Carrera GT

[sng45]

I'm seriously considering buying a Carrera GT ( had a look at one this weekend) - a car I've hankered after for some time. In order to do this I'd probably need to trade in some of the cars I have ( early 911, 356A and 996 4S cab) - I've had a look back some 20 pages or so on this forum but can't find any details which may have been have posted on them, so a few questions please if anyone is running a CGT at present -

1. It'd certainly be a weekend car , so how "useable" are they ?
2. maintainence / servicing costs ?
3. any regular problems ?
4. worth "chopping in" some of my other cars for one?
5. where do you see values going ?
6. anything else worth mentioning

Thanks

[993rsr]

sng45 said:

I'm seriously considering buying a Carrera GT ( had a look at one this weekend) - a car I've hankered after for some time. In order to do this I'd probably need to trade in some of the cars I have ( early 911, 356A and 996 4S cab) - I've had a look back some 20 pages or so on this forum but can't find any details which may have been have posted on them, so a few questions please if anyone is running a CGT at present -

1. It'd certainly be a weekend car , so how "useable" are they ?
2. maintainence / servicing costs ?
3. any regular problems ?
4. worth "chopping in" some of my other cars for one?
5. where do you see values going ?
6. anything else worth mentioning

Thanks

I've had mine for 5 years now, it's about to turn 30k miles:

1. Left hand drive, poor rear vision, poor forward vision exiting junctions due to door mirror position, awkward to park, limited luggage space, clutch that takes a bit of getting used to. But for a 30 minute 'hit' on my favourite roads, it is epic. I've used mine for everything from going to work, trip to the supermarket, picking up a Sunday paper, plus numerous trips to the 'ring, Spa and a 2500 mile trip to a track day at Imola this year.
2. Over five years excluding some wear and tear items, it's not been cheap, but I suffer from a severe case of OCD when it comes to this car, here's a post I made on another forum:

I took some time to look through the file on my car, originally a USA car number 263 which I bought from the USA in 2006, and detailed the notable expenses along the way. I've not included tyres, pads etc as I've lost count. I should add the car has completed around 40 track days/ DE days and a lot of the high consumable cost - and my obsession with the car being 100% - has attributed to this:

15 November 2006 car purhased @ 7251 miles, fresh service and full Porsche History
13678 miles, 22 November 2007, annual service Porsche Cars Reading - £2176.03
13761 miles, 11 December 2007, colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44
17487 miles, 13 December 2008, annual service/4 year engine out, new front raditators under goodwill, Porsche Cars Reading - £3857.68
18602 miles, 29 June 2009, rectify faulty head gasket, leaking A/C, Porsche AG and GB contrubution left a bill of £3637.86
19479 miles, 30 October 2009, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2778.63 (including front radiator grills)
22401 miles,21 May 2010, replace four shock absorbers as both N/S/F and N/S/R leaking, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
22599 miles, 18 October 2010, replace leaking clutch actuator, power brake pump and OS coolant radiator, Porsche Cars Reading, some goodwill leaving a bill of £3931.81 (original estimate before goodwill £9986.21), clutch checked and measured 29.25mm
23051 miles, 11 November 2010, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2938.21
23182 miles, 10 March 2011, supply and fit standard suspension drop links (to run the car lower as it was fitted with +10mm drop links) - £10084.88
27148 miles, 28 April 2011, oil change, replace lower trailing arm, sundry paintwork to front grills, Porsche Cars Reading - £4087.39
28655 miles, 6 August 2011, replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06
29200 miles, 14 October 2011, annual service, rectify problem with rear exhaust - £2660.00

3. Regular problems, never had any.
4. Without a shadow of a doubt.
5. Have no idea, and don't really care
6. It is without doubt the most amazing, thrilling and engaging car I have ever had the pleasure to own, I will never part with it. There will never be another car so bereft of all the electronic driver aids and trickery that are now commonplace, which for me for represents the ultimate challenge. I know no matter how long I own the car, and how hard I try, I will never master it fully.

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 17:52

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 20:26

[993rsr]

sng45 said:

I'm seriously considering buying a Carrera GT ( had a look at one this weekend) - a car I've hankered after for some time. In order to do this I'd probably need to trade in some of the cars I have ( early 911, 356A and 996 4S cab) - I've had a look back some 20 pages or so on this forum but can't find any details which may have been have posted on them, so a few questions please if anyone is running a CGT at present -

1. It'd certainly be a weekend car , so how "useable" are they ?
2. maintainence / servicing costs ?
3. any regular problems ?
4. worth "chopping in" some of my other cars for one?
5. where do you see values going ?
6. anything else worth mentioning

Thanks

I've had mine for 5 years now, it's about to turn 30k miles:

1. Left hand drive, poor rear vision, poor forward vision exiting junctions due to door mirror position, awkward to park, limited luggage space, clutch that takes a bit of getting used to. But for a 30 minute 'hit' on my favourite roads, it is epic. I've used mine for everything from going to work, trip to the supermarket, picking up a Sunday paper, plus numerous trips to the 'ring, Spa and a 2500 mile trip to a track day at Imola this year.
2. Over five years excluding some wear and tear items, it's not been cheap, but I suffer from a severe case of OCD when it comes to this car, here's a post I made on another forum:

I took some time to look through the file on my car, originally a USA car number 263 which I bought from the USA in 2006, and detailed the notable expenses along the way. I've not included tyres, pads etc as I've lost count. I should add the car has completed around 40 track days/ DE days and a lot of the high consumable cost - and my obsession with the car being 100% - has attributed to this:

15 November 2006 car purhased @ 7251 miles, fresh service and full Porsche History
13678 miles, 22 November 2007, annual service Porsche Cars Reading - £2176.03
13761 miles, 11 December 2007, colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44
17487 miles, 13 December 2008, annual service/4 year engine out, new front raditators under goodwill, Porsche Cars Reading - £3857.68
18602 miles, 29 June 2009, rectify faulty head gasket, leaking A/C, Porsche AG and GB contrubution left a bill of £3637.86
19479 miles, 30 October 2009, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2778.63 (including front radiator grills)
22401 miles,21 May 2010, replace four shock absorbers as both N/S/F and N/S/R leaking, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
22599 miles, 18 October 2010, replace leaking clutch actuator, power brake pump and OS coolant radiator, Porsche Cars Reading, some goodwill leaving a bill of £3931.81 (original estimate before goodwill £9986.21), clutch checked and measured 29.25mm
23051 miles, 11 November 2010, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2938.21
23182 miles, 10 March 2011, supply and fit standard suspension drop links (to run the car lower as it was fitted with +10mm drop links) - £10084.88
27148 miles, 28 April 2011, oil change, replace lower trailing arm, sundry paintwork to front grills, Porsche Cars Reading - £4087.39
28655 miles, 6 August 2011, replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06
29200 miles, 14 October 2011, annual service, rectify problem with rear exhaust - £2660.00

3. Regular problems, never had any.
4. Without a shadow of a doubt.
5. Have no idea, and don't really care
6. It is without doubt the most amazing, thrilling and engaging car I have ever had the pleasure to own, I will never part with it. There will never be another car so bereft of all the electronic driver aids and trickery that are now commonplace, which for me for represents the ultimate challenge. I know no matter how long I own the car, and how hard I try, I will never master it fully.

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 17:52

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 20:27

[sng45]

Thank you very much for your reply, very helpful.

I've read quite a lot regarding "mastering" the clutch - presumably it's something which comes with experience ? did you find it a problem ?

[El Guapo]

One day I will have one.

993rsr said:

colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44

That actually sounds quite reasonable.

993rsr said:

replace four shock absorbers, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
supply and fit standard suspension drop links - £10084.88
replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06

[993rsr]

sng45 said:

Thank you very much for your reply, very helpful.

I've read quite a lot regarding "mastering" the clutch - presumably it's something which comes with experience ? did you find it a problem ?

No problem at all.

The clutch is fine once you get used to it. When the clutch reaches the biting point, the ECU has an 'auto rev' function which lifts the rpm enough for you to move away without any throttle. I've found having your heel on the floor gives a better level of control. My car is still on the original clutch which is now around 30-35% worn, so they are very durable if used correctly.

[keep it lit]

993rsr said:

I've had mine for 5 years now, it's about to turn 30k miles:

1. Left hand drive, poor rear vision, poor forward vision exiting junctions due to door mirror position, awkward to park, limited luggage space, clutch that takes a bit of getting used to. But for a 30 minute 'hit' on my favourite roads, it is epic. I've used mine for everything from going to work, trip to the supermarket, picking up a Sunday paper, plus numerous trips to the 'ring, Spa and a 2500 mile trip to a track day at Imola this year.
2. Over five years excluding some wear and tear items, it's not been cheap, but I suffer from a severe case of OCD when it comes to this car, here's a post I made on another forum:

I took some time to look through the file on my car, originally a USA car number 263 which I bought from the USA in 2006, and detailed the notable expenses along the way. I've not included tyres, pads etc as I've lost count. I should add the car has completed around 40 track days/ DE days and a lot of the high consumable cost - and my obsession with the car being 100% - has attributed to this:

