Matt Lane

This is a really nice car - I can't remember the last new Porsche that was that attractive (to me), factoring in value. I don't usually look at new P-cars – there really hasn’t been a reason to do so - but hindsight being 20/20, I'd have to look back on some past 'good buys':

964 RS America - $5K cheaper than the comparable 964

993 – with an original list price just under $60K

996 GT3 – at $100K when it came out

So here's a question – if you were looking at a nice dual-purpose car, would you buy a new GT4, or one of the earlier GT3’s used? A 2004 primo GT3 for example would now be about $30K-$40K cheaper as a 10 year old car, with:

• The same power
• A higher rev range
• A dry sump Metzger engine
• A well-earned pedigree as one of the best track focused cars ever

So, what would you choose, and why?

It’s not apples to apples, but progress has delivered what will no doubt be an incredible DE car that will deliver outstanding performance – at a new price that is not Crazy by Porsche standards.

Interested to hear opinions, both from folks that track their cars regularly – and those that service them, especially the difference between the engine in a pre-991 GT3 vs. one of the newer ones.

I’ll start – I’d prefer a minty earlier GT3 (996 or 997 version) for the same or less $.

Cheers

Matt

FLYT993

matt, no doubt that new gt4 is going to be a giant killer...and even though it's listed at 85k, more likely than not, it's a six figure purchase. however, i'm a 911 die hard through and through....for me the 911 IS porsche. yes, there are lots of other great porsche models/variants but the center of gravity for porsche is and will always be our little rear engined sports cars. i just watched the opening scenes of "le mans" with mcqueen in his slate gray beauty. evocative.

if i had my druthers and the $$ i'd get a used 997 gt3 and take it to the boys at sharkwerks for their 3.9L upgrade.

OverBoosted28

I love my car and love how I presently have it set up/how it responds on the track. I do all of my own work, mainly out of necessity (can't afford to pay someone to do it) but also I know that it's done correctly. I would really take the GT4 in a heartbeat. To me the only drawback would be service needs. I'm sure other than oil changes, and minor things, most items ( any electrical gremlin) will have to be done at a dealer. That's the only neg. for me.

P.S. I'd prefer a PDK paddle shifted version of it. Not out of laziness, out of common sense.

ilko

Too early to tell Matt. Since nobody has practically driven it yet (but will soon!) we don't really know how the 9A1 engine is in this car and how the whole package works together. But I suspect it will be quite good.

However, not as a 996/997 GT3 replacement. That analog ship has sailed and it ain't coming back. Which is why their prices are what they are.

Before I start saving my pennies for a GT4 (a few years down the road when they are in the $65K range) I'd like to know how the 9A1 3.8L engine is in that car with the standard gear ratios (people have complained they are too tall). Personally I would've been more impressed if it came with a high revving 3.4L. And also I'm still "warming up" to the electric steering and the fact that you can't completely disable the traction control in the new cars...

That being said, it is really the only car in Porsche's current line up that I'm interested in.

jdistefa

Matt,

If I could, I'd have both

The Gt4 is the first modern Porsche that I've really thought... hmm, I'd put that in my garage. I really really hope they make a cup version.

However if it just comes down to dollars:fun, I'd buy a 6-Gt3 since it's the last link to our cars re. engine architecture and an analog driving experience.

RudyP

Big fan of the GT4 and love that it's the only exciting new car from porsche or most manufacturers that you can get in a manual. Seriously thinking about getting one but unfortunately am already out of parking spaces and have no interest in selling any of my current cars.

991 GT3 does not interest me since it is automatic only.

pirahna

My dream car is a totally stock white 996 GT3 so I would choose that but if I wanted a track car it would be a GT4.

cgfen

we have had an 04 GT3
and
an 06 Cayman S

so since i know nothing about the GT4 other than i quickly blew through $100K on the P car configurator web site......................... when specing one out.

I would choose cayman GT4 over GT3 for dual purpose if $$$ were not a concern. (check out the thread on the GT2 /3 board where a guy recently bought 2X 4.0s in one day!!!).

but if i were buying, i would probably buy an 08 GT3 with ceramics over either of the other two choices.


oops, too much **** creek rye whiskey, my typing is even more incoherent than usual.
should have used google goggles.

clubsport1

None of us have driven the GT4 yet, I doubt it will disappoint.

Having said that it is a bit of a compromise in that, despite having mostly 991 GT3 suspension and brakes, the engine is still slightly less powerful than the base 911 (991).

It is is frustratingly, so nearly there, held back by Porsche and the 911 lineage?

At the same time, this is a marketing triumph, I can't recall a new car of this value that has seen so much interest, of course that may fade if it turns out must depositors will be allocated a car and have less chance of flipping it on for a premium.

fatmike

To be fair, the used GT3 you want is a 997.2 which is commanding prices around $125k. The GT4 with no options for $85k. What does it really need?

The new Cayman is an awesome car. I drove the S and very nearly bought it over the 993. No doubt the GT4 will be compelling.

The GT4 will be in high demand and I suspect will hold it's value quite well. Whether they are available in a few years used depends on how many a porsche makes.

The real question is what's the warranty and will it spontaneously combust like its big brother???

/

hf1

The GT4 has been the only new Porsche that has made me seriously consider replacing my 996 GT3. Have been playing with the configurator couple of times a day for the past week. It's a $90k car (with the "must have" buckets. Nothing else is needed.) At the moment, the odds are I'll keep the GT3 and this is assuming a current price diff of $20k (not $30-40k as suggested in the OP).

destaccado

The base 911 is 350hp and per what AP said about the hp figure; it's probably identical to the S once it's on the dyno.

axl911

Get the GT4....the GT3 is "oh so last year!"

race911

What's the end game--winning your DE? We see maybe 5% of cars out there where it's the equipment holding the driver back. For $1K/mo. depreciation on a six-figure purchase, you could fund a racing effort in a car that's quicker than this.

Only even relevant example I have (as we have zero stock/production class club racers out here) is when TC Kline brought a Boxster Spyder out for Rennsport Reunion IV. With what I have to believe was built-to-the-rules suspension + fresh tires, he was slower than when Cervelli brought out a stock class 993 and only about 1 sec/lap quicker than the last 964 Cups that showed early last decade. Even if this car will lay waste to any of the above, consider a lightly warmed over C6 Z06 on RA1s is about 4 sec/lap quicker than what Kline did.

Then, the thing with the other cars in the comparo is how many end up on track as-delivered? RS America? Ha. Those were laughable. 993? Not really. 996 GT3? Guys weren't even finishing their first track weekend before visions of Cup parts installed were dancing in their heads. (I had one guy over on the 996 Turbo forum state you couldn't even go on track with one absent basically a full Cup suspension conversion.)

EckFe1

I wonder how easy it is to get the hp back to its full capacity of the GT3 model? It's, what? 90 ponies short?