Harris on the 996 GT3 RS - new vid
Discussion
RDMcG said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ppSjVmWTpw
I have always fancied one of these personally...very rare too.
Me tooI have always fancied one of these personally...very rare too.
I remember re them being for sale as low as £45k
Paul
I was looking to buy a 996 GT3 in 2018/19 and I just could not find a nice one, every one I drove looked lovely but was slow, clunky and the engine was just not special. So I concluded even through the looked immaculate and history good probably too much track time I drove 4 cars before thinking are these just not that great ?
I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
ChrisW. said:
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
He did Chris, but what he said wasn't particularly accurate or insightful...Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
The 996 GT3 RS used what were effectively 997.1 GT3 cylinder heads, which one imagines had larger ports and utilised the smaller spark plugs seen in the 997.1 GT3 engine.
The engines were more powerful, several owners on here have dyno'd them at 400hp + and the ram/cold air ducts on the engine cover are supposed to give further improvements in power production at higher speeds.
The 996 GT3 RS front suspension uprights are basically the two clamp bolt 997.1 GT3 steel brake items.
The RS rear uprights are different, as are the rear subframe side sections. All parts optimised for running the race cars as low as possible whilst gaining improved geometry suitable for the large cambers required but avoiding the bumpsteer issues the Mk1 and 2 cars suffered when lowered drastically for circuit use, but it has to be said all the modifications are pretty pointless on a road car. So it could be said the RS was a true homologation special from that perspective.
ChrisW. said:
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
All this ^^^^^. Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
Just a quick Wiki search shows better info than Chris H mentions.
Even this video video is better.
ChrisW. said:
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Personally I'm not surprised. He seemingly has no other option right now.He used to be a journalist & reviewer. Admired & respected. Then Top Gear happened, he was typecast as the driving geek, but he retained credibility as his reviews were still honest and open.
Collecting Cars comes along, and he's playing a bit part in that, using his 'stardom' as a lever, but still totally independent and honest.
Top Gear comes to an unexpected end, then...
By his own admission, Chris had to find income from somewhere, CC is the low hanging fruit, so he becomes front & centre in collecting cars where he is talking about cars, but outside of the podcast its cars he is trying to sell. This IMO has resulted in him waxing lyrical about everything, regardless. A few weeks ago on the podcast they were talking about how the silver GT2 had just sold, but only just, and outside of auction. Chris said he felt annoyed becasue they "threw everything at it". That tells you all you need to know about his motives behind the CC car vids.
Llandow Laps could be great, but it's not a money maker for them, so IMO it feels very token.
I think Chris is between a rock and a hard place right now, so none of the above is a criticism, I just find the video content all very one dimensional and a far cry from when he was Chris Harris on cars https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisHarrisonCars/videos
Adrian-9iafn said:
I was looking to buy a 996 GT3 in 2018/19 and I just could not find a nice one, every one I drove looked lovely but was slow, clunky and the engine was just not special. So I concluded even through the looked immaculate and history good probably too much track time I drove 4 cars before thinking are these just not that great ?
I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
Not weird at all, I know exactly where you are coming from. I had a red RS. Had a very narrow setup window but if you got it right, was fun in isolation however not especially quick. I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
Slippydiff said:
ChrisW. said:
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
He did Chris, but what he said wasn't particularly accurate or insightful...Only around 600 of these were manufactured so they are rare things ... but the UK ended up with around 130 of them (110 rhd and the rest lhd ?) ...
The engines were reputed to be around 400bhp ... single mass flywheel where the GT3 was dual ... and I'm sure there was a fair amount more difference from the "ordinary" GT3.
The 996 GT3 RS used what were effectively 997.1 GT3 cylinder heads, which one imagines had larger ports and utilised the smaller spark plugs seen in the 997.1 GT3 engine.
The engines were more powerful, several owners on here have dyno'd them at 400hp + and the ram/cold air ducts on the engine cover are supposed to give further improvements in power production at higher speeds.
