997 GTS vs GT3/GT4
Discussion
Hi all,
I am thinking of selling my manual 997 Carrera GTS and replacing it with a 997.1 GT3 or a 981 GT4. I especially like the sports car feel, the more 'rawness' and the gear changes in the GT3/GT4. Buckets seats in the GT4 are also excellent.
My GTS has 41000 km. I use it as an (almost) daily and would do the same with the GT3/GT4. I rarely do track days.
There are however a few things that make me doubt for a change:
1. Gearing in GT3/GT4: long gearing (e.g. 130 km/h in 2nd vs 110 km/h in 2nd with the GTS) might become frustrating on the road.
2. High maintenance cost, especially for the GT3 which is about 15 years old. I think GT4 will be about the same as the GTS.
3. Warranty: I have Porsche Approved on the GTS. It will be possible to have on the GT4, but not the GT3.
4. Straight-line performance: hardly a step-up compared to the GTS.
5. Future value: not such a major concern, but always nice that the value of the car is kept. The 981 GT4 has a weak point here vs the 997 GTS/GT3.
Looking for some opinions. Thanks a lot.
I am thinking of selling my manual 997 Carrera GTS and replacing it with a 997.1 GT3 or a 981 GT4. I especially like the sports car feel, the more 'rawness' and the gear changes in the GT3/GT4. Buckets seats in the GT4 are also excellent.
My GTS has 41000 km. I use it as an (almost) daily and would do the same with the GT3/GT4. I rarely do track days.
There are however a few things that make me doubt for a change:
1. Gearing in GT3/GT4: long gearing (e.g. 130 km/h in 2nd vs 110 km/h in 2nd with the GTS) might become frustrating on the road.
2. High maintenance cost, especially for the GT3 which is about 15 years old. I think GT4 will be about the same as the GTS.
3. Warranty: I have Porsche Approved on the GTS. It will be possible to have on the GT4, but not the GT3.
4. Straight-line performance: hardly a step-up compared to the GTS.
5. Future value: not such a major concern, but always nice that the value of the car is kept. The 981 GT4 has a weak point here vs the 997 GTS/GT3.
Looking for some opinions. Thanks a lot.
If tracking isn’t your thing I’d go GT4 based on the fact it will be more road friendly/refined albeit less of an event. Maintenance costs are probably quite similar if both out of warranty but difficult to compare otherwise.
I’d try both, you may find you GTS is a happy middle ground
I’d try both, you may find you GTS is a happy middle ground
Keep the 997 GTS especially as it’s a manual.
There are probably a few tiny tweaks that you can do to the car to enhance the sportiness without compromising your warranty.
I loved my 997 GTS… but it was PDK. If I was manual, I might still well have it.
Maybe short shift kit/cables for the gearshift.
DSC for the PASM.... easy 10mins swap for OEM controller on the 997.
Both of those will help you get more back from the car.
There are probably a few tiny tweaks that you can do to the car to enhance the sportiness without compromising your warranty.
I loved my 997 GTS… but it was PDK. If I was manual, I might still well have it.
Maybe short shift kit/cables for the gearshift.
DSC for the PASM.... easy 10mins swap for OEM controller on the 997.
Both of those will help you get more back from the car.
I was out in my manual 997 GTS today and am lucky enough to have a more modern GT3 in the garage too. I think the advice above it good...I’d look at ab exhaust to release some more aural drama and if your car doesn’t have a short shift (mine does) get one fitted. I’d do that and maybe go for the DSC module too and see how that makes the car feel...a good Geo will also make your car feel sharper.
For me one of the bid differences in the GTS vs GT3 is the engine and how quickly it gains loses revs....mine feels quite lazy compared to my GT3 which feels much sharper in this respect. Single Mass Flywheel would help address this but obviously that’s your warranty gone, But I think a GTS with all that fettling would be quite a car,
I’m temped to do something similar with mine...first thing I want to do with mine is see how much sharper I can get it feeling so I’m off to Center Gravity.
For me one of the bid differences in the GTS vs GT3 is the engine and how quickly it gains loses revs....mine feels quite lazy compared to my GT3 which feels much sharper in this respect. Single Mass Flywheel would help address this but obviously that’s your warranty gone, But I think a GTS with all that fettling would be quite a car,
I’m temped to do something similar with mine...first thing I want to do with mine is see how much sharper I can get it feeling so I’m off to Center Gravity.
Thanks all for the replies.
