996 GT3 what’s your thoughts ?

[Fanboy911]

As above , 996 GT Club sport what’s your thoughts from previous / current owners ?

Tks

[Porsche911R]

Tough one, I did not like mine.
And many on here don't like them either.

There are a few who love them.

So no help what so ever :-)

In hind site a short final drive and some plush shocks would help fix the main couple of the things I did not gel with.

[Fanboy911]

Porsche911R said:

Tough one, I did not like mine.
And many on here don't like them either.

There are a few who love them.

So no help what so ever :-)

In hind site a short final drive and some plush shocks would help fix the main couple of the things I did not gel with.

I know a certain Member La Source loves them and has enjoyed upgrading his car for years.

Essentially I’m mulling over a few cars such as the 996 GT3 ( non RS ) , a gen 1 or 2 997 GT3 or a mk1 997 RS for occasional use and in the hope I won’t lose my shirt.

Always had a soft spot for the mk2 Gt3 996 so just learning more about them.

The 996 RS I had was good ( financially) but that’s where I’m leaving that one.

997.1 CS also great car( I’ve had two of those) and the GT4 981.

Lots to consider especially given I like to drive my cars

[Porsche911R]

Fanboy911 said:

I know a certain Member La Source loves them and has enjoyed upgrading his car for years.

Essentially I’m mulling over a few cars such as the 996 GT3 ( non RS ) , a gen 1 or 2 997 GT3 or a mk1 997 RS for occasional use and in the hope I won’t lose my shirt.

Always had a soft spot for the mk2 Gt3 996 so just learning more about them.

The 996 RS I had was good ( financially) but that’s where I’m leaving that one.

997.1 CS also great car( I’ve had two of those) and the GT4 981.

Lots to consider especially given I like to drive my cars

You should know what you like and dislike with GT3's then.
Most GT3 are pretty flawed old and new.
So a modded car is the only way to make them work imo.
PASM has no place on the 997.1 and .2
Gearing is st on all but the 997.2 RS
I would love a modded 997.1 GT3 but my build added another £50k to the donor and these are rare as heads teeth and a bit over priced atm imo. So no saving on what I own atm !

[ChrisW.]

I am a fan of the 996GT3 Mk1 ... I have chosen to keep as my main collectable a very low mileage RHD Clubsport which has in the last couple of years had all it's suspension replaced with new ... (it does become tired !)

But I wouldn't dream of using this as a track car and for this have a well modified 981 GT4 ...

As a classic road car my GT3 is plenty fast enough and it does feel very special in a pared back classic way !!

Edited by ChrisW. on Tuesday 3rd March 19:24

[Dan911]

As an owner I love mine. This is my second MK1 GT3, the first being a comfort with buckets. There is something special about a Clubbie, it feels raw almost race car like, especially having a front cage too.
I bet it’s a great car on track.

I’ve had mine around 4 years and my previous Comfort for around 6 years.
I do feel like I’ve done my 996 GT3 time and am looking to try something else so mine will be for sale possibly in the next few months - 996.1 GT3, clubsport, Speed Yellow, Manthey K400 60,000 miles - massive history file too.

The only car I’ve owned that came close was a Cayman R, you could feel Porsche were trying to make an R analog - reminded my a little of my 996.
I hear not many clubsport’s came to the UK too, so rare car.

Whichever 996 GT3 you end up with MK2 or MK1 you’ll love it I’m sure. Get out and drive one, you’ll be hooked.

[Fanboy911]

Dan911 said:

As an owner I love mine. This is my second MK1 GT3, the first being a comfort with buckets. There is something special about a Clubbie, it feels raw almost race car like, especially having a front cage too.
I bet it’s a great car on track.

I’ve had mine around 4 years and my previous Comfort for around 6 years.
I do feel like I’ve done my 996 GT3 time and am looking to try something else so mine will be for sale possibly in the next few months - 996.1 GT3, clubsport, Speed Yellow, Manthey K400 60,000 miles - massive history file too.

The only car I’ve owned that came close was a Cayman R, you could feel Porsche were trying to make an R analog - reminded my a little of my 996.
I hear not many clubsport’s came to the UK too, so rare car.

Whichever 996 GT3 you end up with MK2 or MK1 you’ll love it I’m sure. Get out and drive one, you’ll be hooked.

Could I be cheeky and ask for a PM with some pics and details pls ?

