$10 K to burn.....what to do

Okay.... here's the situation...... i am planning on either one of 3 routes: route 1: 02 facelift - $3K at Los Angeles wreking yard, paint $1K, dansk high flow cats $1k, giac $1K, route 2: supercharger $8K (hopefully if the 11+ goes through) route 3: litronics - $1500, turbo bumper for 99-01 model - $1500 (front) $1K (rear), dansk $1K high flow, giac $1K i currently have a 99 cab with iforged wheels already, and a nice stereo upgrade...... can't afford everything yet.... so taking little steps......

buy a CD, wait for 996TT to go down even more.......

get a CD and wait for the GT3's to go down a little...

You can do a lot of track days and go through a couple sets of track tires with $10K.

DONT do the facelift from the wrecking yard.....I know where you are talking about and they have a VERY bad rep...they actually sold someone here cut up and spliced wiring harnesses and charged them near FULL PRICE for them....you dont wanna get parts like this....Call Raj and Culver City Customs....he does these ALL THE TIME....and he sometimes has parts there as well....[phone removed]...When I did mine, he had a fender and TT bumper there, I brought him the lights and he got the correct harnesses and misc parts....plus the paint jobs there are TOP NOTCH...they do amazing work....

Did you do suspension yet? If not PSS9's would be first on my list.

S/C, no brainer for me

He is in SoCal....so the S/C wouldnt pass smog...he'd have to remove it and reinstall to pass smog...a PITA...

I agree with Newport, suspension is the way to go. If you ever take your car on the track it will become apparent very quickly that suspension upgrades are sorely needed. And right at that time you will want saftey equipment i.e. seats, harness and bar. There's the 10K all gone.

thanks for the heads up newport... you know what... they quoted me $3K for the facelift, then when i should up today, it went up to $5K....... WTF......! i haven't done suspension yet...... i think that would be the first on the list.... i didn't list it, because it won't make a difference on what option i did up top....... still trying to look around for the best deal on the pss9..........$2K for the pss9 then $600 for install, $240 for balancing... and then $100 for coner balance.... man $3K is pretty hard to swallow just to lower the car a little bit and no tracking........ Btw, what's CD? i'm thinking music.......

Yes they are a sham....I paid less than 5k, PAINTED.....and not with wrecking yard parts. Also your PSS9 install prices are way off too....Go to Lucent in LA...I paid $500 for install, included corner balancing and TWO alignments, one then and one in 30 days afer the car settles and you can fine tune your ride height. Dont look at PSS9's like that...your car will drive better, corner better, look better, and ride smoother. Its something you can see every time you look at the car and you can feel whenever you drive the car.

good point newport.... you need to call up pss9 and tell them to pay you for all the advertising for them...... thanks

A wild afternoon in Las Vegas!!!

porschedog.... already done that... but it didn't cost me $10K.......... when you know people... it's about 1/5 of that.... btw what's CD?

In this case, CD = certificate of deposit. It's basically gets you higher interest income than putting it in a savings account in a bank. Those people are recommending that you save the 10k now, wait for the 996TT to drop further in price, and buy one then.

thanks galum.... duh........ why not mutual funds...... i think they do a better job..... any financial planner here?

CDs are safe investment and you have no risk in loosing your initial capital. Saying "get a CD" is similar to saying put the money in the bank - i.e. don't spend it.

that is good advice.....if reality hits me... that is the best route to run...... but this mod bug.... man it's all over the place..... this site isn't helping either.......

I know the mod bug oh so well. My personal preference is always to modify the suspension first. I think it's the best bang for the buck because a better suspension setup is something that you can feel every day. I am not really into hp becuase I think anybody can go fast in a straight line.

well... since you already have an 02... you don't have to worry about the facelift..... and you have the stornger engine... i wish i frequent this site before i got the 99...... although i still love my 99........ but if i can do it again... 02 would have been the way to go.....

