Ever wished you had a turbo or not a 911 ?

Two very extremes. Today on a two lane road with a 50mph limit I had to pass some clown doing 20 in the left lane using the right lane [I was definitely acting like a clown I hate using the right lane to pass people] and I honestly felt I wished I had a turbo to make this act quicker. Has anyone felt the same ? Also have you ever felt people mess with you because you drive a 911 ? I was at a stop sign taking a left with PLENTY of space and time to make my move before the Camry coming towards me. Yet when I made my move, the Camry had accelerated beyond the speed limit to beat me to the move so I had to jam on the brakes, thankfully even a base 996 has great brakes!

Other drivers treat me way differently when I�m driving my 996 than when I�m driving my BMW sedan. It�s easy to just let the wannabe racers go, but there is a certain kind of driver that wants to stick it to people driving sports cars. Those are harder to deal with.

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Not from the same perspective. I would want a Porsche 996/997 Turbo because of the Mezger engine. But I prefer the linear torque curve/acceleration of the Natural Aspirating cars. The best mix for me would be a GT3... that is... natural aspirating and Mezger. But I still love the M9X based cars.... best bang for the buck (no pun intented on the "bang" part) All the time! I mean... ALL the freakin' time... seems like everyone under 25 in a lowered Civic or some hot-hatch was nippin' at my heels to race me. For me, getting put in jail or killed on a normal road is not my idea of fun. But it seems like the ricers just love to toy with me on the expressways. The muscle car guys are not as bad as the ricers. Sometimes the soccer moms love fool with me too. I never see this problem with any of my other DD cars. Maybe it's hypersensitivity. I don't know. hahaha p.s. the pedants are going to nail you about the title...just warning you! Don't you know that "turbo" and "911" are the same in this context? hahaha Maybe you meant - 911 Turbo vs. 911 NA?

PDS - Porsche Derangement Syndrome

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Yes probably. Except the Camry has a higher retail value than my 911 Lol

I have a Turbo and a C2 and I can honestly say that the C2 is nicer all around. The Turbo can be WAY too much at times. I still get an equal amount of either people being nice to me, or people being jerks, in either car. Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave!

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So should I spend the money to make my C2 the best it can be ?

No need for a Turbo. (yet) Maybe these desires take some time to manifest. Yes, happens all the time. Mostly people trying to cut off an opening or box me in. Folks in the toy racers want to play, Pickup trucks want to stop you. Guess they should've bought a Porsche. Never happens when I'm in my Prius. Of course the likely hood of being able to make an opening in the Prius is more limited.

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That's the beauty of life, we can do whatever we want to our vehicles as long as it makes us happy. In regards to OP, I don't know that I wish to have one over the other, the 996 C2 has been a fantastic car all the way around. I would like a turbo for the increase in power, and that's pretty much it. Mezger would be an added bonus.

I find people driving like jerks and trying to cut me off, prevent me from turning, accelerating to keep me from turning out of side street even though I am going the opposite way from them, etc regardless of what car I am driving. The 996, the Civic Type R(yes Bobby a ricer ) or my Rav4 it doesn't matter. People are just all "me first" these days. As far as people wanting to race seems to be almost any age, sex or type of car. I get less of that in the 996 than the Type R. Choice between 996 NA or Turbro?...I pick my 996 as it has a "little" extra under the hood and can get me past the slow pokes in the fast lane very quickly.

Trust me on this - the d-bags come out in force if you have a 6TT. In the city I live in every kid with a Civic equipped with an ebay fartcan muffler and a slipping automatic trans wants to race me when I'm driving the Turbo. The Turbo brings out the rage in other drivers like no car I have ever had or driven. Pickup truck drivers are the worst, it makes me want to shout at these fools "Hey dude my 911 cost less than your F150 King Ranch Edition so clam up already & take a chill pill!" It'a at the point I don't even like driving the 911 anymore.

