I have been lurking on this forum for a while...and must admit to suffering occasional bouts of "GT3 fever."

The GT3 is the first P-car to come down the pike in a while that has made me seriously think about adding a fifth vehicle to my already oil-stained garage.

Assume that cost is not an issue. But assume that I am a "buy and hold" type who likes to keep cars for the long term. Do you think it is wiser to buy a GT3 now or wait for the 997 model to come out in the next 24 months? I like what I have seen of the 997 styling - and the new models will always have more power and advanced technology, etc.

My inclinations towards the current GT3 are simply that Porsche appears to have "gotten it right" and created a car that will retain its desirability for the long term. The mere fact that it is being compared to the 73 RS says a lot.

 

GT3 today... What a fantastic car...

 

Probably won't be a 997 GT3 version. I like the 996 lines much better than the 997 pics I have seen. The 997 front looks too much like a VW bug. I am keeping my GT3 forever. It is the start of my collection. It is quite possible that Porsche may not offer the American market a GT3 down the road...There are no guarantees. Sadly, the Euro perception of the American market is of comfort with less driver involvement in performance cars. For me, when it comes to sports cars, I like it raw and driver intensive...something the GT3 does rather nicely...

 

I will go GT3 rather than 997 today (assuming it were available now).

 

If you hold back buying a Porsche for fear that the next model will eclipse the old you'll never get a car. Buy and enjoy. Nothing keeps you from swapping into a new one down the road.

 

The old saying in the automobile industry: "lasts or firsts" applies here. The first of any new model run will usually have more issues and not offer the slection you may want. Marketing wants to grow the product line into the new offering over a number of years. Also, suppliers may not be completely lined up. The GT3 is my pick as the potential "chance of a lifetime." I've been waiting since the '73 RS and it seems that now is the time to strike. I am a long-hold buyer as well. I intend to take delivery of a GT3 in May. My '02 Carerra will be a daily driver for later trade on a 997 maybe in 2-3 years. No one can predict the future, but if previous trends hold, get the GT3.

 

Get the GT3.

 

GT3 Today! The 997 will only bigger and heavier. There is a small window here with the GT3 then it is back to the carbon fiber and Rosewood specials with leather covered ashtrays..........They got this one right! Take advantage of that.

Best,

Don

 

Hey Rockitman, have you considered a 2nd GT3, you know you will use yours up eventually. I will be placing my 2nd order next week.

 

A 964 RSA is currently worth more than a pre-facelift 996 C2. Gotta ask yourself, in four years how much will the first year 997s and 04 GT3s be worth...?

 

Consider the 31 years between the RS and GT3.

I had the good pleasure of riding in Curt's GT3 just a couple of hours ago and it sealed the deal for me, I will place my order Monday! Really an amazing car.

 

It's the eternal dilemma, and one that bugs me all year long with my computer and camera gear!

If the rumor mill is correct the 997 will be the final 911, and it only has a two year projected model life, thus there will not be much time to spawn GT versions etc. It is a 996 with mostly cosmetic differences, and it isn't anything like the step between the 993-996.

The 998/9 or whatever it's name will be, will be more like the Carrera GT, a super fast mid engined V8 in turbo & non. It will take several years for another GT3 to be spawned from that platform.

If the swap to mid engined cars is fact, the 997 will be the last tail engined Pcar, so the GT3 will likely remain the ultimate normally aspirated road legal 911 available in the US, period.

I guess we'll learn more about this as we get into the 997 period, which I think is this summer for EU, and then next spring/summer for the US. Once the 997 is launched we'll start to see spy shots etc of the next car coming down the line.

 

Hmmmm, that's certainly intriguing, 2 GT3's...that would mean my Cayenne would be kicked out of the garage... 2 car garage's just don't cut it anymore. My next purchase will be a new home in another year and it will have a big 3 car garage so that I can fit a 4 post lift and start focusing on additions to my collection. Perhaps I will shoot for a used butt rocket GT2 and do the usual stage 4 or 5 upgrade for a little something different. Ultimately I want a CGT...but financially that will have to wait a bit...Ahhhh, it's nice to dream!!!

 

Autoweek just published the following photos here

 

My thoughts are live for today, let tomorrow take care of itself. Who knows if we will be here tomorrow or when the next GT 3 arrives. Today will never come again. (FYI, this philosophy keeps me broke but happy).