Dec 8, 2007 10:54:59 PM
- easy_rider911
- Rennteam VIP
-
- Loc: London , United Kingdom
- Posts: 22190, Gallery
- Registered on: Nov 8, 2004
Test drove a 997TT today: my impressions...
Had an extended test drive of a 997TT coupe today (manual transmission, no PCCB, no sport chrono turbo). It was my first time driving a 997TT (or any Porsche Turbo for that matter).
Why did I go? I was curious about whether I should be even vaguely considering whether to upgrade from a 997C2S to a 997TT (like others here have done). I've read a lot about the 997TT and also heard the opinions of people who have the 997TT but I wanted to check it out for myself.
I haven't had any actual plans to change my car. I have had my 997C2S for 13 months now and I have been very, very happy with it. But the test drive confirmed for me that I want to keep my 997C2S.
The weather was dull, grey, occasionally drizzling, with wet, greasy roads.... perfect for testing a 997TT's all round, all weather capabilities.
First impressions: the interior felt immediately familiar and welcoming. As soon as I got in and drove off, I noticed that the clutch pedal had much more travel than a C2S. Then, as I drove off, WOW! The wave of torque was simply enormous. This car REALLY moves. No fuss, no drama. It just FLIES!!
BUT, where was the sound? I'm used to having PSE providing an exhilarating soundtrack but the 997TT was so quiet with just some sound of the turbos spooling.
Other early impressions? Well, the steering feel was actually really good. I was not expecting to get much feedback but instead experience the kind of numbness that I have experienced before on test drives of a PASM C2S and PASM C4S. But the PASM on the 997TT didn't spoil it at all for me. There wasn't as much steering feel as on my C2S with -20mm sports suspension and the steering on my car is much sharper with more instant, sharper responses to steering inputs but the steering feel and feedback on the TT were IMO, as I said, really surprisingly good.
But the really great accomplishment of PASM on the 997TT was that it made for a truly fantastic level of ride comfort. The TT rode over road imperfections like they just weren't there. A simply amazing achievement since the 997TT manages this without the huge compromise in steering feel and feedback that a PASM Carrera suffers from IMHO.
Interestingly, I could hardly tell the difference between the PASM Normal and Sport modes in terms of ride comfort. Both felt really great. Maybe it's just because I'm so used to a really firm ride in my -20mm sports suspension car.
This TT felt so planted, so secure, so certain in its progress. Along with the mountain of torque, this was the abiding impression I was left with. This car simply made mincemeat out of the imperfect road I was driving on. It is a relentless car that keeps going no matter what the road and weather conditions might be with neck-snapping performance and with a sense of purpose I have never experienced before. It crushes whatever challenge lies before it. It was majestic.
This car makes driving easy and effortless. It was easier to drive than my -20mm sports suspension. It required less concentration but also a different kind of concentration to drive it. This car flatters the mediocre driving talents of even a relative 911 newcomer like me.
Brakes: absolutely superb and very confidence inspiring.
Grip, traction and handling were also superb. The car may be heavy but it didn't feel like it to me.
I also found the gear lever lighter and easier to operate than my normal shifter on my C2S. There's plenty of gear lever travel. I think getting the short shifter is a no-brainer on a TT. The car really needs it IMO.
OK. So that's some analysis. What do I think then? I think it's an involving car but less involving than my current car. Why? 3 main reasons really: the relative absence of sound, the lesser steering feel/feedback/responsiveness to inputs and the tiny amount of lag. (it's very, very slight but a normally aspirated Carrera S with Sport Chrono in Sport mode 'feels' more immediate in its responses even though the TT, once the power comes in, overwhelms its rivals).
My C2s will possibly be worth about Pounds55k-Pounds60k in 1 year's time when it's 2 years old. A new TT with options will mean spending about Pounds110k. So is a TT worth spending an extra Pounds50k-Pounds55k on? On balance, no IMHO. It's mightily impressive but didn't blow me away such that I came away thinking to myself "I just have to have this car in my life". I didn't feel that.
I should also say that the relative lack of sound/noise is a small factor that has a disproportionately big negative effect on me. It reduces the exhilaration and thrill for me.
Also, I prefer the looks of the GT3 and the Carrera S to that of the TT.
Instead, I felt that I need to try a GT3 to satisfy my curiosity as to what that car would be like. Almost certainly, I will keep my current C2S and simply go on a number of Porsche Driving School courses to make the most of my existing car which is itself a magnificent car to drive. At the end of the day, the deficiency is not in any of these cars. It is in my skill and capacity to make the most of them and so courses will help me get more out of my car and enhance my whole driving experience and will only serve to increase my driving pleasure.
