GT3 change.....to what?

[MrVert]

I went from 997 GT3 to an F430 (via an old backdate 911).

The Ferrari is a great road car, full of feel, visceral and a complete event to drive and own.

Now gone for a 458 which is on another level.

Try a 430, prices have risen in the last year but for the money, still hard to beat IMO.

Life's too short to get stuck on one car, however good as the GT3 undoubtedly is.

Have fun searching, whatever you end up in

[Esceptico]

This is a left field suggestion but what about an early, hot rod 911? I think prices have softened a bit and if you focus on build quality and performance (not matching numbers) there are some great drivers' cars out there. I've had a 996.1 GT3, 355, 360 CS but my last early 911 with a 2.7 engine was - overall - more fun as a road car. Did about 8000 miles in the year I had it with no problems, including 4 roads trips (Scotland and Wales twice each). Being relatively small and narrow they are perfect for the best driving roads we have. If set up properly (and driven properly) they are surprisingly capable on the road. Apart from being loud (wind noise, engine drone, etc) they are also quite comfortable - mine was quite extreme with bucket seats but I found driving to and from Scotland from the South East no problem and a good friend does European trips in his cars. As long as you maintain them well they shouldn't break down.

[kevs 172]

I went 996 GT3 to a 987.2 Spyder,Manual with buckets etc.
They are totally brilliant cars and also a bargain!
Cheers
Kevin

[m33ufo]

Phooey said:

TheBMWDriver said:

GT4

Good shout but wouldn't sell a GT3 for one

Nope....as good as the gt4 is, it was a massive mistake!

[Steve Rance]

On the subject of the LSD. I think that the diff upgrade pack that JZM offer for the 997 Gen 1 has a guards diff. That will probably be the route that I take with my 997.

Will work brilliantly with your passive set up.

[Robbo66]

Esceptico said:

This is a left field suggestion but what about an early, hot rod 911? I think prices have softened a bit and if you focus on build quality and performance (not matching numbers) there are some great drivers' cars out there. I've had a 996.1 GT3, 355, 360 CS but my last early 911 with a 2.7 engine was - overall - more fun as a road car. Did about 8000 miles in the year I had it with no problems, including 4 roads trips (Scotland and Wales twice each). Being relatively small and narrow they are perfect for the best driving roads we have. If set up properly (and driven properly) they are surprisingly capable on the road. Apart from being loud (wind noise, engine drone, etc) they are also quite comfortable - mine was quite extreme with bucket seats but I found driving to and from Scotland from the South East no problem and a good friend does European trips in his cars. As long as you maintain them well they shouldn't break down.

You should never have sold...you up for October trip ?.

[jimmyslr]

Esceptico said:

This is a left field suggestion but what about an early, hot rod 911? I think prices have softened a bit and if you focus on build quality and performance (not matching numbers) there are some great drivers' cars out there. I've had a 996.1 GT3, 355, 360 CS but my last early 911 with a 2.7 engine was - overall - more fun as a road car. Did about 8000 miles in the year I had it with no problems, including 4 roads trips (Scotland and Wales twice each). Being relatively small and narrow they are perfect for the best driving roads we have. If set up properly (and driven properly) they are surprisingly capable on the road. Apart from being loud (wind noise, engine drone, etc) they are also quite comfortable - mine was quite extreme with bucket seats but I found driving to and from Scotland from the South East no problem and a good friend does European trips in his cars. As long as you maintain them well they shouldn't break down.

Interesting call this one. I've been tempted by some of the recreation models with modern suspension, worked over engines etc. JZM had a nice one in Riviera Blue 6 or so months ago and RPM have them sometimes too. I rather liked a [74?] 3.0 RS style conversion. I haven't quite become brave enough yet fearing it a very very small market and hence getting nailed on resale.

[Steve Rance]

On the road an early 911 is a lot of fun. For a goon around the lanes my 964 is always my preference. For a track/road combo the 997 GT3 is just about unbeatable. If I were looking for a road only car, I'd take my 964.

[red997]

_Leg_ said:

Not true of the 458. Ive done 16000 miles in my 458 Spider, most of that hard driving around the Alps. Not a single problem in 2 years. 7 years free servicing, 4 year warranty. I only got a 2 year warranty on my Porsches.

Some videos here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoSsUdU0UY5J5E0j...