The 996 GT3 RS front suspension uprights are basically the two clamp bolt 997.1 GT3 steel brake items.
The RS rear uprights are different, as are the rear subframe side sections. All parts optimised for running the race cars as low as possible whilst gaining improved geometry suitable for the large cambers required but avoiding the bumpsteer issues the Mk1 and 2 cars suffered when lowered drastically for circuit use, but it has to be said all the modifications are pretty pointless on a road car. So it could be said the RS was a true homologation special from that perspective.
AndrewD said:
Adrian-9iafn said:
I was looking to buy a 996 GT3 in 2018/19 and I just could not find a nice one, every one I drove looked lovely but was slow, clunky and the engine was just not special. So I concluded even through the looked immaculate and history good probably too much track time I drove 4 cars before thinking are these just not that great ?
I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
Not weird at all, I know exactly where you are coming from. I had a red RS. Had a very narrow setup window but if you got it right, was fun in isolation however not especially quick. I then drove a 5k mile as new 996 GT3 RS and actually concluded they are not for me, just not great as far as I can wok out. seemed slow, not that willing to rev, I have had a number of GT cars and have a 991.1 GT3 ad modded 997.2 C2 and had a 964 RS for 10 years.
Weird !
I do agree as Chis Harris is now selling or motivated to sell the cars, he will have the conflict of interest when he keeps enthusing about how great they are. At some point his 'independent' review will be called into question and his view of the car will no longer count for very much, a delicate line to tread. I've already started to discount his opinion on collecting cars.
I like Chris and he has a very worthwhile opinion, I hope he doesn't stray too far into 'selling' and compromise his independence
I like Chris and he has a very worthwhile opinion, I hope he doesn't stray too far into 'selling' and compromise his independence
I do get the conflict ,and in a way I regret the old days when he was just an independent reviewer
In 2006 I read a review he did in Total 911 of the then new 997 RS. It very much caused me to want one and I did manage to score one at the time. In 2011 ( I think ) I was at the N24 and he was part of a group of journos driving a 997.2 RS in the race which was similar to my then new RS.
After the race I was in the Pistenklause in Nürburg and had a beer or two with him. Very regular guy, no BS. Of course he is now selllng,
That being said he made the point that the RS was not much different than the GT3. However, they are rare as there was no North American model so only 500 or so were made.
I have later cars that are naturally better but this is a bit foundational even if its a sticker upgrade. Wish I had bought one when they were unfashionable.
In 2006 I read a review he did in Total 911 of the then new 997 RS. It very much caused me to want one and I did manage to score one at the time. In 2011 ( I think ) I was at the N24 and he was part of a group of journos driving a 997.2 RS in the race which was similar to my then new RS.
After the race I was in the Pistenklause in Nürburg and had a beer or two with him. Very regular guy, no BS. Of course he is now selllng,
That being said he made the point that the RS was not much different than the GT3. However, they are rare as there was no North American model so only 500 or so were made.
I have later cars that are naturally better but this is a bit foundational even if its a sticker upgrade. Wish I had bought one when they were unfashionable.
I also like him. He is a very good driver hence invited to do things which could always go wrong, ... which I think you can see in the videos at Llandau. Always in the wet (so far?)... often owners cars with what? tyres ...
Chris' choice of his own cars has been very interesting ... and when doing what he likes I think he's very good. It's just hard for him to be in two 'places' at once ...
I came across him at Croft ... he was racing a GT3 Cup car possibly as a preparation for his N24 debut ? He turned up in a very interesting Mercedes that he was very happy to talk about ... the common language being cars
Chris' choice of his own cars has been very interesting ... and when doing what he likes I think he's very good. It's just hard for him to be in two 'places' at once ...
I came across him at Croft ... he was racing a GT3 Cup car possibly as a preparation for his N24 debut ? He turned up in a very interesting Mercedes that he was very happy to talk about ... the common language being cars
kmpowell said:
ChrisW. said:
Not wishing to be critical, but did Chris really say anything ???
