Getting first Porsche - torn as to which...tt?

So, here's the story. It's long but I want to get it all down. I've always wanted a Porsche 911 tt since as far back as I can remember. Current car is going back in May on lease return and I started looking around at what to get. Was set on the M3 for a while until I noticed how cheap 99 C2s are now. I had no idea. That's about the price range I was exploring before, maybe a slight bit higher but it's close. So I can get a nice C2 in Vancouver for about $50k + taxes so about $55k. This would be from a Porsche dealer, no clue about CPO yet, still need to investigate. It's a bit of a stretch over the '01/'02 M3...I can do it for a Porsche. I'd really like a cab w/ hardtop and maybe AWD so I may stretch that to $60-$65k done if I can find the right car. Oh and I'd definitely try to find an aero or put one on after, I love the look. Then I look on Ebay and see I can get a 2002 996 tt for as low as US$55,000!!!!! I had no idea. So I start doing the numbers... granted this is the absolute bottom but there are some with 30k miles for this price. Avg seems to be more in the $65k range. $55k + CDN convert + 6.1% duty + RIV fees/transport/etc = ~$78,000 That's only a $13k to $23k difference depending on what C2/C4 I'd get...while a lot of $, I could make that work. The house just gets paid off a little later. I wouldn't need to upgrade for years and years...and I'd have my dream car. It would definitely sting for a while but I suspect that would disappear anytime I turned the key The tt is going to be $600 higher insurance a year, more expensive to fix I assume, more $ to maintain (bigger brakes? bigger tires?). Wouldn't be from a local dealer as they can't come near that price it seems. So I wouldn't have as cooperative a local dealer anymore. But the tt would be SO MUCH MORE FUN. And no upgrade envy for a while. Also I read all these stories about how the tt engine is more bulletproof than the C2 engine for those years...C2 having the intermix issue, engines blowing up, US$13k to replace etc...haven't seen any of that for the tt. What's a tt engine and/or turbos cost to replace? So....go the extra $, get a tt, and sacrifice for a few years to make it happen? Or go conservative and get the C2, hope it doesn't depreciate to nothing and get a 997 tt when I can comfortably afford one. I do have a second vehicle that I can drive in the interim while I make my decision so I don't have to jump now. Although Porsches seem to be cheaper in the winter This car will be a daily driver. Approx 20 miles to get to work and back. So it'll see a fair number of miles over the long run. What would you do? Thanks for any advice.

Brock - It is a no-brainer, get the TT. I cant imagine comparing a 99 C2 (great car but no TT) to a 2001-up TT, totally different ballgame. TT's motor is more durable and a ton more tuneable for the future.

Get a very good handle on maintenance and repair cost of the tt. The guys on the tt board should be able to help with that. I am sure there are several who have owned 996's and M3's who can compare the costs. I suspect that costs on the tt, for clutches and repairs are going to be quite a bit higher than a 996. A 99 996 is fine and there are some issues with early 996's you can research here. It is 8 model years old. You can't realistically expect it to be troublefree. Once you have done your research, and if you can afford it, why not? Just be sure that you make a realistic decision as to what you can afford.

Thanks for the replies so far. One item which I forgot that may factor into it is this car will be a daily driver. Approx 20 miles a day for work.

A 996 makes a fine daily driver. I have read that a tt does as well.

It is a great time to buy a TT. Maintenance is no big deal (especially if you have an Indy you trust). And of course they are very mod friendly (this is where you may spend your $). There are no big issues. Even the second gear pop-out is rare (judging by the numbers done in the 6speed poll). I would go for the 02..I have even seen 03's for $65K (sandovals). You can drive these hard or not (so fine as a DD). And it is THE Porsche (I may get flamed for that, but the turbo Porsche is unbelievable). Good luck in your search.

As DCP mentioned, don't forget that these can be expensive cars to own. Don't spend your last dollar on the purchase. You'll buy tires 4 times as often as a regular car and brakes and rotors at least twice as often. Things that just don't go wrong on a Camary will go wrong on a Porsche. And when they go wrong they are expensive. I'd hate to see you back here in six months screaming that Porsches suck because you had to replace a clutch or whatever with only xx miles. I think you need to think long and hard about owning any Porsche if you can't write a $10k check without distress. You probably won't have to but you might need to. Jim

a TT is better in pretty much every respect, an awesome car The maintenance cost should be very close. You will probably have to replace clutch more often depending on driving style, but turbos seem to last forever......I keep waiting for mine to fail so I can upgrade.....but no dice TT engines are very reliable.....I only know of one that had to be rebuilt.....of course it had almost 200k miles with lots of track time Another advantage is that most come fully loaded.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying the TT requires more maintenance than a n/a 996. All Porsches are more expensive to drive than regular cars and the expense should be planned for. Jim

Four times as often as a normal family car? How about someone who has a G35, or a 350Z, or an M3? Is the rear tire replacement higher on the porsche since the engine is there? Thanks

Probably not more often than an M3 or 350Z. However, they will be more expensive. Go check out Tire Racks price for 2 - 285/30-18 rear tires.

Yes, You'll go through two sets of rears for every set of fronts.

that's great advice...... i think a lot of people CAN afford a Ferrari or a Lambo...... but not everyone can MAINTAIN it........ when it breaks it SUCKS but when it's GOOD it's REAL GOOD......... just know your limitation when it comes to money.....

Twin **** man, it's a no brainer..

With the weight, torque, and power of the TT, you will go thru rear tires significantly faster than a C2 or C4. I know, I've owned all three. Rears last 6-8,000 miles with a few guys getting more thru driving style or less aggressive alignment. 2 to 1 worked on my 993C4S, by the 996TT is at least 3 to 1, approaching 4 to 1. Cheers, PS: If you don't seriously intend to buy a TT, don't even test drive one. One drive and you're hooked on the massive torque available all the time.

Sorry, I should have used the "quote" feature. I was responding (intended) to BrockPorsche's question, "Is the rear tire replacement higher on the porsche since the engine is there?", not specifically to that of a 996 Turbo.