Many tks you just never know !

[Fanboy911]

Porsche911R said:

You should know what you like and dislike with GT3's then.
Most GT3 are pretty flawed old and new.
So a modded car is the only way to make them work imo.
PASM has no place on the 997.1 and .2
Gearing is st on all but the 997.2 RS
I would love a modded 997.1 GT3 but my build added another £50k to the donor and these are rare as heads teeth and a bit over priced atm
imo. So no saving on what I own atm !

Many tks
What is it you currently drive?

What mods add up to 50k on a 991.GT3 ? I’m
Intrigued

[Porsche911R]

Fanboy911 said:

Many tks
What is it you currently drive?

What mods add up to 50k on a 991.GT3 ? I’m
Intrigued

I drive a fully modded 987.2 Spyder and a manual tweaked 991.2 GT3, plus other track focused brands.

£50k does every thing possible you could wish for.
Short final drive
New diff
clutch
set of 3 way shocks
lightweight battery
lightweight seats
full Inconel exhaust system
refresh every bush, drop links, top mounts etc
monoball the rear end.
AP disks and endless pads all round.
lightweight wheels
cup steering wheel

very easy to spend it. But the cars are old and don't drive like new what ever people say, and I hate PASM, and the gearing.

I could not own a standard GT3 after having a 996GT3 and driving most others.

[BertBert]

Porsche911R said:

PASM has no place on the 997.1 and .2

So as a completely different point of view, I love my 997.1 Clubbie now it's back on standard refreshed PASM after the KW ste that was on it.
Absolutely brilliant on the road, may think differently on track if it ever gets there.
When looking I was very taken by a red 996 clubbie that was at 911V (owned by someone on here I think), but it was above my budget and the cheap 997 clubbie came along.

Each to their own, but I love the 996 and 997 GT3s.

Bert

[Slippydiff]

Dan911 said:

As an owner I love mine. This is my second MK1 GT3, the first being a comfort with buckets. There is something special about a Clubbie, it feels raw almost race car like, especially having a front cage too.
I bet it’s a great car on track.

I’ve had mine around 4 years and my previous Comfort for around 6 years.
I do feel like I’ve done my 996 GT3 time and am looking to try something else so mine will be for sale possibly in the next few months - 996.1 GT3, clubsport, Speed Yellow, Manthey K400 60,000 miles - massive history file too.

The only car I’ve owned that came close was a Cayman R, you could feel Porsche were trying to make an R analog - reminded my a little of my 996.
I hear not many clubsport’s came to the UK too, so rare car.

Whichever 996 GT3 you end up with MK2 or MK1 you’ll love it I’m sure. Get out and drive one, you’ll be hooked.

OP, buy this car and NEVER look back. Upgrade the various components as they fail or wear out. The seminal and last (an oxymoron if if ever there was one) truly analogue watercooled GT car. In a proper colour, and being a Clubsport, rare too.

Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd March 10:25

[Fanboy911]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Not so the 996.1?

[BrotherMouzone]

Fanboy911 said:

Lots to consider especially given I like to drive my cars

Not much to consider really. Just buy Dan’s Manthey GT3 and be done with it.

[Slippydiff]

Fanboy911 said:

Not so the 996.1?

Endless debate on here and elsewhere as to each cars merits.
The Mk1 is softer sprung and damped and makes for a better/nicer car to drive on our less than perfectly surfaced roads.
Mk2 more trackday ready, but a Mk1 with it's suspension in rude health is a truly wonderful road car. Add a Manthey K400 conversion and you'll have the same power output as a Mk2 but with a better soundtrack and more character.

[D.no]

Porsche911R said:

I drive a fully modded 987.2 Spyder and a manual tweaked 991.2 GT3, plus other track focused brands.

£50k does every thing possible you could wish for.
Short final drive
New diff
clutch
set of 3 way shocks
lightweight battery
lightweight seats
full Inconel exhaust system
refresh every bush, drop links, top mounts etc
monoball the rear end.
AP disks and endless pads all round.
lightweight wheels
cup steering wheel

very easy to spend it. But the cars are old and don't drive like new what ever people say, and I hate PASM, and the gearing.

I could not own a standard GT3 after having a 996GT3 and driving most others.

