996 GT3 - is now the time to buy?
Discussion
My car was on 41k miles and 911 Virgin sold it in 3 weeks for £62k. Was a black comfort car with buckets and 7 owners.
The difference I think was the sheer amount of money I and the previous owner had put into it refreshing it. It was also at a mileage point where it can be used.
I adored my car but I do think the market for a 996 GT3 is very small, 997 and 991s are just so much easier to live with and use and I include RS variants in that.
The difference I think was the sheer amount of money I and the previous owner had put into it refreshing it. It was also at a mileage point where it can be used.
I adored my car but I do think the market for a 996 GT3 is very small, 997 and 991s are just so much easier to live with and use and I include RS variants in that.
marky911 said:
Yes some seem to come and go quickly yet most sit around for months or years.
I think FocusRS guy above is talking them down. I don’t know if you’re in the market Focus but I’d guess you don’t own one by how much you talk them down?
That’s fine though we all have our views/agendas.
I’m currently in the market for one and fancy a Mk2 this time after my Mk1 CS a few years ago.
I doubt it’ll be a CS though, but It must have buckets.
The market is very slow though so I’m in no rush. If things miraculously picked up suddenly then I’d buy something quickly.
As said, the market is deathly slow and even the ones we all deem as bargains don’t fly out the door immediately.
I’m just watching for a month or two.
Failing that it’ll be a 993 C2 or a 987 Spyder.
Someone said the Supercar Rooms Polar car had sold but it’s still listed everywhere?
I offered them £52k a couple of weeks ago but they said no.
The truth of it is probably that demand has dropped right off but no one has dropped prices in response.
It seems most sellers even the respected dealers, are happy to just sit on them for years.
I think FocusRS guy above is talking them down. I don’t know if you’re in the market Focus but I’d guess you don’t own one by how much you talk them down?
That’s fine though we all have our views/agendas.
I’m currently in the market for one and fancy a Mk2 this time after my Mk1 CS a few years ago.
I doubt it’ll be a CS though, but It must have buckets.
The market is very slow though so I’m in no rush. If things miraculously picked up suddenly then I’d buy something quickly.
As said, the market is deathly slow and even the ones we all deem as bargains don’t fly out the door immediately.
I’m just watching for a month or two.
Failing that it’ll be a 993 C2 or a 987 Spyder.
Someone said the Supercar Rooms Polar car had sold but it’s still listed everywhere?
I offered them £52k a couple of weeks ago but they said no.
The truth of it is probably that demand has dropped right off but no one has dropped prices in response.
It seems most sellers even the respected dealers, are happy to just sit on them for years.
Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 19th March 18:10
marky911 said:
Yes some seem to come and go quickly yet most sit around for months or years.
I think FocusRS guy above is talking them down. I don’t know if you’re in the market Focus but I’d guess you don’t own one by how much you talk them down?
That’s fine though we all have our views/agendas.
I’m currently in the market for one and fancy a Mk2 this time after my Mk1 CS a few years ago.
I doubt it’ll be a CS though, but It must have buckets.
The market is very slow though so I’m in no rush. If things miraculously picked up suddenly then I’d buy something quickly.
As said, the market is deathly slow and even the ones we all deem as bargains don’t fly out the door immediately.
I’m just watching for a month or two.
Failing that it’ll be a 993 C2 or a 987 Spyder.
Someone said the Supercar Rooms Polar car had sold but it’s still listed everywhere?
I offered them £52k a couple of weeks ago but they said no.
The truth of it is probably that demand has dropped right off but no one has dropped prices in response.
It seems most sellers even the respected dealers, are happy to just sit on them for years.
There is no agenda it’s simple economic observations and supply and demand .I think FocusRS guy above is talking them down. I don’t know if you’re in the market Focus but I’d guess you don’t own one by how much you talk them down?
That’s fine though we all have our views/agendas.
