GT3 Owners

Author
Discussion

JamieBeeston

Original Poster:

9,294 posts

280 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
I have just come into a chunk of cash, and am looking for a car to replace my honey of a Chim.

Not for the summer so much as come autumn time.

I would appreciate a few comments from owners about how they find the car, esp those who came from a TVR.

I have spent the last month or so in a 51 996 Cab c2(Courtesy Car after someone smashed Trev) I found it to be an excellently functional car, if a little... bland. This isnt meant as a putdown thread, more a, will it suit me...


I found the ride a little soggy, but i am sure this could be sorted... but my main gripe was the car seemed to lack 'character'... and was a tad on the slow side when not on cam.. but when it comes on cam, it really motors along.

Anyway, the GT3, is it ALL THAT ? i am in love with the looks, it appeals to me immensely, but whats it like to drive.. esp in the wet / over winter, as this will be primarily when i have it.

I note its lacking the PSM option, and iirc its RWD?

I have driven a 993 TT before, and was astounded by the levels of grip the 4wd afforded, whilst this 996 isnt BAD in grip, i do find it understeering alot, due to the lack of weight and drive at the front..

Is the GT3 drivable in the wet / snow ? I am coming from a TVR, so know how to 'drive' the car in these conditions, but is it possible to drive it sensibly, or is it likely to end in disaster..

Sorry this is dragigng on a bit, I will sort a Testdrive out soonish, I suppose I am just after some feedback from current owners..

thanks



>>> Edited by JamieBeeston on Tuesday 3rd June 14:51

clubsport

7,372 posts

273 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Sounds like you would be better off with a regular 996 with sports suspension,18" wheels & GT3 bodykit.You can get PSM on these and a 1999 car will certainly be £15 and maybe £20k cheaper than the GT3.

Unfortunately for you the GT3 tend to come in silver,black,red,yellow,blue,,,zanzibar red is a little leary,but I don't think you will find any purple or pink ones....Go for the test drive,it's hard work at speed on a B road.

>> Edited by clubsport on Tuesday 3rd June 14:31

>> Edited by clubsport on Tuesday 3rd June 14:32

domster

8,431 posts

285 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
What about a GT3 or 993RS for the summer, and a a cheaper second car for the winter? You could drive them (GT3s are RWD BTW), but not quickly without risking an off, and the salt and slush would do more harm than good.

I am a real fan of the two car principle. Just don't get sucked into my vortex of upgrading the second and first cars until the special one is an Ultima and the shopping trolley is a 911 RS

beaver

997 posts

299 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
I came from TVR's (6) to the GT3, which is the closest car to the TVR experience in my opinion, except for straightline urge. But we all grow up at some time and appreciate a car that goes round bends properly, and doesn't break. They are good in the wet, as the weight over the rear wheels aids traction. My one's for sale on Pistonheads 'cos I'm getting a new one, so I remain converted...

JamieBeeston

Original Poster:

9,294 posts

280 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Thanks chaps..

Domster, I want a Drop top for the summer..

Ideally a GT3 drop top :P hehe

996 Turbo Cab would be ideal, but I am too poor.

I am also looking at a 993 T4, but I am put off a little by the interior.

The TVR has served me v.well, but I have had it coming on 19 mths now, and I used to change every 6 mths!

if the GT3 was 4wd, i would have it in a heartbeat, but the 2wd 380bhp no PSM, whilst it doesnt 'scare' me, makes me think twice about letting the missus use it.

I appreciate the GT3 isnt intended as a soft solution, but more a 9xxRS style car... the 996 C4 with GT3 kit doesnt appeal, would be too much like getting a 325i and sticking an M3 badge on it.

Suppose only time will tell.

Beaver, checking Classifieds now, spend a while on autotrader last night, never thought to check thru here

Want to PX for a TVR ?

>> Edited by JamieBeeston on Tuesday 3rd June 16:47

ross

219 posts

299 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
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keep the chimera and buy a lhd gt3? i think a griff and a gt3 might go nicely together.

JamieBeeston

Original Poster:

9,294 posts

280 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all

ross said: keep the chimera and buy a lhd gt3? i think a griff and a gt3 might go nicely together.