I love mine (997.1 GT3) in completely standard form. Yes, it's old - which is precisely why I love it - It still feels like an analogue 911. I mostly drive mine with the PASM in it's firmer setting as it makes turn-in slightly sharper and more dependable with my particular setup, and driving style (ham-fisted!). Learning it's imperfections and foibles are what makes the ownership journey intoxicating for me, and the longer I own the car ,the more I learn, and the more it works its way into my affections. I had the car on a SORN for the last 3 months, and taxed it again on the 1st. It was the longest 3 months ever, but the drive on Sunday was utterly fabulous. As I reversed it into my garage afterwards I couldn't help but repeat the words "What a thing!" out loud. I don't care that much anymore about outright speed, and ability, and I love the fact that it's beginning to feel a bit like a classic car, albeit still very quick, and usable.

Gearing is a non-issue for me, as I don't feel the need to red-line the engine everywhere to get enjoyment from the car. When the opportunity arises it's mega, but there's so much to enjoy as a whole in the way the car responds and feels, that the engine is a wonderful accompaniment, rather than the defining characteristic.

I had a Boxster T last November for a couple of days as a courtesy car while having some warranty work undertaken on my GT3. On the bumpy B-roads back from the dealership it felt very planted, way quicker than it had any right to feel, and went about dissecting the road in an entirely fuss-free and entertaining manner. The steering was even ok. So, I had a major wobble! 2 days later, and I felt as though the Boxster had revealed all I was going to learn. Wonderful car though it is, for me it's a one-night stand, not a life partner.

The main epiphany came when I got back into my GT3 though: It felt so small! Visibility was fantastic. More NVH. Control weightings were heavier, but the steering was delicate and talkative. I felt like there was less rubber bushing in the suspension. Less isolation. More mechanical. By the time I'd navigated the dealership speed bumps it just felt special, and it felt like a 911 - an old 911. It felt like home.

My (rather long) 2p's worth, but we're all different. Enjoy whatever you decide to do.

[lemmingjames]

Id suggest joining the owners club on Facebook, i know the 996.2 one is fairly active.

The .2 market seems kinda active on the selling front, Ashgoods look to have sold their nice blue one and JZM have 'deposit taken' on the yellow one.

I was tempted to sell mine but would need to return it to stock (ducktail, cage, non oem wheel colour, all cosmetic basically)

[Cheburator mk2]

I have a 35k Mk1 996.1 CS K400, which has been thoroghly re-worked by Manthey - it has the cup gears, cup synchros, cup final drive, cup diff plates, cup coffin arms, cup trust arms, cup ABS, cup shifter, cup cables and Mk2 brakes. It is trully wonderful on track. A bit less so on the road, unless I am out for a blat. It is the closest you would get to a road going race car from all the modern Porsches. Yet it has a working aircon and allegedly a radio, As for power - a Manthey-ed K400 with the shorter final drive would make mince meat of a 996 Mk2 and a 997.1 if drag racing is your thing...

[Fanboy911]

lemmingjames said:

Id suggest joining the owners club on Facebook, i know the 996.2 one is fairly active.

The .2 market seems kinda active on the selling front, Ashgoods look to have sold their nice blue one and JZM have 'deposit taken' on the yellow one.

I was tempted to sell mine but would need to return it to stock (ducktail, cage, non oem wheel colour, all cosmetic basically)

Cheers i have actually just join requested

Many tks for the replies.

I can see Dans car mentioned on there.

So the K400 conversion seems very popular i've noticed

Was the Mk1 Club sport official factory designation ?

Edited by Fanboy911 on Tuesday 3rd March 12:02

[cayman-black]

Slippydiff said:

Dan911 said:

As an owner I love mine. This is my second MK1 GT3, the first being a comfort with buckets. There is something special about a Clubbie, it feels raw almost race car like, especially having a front cage too.
I bet it’s a great car on track.

I’ve had mine around 4 years and my previous Comfort for around 6 years.
I do feel like I’ve done my 996 GT3 time and am looking to try something else so mine will be for sale possibly in the next few months - 996.1 GT3, clubsport, Speed Yellow, Manthey K400 60,000 miles - massive history file too.

The only car I’ve owned that came close was a Cayman R, you could feel Porsche were trying to make an R analog - reminded my a little of my 996.
I hear not many clubsport’s came to the UK too, so rare car.