Personally I'm not surprised. He seemingly has no other option right now.He used to be a journalist & reviewer. Admired & respected. Then Top Gear happened, he was typecast as the driving geek, but he retained credibility as his reviews were still honest and open.
Collecting Cars comes along, and he's playing a bit part in that, using his 'stardom' as a lever, but still totally independent and honest.
Top Gear comes to an unexpected end, then...
By his own admission, Chris had to find income from somewhere, CC is the low hanging fruit, so he becomes front & centre in collecting cars where he is talking about cars, but outside of the podcast its cars he is trying to sell. This IMO has resulted in him waxing lyrical about everything, regardless. A few weeks ago on the podcast they were talking about how the silver GT2 had just sold, but only just, and outside of auction. Chris said he felt annoyed becasue they "threw everything at it". That tells you all you need to know about his motives behind the CC car vids.
Llandow Laps could be great, but it's not a money maker for them, so IMO it feels very token.
I think Chris is between a rock and a hard place right now, so none of the above is a criticism, I just find the video content all very one dimensional and a far cry from when he was Chris Harris on cars https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisHarrisonCars/videos
Terminator X said:
20 years ago (?) at a Porsche track day and the place was flooded with these both red and blue! Might still have a pic somewhere.
TX.
Yep the weapon of choice remember it well. Some folks started off with the M3 CSL but the GT3/RS with the mods Manthey started offering upped the anti. Superb cars and very robust. My old K440 GT3 TX.
kmpowell said:
Personally I'm not surprised. He seemingly has no other option right now.
He used to be a journalist & reviewer. Admired & respected. Then Top Gear happened, he was typecast as the driving geek, but he retained credibility as his reviews were still honest and open.
Collecting Cars comes along, and he's playing a bit part in that, using his 'stardom' as a lever, but still totally independent and honest.
Top Gear comes to an unexpected end, then...
By his own admission, Chris had to find income from somewhere, CC is the low hanging fruit, so he becomes front & centre in collecting cars where he is talking about cars, but outside of the podcast its cars he is trying to sell. This IMO has resulted in him waxing lyrical about everything, regardless. A few weeks ago on the podcast they were talking about how the silver GT2 had just sold, but only just, and outside of auction. Chris said he felt annoyed becasue they "threw everything at it". That tells you all you need to know about his motives behind the CC car vids.
Llandow Laps could be great, but it's not a money maker for them, so IMO it feels very token.
I think Chris is between a rock and a hard place right now, so none of the above is a criticism, I just find the video content all very one dimensional and a far cry from when he was Chris Harris on cars https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisHarrisonCars/videos
Agree with this, needs to earn a living and is basically in a Sales/Influencer role and good luck to him. Personally, I think he's a real talent, but as you say, stuck at moment. Really hope something comes through, in some other guise as his journo and driving talents are wasted peddling for an Auction House. Carved out a niche there though, CC would feel it big time if he left. Hope he makes most of it.He used to be a journalist & reviewer. Admired & respected. Then Top Gear happened, he was typecast as the driving geek, but he retained credibility as his reviews were still honest and open.
Collecting Cars comes along, and he's playing a bit part in that, using his 'stardom' as a lever, but still totally independent and honest.
Top Gear comes to an unexpected end, then...
By his own admission, Chris had to find income from somewhere, CC is the low hanging fruit, so he becomes front & centre in collecting cars where he is talking about cars, but outside of the podcast its cars he is trying to sell. This IMO has resulted in him waxing lyrical about everything, regardless. A few weeks ago on the podcast they were talking about how the silver GT2 had just sold, but only just, and outside of auction. Chris said he felt annoyed becasue they "threw everything at it". That tells you all you need to know about his motives behind the CC car vids.
Llandow Laps could be great, but it's not a money maker for them, so IMO it feels very token.
I think Chris is between a rock and a hard place right now, so none of the above is a criticism, I just find the video content all very one dimensional and a far cry from when he was Chris Harris on cars https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisHarrisonCars/videos
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff