GT3 996 or 997??

[Mayhem911]

Hi, new to ph, i have read many of the the threads and enjoying the banter!i am planning on moving up to a GT3, started out looking at 996, but recently seem drawn to 997. Can any one please give me some guidance on pro's and cons of long term ownership with weekend driving and 3 or 4 trackdays a year. Is an RS suitable or is it to track focused for regular road use?thanks

[andrew symms]

I think the deceison will depend on your budget

996 Mk1 - £35-40k
996 Mk2 - £30-40k
996 RS - £55-65k
997 Mk1 - £48k-£58k
997 Mk1 RS - £63-£70k

I have had a 996 Mk1, great car and will do everything you describe, they are all about 12 years old and most will require some money spending on them.

Bought a 997 Mk1 RS as its replacement, brilliant car, feels and drives alot more uptodate than the 996.

Any GT3 will be a great car to drive and enjoy

Just buy the best one you can afford and be careful as there are some horror story cars out there, keep us post on your plans.

[Mayhem911]

Thanks, budget is not an issue, what sort of maintenance costs were accrued with 996?as you say they are 12 years old, i do understand that higher mileage or regular track day cars will need a little more refreshing, which can be costly.

[Martian O]

Mayhem911 said:

Thanks, budget is not an issue....

Then buy a nearly new 997 GT3, it's the better car.

[puntograle]

...and I believe still depreciating slightly?
Might not be a concern if ongoing budget is really not an issue.
Else the older cars likely to maintain most of their value though at risk of slightly more maintenance costs - though I do not think astronomic either.

[mollytherocker]

Martian O said:

Mayhem911 said:

Thanks, budget is not an issue....

Then buy a nearly new 997 GT3, it's the better car.

Surely a 4.0 RS?

[Martian O]

mollytherocker said:

Surely a 4.0 RS?

True!

[Mayhem911]

Nice idea,but budget wont go that far,70k max,unless lotto numbers come up!

[FarQue]

So budget is an issue? ;-)

[Inverted]

FarQue said:

So budget is an issue? ;-)

Ha ha I was thinking the same. Big mistake coming on here saying you have no budget. I was going to suggest CGT.

[gadgetJunky72]

i believe the 996 RS doesn't have traction control, but the 997 RS does. As do all non-RS models (right?).

That may be a factor if you're going to be using it on the road as the RS without traction is a bit of a handful on wet roads.

[jackal]

looks - totally subjective and you'll prefer one or t'other
suitability for uk roads - 97 wins here, bit more compliance, slightly better manners and PASM
safety nets - 997gt3.1 has TC, 997gt3.2 has TC AND PSM, 96 has cock all (apart from ABS) so its all down to you
depreciation - strong argument for a 96 losing less money
rawness/connectivity - 96 wins here, don't think many would dispute that
power - 97 gen2 3.8 litreage is definitely a noticeable advantage low down


only you can decide and what's more you usually find that these checklists mean sod all ... go and test drive them both, there will be a stronger emotional response to one of them and thats the one you will want to buy

best of luck, if it were me i would prolly stretch to a gen2 997 (over a gen1 RS as well), there have been a few in the 60's of late

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 11th December 09:25

[F3RNANDO]

jackal said:

best of luck, if it were me i would prolly stretch to a gen2 997 (over a gen1 RS as well), there have been a few in the 60's of late

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 11th December 09:25

There appears to be a GR car at OPC Cambridge

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[Old Trout]

The one car I regret selling more than any other was my 996.2 GT3.

Such a special car and I say that having owned a 997.2 RS. All GT3s are spectacular cars - but I think the 996 is the best for the GT3 essence - rawer, more challenging, more feel, more special. 997s are 'better' cars in that they are more user friendly, do not have a sense they are trying to kill you when it gets lairy, more toys.

But if you want essence of GT3 then a 996, or ultimately a 996 RS.

[Slippydiff]

Old Trout said:

The one car I regret selling more than any other was my 996.2 GT3.

Such a special car and I say that having owned a 997.2 RS. All GT3s are spectacular cars - but I think the 996 is the best for the GT3 essence - rawer, more challenging, more feel, more special. 997s are 'better' cars in that they are more user friendly, do not have a sense they are trying to kill you when it gets lairy, more toys.