I'm just thinking out aloud but have you considered just swapping out for a C4S Cab instead of performing plastic surgery on a Mk. I? How much more pricey would that be?

well...... in order to do that.... i need to sell off my car... since i just got it, i'll be loosing some money, somewhere in the vicinity of $4K, then i need to find a C4S..... how much do one of those run for? about $50K....? so with that price tag, one i would rather get a tt instead of the C4S, and then i would also have to shell out at least $20k to get it.... i figure this is the cheaper route for the look. im in Socal , so 4 wheel drive is not a necessity. but nice thought though... appreciate it....

Since you REALLY want to spend money, how about an X74 suspension!

I don't know your financial situation but if you can't afford to do all the modding you want, I'd definately get the CD. This could be close to 15% of a previously owned GT3 in the future.

not for the 99 i don't think....besides i think i would rather go with the pss9 instead....

this seems to be the overwhelming advise.... but what if i don't want another porsche yet.... not for another 3-4 years... and by then, i will buy another one with no problem.......

i am not a FA, but financially, mod is waste $$. save up for the real deal, TT or GT3

Donate it to charity. PM me for details on the "LiveNupe GT3" foundation.

Oh man this is true but isn't it also somehow true that driving a Porsche is waste $$ as you hardly ever make a profit, so rationally we all should drive a Civic and put the funds on the bank/CD. BUT - there's the fun factor! Driving a Porsche is sooooo much fun and when you once got the mod bug, then this is an addiction too!

we're all fanatics here...and by definition, fanatics DON'T make good choices when it comes to our passion...... the question NOW is what is the best way to get the most for the least........... now there's the rub......

Looking at it all wrong...02+ has 20 more HP...hardly anything to envy...plus the facelift is like 3 or 4k if you do it right...02+ Cab for me was like 10k more easy....I also have a fully loaded car optioned amazingly...it let me mod more quickly with less $$ tied up in the car initially....

I'd do a 997 facelift and add a glass rear window.

so porsche smile..did u blow the 10k yet?

the 997 facelift is real expensive.... besides, i rather not run that route... just get a 997 later on instead.....

nope not yet.... still looking around....... better deals and what hits me best....

Supercharger for me thank you, for 10k I couldnt trade up to a nice turbo so I would just make what I have better! Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever you do.

buy my rims..then buy the supercharger on the group buy or failing that i would do the following till i ran outta cash: *Supercharge * Lightweight flywheel * Coilovers * Take another 200 pounds or so out of the car * Hang on to your gonads cause that car's goona move

Don't do any mods. It's a disease. It never goes away once you start.

i like your list...... now what will the lightweight flywheel do? just revs faster right? my wheels are iforged..... 19's and they are only 21 lbs..... real light.... i can really feel the difference when driving with these vs the 18's technology..... coilover just bought....... now what?

tooooo late..... already got headers, exhaust, wheels, clear sides, and a stereo system........ it's just tooooooo damn late........! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

aerokit?...OH! bucket seats and monoballs!!

GSXR 1000

i can't ride a bike....... tooo many tell me its not worth it............. dont think that i dont want one.......i always did, but now that i am married............ i just cant

Sure you can, on the gixxer you can throw a seat on the back when your wife wants to ride. Then throw a solo tail when she doesnt. Get another speed fix!

i used to ride, and unless i want to find a good divorce lawyer, I cannot ride again....If you have never ridden...DONT. Its easier to never know what its like....but it is WAY to dangerous here in SoCal....been alot of motorcycle cops as well as sportbike riders killed around here recently. With the boon of cell phones, I wouldnt ride on the street now. I rode about 5 years ago. Now EVERYONE in a car is talking on a cell phone....its too risky....With a car, they just say sorry and you get it fixed....with a bike...ouch...

i hear ya..... too many people in Socal tells me NOT to ride around here... now if i end up moving to Arizona or Vegas..... then chances are i can probably get one... but around here..... even with a car, people on cell phones scares the hell out of me...... and my mom says no.............

Agreed....

Porsche smile, never pass up the opportunity to get blown. For $8000 on the group buy, it's hard to beat. I'm sure that there are still places that will turn a blind eye (on smog) if you look hard enough. I would bet there are people here who can point you in the right direction. If you do it, you know that those of us who haven't gotten blown will be jealous.

For $8000, I'd think one would get more than just getting blown.

