Closest thing to a 911 GT3 for less money

[Onetrackmind]

So, I quite fancy a 911 GT3 (probably 996 or 997), but don’t think I’d be comfortable using a car of that value in its natural habitat - on track.

What else offer a similar experience (dynamic, lots of feedback, track ready-ish) as standard or with a few choice modifications. Something still usable on the road but competent on track. Current thoughts:

E46 M3 (weight removal, brakes and suspension mods)
Type R Integra
Elise/Exige

Thoughts welcomed!

[Turbojuice]

Megane R26.R or Trophy-R

[Xcore]

Stripped out c2 996

[schmalex]

Stripped out 986 Box S?

[ghost83]

Porsche Cayman or lotus Elise/exige

[kambites]

I think a modified Cayman or Exige would be your best bet depending on your priorities with regard to the many talents of the GT3.

[Krikkit]

Anything Lotus, surely?

[Scrump]

Xcore said:

Stripped out c2 996

996 Carrera 2 has to be the closest

To get a C2 996 closer to a GT3 stripping out would help but the C2 is already lighter than a GT3. The time and effort would be better put into the suspension to get a more track focussed version.

[Olivera]

It might not be the closest related, but the sensible option would be a track prepped E46 or E92 M3.

All pre DFI engined 996/997 and Boxster/Cayman are chocolate engined turds when it comes to regular track use.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Turbojuice said:

Megane R26.R or Trophy-R

Or pretty much any Renaultsport apart from the latest gen Clio.

[ZX10R NIN]

Put a track car on the road:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-GT3-CUP-Rac...

Or the M3 as you said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-e46-M3-SMG-Track-Ca...

[MBeadell]

I have a c2 996 as my daily and have upgraded the suspension and added a bolt in cage. Still a million miles cheaper than the gt3 but good fun

[feef]

How 'useable' on the road would you like? Would a Ginetta G40 be completely impractical?

[Pulse00]

Alfa Romeo 4c.

240hp but can be 280hp & 300ft/lb with a map. 950kg. Carbon tub. 0-60 3.9 sec. Rare, Italian and looks great. Good on fuel, small engine and the fact it's no longer produced will help residuals too.

Perfect track toy.

[PeterGadsby]

I second the Alfa Romeo 4c I have one, superb car

[vtecyo]

MR2 turbo and several exceptional holidays.

[AlvinSultana]

I concur with the OP.

Driving a 996/997 GT3 car on an open track day can be tricky.

Lots of much faster stripped out trailed cars that the owners are happy to fling around as if they stole them.

Its one thing to spend the money on purchasing the GT3, it is quite another to drive it in a committed fashion when a big chunk of your man maths is all about the "investment".

[Onetrackmind]

ZX10R NIN said:

Put a track car on the road:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-GT3-CUP-Rac...

Or the M3 as you said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-e46-M3-SMG-Track-Ca...

That M3 looks about right

[MOTK]

I've kind of gt3'd my Z4M coupe, weight loss, half cage, APs, KWs, CSL airbox etc. It's a fun car to drive on track and just about keeps up with the older gt3s, still nicely useable on the road, and makes a great noise. I too agree with your thinking, don't think I would feel so comfortable pushing something 4 times the money so hard on track, much as I would like one.

[russy01]

If you want a car (not a kit car), then there is no alternative to a lotus.
Lotus Exige ideally - it would sit with a 996/997 GT3 on most tracks and it has the benefit of not being an old French hot hatch!