997TT not that good/fast? Shocker!
Discussion
Had an extended test drive of a 997TT manual (with Sport Chrono) yesterday.
My initial impression was that some joker had replaced the piston engine with a gas turbine - so smooth was the power delivery (not at all like the Old Skool Turbos I'm used to) - guess the VTG is the factor here. Throttle response felt a little vague even in "sports" mode.
The steeering lacks the tactility of the C2S for sure - but what suprised me was the fact that it was not as good as my current C4S either?
Motorway, dual carriageway and A road blasts demonstrated that the car is very civilised and a great tourer - with plenty in reserve - it just doesn't feel that fast on these roads (a false sense created by the quiet environment, lack of fuss and drama at speed).
On B roads and some unclassified back roads, I normaly drive on, the car was very rapid and demonstrated immense traction to fire out of 90 degree corners in second gear - nearly as quick on these back roads as a modded Evo in fact.
The car felt rapid but I wanted it to feel REALLY fast!!!
What was missing from the whole experience was a sense of fun, challenge, occasion, call it what you will! I think the car BADLY needs the sports exhaust option to add some much needed character - and to be honest it could do with a little more power at the top end and perhaps a more noticeable transition into the power band.(I like "cammy" motors!)
For this reason I am going to delay the build of my 997TT until there is news on the X50 Powerkit, and sports exhaust options - the car, whilst undoubtedly massivley capable, leaves me cold when compared to all my previous 911's and indeed my current (PSE equipped) 997 C4S.
In fact were it not neccessary for me to have the extra, occasional use, seats (kids! grrrr) then I would be seriously thinking of swapping my order over onto a GT2 or GT3RS.
My initial impression was that some joker had replaced the piston engine with a gas turbine - so smooth was the power delivery (not at all like the Old Skool Turbos I'm used to) - guess the VTG is the factor here. Throttle response felt a little vague even in "sports" mode.
The steeering lacks the tactility of the C2S for sure - but what suprised me was the fact that it was not as good as my current C4S either?
Motorway, dual carriageway and A road blasts demonstrated that the car is very civilised and a great tourer - with plenty in reserve - it just doesn't feel that fast on these roads (a false sense created by the quiet environment, lack of fuss and drama at speed).
On B roads and some unclassified back roads, I normaly drive on, the car was very rapid and demonstrated immense traction to fire out of 90 degree corners in second gear - nearly as quick on these back roads as a modded Evo in fact.
The car felt rapid but I wanted it to feel REALLY fast!!!
What was missing from the whole experience was a sense of fun, challenge, occasion, call it what you will! I think the car BADLY needs the sports exhaust option to add some much needed character - and to be honest it could do with a little more power at the top end and perhaps a more noticeable transition into the power band.(I like "cammy" motors!)
For this reason I am going to delay the build of my 997TT until there is news on the X50 Powerkit, and sports exhaust options - the car, whilst undoubtedly massivley capable, leaves me cold when compared to all my previous 911's and indeed my current (PSE equipped) 997 C4S.
In fact were it not neccessary for me to have the extra, occasional use, seats (kids! grrrr) then I would be seriously thinking of swapping my order over onto a GT2 or GT3RS.
Not really surprising the experience you made. After reading all the many reports on the 997tt this is what you'd expect. Factually insanely fast but lacking directness and some drama to make it real fun. In one test they even claimed it's the 911 that would make Merc drivers switch. Don't say more...
How much sound does the PSE add on a 997S? I'm playing with the thought to get one retrofitted as the standard exhaust sounds great outside of my car but when driving it, I'd appreciate if it was a bit more vocal.
How much sound does the PSE add on a 997S? I'm playing with the thought to get one retrofitted as the standard exhaust sounds great outside of my car but when driving it, I'd appreciate if it was a bit more vocal.
Dr S said:
How much sound does the PSE add on a 997S? I'm playing with the thought to get one retrofitted as the standard exhaust sounds great outside of my car but when driving it, I'd appreciate if it was a bit more vocal.
