991.1 GT3 - recent experiences
Discussion
I'm finally going to bite the bullet and sell my 996 Turbo S. I've spent 6 years missing the GT3 experience since I sold my lovely Meteor Grey 997.1, and given that my kids have sat in the back of the 996 precisely once in the past 12 months, I figure I can go back to something selfish with two seats. A visit earlier in the week to the Silverstone PEC has convinced me I need a 991 GT3 in my life.
So, to cut to the chase... Much though I'd like a 991.2, I can't bring myself to spend £150k on one, but £110k on a gen 1 seems much more palatable. However the spectre of engine top-end wear issues nags away at me. I once spent a five figure sum replacing every moving part in a TVR Speed 6 engine due to crappy cam follower materials and dodgy geometry causing premature valve wear, so it wouldn't be my first rodeo, so to speak. The 10 year Porsche engine warranty is reassuring, but I would be interested in real world experiences from 991.1 GT3 owners.
How are you getting on since the original round of engine replacements? And please, I don't want to start another thread about market values and asking prices. Yes, of course I'll buy a 4.0 gen 2 if they plummet into budget over Christmas, but I won't bank on it :-)
Pete
So, to cut to the chase... Much though I'd like a 991.2, I can't bring myself to spend £150k on one, but £110k on a gen 1 seems much more palatable. However the spectre of engine top-end wear issues nags away at me. I once spent a five figure sum replacing every moving part in a TVR Speed 6 engine due to crappy cam follower materials and dodgy geometry causing premature valve wear, so it wouldn't be my first rodeo, so to speak. The 10 year Porsche engine warranty is reassuring, but I would be interested in real world experiences from 991.1 GT3 owners.
How are you getting on since the original round of engine replacements? And please, I don't want to start another thread about market values and asking prices. Yes, of course I'll buy a 4.0 gen 2 if they plummet into budget over Christmas, but I won't bank on it :-)
Pete
What I can say is at the last RS day 2 cars were not looking well in 991.1 form, one had so much smoke out the back it was scary and the other sounded like a ticking time bomb. that's just a fact of one 1 day in time that I noticed ! as I never look at 991.1 cars at track days but both these stood out !
I don't warranty my cars , So even with 10 years engine warranty 6 years could have already gone, if you keep it 2 who's going to buy it knowing the engine warranty runs out and the 991.2 prices are not that much more esp going forward.
PDK cars are only £20k more for the 4.0L as 991.1 prices are oddly firm for some reason for low miles high spec ones , at £95k worth a go for a year but at todays prices , stump up for the new car imo.
I don't like PDK so a no go for me, but even if I did, the engine would nag me to death knowing the newer car is better in that dept.
looking at your past cars do you really want a PDK ? I think that's maybe a bigger question to get over 1st.
always best to look at cost to own also not cost to buy. A manual 991.2 GT3 could well cost you less to own over all !
I don't warranty my cars , So even with 10 years engine warranty 6 years could have already gone, if you keep it 2 who's going to buy it knowing the engine warranty runs out and the 991.2 prices are not that much more esp going forward.
PDK cars are only £20k more for the 4.0L as 991.1 prices are oddly firm for some reason for low miles high spec ones , at £95k worth a go for a year but at todays prices , stump up for the new car imo.
I don't like PDK so a no go for me, but even if I did, the engine would nag me to death knowing the newer car is better in that dept.
looking at your past cars do you really want a PDK ? I think that's maybe a bigger question to get over 1st.
always best to look at cost to own also not cost to buy. A manual 991.2 GT3 could well cost you less to own over all !
Why don’t you try answering the question instead of pumping the manual 991.2 GT3?
OP, I have had 3 991.1 GT3s, the first one was an early car with a dealer changed engine and it never misssed a beat. Second one was brand new to me and, again never misssed a beat in a couple of thousand miles. Sold it and then regretted it. Third one I bought used, 2014 car with an original new engine from the factory. It was a club sport with (gasp!) cast iron brakes and I drove it a lot, including ragging it round Spa quite a bit. It never missed a beat.
If you buy one that’s been properly looked after, you can’t go far wrong and the warranty on the engine is good to have. Epic cars. You’ll love it.
