Which GT product?
Discussion
Hi All,
I’m looking to add another Porsche into the garage, I’ve previously owned a 996 GT2, 996 Turbo and a 996 Turbo Cabriolet but sold each one for different reasons. I now think a Turbo car does not suit my needs so I’m looking at NA GT products.
It is still early days as I don’t want to start shopping until spring 2020. The car will be used on weekends for drives out on country lanes, rarely anything more and total use will probably be 1,500 miles per year. I’ve got a max budget of a £100k but I would be much happier spending less as the car becomes less mileage sensitive and I’m less precious about using it.
That said, I love to have a tidy car that looks and feels fresh and I understand that the older cars I look at will probably not be perfect so I would need to budget to have things refreshed.
I’ve always loved the look of the Cup cars and I’d be seriously tempted to add the motorsport wheels and a sports exhaust down the line.
My options:
996 GT3 Mk1 and 2
Offers manual gearbox, it’s compact and purposeful, fairly basic inside (which is a good thing), easily modified with an exhaust, bucket seats etc. plus lots of aftermarket support available. They are at that age whether a few things will need refreshing so the entry price point/saving over a newer car is probably not as appealing as it seems.
996 GT3 RS
Right at the top of the budget, apart from rarity does it offer a marked improvement over a standard car based on anther £40k premium? Probably quite difficult to be picky as there are so few cars available.
997 GT3 Mk1
Looks nicer than a 996 but slightly heavier, bit more performance over a 996 product and a newer car.
997 GT3 RS Mk1
Love a green or orange car but I either need to find more money or go for a LHD car. I already own another LHD car (no option for RHD there) but I don’t drive it as hard mainly because I don’t drive it enough to feel completely comfortable with it on UK roads and I rarely go beyond the UK by car.
997 GT3 Mk2
3.8 Litre car, centre locks which would help fit the BBS E07 wheels I’ve always adored. Dynamically, is it much different from a 997 Mk1?
Boxster Spyder
Offers GT product combined with the benefit of having the top down. Does the car still suffer from scuttle shake like my old 996 Turbo Cabriolet did? I assume any warranty would be void if I added sport cats, back box, lowered it and added different wheels? My other issue with my 996 Turbo Cab was that if it was warm enough to have the roof down, I was blinded by the light so wouldn’t really press on. Every other time, the coupe felt better. I think I’d opt for the PDK in the Boxster Spyder.
I've discounted the 991.1 GT3 because they're only barely starting to creep into budget and I think if I was to buy one, I'd try to find the extra money and go for a Gen 2 car or an RS. But then I hear of the strut tower failures and I think maybe not. Plus, is the larger size harder to place on the road?
Are there any options I've missed out on?
Thanks all.
I’m looking to add another Porsche into the garage, I’ve previously owned a 996 GT2, 996 Turbo and a 996 Turbo Cabriolet but sold each one for different reasons. I now think a Turbo car does not suit my needs so I’m looking at NA GT products.
It is still early days as I don’t want to start shopping until spring 2020. The car will be used on weekends for drives out on country lanes, rarely anything more and total use will probably be 1,500 miles per year. I’ve got a max budget of a £100k but I would be much happier spending less as the car becomes less mileage sensitive and I’m less precious about using it.
That said, I love to have a tidy car that looks and feels fresh and I understand that the older cars I look at will probably not be perfect so I would need to budget to have things refreshed.
I’ve always loved the look of the Cup cars and I’d be seriously tempted to add the motorsport wheels and a sports exhaust down the line.
My options:
996 GT3 Mk1 and 2
Offers manual gearbox, it’s compact and purposeful, fairly basic inside (which is a good thing), easily modified with an exhaust, bucket seats etc. plus lots of aftermarket support available. They are at that age whether a few things will need refreshing so the entry price point/saving over a newer car is probably not as appealing as it seems.
996 GT3 RS
Right at the top of the budget, apart from rarity does it offer a marked improvement over a standard car based on anther £40k premium? Probably quite difficult to be picky as there are so few cars available.
997 GT3 Mk1
Looks nicer than a 996 but slightly heavier, bit more performance over a 996 product and a newer car.
997 GT3 RS Mk1
Love a green or orange car but I either need to find more money or go for a LHD car. I already own another LHD car (no option for RHD there) but I don’t drive it as hard mainly because I don’t drive it enough to feel completely comfortable with it on UK roads and I rarely go beyond the UK by car.
997 GT3 Mk2
3.8 Litre car, centre locks which would help fit the BBS E07 wheels I’ve always adored. Dynamically, is it much different from a 997 Mk1?