Whichever 996 GT3 you end up with MK2 or MK1 you’ll love it I’m sure. Get out and drive one, you’ll be hooked.

OP, buy this car and NEVER look back. Upgrade the various components as they fail or wear out. The seminal and last (an oxymoron if if ever there was one) truly analogue watercooled GT car. In a proper colour, and being a Clubsport, rare too.

Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd March 10:25

It does sound nice this one. I would always favour the RS though.

[Porsche911R]

D.no said:

Porsche911R said:

I drive a fully modded 987.2 Spyder and a manual tweaked 991.2 GT3, plus other track focused brands.

£50k does every thing possible you could wish for.
Short final drive
New diff
clutch
set of 3 way shocks
lightweight battery
lightweight seats
full Inconel exhaust system
refresh every bush, drop links, top mounts etc
monoball the rear end.
AP disks and endless pads all round.
lightweight wheels
cup steering wheel

very easy to spend it. But the cars are old and don't drive like new what ever people say, and I hate PASM, and the gearing.

I could not own a standard GT3 after having a 996GT3 and driving most others.

I love mine (997.1 GT3) in completely standard form. Yes, it's old - which is precisely why I love it - It still feels like an analogue 911. I mostly drive mine with the PASM in it's firmer setting as it makes turn-in slightly sharper and more dependable with my particular setup, and driving style (ham-fisted!). Learning it's imperfections and foibles are what makes the ownership journey intoxicating for me, and the longer I own the car ,the more I learn, and the more it works its way into my affections. I had the car on a SORN for the last 3 months, and taxed it again on the 1st. It was the longest 3 months ever, but the drive on Sunday was utterly fabulous. As I reversed it into my garage afterwards I couldn't help but repeat the words "What a thing!" out loud. I don't care that much anymore about outright speed, and ability, and I love the fact that it's beginning to feel a bit like a classic car, albeit still very quick, and usable.

Gearing is a non-issue for me, as I don't feel the need to red-line the engine everywhere to get enjoyment from the car. When the opportunity arises it's mega, but there's so much to enjoy as a whole in the way the car responds and feels, that the engine is a wonderful accompaniment, rather than the defining characteristic.

I had a Boxster T last November for a couple of days as a courtesy car while having some warranty work undertaken on my GT3. On the bumpy B-roads back from the dealership it felt very planted, way quicker than it had any right to feel, and went about dissecting the road in an entirely fuss-free and entertaining manner. The steering was even ok. So, I had a major wobble! 2 days later, and I felt as though the Boxster had revealed all I was going to learn. Wonderful car though it is, for me it's a one-night stand, not a life partner.

The main epiphany came when I got back into my GT3 though: It felt so small! Visibility was fantastic. More NVH. Control weightings were heavier, but the steering was delicate and talkative. I felt like there was less rubber bushing in the suspension. Less isolation. More mechanical. By the time I'd navigated the dealership speed bumps it just felt special, and it felt like a 911 - an old 911. It felt like home.

My (rather long) 2p's worth, but we're all different. Enjoy whatever you decide to do.

As I said some will love it some will hate it, a 997.1 with PASM on is a bobbing mess imo even on smooth tarmac !!! imo unusable !
The other guy fitting some KW's which if you know KW are mega hard spring rates and ruin the car on the road.

the gearing is a pitter as I DO WANT to hit red line in 3rd on public roads and use the gear box, and have a bit more shove in 2nd gear out the tighter stuff.

you say it's Mega for the very few times you can redline a GT3 in 3rd, I want it to be mega more of the time :-), to me the 996 and 997 is just frustrating stock, and I do wonder what people see in them for road use with oem gearing etc, I really did not like my 996 as red line in 3rd is quite high speeds and the cars NOT fast enough to get to those speeds inbetween bends ! that's just a fact of driving it.

the cars a great car and I think the sweet spot is the 997.1 for the driver if the mods are done, nice power, better lighter engine than both the 996 and 997.2 bigger units.

you don't have to spend £50k that's would just be my project, a working proper diff, some proper shocks and a short final drive would sort every thing really say £10k all in.

and you can do that to the 6 Also but I like the 997's engine more, Porsche made some good worthwhile changes and you end up with circa 300bhp/ton which is a nice figure to have on the road.

yes people will like the oem cars, I just don't to me they were very flawed to enjoy a big % of the time, right road right time yep mega, 98% of the time pretty crap lol