These were just some subjective thoughts that I thought I would share with you guys. Of course, they are just my opinion.
Why did I go? I was curious about whether I should be even vaguely considering whether to upgrade from a 997C2S to a 997TT (like others here have done). I've read a lot about the 997TT and also heard the opinions of people who have the 997TT but I wanted to check it out for myself.
I haven't had any actual plans to change my car. I have had my 997C2S for 13 months now and I have been very, very happy with it. But the test drive confirmed for me that I want to keep my 997C2S.
The weather was dull, grey, occasionally drizzling, with wet, greasy roads.... perfect for testing a 997TT's all round, all weather capabilities.
First impressions: the interior felt immediately familiar and welcoming. As soon as I got in and drove off, I noticed that the clutch pedal had much more travel than a C2S. Then, as I drove off, WOW! The wave of torque was simply enormous. This car REALLY moves. No fuss, no drama. It just FLIES!!
BUT, where was the sound? I'm used to having PSE providing an exhilarating soundtrack but the 997TT was so quiet with just some sound of the turbos spooling.
Other early impressions? Well, the steering feel was actually really good. I was not expecting to get much feedback but instead experience the kind of numbness that I have experienced before on test drives of a PASM C2S and PASM C4S. But the PASM on the 997TT didn't spoil it at all for me. There wasn't as much steering feel as on my C2S with -20mm sports suspension and the steering on my car is much sharper with more instant, sharper responses to steering inputs but the steering feel and feedback on the TT were IMO, as I said, really surprisingly good.
But the really great accomplishment of PASM on the 997TT was that it made for a truly fantastic level of ride comfort. The TT rode over road imperfections like they just weren't there. A simply amazing achievement since the 997TT manages this without the huge compromise in steering feel and feedback that a PASM Carrera suffers from IMHO.
Interestingly, I could hardly tell the difference between the PASM Normal and Sport modes in terms of ride comfort. Both felt really great. Maybe it's just because I'm so used to a really firm ride in my -20mm sports suspension car.
This TT felt so planted, so secure, so certain in its progress. Along with the mountain of torque, this was the abiding impression I was left with. This car simply made mincemeat out of the imperfect road I was driving on. It is a relentless car that keeps going no matter what the road and weather conditions might be with neck-snapping performance and with a sense of purpose I have never experienced before. It crushes whatever challenge lies before it. It was majestic.
This car makes driving easy and effortless. It was easier to drive than my -20mm sports suspension. It required less concentration but also a different kind of concentration to drive it. This car flatters the mediocre driving talents of even a relative 911 newcomer like me.
Brakes: absolutely superb and very confidence inspiring.
Grip, traction and handling were also superb. The car may be heavy but it didn't feel like it to me.
I also found the gear lever lighter and easier to operate than my normal shifter on my C2S. There's plenty of gear lever travel. I think getting the short shifter is a no-brainer on a TT. The car really needs it IMO.
OK. So that's some analysis. What do I think then? I think it's an involving car but less involving than my current car. Why? 3 main reasons really: the relative absence of sound, the lesser steering feel/feedback/responsiveness to inputs and the tiny amount of lag. (it's very, very slight but a normally aspirated Carrera S with Sport Chrono in Sport mode 'feels' more immediate in its responses even though the TT, once the power comes in, overwhelms its rivals).
My C2s will possibly be worth about Pounds55k-Pounds60k in 1 year's time when it's 2 years old. A new TT with options will mean spending about Pounds110k. So is a TT worth spending an extra Pounds50k-Pounds55k on? On balance, no IMHO. It's mightily impressive but didn't blow me away such that I came away thinking to myself "I just have to have this car in my life". I didn't feel that.
I should also say that the relative lack of sound/noise is a small factor that has a disproportionately big negative effect on me. It reduces the exhilaration and thrill for me.
Also, I prefer the looks of the GT3 and the Carrera S to that of the TT.
Instead, I felt that I need to try a GT3 to satisfy my curiosity as to what that car would be like. Almost certainly, I will keep my current C2S and simply go on a number of Porsche Driving School courses to make the most of my existing car which is itself a magnificent car to drive. At the end of the day, the deficiency is not in any of these cars. It is in my skill and capacity to make the most of them and so courses will help me get more out of my car and enhance my whole driving experience and will only serve to increase my driving pleasure.
These were just some subjective thoughts that I thought I would share with you guys. Of course, they are just my opinion.
) and can $wing it (without being toooo $elfish) do not hesitate to get the TT.
- just follow ScottL's smart advise 
Of course your beautifully equipped C2S -20mm is the perfect blend of a sporty/involving ride and usability as a daily driver 
