cayman gt4 or 997.1 gt3?
Discussion
Just looking for a fun/involving Sunday morning car.
I was set on a GT4, however I've been sent details of a 997.1 gt3. which might be the 'better' option. I liked the Cayman because of the size, however the gt3 is about the same.
Any pro's or cons either way?
I'm hoping either car would only drop circa £5k a year in depreciation.
Is there a place where I can work out the gt3's 'value'? Its £85k with 37k miles. I can't seem to see if its high/low or on the money.
I was set on a GT4, however I've been sent details of a 997.1 gt3. which might be the 'better' option. I liked the Cayman because of the size, however the gt3 is about the same.
Any pro's or cons either way?
I'm hoping either car would only drop circa £5k a year in depreciation.
Is there a place where I can work out the gt3's 'value'? Its £85k with 37k miles. I can't seem to see if its high/low or on the money.
In today's barmy market, having a quick look at what's available, that seems about right..
Bear in mind, these are getting on a bit now, 13-15 years old for most Gen I GT3's, so definitely get an inspection carried out.
Condition is everything, if they find something, you can then use the report to negotiate / get the required works carried out before you buy.
They're great cars the 997 GT3's, compared to todays offerings they feel small and light, although for many too capable on the road. Proper race car for the road feel though, worth owning just for the engine and steering experience.
Only one way to find out!
Gratuitous photo with a nice fly collection
Bear in mind, these are getting on a bit now, 13-15 years old for most Gen I GT3's, so definitely get an inspection carried out.
Condition is everything, if they find something, you can then use the report to negotiate / get the required works carried out before you buy.
They're great cars the 997 GT3's, compared to todays offerings they feel small and light, although for many too capable on the road. Proper race car for the road feel though, worth owning just for the engine and steering experience.
Only one way to find out!
Gratuitous photo with a nice fly collection
Very difficult decision.
I have owned my 997.1 GT3 for 9 years, and my friend has just got a 2015 GT4
Both are are very simular on speed. The GT4 is more complient and easier to drive on the normal roads. More modern tech, easier to drive, newer.
But the GT3 has a motorsport engine and that does it for me everytime. Like you i drive mine at the weekends and for europe trips.
Old and new very difficult to decide.
I have owned my 997.1 GT3 for 9 years, and my friend has just got a 2015 GT4
Both are are very simular on speed. The GT4 is more complient and easier to drive on the normal roads. More modern tech, easier to drive, newer.
But the GT3 has a motorsport engine and that does it for me everytime. Like you i drive mine at the weekends and for europe trips.
Old and new very difficult to decide.
Edited by evodarren on Monday 30th August 17:15
Hard to choose between, because they are very different cars and only really align on value.
The interiors are very different and the 997.1 will look and feel very much the older tech. The GT4 still looks relatively new IMHO.
On the road, if both cars are stock standard, the GT4 will be the more pleasant drive.
On road, the drivetrains of both cars have limitations. People grumble about the gearing on the GT4 (less of an issue on track, at higher speeds) and being sensible, you won;t get out of 2nd gear.
For the Mezger-powered GT3, the issue is the noise. It sounds great in a gruff, 'racecar' sort of way, at all speeds, but the engine really want to be above 4,000 rpm. Using the epic 7,000 to 8,250rpm range on public roads is tricky and again, like the GT4's gearing, will get you in trouble if you ignore speed limits. It has to be said, the Mezger is one of the finest genuine road and race engines every made.
At lower revs, I think the GT4 arguably makes the better noise.
The interiors are very different and the 997.1 will look and feel very much the older tech. The GT4 still looks relatively new IMHO.
On the road, if both cars are stock standard, the GT4 will be the more pleasant drive.
On road, the drivetrains of both cars have limitations. People grumble about the gearing on the GT4 (less of an issue on track, at higher speeds) and being sensible, you won;t get out of 2nd gear.
For the Mezger-powered GT3, the issue is the noise. It sounds great in a gruff, 'racecar' sort of way, at all speeds, but the engine really want to be above 4,000 rpm. Using the epic 7,000 to 8,250rpm range on public roads is tricky and again, like the GT4's gearing, will get you in trouble if you ignore speed limits. It has to be said, the Mezger is one of the finest genuine road and race engines every made.
At lower revs, I think the GT4 arguably makes the better noise.
I'm in your shoe's as I type, I have up to £75k to spend on a weekend toy for fun.
I want a car I can just jump in, drive and enjoy. I have been looking at GT4's as these seem to fit the bill. Slightly newer and little more road focused. I love the 997 GT3, but A) I can't find a nice one for £75-80k B) The GT4 is newer so still under warranty (so when service time comes around only service items will need sorting) and C) You don't really see a bad review on them.
I did toy with the 718 GT4 - Newer, lower miles, better looking in some areas and for £10-15k you'll get a car thats max 24 months old v 5 years! But it doesn't sound as raw and fun when you see people comparing them - as a daily 718 100% but I'm not looking for that, I want the theater when I do take it out!
I want a car I can just jump in, drive and enjoy. I have been looking at GT4's as these seem to fit the bill. Slightly newer and little more road focused. I love the 997 GT3, but A) I can't find a nice one for £75-80k B) The GT4 is newer so still under warranty (so when service time comes around only service items will need sorting) and C) You don't really see a bad review on them.
I did toy with the 718 GT4 - Newer, lower miles, better looking in some areas and for £10-15k you'll get a car thats max 24 months old v 5 years! But it doesn't sound as raw and fun when you see people comparing them - as a daily 718 100% but I'm not looking for that, I want the theater when I do take it out!
981 GT4s and 718 GT4s are pretty much just .1 and .2 versions of the same car. The 981 version is louder for sure which contributes to the feeling you get when driving it, but one man's "rawer" is another's "less well damped with a restricted engine" 
Anyhoo, both can be modified to get what you want out of them. Engines on 981s can be upgraded and exhausts on 718s can be replaced. The chassis hardware is identical as far as I know, so the only difference between the two models in that regard is their respective PASM programming.
I think the bigger question is do you want a rear-engined car with the 911 GT3 badge or a mid-engined Cayman? Most people will tend to sway more in one direction than the other I suspect.
Anyhoo, both can be modified to get what you want out of them. Engines on 981s can be upgraded and exhausts on 718s can be replaced. The chassis hardware is identical as far as I know, so the only difference between the two models in that regard is their respective PASM programming.I think the bigger question is do you want a rear-engined car with the 911 GT3 badge or a mid-engined Cayman? Most people will tend to sway more in one direction than the other I suspect.
718 GT4 is still a very nice car. Sure most who have owned those and the previous 981 version prefer the earlier car, but I have met owners who have the opposite opinion.
In the same way that if Porsche had never built the GT3 people would rave about the GT4, so the 718 is (perhaps) overshadowed by the 981 a little unfairly. Not a bad review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/porsc...
For a car to just jump into and use, and certainly to have OPC warranty, you'd really err toward the GT4 - 981 or 718 - rather than 997.1 GT3.
In the same way that if Porsche had never built the GT3 people would rave about the GT4, so the 718 is (perhaps) overshadowed by the 981 a little unfairly. Not a bad review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/porsc...
For a car to just jump into and use, and certainly to have OPC warranty, you'd really err toward the GT4 - 981 or 718 - rather than 997.1 GT3.
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