Help choosing which GT3
Discussion
lemmingjames said:
you need to post your location first ;-)
might be worth joining the 996 gt3 facebook group as well asking for a passenger ride as theres more vocal members on there than here
Thanks - group joined. And...might be worth joining the 996 gt3 facebook group as well asking for a passenger ride as theres more vocal members on there than here
Chris-34nmw said:
SW/Midlands/Oxford area if poss.
Edited by Chris-34nmw on Thursday 12th July 12:04
I think a lot of heart choice comes down to the aesthetics of a car - most importantly, how you perceive them.
People can and will disagree with this, but I prefer the 996 interior over and above the 997, hands down.
I had a 996 turbo and switched to 997.1 GT3. To me, the 7 was the car I wanted, because I somehow prefer the exterior styling and it was a car I can clearly remember wanting at launch - an ambition.
Could I have been happy with a 996 GT3? Hell yes. The more you look at them and the older they become, to me, the more they represent something very, very (never to be repeated) special. There is a bit more compromise about a 997 which is still a very good car (and sadly also the sort of car that will never be built again) but I think there is a purity about the 996.
People can and will disagree with this, but I prefer the 996 interior over and above the 997, hands down.
I had a 996 turbo and switched to 997.1 GT3. To me, the 7 was the car I wanted, because I somehow prefer the exterior styling and it was a car I can clearly remember wanting at launch - an ambition.
Could I have been happy with a 996 GT3? Hell yes. The more you look at them and the older they become, to me, the more they represent something very, very (never to be repeated) special. There is a bit more compromise about a 997 which is still a very good car (and sadly also the sort of car that will never be built again) but I think there is a purity about the 996.
Depends how much you love your 911 hotrod. I'd never sell my 964 to fund a GT3 so I ran a 996 GT3 alongside it - ran it for around 1 year and during that time the 964 didn't come out of the garage. Ultimately I sold the GT3 (which I regretted for various reasons) but I knew I could probably get another one later on, I don't think I could ever replace my 964 if I'd have sold that.
If you can bag a 996 and hang on to your air cooled, I think you will have pretty much the perfect pairing
In my opinion, the 996/7 GT3’s are some of the very best drivers cars ever built and I’m lucky to have driven so many and own them but my little 964 hot rod has a very special place for me and I know that I’d regret it if I ever sold it. I’d try and keep your air cooled at all costs. No single GT3 is as good as the sum of a decent air cooled hot rod and a 996GT3
In my opinion, the 996/7 GT3’s are some of the very best drivers cars ever built and I’m lucky to have driven so many and own them but my little 964 hot rod has a very special place for me and I know that I’d regret it if I ever sold it. I’d try and keep your air cooled at all costs. No single GT3 is as good as the sum of a decent air cooled hot rod and a 996GT3
Steve Rance said:
If you can bag a 996 and hang on to your air cooled, I think you will have pretty much the perfect pairing
... No single GT3 is as good as the sum of a decent air cooled hot rod and a 996GT3
I think this sums it up well; if it is 996 and you can keep the air cooled hot rod, then surely that's the answer.... No single GT3 is as good as the sum of a decent air cooled hot rod and a 996GT3
Cunno said:
Have you considered a left hooker 997.2 much cheaper than uk cars. 2 of my mates have bought recently and saved £30k on similar spec to Uk cars. You may be able to keep the air cooled and have a 997.2 this way?
Agree with this ^.I'm UK based but bought a one owner LHD Riviera Blue 997.2 GT3 CS three years ago. Since then I’ve done 20k miles including several track days and find it perfectly OK for use in UK with the added benefit of being on the "right" side once over the Channel.. The lightweight fixed back carbon bucket seats are very comfortable for long trips and the 90L tank gives useful additional range.
Discs were showing the usual hairline cracks at the cross drillings so I changed them. Starter motor packed up but was replaced under warranty. Chris at CG set the car geometry up at the outset . Taking into account consumables and the points noted above running costs have been very reasonable.
Greig at RPM Technik sourced the car for me and did all the paperwork. Could be worth giving him a call if you are thinking about going this route.
Edit
Sorry just seen you have ruled out 7.2.
OP- I'll throw my hat in the ring...