But if you want essence of GT3 then a 996, or ultimately a 996 RS.

^ A perfect summation.

[HokumPokum]

Old Trout,

I came away from a 996 Gt3 mk 1 test drive feeling impressed but not blown away vs the difference with a Cayman R. I was looking to part-ex but thought the better of it.

It wasn't faster and it didn't seem like it handles better. I would say the engine is the defining characteristic and the higher rev limit. Otherwise, the cars are old. And, by that, very hisatory dependent. Not a problem if you knew the previous owner directly.

The new car is 12 years younger. I would take the motorsport pedigree and looks of the 996 Gt3 anyday, but that i stuck with the CR shows how much the game has moved on. Re the 997 Gt3 RS mk 2, i have never driven one so it is interesting to note from you that the 996 Gt3 mk 2 is the better car. I would have never seen that one coming.

[puntograle]

Slippydiff said:

Old Trout said:

The one car I regret selling more than any other was my 996.2 GT3.

Such a special car and I say that having owned a 997.2 RS. All GT3s are spectacular cars - but I think the 996 is the best for the GT3 essence - rawer, more challenging, more feel, more special. 997s are 'better' cars in that they are more user friendly, do not have a sense they are trying to kill you when it gets lairy, more toys.

But if you want essence of GT3 then a 996, or ultimately a 996 RS.

^ A perfect summation.

+1

As I've said in other similar threads, that's why I went for 6RS after test driving a 7.2RS. The 6.2GT3 gives you the vast majority of the 6RS experience minus the RS legacy and external sense of occasion.

[puntograle]

gadgetJunky72 said:

i believe the 996 RS doesn't have traction control, but the 997 RS does. As do all non-RS models (right?).

That may be a factor if you're going to be using it on the road as the RS without traction is a bit of a handful on wet roads.

I agree the 997 variants have more electronic safety nets. However, I would challenge, IMHO, that the 6RS is a handful on wet roads. It all depends on tyres and driving mentality.

Cup tyres and standing water would be risky, however, I think all GT3 drivers (whether 996 or 997) with cups would drive sensibly in such conditions or even not at all!
If using less aggressive grooved tyres (e.g. PS2, Corsas, Yoko AD08) then there is no issue as long as one is not being a crazy loon. There is so much weight on the rear wheels that to lose the car one would need to be driving very badly (or driving someone else's car - e.g. test drive - with little sympathy for car and safety)

[Old Trout]

HokumPokum said:

Old Trout,

I came away from a 996 Gt3 mk 1 test drive feeling impressed but not blown away vs the difference with a Cayman R. I was looking to part-ex but thought the better of it.

It wasn't faster and it didn't seem like it handles better. I would say the engine is the defining characteristic and the higher rev limit. Otherwise, the cars are old. And, by that, very hisatory dependent. Not a problem if you knew the previous owner directly.

The new car is 12 years younger. I would take the motorsport pedigree and looks of the 996 Gt3 anyday, but that i stuck with the CR shows how much the game has moved on. Re the 997 Gt3 RS mk 2, i have never driven one so it is interesting to note from you that the 996 Gt3 mk 2 is the better car. I would have never seen that one coming.

The Cayman R is a very good car - but to my mind not a GT3. There is something very special in the GT3 DNA that reveals itself over time.

The GT3 is old - yes - but that shows up more in the interior than the drive. I loved my RS deeply, but I enjoyed my 996 more. The 997 was more complete yes, but in being so lost some of that character that so defines the 996.

Also I defy anyone to tell me there is a better sound than a 996 GT3 flat out between 4,000 and 8,000 rpm - a spectacular and addictive sound.

There are many faster cars out there now (my 991S is practically as quick as my RS anywhere) but faster does not equal better.

I saw my 996 GT3 at my OPC recently in the sales car park and my heart skipped a beat - sadly it was not for sale - simply parked there whilst waiting to be picked up post service.

[jackal]

HokumPokum said:

It wasn't faster and it didn't seem like it handles better.

'Handling' is something very personal. Whether one is better or not depends entirely upon your own definition and requirements IMO.