My 997 C2S did NOT have PSE (because it only became an option after I'd had the car 6 months) - my C4S DOES have PSE - they are chalk and cheese - the PSE equipped car is MUCH more vocal (though not obtrusivley so) - and has a lovely bark reminiscent of an air cooled RS ! It is the ONLY option which should be mandatory! (A colleague followed me part of the way home on Friday evening in his Cayman S - he felt compelled to call me en-route to express his awe at the sound eminating from my zorsts - which overpowered both his own engine/cabin noise and the CD he was listening to!)
You can have control over the exhaust from the switch on the dash - alternativley if you want the noise all of the time (and who wouldn't??)- the easily accesible control plug/wire (right on top of the engine) - can easily work itself loose.....so I am told.......
rumplestiltskin said:
Will a PSE be available on the 997TT ?
It wasn't on the 996TT, surely Porsche learned their lesson on that !
R.
I had PSE on my C4S and i thought it rubbish personally..no performance improvement and a sort of raspy ,hollow ,false sound.Doesnt a switch make the whole thing a bit silly?Its a bit like the 17 year old kids on their 50cc mopeds with expansion pipes..apart from annoying everyone there is little gain It wasn't on the 996TT, surely Porsche learned their lesson on that !
R.
Although probably unfashionable on this forum I find myself largely in agreement with kayc on the exhaust noise/switch business. The only thing I would add on the reason for a switch is that when I had the late not lamented DB9, the service people told me that the switch was set to cut in just above the rpm at which Euro noise standards are measured. They also told me that careless maintenance at the first service often meant that the wire became inadvertantly disconnected. Happened to me.
As to the 997TT noise generally, at the Millbrook test I too thought it sounded a little uninspiring. However, steering inputs and feedback on the hill route seemed to my untutored mitts to be pretty much the same as my 997 C2S and more than adequate for my road use.
Of cars I've owned the best sound came from either the 1973 911E or the 1985 F series Carrera. Therefter a little soul seems to have been missing from the experience.
However, unlike dealmaker its too late for me to change my mind. OPC rang on Friday to say the car is built and waiting for collection in Stutttgart. But the bad news is the earliest date they can offer is 2 October. B*ll*cks.
As to the 997TT noise generally, at the Millbrook test I too thought it sounded a little uninspiring. However, steering inputs and feedback on the hill route seemed to my untutored mitts to be pretty much the same as my 997 C2S and more than adequate for my road use.
Of cars I've owned the best sound came from either the 1973 911E or the 1985 F series Carrera. Therefter a little soul seems to have been missing from the experience.
However, unlike dealmaker its too late for me to change my mind. OPC rang on Friday to say the car is built and waiting for collection in Stutttgart. But the bad news is the earliest date they can offer is 2 October. B*ll*cks.
Dr S said:
Not really surprising the experience you made. After reading all the many reports on the 997tt this is what you'd expect. Factually insanely fast but lacking directness and some drama to make it real fun. In one test they even claimed it's the 911 that would make Merc drivers switch. Don't say more....
.Oh No It Would'nt.
Mark,[The Merc].
rumplestiltskin said:
Will a PSE be available on the 997TT ?
It wasn't on the 996TT, surely Porsche learned their lesson on that !
R.
It wasn't on the 996TT, surely Porsche learned their lesson on that !
R.
doubt it unfortunately - when does Porsche learn a lesson? rms
kayc said:
I had PSE on my C4S and i thought it rubbish personally..no performance improvement and a sort of raspy ,hollow ,false sound.
bizarre, think it metamorphises the sound of the car and is a must have IMHO
I too can't understand why the OP is considering a TT over a GT3 from his post
Edited by adam b on Wednesday 20th September 02:31
dealmaker said:
Or should I get the 997 GT2??? Anyone heard any whispers on 997GT2 pricing?? (don't want to be wiped out like some I know with 996Gt2's!!)
No, but when I enquired about swapping my order over, the dealer still said he wanted a £10k deposit now. I asked had the prices and specs for the car been released then and got well er...no, back. Hmmmm, says I.
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