Am I daft to be considering a 996 GT3?

[Maxym]

I'm increasingly liking the idea of one of these: one of the classic 911s, great looks, Mezger engine, very much analogue in nature.

As a bit of background, had a few Porsches over the years:

1994 993, bought in 2004, sold in 2006; great drive but I should have bought a better one

997 3.6 bought at 1 year old

981 Cayman S bought new

981 Cayman GTS bought at 1 year old

991 Carrera T bought at two years old.

My driving is road only and I like everything to work as it should. So with my history of nearly new modern cars, am I likely to be disappointed or annoyed with a 996 GT3 getting on for 20 years old? It's not engine or suspension that might bother me (bits wear out with the miles), more fading aircon, electrical things and the like.

So can ownership often be unbridled joy or do you have to work at it?

[Maxym]

julian987R said:

Coming out of those modern Porsches I bet the most likely frustration will be the PCM unit. So you’d want to factor in the costs for updating it with the new Porsche Classic 996 Radio.

Sure. I'd update the 'infotainmnent'.

[Maxym]

jonny996 said:

Am I reading this correctly, you are going to use this as a normal road car, perhaps even daily.
As much as I like the 996 I think the GT3 would lose its special appeal

Weekend special fun. Defo not a daily.

[Maxym]

Chemical Ali said:

You look like you are searching for something special and you have nearly found it but not quite.

Do it.

More I want to experience something especially characterful as the latest cars get more and more 'capable' and tech-laden.

I might indeed do it.

[Maxym]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice guys. It seems like it's not such a daft idea after all. Main thing appears to be to buy a good 'un in the first place.

Is corrosion a potential issue? Nothing I've read hints that it might be...

[Maxym]

julian987R said:

This one is stunning, they all are, but this seems a very special one.

https://jzmporsche.com/cars/porsche-911-gt3-p0005/

That does look lovely. Probably too much of a track-focused spec for me maybe.

[Maxym]

Alfapork - interesting story and thanks for the heads-up re the splitter.

Leo - no, I haven't but I am aware of the NVH differences in GT cars. It'll either be great or I'll hate it.

I suppose an alternative could be a 996 CSR that RPM Technik have breathed on in the right way...

[Maxym]

From the above I’m gathering that I’d be daft not to. I’m not going to rush into anything and TBH I’m very much enjoying my 991T. But I think the 996 GT3 is an itch I really should scratch.

Or what about a 997.2 GT3 (for more money of course)?

[Maxym]

Thanks for the ongoing contributions guys.

DF, I see yours is a Mk I. Instinctively I would have gone for a Mk II but only because it would be 'newer'. But I suspect that condition is rather more important than age... right?

Any thoughts on Mk I v Mk II?