Fancy a change 997.1 GT3 to air cooled
Discussion
I have had my 997.1GT3 for nearly 8 years now. It doesn't get the use it should do at the moment. A few of my friends have various aircooled 911,s and after driving a few a have got a bit of a bug to change.
Just wonder if many people have gone back to the old 911,s and what there thoughts are.
thank you
Just wonder if many people have gone back to the old 911,s and what there thoughts are.
thank you
Edited by evodarren on Thursday 13th February 07:23
If you’d never scratched the GT3 itch I’d say GT3 but you have so The answer is yes - aircooled.
They are very very very different machines in every level.
Yes they don’t have GT3 performance but real world driving? You’ll still be quick enough .
Just be sure because things like ergonomics play a big part in an old car, everything is on the wonk.
Try one properly before you change
They are very very very different machines in every level.
Yes they don’t have GT3 performance but real world driving? You’ll still be quick enough .
Just be sure because things like ergonomics play a big part in an old car, everything is on the wonk.
Try one properly before you change
i've had more than a few GT3's and early 911's over the last 15 odd years and i always find myself missing the air-cooled cars i have let go, but having said that i've always had a GT3 in the stable (since 2007). i think it depends on how you use the car. you can't beat a GT3 for track use for instance, the air-cooled cars are either too old, too slow or too valuable (unless you build a bitza specifically for this purpose). you'd have to be a little eccentric to use an air-cooled car as a daily also, less so a recent GT3. but for high days and holiday use, the odd road trip etc, you'll probably get most enjoyment from an early/air-cooled car. i think the last 911 i'll ever own will be air-cooled.
Very different types of car, even though they both wear the '911' badge and there is some shared DNA.
As much depends on what the owner wants and expects, and the intended usage.
I've had aircooled 911s since the '80s (bought new and used) alongside contemporary 911s inc three generations of GT3s.
Personally, if forced to make a choice, and for recreational use, I would rather have a really good, well sorted 'aircooled' in my garage than a GT.
The best examples are still the 'real' 911s and, in many ways, more rewarding on UK roads than the performance GT cars.
As much depends on what the owner wants and expects, and the intended usage.
I've had aircooled 911s since the '80s (bought new and used) alongside contemporary 911s inc three generations of GT3s.
Personally, if forced to make a choice, and for recreational use, I would rather have a really good, well sorted 'aircooled' in my garage than a GT.
The best examples are still the 'real' 911s and, in many ways, more rewarding on UK roads than the performance GT cars.
Geneve said:
Very different types of car, even though they both wear the '911' badge and there is some shared DNA.
As much depends on what the owner wants and expects, and the intended usage.
I've had aircooled 911s since the '80s (bought new and used) alongside contemporary 911s inc three generations of GT3s.
Personally, if forced to make a choice, and for recreational use, I would rather have a really good, well sorted 'aircooled' in my garage than a GT.
The best examples are still the 'real' 911s and, in many ways, more rewarding on UK roads than the performance GT cars.
When you say “we’ll sorted “ do you mean as in good all round original condition or that they have had upgrades to make them a little more modern day performance wise ?As much depends on what the owner wants and expects, and the intended usage.
I've had aircooled 911s since the '80s (bought new and used) alongside contemporary 911s inc three generations of GT3s.
Personally, if forced to make a choice, and for recreational use, I would rather have a really good, well sorted 'aircooled' in my garage than a GT.
The best examples are still the 'real' 911s and, in many ways, more rewarding on UK roads than the performance GT cars.
Fanboy911 said:
When you say “we’ll sorted “ do you mean as in good all round original condition or that they have had upgrades to make them a little more modern day performance wise ?
That's personal choice - I prefer originality with a few discreet tweaks and subtle improvements. I expect an aircooled to be as good or better than it was when new. The 3.2 G50s, 964s and 993s offer the best bridge between classic and contemporary.Granted, there are aircooleds that may look pretty, but are tired, old, slow, frustrating, deteriorating, money pits - no fun, so steer clear.
Geneve said:
That's personal choice - I prefer originality with a few discreet tweaks and subtle improvements. I expect an aircooled to be as good or better than it was when new. The 3.2 G50s, 964s and 993s offer the best bridge between classic and contemporary.
Granted, there are aircooleds that may look pretty, but are tired, old, slow, frustrating, deteriorating, money pits - no fun, so steer clear.
Yes i have been down the money pit route myself...no fun ! Granted, there are aircooleds that may look pretty, but are tired, old, slow, frustrating, deteriorating, money pits - no fun, so steer clear.
I think this is where Singer excel as they pretty much build you an Aircooled GT3....
There's a theme developing here, people prefer the air-cooled!
I run 2 air-cooled alongside my 991.2 GT3 (replacing 996GT3). The air-cooled don't give the adrenaline hit of the GT cars but then you're doing very big speeds in the GT3. So for the road at least the old cars are much more rewarding at more sane speeds.
I also like to continuously improve them which adds another layer of interest. For me that's bringing it as near as possible to factory original condition. Others may prefer after market mods.
It also helps with a few small things like a greater respect and interest from the public at large and not being challenged by every would-be boy racer in existence!
Like the other poster said, an air-cooled 911will likely be the last 911 in my garage. Maybe even the last car in my garage. However, there's a Ferrari 308 QV coming soon so maybe I'll change mind
I run 2 air-cooled alongside my 991.2 GT3 (replacing 996GT3). The air-cooled don't give the adrenaline hit of the GT cars but then you're doing very big speeds in the GT3. So for the road at least the old cars are much more rewarding at more sane speeds.
I also like to continuously improve them which adds another layer of interest. For me that's bringing it as near as possible to factory original condition. Others may prefer after market mods.
It also helps with a few small things like a greater respect and interest from the public at large and not being challenged by every would-be boy racer in existence!
Like the other poster said, an air-cooled 911will likely be the last 911 in my garage. Maybe even the last car in my garage. However, there's a Ferrari 308 QV coming soon so maybe I'll change mind
The air-cooled 911s always give me a nice warm 
feeling - the lovely roofline, front wings and headlight lenses, fuchs wheels, unique engine note, especially under acceleration, the 'eyelid' instrument panel with central tacho and scattered switchgear, direct steering, throttle balance, physical braking, manual gearbox, perfect dimensions for our narrow roads - they even smell lovely.
Yes, Singers are stunning, but a customised indulgence at an eyewatering price, not a factory Porsche.
feeling - the lovely roofline, front wings and headlight lenses, fuchs wheels, unique engine note, especially under acceleration, the 'eyelid' instrument panel with central tacho and scattered switchgear, direct steering, throttle balance, physical braking, manual gearbox, perfect dimensions for our narrow roads - they even smell lovely. Yes, Singers are stunning, but a customised indulgence at an eyewatering price, not a factory Porsche.
I bought an Aircooled a few years ago as a daily hooner to run alongside my 997.1GT3 Clubsport. Since then, I found that I always grabbed the keys to the aircooled when I had the chance. A few years on, I found myself selling my GT3 as I hardly ever drove it. I never thought that this would happen. The GT3 is one of my favourite cars of all time and on the track (in my opinion) fun and reward they offer can't be bettered at the price point. But for the slower speeds of the road, it's the aircooled that wins for me by a fair margin. They are hugely characterful and a very rewarding drive at all speeds whereas the GT3 - to a large extent - needs to let off the leash before its fun time. The Caveat is that I found my 964 awful in standard trim. The good news is that there are a huge number of fantastic bolt on tuning upgrades that will enable you to easily engineer whatever character you wish from your aircooled car. When you look at the cost of a good air cooled car and add the cost of upgrades, it's a lumpy outlay but they have a character that cant be matched by any modern car and when modified well they drive even better than they look.
Ideally both would have a place in my garage. If I had to have one car fits all, it would be a GT3 for its track ability but if im honest that would probably be a mistake because I spend a lot more time driving on the road than the track
Ideally both would have a place in my garage. If I had to have one car fits all, it would be a GT3 for its track ability but if im honest that would probably be a mistake because I spend a lot more time driving on the road than the track
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I have wonderful memories of my 993 C4S and often think about going back into something similar. This one's got my attention, but not in a position to have two cars at the moment, due to practical (boring) reasons....
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Shame, because I think this is a real beauty. Seems a fair price, too?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Shame, because I think this is a real beauty. Seems a fair price, too?
I have moved in the opposite direction to the OP...kind of.
Couple of months ago I moved from my 993 C4S that I had owned for over 10years and travelled over 100k in. It was my forever 911, coveted since they came out and I would refer to it as my comfortable shoes. Spent lot's on it to get it sorted, bodywork, interior, chassis etc. Not because it was a crap car to start with but to keep it in good condition. And these older cars will need regular amounts of cash spent to keep them in good order.
Thing is I coveted the GT3 ever since trying one when I had a 996. It was a 996.2 GT3 I tried but at the time couldn't justify the £50k cost so bought my 1st 993. The GT3 itch never went away and I started wanting something more modern so started looking at 997 GT3's. I found my 997 and fell in love on the 1st test drive. It ticked all the boxes and is a CS which is the only car in the house and the daily driver....So if you have an itch scratch it.
I still have a foot in both camps due to the other CS. Don't miss the 993 at all, but I am glad I had the C4S and glad I travelled 100k in it. I've driven the 3.2 since and it feels utterly gutless, something it never felt when jumping from the 993. I am going away in Easter with the 3.2 and I am sure I'll enjoy it on our roads as in the blink of an eye the GT3 is in licence loosing territory.
Good luck and I would say go and try the different air-cooled cars out there. It's your itch, your money and you've had a GT3 for a long time...you might just have a 1st drive in an air-called car and instantly fall for it!
Couple of months ago I moved from my 993 C4S that I had owned for over 10years and travelled over 100k in. It was my forever 911, coveted since they came out and I would refer to it as my comfortable shoes. Spent lot's on it to get it sorted, bodywork, interior, chassis etc. Not because it was a crap car to start with but to keep it in good condition. And these older cars will need regular amounts of cash spent to keep them in good order.
Thing is I coveted the GT3 ever since trying one when I had a 996. It was a 996.2 GT3 I tried but at the time couldn't justify the £50k cost so bought my 1st 993. The GT3 itch never went away and I started wanting something more modern so started looking at 997 GT3's. I found my 997 and fell in love on the 1st test drive. It ticked all the boxes and is a CS which is the only car in the house and the daily driver....So if you have an itch scratch it.
I still have a foot in both camps due to the other CS. Don't miss the 993 at all, but I am glad I had the C4S and glad I travelled 100k in it. I've driven the 3.2 since and it feels utterly gutless, something it never felt when jumping from the 993. I am going away in Easter with the 3.2 and I am sure I'll enjoy it on our roads as in the blink of an eye the GT3 is in licence loosing territory.
Good luck and I would say go and try the different air-cooled cars out there. It's your itch, your money and you've had a GT3 for a long time...you might just have a 1st drive in an air-called car and instantly fall for it!
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