The 996 GT3 at 911 Virgin
Discussion
11am Saturday morning, we give 911V a call to say we'll be there at around 1/2 o'clock. We've been eyeing up the yellow GT3 they have on their website, and are going to view/test drive it to see if the GT3 is the right car (now my dad finds himself in the position to purchase one). Out comes the jet wash to give our car a quick rinse - it's looking quite dirty after its last run, and we'd like a nice trade-in value if it comes to it! After we've sorted this out we get on our way.
Upon our arrival we pull round into the main forecourt of 911V to find the GT3 already sitting there ready for us to have a look at. First impressions of the car is how low the thing is, and how the front wheels appear to almost bulge out of the arches. Admittedly the car isn't (looks wise) a huge departure from the Carrera, despite having different bumpers front and side, and a huge wing on the back. The big reds look fantastic under the multi-spoke wheels, gleaming with their white PORSCHE logo. Opening the door shows an admittedly bland interior (I guess it always would be against our current one), all of the luxuries gone - the radio and aicon stretching about as far as it goes.
Clambering into the car allows you to notice how low you're seated - much lower than in the C2. I have a quick play with the gearbox, it feels tight and a little more precise, with a shorter throw length. The handbrake and gear lever are looking a little worn, we'll have to have a look at what the replacement cost is. Getting out again proves quite a task compared to in the C2, you have to climb over the monster side bolsters rather than just stepping out from a higher seat.
Time for a test drive. Unfortunately the boot space in the front is smaller than in the C2, so I can't squeeze myself in there for a ride (
). My dad however comes back with a huge smile on his face. His first words are "feels like a proper sports car". How? What's different? Sound, feel, performance; a totally different car he says.
Tom then takes me out in the car. Out onto a dual carriageway, he takes the car all the way to the top end of gear two and a little into gear three - f
k this car sounds glorious! Can't say I was massively impressed with the performance (although there's no denying the car is bloody fast), but then again, the current C2 didn't feel any quicker than the previous C4 on the test drive, but felt immensely fast (much quicker than the C4) when we actually got the car. The GT3 did feel quicker than the C2 on the test drive however. 
C2 or GT3? I love the interior of our current car, the awesome speakers and immense equipment levels. The GT3 is a very focused car. It felt raw, was (relatively) loud, but would be perfect for the weekend blasts we use the car for. Tom didn't push the car on my ride out with him, but it was a joy to be in even at lower speeds, it really does feel like you're in something very special. I guess the answer was always going to be GT3.
So, will we be buying this particular GT3? If the price is right (Tom are you listening
). The C2 is already up for sale, although I won't leave a link as I don't want this thread deleted (I'm sure you won't have trouble finding it though). Not sure what the point of this thread was, I guess I just wanted to put my encounter with the GT3 into words.
Now all we need to do is wait for the '6 GT cars to rocket to over £100k just after we've bought one
Upon our arrival we pull round into the main forecourt of 911V to find the GT3 already sitting there ready for us to have a look at. First impressions of the car is how low the thing is, and how the front wheels appear to almost bulge out of the arches. Admittedly the car isn't (looks wise) a huge departure from the Carrera, despite having different bumpers front and side, and a huge wing on the back. The big reds look fantastic under the multi-spoke wheels, gleaming with their white PORSCHE logo. Opening the door shows an admittedly bland interior (I guess it always would be against our current one), all of the luxuries gone - the radio and aicon stretching about as far as it goes.
Clambering into the car allows you to notice how low you're seated - much lower than in the C2. I have a quick play with the gearbox, it feels tight and a little more precise, with a shorter throw length. The handbrake and gear lever are looking a little worn, we'll have to have a look at what the replacement cost is. Getting out again proves quite a task compared to in the C2, you have to climb over the monster side bolsters rather than just stepping out from a higher seat.
Time for a test drive. Unfortunately the boot space in the front is smaller than in the C2, so I can't squeeze myself in there for a ride (
). My dad however comes back with a huge smile on his face. His first words are "feels like a proper sports car". How? What's different? Sound, feel, performance; a totally different car he says.Tom then takes me out in the car. Out onto a dual carriageway, he takes the car all the way to the top end of gear two and a little into gear three - f
k this car sounds glorious! Can't say I was massively impressed with the performance (although there's no denying the car is bloody fast), but then again, the current C2 didn't feel any quicker than the previous C4 on the test drive, but felt immensely fast (much quicker than the C4) when we actually got the car. The GT3 did feel quicker than the C2 on the test drive however. C2 or GT3? I love the interior of our current car, the awesome speakers and immense equipment levels. The GT3 is a very focused car. It felt raw, was (relatively) loud, but would be perfect for the weekend blasts we use the car for. Tom didn't push the car on my ride out with him, but it was a joy to be in even at lower speeds, it really does feel like you're in something very special. I guess the answer was always going to be GT3.
So, will we be buying this particular GT3? If the price is right (Tom are you listening
). The C2 is already up for sale, although I won't leave a link as I don't want this thread deleted (I'm sure you won't have trouble finding it though). Not sure what the point of this thread was, I guess I just wanted to put my encounter with the GT3 into words.Now all we need to do is wait for the '6 GT cars to rocket to over £100k just after we've bought one
my advice would be trade the C2 with 911v, out of all the dealers i spoke to, 911v gave me by far and above the best price and that was an outright purchase rather than a p/x... if you wait to long for the extra a private sale could yield, like i did! the market will slip even further away from you 
You were not impressed with the cars performance? It will by far out drive and out handle its siblings... The GT3 is a special car and is not appreciated in everyday commute. I should know, I have used mine for the last year and quite a bit was commuting. I really enjoy it when I don't use it for a few weeks.
