996TT to C2?

I've had my 996TT for about 18 months and 4k miles. It's an amazing machine, but I keep thinking an early 996 C2 that I could modify (suspension, seats, exhaust) might be more fun (RWD, lighter weight). I was really hot for a 996 GT3, but the values are so great that I wouldn't feel comfortable "using it" as a daily and occasional auto-x/DE(1-2/yr) car. I know some people go the opposite direction, C2/4 to TT, but I really don't need a lot of power and enjoy having something I can push a little harder on the streets. My 996TT was stock when I got it with 47k miles. I did the 997 shifter console, numeric racing cables, RSS motor mounts, 997 trans mount. It is far better shifting now! Next step for the car would be replacing the stock suspension with either Bilstein or Ohlins coilovers and making it a bit more dialed to my liking. I know I'll never get my money out of the TT after doing a trans rebuild and clutch job. Am I nuts for considering a C2 or should I just continue down the path to make the TT more to my liking?

I think you should keep your TT. Much better car than the C2. My personal belief is the non-TT 996s are a huge gamble. Too many things can go wrong with them. They can turn into headaches really quickly and out of no where. You've got a really good car. I would keep it.

I see what he is saying. TT is great but there's more freedom in a 996, and he wants to be more involved.

I�ve never driven a 996tt, so it�s hard to say. On paper, I�d prefer the turbo. I would drive a C2 and see what you think. I went from a big powerful car to a light and low powered car and was just fine. Driving a slow car fast can be more fun than driving a fast car slow.

Well I started with a 99 c2 and I put 80k miles on it in five years. Now I upgraded to the turbo this year, So I understand what you are talking about. the c2 is a wonderful car if you find one with all the bugs worked out, but they still have things that can break or go bad for no reason and same with the turbo also. I like the n/a motor as winding through the gears is fun and it really makes you get it right to reward you with what it can do, as the turbo you just point and shoot and hang on. the turbo is just plain fun, plenty of power anytime you need or want it. They drive differently in the sense the c2 is lighter in the steering and overall weight too and it is very noticeable. its going to boil down what you want. C2 lite and nimble feeling or more power. since you already have the turbo car I’d say keep it, it will hold it’s value better over the long run. If you want find a c2 and drive it and see if you can live with less power. It is fun but once I got the turbo I won’t switch back, in the sense selling it to go back n/a 996. both are fun cars but they are night and day different.

I would keep the 6TT and pick up a 996 Carrera on the cheap to mod the hell out of.

Agree with the �slow car fast > fast car slow� thinking. You could get a really nice 997.2 for 996TT money.

You already dropped the dough on it. You might as well try to have fun with it. 996tt is basically a super car and the values are still good. This seems like a case of the grass is always greener. Just drive it and get your moneys worth. I think if you test drove a c2 you would appreciate the 996tt even more

I have had several 996 turbos, GT3 and Carreras, tracked them all. You are spot on, without going all out with track mods, the Carrera is by far the most fun to drive hard, and for the reasons you've listed. I know they have a "fragile" reputation, my experience has not matched that. A C2 really does feel quite light on its feet. With a set of coil overs, the car's handling is transformed. If you will only stick to auto-x/street driving, the car doesn't need a whole lot more than that, some tires and more sporting seats to hold you in place + good brake pads (Pagid RS29 is seems a great fit for a dual purpose car and what I have run in all of the above cars). Cheers!

Just pull the FWD out of your turbo and swap the trunk lid for a regular C2 lid. Then have fun

You can also have a Tuner like a COBB or other and put it in Valet mode and you can depower the car and do a front wheel drive delete ( which can be reversed )and you have a slower rear wheel drive car, that’s just a lil heavier and not have reliability issues you feel you would have.

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Agree with this. I've owned and had similar experiences on these various models and currently own a C2 and by far it feels more 'raw' then a TT. Mine has the standard mods, - exhaust, intake, coil overs, wheels and that is all you pretty much need for DD and on occasion track use. It's definitely not as fast as the TT but what you have a nice example of a 911 that you can mod without breaking your wallet. In regards to the reliability, - it's a Porsche so regardless if it's a TT or C2 be prepared for the repair costs. Like others have said - drive one and you'll figure out which car is right for you.

Expanding on my previous reply; Let me preface this by saying that I am currently selling my track modified Carrera 2 and considering modifying a turbo to about the same level of preparation. I have been down this road more than once. Despite all that the turbo offers, it's simply not as responsive and agile, and if that's most valuable to you as a driver, it is not as fun. The turbo weighs significantly more, and the front suspension geometry does not have as much feedback to accommodate the front axles. You could simply disconnect/remove the front axles, but to actually get similar steering geometry, you would need GT3/GT2 knuckles (I believe you may need different calipers to work with those knuckles, which will then change brake proportioning). Remedying that, you would need a GT3/GT2 master cylinder, which is not compatible with the standard PSM on the turbo). The different knuckles also require coil overs... For hard driving at that power level you will also want an LSD... If you did do all this, there would still be increased weight and throttle response would not be the same as a naturally aspirated engine. It would be significantly faster than a C2 without question, but there you are. My biggest personal problem with the turbo was actually the lack of feel in the clutch. Another thing you can fix by going to a GT2 slave conversion and getting rid of the power steering pump circuit that adds hydraulic assist to the clutch as fitted from the factory on the turbo. The turbo is a better car in many ways, but it doesn't feel as direct and agile as the Carrera 2. If you enjoy the stability, power, comfort that the turbo has over the agility and directness of the GT3/Carrera, you are all set. If not... well there's the other cars.