Boxster Spyder
Offers GT product combined with the benefit of having the top down. Does the car still suffer from scuttle shake like my old 996 Turbo Cabriolet did? I assume any warranty would be void if I added sport cats, back box, lowered it and added different wheels? My other issue with my 996 Turbo Cab was that if it was warm enough to have the roof down, I was blinded by the light so wouldn’t really press on. Every other time, the coupe felt better. I think I’d opt for the PDK in the Boxster Spyder.
I've discounted the 991.1 GT3 because they're only barely starting to creep into budget and I think if I was to buy one, I'd try to find the extra money and go for a Gen 2 car or an RS. But then I hear of the strut tower failures and I think maybe not. Plus, is the larger size harder to place on the road?
Are there any options I've missed out on?
Thanks all.
Have to say the 996 GT3 is really growing on me looks wise. Real sleeper looks too now compared to recent GT stuff.
Interior is almost got some retro vibe to it in a funny way
Rarer than later GT products too.
Seeing as you've done the 996 thing though, I can understand you might want a change.
Interior is almost got some retro vibe to it in a funny way
Rarer than later GT products too.
Seeing as you've done the 996 thing though, I can understand you might want a change.
Can only offer my opinion - 997gt3 - gen2 if budget allows. It's the best all-rounder for looks and usability. The 996 is an acquired taste - only a mother could love it. Everything after the 997.2 has become too directed at speed and pace rather than feel. I still can't make my mind up about the GT4 - never felt like a proper GT car. It was vgfm though..
If you are not worried about ‘investment’ and are looking for a tactile driving experience, you can create a 996 RS experience by modifying a 996 GT3 and have a big chunk of change in your pocket. Still one of the very best analog driving experiences. In my opinion, fantastic value. 997 are a better daily compromise but not as engaging. If it were a weekend you only, I would go for a 996 GT3 and add a few mods.
Thanks for the feedback.
I initially thought a good value 996 GT3 would satisfy my itch but I found myself searching the classifieds for RS products. Build numbers and rarity do add to the ownership experience for me and so I've narrowed my search to an RS product. This may mean I need to wait a bit longer as good cars start right at the top of my budget. A green/white/orange 997.1 RS, a blue 996 RS or blue 991.1 RS (way out of my budget right now) are my favourites.
I initially thought a good value 996 GT3 would satisfy my itch but I found myself searching the classifieds for RS products. Build numbers and rarity do add to the ownership experience for me and so I've narrowed my search to an RS product. This may mean I need to wait a bit longer as good cars start right at the top of my budget. A green/white/orange 997.1 RS, a blue 996 RS or blue 991.1 RS (way out of my budget right now) are my favourites.
Desert Dragon said:
Is the 991.1 GT3 RS reliable from an engine point of view or does it suffer similar afflictions to its 991. GT3 3.8 in its sibling? If it has a sound engine I think these look like Le Mans refugees. Where my money would go I think but 997.2 RS and 996 RS if one eye on depreciation.
991.1 GT3 RS - didn't seemed to have as many reports of issue as the early 991.1 GT3s.Rev limit was reduced to 8800 and it was a later revision of the engine anyway.
TDT said:
Desert Dragon said:
Is the 991.1 GT3 RS reliable from an engine point of view or does it suffer similar afflictions to its 991. GT3 3.8 in its sibling? If it has a sound engine I think these look like Le Mans refugees. Where my money would go I think but 997.2 RS and 996 RS if one eye on depreciation.
991.1 GT3 RS - didn't seemed to have as many reports of issue as the early 991.1 GT3s.Rev limit was reduced to 8800 and it was a later revision of the engine anyway.
Desert Dragon said:
TDT said:
Desert Dragon said:
Is the 991.1 GT3 RS reliable from an engine point of view or does it suffer similar afflictions to its 991. GT3 3.8 in its sibling? If it has a sound engine I think these look like Le Mans refugees. Where my money would go I think but 997.2 RS and 996 RS if one eye on depreciation.
991.1 GT3 RS - didn't seemed to have as many reports of issue as the early 991.1 GT3s.Rev limit was reduced to 8800 and it was a later revision of the engine anyway.
I've got all those now. The 996RS is the best for track but is fairly awful on the road. 997.1RS is the best on the road. 997.2RS is not as good on track as the 996 and not as good on the road as the .1RS. But the 2015 Spyder, manual gearbox, is the most fun on the road. The most smiles per hour.
boringbeige said:
I've got all those now. The 996RS is the best for track but is fairly awful on the road. 997.1RS is the best on the road. 997.2RS is not as good on track as the 996 and not as good on the road as the .1RS. But the 2015 Spyder, manual gearbox, is the most fun on the road. The most smiles per hour.
I did not think the modern spyder was that fun, gearings way too long !! and a detuned engine !!Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff