Opinions on 996TT with GT2 bodykit.

Opinions on 996TT with GT2 bodykit.

Author
Discussion

mondie

Original Poster:

622 posts

141 months

Monday 1st October 2012
quotequote all
I am curios on what peoples thoughts are on a 996 Turbo that has been fitted with a genuine GT2 bodykit from new at the selling dealer. I am a sucker for originality and wish it was factory and not dealer fitted.....but like the idea of this car as I had considering a GT2 but decided it was too risky for regular driving in NE Scotland. The car looks the part!

Would such a kit add or detract from the value of the car? Would you expect that insurance companies might balk at the kit, or should this be ok (I ask as I only recently moved to the UK)

Any advice and opinions gratefully received

Cheers
mondie

shantybeater

1,192 posts

168 months

Monday 1st October 2012
quotequote all
When I saw the same car you are talking about in the classifieds I wondered whether it was actually possible to get it 'factory fitted'. If not I'd be very concerned it had been in a big knock, the exhaust being wonky on one side doesn't fill me with confidence either...

Rockster

1,508 posts

159 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
mondie said:
I am curios on what peoples thoughts are on a 996 Turbo that has been fitted with a genuine GT2 bodykit from new at the selling dealer. I am a sucker for originality and wish it was factory and not dealer fitted.....but like the idea of this car as I had considering a GT2 but decided it was too risky for regular driving in NE Scotland. The car looks the part!

Would such a kit add or detract from the value of the car? Would you expect that insurance companies might balk at the kit, or should this be ok (I ask as I only recently moved to the UK)

Any advice and opinions gratefully received

Cheers
mondie
If this hardware was fitted by a dealer from new, and the combination was officially sanctioned by Porsche that's one thing.

These cars are capable of too high of a speed to have some aero of questionable function fitted. I always like to view the world right side up from inside my Turbo.

I have to mention when looking for a new Boxster some years ago I came across a brand new one in the back lot of a dealer, the car obviously having been in a severe accident. I was told the car would be repaired and sold.

It is very unlikely, but this Turbo might have suffered some accident damage and had its body repaired while at the new dealer and the new dealer decided to make lemonade from lemons and tarted up the car by adding the factory GT2 stuff.

Regardless, whenever I come across a car with some body hardware different from when it left the factory, to me this always diminishes the car in my opinion.

The presence of this body hardware not only detracts from the value of the car but it also raises a bit of doubt in my mind about the car's past.

However, my suspicions may be wrong and so your job is if you can overlook the GT2 body cladding to give the car a good test ride/drive and PPI which should (or why bother?) find any accident signs at which time one can then walk away.

Do not let the body parts distract you from the job of ensuring the entire car is in good shape and worthy of owning at whatever price you can agree upon with the seller.

Sincerely,

Rockster.

6C4GTS

5,185 posts

177 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
I think you will find that there is actually quite a strong market for a straight car with the GT2 kit (look at misha911 webpage for some aftermarket examples), as long as it has not been crashed. If its factory parts and well fitted I do not see a problem. I know turbos are 20-30K now but these were very expensive back in the day and the first owner could very conceivably wanted to fork out another 5-8K on a bodykit to make his turbo look mean.

Hopefully the owners of some kitted cars can comment on stability but I've seen some going at leptons and looked pretty good.

Although I sometimes tease the owner - this one looks much better than a standard turbo in the flesh.








Homer J

789 posts

217 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
I've been playing with the idea of GT2'ing my Turbo for 12 months or so. No GT2 badge, It would just be as the above, just to make the Turbo look even meaner.

But, it does get expensive to do it properly. I.e suspension mods as well.

Think they look greatthumbup

mondie

Original Poster:

622 posts

141 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the well reasoned replys. Rockster you raise some good points. I am will be making a few calls today on possibly getting a PPI done. I did notice that the exhaust looks a bit wonky and non with non standard tips so will check further into what is up there.

LeighB

3,858 posts

224 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
Homer J said:
I've been playing with the idea of GT2'ing my Turbo for 12 months or so.
Keeping secrets are we now?

hehe

I also really like the GT2 styling and it wouldn't put me off buying a car with it fitted, obviously if no nasty stories were attached to it.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
As the owner of one such car (the car above, as it happens) I thought I’d throw in my 2p’s worth. smile

Firstly, the comments about making sure the car underneath is sound and doesn’t have any skeletons, are very important indeed. Having read the 996 turbo buyers guide (probably about 20 times before I actually bought a car!), Darren from RSJ mentions that the single most important thing to check for on a turbo is for accident damage (as everything mechanical/electrical on a 996 turbo is generally pretty bulletproof), and the performance of these cars is not to be underestimated (and, despite the “all weather supercar” tag it has been given by some elements of the press, it is still a predominantly RWD 420bhp supercar, and can still bite if driven without a level of respect).