I have an X51 996 and have driven a few 996 Turbo's. The Turbo is a BEAST, a NA 996 will def feel slow to you coming from the Turbo. With that said, when I drove a mild tuned Turbo when I was thinking about upgrading from my X51 996 I literally looked myself in the mirror and said if I had that much power I would kill myself. There is no way I could drive the car to it's potential on the road at least, and if I tried to do so it would result in a bad accident. Turbos are unbelievable power where you constantly must practice restraint in driving. On the other hand, I can drive my 996 X51 hard and it does "feel" fast on it's own. But you have to drive it hard to do so. The Turbo is just a blip of the throttle and Take-Off.

All of these replies is why I bought a Porsche instead of a Corvette.

I've had a C2, a C4S, and now a built TT and I get what you're saying about how much fun a C2 is to drive compared to a TT. The C2 was like a go-kart, and the TT is just a beast, but you definitely feel the "heaviness".

2WD conversion. Then you would have a Fat A$$'d turbo C2!

I've never had a Porsche Turbo but I've had cars that provide similar situations to what you are talking about. My two favorite cars that I have owned were my 95 M3 and now my 996 C2 neither which are near the most powerful cars I've had. The M3 was woefully under powered but the previous owner took it pretty much as far as you could go without gutting it and turning it into a dedicated track car. It was such a blast to drive, even with only 240 hp it just handled so well and that suits the way I drive.

This is why Porsche makes GT cars: sporty and nimble like the Carreras, but more power towards to Turbo end. Only problem is the used ones aren�t cheap. But they also don�t depreciate the way the other 2 do.

Thank you for all the replies, I really appreciate it. I love hearing all the different perspectives. I should just be thankful to own a 996TT, but there is definitely some �grass is greener� in my mind. It�s my first Porsche after a lifelong of dreaming. Having owned 9 Audi�s in a row I should know that the Porsche is no different, sometimes you have to modify them to �add a little fun back in�. I will continue to enjoy the turbo for what it is and drive my Audi when I want a change. For contrast, I have an �01 A4 avant, quattro, manual, 1.8T. The car is nicely set up with Bilstein coilovers, LWFW, S4 clutch, OZ superleggeras, Dunlop direzza 3�s, Recaro pole positions, adj control arms and some stiffer bushings. It�s a go-kart and is such a joy to drive on the back roads and the track. Except for the sunroof it�s probably the lightest spec Audi avant you can find.

I sold my 2002 TT last fall, been missing it but I felt like it was trying to kill me. SO fast with a mild tune, 100+ is just too easy to hit. Anyway, been moping around and a C2 popped up at a local dealer for cheap, was maintained by my local shop, so I confirmed it had been taken care of and bought it. Have only had it a few weeks, but it is fun! Is it as quick at the TT, NO, but, you can wring it out more often, and is sounds better stock, and costs me less than 1/3 of the other car. Plan on making this car mine without fear of devaluing it, and percentage wise, i'll probably be able to get out what i put in like i was able to with the TT, Will just be a lower dollar amount. I can't see a clean C2 going for much less than I paid, so I'm good.

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I've had a bunch of Audi's myself, we currently have an A3 and S3 in our garage. I've had turbo and v8 S4's, 1.8t GLI and a 2.0 GTI. I liked them all but my 996 is way more fun to drive even though it feels slower than most of them.

My buddy, who has a stage 2(or 3?) 997.1TT, gave me a ride one night. It had stupid power, but as a daily-around-town-commuter, I "probably" wouldn't enjoy it. So I understand why you want to step "down". Still, it would be nice to have one.

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This ^^^ The 996tt feels a bit like a pig in stock format, even with a few mods it still does not talk to you in the ways that many wish from a driver engaging car. It does take some extensive weight removal and heavy suspension rework to really wake a 996tt up. However when you do it is a whole different animal. There does seem like there are two different camps for 911's...guys that like turbo's and the N/A fellows, I am a biased turbo guy. Something something about ballroom dancing with a 800lb gorilla....

Is going from a 996TT to a C2 a bit like a Salmon swimming downstream to spawn? If it were my money, I would not get rid of a turbo just to enjoy the suspension of a C2. Now, if you want to have less money put into a fun car that you won't loose much on (unless the motor somehow goes) then C2 all day. Mile it up with no worries.. But if you truly love your Turbo, I would disconnect the front diff and have some GT2 inspired fun. I get the whole nimbleness thing, my 996 is only about 200lbs heavier than my S2000 and it has 2 extra cylinders + back seats! But when you sleep at night will your conscious start whispering in your dreams... Turbo.. appreciation... cool whistle noises... turbo... boost... mezger...

Keep the Mezger, add a C2 . .02

Drive the car that fits the roads you drive. Who wouldn�t want a turbo, but maybe you drive roads that aren�t suitable to enjoying its power. I�m driving mostly little curvy backroads hard in my c4s in 2nd and 3rd, not much open highways. If i did own a turbo i would want to drive it all the time as it�s meant to be driven, and that would get me in trouble or worse. Driving one is on my bucket list.

It's easier to justify having your way with modding the C2/4. And you can wring it out more than you'd want to with your turbo. Look at the fun you get from your Audi. TT has more value. So you may or may not want to risk that.

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I do miss that smooth, slick shifting S2000 transmission... Mike