15 November 2006 car purhased @ 7251 miles, fresh service and full Porsche History
13678 miles, 22 November 2007, annual service Porsche Cars Reading - £2176.03
13761 miles, 11 December 2007, colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44
17487 miles, 13 December 2008, annual service/4 year engine out, new front raditators under goodwill, Porsche Cars Reading - £3857.68
18602 miles, 29 June 2009, rectify faulty head gasket, leaking A/C, Porsche AG and GB contrubution left a bill of £3637.86
19479 miles, 30 October 2009, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2778.63 (including front radiator grills)
22401 miles,21 May 2010, replace four shock absorbers as both N/S/F and N/S/R leaking, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
22599 miles, 18 October 2010, replace leaking clutch actuator, power brake pump and OS coolant radiator, Porsche Cars Reading, some goodwill leaving a bill of £3931.81 (original estimate before goodwill £9986.21), clutch checked and measured 29.25mm
23051 miles, 11 November 2010, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2938.21
23182 miles, 10 March 2011, supply and fit standard suspension drop links (to run the car lower as it was fitted with +10mm drop links) - £10084.88
27148 miles, 28 April 2011, oil change, replace lower trailing arm, sundry paintwork to front grills, Porsche Cars Reading - £4087.39
28655 miles, 6 August 2011, replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06
29200 miles, 14 October 2011, annual service, rectify problem with rear exhaust - £2660.00

3. Regular problems, never had any.
4. Without a shadow of a doubt.
5. Have no idea, and don't really care
6. It is without doubt the most amazing, thrilling and engaging car I have ever had the pleasure to own, I will never part with it. There will never be another car so bereft of all the electronic driver aids and trickery that are now commonplace, which we for represents the ultimate challenge. I know no matter how long I own the car, and how hard I try, I will never master it fully.

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 17:52

jezuz!

[993rsr]

El Guapo said:

One day I will have one.

993rsr said:

colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44

That actually sounds quite reasonable.

993rsr said:

replace four shock absorbers, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
supply and fit standard suspension drop links - £10084.88
replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06

The shock absorbers could have been rebuilt given time and inclination outside the dealer network, the drop links were only changed as I couldn't run the ride height as low as I wanted for track use without them,the PCCB's could have been changed to steel all round for around £3.5k. Also if the car had mainly road use, the PCCB's would last much, much longer.

It's my overwhelming desire (read OCD ;-)) to have the car absolutely spot on that drives this maintenance regime.

[993rsr]

keep it lit said:

993rsr said:

I've had mine for 5 years now, it's about to turn 30k miles:

1. Left hand drive, poor rear vision, poor forward vision exiting junctions due to door mirror position, awkward to park, limited luggage space, clutch that takes a bit of getting used to. But for a 30 minute 'hit' on my favourite roads, it is epic. I've used mine for everything from going to work, trip to the supermarket, picking up a Sunday paper, plus numerous trips to the 'ring, Spa and a 2500 mile trip to a track day at Imola this year.
2. Over five years excluding some wear and tear items, it's not been cheap, but I suffer from a severe case of OCD when it comes to this car, here's a post I made on another forum:

I took some time to look through the file on my car, originally a USA car number 263 which I bought from the USA in 2006, and detailed the notable expenses along the way. I've not included tyres, pads etc as I've lost count. I should add the car has completed around 40 track days/ DE days and a lot of the high consumable cost - and my obsession with the car being 100% - has attributed to this:

15 November 2006 car purhased @ 7251 miles, fresh service and full Porsche History
13678 miles, 22 November 2007, annual service Porsche Cars Reading - £2176.03
13761 miles, 11 December 2007, colour change from GT Silver to Basalt Black, Porsche Cars Reading - £9096.44
17487 miles, 13 December 2008, annual service/4 year engine out, new front raditators under goodwill, Porsche Cars Reading - £3857.68
18602 miles, 29 June 2009, rectify faulty head gasket, leaking A/C, Porsche AG and GB contrubution left a bill of £3637.86
19479 miles, 30 October 2009, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2778.63 (including front radiator grills)
22401 miles,21 May 2010, replace four shock absorbers as both N/S/F and N/S/R leaking, Porsche Cars Reading - £7599.98
22599 miles, 18 October 2010, replace leaking clutch actuator, power brake pump and OS coolant radiator, Porsche Cars Reading, some goodwill leaving a bill of £3931.81 (original estimate before goodwill £9986.21), clutch checked and measured 29.25mm
23051 miles, 11 November 2010, annual service, Porsche Cars Reading - £2938.21
23182 miles, 10 March 2011, supply and fit standard suspension drop links (to run the car lower as it was fitted with +10mm drop links) - £10084.88
27148 miles, 28 April 2011, oil change, replace lower trailing arm, sundry paintwork to front grills, Porsche Cars Reading - £4087.39
28655 miles, 6 August 2011, replace front PCCB's due to wear - £8645.06
29200 miles, 14 October 2011, annual service, rectify problem with rear exhaust - £2660.00

