996 GT3 or GTO-3R
Discussion
Dear Noblers (can I say that without offending anyone?),
I was looking for some advice and having searched through the forums have not seen the same question answered.
With the recent changes in used car values, there are some interesting propositions out there. I recently became interested in picking up a 996 GT3 Mk2 which can be found around the £40K mark. I also now see that that GTO-3R experience can be had for around £30K or so.
Now I realise that asking this question on a Noble forum is in danger of getting the obvious response, and perhaps the answer will be completely different if posted on the Porsche forum. However, I appeal to your obejective minds when looking at this. My assumption is that this community has more individual thinkers and less likely to just 'toe the party line'.
The basic question is which car makes the better financial investment?
I think both cars are very good at what they do. My intention is to use the car for Sunday driving and go to about 3-4 track days a year including a trip to the Ring. Although the vast majority of cars one buys, one tends to lose money on. However, I think if you buy intelligently, you should be able to minimise this loss. Sorry to bring the decision to such cold financial thinking to what is also our passion.
My Pros and Cons are:
GT3:
+ Its an institution
+ Residuals as someone will always be interested in one of these when I want to sell in the future (minus some price adjustment)
+ Robust and reliable
+ Parts should not be a problem for a long time to come
+ Very strong performance
+ Basically, you wouldn't be fired for buying a Porsche GTx
- Engine slightly in the wrong place (though compensated for in the GT3 by decent handling)
- More expensive
GTO-3R
+ Cheaper
+ Faster
+ Mid-engined with more traditional handling
+ Looks like it means business
- Perceived reliability
- Parts and service? Limited number of Noble servicing agents
- How difficult will it be to sell on in 2-3 years time?
- ..and roughly speaking how much will values suffer?
- Suitability for road use as compared to the GT3?
- GT3 probably a little more practical for B&Q/Sainsbury trips!
I presume you will have some challenges to the items above. As you can see I am more concerned about the unknowns on the Noble given that it is a low volume car.
I would love to hear from anyone who has owned both cars.
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
I was looking for some advice and having searched through the forums have not seen the same question answered.
With the recent changes in used car values, there are some interesting propositions out there. I recently became interested in picking up a 996 GT3 Mk2 which can be found around the £40K mark. I also now see that that GTO-3R experience can be had for around £30K or so.
Now I realise that asking this question on a Noble forum is in danger of getting the obvious response, and perhaps the answer will be completely different if posted on the Porsche forum. However, I appeal to your obejective minds when looking at this. My assumption is that this community has more individual thinkers and less likely to just 'toe the party line'.
The basic question is which car makes the better financial investment?
I think both cars are very good at what they do. My intention is to use the car for Sunday driving and go to about 3-4 track days a year including a trip to the Ring. Although the vast majority of cars one buys, one tends to lose money on. However, I think if you buy intelligently, you should be able to minimise this loss. Sorry to bring the decision to such cold financial thinking to what is also our passion.
My Pros and Cons are:
GT3:
+ Its an institution
+ Residuals as someone will always be interested in one of these when I want to sell in the future (minus some price adjustment)
+ Robust and reliable
+ Parts should not be a problem for a long time to come
+ Very strong performance
+ Basically, you wouldn't be fired for buying a Porsche GTx
- Engine slightly in the wrong place (though compensated for in the GT3 by decent handling)
- More expensive
GTO-3R
+ Cheaper
+ Faster
+ Mid-engined with more traditional handling
+ Looks like it means business
- Perceived reliability
- Parts and service? Limited number of Noble servicing agents
- How difficult will it be to sell on in 2-3 years time?
- ..and roughly speaking how much will values suffer?
- Suitability for road use as compared to the GT3?
- GT3 probably a little more practical for B&Q/Sainsbury trips!
I presume you will have some challenges to the items above. As you can see I am more concerned about the unknowns on the Noble given that it is a low volume car.
I would love to hear from anyone who has owned both cars.
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
Edited by puntograle on Monday 2nd March 11:19
"Nobility" will do 
Ah, the old "to Pork or not to Pork" question - whether it is Nobler (geddit!) to suffer the slings and arrows of wet roundabouts and soiled seating than to be visited upon by great and contiunous grinnage and maximus and unbelivable cornering - THAT is the question...
No one can answer this question except yourself but some here have gone from/to the Pork side so will offer their individual comments soon. In the end though it will come down to nothing more than your logical or illogical choice.
