Why has this Zanzibar 996 GT3 not sold?

[Pagoda1966]

ChrisW. said:

I think they are a fabulous drive.

In fact, having owned most things in the most exciting Porsche categories between 1975 and 2007 --- and then Cayman after that --- and having driven on circuit most of the rest, I'm buying back into a 996 GT3 Gen 1 CS RHD --- and it is expensive....

I had a two owner, 29k, Mk1 GT3 CS in Iris Blue which I sold two years ago and I cry myself to sleep every night....! sounds daft, but I'd probably pay the £90k it would now be worth to have it back.....

[mollytherocker]

Pagoda1966 said:

I had a two owner, 29k, Mk1 GT3 CS in Iris Blue which I sold two years ago and I cry myself to sleep every night....! sounds daft, but I'd probably pay the £90k it would now be worth to have it back.....

You still have some nice metal in your garage though!

[Slippydiff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Not aimed at you old boy. You I suspect appreciate them more than most, and champion them for what they are.

With the 2.7 RS in the stratosphere, and 964 and 993 RS's now out of reach for the vast majority, the Mk1 and 2 996 GT3 are a relative "bargain" at anywhere between £60-70k. A quick look at 996 GT3 RS prices only serves to confirm as much.

Whilst you may not consider some contributors comments as denigrating, comments that "they're not worth the current asking prices" tends to indicate that a bit like the 964 RS 16 years ago and the E46 M3 CSL several years after its launch, these individuals just don't get the finer points of these incredibly special cars.

As is frequently the case, they're more than the sum of their parts, and just because they look similar to the cooking versions, it doesn't necessarily follow they are, nor indeed that they drive like them. But there is of course the added complication that this is a numbers game, limited numbers = desirability, always has, and always will.

But as it's a very limited market too, it doesn't take much for an oversupply situation to occur. So whilst some of the cars that have stuck will be due to the market becoming more price sensitive, my guess is a fair few of the cars that have stuck, have done so because they have less then perfect history, spec or other "issues". Twas ever thus ....

[Slippydiff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I've seen it in the flesh, it's as close to a new Mk1 996 GT3 as you'll find. Just perfect. End of.
In the long term, LHD may limit its value over the equivalent RHD example (if such a low mileage car still exists, thought it sounds as if Chris W may have found something close ?), but its colour, spec and condition will pretty much guarantee it's residuals will remain rock solid.

[Fl0pp3r]

The 6.1 GT3 has quite a following and with good reason - as others have pointed out - its the first GT3 in the model's lineage, there was no RS in this generation, and by all accounts its a brilliant, supple steer on UK roads. Oh, and they didn't build very many which of course means limited supply.

So even if one finds recent price escalation unpalatable, if you buy in at the car's current level I would argue you are getting a relative bargain when compared with the rest of the performance/exotic car market, and very unlikely to get your fingers burnt.

Pull the trigger Molly!

[spareparts]

911 values have alot to do with looks. The 6.1 was the least liked of all 911s in terms of looks.

[Fl0pp3r]

spareparts said:

911 values have alot to do with looks. The 6.1 was the least liked of all 911s in terms of looks.

Well the guys who like the gen1's styling really seem to like it!! ;-)

[lemmingjames]

Another way to look at it is;
Sticker price 16 years ago - 75k
Sticker price now - 70k

5k depreciation, £350(?) a year depreciation = not bad

[MDL111]

Fl0pp3r said:

spareparts said:

911 values have alot to do with looks. The 6.1 was the least liked of all 911s in terms of looks.

Well the guys who like the gen1's styling really seem to like it!! ;-)

I am one of the ones who did not likethe looks, but over the last few years this has changed for me. i now prefer the 6.1 over the 6.2. i wonder if others feel the same. I even think it looks about as good as a 997, just different. No comparison to 993/964 though, those I thikn look much better (and this I believe is the same for moste people)

I always preferred the interior of the 996 to the 997 onwards interiors - esp with centre console delete - imo a perfect sports car interior - no screens anywhere

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 5th May 08:10

[MDL111]

Fl0pp3r said:

spareparts said:

911 values have alot to do with looks. The 6.1 was the least liked of all 911s in terms of looks.

Well the guys who like the gen1's styling really seem to like it!! ;-)

I am one of the ones who did not likethe looks, but over the last few years this has changed for me. i now prefer the 6.1 over the 6.2. i wonder if others feel the same. I even think it looks about as good as a 997, just different. No comparison to 993/964 though, those I thikn look much better (and this I believe is the same for moste people)

I always preferred the interior of the 996 to the 997 onwards interiors - esp with centre console delete - imo a perfect sports car interior - no screens anywhere

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 5th May 08:10

[mollytherocker]

Fl0pp3r said:

The 6.1 GT3 has quite a following and with good reason - as others have pointed out - its the first GT3 in the model's lineage, there was no RS in this generation, and by all accounts its a brilliant, supple steer on UK roads. Oh, and they didn't build very many which of course means limited supply.

So even if one finds recent price escalation unpalatable, if you buy in at the car's current level I would argue you are getting a relative bargain when compared with the rest of the performance/exotic car market, and very unlikely to get your fingers burnt.

Pull the trigger Molly!