I’m currently in the market for one and fancy a Mk2 this time after my Mk1 CS a few years ago.
I doubt it’ll be a CS though, but It must have buckets.
The market is very slow though so I’m in no rush. If things miraculously picked up suddenly then I’d buy something quickly.
As said, the market is deathly slow and even the ones we all deem as bargains don’t fly out the door immediately.
I’m just watching for a month or two.
Failing that it’ll be a 993 C2 or a 987 Spyder.
Someone said the Supercar Rooms Polar car had sold but it’s still listed everywhere?
I offered them £52k a couple of weeks ago but they said no.
The truth of it is probably that demand has dropped right off but no one has dropped prices in response.
It seems most sellers even the respected dealers, are happy to just sit on them for years.
Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 19th March 18:10
Look around at houses prices and assets in general . There is no reason why cars should be any different .
Not so long ago you could buy one of these cars for early 30’s. I don’t think you’ll see them here again but with other assets not selling such as houses which are a necessity for general living then it makes selling luxury unnecessary toys a tough gig.
When people think their house has gone up 100k they don’t think twice about shipping in that car they always wanted but now as the reverse is happening then the that switches.
I’m not in the market just yet but have owned most of these cars. The current economic outlook tells me there is no rush
Edited by FocusRS3 on Wednesday 20th March 08:22
I agree with Focus - cars are sticking and I think prices will continue to come down for most of them. Unfortunately I am impatient by nature, so might still buy something. I do not particularly care about depreciation though as long as I am happy with the basis (mostly affordability driven) I bought the car at.
MDL111 said:
I agree with Focus - cars are sticking and I think prices will continue to come down for most of them. Unfortunately I am impatient by nature, so might still buy something. I do not particularly care about depreciation though as long as I am happy with the basis (mostly affordability driven) I bought the car at.
Good for you. This is always the view that should be taken for unessential luxuries.Enjoy
FocusRS3 said:
MDL111 said:
I agree with Focus - cars are sticking and I think prices will continue to come down for most of them. Unfortunately I am impatient by nature, so might still buy something. I do not particularly care about depreciation though as long as I am happy with the basis (mostly affordability driven) I bought the car at.
Good for you. This is always the view that should be taken for unessential luxuries.Enjoy
All depends on what value the 'Market' places on an analogue driving experience. Supply has been purely digital for a while now and the 996GT3's are up there with the very best anlogue cars ever built.
I'm seriously considering buying a 6GT3. Most of the time the market has it's head stuck firmly up its arse but it's not entirely stupid.
I'm seriously considering buying a 6GT3. Most of the time the market has it's head stuck firmly up its arse but it's not entirely stupid.
I think the worse that will happen for 6GTs is the market may be slow for a couple of years. Over the long term number of units built overall is relatively low (much lower than later GT cars) and as Steve says it is one of the last great analogue cars from any manufacturer period - they will only be going one if you hold on to them for long enough.
As I have said before if it is a choice between waiting 18 months for a short term 10-20% dip in values that might never materialise, or get out there now and enjoy a car, then I personally voted with my hard earned cash and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone else thinking of doing so.
Another point for the armchair valuationists is that the market overall is tiny and large gaps in prices achieved at auction or at dealers can be wholly put down to differences in conditions and history. Outliers can have a big effect and don't read too much into that BCA car.
I saw a few cars when I bought mine and there was a wide gap even for cars with similar mileages. It's not like the 991.2GT3 market where spec and mileage are the two variables, I think the speed the older cars move off forecourts and the prices achieved have more to do with how the car presents rather than what colour it is, buckets and to some extent, mileage.
As I have said before if it is a choice between waiting 18 months for a short term 10-20% dip in values that might never materialise, or get out there now and enjoy a car, then I personally voted with my hard earned cash and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone else thinking of doing so.
Another point for the armchair valuationists is that the market overall is tiny and large gaps in prices achieved at auction or at dealers can be wholly put down to differences in conditions and history. Outliers can have a big effect and don't read too much into that BCA car.