If only I could afford to

tho I aint a keen fan of LHD (dunno why, never driven one.. just doesnt seem right (hoho))

domster

8,431 posts

285 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
How about:

Superlight R Caterham for soft top fun and trackdays - 17k

PLUS

Porsche 996C2 LHD for 28k as runaround

Alternatively get an Ultima Can Am (soft top GTR). Ultimandy is selling his, and anything that does 11.4 standing quarters at 150mph is quite useful.

Food for thought

JamieBeeston

Original Poster:

9,294 posts

280 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Would love an ultima, they are v.nice, issue is, I have a flat being built in docklands atm, will be ready for me early next yr, and there arent that many roads to blat around on round there..

How practical are the ultimas? I dont need a daily driver as such, as i dont go out much (sad), but those times i need to get into work, I need summin that will get me in without issue, and wont mind the A13 traffic jams accompanied by the trip.

Superlight.. well, mmm I dont do many trackdays (mostly as the TVR is too loud) my Gfs dad used to have a Westie, always liked it, but I would rather stick the cash towards one 'all rounder' than 2 focused cars..

Thinking about it, the C4 with GT3 Areokit is looking like an option now, I dismissed it too easily before as a 'fake', but I do end up with the best of both worlds, and I am sure I could have the engine breathed on.... I assume I could get a stock 996 C4 to ~ GT3 numbers withtout too much hassle ?

The only other option is like i say, the 993 T4 but with some way of giving it a nice, tvr/996 with Maple Pack interior..


Failing that, the last option is a db7, but I am slowly talking myself out of that.

I always fancied a porker, and this Cab has shown me why.

thnx for input, need to find some local owners i think.


Edit: Der.. any chance of some interior pix of your beast?

If i went 993 route, I would be in touch with you asking how you got to 490..

Like i say, took out a 96 N 993 T, was stunned with the performance, even more so with the brakes, and couldnt understand the grip, in the wet, around docklands roundabouts...

just the heater controls, and switchgear which puts me off, but may have been a bad set of 993s i have tried.

ta

>> Edited by JamieBeeston on Tuesday 3rd June 17:43

RoadRunner

2,690 posts

282 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
DB7's are based on my old mans £5k Jag XJS. Not what you want when spending 50 - £100k.

granville

18,764 posts

276 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Jamie, the interior of the 993 is generally something not particularly likely to invigorate one's life force.

I've seen it described positively against the 996 layout ito being "a no bullsh1t design" but that's a lame excuse.

It is old fashioned and unremittingly dull. However, not quite Ultimaic in it's utilitarianism and hey - even the F50 was out-toyed by a Fiat's 1975 Mirafiori.

But the seating is just about perfect, as is the cog-stirring device, as is the visibility and as is the all-important rev counter straight ahead. The speedo? Well, obscured at the best of times and with a funky lil' ol sporty chunkster of a rim to grapple with, it merely fulfills some vaccuous legal precept.

The 911 is one of those cars where the driving is quite literally everything. Of course, everyone knows this from a billion and one reviews but like any thoroughbred 'rarri (I suspect!), the longer the relationship, then the far more rewarding do fraternisations become.

Then again, it all works and is hewn from you know what.

In many ways, it has pretty much the gene sequence of the 959 about it and in truth, I can't deliver greater plaudits than that.

Go on Jamie - you know it makes sense!

manek

2,977 posts

299 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Yes, on switching from a Chim to a 993 (via an ST170, but we don't talk about that), I was amazed at how primitively designed and unergonomic the 993 interior is. But the drive easily makes up for it, and I've only got a base model C2.

SPT

7 posts

298 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2003
quotequote all
Jamie,
I bought my GT3 after years of driving Esprits (last one I owned was a GT3 too !) and frankly even 1 year on I still find the driving experience absolutely awesome. Before getting the Porsche I had lots of reservations (all un-founded !) - I did test drive Turbo 4's and even a Turbo S but when I first took the wheel of the GT3 the difference in just about every way was vast - I rarely took the Esprits out in bad weather, not just handling issues but visability etc was also a pain - I have NO hesitation about taking the GT3 anywhere - ok the minimal ground clearance is something you have to be aware of but frankly its not a major issue. Let us all know what you think once you have taken a test drive - whatever happens, you will have great fun deciding !!!

domster

8,431 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th June 2003
quotequote all

JamieBeeston said: Would love an ultima, they are v.nice, issue is, I have a flat being built in docklands atm, will be ready for me early next yr, and there arent that many roads to blat around on round there...