By the way, Speed yellow is a beautiful colour.
Mike
By the way, Speed yellow is a beautiful colour.
Mike
I still mourn the passing of my 996 GT3 and it's consummate ability to make me giggle in third gear heading to the red line as it screamed towards 122... in THIRD GEAR. Awesome! Just buy it and never let any female ever, ever tell you that it's not 'comfy'.... Pffft!!! GN03ZFR...where are you?!
Edited by Captain James T on Sunday 22 January 17:40
Mike, you must understand I've barely experienced the car properly - perhaps just a five second pull in second gear. My dad took it all the way to the top of third and halfway through fourth and was overwhelmed at how rapid the thing was. I'm just stating my own honest impressions from my passenger ride. We were also held up on a twisty NSL road by a diesel citroen berlingo an which didn't quite help! 
sportsandclassic said:
You were not impressed with the cars performance? It will by far out drive and out handle its siblings... The GT3 is a special car and is not appreciated in everyday commute. I should know, I have used mine for the last year and quite a bit was commuting. I really enjoy it when I don't use it for a few weeks.
By the way, Speed yellow is a beautiful colour.
Mike
Couldn't agree more...By the way, Speed yellow is a beautiful colour.
Mike
but SY & Cobalt are in the slower bracket of colours.
Silvers fastest right
911p. That's great your dad let's you share these things with him. I can remember getting to go with my dad for the drive home in a new car. Fun times.
The gt3s are rapid in terms of actual ground covering but not that powerful so I could see how some flooring it would be less of an event than doing the same in many other cars.
911p. That's great your dad let's you share these things with him. I can remember getting to go with my dad for the drive home in a new car. Fun times.
The gt3s are rapid in terms of actual ground covering but not that powerful so I could see how some flooring it would be less of an event than doing the same in many other cars.
I think one question the OP and his dad have to consider is, is the 996 SY GT3 really worth twice as much as there own 996 SY C2?? Im sure most GT3 owners will say it is but will it really feel like its a twice the price upgrade when it doesn't sound like its in as good condition as their current car?
jimmy p said:
I think one question the OP and his dad have to consider is, is the 996 SY GT3 really worth twice as much as there own 996 SY C2?? Im sure most GT3 owners will say it is but will it really feel like its a twice the price upgrade when it doesn't sound like its in as good condition as their current car?
Spot on.Sure there are a few people who have upgraded to that next must have Porsche only to find it wasn't quite as good as all the hype!
I did 3.2 Carrera to 993 C4.
It way be worth looking at a few other alternatives, circa £38k buys a lot of Pork!
I noticed this car yesterday, have thought about going to see it, but am scared 911v would give me a too tempting trade in on my current c2, and i'd be too tempted, im also up to my eyes in flat renovations to timing is off. Damn the cost new bathrooms and kitchens! I'd so much rather have this!
jimmy p said:
I think one question the OP and his dad have to consider is, is the 996 SY GT3 really worth twice as much as there own 996 SY C2?? Im sure most GT3 owners will say it is but will it really feel like its a twice the price upgrade when it doesn't sound like its in as good condition as their current car?
Ah but its not that simple is it. The purchase price is only one aspect of cost. The GT3 WILL depreciate at a massive rate lower than a 996C2, and could actually prove to be a cheaper ownership proposition over the term of ownership.This cant be guaranteed of course and the GT3 could throw up some big bills but its value at sale will offset this to a degree.
MTR
Will it though? What's the C2 worth now and what's it always going to be worth if looked after?
I p/exd my facelift 996 C4 against the Spyder 20 months ago - C4 has dropped another couple of grand at most, Spyder has dropped 10k.
Still, depreciation only matters when you sell and Spyder's not for sale.
Yours looked good this morning MTR.
I p/exd my facelift 996 C4 against the Spyder 20 months ago - C4 has dropped another couple of grand at most, Spyder has dropped 10k.
Still, depreciation only matters when you sell and Spyder's not for sale.
Yours looked good this morning MTR.
rob.kellock said:
Will it though? What's the C2 worth now and what's it always going to be worth if looked after?
I p/exd my facelift 996 C4 against the Spyder 20 months ago - C4 has dropped another couple of grand at most, Spyder has dropped 10k.
Still, depreciation only matters when you sell and Spyder's not for sale.
Yours looked good this morning MTR.
Your Spyder look fab, they ride at a really nice height dont they and they have a little of an RS about them.I p/exd my facelift 996 C4 against the Spyder 20 months ago - C4 has dropped another couple of grand at most, Spyder has dropped 10k.
Still, depreciation only matters when you sell and Spyder's not for sale.
Yours looked good this morning MTR.
However, I spent most of the morning lusting after that red 997GT2. Oh yes.
MTR
gibbon said:
I noticed this car yesterday, have thought about going to see it, but am scared 911v would give me a too tempting trade in on my current c2, and i'd be too tempted, im also up to my eyes in flat renovations to timing is off. Damn the cost new bathrooms and kitchens! I'd so much rather have this!
Be prepared for a shock on what they offerrob.kellock said:
Cheers matey.
Was imagining taking the Mrs down to the shops in the GT2 with its 5 point harnesses...
MRS - 'Love, why is there scaffolding in the back?'Was imagining taking the Mrs down to the shops in the GT2 with its 5 point harnesses...
ME - 'For gods sake woman, thats a roll cage!'
MRS - 'Whats it for?'
ME - 'It protects us when the car rolls on its roof of course!'
MRS - '
'MTR
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