MFletch.... i know you've been itching for the "BLOW", r u getting one? and i called up GMG, they told me that they would call me back but left me on hold for a couple of days now....... but that happens often with these guys... .what the hell .......... where's the count at? are we at 11 with the 3.4L yet? how do we know.......?

Porsche Smile, I'm going to upgrade my suspension immediately so I can do some open track events. I am reluctant to do the blower because of the smog issue....my Saleen was a nightmare to smog. I don't want to deal with that hassle again.

ic.... what suspension set up r u going with? i am in the same boat as you are.... although i didn't have a problem with my G35 coupe and passing smog... it was also supercharged......

Porsche Smile, I'm leaning toward the ROW M030 suspension from Suncoast Motorsports for $1057. I drove Chuck Jones 99 996 last week with the PSS9s. It was fantastic. I just researched suspension modifications for our cars (and track use) on this site. The ROW is half the price of the Bilsteins and includes stiffer swaybars. It fits my budget at the moment. It is definately not the best. It is the most affordable that will meet my needs (for now). I'LL GLADLY LISTEN TO ADVICE. My wife's blown Rover isn't a problem with smog either...it's CARB exempt...unlike EVO's system.

Mfletch: You and I have been vascillating back and forth on the supercharger issue. One minute we're on, the next we talk ourselves out of it. I was hot and heavy in a discussion with a fellow who has a SC'd MY00...EVOM system with 1500 on the SC and 18K on the car....I could have bought it for $45K...which is a hell of a lot less than I would have into it if I SC'd my car...since I paid $38K for my 99 a year ago...add an easy $11-12K for the kit and install and I'd be better off buying the MY00 already done. I've seen several SC'd cars in the MY99-00 range going for $45K. I'm not tryiing to be a wet blanket here because the EVOMS system has a great reputation...it's just that the cost differentials wouldn't seem to favor me buying and installing a kit. Additionally, the way the prices are dropping on the 996tt...they're starting to get within gun range. The kicker is that the California smog issue still looms large and foreboding upon the horizon.....you have to concern yourself with having it smogged every two years...and an additional issue of (when you sell) finding a buyer in California who's willing to buy a SC'd Porsche with the inherent smog issue. That limits your local marketability.

Chuck, you and I agree..the TT makes more financial sense. On the other hand, Your car is beautiful...that color with the chrommies looks fantastic. My dream car is the MKI GT3 that was never sold in the US. If the EVO blower was smog legal, imagine a GT3 body kit on your car with the blower (maybe a roll bar and some more suspension mods). Your car would be incredible! Since when do logic & reason have anything to do with sports cars? You already have a Turbo....you need the blower for your 996. (I'm going to be a bad influence on you)

since when does logic, sport cars, and guys ever mesh together......it's all about passion...........

Based on what my last marriage cost me, I'd say $8,000 to get blown is pretty good value.

Mfletch: If you're hot for that SC...I'll turn you on to the guy I was talking to. He's done the GT3 body on the MY00 car....beautiful car...red with tan interior, 1500 on the SC and only 18K on the car....go for it big guy....then I'll come and drive your car. I'm starting to hang out on the 996tt board and salivate over guys getting the itch to jump up to the 997's....it's just a matter of time till a car comes along that I can't resist.

Bruce P, good one....my experience also. Chuck, That car sounds great. You forget, mine has a salvage title, I'm not willing to lose my shirt selling it. I've put too much work into it...we've bonded. I do want the GT-3 bodykit and the blower. It appears that EVO's promise to get it CARB certified is on a par with "the checks in the mail" or "I wont c*m in your mouth". I will not deal with the hassle of another car that is not smog legal. You would look good in another turbo, I just think you should hang on to your 996...it's such a unique color. My color is another reason I won't upgrade....it's easy to find in parking lots. Speaking of that, My wife was embarassed at the PCA event on Saturday, she got into a black 996 parked next to ours. The driver looked panicked...he said his girlfriend wouldn't understand.

LOL good one...

Mfletch wrote: "The driver looked panicked...he said his girlfriend wouldn't understand." If she had driven off with him....would you have understood? ...........Chuck

Hi Chuck, no I wouldn't have. Mine is better looking (both the wife and the car). See you next Saturday.