Really? I hate to say this but get over it. Everyone can choose to be an a$$hole. I choose not too. I have not had a lot of confrontation when driving my 911. Toronto has many many 911’s so not a lot of attention paid to it. My previous fun car was an original paint fox mustang. Fart cans always wanted to race. I couldn’t be bothered knowing I would win. I have nothing to prove. When I had something to prove was on track racing my best friend and his blown fox......that is where bragging rights count!

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I've had a couple of 911 Carreras but never a Porsche factory Turbo, although a 997TT or newer TT is on my short list of cars I'd like to own. My idea of fun driving is taking a nice drive on back country roads and my 996 has plenty of power for that as long as you keep the revs up and stay within the car's power band. A newer 911 Turbo, IMHO, is complete overkill for this purpose...it's a different story on track. BTW, you really felt the 996 was under powered for passing a car doing 20mph? Down shifting is your friend...

I have a 996 Carrera and a 997 Turbo. Very different driving experiences. I enjoy both very much and get similar reactions in both. People just seam to think any type of 911 is cool. I get as many comments on my 99' 996 than I do in my 997 turbo. And yes some people are jerks. But also some people treat you better just because of the car you're driving. Humans are very visual and judge people based on what they see. Just the way the world works. In the end it's better in my opinion to have these cars than not to have them. Driving experience is great no matter what people think. The 996 has enough power to pass. It's harder work but thats what makes it fun, you have to wind out the engine.

Maybe I'm lucky so far, but I don't really get bad reactions from people either when parked or driving. I think the 996 is a less shouty car than more modern 911s and therefore is treated with more friendliness. Although I did get a nice scrape on the front bumper today in a parking lot from someone. It really looked like it was done intentionally. Why do people do these things... Luckily I had planned on getting the bumper resprayed anyway from a small accident with a lady driver who backed into me in a parking lot a few months ago. I also have had many nice interactions with people who tell me that they like the car. It's funny (or not) how people think you are "rich" for driving a $25k car. Overall more good experiences than bad ones. Regarding the Turbo, I've never driven one but I don't need any more power on a regular road. It's hard enough to find a place to wind the engine out in 2nd and 3rd gear like it is. The only places where I think the Turbo would shine is on a track or on the Autobahn.

My previous car(modified BMW 135i) had a LOT more HP than my 996. I sold the BMW because I consistently chose to drive the Porsche and the BMW barely moved for 6 months. I chose my 996 C2 over a 996tt. I�m happy, and won�t be trading for a turbo. I have been thinking about buying a 944...and I�m tempted to LS Swap it. Also, I don�t have problems with other drivers...at least not any more than when I�m driving the minivan.

When I first got my 4s about 10 months ago, I got some horrible reactions. It was so bad that I almost wanted to get rid of it. Then I decided to say "F" everyone else, I love my car. I've had some people mess with me race wise, but they have all had much faster cars, and it was just in good fun. I laughed about it. On the back roads, the 4s can stay ahead of most cars unless the driver in the other car is pretty good. The average person can't push their car around corners.

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I feel you, and this is one of the reasons I bought a TT. It will be here in a few days! I'm super pumped to feel the difference between it and my 4s! I'm intrigued by people saying the TT is too much power...

I had an 83 944 for 14 years that morphed into a street/DE track car. I sold it in 2014 and went nearly 6 years with no play car. While I was play car-less a neighbor of mine bought an 85.2 944 and let me take it for a ride. The power felt so anemic that it cured any thoughts of getting into the 944 lineage again. Fast forward to this year with my 02 996 C2. I think that car has gobs of power and I have no problem passing people with extreme authority. Maybe it's because I drove the 944 for so many years that I am still getting used to the horse power, but I think the car is plenty fast. I've never driven a 911 turbo. I'm sure the power band is intoxicating when on boost.

I suppose this is one upside to living in a larger city is people don't seem to give a hoot what car I'm in, they drive like a-holes regardless.

I live 40 minutes north of Detroit.. I get both sides of it when I go down to Woodward on the weekend for a cruise. for me... I just drive

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When you made the pass, what where your RPM's? These cars pull hard and fast above 4K...But if you where lugging it, not so much.

I will say that I've never had a problem getting around anyone in my 4s....

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​​​​​​ Uhhh for resale reasons I won't answer

Was shopping for a 996TT for more HP and no IMS issues on either a trade-in or buy/sell basis but I ended up buying a 2014 Chevy Corvette Z51 Stringray 7MT Convertible and have listed my 2000 C4 Cab for sale on CL instead.

If I could afford it I would like to be driving this again in case I needed it !

Here in SC I've gotten mostly people in lifted trucks, mustangs, and camaros try to race. Sometimes will rev at a light so they know it's game time. Then I take off as normal while they scurry away. As far as interactions, I don't really trust driving the 996 anywhere after an incident not long after moving here. Drove my 128 to Shem Creek (pretty nice uppity Charleston area), parked in the back of the lot away from people as I normally do, for dinner with a buddy. Came out and it was covered in dirt, along with some pretty large paint chips on the truck and bumper. Was stumped until I noticed the large doughnut mark in the gravel. Thought about driving the 996 that day too. Now I'm very particular about where and when the 996 comes out, and honestly that's a huge bummer.

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this would make me sick...

Garrett, I've pimped out my 996 - 3.8L rebuild, aero kit, etc. I have the option everyday of the Turbo or the C2 or the Elise - it's probably 70% C2. Just more fun on the city roads for my 10min drive to work. The turbo comes out on weekend cruises, but it'll be my winter daily (because AWD and snow tires and rims). The Elise is better than the C2, but far, FAR more compromised, and unfortunately, more people want to race, or talk to you, or whatever, and when I have to work for a living, ain't nobody got time for that.

For me, it's always the lifted truck guys that want to race. A couple weeks ago I had a guy in an H2 trying to keep up with me on a twisty back road. I actually slowed down because I was afraid he as going to crash, and then I would have had to stop and help him, and that would have been awkward...

I’m a little self conscious about people thinking I’m some stuck up a-hole because of the car. I didn’t want a guards red one because it was too flashy. So I’m trying to drive extra nice, let people in, etc. I’ve only had mine about 6 months. I have noticed that no matter how I’m driving, there are always people that want to go faster (and I’m not a slowpoke). It could be the testosterone laden bro (or aging bro) in the pickup or the soccer mom in the Kia Sedona. I decided not to get into pissing contests with people. Oh, and Teslas. They don’t like people going faster than them. Not that I could. I do like putting a little pressure on the Bimmer and muscle car guys once in a while.

I get ricers with cans occasionally pull up next to me and rev. I ignore them. I had a Turbo cab with tip. Scary fast car. I like how my C4 cab with PSE sounds better. I drive the C4 spirited and fun. I tended to drive the turbo too fast. I did NOT like the exhaust sound. I feel like Porsche perfected the PSE and wished the turbo had it. Turbo power was nice but not necessary. I also have a Mcan S. Yesterday I pulled out of a gas station and a newer Jag was coming up the street. I hit the gas as I could see he was accelerating and stayed away from him. I guess he didn't like that I was in front of him and hung on my tail looking to pass me. I don't know why but I engaged and stayed in front of him pulling some stupid passing moves of cars in front of me, my gal yelling at me the whole time... I finally let him go and turned down a side st and he followed me! Around the block a couple of times so I just pulled over to let him go. He pulls up next to me and starts yelling something. I ignore him and wave him on. But he wants to engage. I just pul out real quick and he steps on the gas and almost hits me. I think he was surprised how fast the Macan pulled out. He finally just left. I mean what did he want to do fight? I almost rolled my window and said "oh did I hurt your poor Jags ego by getting in front of you?" My gal wouldnt let me. OH well I need to listen to her...

