997.1 GT3

[jamesc12]

Hi all,

I have been hankering over one of these for a while now. I have done a fair amount of research into them but struggling to find a car to test drive so I'm being patient. I think I would like a 'comfort' spec one which would suit my usage - weekend euro/UK touring and B-road blasts. Based in London so I spoke to Paragon this morning and soon to phone JMZ (both of whom seem to have a good reputation?). I'm coming from a DB9 Manual so will hopefully find these cars a bit more racey (which is what I'm after - only young once etc etc!)...

Is there anything I should look out for in particular? Is there any particular differences between 2006 and 2007 cars?

Cheers,

James

[Koln-RS]

I think they are all '2007' cars, although the first batch may have been registered in late 2006.

[AdvocatusD]

If you're in London, I'd be happy to show you around my 997.1 GT3 and take you for a drive. Someone did this for me when I was looking, and I thought to return the karmic favour.

My advice to you would to not be fixated on the seats, but on the best car for your budget. The clubsport seats are extremely comfortable and I have done many long journeys without a second thought. I also think that they are a "better" car for them, certainly when you are pressing on. The only reason to take a "comfort" spec car IMO, is if the space in the back (where the seats would be) is really important to you. That being said, you can tour quite easily even if you have a roll cage. You use squishy bags.

[Slickhillsy]

Yellow seat belts! To match your Cermic brakes and yellow calipers lol...
Have them on mine and they are amazing + no dust so she looks chipper all the time!

Great car, got mine in feb and cant stop smiling!

[Roadrunner996]

Hi James,

I bought my 997.1 GT3 CS from JZM last August. It was first registered in October 2007, so MY2008. No regrets so far
I went for a CS as my intended use was (and still is) for dry weekends only and felt that buckets and a half cage would make the experience a bit more 'special' . Before finding mine I did peer through the window of a comfort spec at Paragon and it did look good with sports seats (and no cage) so you won't be disappointed either way.
Last year there seemed to be a fair few for sale but this year supply appears to have dried up.

Happy hunting

Edited by Roadrunner996 on Tuesday 9th July 15:57

[Slippydiff]

AdvocatusD said:

I find the clubsport seats extremely comfortable and I have done many long journeys without a second thought

EFA

I'm glad someone does. The most horrific instruments of torture ever conceived by Porsche in my opinion. Hateful things (5ft11" 13 stone, short legged and average height torso) My stumpy legs may have been the issue

So to summarise OP, do get fixated on the seats, and ensure you're suited to them before committing to a car.
P.S I swapped my carbon backed clubsport seats for a pair of the carbon fibre backed folding buckets, more practical and a lot more comfortable.

[AdvocatusD]

Slippydiff said:

EFA

I'm glad someone does. The most horrific instruments of torture ever conceived by Porsche in my opinion. Hateful things (5ft11" 13 stone, short legged and average height torso) My stumpy legs may have been the issue

So to summarise OP, do get fixated on the seats, and ensure you're suited to them before committing to a car.
P.S I swapped my carbon backed clubsport seats for a pair of the carbon fibre backed folding buckets, more practical and a lot more comfortable.

Fair does, if it helps I'm not quite 5ft11", about 5ft10". Push your rear as far back into the seat as it will go and it's bloody brilliant! I must confess to no complaints from passengers either, but I don't think they were 6ft plus. That being said, I'm off to France on Thursday with a 6ft... will report back!

[exigepete]

Great cars recently bought a 997.1 Comfort Spec. Watch out for track damage, get it up on ramps and have a look underneath, lots have had front end resprays as they pick up stone chips easily, front spoiler always scuffed as so low and no OEM front lift option like on the 997.2 cars. Mine has the adaptive sports seats and I love them. Check brakes discs as these are not cheap and check the inside of the rear tires as these have a habit of wearing quickly due to the suspension setup, more so if it has a track orientated geo set up.

I previously had a 997.2 GT3RS and the 997.1 is 95% as good 95% of the time for me as its a road car and I do not class myself to be as good a driver as Walter Rohl. So cannot notice the difference of not having a lightweight titanium exhaust on the 997.1 compared to my 997.2 RS when driving along a B-road!

[MadMark981]

The rules of thumbs are:

1. Work out which seats best fit you (and carbon backed are not always the best option).
2. Buy the best you can afford and don't expect any bargains - they'll be cheap for a reason.
3. Make sure you have a good test drive! The clutch is heavy, the gearshift requires precision (and some heft when cold), the suspension is very taught, plus the car is noisy (read "lovely" with the exhaust valves open).... It's almost the polar opposite of your current vehicle.
4. Get a warranty - ideally Porsche - the major bits are expensive if they let go.
5. Use it - I was too precious over mine.
6. Budget for wear and tear items like suspension bushes, top mounts, tyres, brakes etc as all of the components get a hard life in a GT3 and they're seriously engineered components, some of which are unique to the GT3.