I've had a 997.1 GT3, first Porsche (historically a Ferrari guy) and it blew me away. After two years the pull of the red cars came back and I jumped to a 430 Scuderia which I've owner for 4 years.
Jan this year I took delivery of a lovely 997.2 GT3. Always loved the shape and (IMO) perfected 997 styling tweaks, coupled with the 3.8 engine I just think Porsche got it bang on the money.
Now... I open the garage door and am lucky enough to see both. Which car do I favour? Well I've done 3.5K miles in the GT3 since Jan and have driven the Scud a handful of times. Can't believe how fabulous the .2 GT3 is and really believe Ive found 'my car'. The Scud is a great car but doesn't come close for (manual gearbox) tactile involvement and (again IMO) one of the greatest driving experiences out there. And at any speed...
I see people posting on here about how you need to wring a GT3 to enjoy and the UK roads just don't allow that much of the time. I disagree. Sure pinning it is a fine experience but so is short shifting with the windows down and stereo off, playing with the car and THAT engine.
If one had to go. It would now be the Scud. 997.2 GT3 - An absolute sweet spot of Porsche GT cars.
Hope that helps.
I've had a 997.1 GT3, first Porsche (historically a Ferrari guy) and it blew me away. After two years the pull of the red cars came back and I jumped to a 430 Scuderia which I've owner for 4 years.
Jan this year I took delivery of a lovely 997.2 GT3. Always loved the shape and (IMO) perfected 997 styling tweaks, coupled with the 3.8 engine I just think Porsche got it bang on the money.
Now... I open the garage door and am lucky enough to see both. Which car do I favour? Well I've done 3.5K miles in the GT3 since Jan and have driven the Scud a handful of times. Can't believe how fabulous the .2 GT3 is and really believe Ive found 'my car'. The Scud is a great car but doesn't come close for (manual gearbox) tactile involvement and (again IMO) one of the greatest driving experiences out there. And at any speed...
I see people posting on here about how you need to wring a GT3 to enjoy and the UK roads just don't allow that much of the time. I disagree. Sure pinning it is a fine experience but so is short shifting with the windows down and stereo off, playing with the car and THAT engine.
If one had to go. It would now be the Scud. 997.2 GT3 - An absolute sweet spot of Porsche GT cars.
Hope that helps.
Slickhillsy said:
OP- I'll throw my hat in the ring...
I've had a 997.1 GT3, first Porsche (historically a Ferrari guy) and it blew me away. After two years the pull of the red cars came back and I jumped to a 430 Scuderia which I've owner for 4 years.
Jan this year I took delivery of a lovely 997.2 GT3. Always loved the shape and (IMO) perfected 997 styling tweaks, coupled with the 3.8 engine I just think Porsche got it bang on the money.
Now... I open the garage door and am lucky enough to see both. Which car do I favour? Well I've done 3.5K miles in the GT3 since Jan and have driven the Scud a handful of times. Can't believe how fabulous the .2 GT3 is and really believe Ive found 'my car'. The Scud is a great car but doesn't come close for (manual gearbox) tactile involvement and (again IMO) one of the greatest driving experiences out there. And at any speed...
I see people posting on here about how you need to wring a GT3 to enjoy and the UK roads just don't allow that much of the time. I disagree. Sure pinning it is a fine experience but so is short shifting with the windows down and stereo off, playing with the car and THAT engine.
If one had to go. It would now be the Scud. 997.2 GT3 - An absolute sweet spot of Porsche GT cars.
Hope that helps.
Perfectly (and nicely) put I've had a 997.1 GT3, first Porsche (historically a Ferrari guy) and it blew me away. After two years the pull of the red cars came back and I jumped to a 430 Scuderia which I've owner for 4 years.
Jan this year I took delivery of a lovely 997.2 GT3. Always loved the shape and (IMO) perfected 997 styling tweaks, coupled with the 3.8 engine I just think Porsche got it bang on the money.
Now... I open the garage door and am lucky enough to see both. Which car do I favour? Well I've done 3.5K miles in the GT3 since Jan and have driven the Scud a handful of times. Can't believe how fabulous the .2 GT3 is and really believe Ive found 'my car'. The Scud is a great car but doesn't come close for (manual gearbox) tactile involvement and (again IMO) one of the greatest driving experiences out there. And at any speed...