I feel like my C2 is within the power level that I am comfortable with. The power comes on linear and predictable. That makes hitting the back roads a crap ton of fun. I can power through corners and dont have to worry about boost kicking making my power curve non-linear. It is predicable and I know it well. It is fun to push it fast and know that I am not going to loose it as easy.

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I hear you. I definitely notice how some people drive more aggressively around me when I'm in the Porsche than the other cars. Also, people will be ten times more pissed off being cut off by a Porsche than say a '95 Buick Regal. Waaay too many bros in SD and it gets worse the farther inland you go. The soccer mom in that Kia doesn't realize her car is worth more than mine.

I'll take it from a different perspective. I've only owned mine for 6 weeks (2000 C4). I can say I've only gotten positive attention. Haven't had any issues with people wanting to race. I did have one guy follow me home to ask about the car as he was thinking of buying one (I was relieved as I thought he was going to tell me something was wrong with the car). I thought about a turbo not so much for the power but more for the Mezger engine, but I wasn't willing to pay the premium and I like the classic styling of the C4 My other car is a Tesla which I have owned since 2012. I was like the 6th Tesla owner in the state and that got a lot of attention, but all of it positive. The Tesla has a lot more power available instantly but I don't feel like the 996 is under powered. There is a lot of slow traffic in this town and I don't have issues passing. What I wasn't expecting was how comfortable the car was. I'd have no problem taking this on a long road trip (other than the range could be better). Its surprisingly practical as you can carry things (and small people) in the back seats. Once I upgraded the stereo with andriod auto its as modern as anything else on the road.

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This. I have a 02 C2 and a 05 Turbo S that's been tuned (both speed yellow fwiw) Both get attention, neither get bad attention unless I succumb to the pressure, but I only enjoy one of the two. I can only explain it with the saying "better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". The Turbo S is out of it's element on normal roads and honestly terrifyingly fast. The C2 on the other hand is perfection. The right level of everything including value so that there is never much guilt. It puts a smile on my face every time.

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This is a very Slippery Slope question...Of course you should make it the best i can be....but it will cost you more than getting a new car....ask me how I know. ...But back to your original question....I love my highly modified 996.1 with NA 400HP. It sounds and feels great especially as I ma using my left foot and tranny agressively...makes a pass super involved and fun. However, I do have a 991 TurboS that blows just about anything away with absolute ease...satisfying sure, but just too easy. Now with that said....Last weekend there was a 488 behind me when I was in my 996 and of course I pushed it getting on the cloverleaf and floored it onto the hwy but the 488 blew me away...at that point I wish I had my turbo or better yet my lambo. I am still an immature competitive kid in an old man's body! At the end of the day, its all about power.

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So you need a turbo to pass somebody doing 20 mph....good grief.

I agree with some of the other posters. I got the turbo for the Mezger and the reliability and extra power. I miss the driveability of the NA motor. However, raced a stupid little Ford Focus all raced out yesterday in my turbo (x50). It wasn't even close. Ruined the poor kids day.

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I owned a 1986 Base 944 for a couple of years before I bought my 99 C2. The 944 was a fun car do drive, but the lack of power was a bummer when you needed or wanted to pass. I have driven my brother�s 991.2 GT3 RS and GT3. The power those 2 cars possess is beyond ridiculous! That being said, being NA cars, the driveability around town is still good....though I feel a little conspicuous. Must be the big rear wings! My 99 C2, with double the power of the 944 and weighing the same, has plenty of power for my needs, for passing and/or adrenaline inducement. You just need to be �on the pipe�, as we used to say in my old 2 stroke dirty bike riding days.

One thing I've noticed is that I feel like pedestrians think I'm going faster that I actually am. One guy stood and stared at me and another time this hiker type with a backpack gave me a thumbs down. Not sure if it was a thumbs down or just telling me to slow down. Both times I was on a surface street in a 40 MPH zone going 50-55. Yes I was going faster than the speed limit but I don't think either would have batted an eyelash if I were doing the same thing in my Outback.