Firstly check by HPI before you even go to see the car. My next step was to get the entire service history for the car, which included the invoice for the painting and fitting of the bodykit by well-known Porsche specialist Strasse. I phoned them and had a chat with the chap from Strasse who confirmed that he car was absolutely fine prior to them fitting the kit which put my mind at rest.

The final (and most important) check of course is to get underneath the car itself and check the chassis rails/substructure for any sign of damage/repair. Anything untoward, walk away.


In terms of value, it’s a very difficult one as it is very subjective.
Personally, I was happy to have paid a bit more for a car with the GT2 kit as that is what I was in the market for, and had I not found a car with it, I would have had it fitted (which I had priced up to be a minimum of £4.5k to source, paint & fit - possibly even more as I believe that at least one of the front rads need repositioned slightly requiring different bracketary for example). I think a turbo should be 'all spoilers and scoops' and think the standard 996 turbo is a bit plain for what it is (still lovely though). There’s not many GT2 kitted turbos about so there’s perhaps some rarity value, but then again some people value purity above all else. Horses for courses as they say.

I think the GT2 is the best looking 911 ever ( as did Tiff), but the back seats and the 4wd of the turbo were very welcome for me. Although I very much appreciate the GT2 for what it is, I like the exploitable performance of a turbo and I think that the GT2, whilst probably more ‘special’, probably takes the right conditions for it to shine and I suspect that it could be quite a frustrating car to own in terms of not being able to exploit its performance potential a lot of the time. The turbo I suspect you can enjoy its potential far more of the time (but it’ll still powerslide in the dry if you want it to!). I could have afforded a GT2 if that had been what I wanted, but a GT2 kitted turbo was/is my perfect car and I’m very, very happy with it.

For me, it’s about having the car you want, looking the way you want it to look.
My car will never be fitted with a GT2 badge and it wears its ‘turbo’ centrecaps with pride. The car didn’t have a turbo badge on the decklid when I bought it, and have debated whether to fit one or not. I quite like debaged cars, and so I won’t be fitting fit one. A few years ago, either Malton or 911v (I forget which)were selling a GT2 kitted turbo and it had a turbo badge fitted which looked a bit odd to my eyes.

With regards to the aero, the GT2 has superior aero (in terms of downforce and reduction of lift) to the turbo, so there should be no concerns from that point of view. (Some randomly designed & untested bodykit might be cause for concern however).

I understand that the kit could be specified from the factory, but I’ve never seen anything concrete that backs this up (but any manufacturer will do pretty much anything if the price is right so I’ve no reason to doubt that it certainly could have been).


Finally, here’s a couple of other threads on the subject that might be of interest.

996GT2 front bumper on 996TT

Fitted a GT2 rear spoiler

Converting a 996 Turbo into a GT2



Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 2nd October 11:54

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
A couple of other pics if I may. smile






Pugley

687 posts

191 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
I cant really see any problems if the car is straight. After all, how many C2's and C4's are there fitted with GT3 body kit?

It certainly doesn't reduce their value!

MadMark911

1,754 posts

148 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
I think it looks stunning - much more aggressive than the standard Turbo fayre, so as others have said, as long as it was fitted from new (or for the right reasons) - go for it! smile

mondie

Original Poster:

622 posts

141 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
monthefish said:
As the owner of one such car (the car above, as it happens) I thought I’d throw in my 2p’s worth. smile

Firstly, the comments about making sure the car underneath is sound and doesn’t have any skeletons, are very important indeed. Having read the 996 turbo buyers guide (probably about 20 times before I actually bought a car!), Darren from RSJ mentions that the single most important thing to check for on a turbo is for accident damage (as everything mechanical/electrical on a 996 turbo is generally pretty bulletproof), and the performance of these cars is not to be underestimated (and, despite the “all weather supercar” tag it has been given by some elements of the press, it is still a predominantly RWD 420bhp supercar, and can still bite if driven without a level of respect).

Firstly check by HPI before you even go to see the car. My next step was to get the entire service history for the car, which included the invoice for the painting and fitting of the bodykit by well-known Porsche specialist Strasse. I phoned them and had a chat with the chap from Strasse who confirmed that he car was absolutely fine prior to them fitting the kit which put my mind at rest.

The final (and most important) check of course is to get underneath the car itself and check the chassis rails/substructure for any sign of damage/repair. Anything untoward, walk away.


