996 c2 or 996 mk1 gt3 - advice needed

996 c2 or 996 mk1 gt3 - advice needed

Author
Discussion

alwilliamson

Original Poster:

4 posts

216 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Hi,

I've decided to take the plunge and get my first Porsche. I have been thinking about getting a 996 C2 for some time, but was recently considering a mk1 GT3, but really wanted some views by people who have owned both.

Do you think the GT3 would be ok as a daily driver? I only want to have one car.
Are the OPC warranties and servicing costs the same for both cars?
Obviously the GT3 is a quicker car, but does it feel an all round better car on the road to live with? I'm not likely to be doing track days in it.
If I was to keep both for 2 years, what difference in residuals would you expect to see? I guess I'm looking to buy for around 45k.

Any other thoughts / comments would be welcome.

Thanks
Alan

DasChin

609 posts

217 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
get the C2 for the every day driver.

I looked at doing the same but the GT3 is a bit of a teeth shatterer!

you will get a very nice 3.6 facelift for that sort of money or even an early turbo! that way you get performance and driveability.

the GT3 is quick and fun but when the winter comes it will be a handful.

plus it will run up more bills than a C2 as heavier on brakes and tyres and everything is that bit more bigger or rarer hence expensive! I think the warranty is the same for both but servicing on the GT3 will be more $$ as are the parts.

an awesome car though and I want one 1 day as a second car and the toy for the ring!!

good luck hunting!!

Edited by DasChin on Monday 21st August 21:21

johnfm

13,668 posts

251 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Can I be honest? If you are asking the 'residuals' question you probably lack the passion to bother with a GT3. Spend £30k-£35k and get a decent 996.

alwilliamson

Original Poster:

4 posts

216 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply - I only ask about residuals as I had heard that GT3's depreciate less than a normal 996. Is this not the case?

Diesel130

1,549 posts

213 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
absolutely. The GT3 will hold its value much better than a 'normal' 996 which are plummeting. Old 996's are going from around 20K already. Now, just look for prices of older special 911's such as the RS and turbo and see what they are selling for !

slippydiff

14,873 posts

224 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Whilst in principle I agree that GT3 residuals are stronger than the "run of the mill" 996 range, I think there still remains a question over the issue of higher mileage cars.

One car recently came up on the market with 55K miles on it. Questions were asked on here and the overall feeling seemed to be they are a strong car and that mileage will have little effect on resale values (as long as the service history stacks up)
What kind of annual mileage would you expect to be covering ?

Koln-RS

3,873 posts

213 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Agree about a nice 'facelift' 3.6 C2 for everyday use.

But the 996 GT3 is fabulous and a good one in 'road' set up is a lovely driver's car. It should also hold its value better. I think the new GT3 will actually help the values of the older model. But, if you get a GT3 then you would probably need a cheap run around for the mundane practical duties.

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
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I think your answer could be a 996TT .. You can pick 'em up from the low 40's now .. They've got the supposedly bullet-proof GT1 block , they'll depreciate slower than the n/a 996's and you've got 420 horses at the end of the reins to boot.. Watchaweatinfah???

jonny996

2,620 posts

218 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Diesel130 said:
Old 996's are going from around 20K already.


PISH, if you find a dog you might get it for that, I doubt anyone on here drives a dog. a decent well maintained 1998 996 will still get £25k, if you buy for less you better expect trouble, not because its a 996, but due to it not being looked after

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
jonny996 said:
Diesel130 said:
Old 996's are going from around 20K already.


PISH, if you find a dog you might get it for that, I doubt anyone on here drives a dog. a decent well maintained 1998 996 will still get £25k, if you buy for less you better expect trouble, not because its a 996, but due to it not being looked after


Absolutely Jonny .. I'd seen that comment but decided not to bite .

Buy any 10 year old 911 for 20k at your peril... 25k for a full history , well fettled 996 all day long.

johnzy

50 posts

227 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
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Hi having used both as daily drivers a standard c2 is much easier to live with on day to day basis ,found my c2 easier to live with than an m3!,youv'e really got to want the gt3 for what it as, not just residuals or you will be fed up in a month ,i personally like track focused cars but for short journeys still look in drive for something else to drive,wifes,daughters,sons,etc however from now on the only 911 for me is the gt3 starting to save for on orange 997 gt3rs.mmmmmmmmmm.rgds greg john

alwilliamson

Original Poster:

4 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Hi,
slippydiff, I'll be doing around 10-12000 miles per year.
ballcock, doesn't the GT3 use the same block off the GT1 also and not the normal 996 block?

In fairness, depreciation isn't a big issue but my personanlity is such that I do like to know the costs of something before I make a decision, therefore I was interested in running costs between the two also. Also, in buying a porsche I'm not looking for a luxury coupe and do think I can live with something a little more focussed. I was really interested to see if anyone uses theirs as a daily driver all year round, including the harsher winter weaather.

Thanks again for replys

AL001

831 posts

271 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
I'll be using a GT3 Mk2 Comfort as my daily driver when collect it later this week. Had a Mk1 GT3 CS a couple of years ago but that was mainly as second car. Biggest issue is ground clearance and I'll probably need to take a slightly different route to avoid some larger humps I regularly have to traverse at present. No concerns about using it through winter and in all weathers though.

Btw, went for "comfort" with sports seats as slightly easier to live with than the excellent buckets for daily driving IMO. Obviously not so good for track but 95% of my driving will be on the road so.....

Puzzles me a bit about so many people seemingly buying 997GT3's as a daily driver, that would have considered the 996 too uncompromising. The ground clearance on 997 GT3 looks just as bad or worse and that's more of an issue in the real world than any lack of traction control, etc.

aki

23 posts

229 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
An alternative suggestion... look out for a c2 anniversary edition. it had upgraded power pack, sports suspension, sports seats sports exhaust and some even had a roll cage speced. it still has the rear seats and traction control etc. It's residuals will also stay high as its a limited edition. Having driven all three (c2, anniversary and mk1 gt3) the anniversary was to me anyway a good compromise for every day driving. still had the power and sound, but without the practicality drawbacks of the gt3. Good hunting!

leosayer

7,314 posts

245 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
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How long will it be before you can pick up a 997 for £45k?

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
aki said:
An alternative suggestion... look out for a c2 anniversary edition. it had upgraded power pack, sports suspension, sports seats sports exhaust and some even had a roll cage speced. it still has the rear seats and traction control etc. It's residuals will also stay high as its a limited edition. Having driven all three (c2, anniversary and mk1 gt3) the anniversary was to me anyway a good compromise for every day driving. still had the power and sound, but without the practicality drawbacks of the gt3. Good hunting!


Having driven one , I'd have to agree .. It's got loads more umph compared to my basement 3.4 . Curiously enough though , they seem to be depreciating faster than c4s's . I can't figure that one out...

chillo

724 posts

223 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
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my 54 plate 996C2 is for sale @£45k (blatant plug!)
advert on pistonheads + Autotrader!
great daily drive!

nervous

24,050 posts

231 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
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or you could buy my gt3 for the same price.

Marki

15,763 posts

271 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
quotequote all
nervous said:
or you could buy my gt3 for the same price.


Oh for gods sake noooooooooo ,,,,,,,,,

PolarExpress

6,777 posts

228 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
quotequote all
whoa, that was a quick affair...