997S to 997GT3...is it worth it?
Discussion
Hello
I have recently gone from a 996tt to a 997S due to feeling the 996 was feeling a bit dated. That and the fact I had a Tubi exhaust put on it and hated from then onwards!
Although the 997S is a brilliant car I can't help feel that it isn't special enough (there are quite a few on the road) and keep looking at the Gen 1 997 GT3's. I prefer them to the 997 Turbo as I really like the normally aspirated drive and the like the noise they make (the 997S has the sports exhaust).
Is it worth the additional outlay or are they too similar?
I have recently gone from a 996tt to a 997S due to feeling the 996 was feeling a bit dated. That and the fact I had a Tubi exhaust put on it and hated from then onwards!
Although the 997S is a brilliant car I can't help feel that it isn't special enough (there are quite a few on the road) and keep looking at the Gen 1 997 GT3's. I prefer them to the 997 Turbo as I really like the normally aspirated drive and the like the noise they make (the 997S has the sports exhaust).
Is it worth the additional outlay or are they too similar?
I have a 997 Gt3 since new in 2008. Done over 22,000 miles in it. A superb car , I love it. Some might not, its not harsh, but some small numbers think so. The lack of rear seats makes it unsuitable for others. But the sound, and the attack from its engine is sureal. One of the best cars ever made, Chris Harris summed it up in the Autocar Roadtest in 2007 when he said
5 stars are not enough !
5 stars are not enough !
I think you really need to see what you want to spend your money on. They are indeed "more special" as they are fewer, but that alone means nothing.
In a P I find the best way to value it is to close your eyes after a test drive and let the sensations flow back. Might seem corny, but you can concentrate on what your senses told you rather than what your "mates" are telling you.
If you want to "get" a sports car in the same way that you feel after a hard and successful gym session, then the GT3 is really the one, if you want the sensation of speed that most people equate with freedom, the turbo is a better bet and you can have the rear seats as well.
Any if you want to know how good your 997S is, track it and you will find your limits far lower than the car, in which case it means you can explore and get your kicks to your heart's content without upgrading (no disrespect meant, just the law of averages for 99% of people out there)!
In a P I find the best way to value it is to close your eyes after a test drive and let the sensations flow back. Might seem corny, but you can concentrate on what your senses told you rather than what your "mates" are telling you.
If you want to "get" a sports car in the same way that you feel after a hard and successful gym session, then the GT3 is really the one, if you want the sensation of speed that most people equate with freedom, the turbo is a better bet and you can have the rear seats as well.
Any if you want to know how good your 997S is, track it and you will find your limits far lower than the car, in which case it means you can explore and get your kicks to your heart's content without upgrading (no disrespect meant, just the law of averages for 99% of people out there)!
Edited by johnag007 on Wednesday 5th October 17:43
A GT3 is a very different beast. Less practical, harder riding, more compromised as a practical means of transport, but ultimately for me, much more special beast.
Drive one and see. As a value judgement I asked myself, is it worth another £20/30k over a C2S. For me, yes. My brother disagreed and thought it too compromised (even though he bloody loved it)!
Drive one and see. As a value judgement I asked myself, is it worth another £20/30k over a C2S. For me, yes. My brother disagreed and thought it too compromised (even though he bloody loved it)!
Did the step 18 months ago (to a 7.2 GT3 though). It's more than worth it. I never look back to my old C2S. The 3 is worlds apart in terms of performance and driving experience (i.e. steering precision, handling, engine and its noise). I don't find the 3 compromised at all compared to the C2S and I do use it as a daily drive. Go for it!
Thanks for the replies. I think a test drive is in order. Only problem with that is that I have bought the first car I have driven of a particular model, each time I vow not to but can't help myself.
What are the thoughts on putting rear seat belts in one? We normally use the 'trousers' car when we go out but my little ones do like to go in the Porsche.
What are the thoughts on putting rear seat belts in one? We normally use the 'trousers' car when we go out but my little ones do like to go in the Porsche.
I'm just about to have rear belts fitted to my 997.1 GT3 by Quickfit SBS in North London, so I can pop a baby seat in the back occasionally. My insurance company is happy with the modification, and it's very easily reversible if future owners don't want it - at most you would have to replace a couple of pieces of trim and one piece of carpet to return to 100% factory.