I see people posting on here about how you need to wring a GT3 to enjoy and the UK roads just don't allow that much of the time. I disagree. Sure pinning it is a fine experience but so is short shifting with the windows down and stereo off, playing with the car and THAT engine.
If one had to go. It would now be the Scud. 997.2 GT3 - An absolute sweet spot of Porsche GT cars.
Hope that helps.
I've hankered after a LHD Scud, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that it'll never be as tactile as a 996/997 GT3/RS.
I'd really like to ride in both types of car but I admit it would be difficult to let go of the 3.2.
Maybe the right approach is to have both in the garage for a while and if the 996 hits the spot then later look at a 997.2 to replace the pair. Who knows a 991.2 might be more sensible money in 3 years' time.
This might also sound silly but in a 6 car garage it is always a consideration - the 996.2 is cheaper to tax and cheaper to insure so already there is £750 a year more in the maintenance pot ;-)
Maybe the right approach is to have both in the garage for a while and if the 996 hits the spot then later look at a 997.2 to replace the pair. Who knows a 991.2 might be more sensible money in 3 years' time.
This might also sound silly but in a 6 car garage it is always a consideration - the 996.2 is cheaper to tax and cheaper to insure so already there is £750 a year more in the maintenance pot ;-)
Chris-34nmw said:
Oh dear what kind of pandora's box have I opened here.
Thanks to those so far providing an opinion on the cars themselves (including slippery and Mr. R). But any chance we can get back on topic?
Are there any members within a 100 mile radius of me who wouldn't mind taking me for a quick passenger ride in their cars?
Dealers seem reluctant to let me test drive either variant until I discuss my offer first. Which until I resolve 6.2 or 7.2 I am not going to do.
And given the pool of dealers I would actually buy from is very small I am reluctant to string them along.
I would be very grateful to anyone willing to offer a quick meet at their convenience to help me out.
Im in North Kent and my Dad South London. More than happy to get both cars to a pub so you can have a ride on each.Thanks to those so far providing an opinion on the cars themselves (including slippery and Mr. R). But any chance we can get back on topic?
Are there any members within a 100 mile radius of me who wouldn't mind taking me for a quick passenger ride in their cars?
Dealers seem reluctant to let me test drive either variant until I discuss my offer first. Which until I resolve 6.2 or 7.2 I am not going to do.
And given the pool of dealers I would actually buy from is very small I am reluctant to string them along.
I would be very grateful to anyone willing to offer a quick meet at their convenience to help me out.
Joehow said:
Im in North Kent and my Dad South London. More than happy to get both cars to a pub so you can have a ride on each.
Twice in a week (the chap who sold his 991.2 GT3 to another PHer without skimming overs) the community spirit of the PH Porsche forum is demonstrated. 
Chris-34nmw said:
I'd love to take you up on this kind offer - will PM...
Were I in your shoes, this is exactly what I'd want to do.Of course it may not necessarily provide a definitive answer - may even throw out more questions than before - but it's a very, very good next step.
A lot of good advice on here and some utter rubbish!
For clarity I own 996 RS, 997 4.0 RS, 991.2 GT3. I also race a cup car.
If you can drive, and it sounds like you can, The love affair with the 996 GT3 is like no other car you will own. The journey you go on learning how to set up an improve the car is like nothing else you’ll experience. It’s raw, involving and tactile and the mods you can make to it make the love run deeper. The current 991.2 GT3 can’t compete with it imo.
The 997 is a more refined car which is a good or bad thing depending on how good a driver you are and how much you value tactility and adjustability.
I’m based just outside Tunbridge wells. Happy to let you passenger in them and chat generally.
For clarity I own 996 RS, 997 4.0 RS, 991.2 GT3. I also race a cup car.
If you can drive, and it sounds like you can, The love affair with the 996 GT3 is like no other car you will own. The journey you go on learning how to set up an improve the car is like nothing else you’ll experience. It’s raw, involving and tactile and the mods you can make to it make the love run deeper. The current 991.2 GT3 can’t compete with it imo.
The 997 is a more refined car which is a good or bad thing depending on how good a driver you are and how much you value tactility and adjustability.
I’m based just outside Tunbridge wells. Happy to let you passenger in them and chat generally.
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff