996 GT3 Mk1 or MK2
Discussion
Advice please folks.
The misses and I are thinking of buying a 911. We seem to have narrowed it down to either a mk1 or mk2 996 GT3. It'll be a 3rd car so probably only a few thousand miles per year around the fantastic b-roads up here in bonnie Scotland.
The short version of how we've ended at a 911 is that she had a boxster for years and loved it (now replaced with a golf gti) and would like another Porsche (fair enough). The short version of how we came to the GT3 model is that once we got an SLK55 I never drove the boxster again, just not the same laugh out loud grin factor and I want something a bit more hard core (fair enough).
We tend to keep our cars a while and 50% of people suggest the earlier car is best (but I think this may be more from an ££investment point of view) while 50% of people suggest the mk2 is the way to go (might actually get a bit more use out of it).
We've spotted some nice examples of both on the 911 virgin site and just wondered what the general consensus among knowledgeable PHers might be??
The misses and I are thinking of buying a 911. We seem to have narrowed it down to either a mk1 or mk2 996 GT3. It'll be a 3rd car so probably only a few thousand miles per year around the fantastic b-roads up here in bonnie Scotland.
The short version of how we've ended at a 911 is that she had a boxster for years and loved it (now replaced with a golf gti) and would like another Porsche (fair enough). The short version of how we came to the GT3 model is that once we got an SLK55 I never drove the boxster again, just not the same laugh out loud grin factor and I want something a bit more hard core (fair enough).
We tend to keep our cars a while and 50% of people suggest the earlier car is best (but I think this may be more from an ££investment point of view) while 50% of people suggest the mk2 is the way to go (might actually get a bit more use out of it).
We've spotted some nice examples of both on the 911 virgin site and just wondered what the general consensus among knowledgeable PHers might be??
I'd buy the black or zanzibar (launch colour) mk1 996 GT3 in a heartbeat at 911 Virgins and very quickly as I know they have some interest in them already. Mk1 was built at the motorsport department and has far better build quality and was built in lower numbers than mk2 which was built on the normal production line. Mk1 GT3 aerokit far prettier too. Hope this helps.
IMI A said:
I'd buy the black or zanzibar (launch colour) mk1 996 GT3 in a heartbeat at 911 Virgins and very quickly as I know they have some interest in them already. Mk1 was built at the motorsport department and has far better build quality and was built in lower numbers than mk2 which was built on the normal production line. Mk1 GT3 aerokit far prettier too. Hope this helps.
Its debatable on if the mk1 was built on the motorsport line.Cant you test drive both or ask for some passenger time in either? If not, .1 more compliant on the road than the .2 but .2 has better brakes and more power.
Then pick which colour youd like, see what the market has and do some due diligence. Theres a massive 996 GT3 for sale thread that has lots in it thats not just about cars for sale
GT3Gooner said:
the mk1 Motorsport thing is an urban myth!!!
I don't think so buddy. Speak to 911 Virgin and ask them if you do not believe me. They have both mk1 and mk 2 so absolutely no axe to grind. Sure the Mk2 has a few improvements i.e. more power and better brakes but the aerokit is not as nice as the mk1 and its definitely not as well built as the mk1 according to the experts who buy and sell these cars every day.
Hello,
I have owned two Mk1's (a CS and a comfort) and three Mk2's (1 CS & 2 Lux) and a GT2 (by far the best of them all, but that's irrelevant here).
If we put looks aside as that is a very personal and subjective criteria.
The Mk 1 will always be the more collectable one as it was the first GT3 ever, it is a great drive even though in power terms 360bhp is now Cayman territory, they feel quick in all situations if not blistering, gear change has a rifle bolt feel, brakes are perfectly adequate for 95% of drivers in 95% of situations, suspension needs to have a proper set up to feel right, but if it is set up well, the chassis is right up there with the very best Porsches.
Mk2 has a better dash and interior (small changes but they made a significant improvement), it feels notably quicker than the Mk1, gearbox is similar in feel but much stronger and less prone to wear than Mk 1; i've personally never managed to set up a Mk 2 for road use that suits me as well as Mk.1 set up; but I think that is more personal thing than a feature.
Club Sport is the best no question but if you don't track them much a Comfort model with leather clad bucket seats may suit you better. Purists will tell you Mk1. is the one to go for and if investment is a consideration that may be the right choice, in most driving situations though, the Mk2 is the better car, it isn't a night and day difference, more of a progressive evolution but for me is definitely a better car.
The only thing I would add to this is to say that the 996 GT3 is now a 12 to 18 year old car depending upon which variant and it is a 20+ year old basic design and if you were to jump from a modern 981 GT4/ 718 GTS into a 996 GT3 you will find it feels every bit its age and most normal drivers could probably make better progress in most situations in a modern Cayman/ Boxster than they could in a 996 GT3 so it is definitely worth getting a drive in one before putting money into it. Just because the 'keyboard experts' wax lyrical about the original GT3 doesn't mean it is a car for everyone.
I have owned two Mk1's (a CS and a comfort) and three Mk2's (1 CS & 2 Lux) and a GT2 (by far the best of them all, but that's irrelevant here).
If we put looks aside as that is a very personal and subjective criteria.
The Mk 1 will always be the more collectable one as it was the first GT3 ever, it is a great drive even though in power terms 360bhp is now Cayman territory, they feel quick in all situations if not blistering, gear change has a rifle bolt feel, brakes are perfectly adequate for 95% of drivers in 95% of situations, suspension needs to have a proper set up to feel right, but if it is set up well, the chassis is right up there with the very best Porsches.
Mk2 has a better dash and interior (small changes but they made a significant improvement), it feels notably quicker than the Mk1, gearbox is similar in feel but much stronger and less prone to wear than Mk 1; i've personally never managed to set up a Mk 2 for road use that suits me as well as Mk.1 set up; but I think that is more personal thing than a feature.
Club Sport is the best no question but if you don't track them much a Comfort model with leather clad bucket seats may suit you better. Purists will tell you Mk1. is the one to go for and if investment is a consideration that may be the right choice, in most driving situations though, the Mk2 is the better car, it isn't a night and day difference, more of a progressive evolution but for me is definitely a better car.
The only thing I would add to this is to say that the 996 GT3 is now a 12 to 18 year old car depending upon which variant and it is a 20+ year old basic design and if you were to jump from a modern 981 GT4/ 718 GTS into a 996 GT3 you will find it feels every bit its age and most normal drivers could probably make better progress in most situations in a modern Cayman/ Boxster than they could in a 996 GT3 so it is definitely worth getting a drive in one before putting money into it. Just because the 'keyboard experts' wax lyrical about the original GT3 doesn't mean it is a car for everyone.
IMI A said:
I don't think so buddy. Speak to 911 Virgin and ask them if you do not believe me. They have both mk1 and mk 2 so absolutely no axe to grind. Sure the Mk2 has a few improvements i.e. more power and better brakes but the aerokit is not as nice as the mk1 and its definitely not as well built as the mk1 according to the experts who buy and sell these cars every day.
Simply wasn't enough production capacity at the time for it to be true, just saying....
GT3Gooner said:
IMI A said:
I don't think so buddy. Speak to 911 Virgin and ask them if you do not believe me. They have both mk1 and mk 2 so absolutely no axe to grind. Sure the Mk2 has a few improvements i.e. more power and better brakes but the aerokit is not as nice as the mk1 and its definitely not as well built as the mk1 according to the experts who buy and sell these cars every day.
Simply wasn't enough production capacity at the time for it to be true, just saying....Has no-one asked Porsche AG themselves?
SRT Hellcat said:
agreed MK1 in Zanzibar.
LordHaveMurci said:
I'm sure Imread somewhere that a lot of Mk1's had had brake upgrades done, that just leaves them slightly down on power, something I personally could live with.
Mk1 in Zanzibar please
Mk1 in Zanzibar please
Edited by Slippydiff on Friday 10th March 23:50
As you can tell there are fans of both types - so drive both if possible and see which one tickles your fancy.
My advice would be, decide whether road or track is a focus for the car. If track then mk2 would be preferable due to greater power, brakes, stiffer suspension, etc. For pure road it may be the other way round.
Just to challenge two points raised above:
Mk2 has lower build quality?? IMHO and experience COMPLETELY irrelevant. Someone in the distant past seems to have made that up to fit the hand built romantic story. There is no weak build quality in mk2 - I would just completely ignore that as a deciding criteria. I have never known anything to snap off, drop off, breakdown, not align properly, etc over 5x mk2 GT3 cars. Neither have I heard any of the regular independents remark about one car being better build than the other.
Investment potential. I agree that the mk1 was the first one, not available in north america, and slightly rarer (at a local UK market level) - logically this should mean a higher investment potential. However, I am not sure it particularly stands out as having a different 'investment' profile. Over the years the mk1 and mk2 have broadly tracked a similar curve - neither one has outshone the other. But I could be wrong.
My advice would be, decide whether road or track is a focus for the car. If track then mk2 would be preferable due to greater power, brakes, stiffer suspension, etc. For pure road it may be the other way round.
Just to challenge two points raised above:
Mk2 has lower build quality?? IMHO and experience COMPLETELY irrelevant. Someone in the distant past seems to have made that up to fit the hand built romantic story. There is no weak build quality in mk2 - I would just completely ignore that as a deciding criteria. I have never known anything to snap off, drop off, breakdown, not align properly, etc over 5x mk2 GT3 cars. Neither have I heard any of the regular independents remark about one car being better build than the other.
Investment potential. I agree that the mk1 was the first one, not available in north america, and slightly rarer (at a local UK market level) - logically this should mean a higher investment potential. However, I am not sure it particularly stands out as having a different 'investment' profile. Over the years the mk1 and mk2 have broadly tracked a similar curve - neither one has outshone the other. But I could be wrong.
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