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I hear a turbo calling ... (or is it the voices)

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Despite my firm intentions not to look and to be happy with what I have, I have found my thoughts wandering towards the 996TT.

I had hoped the insurance company would stop this, by telling me it would cost loads more to insure, unfortunately they will cover me for an additional 10% or so more. Not quite the disincentive I was looking for.
I don't need one, can't really use the performance (most of the time) and it is certainly not sensible, but what has that got to do with it.
I'm not sure if I can quite stretch to a new one, so may opt for 18 month or so old.

Am I inspired or deranged?

As a second question, I was told by my broker that the X50 option was classed as a modification, even though it's a factory option. This would mean I could not continue with Axa and it would be a referral job, which was likely to cost quite a but more.
Is this others experience?
 
Go for a turbo stuart , you know you want to.Its all about knowing that you have the dog's danglies of the 911 range. Insurance wise- try tesco - very very reasonable on my 993 turbo.
 
I've just been told by my broker (Perfomance Marques) that there will be no extra premium in moving from my C4 cab to a new Turbo Cab; the Turbo will have to be fitted with a GPS-based tracker because of its value. I confirmed with them that track day usage is still included at no extra cost...
The policy is with Royal Sun Alliance
 
Will take a turbo out for a spin next week. I wanted them to find me a manual one.
Assuming I decide I might like a little more grunt, I'll then discuss, ahem, money, and see if my pile of beans is adequate.
I feel I am now fully engaged on the slippery slope. Barring any uninvited intrusion by common sense or reality, I feel it could get expensive.
Oh well, you only live once.
 
I felt very much the same and being as I only plan to live the once found the Turbo route right for me. Did look at the C4S and liked it but felt I would always be looking/yearning for the TT. So went ahead and bought one, with the Missus blessing (she thought it would get it out of my system).
 
Very happy at present, but then I do still frighten myself all too often[8D].
Just missing the open top, so in comes the Turbo Cab!!
and I have had a 997 on order for over a year, so you never know.
 
ORIGINAL: Stuart Martin

Does it get it out of your system? Or do you still crave more?

It's called human nature Stuart, designed to never be happy with our lot, so yes after a while you will crave more....even with a Turbo.
I've now had mine for 15 months & still love it, but you do get used to the performance & rather take it's overtaking invincibility for granted !
I think you are wise to go down the second hand route, buying a new Turbo now wouldn't make sense, in view of the 997 (even though the 997TT won't hit the streets for a while yet!). You can get yourself a nicely specced 51 (with Bose included) for late £60's or an 02 for early £70's privately....tempting value.
As a fellow car nut I would say buy one whilst you can, the only trouble I am now having is what next, con't think of anything to replace it !!
Let us know how the test drive went & try using second gear a lot with your foot flat to the floor !!!
 
After a few slight hitches I finally managed to take one for a spin this afternoon.
The first attempt was postponed since the expected car was unavailable at the last minute. Todays attempt was almost postponed since someone pranged the Reading car, but they drove one down from Hatfield at lunchtime.
It was an '04 MY car in Atlas Grey (new colour - I like it), black interior with X50 upgrade, manual with 1200 miles on the clock.

Impressions:
1. Clutch feels very different, in this car it was very light (more Japanese feel then German) and made it difficult to feel the biting point.
2. The brakes were excellent. Despite being the same rotors and callipers as my C4S, you got the same stopping power for less pedal travel.
3. All other controls felt very familiar - seating position, instruments, view, etc. all as my C4S.
4. The general ride felt pretty much the same at the C4S - I couldn't really tell the difference.
5. More difficult to get smooth gear changes when trying hard, although at normal speeds, not too hard. Could be linked to 1.
6. Easier to stall than mine (although I didn't actually stall), so a little more difficult to pull away slowly (as when in traffic), could also be related to 1.