I saw a few cars when I bought mine and there was a wide gap even for cars with similar mileages. It's not like the 991.2GT3 market where spec and mileage are the two variables, I think the speed the older cars move off forecourts and the prices achieved have more to do with how the car presents rather than what colour it is, buckets and to some extent, mileage.
alfapork said:
Another point for the armchair valuationists is that the market overall is tiny and large gaps in prices achieved at auction or at dealers can be wholly put down to differences in conditions and history. Outliers can have a big effect and don't read too much into that BCA car.
This. These considerations will become even more important for 996/7 cars as they drop out of the extended warranty timeframe and also as cars rack up higher chassis miles. At a certain point, it is all about having a history of the right bills from the right places - more like buying an aircraft perhaps than a conventional car.Digga said:
alfapork said:
Another point for the armchair valuationists is that the market overall is tiny and large gaps in prices achieved at auction or at dealers can be wholly put down to differences in conditions and history. Outliers can have a big effect and don't read too much into that BCA car.
This. These considerations will become even more important for 996/7 cars as they drop out of the extended warranty timeframe and also as cars rack up higher chassis miles. At a certain point, it is all about having a history of the right bills from the right places - more like buying an aircraft perhaps than a conventional car.I tend to think cars in an auction are there for a reason...
(of course I am sure a super clean bargain buy may go through an auction from time to time)
freedman said:
Not t that up on Auctions, but seeing as the car is from Jardines, would it be possible to go to one of their OPCs and see if you could get it back though them.?
I doubt it as they will need to give a warranty etcIf you're interested it may be worth giving BCA a ring as they will usually sell for reserve once they have been through the auction.
Seeing as it was available last week for £55,000 on a BCA buy now sale I would think the reserve would be close to that
I hope Hunter will forgive me for saying this but much as I enjoyed my time with FAB, I would probably not want to go back. I can see the analogue nature would appeal to the competent and highly experienced, but 381 bhp in a relatively light car and only ABS to help should not be treated lightly. In my view its propensity to startle the unwary is much greater than say a 964RS where 260bhp seems much more manageable. That said, I’m the first to concede this is as much a reflection on the driver as the car. And before someone chimes in with what about the CGT, let me suggest that in that vehicle you are on 100% alert all the time and the whole sensory overload means you are very unlikely to have your attention wander. By contrast the relatively conventional surroundings to the 996GT3 may easily lull one into a false sense of security.
Aside from the dynamics, maintenance would be a key concern as others have said. Presumably all have now dropped out of Porsche Warranty so drive train issues could present big bills. Mine was 6 years old and I was already dealing with rads and condensers, seized spring perches and all the usual wear and tear items.
As Sgt, Phil Esterhaus would say “ Let’s be careful out there”
Aside from the dynamics, maintenance would be a key concern as others have said. Presumably all have now dropped out of Porsche Warranty so drive train issues could present big bills. Mine was 6 years old and I was already dealing with rads and condensers, seized spring perches and all the usual wear and tear items.
As Sgt, Phil Esterhaus would say “ Let’s be careful out there”
Steve Rance said:
The 996GT3's are up there with the very best analogue cars ever built.
Indeed they are.
Steve Rance said:
I'm seriously considering buying a 6GT3.
Go on, you know you want to
Steve Rance said:
Most of the time the market has it's head stuck firmly up its fat arse but it's not entirely stupid.
Did someone mention fat arse ?
TDT said:
Slippydiff said:
https://youtu.be/_pIkkzDagsY?t=3
lowndes said:
I can see the analogue nature would appeal to the competent and highly experienced, but 381 bhp in a relatively light car and only ABS to help should not be treated lightly. In my view its propensity to startle the unwary is much greater than say a 964RS where 260bhp seems much more manageable. That said, I’m the first to concede this is as much a reflection on the driver as the car.
