Mk1 GT3 buying advice please...
Discussion
Hi.. Im gearing myself up to buy a Mk1 911 GT3 but there appears to be very little information available on them. There also appears to be quite a difference in price (from £50k to £65k) for similar age / spec cars.
Can anyone suggest useful sources of information i.e. forums / books / websites / contacts that will help me when I get nearer to buying? (most information is for the 911(996) and I really need more GT3 specific info)
Also - can anyone please confirm whether the Mk1 GT3 suffers with the rear main seal problem as seen in the early 996's?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Steve M
Can anyone suggest useful sources of information i.e. forums / books / websites / contacts that will help me when I get nearer to buying? (most information is for the 911(996) and I really need more GT3 specific info)
Also - can anyone please confirm whether the Mk1 GT3 suffers with the rear main seal problem as seen in the early 996's?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Steve M
Information from Porsche GB was supplied in a seperate brochure from the 'standard' 911. I believe it was called 911 Motorsport or something like that. Your local OPC should be able to help.
The GT3 is only supplied as a manual 6 speed, options are available but the old adage 'to go faster add lightness' should be considered. I owned one for 6 months which had the comfort pack which is a must for everyday use. Climate control is standard I believe on later cars and most will come with seat backs and rear consoles in body colours and a CDR-23 CD player.
Personally I had no problems or issues with my car I was sad to see it go, it held reasonably steady money over the 6 months of ownership as well.
The GT3 is only supplied as a manual 6 speed, options are available but the old adage 'to go faster add lightness' should be considered. I owned one for 6 months which had the comfort pack which is a must for everyday use. Climate control is standard I believe on later cars and most will come with seat backs and rear consoles in body colours and a CDR-23 CD player.
Personally I had no problems or issues with my car I was sad to see it go, it held reasonably steady money over the 6 months of ownership as well.
I would check the www.titanic.co.uk forum a lot of the UK Gt3 guys hang out there as well as the very active GT3 register forum at the porsche club Gb.
The Gt3 uses a different block drived from the Gt1 cars, so it does not have problems with the RMS.
But Mk1 gearboxes and brakes are often remarked upon as the minor weaknesses in a great car.
The Gt3 uses a different block drived from the Gt1 cars, so it does not have problems with the RMS.
But Mk1 gearboxes and brakes are often remarked upon as the minor weaknesses in a great car.
GT3 is a "supercar" that you can go shopping in, not many other supercars can do what it does.
No RMS problems, later cars have uprated synchro's and brakes are not a problem. Misuse of brakes on track leads to slight overheating but good tuiton will make sure you use them as they were meant.
Pricing is varied as cars are very definately different, recent sales include a RHD "Comfort" with sports seats in basic black with almost 50,000 miles on it at just under £50k to a 1700 mile car for £65k asking.
The car to have must have Recaro's, the Clubsport is rarer [28% of all built are CS] so consequently can achieve slightly more.
Air Con & Radio CD were no cost options and majority have them.
A good RHD car can be had for £55--57k and a good LHD car for c£50k
As with any Porsche buy with great care, get someone like Parr or JZ Machtech to carry out a pre-purchase inspection and buy the best car you can afford.
Dont dismiss LHD as an option as come resale time you have multiple markets to sell into.
Allan
No RMS problems, later cars have uprated synchro's and brakes are not a problem. Misuse of brakes on track leads to slight overheating but good tuiton will make sure you use them as they were meant.
Pricing is varied as cars are very definately different, recent sales include a RHD "Comfort" with sports seats in basic black with almost 50,000 miles on it at just under £50k to a 1700 mile car for £65k asking.
The car to have must have Recaro's, the Clubsport is rarer [28% of all built are CS] so consequently can achieve slightly more.
Air Con & Radio CD were no cost options and majority have them.
A good RHD car can be had for £55--57k and a good LHD car for c£50k
As with any Porsche buy with great care, get someone like Parr or JZ Machtech to carry out a pre-purchase inspection and buy the best car you can afford.
Dont dismiss LHD as an option as come resale time you have multiple markets to sell into.
Allan
Thanks for the comments chaps. Im obviously very keen to ensure that I don't buy anything with a 'history' and it's good to hear that there isn't any major problems to look out for.
Regarding LHD - I probably would consider it but SWMBO will also be driving (rarely) and its scarey enough enduring her driving when the steering wheel is on the correct side of the car
Regarding sale of these cars, is there a pretty good market out there i.e. will I need to be quick to buy a good example or is there a limited number of people that would buy?
Thanks
Steve
Regarding LHD - I probably would consider it but SWMBO will also be driving (rarely) and its scarey enough enduring her driving when the steering wheel is on the correct side of the car
Regarding sale of these cars, is there a pretty good market out there i.e. will I need to be quick to buy a good example or is there a limited number of people that would buy?
Thanks
Steve
I recently bought a yellow clubsport mrk 1 GT3. I had a 996 c2 before which I loved, but this just blows it away in every department. I am using it primarily for track use and occasional sunday blasts.
Most reviews Ive read rate the Mk 1 over the Mk 2 for overall feel and focus.
I ended up with a very low mileage lhd car that I probably paid a little too much for. But it is immaculate throughout, and I think its one of the best examples around.