In terms of value, it’s a very difficult one as it is very subjective.
Personally, I was happy to have paid a bit more for a car with the GT2 kit as that is what I was in the market for, and had I not found a car with it, I would have had it fitted (which I had priced up to be a minimum of £4.5k to source, paint & fit - possibly even more as I believe that at least one of the front rads need repositioned slightly requiring different bracketary for example). I think a turbo should be 'all spoilers and scoops' and think the standard 996 turbo is a bit plain for what it is (still lovely though). There’s not many GT2 kitted turbos about so there’s perhaps some rarity value, but then again some people value purity above all else. Horses for courses as they say.

I think the GT2 is the best looking 911 ever ( as did Tiff), but the back seats and the 4wd of the turbo were very welcome for me. Although I very much appreciate the GT2 for what it is, I like the exploitable performance of a turbo and I think that the GT2, whilst probably more ‘special’, probably takes the right conditions for it to shine and I suspect that it could be quite a frustrating car to own in terms of not being able to exploit its performance potential a lot of the time. The turbo I suspect you can enjoy its potential far more of the time (but it’ll still powerslide in the dry if you want it to!). I could have afforded a GT2 if that had been what I wanted, but a GT2 kitted turbo was/is my perfect car and I’m very, very happy with it.

For me, it’s about having the car you want, looking the way you want it to look.
My car will never be fitted with a GT2 badge and it wears its ‘turbo’ centrecaps with pride. The car didn’t have a turbo badge on the decklid when I bought it, and have debated whether to fit one or not. I quite like debaged cars, and so I won’t be fitting fit one. A few years ago, either Malton or 911v (I forget which)were selling a GT2 kitted turbo and it had a turbo badge fitted which looked a bit odd to my eyes.

With regards to the aero, the GT2 has superior aero (in terms of downforce and reduction of lift) to the turbo, so there should be no concerns from that point of view. (Some randomly designed & untested bodykit might be cause for concern however).

I understand that the kit could be specified from the factory, but I’ve never seen anything concrete that backs this up (but any manufacturer will do pretty much anything if the price is right so I’ve no reason to doubt that it certainly could have been).


Finally, here’s a couple of other threads on the subject that might be of interest.

996GT2 front bumper on 996TT

Fitted a GT2 rear spoiler

Converting a 996 Turbo into a GT2



Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 2nd October 11:54
Thanks for the well written and informative post, I know it takes a long time to write something so long and detailed so I appreciate your time.

Its the push I needed this afternoon to contact Car-Tech about a possible PPI, I am now waiting for the seller to get back to me on his willingness to allow David to go over the car. If thats a thumbs up I will do a HPI and then follow through with the PPI. If the car has any accident history then its over, I would not consider a car with any past accident history, this applies to any car I buy.

Like you I love the look of the GT2 so for me this is the best of both worlds. Your car looks stunning in Black and I like how you have debadged, I would do the same I think. I do wonder if the factory ever would have allowed a car to leave wearing a GT2 kit, a car that had that factory fitted would be gold. Never seen one but then I am recent to all this. Your comments on the relocation of the radiator for the front spolier are interesting and I will make sure this is followed up at the PPI.

Thanks to all for your comments.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
No problem at all. Glad to help.

Hope it all works out for you.
thumbup

shantybeater

1,192 posts

168 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
So what was the outcome with this? Did you get the HPI\PPI done?

mondie

Original Poster:

622 posts

141 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I am organising the PPI now, so far so good. Hopefully there are no big issues uncovered...

shantybeater

1,192 posts

168 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Good luck smile let us know the outcome!

shantybeater

1,192 posts

168 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Good luck smile let us know the outcome!

shantybeater

1,192 posts

168 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Good luck smile let us know the outcome!

sundayjumper

529 posts

281 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Got a link to the ad ? I'm being dim and can't find it loser

Edit - found it on Auto Trader. I'd assumed it was on PH.

Edited by sundayjumper on Thursday 4th October 13:20

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Is it the silver one on Autotrader? (yellow calipers, wiper, park sensors, GT2 badge)

ETA this one?

Looked quite tidy, and very well priced if it turns out to be a good'un.
(Shame it's only a 3.2)




6C4GTS said:
I know turbos are 20-30K now but these were very expensive back in the day and the first owner could very conceivably wanted to fork out another 5-8K on a bodykit to make his turbo look mean.
This is a good point.
The HPI check for mine showed that, at the time the kit was fitted, the car was wearing a "1 ABC" type reg'n plate which wouldn't have been cheap either.


Edited by monthefish on Thursday 4th October 13:37