How about the Blackwall Tunnel? It would sound quite nice in there...


How practical are the ultimas? I dont need a daily driver as such, as i dont go out much (sad), but those times i need to get into work, I need summin that will get me in without issue, and wont mind the A13 traffic jams accompanied by the trip.


The Ultima isn't that practical. Being a supercar they need to be maintained regularly, despite the high quality components and high build level (assuming I didn't build it for you ).



The only other option is like i say, the 993 T4 but with some way of giving it a nice, tvr/996 with Maple Pack interior..



This is a great option - tho' not a cabrio... if you were still after a cabrio I would suggest a Ferrari 355 GTS or Spyder (prefer the berlinettas myself) but the 355 is nice and good value at the moment.

Go for the 993TT (or even 996TT as they cost 54k LHD these days according to Joe Macari!) and it won't disappoint. The interior is old fashioned, but is classic and very characterful.

Cheers
Domster

granville

18,764 posts

276 months

Wednesday 4th June 2003
quotequote all
Ah, Von C-beck; since you're lurking, is The Baron Rouge likely to be lapping somewhere pre-eminent on July 25th?

I am suddenly taken with a desire to experience the full 'RS-effect...'

Oh no!

domster

8,431 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th June 2003
quotequote all
Getting track day booked this arvo. Been delays on the Baron, but all should be set for the big day. Hopefully.

ATB
Von Badger

bossertrot

5 posts

265 months

Friday 6th June 2003
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Sounds like your best bet would be a 996 turbo and not the GT3. For an everyday car that is anything but boring the turbo is the best Porsche has to offer. It's comfortable swathed in leather, not too stiff riding, has the AWD and PSM for bad weather and it just plain goes like stink. Not to mention the great sound system as well. I've had both the turbo (X50) and now the new GT3 and I can say that the GT3 can be driven daily but it's really a track tool. If you intend to do 90% of your driving on the steet then pass on the GT3 and get a turbo.

-Gary

P.S. Domster and Daz thanks for turning me on to the site. Had a good time with you guys at the 'Ring.

JamieBeeston

Original Poster:

9,294 posts

280 months

Friday 6th June 2003
quotequote all
thanks for all the replies.

I have got the 996 Cab back for a few more days again now (TVR alarm didnt work when garage redelivered it!!)

and the cab has got me thinking...

996 C4 Cab with GT3 Aero Kit...

I know its a far cry from the power of the GT3 and the TT, but its the best compromise I can come up with, for top down, good looking, good driving driving..

until they release the 996 Cab Turbo (and I earn some more!)

So, quick question... how easy to extract power from, is the 996 lump ? I must have spent a few K on the TVR over time, and managed a healthy 10% rise from it..

Could I get the same from the 996 ? iirc the GT3 is a different bottom end (dry sump) than the 996, but 380bhp from the same lump... can i get anywhere near that for sensible money ? or am i wasting my time..

thanks guys.

dazren

22,612 posts

276 months

Friday 6th June 2003
quotequote all
Gary.

Welcome aboard the goodship pistonheads. Trust you got back to the states and are now eagerly awaiting your shipment. Email me via my profile so I can grab your email address, as I have a couple of photos of your car on track, gathered from various websites.

cheers

DAZ

clubsport

7,372 posts

273 months

Friday 6th June 2003
quotequote all
Tuning the 996 lump is not cheap,,,if you consider that standard lump is 320 bhp.Porsche do an X51 performance pack,this consists of worked heads,manifolds & DME.giving 345 bhp for about £6.5 grand...seems expensive for 25bhp.
You can possibly get 5-10bhp with induction exhaust mods,,,but a bit hopeful.
I am impressed you find the car slow,320bhp seems enough in a 2wd car to me and offers enough fun and the need for concentration & ability.
The 0-100mph of the C2 is only 0.7 secs behind the TT obviously after this speed the TT is gone!
With the better throttle response of the normally aspirated engine it feels faster initially than a TT anyhow.
Once you have spent some time mastering the 996 you may be happier,it really does take a while to reralise it's potential.