As to prices, Pork will probably offer better residuals in the near-term (2-5 years) but, as there are a limited number of M12/M400 units available (and reducing due to write-off, breaking, etc.) I expect Noble prices to recover this year and those well looked after to increase plus 5 years out.
I won't offer a point-by-point analysis of the two for the reasons given above but will leave you with this question - with which other marque do you get a your very own sword?!
Ah, the old "to Pork or not to Pork" question - whether it is Nobler (geddit!) to suffer the slings and arrows of wet roundabouts and soiled seating than to be visited upon by great and contiunous grinnage and maximus and unbelivable cornering - THAT is the question...
No one can answer this question except yourself but some here have gone from/to the Pork side so will offer their individual comments soon. In the end though it will come down to nothing more than your logical or illogical choice.
As to prices, Pork will probably offer better residuals in the near-term (2-5 years) but, as there are a limited number of M12/M400 units available (and reducing due to write-off, breaking, etc.) I expect Noble prices to recover this year and those well looked after to increase plus 5 years out.
I won't offer a point-by-point analysis of the two for the reasons given above but will leave you with this question - with which other marque do you get a your very own sword?!
I've had two Nobles and a GT3.
As an investment then I would say a MK1 GT3 is the one to go for, not a MK2.
The Noble is marginally quicker and a much more comfortable road car in my opinion, with far superior ride and handling on anything other than super smooth, dry tarmac!
The GT3 does have a fantastic engine though,very torquey and responsive.
As an investment then I would say a MK1 GT3 is the one to go for, not a MK2.
The Noble is marginally quicker and a much more comfortable road car in my opinion, with far superior ride and handling on anything other than super smooth, dry tarmac!
The GT3 does have a fantastic engine though,very torquey and responsive.
A tough choice and one which i made last year when i was replacing my Boxster. I wanted a 996 gt3 alot!, after having a Porsche i know what they are like and why so many people buy them. Got some advice on a gt3 and found out that in the main they are great cars. Some get abused as run as hard useage track cars but if properly serviced and not skimped on then fine. Mk1 def better than mk2 (imo), and agree will hold value better.
For me, this was the easy choice. Looked at a few, driven one, liked alot, all done and dusted. It wasnt then until a week later that, just before opening the wallet, i had a quick look around a Noble. Always loved the look and knew about the history behind the car but thought for the money, the Porsche would be better. Until i had a drive.....There's only one way of describing what driving/owning a Noble is like.....an EVENT!
Where as the Porsche trumps in many areas, it just dosent make the drive feel special when you get in it after a long week at work!!
I think this is the problem with Porsches. Not denying they are great cars and i will probably (hopefully), have another one day, but i just had to go down the Noble route. It is a car you have to experience if you can.
I finally bough mine at the end of last year from Kerridges and have been grinning ever since.
For me, this was the easy choice. Looked at a few, driven one, liked alot, all done and dusted. It wasnt then until a week later that, just before opening the wallet, i had a quick look around a Noble. Always loved the look and knew about the history behind the car but thought for the money, the Porsche would be better. Until i had a drive.....There's only one way of describing what driving/owning a Noble is like.....an EVENT!
Where as the Porsche trumps in many areas, it just dosent make the drive feel special when you get in it after a long week at work!!
I think this is the problem with Porsches. Not denying they are great cars and i will probably (hopefully), have another one day, but i just had to go down the Noble route. It is a car you have to experience if you can.
I finally bough mine at the end of last year from Kerridges and have been grinning ever since.
Hmmm...I think the GT3 reliability thing is over egged.
Driven the 997 GT3RS and mine back to back over a fair period.
The 997 GT3RS was the better car a) above 120mph, b) in the dark c) in the pouring rain and d) was better built especially the interior.
But it was not worth the £70K difference....nowhere near, as the Noble was a) faster in the real world, b) faster around corners (though that may have been familiarity) c) more exciting, d) more intimate, e) not a porsche!
Both real cars but the Noble is in my view a "near life experience" (someone else's words) where the Porsche is just a very good car!
N2H
Driven the 997 GT3RS and mine back to back over a fair period.
The 997 GT3RS was the better car a) above 120mph, b) in the dark c) in the pouring rain and d) was better built especially the interior.
But it was not worth the £70K difference....nowhere near, as the Noble was a) faster in the real world, b) faster around corners (though that may have been familiarity) c) more exciting, d) more intimate, e) not a porsche!
Both real cars but the Noble is in my view a "near life experience" (someone else's words) where the Porsche is just a very good car!
