GT3 - buy a 997.2, or buy a 997.1 and save £20k?

GT3 - buy a 997.2, or buy a 997.1 and save £20k?

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Discussion

andywaterfall

Original Poster:

948 posts

284 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
I'm new to 911s so hoping to pick your collective brains please.

I'm in two minds - it seems 997.2 GT3s are around £85k-£90k currently, and 997.1s are around £65k-£70k (I know, I should've bought one or other of them a year or two ago). £20k isn't a trivial sum, but if the Gen2 will hold its value better, maybe it's money well spent?

Aside from the obvious fact of being newer & probably with fewer miles on, what are the benefits of the 2 over the 1? People talk about an improvment in build quality, but 7.1s seem ok to me. 7.2s have LEDs & a better satnav & bluetooth etc, but anything else I should know? Mechanically, aesthetically, whatever?

I'm seeing 5 on Thursday, 3 Gen1s & 2 Gen2s - should be an interesting day!

Thanks in advance for your comments & advice.

V8KSN

4,711 posts

184 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
andywaterfall said:
I'm new to 911s so hoping to pick your collective brains please.

I'm in two minds - it seems 997.2 GT3s are around £85k-£90k currently, and 997.1s are around £65k-£70k (I know, I should've bought one or other of them a year or two ago). £20k isn't a trivial sum, but if the Gen2 will hold its value better, maybe it's money well spent?

Aside from the obvious fact of being newer & probably with fewer miles on, what are the benefits of the 2 over the 1? People talk about an improvment in build quality, but 7.1s seem ok to me. 7.2s have LEDs & a better satnav & bluetooth etc, but anything else I should know? Mechanically, aesthetically, whatever?

I'm seeing 5 on Thursday, 3 Gen1s & 2 Gen2s - should be an interesting day!

Thanks in advance for your comments & advice.
I have a 2007 997 GT3, its awesome! ......... never driven a 997.2 GT3 so..... mine is the best GT3 I have ever driven biggrin

As a side note, are they really going for £65k now?

V8KSN

4,711 posts

184 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Also, I am assuming you have done all your research on the GT3 and rev ranges and OPC 111 point checks and warranty questions etc etc

If not, let me know and i'll dig out some links to threads for you.

mm450exc

564 posts

178 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
http://press.porsche.com/vehicles/10_press_kits/pd...

Brakes are crap for track. So that requires upgrade but that's about it. I did Alcon on all 4 corners.

andywaterfall

Original Poster:

948 posts

284 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Cheers mate, done a fair bit of homework (including reading some of your posts here) so I think I'm up to speed, but always welcome more info so yes please, I'd like to see the links if it's not too much bother! 4 of the 5 I'm seeing are at official dealers, the other's at Nick Whale Sportscars, so scans & warranties should be ok.

Hey, see you on the Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine South tour!

SFO

5,169 posts

183 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
you do realised 997 GT3s have manual gearboxes, and not DCTs like you have on the M3 smile

AL001

831 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
All GT3's are great, you won't feel short-changed with any...

http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/289996/pors...

V8KSN

4,711 posts

184 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
andywaterfall said:
Cheers mate, done a fair bit of homework (including reading some of your posts here) so I think I'm up to speed, but always welcome more info so yes please, I'd like to see the links if it's not too much bother! 4 of the 5 I'm seeing are at official dealers, the other's at Nick Whale Sportscars, so scans & warranties should be ok.

Hey, see you on the Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine South tour!
Are you coming too? Brilliant! Are you hoping to get the GT3 before you go? Would be great to see (and hear) another one on tour biggrin

Links -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You may have read through those threads already but if not they should keep you busy smile

Slickhillsy

1,772 posts

143 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
997.1 is amazing... Good question, is the gen 2 worth 20K more than this leap!

"Four years in the evolution of the 911 didn’t used to be a very long time, but in the last decade or so the pace of development has been staggering. Want proof? Hop from a 2003-spec 996 GT3 to a 2007 997 GT3 and prepare to have your mind blown. Every dynamic element of the package is transformed – power, torque, agility, stability, body control, grip, braking performance… The new car moves the game on to such an extent it beggars belief. We’ve had the sweet, lithe feel of the original car, the more aggressive and focused second generation and now we get the two expertly mixed but with everything turned up to 12, maybe 15..."

