Friday 14th June 2013

997 GT3 (first-gen): Market Watch

More tech, more power and more usability - the GT3 for grown-ups

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The notes from a chat with a Mark at Specialist Cars summarise the appeal of a 997 GT3 very succinctly: bit easier day to day. Everyday proposition. Less uncompromising.

Adjustable dampers help broaden GT3's appeal

In nine words, that's what makes the 2006-2008 GT3 so desirable. The Mezger flat-six remains, some old 911 styling cues are back, the weight is still under 1,400kg and yet it's been refined enough to become more usable. A large part of this refining process was achieved through the introduction of PASM, allowing the dampers to be dialled back when not at maximum attack.

However, the less frenzied approach of the 997 means the market doesn't hold it in quite as high regard as the 996s or later RS models. For proof of this, a late 996 GT3 is currently for sale at £49,500, whilst a 2007 GT3 with ceramic brakes, albeit with some more miles, is just £3,000 more.

With even the oldest 997s still only being seven years old, they still have some value to lose. However, most expect them to settle above 996s in the long term. A 997 won't appreciate any time soon, but it's still a hugely desirable GT3.

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Buy if: Driving thrills have to be delivered in January and June.
Don't buy if: You're looking for investment potential or a 911 with dramatic looks.
We found: 2007 Porsche 997 GT3 first-gen, 33,000 miles, warranty until October 2015, sat-nav - £53,990

Price Guide -
Poor: < £50,000
Good: £55,000
A1: £60,000+

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Introduction
996 GT3 (1999-2000)
996 GT3 (2003-2005)
996 GT3 RS (2003-2005)
997 GT3 (2006-2008)
997 GT3 RS (2006-2008)
997 GT3 (2009-2012)
997 GT3 RS (2009-2011)
997 GT3 RS 4.0 (2011)

 

[GentlePersuasion]

Not entirely fair to use a mint, late 996 GT3 and an early, baggy 997 GT3 as a yardstick for market dynamics. That's just sloppy research.

The same outcome can be applied to most cars where there is a 'lineage' to chose from.

[mrdemon]

£49,500 lol for a 996 GT3

every one laughed at me wanting £40k for my low miles minter with new every thing.

£50k is a joke to quote that price.

[Mutt]

mrdemon said:

£49,500 lol for a 996 GT3

every one laughed at me wanting £40k for my low miles minter with new every thing.

£50k is a joke to quote that price.

I think people laugh at you generally

[mrdemon]

maybe :-)

[Rrroro]

"Don't buy if: You're looking for investment potential or a 911 with dramatic looks."

What an odd statement. All GT3's have investment potential to different degrees due to their relative rarity and desireability. As for dramatic looks, it has a great big fking wing on the back and the front splitter is so low it scrapes most things, most days. Sounds like a case of familiarity breeding contempt rather than any in-depth analysis of investment potential, "market watch", my arse.

[GentlePersuasion]

Rrroro said:

"Don't buy if: You're looking for investment potential or a 911 with dramatic looks."

What an odd statement. All GT3's have investment potential to different degrees due to their relative rarity and desireability. As for dramatic looks, it has a great big fking wing on the back and the front splitter is so low it scrapes most things, most days. Sounds like a case of familiarity breeding contempt rather than any in-depth analysis of investment potential, "market watch", my arse.

Agreed. Like I said above: it's sloppy. Rather perversely, part of the appeal of the 996 GT3 for me, is it's relative similarity to the cooking 911. If anything the 997 threw that philosophy in the bin, such is its dramatic body addenda.

[sidsideways]

For F... sake get your 6s and 7s sorted!!!!

[pete a]

Looks like they did have investment potential after all.

Really good ones now £75-80k

[Scooty100]

pete a said:

Looks like they did have investment potential after all.

Really good ones now £75-80k

80k? really?

[mollytherocker]

Scooty100 said:

80k? really?

Yep.

[nsm3]

I spotted a 2007 CS with under 10k miles at £84,995 the other day on PH's!!!!!!!!

I know mine was a comfort with a sunroof and 13k on, but I deffo shouldn't have let it go at £52k

[Scooty100]

All this chat suit me but I doubt id get 80k for my 2007 CS with 18k miles

[V8KSN]

I'm lucky enough to own a 997.1 GT3 with 18-way sports seats and no roll cage. Bought it for £54k and it's now worth what? About £75k?

The thing is, I cant sell it because there is nothing out there that appeals to me.

Ferrari is too 'peacock'
Lamborghini is too 'hairy chest'
BMW is too isolating
Mercedes is meh!

Porsche is..... the problem! There is no other 911 out there within the price range that appeals.

Logical next step from my car would be a 997.2 RS but they are FAR too much money.....so i'll stick with what I have and watch the prices go up and down till a manufacturer makes something 'better'

[Richie200]

V8KSN said:

I'm lucky enough to own a 997.1 GT3 with 18-way sports seats and no roll cage. Bought it for £54k and it's now worth what? About £75k?

The thing is, I cant sell it because there is nothing out there that appeals to me.

Ferrari is too 'peacock'
Lamborghini is too 'hairy chest'
BMW is too isolating
Mercedes is meh!

Porsche is..... the problem! There is no other 911 out there within the price range that appeals.

Logical next step from my car would be a 997.2 RS but they are FAR too much money.....so i'll stick with what I have and watch the prices go up and down till a manufacturer makes something 'better'

Better... you might struggle; different, fair enough Highly unlikely you'll ever see the likes of the Mezger engine ever produced again in a car of this price bracket.

[g7jhp]

V8KSN said:

I'm lucky enough to own a 997.1 GT3 with 18-way sports seats and no roll cage. Bought it for £54k and it's now worth what? About £75k?

The thing is, I cant sell it because there is nothing out there that appeals to me.

Ferrari is too 'peacock'
Lamborghini is too 'hairy chest'
BMW is too isolating
Mercedes is meh!

Porsche is..... the problem! There is no other 911 out there within the price range that appeals.

Logical next step from my car would be a 997.2 RS but they are FAR too much money.....so i'll stick with what I have and watch the prices go up and down till a manufacturer makes something 'better'

Like houses, everyone loves house price rises but you've got to live somewhere so no real benefit unless you're trading down and releasing capital.

Once you sell the GT3 you may not be able to obtain one again unless the market drops or you invest in something which appreciates quicker!

Relatively it would be better if they were all cheaper and we could move around models for less outlay.

[kas750]

Scooty100 said:

All this chat suit me but I doubt id get 80k for my 2007 CS with 18k miles

I do!!...In fact I know someone that is looking for a CS right now with that budget.
CS models seem to be in very short supply at the moment.

Edited by kas750 on Wednesday 18th February 13:54

[Scooty100]

kas750 said:

I do!!...In fact I know someone that is looking for a CS right now with that budget.
CS models seem to be in very short supply at the moment.

Edited by kas750 on Wednesday 18th February 13:54

Hmmm interesting mine is FULL CS with PCCB too mint

[kas750]

Its not for me I have a CS,its for my brother. let me know if you want to sell and I will put you in touch.

[Scooty100]

kas750 said:

Its not for me I have a CS,its for my brother. let me know if you want to sell and I will put you in touch.

Very kind

[Steve Rance]

I looked for quite a while before I found a good Clubsport. Although there always quite a few 997GT3's for sale at any one time, very few ever seem to be vanilla 997 Gen 1 cars