I stand corrected - was only my perception

[Steve Rance]

Modern Ferraris are good cars but I find them too accessible, less involving and therefore less rewarding than a 997GT3. With all of the traction systems turned off the 458 that I drove was dissapointing.

[Esceptico]

jimmyslr said:

Interesting call this one. I've been tempted by some of the recreation models with modern suspension, worked over engines etc. JZM had a nice one in Riviera Blue 6 or so months ago and RPM have them sometimes too. I rather liked a [74?] 3.0 RS style conversion. I haven't quite become brave enough yet fearing it a very very small market and hence getting nailed on resale.

I think you have to be patient and buy the right car. Also need to go into it with the mindset that you are going to keep it for a while (or won't be in a position where you need to sell quickly).

IMO the best cars are the early ones with early engines (rather than backdated) as the engines are more revvy and the cars lighter. Also I prefer cars with narrower tyres. The RSR look is great and I expect it works on track but on the road they don't drive as sweetly. 2.7 RS is perfect compromise as revs but has low down torque too that the 2.0-2.4 don't. If you are serious you would be advised to go on DDK as most decent cars have a known history. There are proper early 911 specialists too. Steve at Jaz knows his stuff (although somewhat taciturn!)

[Esceptico]

Robbo66 said:

You should never have sold...you up for October trip ?.

Would love to but don't have a car at the moment plus for some reason I've unretired myself and gone back to work and have managed to build up a negative holiday balance!

F tells me that your ST was looking and going very well...although I think he mentioned you might have had another issue? Would love to see and hear it as the pictures I've seen were amazing.

Not sure about getting another car as had to buy something to get to work and with two cars and two bikes my garage is now full

[Porsche911R]

v8ksn said:

Just trying to figure out what I would change my 997.1 GT3 for and I am struggling to think of anything!

To those of you who have lived and loved, what did you change to after selling your GT3?

Did you regret the move and did you ever go back to a GT3?

Current contender is a new 991.2 GT3 with a manual gearbox......but that will involve spending another £50k and I'm not sure it will be worth it!

As a side note, anyone know where I can get a Guards LSD from? I am really struggling to find a supplier

you are clearly not happy with the GT3, as you keep coming up with this change, Try and Cayman R and throw some money at one to trick it out.
As you never track the GT3 you will find the R a great road car and money in your pocket.

[Porsche911R]

m33ufo said:

Nope....as good as the gt4 is, it was a massive mistake!

I am not sure a GT4 is a massive mistake, Plus the car has a lot of potential imo, get the geo sorted on one and give it that easy 420bhp tune up
and that fixes 2 of the 3 issues in the car.

[v8ksn]

Porsche911R said:

you are clearly not happy with the GT3, as you keep coming up with this change, Try and Cayman R and throw some money at one to trick it out.
As you never track the GT3 you will find the R a great road car and money in your pocket.

I am VERY happy with my GT3 but I fear I am missing out on some great cars......the problem is all the ones I drive feel a bit of a let down after the GT3.

The other thing is I LOVE the rear engine layout and the feeling you get when you lean on the chassis round corners so IF I change it will be to another 911

[Phooey]

The new R8 V10+ would tempt me. 610ps @ £110k

[v8ksn]

Steve Rance said:

On the subject of the LSD. I think that the diff upgrade pack that JZM offer for the 997 Gen 1 has a guards diff. That will probably be the route that I take with my 997.

Will work brilliantly with your passive set up.

Nice one Steve, i'll give them a ring.

[nsm3]

I dropped my 7.1 GT3 for a 981 Cayman S (PDK). The 981 is a much more usable car, due to clearance, visibility and parking sensors, but it's not nearlŷ as special or exciting to own/drive. Biggest regret though is the financial timing of it all, missed out on £20k plus value rise on GT3 and suffered a £25k depreciation on the 981, so quite a kicking for someone in my lowly position

[WCZ]

458, you wont be disappointed imo

[richyd]

I love my GT4, it's a truly awesome car both on track and roads - small enough to be fun, with enough grunt to go well and sound good. However, I wouldn't (and didn't) sell my 997.2 GT3 to get it. Drive a GT3 and a GT4 back to back and they're very different cars - the mid engine/rear engine layout means they feel very, very different, and they handle in a totally different way too. I'm enjoying learning how to drive a mid-engined car after years of 911's.

Both great cars, both do similar things, but in different ways. I don't plan to sell either.