My recomendation is...go for it.
Most reviews Ive read rate the Mk 1 over the Mk 2 for overall feel and focus.
I ended up with a very low mileage lhd car that I probably paid a little too much for. But it is immaculate throughout, and I think its one of the best examples around.
My recomendation is...go for it.
Merritt said:
I like recommendations like that! I know you've said that you mainly use it on track, but how do you find it practicality wise on the road?
Cheers
Steve
fine really. Its not uncomfortable because the recaros are so good. Its very firm but I like it that way.
Other than the lack of rear seats because of the roll cage, its no less practical.
The main difference is that its a lot more eyecatching and attention- getting. Probably because its yellow with yellow wheels. But I have to say, its been much more positive attention than I used to get in my silver c2. I suppose parking it will be a problem now, because Im a lot less likely to leave it in car parks or on the street.
Its much noisier (sounds like it really should now)
also because it has a techart exhaust...and that really is the dogs danglers.!!
I wouldnt dream of using it as a daily driver, but only because I couldnt park it at work, and because I dont want to rack up the miles. Plus, whenever I take it out, Ive usually been looking forward to it for a week or so.!
What have you got at the moment???
>> Edited by peterpeter on Wednesday 2nd June 19:52
Steve, I bought my RHD Mk 1 GT3 Clubsport in February this year and I can't ever see myself selling it. It's in Speed Yellow which suits the car perfectly and is fitted with a sports exhaust sounds fantastic and p....s off my neighbour who I'm not on speaking terms with.
The ride as you would expect is on the firm side but less harsh that some of the earlier hardcore 911's such as the 964RS. So far I've only used mine as a fun weekend road car but intend to do some track days in the near future. The clutch is a fair bit heavier than a standard 996's but not IMO excessively so.
The only gripe I have with the car is the low ride height which means that speed humps need to be approached with extreme caution.
The Mk2 GT3 has a bit more straight line speed but interestibgly the motoring press generally prefer the earlier car for it's sharper handling.
Go buy one though get an inspection done first.
Geoff
PS The GT3 Titanic Boys are off to Brands Hatch for a trackday next Monday. Why not come along and grab a ride? Apologies if you live in the north.
The ride as you would expect is on the firm side but less harsh that some of the earlier hardcore 911's such as the 964RS. So far I've only used mine as a fun weekend road car but intend to do some track days in the near future. The clutch is a fair bit heavier than a standard 996's but not IMO excessively so.
The only gripe I have with the car is the low ride height which means that speed humps need to be approached with extreme caution.
The Mk2 GT3 has a bit more straight line speed but interestibgly the motoring press generally prefer the earlier car for it's sharper handling.
Go buy one though get an inspection done first.
Geoff
PS The GT3 Titanic Boys are off to Brands Hatch for a trackday next Monday. Why not come along and grab a ride? Apologies if you live in the north.
Steve, I put my GT3 CS up for sale on Pistonheads last month but it's still available and not been advertised in main newspaper car classifieds yet because I'm not 100% sure I want to sell it at present and hoping to test drive a Gallardo very soon to help make up my mind. It'll need to be bloody special to justify the extra dosh!
Ad:www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=22216&s=79
Drop me a line meantime if my GT3 may be of interest to you.
Alastair
Ad:www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=22216&s=79
Drop me a line meantime if my GT3 may be of interest to you.
Alastair
Guys - thank you for all the replies.
peterpeter - I have to admit that yellow does look very eyecatching and very nice too. Actually you have pinpointed my other concern regarding the amount of attention it will attract whilst being parked (the negative attention). On another point, I do plan to use the car daily hence my questions regarding practicality but with that said, im used to impractical cars as I drove a Lotus Elise for three years! Unfortunately I sold the Elise over a year ago and im currently driving a 'sensible' VW Golf... I would really appreciate it if you could find those issue numbers for me please.
porschegeoff - the Brands Hatch track day sounds like a great idea.. Do you have any idea of the date? (I have registered with Titanic but haven't yet had time to have a good look through)
Alastair - much as it looks like a fantastic car, im afraid that im still a little way off buying. Im getting married March next year and the GT3 is planned for shortly afterwards! Im just getting itchy feet very early on as im keen to understand all the different options / variants / issues etc before I eventually buy.
Thanks again for all the comments - any information appreciated at this stage.
Steve M
peterpeter - I have to admit that yellow does look very eyecatching and very nice too. Actually you have pinpointed my other concern regarding the amount of attention it will attract whilst being parked (the negative attention). On another point, I do plan to use the car daily hence my questions regarding practicality but with that said, im used to impractical cars as I drove a Lotus Elise for three years! Unfortunately I sold the Elise over a year ago and im currently driving a 'sensible' VW Golf... I would really appreciate it if you could find those issue numbers for me please.
porschegeoff - the Brands Hatch track day sounds like a great idea.. Do you have any idea of the date? (I have registered with Titanic but haven't yet had time to have a good look through)
Alastair - much as it looks like a fantastic car, im afraid that im still a little way off buying. Im getting married March next year and the GT3 is planned for shortly afterwards! Im just getting itchy feet very early on as im keen to understand all the different options / variants / issues etc before I eventually buy.
Thanks again for all the comments - any information appreciated at this stage.
Steve M
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