Will the 996 GT3 pre-facelift ever be considered "special"?
Discussion
Because it's the first to wear the GT3 badge...? Or is it just a continuation of the RS (964 RS, 993 RS etc.) models and therefore holds no such value?
It's not like I would buy a car and hold on to it for decades, the 996 Mk1 GT3s seem to have bottomed out price wise, but I am just curious. To me at least, the 996 Mk1 GT3 has a little more appeal than most other GT3s which there a lot of over the years (except for the 997 GT3 RS 4.0, that's just a perfect, perfect 911).
It's not like I would buy a car and hold on to it for decades, the 996 Mk1 GT3s seem to have bottomed out price wise, but I am just curious. To me at least, the 996 Mk1 GT3 has a little more appeal than most other GT3s which there a lot of over the years (except for the 997 GT3 RS 4.0, that's just a perfect, perfect 911).
The mk1 gt3 represents the point at which the modern Porsche street car and modern Porsche race car were at their closest. When it was released the mk1 gt3 was extremely close to the very best 911 that Porsche were building at the time.
It's therefor the purest drive of any modern Porsche and this makes it very special.
While there have been technical improvements over the years and each subsequent road model has become more capable the divergence between the road and race versions increased rapidly.
There has and will never be a modern road going Porsche of its like again.
It's therefor the purest drive of any modern Porsche and this makes it very special.
While there have been technical improvements over the years and each subsequent road model has become more capable the divergence between the road and race versions increased rapidly.
There has and will never be a modern road going Porsche of its like again.
Edited by fioran0 on Sunday 8th April 22:51
I am probably in the minority here but I think the original Harm Lagaay design is far, far superior to the "bodge it and make it more aggressive" look of the mk2. The headlights are one of my favourite things about the original 996 design.
I'll take a guards or zanzibar mk1 clubbie please...
Joel
I'll take a guards or zanzibar mk1 clubbie please...
Joel
zero corrosion said:
Its the lights on the original i don't like.
The other issue is there are 100's of so called replicas driven around by wannabees as the GT3 kit/wheels was an option on the Carrera i think.
That's true, where I live there are almost always 3-4 "aerokit" Carrera 2's for sale for every real GT3...The other issue is there are 100's of so called replicas driven around by wannabees as the GT3 kit/wheels was an option on the Carrera i think.
But is it any worse than all those 996 Turbos with GT2 wings? Lots of "replica look" 911's in the Porsche world... So in the end, it doesn't really bother me.
zero corrosion said:
The other issue is there are 100's of so called replicas driven around by wannabees as the GT3 kit/wheels was an option on the Carrera i think.
There were two factory Aerokit options for the 996 Carrera, one of which was the Aerokit Cup which was very similar to the GT3.However I don't think that it is a case of 'wannabees', not in all cases at least(OK, those that put a GT3 badge on certainly are). Many are simply wanting the car to look better without having to compromise on the other aspects that a GT3 brings.
(When I was looking for a Carrera, I would only have considered one with the Aerokit Cup - I think the standard car looks a bit like a beached whale)
monthefish said:
In answer to the OP's question "Will the 996 GT3 pre-facelift ever be considered "special"?", I think it already is...
Exactly this. Also worth noting is that the Mk1 was hand assembled by the motorsport department at Weissach (unlike later road GT3s, and indeed recent racing ones) and as the first GT3 and a comparative rarity (especially in Clubsport Spec) it is probably almost as safe a place to put your money as a 996RS. I'd frankly be shocked if these weren't already finding homes with bearded gentlemen with exotic tastes in waxing products ... 
mate has one & it's bonkers!My GT3 Mk1 clubsport is the sort of car that puts a smile on my face every time I turn the key. It's raw, full of character and feels like a race car on the occasional track day I indulge in. Having owned a number of cars, including a 964 RS the Mk1 is one of the best drivers cars IMO. The proportions,wing and headlights all add up to a Porsche that gets closer to a race car than any other, as suggested by a previous poster.
Special? Yes already I think, but i'm biased.
Special? Yes already I think, but i'm biased.
Redgate 3 said:
My GT3 Mk1 clubsport is the sort of car that puts a smile on my face every time I turn the key. It's raw, full of character and feels like a race car on the occasional track day I indulge in. Having owned a number of cars, including a 964 RS the Mk1 is one of the best drivers cars IMO. The proportions,wing and headlights all add up to a Porsche that gets closer to a race car than any other, as suggested by a previous poster.
Special? Yes already I think, but i'm biased.
Cool... I assume a Clubsport spec will bring in a little premium some day in the future?Special? Yes already I think, but i'm biased.
Talking about raw experience behind the wheel, how would the 996 GT3s compare to the entry level Caterhams? Up to R300 Superlight...
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