RUF models)

Beautiful car - thanks for sharing

Wayne and staff are great people .