Hope that helps.
OP, I have had 3 991.1 GT3s, the first one was an early car with a dealer changed engine and it never misssed a beat. Second one was brand new to me and, again never misssed a beat in a couple of thousand miles. Sold it and then regretted it. Third one I bought used, 2014 car with an original new engine from the factory. It was a club sport with (gasp!) cast iron brakes and I drove it a lot, including ragging it round Spa quite a bit. It never missed a beat.
If you buy one that’s been properly looked after, you can’t go far wrong and the warranty on the engine is good to have. Epic cars. You’ll love it.
Hope that helps.
DT398 said:
Why don’t you try answering the question instead of pumping the manual 991.2 GT3?
.
quite simply because of his history of cars, to quote 996 Turbo S plus I've spent 6 years missing the GT3 experience since I sold my lovely Meteor Grey 997.1.
and also he stated he would rather a 991.2 car, I put 2 and 2 together that simple.
hence why asked "looking at your past cars do you really want a PDK ? I think that's maybe a bigger question to get over 1st."
I don't see a long term 997 GT3 owner lusting after an Automatic, time will tell I guess when he answers ;-)
Edited by Porsche911R on Friday 16th November 14:35
Thanks DT398. Good to hear encouragement from someone who's put their cars to the intended use without horror stories.
And thanks 911R as well. I get your argument on total cost of ownership of the .2 vs .1, but the amount of cash I'm happy to tie up in a depreciating car has a limit. I also suspect there are probably some .1 bargains to be had, especially some of the cars that have been at OPCs for a good while; I'm certainly not intending to spend £120k on one. I've also decided that now is the time to try two pedals for fun, and the 991 PDK box seems to be one of the best out there. I'll still have ye olde MX5 in the garage for when I want to practice my heel-and-toe technique :-)
And thanks 911R as well. I get your argument on total cost of ownership of the .2 vs .1, but the amount of cash I'm happy to tie up in a depreciating car has a limit. I also suspect there are probably some .1 bargains to be had, especially some of the cars that have been at OPCs for a good while; I'm certainly not intending to spend £120k on one. I've also decided that now is the time to try two pedals for fun, and the 991 PDK box seems to be one of the best out there. I'll still have ye olde MX5 in the garage for when I want to practice my heel-and-toe technique :-)
Buy a GT4 and save yourself over £30K and have no worries about what the engine might do. 
I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
boxsey said:
Buy a GT4 and save yourself over £30K and have no worries about what the engine might do.
I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
Hi boxsey, I know a friend has gone from a GT4 to a 991.1 GT3 and is absolutely delighted with it. He noticed a very large uplift in performance along with traction and vehicle dynamics. Let's just say he is not shy of using either on track. He was at Oulton recently and was peddling around pretty quickly indeed, finding the GT3 more to his liking than his previous '4, but I do get that the choice is very personal. One man's meat is another's poison and all that....I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
mikep240 said:
Hi boxsey, I know a friend has gone from a GT4 to a 991.1 GT3 and is absolutely delighted with it. He noticed a very large uplift in performance along with traction and vehicle dynamics. Let's just say he is not shy of using either on track. He was at Oulton recently and was peddling around pretty quickly indeed, finding the GT3 more to his liking than his previous '4, but I do get that the choice is very personal. One man's meat is another's poison and all that....
Hi Mike, I met him at Oulton (he was in the garage next to me). We were out on track at the same time a few times and had a good chat about the differences as we were packing up to go home. Was fun comparing notes.I have a 991.1 which had the engine change at the dealer to an E1 engine. Its still going strong after 11000 miles. No engine issues at all.
Great cars, do miss my 996 GT3 but overall like the 991 better.
One good tip, get the TPC racing DSC replacement PASM module, you can actually use sport suspension on normal roads.
Regards
Fred
Great cars, do miss my 996 GT3 but overall like the 991 better.
One good tip, get the TPC racing DSC replacement PASM module, you can actually use sport suspension on normal roads.
Regards
Fred
No issues with mine (991.1 GT3 Clubsport), have had it for two years and have done many trackdays. It has never missed a beat, still on the original E1 engine from the factory, it doesn't smoke or use oil - it really isn't something I worry about, I have also owned a TVR Sagaris so am familiar with the Speed Six engine although I never had any issues with that either.
There is a lot of drivel written on these forums bashing the 1.GT3 engine always from people whom don't or haven't owned one, - if you look you look on Rennlist where there are a lot more owners you will get a more informed and positive view.
There is a lot of drivel written on these forums bashing the 1.GT3 engine always from people whom don't or haven't owned one, - if you look you look on Rennlist where there are a lot more owners you will get a more informed and positive view.
Edited by Flat0ut on Saturday 17th November 09:59
boxsey said:
Buy a GT4 and save yourself over £30K and have no worries about what the engine might do.
I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
I drove gt3.1 when I had my gt4 and there is a big difference in performance .I'm sure this suggestion will be greeted with 'but it ain't a GT3'....yet in the real world there's not much difference in performance between the two. I'm sure that's why Porsche ensured they increased the performance gap for the .2 GT3 because the gap between the .1 GT3 and GT4 was too close for comfort.
Flat0ut said:
There is a lot of drivel written on these forums bashing the 1.GT3 engine always from people whom don't or haven't owned one, - if you look you look on Rennlist where there are a lot more owners you will get a more informed and positive view.
Isn't that the truth, well said Flat0utIf you can get a later 15 plate onwards 991.1 GT3 with a 15F or 16G engine that would be beneficial. (See chart below)
Bear in mind the early initial cars from September 2013 to May 2014 (16E engine) had OPC dealer swop engines but most post May 14 cars came with newer upgrade factory fit engines some of which should have the valuable certificate with the cars documents confirming this.
Great car and great package mostly maligned by 'armchair forum experts' who have never driven the car and have no experience of the cars strengths.
Fairly spec mileage and colour sensitive as are most Porsche GTs.
Whilst the GT4 is a good road car at the price, it is neither as rapid or essentially as involving as the GT3 although the 'manuel' gearbox to degree makes up for the deficiencies of its basic and detuned C2S non GT engine.
Bear in mind the early initial cars from September 2013 to May 2014 (16E engine) had OPC dealer swop engines but most post May 14 cars came with newer upgrade factory fit engines some of which should have the valuable certificate with the cars documents confirming this.
Great car and great package mostly maligned by 'armchair forum experts' who have never driven the car and have no experience of the cars strengths.
Fairly spec mileage and colour sensitive as are most Porsche GTs.
Whilst the GT4 is a good road car at the price, it is neither as rapid or essentially as involving as the GT3 although the 'manuel' gearbox to degree makes up for the deficiencies of its basic and detuned C2S non GT engine.
Edited by av185 on Saturday 17th November 22:02
Suppose I should chuck my 2p in here
I’ve had my .1 over 3 years
38k on the clock
Done a fair few track days, but it’s certainly been no track slag
I’ve had two replacement engines ( under warranty)
(Mine was probably the ticking bomb at the RS day earlier this year )
Both engines that were swapped were G series
It’s not just the series you need to look out for, but the actual engine number. From memory the good’ starting’ G series serial numbers are listed on rennlist
OPC (Cambs) was great re engine swaps.
Would I swap it ?
Nope
In fact, it’s the only Porsche I’ve ever owned for this length of time (it’s my 12th Porsche...)
The 10 year warranty helps with peace of mind.
In your shoes, I’d jump at it.
I’ve had my .1 over 3 years
38k on the clock
Done a fair few track days, but it’s certainly been no track slag
I’ve had two replacement engines ( under warranty)
(Mine was probably the ticking bomb at the RS day earlier this year )
Both engines that were swapped were G series
It’s not just the series you need to look out for, but the actual engine number. From memory the good’ starting’ G series serial numbers are listed on rennlist
OPC (Cambs) was great re engine swaps.
Would I swap it ?
Nope
In fact, it’s the only Porsche I’ve ever owned for this length of time (it’s my 12th Porsche...)
The 10 year warranty helps with peace of mind.
In your shoes, I’d jump at it.
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