MikeR

Hi guys and girls, l am after some advise, l have the chance to px my 57 reg Cayman S against a 996 Turbo or a GT 2 or 3 now as l know sweet fa about any of them other than the fact that the GT2 is rear wheel drive and what Mike Rainbird has been kind enough to tell me can people with experience of these cars give their advise ?

The car will be for me and the misses to drive and will unlikerly see the track as l am getting a nice evo for that all being well.

If people have other suggestions of different cars then l will gladly listern. I have test drove an RS4 avante and that was nice but a bit to family type for me at the moment. The misses has a company car and the porsche would be lucky to see 6k a year.

Thanks in advance

Mike

Paul Eggleton

If it's not going near a track then definately the turbo. The GT3 would be too raw for the road and you or your wife are more likely to kill yourselves in the GT2!!

Edited to add both GT2 and 3 are 2wd whereas the turbo is 4wd

Paul Eggleton

Alternatively how about the new M3 or an AMG merc if your just cruising around with the occasional blast.

MikeR

Thanks for that Paul, l have heard that the DMS tuning is pretty good for the 996 as well ?

It can not be to lairy other wise the misses will never drive it

Mike

rapidcossie

save yourself all the hassle and get it inspected.

http://www.petermorgan.org.uk/

MikeR

Seems intersting Euan, I am not a fan of the M3 to be honest Paul plus my misses can get on as a company car so if l did get one it would via that route lol

Mike

rapidcossie

One of my friends inspects for them(look at team, stuart patterson) so if you have any basic questions he is always happy to talk 911's!

RC4

go for the 996 turbo mike as said above the gt2 and 3 would be felt left out without track use........
prices are good for 996 turbos now
check out the porsche forum on pistonheads,porkies a regular on there!

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Porkie has a DMS tuned 996, I bet he would be happy to give you the guided tour

Thats the one I would go for too if its not for track use, its just such a lovely road car to be in, very comfortable etc, and yet still has plenty of pace when you want it.

Roy

F360. Or..... Maserati Grandsport http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/466301.htm

F550 maybe? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/543201.htm

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Bear in mind Lee's has had the best part of Ł12k worth of tuning, so is not a fair comparison to a standard one.

If the car isn't going to be used on track, then that crosses off the GT3, as it is really aimed at this area.

The GT2 with 480bhp isn't really a car you would be letting an inexperienced driver get into and drive like a normal car.

This just leaves the 996 Turbo, but in my opinion, these need upgraded suspension and definitely a DMS upgrade, otherwise you WILL find them disappointing ("boaty" and slow!).

I would seriously get a ride / drive in a CSL before you discount something like this.....

MikeR

Thanks for every ones comments, what other options are there, you can get a 360 for 50/60k but would it be worth it or wait and get the new Skyline ?

Mike

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

If you are considering one of these, I would wait for the V spec version, which is rumoured to have an additional 75bhp and will wipe the floor with anything almost anything / everything on road or track.....

Nick D

DMS'd 996TT would be my decision as well, although I am a little bias!

Where abouts are you based?

gingeRS

if the new skyline was an option....i wouldnt choose any other way

saw a few in the flesh at lemans this year, and must say they do look amazing!

also infinitely reliable for everyday, and must be cheaper to run than a 911 turbo or GT

Nick D

Agreed they drink like a bastard!

Dan

These give me wood! Awesome cars and that one IMO is in one of the nicest colours!

Barry_GTi

I am a Porsche Technician and I would agree with all of what Mike said apart from the statement that 996 Turbos are "("boaty" and slow!). " Sure a chipped one is quicker and on track new suspension might be better but he has said it will not see track use and for that reason I would stay on normal suspension. Not everyone drives on track......

Although I have to say I would have the GT3 myself, but that's the heart talking and not the head. The NA engine just has a fierce rawness to it and there is something very magical to it and the way it revs. If your not doing mega miles in it then it could still be an option.

Go and drive them, I am always in absolute awe of the Turbo's and the way they pile on speed but I still wouldn't own one over a GT3(RS ).

Hope that helps,

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Barry,
FYI the standard 996 turbo was driven on the road (it may be a Porsche thing, as the Boxster S I drove had a similar "floaty" front end) . 420bhp in a 1540+kg car is never going to feel quick to anyone used to driving even a mildly tuned Cosworth....

Barry_GTi

Mike I completely understand where you are coming from, my point is just that a Porsche isn't simply about feeling faster than a Cosworth though is it? It's the whole package and feeling(hence I want a GT3RS ).

As for floaty front end, I only ever notice that on RWD Porsches to be fair, but that's just my opinion Which is why he should drive them..... and then decide.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

I already suggested that, as driving experiences are subjective .

Jim Galbally

i got the chance to drive a few 911s recently and i would also concur that the GT2 will likely kill your wife

never drove the turbo, but it seems like the perfect fast road car

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Jim,
You drove the new 997 versions, he is looking at the older 996 versions. By comparison the new 997 GT2 is a pussy cat to drive, the old 996 GT2 has a bit of a reputation as being a bit of a "fly through a hedge backwards" kind of car. However, this may be more to do with talent (or lack of ) of the kind of people that often buy these cars .

Turbosystems

iTrader: (5)

I wish I had known that before as I would have bought her one before she divorced me roflol

Turbosystems

iTrader: (5)

Thats because the engine is in the boot

polly_x

iTrader: (2)

996 Turbo all the way out of those 3. The GT models are just too harsh for everyday use.

End of.

Chip

iTrader: (3)

He might be onto something there you know Mike

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Funny, as I was sure the Boxster was MID-engined and that was just as "floaty" on a bumpy B-road.... .

But the 997 GT3 RS exhibited none of these traits....

Jim Galbally

mike in that case my comment is even more relevant

MikeR

I Skyline is not out of the questions at all, judging by peoples comments we should give a GT2 a miss, my other hlaf would not enjoy it, and l dont have a huge amount of experience with rear wheel drive,

Cheers Mike

MikeR

Hi Nick, l am based in Stamfrod Lincs

Mike

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

I bet the 997 had a fullish tank of fuel... it makes a HUGE difference to the feel and balance of the cars.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

At the begining of the day, yes, but not by the end of the day . I don't recall there being that much difference, but this was probably due to the fact that I was driving it as the tank was gradually getting lower and lower, rather than with it full and then jumping straight in with it empty.

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

The same things happened to me and my weight! Its crept up on me... and I never noticed it... but the 5 stone I have 'snuck' on has definately affected my running performances!

MikeR

Lee what do you think of the new Nissan GT-R that is also an option as l am not in a rush to trade or buy,

Mike

Ian M500COS

Mike I have to disagree with you on this one rare occasion. As you know, I have just bought a 996 Turbo and it is stupidly fast even in standard form! A mildly tuned Cosworth would not live with it or even feel anywhere as near as fast.....I take it you are referring to mild tuning being a set of greens and 330bhp??

Don't forget a 996 Turbo does 0-60 in 4 seconds and 190mph out of the box in standard form and believe me, that feels quicker than any mildly tuned Cosworth I've ever been in! As for the floaty feeling, not experienced this but I proabably havent pushed my car to its absolute limits but it feels more safe than my Escort ever did!

Ian M500COS

Mike, do your homework and buy a good 996 Turbo, you wont be disappointed!!

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Standard 996 turbo 420bhp = 272bhp per tonne
Cosworth 2wd @ 330bhp = 258bhp per tonne

So no, it would need to be more powerful to compete.

Your Escort had shite mis-matched suspension on as you very well know .

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

biggest bargain EVER!

mindblowing car at an amazing price.

Ian M500COS

I walked into that one didnt I!! lol!!