N2H
) and I'm sure you get more looks than when I'm in the Ford. Noble's it seems don't blend into the background I went from a Porsche turbo to an M400 and never regretted it for a moment.
I suggest if you are going to buy a Noble do it now not in two or three years time. Pork is always available at a discount
best you get some prime time in a well sorted Noble.
Just make sure it has a track day sump and LSD and if possible an M400 gear linkage.
And if you are on the large side try an M400 as the centre tunnel is moved across a little to give more room in the peddle box.
F.C.
I suggest if you are going to buy a Noble do it now not in two or three years time. Pork is always available at a discount
best you get some prime time in a well sorted Noble.Just make sure it has a track day sump and LSD and if possible an M400 gear linkage.
And if you are on the large side try an M400 as the centre tunnel is moved across a little to give more room in the peddle box.
F.C.
If you're buying a GT3 make sure it has full history and ask the guys in the Porsche forum about the provenance of any car you are thinking of buying as they know most GT3's in the UK market and their history - good and bad.
Interesting thread running here on same subject: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Also, I wouldn't touch a GT3 without an official Porsche warranty for at least the first year of ownership due to the horrific cost of getting certain things fixed if they go wrong. If you do a search through the Porsche forum there are a lot of threads on buying GT3's and what to look for, almost all support the warranty route as well.
Interesting thread running here on same subject: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Also, I wouldn't touch a GT3 without an official Porsche warranty for at least the first year of ownership due to the horrific cost of getting certain things fixed if they go wrong. If you do a search through the Porsche forum there are a lot of threads on buying GT3's and what to look for, almost all support the warranty route as well.
If you where to drive into a car park in your porsche (very nice car that it is I very nearly brought one myself) would a group of kids come running up to the car and ask,is it a Zonda?? it looks great, then have the stores security gard coming up to ask if its OK to take some photos. To have lads in saxos taking videos of your car on the motorway, (always saxos for some reason?)-its a pin-up that looks great and goes like f 
k. A porsche is a great car, no question, but how special is it, how does it make you feel when driving it???. Do what some of us do and buy first with your heart, then, when your grey and old buy the sensible bankers car (those that are left!!) the 911
k. A porsche is a great car, no question, but how special is it, how does it make you feel when driving it???. Do what some of us do and buy first with your heart, then, when your grey and old buy the sensible bankers car (those that are left!!) the 911 Hi I've had a couple of great Porsche's and will have another one, one day:-)
At the moment I am enjoying my M12 3.0 GTO to much. What a car - Looks - Performance, sound and Handling etc.
Re financial sit. Porsche are not holding value like they use to and a higher cost to run. So this makes the Noble great value for money and costing less should not depreciate so much?
First buying decision should be affordability and appeal of looks.
Few other point to consider is the Noble is a real show stopper with people being interested but not quite so practical for a shop? Where as with the Porsche there are a lot of them about, bit more practical but not quite so much fun costing you more.
At the moment I am enjoying my M12 3.0 GTO to much. What a car - Looks - Performance, sound and Handling etc.
Re financial sit. Porsche are not holding value like they use to and a higher cost to run. So this makes the Noble great value for money and costing less should not depreciate so much?
First buying decision should be affordability and appeal of looks.
Few other point to consider is the Noble is a real show stopper with people being interested but not quite so practical for a shop? Where as with the Porsche there are a lot of them about, bit more practical but not quite so much fun costing you more.
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The Noble may not be as practical but I've been to B&Q in one several times, it's amazing what you can get in it when you try! As others have said, the Porsche is a very competent car, but will it make you grin like an idiot? - I think you'll just have to try both to answer that.
As for future prices, I think everyone would like a crystal ball, but I doubt a good Noble will depreciate much more, simply due to the small numbers available.
wessexrfc said:
A porsche is a great car, no question, but how special is it, how does it make you feel when driving it???. Do what some of us do and buy first with your heart, then, when your grey and old buy the sensible bankers car (those that are left!!) the 911
Yes Porsche drivers do get a lot of 'banker' comments whereas the Noble seems to command respect. The Noble may not be as practical but I've been to B&Q in one several times, it's amazing what you can get in it when you try! As others have said, the Porsche is a very competent car, but will it make you grin like an idiot? - I think you'll just have to try both to answer that. As for future prices, I think everyone would like a crystal ball, but I doubt a good Noble will depreciate much more, simply due to the small numbers available.
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