996 GT3 Mk2

[pgm]

Hi everyone

I currently have a 996 C2 3.6 and am well pleased with it - had it a year now - see my profile.

When I bought the car, I really wanted a GT3, but the Mk1's were becoming difficult to find a good one for 'sensible' money and the mk2 was too new to be in the price range, and as not interested in wide body or 4wd or PSM, decided on the one i have at the moment.

The other problem is that i need the rear seats as i enjoy taking the whole family (wife and 2 young boys) out on runs/trips etc - we have a pan european hoon booked in early september taking in germany, alps, italy, south of france etc.

When i was looking at the gt3 the first time i did some research into the possiblity of having rear seats retrofitted, which seemed difficult (as opposed to it looking like a piece of pi55). The main issue was that of type approval - the gt3 i was told was type approved as a 2 seat vehicle and therefore insurance etc would be immpossible to allow for the rear seats.

Basically, as i would like to get a mk2 gt3 next, could anyone confirm whether the above is true or not or has anyone on here actually done it?

Thanks in advance
Paul

[DaGinge]

I know (by word of mouth) that it has been done once - don't know more than that. Also once saw one with lap-belts fitted across the "indents" where the seats would be - but I imagine that is highly illegal. A friend looked into this for the same reasons and came to the conclusion that it is not worth it, and is now buying a TT instead.

[DanH]

I've heard the same thing about type approval. Also mentioned in this months GT Purely Porsche, the sports buckets aren't certified for a rear impact so that would be dodgey too. Not that you could get anyone in the back with sports seats anyway

[pgm]

oh dear - could be a problem then

really not keen on the turbo (other than its massive performance, obviously) as i prefer something more raw

not keen on the lap belt idea although its a good solution.

good point about the buckets - i presume all gt3's have these seats as standard?

i might ask at the opc and watch them have a good laugh at my expense

cheers
Paul

[murray]

I've seen a couple of GT3s with the normal foldable sports seats.

Jim

[peterpeter]

had the same dilemma when I bought mine.

I loved taking my c2 to europe and on long trips.

But I was more of a trackday fan, so I went for the gt3.
Never looked back. Other than the passenger issue, its just such an awesome car, you will never regret it.

Im about to get a scooby Sti ppp, as my family car so my needs are satisfied all round. Can you get something else too?

thats got to be the answer.

[s3am]

My V5 says mine (mark 2) is a 4 seater. Would it be illegal to retrofit rear seats?

[DanH]

s3am said:

My V5 says mine (mark 2) is a 4 seater. Would it be illegal to retrofit rear seats?

I'd talk to your OPC rather than speculate! What do insurers have it classified as?

[s3am]

Oh I'm not going to, just wondering if it would be 'strictly' illegal.

[pgm]

peterpeter - we have a 99 RB5 as a family car already!

interested to hear that the v5 says 4 seater and that you can have normal seats - time to speak to the opc!

thanks for all the replies

cheers
Paul