996 - c2 to turbo to 40 Jahre

An interesting Porsche journey thus far and it has given me an interesting perspective - I loved the c2 and owned it for 3 years, but hankered after just that little bit of extra oomph. I traded it in for a turbo which had a few choice upgrades (Parr remap, cargraphics exhaust) but in truth I never really clicked. This was mainly due to two things - firstly, an incoming Tesla which made the turbo feel slow and had all the oomph anyone could ever need and secondly the clutch action, which I found very difficult to get on with. It was fine on the go but at lights, in traffic etc it just didn't feel great as it was too binary and the bite point was vague. Then there was also the issue with the turbo itself which is that it doesn't really feel quick in situations where you want it to - from the lights in first gear, no turbo kick because no load...... in 6th at 2500 rpm, no turbo kick until the moment is over (yes, I know it is possible to drop a couple of cogs but you dont always want to)..... it has been said that you can drive a turbo like a carrera but you can't drive a carrera like a turbo and whilst there is a lot of truth in that at 2500 rpm the carrera feels like a carrera but frankly at 5000 rpm it feels a bit like a turbo and whilst it won't be piling on speed like the millennium falcon tt, on English roads it really is fast enough. Then there is the 4wd aspect of the turbo - I am no driving hero, and I dont throw my cars into corners, but I just didn't like it as much as the rwd feel. I simply never had an issue with traction on the c2, rain or shine, and even as an inexperienced driver it is fairly easy to provoke a little oversteer easing off the throttle in a way that feels very safe (and the PSM seems to work very well for drivers like me who may need mild assistance on the odd occasion). The rwd 996 just feels a bit nimbler and a bit more fun Which brings me to the 40 Jahre. I don't really know why I started looking at them, but I guess I loved the exotic looks (yes really, I love the front end and narrow body) and I also like the idea of the x51 package because - well, why not. Objectively I definitely prefer the c4s to look at - like most of us I guess - but as I didn't enjoy the 4wd aspect of the turbo I ruled it out. And the 40 Jahre is a revelation - I don't know what it is, or how it is, as I'm told the lsd is unlikely to be especially functional after 63000 miles, but it's like driving the automotive equivalent of perfection. Zero tramlining, zero porpoising at speed, superb road holding and cornering, sounds great despite rumours to the contrary, very quick in the right rev range - even coming from a c2 and a turbo it is a revelation in driving purity. I am very happy!

Pics pls - sounds lovely Joss 8)

I love my 40th and totally agree with your comments on the X51 mine also has a Kline exhaust and I find it nimble with plenty of power always available. I drove a 996 turbo on the track, and it felt much heavier and as the circuit was quite tight, I felt my car would have lapped faster. The turbo is obviously a great car but on our modern roads the 40th takes some beating IMHO

My 40th is my first and only Porsche so can't really comment on other 996 models but agree with Churny (Hi Paul!) that in day to day driving the x51 delivers all the extra power you realistically need. Also stays very level in corners with the uprated R030 suspension without ever seeming too harsh, which was one of my concerns when I bought it but turned out to be unfounded. Had a couple of other 911 owners (one 996C2 and one 991) drive it and both commented how "planted" it felt even on original suspension with 75K. Had it for 9 years now and no plans to change. What attracted me in the first place was that the main additional bits and pieces were engineering based and then slotted into a fairly plain narrow body car. Good luck with yours Jboy - assume you have seen all the 40th AE register facebook pages etc

Very interesting, I am contemplating selling my 996c2 and potentially buying a 996tt. From what I've seen it's not a difficult task to convert the 996tt to rwd only, and if you change the uprights you pretty much end up with a gt2. I must say I am a huge fan of NA engines don't know if forced induction is my thing, also not being a great driver, I'm not sure I could handle the extra power.

The same dilemma I had, except I began life in a series of Saabs and so have actually always been pretty keen on turbocharged engines, my 9000 Carlsson CD being my favourite. But that was keen against n/a Saabs, Vauxhalls and Citroens which were all sloooow. When the na alternative is so strong, the case for a turbo is weaker. There is no doubting the 996 tt is objectively a good car and on the road you do feel like you are in something quite exotic. It's definitely an event driving it. If it's something you want to do then I wouldn't dream of advising you against it, as it's an itch that is good fun to scratch. The extra power is easy to handle as such, you won't come unstuck unless you drive like a nutter, but I didn't find that many an opportunity to properly deploy it.....

If you like noise and/or wringing your car out to the top of its rev range you probably won't like a turbo. The extra oomph and bhp is considerable but it only manifests itself if you use your right foot. Mash the throttle and it could catch you out but gradual application will result in less frantic acceleration. It wouldn't take you long to get used to it.

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GT Silver is a superb colour :thumbs:

I would have thought a bit tame for you......

My Boxster 550 ani same colour if you remember? Loved it. Very jealous thats a serious bit of kit Joss.

Ah yes, I do remember - that was a nice car

its interesting to know that the 996t feels a bit slow from standstill, certainly the 991 turbo party piece is launch (tesla matching) so something has changed (probably pdk vs manual). on the handling side the turbo in my opinion covers the Carrera and then adds a dose of mid corner boost management which requires additional thinking/skill Would a 997Turbo pdk be in budget?

40 jahre and Boxster 550 Ani were launched at the same time. Similar colour schemes and philosophy. Its a shame that not all 40 jahres have the PSE and colour coded sports hard backs. Really good spec your one. If you do a track day do let me know - would love a go :wink:

A 997 turbo pdk would not have been in budget, sadly, lovely though they are. I am sure I would find the 997 turbo pace intoxicating - and the pdk easier to get the power down. I could have considered a 997.1 and possibly a 997.2, but I remembered my 996 c2 fondly and I do like the 996 generally, the looks, interior and the way they drive. The 40 Jahre really didn't disappoint in any way, it just felt so 'right". I have driven so many sloppy steering, vague cars in my time it's nice to get into one that feels like it's been designed to my very own personal spec and taste