The write up for the gen 2 car doesnt convey such a significant leap. I know we'd all like the latest / last version of the manual GT3 but does it justify £20k plus...? Not sure. I do personally prefer the cosmetic tweaks, rear spolier and alike...

From an investment point - yes. In 20 / 30 years it will be advertised as THE last of the manual great cars, and thats where I think you'll see the most back from your £20k investment not so much in the drive...

mrdemon

21,146 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
worth the leap imo newer cars means less parts to replace.

Mermaid

21,492 posts

171 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
mrdemon said:
worth the leap imo newer cars means less parts to replace.
& if same mileage?

Slickhillsy

1,772 posts

143 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
mrdemon said:
worth the leap imo newer cars means less parts to replace.
What does this mean?

andywaterfall

Original Poster:

948 posts

284 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
SFO said:
you do realised 997 GT3s have manual gearboxes, and not DCTs like you have on the M3 smile
Ta for the heads-up, I'm doing the left leg & arm exercises as I type smile

andywaterfall

Original Poster:

948 posts

284 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
mm450exc said:
http://press.porsche.com/vehicles/10_press_kits/pd...

Brakes are crap for track. So that requires upgrade but that's about it. I did Alcon on all 4 corners.
Excellent, thanks - just what I've been looking for without success.

andywaterfall

Original Poster:

948 posts

284 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
V8KSN said:
Are you coming too? Brilliant! Are you hoping to get the GT3 before you go? Would be great to see (and hear) another one on tour biggrin

Links -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You may have read through those threads already but if not they should keep you busy smile
That's the plan - I've taken the M3 on loads of tours with PHN & it's been ace, but I figured it was time for a change.

Those links are also excellent, thanks - I went back a few pages but obviously not far enough!

mm450exc

564 posts

178 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
So the differences...

1) 3.8 vs. 3.6
2) PCM3 on gen2 (Full post code with update)
3) Rear wing - more downforce on gen2
4) PSM and PTM (Gen1 only has PTM)
5) Larger brakes on gen2
6) VarioCam Plus on intake and exhaust (gen1 only intake)
7) Better audio - you can actually hear the radio! smile

Mermaid

21,492 posts

171 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
435 -v -415ps

Centre lock - v- 5 stud

Slickhillsy

1,772 posts

143 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all

1) 3.8 vs. 3.6 - check
2) PCM3 on gen2 - check
3) Rear wing - more downforce on gen2 - check
4) PSM and PTM (Gen1 only has PTM) PSM on Gen 1 not PTM
5) Larger brakes on gen2 - Go for Ceramics (same on both / better performance / no 'DUST' smile
6) VarioCam Plus on intake and exhaust (gen1 only intake) - check
7) Better audio - you can actually hear the radio! - Who cares about the wireless! smile

GreatPretender

26,140 posts

214 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
I think it's all down to personal preference at the end of the day. Sure, the 3.8 is better on paper, but in the real world, I'm not sure there's a massive difference (bar the greater convenience and slight increase in power/torque).

Of more relevance (and it hasn't been mentioned yet) is the comparison between the Club Sport cars and the 'Comfort' cars. Generally, the market favors the former as it adds that bit more driver appeal to what is ultimately Porsche's rawest expression of a road car (RS notwithstanding). With the Club Sport you get a half cage (bolted in), carbon backed fixed buckets on the Gen 1 (the Gen 2 got either fixed back or folding buckets), a fire extinguisher and battery cut out. The 'Comfort' cars by comparison, got the Sports seats from the Carrera range, which to my mind at least look and feel incongruous in a car with such focus. As I say, personal preference. If I was shopping again, I'd pick a Gen 1 Club Sport over a Gen 2 'Comfort'.

Also, PCCBs are a nice option, but they have their critics. For heavy track use, you'll want a steel disc'd car instead.

Investment wise, I'd hope that both are a safe bet. The Gen 2 will always command more, but not exponentially so, I shouldn't think. History will view the 997 GT3 as the last of its kind; not whether you get significant benefit from PCM4 relative to PCM3 etc. After all, you could take your £20k and invest it to far greater effect elsewhere in my humble opinion. The Gen 2 certainly isn't £20k more car than its forbear.

mm450exc

564 posts

178 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Negative. The gen1 only has TM. gen2 was the first gt3 with PSM.