After 18 months of ownership I have an itch to make a change (again, after having 964 C4, 996 TT and 997.2 C4S), but something is telling me that this time it is not a good idea to change and I would regret it. A manual 997 C2 GTS, even stock, is a wonderful, reliable and special car that will only go up in price (despite daily driving it), and a 997.1 GT3 or 981 GT4 would not add that much more 'specialness'. A manual 991.2 GT3 would be a different story, but that is quite a different price category compared to the GTS.
After 18 months of ownership I have an itch to make a change (again, after having 964 C4, 996 TT and 997.2 C4S), but something is telling me that this time it is not a good idea to change and I would regret it. A manual 997 C2 GTS, even stock, is a wonderful, reliable and special car that will only go up in price (despite daily driving it), and a 997.1 GT3 or 981 GT4 would not add that much more 'specialness'. A manual 991.2 GT3 would be a different story, but that is quite a different price category compared to the GTS.
997.1 GT3 is a brilliant and much over looked road car. I think better than the GT3 s that followed. The engine spins more freely as a 3.6 than as a 3.8 and the suspension is slightly more supple. It is much sharper and more responsive than the GTS. However the dashboard in your GTS will be nicer to look at and to touch than the dash in a 997.1 . Either would be preferable to the GT4.
A 997.1 is only going to be more costly repair depending on the condition of the car, surely?
I would expect a garaged GT3 with less mileage than a 997.2 to be no less hard work, or more expensive to maintain unless you're putting daily miles on it. Likewise, if your budget only stretches to a significantly higher mileage GT3 with gaps between maintenance, then there you know you should be expecting bills.
To drive, the GT3 and GTS are night and day different.
I would expect a garaged GT3 with less mileage than a 997.2 to be no less hard work, or more expensive to maintain unless you're putting daily miles on it. Likewise, if your budget only stretches to a significantly higher mileage GT3 with gaps between maintenance, then there you know you should be expecting bills.
To drive, the GT3 and GTS are night and day different.
The GT3 I have an eye on is roughly the same price as my GTS. It has 31k km, and has 5 maintenance stamps in the booklet. Last maintenance a few months ago was a big one (including spark plugs and belt). It has only driven 1000km in the last three years, PIWI is ok and comes with a one year warranty from the dealer (albeit no Porsche Approved warranty). Looks like a garage queen, which is fine for me. Going to have a look later this week.
I will update on my decision-making process.. not decided yet, it's an ongoing process :-)
I have driven a 981 GT4. It drove wonderfully, I liked the bucket seats a lot. That is what I miss in the 997.1 GT3, most of them don't have the bucket seats.
Also the sound of the GT4 was great, in my opinion not worse than the 997.1 GT3. The max speed in each gear is almost identical for both. I liked the interior of the GT4 slightly more. The GT3 however was more raw, more of 'an experience', maybe because I was aware I was driving an icon (at least in my view).
I have driven a 981 GT4. It drove wonderfully, I liked the bucket seats a lot. That is what I miss in the 997.1 GT3, most of them don't have the bucket seats.
Also the sound of the GT4 was great, in my opinion not worse than the 997.1 GT3. The max speed in each gear is almost identical for both. I liked the interior of the GT4 slightly more. The GT3 however was more raw, more of 'an experience', maybe because I was aware I was driving an icon (at least in my view).
Dominique997GTS said:
I will update on my decision-making process.. not decided yet, it's an ongoing process :-)
I have driven a 981 GT4. It drove wonderfully, I liked the bucket seats a lot. That is what I miss in the 997.1 GT3, most of them don't have the bucket seats.
Also the sound of the GT4 was great, in my opinion not worse than the 997.1 GT3. The max speed in each gear is almost identical for both. I liked the interior of the GT4 slightly more. The GT3 however was more raw, more of 'an experience', maybe because I was aware I was driving an icon (at least in my view).
Fairly expected outcome. Remember folding carbon buckets slot right in, look the best and go for 6-7k. I bought a comfort and that is/was my plan. I have to say the standard sport seats are so damn comfortable/supportive it’s made the justification harder.I have driven a 981 GT4. It drove wonderfully, I liked the bucket seats a lot. That is what I miss in the 997.1 GT3, most of them don't have the bucket seats.
Also the sound of the GT4 was great, in my opinion not worse than the 997.1 GT3. The max speed in each gear is almost identical for both. I liked the interior of the GT4 slightly more. The GT3 however was more raw, more of 'an experience', maybe because I was aware I was driving an icon (at least in my view).
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