Happy hunting!

[jms1]

Interesting opinions on the seats. I'm approx 6' (85kg) and my mate is approx 5'9". We both covered hundreds of miles on a European tour and both found the lightweight bucket seats to be the most comfortable and supportive chairs ever.

We're all different I suppose. Certainly make the car feel more of an event for me and you sit lower in the car.

Take your time to find a good one regardless.

[ps01]

Just bought a white 07 comfort spec from jzm last month. Fantastic car and very happy with jzm. They see a lot of gt3's so they know what they are looking for. I spent months waiting for the right car but was ready to move quickly when it did come in as the good ones don't hang around long (if fairly priced).

I went for comfort spec as mine is for road use including driving to work/clients so didn't want buckets/cage etc.

Good luck

Paul.

Ps no affiliation to jzm. First car I have bought from them.

[Inverted]

I suppose we are all built differently however I find the clubsport buckets one of the most comfortable seats ive sat in. Just returned from a 2600 mile euro trip without a problem. Sat in a friends Scud and Superleggera and couldnt believe how rock hard they were compared to mine.

[V8KSN]

jamesc12 said:

Hi all,

I have been hankering over one of these for a while now. I have done a fair amount of research into them but struggling to find a car to test drive so I'm being patient. I think I would like a 'comfort' spec one which would suit my usage - weekend euro/UK touring and B-road blasts. Based in London so I spoke to Paragon this morning and soon to phone JMZ (both of whom seem to have a good reputation?). I'm coming from a DB9 Manual so will hopefully find these cars a bit more racey (which is what I'm after - only young once etc etc!)...

Is there anything I should look out for in particular? Is there any particular differences between 2006 and 2007 cars?

Cheers,

James

Morning James

I was in a similar position to you earlier this year, I just could not find a car that I wanted to buy so I posted a wanted advert on here and several people contacted me as they were thinking of selling but had not advertised their cars yet. I found this to be the best approach as when good cars come up for sale they are picked up very quickly.

The spec I wanted was limited really to a comfort spec as I cant get on with the bucket seats at all (due to my back problems) and luckily I was contacted by a seller with the exact spec I was looking for with an OPC Warranty till Feb 2015 (this is a massive bonus)

Here is a thread on 997.1 GT3 I found - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...

As far as test drives go, get yourself to an OPC and get a drive booked, this will help you decide if you can actually get on with it. They are not for everyone and the ride will probably be a world away from a DB9.

[Geneve]

I ran a 997.1 GT3 in 'comfort' spec for three years. No real issues. Tyre choice is important and the front lip spoiler will get scuffed on the underside, but it tends to ride over obstacles. Seats personal preference.

[AD64]

Had mine approx 2 years now and its a keeper - I bought it privately and even though it had recent major OPC service/111 check/extended Porsche warranty, I had an independent check done by Peter Morgan - well worth it if you don't know what your looking for.

Just extended the warranty for 2 years to July 2015, had minor service and 4 x PS2s fitted at Porsche Hatfield so hopefully not too much to spend for 2 years.

similar to other owners, quite happy to meet at OPC Hatfield if convenient for you - and take you for a drive and try to be as helpful as poss -

Good luck and enjoy the noise....

AD

[jamesc12]

Hi all - Many thanks for all the help, very nice indeed and the advice will be noted.

Good news is that I am seeing a couple of cars this Saturday (one at JMZ and one in Southampton - on the way to see my sister before FoS on Sunday).
They seem pretty far apart in terms of spec: The JMZ one being 'comfort' (with a couple of mods [exhaust, Alcon front discs, RSS front suspension bushes], it has been tracked a little and had front end repainted recently but all original panels). The other being a Clubsport with cage/bucket seats (but with some 'comfort' options). Looking forward to seeing how it goes and comparing the two.
Bad news is my DB9 Manual looks like it might need a new clutch which is £££... Awaiting further info.

Special thanks to those who have offered to help me out and take me for a drive and show me their cars - I'll see how the test drives go this Saturday and maybe in touch.

[twonames]

slow reply but a few points in no particular order

- they are excellent cars (have had one for 2.5yrs now and loved every minute) and imho look better than 7.2GT3 in same way 6.1GT3 looks better than 6.2
- no difference between 06 and 07 registered cars that i am aware of
- JZM great to deal with (bought mine from there and gets serviced there too)
- think patience is key - are quite a lot out there, so if you don't see exactly what you want, worth holding on
- good you are getting to test one with a europipe. Have one on mine and it takes the sound to a whole new level
- highly recommend venture shield to protect paint
- good luck!