Mega Miles GT3
Discussion
So, almost exactly 1 month after taking delivery of the mega miles GT3, I've decided to create a 'Reader's Car' thread.
Some of you will already be familiar with the car following PH's own 'spotted' thread on the home page back in Jan. For those that aren't, the car has covered 149,000 miles (yep, 149k). Fortunately, the vast majority of those miles were clocked-up on the motorway by a chap in his late sixties and my thorough DD prior to purchase seemed to support the claim by the dealer that the car was in fine fettle.
Indeed, as a condition of my purchase (for £55k), I insisted that the dealer paid for a 111 point inspection from an OPC. The inspection picked up on a few relatively minor things but I decided to get these sorted before delivery anyway to save the hassle of having to take it back to a dealer sooner rather than later. I also wanted peace of mind before entering the track day season. So, at cost, the dealer agreed to carry out a wheel alignment, unblock the scuttle panel drainage plugs, fit a new OEM battery (not essential but showing signs of age), fit a new rear high-level brake light, replace the wiper blades (free of charge) and fit a new OEM clutch (Porsche felt the existing one still had some life in it but I'd rather have the confidence knowing it was 100%).
It is also worth bearing in mind that the car was and is still covered by a Porsche UK warranty (although this expires in September of this year and can't be renewed due to mileage) and has an immaculate service history. Again, this was all supported by calls to the respective garages that serviced it (OPC main dealers and a Silverstone based specialist). Lastly, the immaculate condition of the PCCBs is a telling sign that the car hasn't spent its life as a track slag.
As for the cosmetic condition of the car and how it steered, well I took a gamble here since the first time I experienced either was upon delivery (I live in London and the car was for sale in North Yorkshire)!
Fortunately, that decision didn't come back to bite me. Somewhat ironically, I had it transported down from Yorkshire to London and will never forget the excitement of seeing the car unloaded from the trailer - wow! First impressions were of how well cared for it looked; not a garage queen of course but the only real give-away that it had covered mega miles was the alcantara steering wheel which had become shinny in parts and bobbly in others. Unsurprisingly, the yellow seat belts have become a little grubby in places and the driver's side scuff plates are, er, scuffed! It goes without saying that the front bumper has some stone chips but for a black car, they are very hard to spot. Equally, the metal plate between the exhaust tips has lost some of its black paint so that will need touching up at some stage.
So, how does it drive? Well, first impressions are that these Porsche GT cars are just in a different league to normal series 911s (and I speak from experience having owned several 993s, 996s and 997s - all lovely in their own way). The GT3 feels light (something I wasn't expecting given I have owned Lotuses in the past), super sharp on turn-in, feels like a proper track car/event given the buckets and cage, the engine is strong and free revving and it sounds glorious. I really wasn't expecting it to sound so good (the exhaust is stock Porsche)! It's also much faster than I was expecting.
What don't I like about it? Well, whilst those seats are super supportive and make you feel dialled into the experience, they are not that comfortable (for my back at least). I know, I know, I shouldn't be complaining about that given I wanted a Clubsport (an original one at that) but the 997.2 buckets are more comfortable IMO. The sat nav is crap but then it was even when new and the gear shift is a little notchy (to be fair so was my brother's 997 GT3RS when new so it can't be an age thing). It would be useful if the car had rear parking sensors and the front splitter is impossible not to scrape - I thought my old 355 was bad! Anyway, these are all super minor points but I felt I had to be objective and not just sing the car's praises!
I'm planning to gets some of those minor cosmetic things seen to (more on that in subsequent posts) but this car will never be a garage queen and I intend to use it come rain or shine and do it's last owner around by piling on the miles! LeMans, the Nurburgring, Castle Combe and Silverstone are all planned for this year, as well as countless trips to Goodwood and perhaps a trips to the EVO triangle. It should be a very exciting summer ahead.
Some of you will already be familiar with the car following PH's own 'spotted' thread on the home page back in Jan. For those that aren't, the car has covered 149,000 miles (yep, 149k). Fortunately, the vast majority of those miles were clocked-up on the motorway by a chap in his late sixties and my thorough DD prior to purchase seemed to support the claim by the dealer that the car was in fine fettle.
Indeed, as a condition of my purchase (for £55k), I insisted that the dealer paid for a 111 point inspection from an OPC. The inspection picked up on a few relatively minor things but I decided to get these sorted before delivery anyway to save the hassle of having to take it back to a dealer sooner rather than later. I also wanted peace of mind before entering the track day season. So, at cost, the dealer agreed to carry out a wheel alignment, unblock the scuttle panel drainage plugs, fit a new OEM battery (not essential but showing signs of age), fit a new rear high-level brake light, replace the wiper blades (free of charge) and fit a new OEM clutch (Porsche felt the existing one still had some life in it but I'd rather have the confidence knowing it was 100%).
It is also worth bearing in mind that the car was and is still covered by a Porsche UK warranty (although this expires in September of this year and can't be renewed due to mileage) and has an immaculate service history. Again, this was all supported by calls to the respective garages that serviced it (OPC main dealers and a Silverstone based specialist). Lastly, the immaculate condition of the PCCBs is a telling sign that the car hasn't spent its life as a track slag.
As for the cosmetic condition of the car and how it steered, well I took a gamble here since the first time I experienced either was upon delivery (I live in London and the car was for sale in North Yorkshire)!
