andy sanborn

So.... I may finally be willing to come out of the pure enjoyment of early cars and look to purchase a newer GT3... I need advice.....

I've owned lots and still own a bunch of 911's, several race cars, Italian, German, British and american modified 60's muscle and some may suggest I am competent behind the wheel racing.

I am very comfortable with light weight, high HP, no abs, or other driver aids. Love older cars. Newest 911 I've owned is a '04 C4S and I sold it cause it was just boring...

But.... I must admit I am drawn to the newer GT3's and am in the mental stage of should I finally break down and purchase one...

As such, I am curious as to what the group thinks of the various models and progression.

So, for those of you who have actually owned and driven them, what was the draw for each model, why and what were the pro's and con's

I am open to

997.1
997.2
991.1
991.1RS

Acknowledging this and other boards have been pretty good at highlighting manufacturing flaws, I am interested in fun quotient, performance, driving enjoyment, and differences you found between each model as you progressed.

The current price difference between a nice 997.2 and a 2016 gt3 rs is much closer than, say a F-car 360/430/458 spread. Is that because the early gt3's are that much better and still worthy of higher retained values?

If you were in the market today and were considering an '09 vs '13 vs '16 rs where would you go and why? What do you think you would be giving up and getting for it?

Thanks for your thoughts

CubsFan1

You will find similar threads with plenty of the perspective on each of the cars you’re considering. Beyond the hours of reading on here regarding this question, you might find it beneficial to include what are your list of must haves, that may help narrow the discussion. For example, manual or PDK, budget, options, existing warranty, track focus, etc.

itrsteve

It's really going to come down to what you value the most, you can make a cogent case for any GT3 ever produced. So many ways to look at it (or a mix thereof); all out capability/lap times, value retention, initial cost, "look at me" factor, etc...

When lining up a 997.2 GT3 vs a 991.1 RS it's pretty simple... the transmission. IMO, you're not going to make a wrong call with either, but you have to ask yourself what's most important to you. Obviously, I know value is big topic and I'm pretty convinced that 997.2's have essentially flatlined, still tough to call with the .1 RS, but it's so much damn car for what they're trading for now... So it's a tough call.

andy sanborn

Yea, that's part of the issue. The 991.1 RS's are now damn near close (I know, relative) to if not in the 150k range and with 997.2 GT3's in the 120 range, the delta is close enough (when considering resale etc) that I'd think the RS is the better buy financially, but how different is the drive between the two cars?

CubsFan, As I thought I had indicated, while I am willing to step all the way up to a 2016 RS, I am open to an earlier car too.

As to options, I want a car that is more trackHigh performance orientated. Must/Wants are front lift, and all the fun track orientated stuff.

I'm leading to PDK vs manual, I'm pretty open actually. I have cars with both paddles and manual. I'd think I am leaning to PDK but I'm open to the right deal too.

So, to narrow down, how does a 997.2 drive compared to a 991.1?

tstafford

I've had a 996GT3, 997.1GT3, 991.1RS. For my money, I'd want the 997 if the car was going to be a street car. I think the performance/experience is more accessible. On the track, it's any 991 variant by a wide margin because it's faster, has better front end grip and the PDK is far superior for track use.

GrantG

You can find lots of opinions and descriptions online, but yours is the only opinion that matters. There really is no substitute for driving them (and I’m partial to the Manual .2 GT3 so you may want to include that too)

CubsFan1

I purchased a '16 RS in April w/1,800 miles exactly as I would have ordered it. And still under warranty. It is the best car I have owned and driven, and it's not close. I took six months and looked at 997.1RS and 997.2RS, in addition to the 991.2RS. Prior Porsche was a 997 turbo and before the RS, two Lambo's, LP550-2 and Huracan LP610-4. As recommended above, go test drive and see what suits you. I don't think there is any article or perspective on Youtube that can replace driving yourself. You want to love it when you walk up to it and be in awe when you drive it. If not, move along until you find one that does.

dgoldenz

Factoring in the 10 year engine warranty, it’s 991.1 GT3 and not even close IMO. All great cars but the warranty is huge. My engine was replaced at 38k miles, would have cost $40k without it.

andy sanborn

So maybe I am asking too wide of a question, so let me narrow it down abit.

991.1 GT3's are in the 115-125 range
991.1 GT3Rs are in the 150-160 range (and seem to be coming down fast)
991.2 GT3's are in the 150-160 range

So effectively all about the same price ish....(different options/mileage considering)

Knowing up here in the North East one cannot find 3 of them on a lot to drive back to back I am trying to narrow in what makes the cars different, knowing clearly there is the ultimate need to drive something to see if I like it before I buy it.

Those who have owned and driven these three models (on track, hard on street), what did you find different between these models and knowing cost is about the same, which would you buy and why?

Thanks!

pitt911

best way to test drive these cars is to join local cars and coffee group and get to know people .. the benefit of that is you will meet actual owners of these cars and have a nice discussion about them
most likely one owner would have owned all these cars and will be happy to discuss the difference at length ...
also most likely they will take you for a ride and if you establish some friendship with them , they might let you drive these cars without the hassle of going to a dealership
in our group we routinely drive each others cars which gave me a first hand experience on cars that I did not own
obviously this will take some time but I do believe it is the best way to do it.
Having said that if money is not an issue , I think .1 GT3Rs will get my vote
if money is a factor , a .2 997 GT3 though they are more limited than 991 variants

FORENN

I’d take a 991.2 GT3 6MT over all of those in a heartbeat. Same pricing as 991.1 RS, as you know.

sterno

I have owned a 997.2 GT3 and now a 991.2 GT3 Touring. I personally am only interested in a manual. In the past I have owned several 911's going back to 1976 and my first and a 1976 911S . I have owned an 73 RS Carrera " Light weight spec" and loved the rawness. Even had a 906 for a short period so I have had my share of Porsches. The only model I have not owned is a 996. For me the 993 C4 S I owned was a bit boring and at the time the US market no 993 RS .Sold that and purchased a 993 TT . It was relatively fast but soft and heavy. the 997.2 was a great car but I did not spec it but loved the rawness it had. I was able to get an allocation on my 991.2 Touring so I specd it exactly how I wanted . It has the rawness of the 73 and I feel the wingless version the ultimate in the GT cars. I feel there manual cars will always hold value better.

FLACHT6_pilot

Andy,

If you want to get some seat time in a .1 GT3 let me know. We probably live a couple of miles from each other....I'm in Bedford.

You would likely recognize me from the track. I drove an avus blue M3 for a long time....

I've had the .1 for about a year and love it, and you can't beat the warranty.

John C

jackmac

Andy my simple response as follows,
.1 RS if you want PDK, .2 GT3 if thinking about manual. Newer technology that comes with warranty, win-win for you.
Jack

DK7

997.2 RS.
Bc its fun and you have to drive the car. nothing comparable is being built anymore.