I really want it and the numbers probably stack up as I am sure it will be in fine fettle. I do worry about the future value to a degree, but It would be a keeper so that's largely irrelevant.

However, its just too much money, I just cannot justify it!

I think I will just throw some more money at my old 993!

[Slippydiff]

spareparts said:

911 values have alot to do with looks. The 6.1 was the least liked of all 911s in terms of looks.

Possibly, but a bit like the 964, the 996 has gone through the generally disliked phase and is now appreciated for being the most analogue, compact watercooled platform, and whilst the cabin and dash may not be the last word in build quality, it has a feel that's closer to an air cooled car than any subsequent watercooled car.
Add the Mezger engine into the mix and you have a car with compact dimensions, wonderful chassis dynamics, a superb engine and a modern feel to it (compared to its aircooled forbears).

Molly's been prevaricating over 996 GT3's prices/buying one since the dawn of time, and will continue to do so right up until hell freezes over But if nothing else his pontification has provided the pefect platform for many entertaining and heated debates over the pros and cons of the Mk 1 996 GT3.

Those that have owned and/or driven a good example know just how wonderful they are, whereas some of those who prevaricated and missed the boat (just like many did with the 964 RS) appear to struggle to come to terms with their reticence to buy when prices were low.
If in doubt, never forget, "A faint heart ne'er won a fair lady", "Fate favours the brave" and of course Del Boys old favourite "Who dares, wins".
And in my case, better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all....

[Pip1968]

MDL111 said:

I am one of the ones who did not likethe looks, but over the last few years this has changed for me. i now prefer the 6.1 over the 6.2. i wonder if others feel the same. I even think it looks about as good as a 997, just different. No comparison to 993/964 though, those I thikn look much better (and this I believe is the same for moste people)

I always preferred the interior of the 996 to the 997 onwards interiors - esp with centre console delete - imo a perfect sports car interior - no screens anywhere

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 5th May 08:10

Totally with you on the centre console aspect. Some fitted satnav in their M3 CSL when they bought them. I think those people missed the point. Carbon [b]Sport Leichtbau[b/]. Same with the Porsche GT3/RS why reduce the weight with door straps and then put a television screen in??? Everyone managed to get around without Satnav before it existed and have it on their phones now anyway. Driving around like a dope on a rope.

It is a sports car and track tool.

Each to their own of course.

Pip

[mollytherocker]

Slippydiff said:

Molly's been prevaricating over 996 GT3's prices/buying one since the dawn of time, and will continue to do so right up until hell freezes over But if nothing else his pontification has provided the pefect platform for many entertaining and heated debates over the pros and cons of the Mk 1 996 GT3.

I cannot deny that is true! Like many, I should have bought one 3 years ago for £35k.

The boat has sailed and its time to stop kicking myself and move on!

[alcatraz236]

the price movement in these cars has very little to do with how they drive

[SET3]

I'm with everyone else, sure the 911V car be lovely. Ultimately if you have a 993 and was going to buy that GT3 the price difference really wouldn't be that much different compared to 3 years ago as such any how with how all the prices have gone on everything.
I had my old 993 for 8 years and absolutely loved it, got lucky & found a fantastic 996.1gt3. Honestly I preferred the looks of the 993 / wish bought a 993T at a similar time for 45K but missed that boat. My GT3 is million times better in performance and much more hard core than 993 and I love it and can see me never selling it and that's after 3yrs ownership. Yes I would love some kind of RS but the gap is huge. I still think the basic GT3s are a Bargain. Must be the mileage putting people of the Virgin car but that really is crazy for a old car, especially when comparing to 80k mile 993 4s/s at £80k.

[mollytherocker]

SET3 said:

I'm with everyone else, sure the 911V car be lovely. Ultimately if you have a 993 and was going to buy that GT3 the price difference really wouldn't be that much different compared to 3 years ago as such any how with how all the prices have gone on everything.
I had my old 993 for 8 years and absolutely loved it, got lucky & found a fantastic 996.1gt3. Honestly I preferred the looks of the 993 / wish bought a 993T at a similar time for 45K but missed that boat. My GT3 is million times better in performance and much more hard core than 993 and I love it and can see me never selling it and that's after 3yrs ownership. Yes I would love some kind of RS but the gap is huge. I still think the basic GT3s are a Bargain. Must be the mileage putting people of the Virgin car but that really is crazy for a old car, especially when comparing to 80k mile 993 4s/s at £80k.

Actually, the price differential has grown substantially between a 993C2 and a 996GT3.

3 years ago - £25k vs £35k
Today - £45k vs £70k

From £10k to £25k!

[BertBert]

mollytherocker said:

The boat has sailed and its time to stop kicking myself and move on!

I was super-pleased to get 55k for my GT3RS three years after I bought it for 55k. But kick myself every time I think that I sold it, what a stoopid thing to do. I really enjoy all the early stuff I've had/got, but it's the best driving car I've ever owned.
Bert

[mollytherocker]

BertBert said:

I was super-pleased to get 55k for my GT3RS three years after I bought it for 55k. But kick myself every time I think that I sold it, what a stoopid thing to do. I really enjoy all the early stuff I've had/got, but it's the best driving car I've ever owned.
Bert

Oh well, first world problems and all that!

[BertBert]

indeed!