Fortunately, that decision didn't come back to bite me. Somewhat ironically, I had it transported down from Yorkshire to London and will never forget the excitement of seeing the car unloaded from the trailer - wow! First impressions were of how well cared for it looked; not a garage queen of course but the only real give-away that it had covered mega miles was the alcantara steering wheel which had become shinny in parts and bobbly in others. Unsurprisingly, the yellow seat belts have become a little grubby in places and the driver's side scuff plates are, er, scuffed! It goes without saying that the front bumper has some stone chips but for a black car, they are very hard to spot. Equally, the metal plate between the exhaust tips has lost some of its black paint so that will need touching up at some stage.
So, how does it drive? Well, first impressions are that these Porsche GT cars are just in a different league to normal series 911s (and I speak from experience having owned several 993s, 996s and 997s - all lovely in their own way). The GT3 feels light (something I wasn't expecting given I have owned Lotuses in the past), super sharp on turn-in, feels like a proper track car/event given the buckets and cage, the engine is strong and free revving and it sounds glorious. I really wasn't expecting it to sound so good (the exhaust is stock Porsche)! It's also much faster than I was expecting.
What don't I like about it? Well, whilst those seats are super supportive and make you feel dialled into the experience, they are not that comfortable (for my back at least). I know, I know, I shouldn't be complaining about that given I wanted a Clubsport (an original one at that) but the 997.2 buckets are more comfortable IMO. The sat nav is crap but then it was even when new and the gear shift is a little notchy (to be fair so was my brother's 997 GT3RS when new so it can't be an age thing). It would be useful if the car had rear parking sensors and the front splitter is impossible not to scrape - I thought my old 355 was bad! Anyway, these are all super minor points but I felt I had to be objective and not just sing the car's praises!
I'm planning to gets some of those minor cosmetic things seen to (more on that in subsequent posts) but this car will never be a garage queen and I intend to use it come rain or shine and do it's last owner around by piling on the miles! LeMans, the Nurburgring, Castle Combe and Silverstone are all planned for this year, as well as countless trips to Goodwood and perhaps a trips to the EVO triangle. It should be a very exciting summer ahead.
Edited by lukelovescars on Sunday 5th March 17:58
cb1965 said:
Fantastic car and a true testament to Porsche build quality, looks like you could lop of 100K and no one would be any the wiser... I'm really thinking I need to get rid of my SL and get a 911 before I'm too old... can't stretch to a GT3 though.
Keep us updated please.
Will do! Keep us updated please.
Slippydiff said:
Cracking car Luke.
I've seen it at Fearnsport on numerous occasions.
Agree on the seats, the finest (and most expensive) instruments of torture ever devised. I ripped mine out and fitted a set of the folding carbon buckets out of a GT2. As you' e sait they're waaaay more comfortable. I removed them when I sold the car and sold them separately (foolishly).
The Gen 1 997 GT3 gearchange seems to be divisive, I hated both mine, too heavy, too notchy and out of character/balance with all the other control weights. The press were occasionally critical too.
I've driven 6-7 Gen 1 997 GT3RS's their gearshifts ranged from poor to truly atrocious (and clearly abused by drivers with zero mechanical sympathy or skill) The 996 GT3 gearchange is far nicer IMO.
Enjoy ! (and let me know when you're planning on doing the Evo Triangle, as it'd be good to meet up and see the car)
Thanks and interesting to hear you struggled with the seats and gear change a little too - glad it's not a sign of me getting older or a problem specific to my car!I've seen it at Fearnsport on numerous occasions.
Agree on the seats, the finest (and most expensive) instruments of torture ever devised. I ripped mine out and fitted a set of the folding carbon buckets out of a GT2. As you' e sait they're waaaay more comfortable. I removed them when I sold the car and sold them separately (foolishly).
The Gen 1 997 GT3 gearchange seems to be divisive, I hated both mine, too heavy, too notchy and out of character/balance with all the other control weights. The press were occasionally critical too.
I've driven 6-7 Gen 1 997 GT3RS's their gearshifts ranged from poor to truly atrocious (and clearly abused by drivers with zero mechanical sympathy or skill) The 996 GT3 gearchange is far nicer IMO.
Enjoy ! (and let me know when you're planning on doing the Evo Triangle, as it'd be good to meet up and see the car)
Edited by Slippydiff on Sunday 5th March 15:29
Would love a 997.2 but it would have to be a CS and they are so hard to find now - also not sure that it would be twice as fun to drive (given it would cost more than twice as much). Love 996 GT3s - I'll have mine in speed yellow please : )
Will let you know if I get around to the EVO triangle - otherwise, maybe see you at a track day sometime...
fatboy69 said:
Amazing looking car for 150k miles.
So good to see a GT3 that has been used rather than get transported everywhere & left to simply 'look good'.
Clearly it is going to some serious use this coming race/track day season so looking forward to seeing some regular updates.
Certainly getting used So good to see a GT3 that has been used rather than get transported everywhere & left to simply 'look good'.
Clearly it is going to some serious use this coming race/track day season so looking forward to seeing some regular updates.
Speed addicted said:
Do you find you treat it differently buying one that's already seen some proper use rather than a low mileage garage queen?
I do like to see cars like this being used, however I get too precious about my own cars so try to avoid car parks etc. My old BMW 645 did 1500 miles last year because I have a utility car for winter and bikes in summer, I worry that if I bought something really amazing I'd end up not using it at all!
Yes, I do. I mean, I still look after it well but I'm just not afraid to pile on the miles now or get it dirty. All the other cars I've owned in my life have been very low mileage garage queens so it's really refreshing not having to be OCD for a change!I do like to see cars like this being used, however I get too precious about my own cars so try to avoid car parks etc. My old BMW 645 did 1500 miles last year because I have a utility car for winter and bikes in summer, I worry that if I bought something really amazing I'd end up not using it at all!
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