I'm not an exceptional driver by any means, but to me the challenge of learning the car and extracting its performance is why the 6GT3 is so special. It's not easy to drive hard and I like the need to concentrate and to treat the car with absolute respect. Maximum concentration - I like the buzz it gives and the need to really be on your game. 380 bhp is very manageable, it's mainly about self restraint isn't it? You don't have to use all of the performance all of the time.My previous car was a GT4. Absolutely fab modern entry level GT car - but all too easy IMHO (mainly road rather than track I hasten to add). It didn't improve me as a driver, it actually made me lazy (example: auto rev matching encouraging you to just throw in downshifts without any concept of mechanical sympathy because the computer does that for you).
Horses for courses.
What gives with the delta between 996.1 and 996.2 cars at the moment?
There seems to be cars coming into the market (or being reduced) around £55k.
Given the best of the best of these cars didn’t get below £40k during the crash that doesn’t seem bad to me (yes I know there some low £30k cars back then but a lot most that I inspected needed work)?
When a decent watch these days is £10k that doesn’t seem an unreasonable rate of inflation-in other words they’re starting to look valued about right.
Thoughts?
There seems to be cars coming into the market (or being reduced) around £55k.
Given the best of the best of these cars didn’t get below £40k during the crash that doesn’t seem bad to me (yes I know there some low £30k cars back then but a lot most that I inspected needed work)?
When a decent watch these days is £10k that doesn’t seem an unreasonable rate of inflation-in other words they’re starting to look valued about right.
Thoughts?
LaurasOtherHalf said:
What gives with the delta between 996.1 and 996.2 cars at the moment?
There seems to be cars coming into the market (or being reduced) around £55k.
Given the best of the best of these cars didn’t get below £40k during the crash that doesn’t seem bad to me (yes I know there some low £30k cars back then but a lot most that I inspected needed work)?
When a decent watch these days is £10k that doesn’t seem an unreasonable rate of inflation-in other words they’re starting to look valued about right.
Thoughts?
Can’t see too much downside from 50k for a 996 GT3 . There seems to be cars coming into the market (or being reduced) around £55k.
Given the best of the best of these cars didn’t get below £40k during the crash that doesn’t seem bad to me (yes I know there some low £30k cars back then but a lot most that I inspected needed work)?
When a decent watch these days is £10k that doesn’t seem an unreasonable rate of inflation-in other words they’re starting to look valued about right.
Thoughts?
I remember JZM selling them at mid 30’s too before they somehow got to 60K plus but clearly now there are a few sellers Around.
I’ve noticed cars being for sale for many months so now harm In going in low and seeing where Jon get .
I’m a bigger fan of the Gen 2 personally but really anything with CS spec is a cracking buy at 50k
Happy hunting
PS just seen this - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Private you have to think it’s 50k
Edited by FocusRS3 on Sunday 21st April 07:16
I think once we are out of the Brexit state of mind (no matter what happens with it) I can only see 96GT3’s heading north.
Has to be the bargain of the Porsche world at £55-65k for an epic car in its day that has stood its ground throughout 15-20 years and is still in the top 5 Porsche’s ever made IMO.
<flame suit on>
Has to be the bargain of the Porsche world at £55-65k for an epic car in its day that has stood its ground throughout 15-20 years and is still in the top 5 Porsche’s ever made IMO.
<flame suit on>
Dan911 said:
I think once we are out of the Brexit state of mind (no matter what happens with it) I can only see 96GT3’s heading north.
Has to be the bargain of the Porsche world at £55-65k for an epic car in its day that has stood its ground throughout 15-20 years and is still in the top 5 Porsche’s ever made IMO.
<flame suit on>
Has to be the bargain of the Porsche world at £55-65k for an epic car in its day that has stood its ground throughout 15-20 years and is still in the top 5 Porsche’s ever made IMO.
<flame suit on>
+1 and amen.
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