7. Now the obvious bit - it was fast. It is the fastest car I have been in. The figures from 3.8 to 60 and 8.4 to 100, seem entirely believable. I was not sure if I would notice that much difference, since mine is 5.1 and 11 respectively. But I can confirm what you probably already know - it is indeed another distinctive step up the performance ladder.
I did what Grant suggested and used 2nd gear with my foot to the floor, multiple times since I couldn't quite believe what was happening.
At 4000 rpm on full boost the mid range grunt is simply unbelievable. It is both addictive and a little frightening, since you easily go faster than you expect. I was so busy watching the view out of the windscreen that it was hard to watch the rev counter and speedo.
The ease and speed at which you reach licence losing speeds is very impressive.
Overtaking people becomes completely trivial.

8. I managed to get the ABS to work, which feels much the same as my C4S (due to the mixture of dry and damp conditions).
9. My car is over-tyred, but I can see why they are this size on the turbo, since I had a chirp from the rear tyres as they broke traction briefly under hard acceleration. I also managed to get the back to squirm slightly when under full power.
10. From the turbos you can hear some whistling as they spin, but I could not hear the dump valves or any pressure release mechanism, which I half expected.
11. You can notice some lag, or at least the build up of power, but it is not an issue. The brochure claims they pre-spin the turbos if you drive enthusiastically, and when on a charge this seems to be the case.
11. The exhaust sounds quite quiet, although you hear the engine noises more, which gives the car a different character.

Now the real question - did I enjoy it and will I part with any hard cash in order to get one?

I didn't want to give the key back, which is strange, since I don't recall feeling quite such an urge before. I really did want to keep the car.
I believe that you want more power until you get to the point where using all of it makes you feel a tiny bit out of control. Perhaps it is lack of familarity, but I found using all of the power a little intimidating. Therefore it must be just enough[:D]

On the downside, it seemed a little too easy. It doesn't seem right that some idiot like me with no special skills can go so quickly, so easily. To observers you may seem some kind of driving god, but it was no harder to drive than a micra (if Nissan gave one 400+ bhp).
I can also see that it would be enormously frustrating to drive - any piece of open road is devoured until you are up behind another vehicle again. In order to not lose my licence would require enormous restraint - I would struggle to use it's capabilities which means that most of the time it would be wasted.
From a finance perspective, the nearly new ones with low mileages are close the price of new ones.

My heart says buy one, but my head is questioning whether it is really such a good idea at this exact moment. I need more time to think - although this means I will probably not do it. If I did buy one, I then have to wait for the 997 turbo to come out to replace it.
My ideal window for changing is around Novemeber/December time, so there is time (even if they did want me to buy a new one for July[;)]).

Whilst I was there I added my name to the 997 list, so I have that base covered.

They seemed to think that after the C2 (and C4 I guess) there would be a C2S and C4S with larger engines. The sensible option is to buy the 997 C2 around Christmas, then change for the S version or wait for the 997 turbo.

Of course there is always the fourth model to come(?).
 
I thought about that, but there wasn't a car available.
In any case, I think it is too hardcore for everyday use and is too low. I would struggle on longer journeys with the ride and speed bumps would be a challenge. I also would want it with the bucket seats, which makes the back of the car unusable which is no good for me.
What I need is a several cars. Unfortunately I can't afford this - so I will have to continue to hope the lottery coughs up.
 
Just go back to Reading, get them to insert that rubber spoiler in the GT2,drive off and never look back, u ll have instant fun and avoid another switch when u get that feeling agan with a 4 wheel drive turbo .............................
 
Stuart,
I enjoyed your write up on the test drive & glad to hear you used max attack in 2nd !
Interesting dilema keep C4S, or 997 C2 or 996Turbo, tough job but some ones got to do it !
I agree with you that now isn't the time to buy a nearly new Turbo, but did you think about what I said earlier, that is buying a slightly older car with some of the depreciation gone. I don't know the age of your car, but it must be worth "circa" £55k on an 02 plate, so with much shopping around (privately) you could upgrade to an 02 Turbo for 15-20k...tempting, much more so than spending 40-50k on a specced new one !
Just a thought, I am sure the 997 will be a great car, but it still only a major facelift over the 996 rather than an all new car, new looks, new interior, few extra horses, but I bet it will be a similar drive & if talk of a £60k base is right, this will end up at £65k with options so not that far away from the TT BEASTY.
Keep us posted...
Regards Grant
 
"drive off and never look back"
At least till the fuel ran out, as if I drove off in it I would be nicking it, since I have insufficient beans for a £130K+ car, despite multiple recounts and a judicial review.
It would be fun, although I would need some tuition to be able to exploit its abilities.

FYI - mines currently worth something like £56K as a trade in, it's an 03 with 17.5K miles.
The finance isn't the real issue. I can afford a new turbo, although the X50 would be more than I want to spend and would be more tricky to cover. However, anything's possible if you want it enough.
I looked at the second hand ones, but I limited it to 03 cars, since I would like to keep my current number plate. The difference is price hardly makes it worth it.
I like having a new car - so I get to spec it but mostly so I know the entire history.
Perhaps I have some unjustified aversion, or perhaps I am just a snob.

I don't need to change, it's just that I like to consider the options.
I do 17K miles a year, so there is a point at which the mileage becomes more of an issue.
The original plan was to keep the C4S for a long time, but it would make sense if I was going to change, to do so before or around 30K miles. I actually quite like changing and don't find buyings cars stressful - just part of the hobby.

The reason to change is if it offers something more, different, or is just plain good value.
I can think of pro's and cons for all the options (including buying a Cayenne Turbo).
The 997 is the most financially sensible option (get a C2 for 12-18 months then change). It would give 2 wheel drive and is lighter, so would give a different experience.

I still think I will get a turbo, although I think I will postpone the purchase till a later date. Maybe they will do a 2 wheel drive version.
If nothing else, I have to have something to aspire to. If I get one now, what can I scheme and plan for next?
Half the fun is working out what to have next and keeping an eye on all the competitors.

I still think that maybe a 928 style, 4th model line may be coming in a couple of years. Either a big coupe or possibly a 4-door (perhaps suicide doors) with a enhanced Cayenne Turbo engine. Maybe a twin turbo, 500 bhp V8, rear wheel drive, GT car with sport suspension would be more suitable for me?
 
ORIGINAL: Stuart Martin
The reason to change is if it offers something more, different, or is just plain good value.
I can think of pro's and cons for all the options (including buying a Cayenne Turbo).

..................Don't do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Only joking [:D]
I can't really see myself driving one, unless it was as an additional vehicle of course.
 
I'm new on the forum so not up to speed yet on all the jargon. Interesting thread as I too have a C4S, seal grey, etc. Had it 3 months, love it, has amazing grip and very diff to the C2 has a few years previous, but already thinking what next and see the Turbo as a natural progression.

My question is what is the X50 option - performance upgrade is my best guess?
 
All Porsche options have a code number that goes on the order form.
All these option codes also appear on the label on the underside of the bonnet/luggage compartment cover. The same label should be in your service book.
You can get the codes from the "911 Turbo Price List" or "The 911 Turbo" sales brochure (99page hardback book more like). Available at a stockist near you, now.
I should mention that not all codes on the cars label are in the price list or brochure.
E.g. C16 apears on the label, but this signifies a UK spec car - this is not in the brochure. There are a lot other codes for standard UK spec items, that may not appear on variants for other markets.

The X50 option is an engine upgrade.
It boosts power from 420bhp to 450bhp, and torque from 560 to 620Nm, i.e. about 10% more torque. It is the torque which is more useful.
You may think the engine is bit light on power, but this is due to the relatively low rev limit which is 400 or 500rpm below the C4S/C2/C4, at something like 6750.
This means it can outpace the Gallardo which has more power.
Were the rev limit to be higher, the power output would be more. But they use steel con rods rather than the GT3's titanium jobs. (I'm not sure what the GT2 uses, btw.)
The X50 is a factory fit option only, no way to do it at your OPC if you change your mind later. This is the Porsche line. Of course Gemballa and others will help you out, for a suitable sum.
X50 comprises modified turbos, intercoolers, ECU and a strengthened gearbox.
It the gearbox that is would be most useful for future proofing the car, since you can then subsequently tweak the output if in future you needed a tad more grunt.

Having had a few days to think about it, every night about 12pm I think I really have to get one, and every morning I think no. The indecision is killing me.
For sheer grunt, it is indeed the "dogs danglies of the 911 range". The C4S gets you quite a lot of respect, but a turbo tops it.
 

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