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Not necessarily true. I've been "indicated" to slow down in my Subaru Impreza. doing only 5-15 mph over.

Sometimes when I'm being taunted by one of these drivers, I accelerate a little which usually turns on their "chase mode". I immediately back off and watch them drive over the horizon. If the stars are aligned, I see them in a bit off the side of the road, pleading their case to a Patrolman.

This is fun thread... my turbo just arrived this weekend. I'll agree with the posters that say pushing the NA engine on twisty roads can be done with ease and done safely. I don't think I'll be doing the same thing in the turbo...lol

I would love a turbo just to say I have a turbo but that is sort of it. I am probably using 60-70% of what my car can do performance wise so do I really need more speed, not really. Funny my friend who test drove the turbo said it felt like a fast camry (probably heard that somewhere). So my C4S would feel like a slow camry. He actually liked the 4S better but only he knows if he was saying that to be kind which is likely the case. He's an air cooled guy so we know how that typically goes. I get it though, each year they get a bit more GTish. The rawness seems to vanish. Now I do often think about going the other direction. We bought a 02 Miata SE a couple years ago. It was set up for track and street. No engine mods. The car is just so fun. Definite go kart ish. Recently we just got a junky (real junky but drives, stops and steers but a rotary) 87 rx7 that my son took back to school this morning. Opportunity knocked so I drove the Miata today. It just made my morning. It's tough as heck, cheap to run, fun to drive (excellent shifting experience) and with a few tweeks, a really interesting car to look at and drive. Probably my next rodeo. With speed, your always chasing your tail. An interesting car will always be interesting, a fast one only until the next model comes out. Nothing wrong with that, just not for me.

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How many of us fall into this group

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Since were talking about fun cars and some non Porsche ones have come up. I recently bought a Meyers Manxter 2+2. It is powered by a 300hp Subaru WRX turbo and weighs #1890.It's like having an amusement park ride parked in the garage. It's amazingly quick. Point and shoot. The 1971 VW suspension is not confidence inspiring. I plan to upgrade to modern suspension.

So don't get me wrong, the Turbo is a wonderful car and it's perfectly drivable even in the city. I wouldn't trade the car or the driving experience for any other vehicle that's comparably priced. The only thing I'd change is a bigger gas tank, 14 gal doesn't go real far at 14mpg. As long as I tune out the other drivers that seem inflamed by my car all is well. Better yet is when I can drive somewhere out of this great city, which hasn't happened much this year for obvious reasons.

I have never longed for a turbo, preferring instead the linear acceleration and sound of a naturally aspirated powerplant (and have added a Fister and now Cargraphic Super Sound muffler set, accordingly). Our association with forced induction goes back to the old Saab turbo days, and I am not looking for a boost effect (even if mild) in a sports car. I recently participated in a PCA tour event, and the turbo folks were admiring the sound of my car (rather more than I was admiring their faster 0-60 speeds, with perhaps one impressive, if risky, overtake exception). For what it is worth, I never particularly cared for the carveout the turbos have in front of the rear wheel opening (especially in the 996-997 years).

I think that this thread is an indication of why there are so many 996 variants. Everyone likes different aspects of the cars. You can have a C2, C2 cab, C4, C4 cab, Targa, C4S, C4S cab, Turbo, Turbo Cab, Turbo S, Turbo S Cab, Gt2, Gt3, Cup, probably some I forgot. And that's just the beginning, with a 50-page options book the original buyers could spec out anything they wanted for the right $$$.

I would also agree that I would love to have the 92L tank on the Turbo. That would have been amazing. I looked into doing a custom gas tank setup but my shop basically just told me to fill up more. Wasn't worth the money for the extra mileage and probability of problems. Drive your slow cars fast! -Matt

Who needs all that gas! The weight just slows ya down! lol This would be an interesting topic over in the turbo forum. Probably some different reactions over there