3. Regular problems, never had any.
4. Without a shadow of a doubt.
5. Have no idea, and don't really care
6. It is without doubt the most amazing, thrilling and engaging car I have ever had the pleasure to own, I will never part with it. There will never be another car so bereft of all the electronic driver aids and trickery that are now commonplace, which we for represents the ultimate challenge. I know no matter how long I own the car, and how hard I try, I will never master it fully.

Edited by 993rsr on Sunday 6th November 17:52

jezuz!

I know I've spent a lot on it over the years, some of the items (colour change) were personal and not strictly necessary.

But it you factor in zero depreciation, and possibly a bit of value uplift, it's not that bad compared to say a new mass produced £200k car and the depreciation it would suffer over a similar period.

[bergmeister]

Hi Mate,a booster cushion will help the vision;)
Have to say the cgt makes the new gt3rs positively boring

[Phooey]

List in 2004 was approx £330k? Today, some examples are approaching this (£300k+).

Does anyone know how much these were changing hands for at it's lowest? Or how much was the cheapest CGT you have ever seen? And when?

[993rsr]

bergmeister said:

Hi Mate,a booster cushion will help the vision;)
Have to say the cgt makes the new gt3rs positively boring

I know what you mean matey about the GT3RS - and the booster cushion;-)

[993rsr]

Phooey said:

List in 2004 was approx £330k? Today, some examples are approaching this (£300k+).

Does anyone know how much these were changing hands for at it's lowest? Or how much was the cheapest CGT you have ever seen? And when?

I bought an immaculate FPSH 2 year old 2004 car with 7200 miles from the USA in 2006 for $295k USD.

Back in the UK, SVA'd and after transport and VAT it was £190k.

They were a good buy around this time from the USA (Bergmeister and I bought one each at the same time from a New York dealer), with the exchange rate and the fact you could avoid duty as the cars were coming back to the EU within three years of departure thus avoiding this cost.

[993rsr]

Phooey said:

List in 2004 was approx £330k? Today, some examples are approaching this (£300k+).

Does anyone know how much these were changing hands for at it's lowest? Or how much was the cheapest CGT you have ever seen? And when?

I bought an immaculate FPSH 2 year old 2004 car with 7200 miles from the USA in 2006 for $295k USD.

Back in the UK, SVA'd and after transport and VAT it was £190k.

They were a good buy around this time from the USA (Bergmeister and I bought one each at the same time from a New York dealer), with the exchange rate and the fact you could avoid duty as the cars were coming back to the EU within three years of departure thus avoiding this cost.

[Phooey]

993rsr said:

I bought an immaculate FPSH 2 year old 2004 car with 7200 miles from the USA in 2006 for $295k USD.

Back in the UK, SVA'd and after transport and VAT it was £190k.

They were a good buy around this time from the USA (Bergmeister and I bought one each at the same time from a New York dealer), with the exchange rate and the fact you could avoid duty as the cars were coming back to the EU within three years of departure thus avoiding this cost.

That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing that.

[HoHoHo]

Personally I think 993RSR bought a pup, hence the cost.

On the occasions I've been in the car with him on track, it seemed to spend most of its time going sideways.......

I'm not sure I could resist if I were fortunate enough to be able to afford one.

[993rsr]

HoHoHo said:

Personally I think 993RSR bought a pup, hence the cost.

On the occasions I've been in the car with him on track, it seemed to spend most of its time going sideways.......

I'm not sure I could resist if I were fortunate enough to be able to afford one.

That's why it does that, must be a cut and shut!

[HoHoHo]

993rsr said:

That's why it does that, must be a cut and shut!

Probably!

Hope you're well. Not seen you at the Saywell day for a while (been doing my best in my 997 to make up for you in your absence )

Glad to see you're looking after your baby. It's a truly wonderful piece of kit

[graemel]

All in all you grabbed a bargain. Even with the maintenance costs over the years you could still turn a healthy profit. Hope you've been keeping well mate.

[cseven]

10k for drop links!!!

I've never heard anything like it, guess that shows how little I know about hypercar ownership