"Baylon" on here also has belts in the back of his car; he was the one who inspired me to do mine. Cost will be £350+VAT.
Cheers,
Pete
"Baylon" on here also has belts in the back of his car; he was the one who inspired me to do mine. Cost will be £350+VAT.
Cheers,
Pete
I have a 997.1 GT3 and had rear seat belts put on. The standard 997 rear belts fit in as all the mounting points are hidden behind the trim panels. Mine were fitted by JZM. I use a couple of Graco kids seats with cushions just to help the seats locate better - one underneath and one behind each seat. It works really well except the kids can't do up / undo the seat belts themselves - but I don't think that's too bad. Its actually more roomy for the kids than the standard rear seats and they have more lateral support for the corners! Insured it with Manning UK as other insurers didn't like the sound of the mod. My understanding is that you can't put rear seat belts in the 997.2 GT3 as it has a different rear bulkhead and therefore doesn't have the mounting points - but I could be wrong so worth checking it out. I am a big fan of the GT3 as a practical 4 seat familly car.
GT3 is great but you just need to check its your kind of car. Its not so good for pottering about in, ground clearance I find puts me off certain journeys (speed bumps in particular) and it is noisy on longer motorway journey's. Personally I love it but think a C2S or C4S would be usefull nore of the time. Gt3 is fantastic on track days!
GT3 is great but you just need to check its your kind of car. Its not so good for pottering about in, ground clearance I find puts me off certain journeys (speed bumps in particular) and it is noisy on longer motorway journey's. Personally I love it but think a C2S or C4S would be usefull nore of the time. Gt3 is fantastic on track days!
GrahamSaunders said:
I have a 997.1 GT3 and had rear seat belts put on. The standard 997 rear belts fit in as all the mounting points are hidden behind the trim panels. Mine were fitted by JZM. I use a couple of Graco kids seats with cushions just to help the seats locate better - one underneath and one behind each seat. It works really well except the kids can't do up / undo the seat belts themselves - but I don't think that's too bad. Its actually more roomy for the kids than the standard rear seats and they have more lateral support for the corners! Insured it with Manning UK as other insurers didn't like the sound of the mod. My understanding is that you can't put rear seat belts in the 997.2 GT3 as it has a different rear bulkhead and therefore doesn't have the mounting points - but I could be wrong so worth checking it out. I am a big fan of the GT3 as a practical 4 seat familly car.
Was that your Silver GT3 at the Roxwell meet this weekend? Top Car 
And, a lot was said about the 997GT3 at launch of it's all-round road / track goodness.
I had a 2005 C2S but got bored with it as it didnt feel special enough. Test drove a 997.1 GT3 and bought it. Double the price but far more fun and rewarding to drive, worth every penny. The handling, engine noise, road presence, everything is great. Only downside I find is the low front splitter which scrapes sodding everything. I live in central London though so to be expected. The front splitters are cheap to replace though, about 150+ fitting at OPC IIRC. Interestingly, I find I get treated better on the roads with this car than the C2S, I think maybe people think this car is "less banker" than the Carrera?! Recently did a 1500 mile road trip to Stuttgart and the car was perfect, not too noisy for me at all, in fact perfectly comfortable. The satnav was excellent too, guided me through France, Germany, then Luxembourg on the way back to Calais. Interestingly, on that 1500 mile trip round Europe the front splitter didn't scrape anything once! Anyways, sorry I'm rambling. In a nutshell, I can't rate the car highly enough. Miles ahead of the C2S in my eyes.
pete said:
I'm just about to have rear belts fitted to my 997.1 GT3 by Quickfit SBS in North London, so I can pop a baby seat in the back occasionally. My insurance company is happy with the modification, and it's very easily reversible if future owners don't want it - at most you would have to replace a couple of pieces of trim and one piece of carpet to return to 100% factory.
"Baylon" on here also has belts in the back of his car; he was the one who inspired me to do mine. Cost will be £350+VAT.
Cheers,
Pete
Hi Pete, glad I have inspired you to have the belts fitted. Cheers, Mark"Baylon" on here also has belts in the back of his car; he was the one who inspired me to do mine. Cost will be £350+VAT.
Cheers,
Pete
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