manny_g

Hi Guys: I am from the 996 forum and planning to trade my current C4S to a GT3. Have a couple of questions. Plan to use car as a daily driver. Do you guys see any problems with this? Are there specific issues with these cars that I should know about. Any input you guys may give me will be of extreme value. The car I am currently looking at is a 2004 with only 7k miles. The car has factory warranty until July of this year. According to Car Fax report the car has an open recall #W414 DME update. Do you guys know what this is? Plan to do PPI by an Indy shop. Do any of you guys know of a good shop in the South FL area?

Looking forward to reading what you guys have to say.

Thanks, Manny.

Mr Michael B

Great daily driver... As long as your nuts like 90% of us.

Holger B

I don't know if "your nuts like 90% of us"...LOL. I hope I'm in the other 10%.

Biggest issue for me is the ground clearance. You have to take a lot of driveways/entrances/exits at an angle and the lip still scrapes a lot (and the acoustics really amplify the noise, so everyone around you will hear it but it's usually no big deal). Ride is firm, but not unreasonably so. Other than that, the cars are great and can be used as a daily driver IMO.

The DME update probably has to do with the early cars that had to be reprogrammed for high altitude driving. Not an issue in Miami and probably not something you would notice either way.

Go for it!

996FLT6

Keep your C4S. The Gt3 aint worth it!!!!. If u don't trcak ne of yourGT 25-35 days a year- DONT BOTHER!!. Regards. Mike

Blacksport350

Hmmm, can't say that I agree with the coment above! If you are a driving enthusiast you can tell the difference between a C4S and a GT3 on any public road at any speed.

I put in Euro seats and drove mine as often as I could. The only things that would keep me from driving it were really bad weather or cargo space. You already have the cargo space issue with your C4S so no change there. Just don't expect to drive your GT3 in the Winter and you will be fine!

mooty

which GT3?
996 GT3 takes more commitment then 997gt3. on street the old GT3 is not comfy. the stiff springs will bounce you off the pavement if you go fast on rough starts.

the new GT3 dare i say (for lack of a more accurate description and not wanting to write a 100pg essay on this) is softer and can be used as daily driver even if you never ever track it.

but both are very low to the ground especially the new one. my chip spoiler is about to be replaced. i didn't quite clear T1 apex berm at TH hahaha.

Mr. C4

You would be nuts to drive a 996 GT3 as a daily driver.

v12man

If you are considering it as a daily drive (I'd consider it) - get your fillings checked first by a dentist - you might lose one if they are not firmly attatched.

Other than that, its fantastic, with a capital F.

ltcjmramos

IMO, a 996GT3 is acceptable as a daily driver, but, as noted above, unless you're going to track the car, why bother with the inconveniences (more noise, less clearance, rougher ride, frustration at not being able to let the engine scream to its 8200 redline)? Some here don't track the car, but I have a hard time understanding that when you can have a much more comfortable, less edgy, and nearly as powerful car for less money.

blake

I love my 996 GT3 for its raw handling - when you run over a pebble, you feel it! Also, you get quite beat up (my wife says "drained") on rough roads. Conversely, I am not sure that it makes a great daily driver. The clutch is VERY heavy, so sitting in traffic is less desireable. I would recommend keeping the C4S UNLESS you plan to track the car more than 10 days per year. If so, then you are a track nut and would want a 996GT3 in your stable. Another alternative is the "softer" 997GT3, but that will set you back an extra $40K at this point. If money were no object, I'd buy a 997GT3 as my daily driver, and have a 996GT3 as my track car....

Good luck!
-B

Steve B in SD

The GT3 is a fine street car! Don't let the 'softies' discourage you..
I had a 996 with US030, lowered with H&R's. The GT3 isn't noticeably any worse (less comfortable) riding than the 996. The car is more precise in every respect, which is what makes it much more enjoyable to drive, even if you don't track it. Yes, it's noisy; yes, it's stiff; yes, it takes more attention to drive than most cars. But, that's what makes any high performance car fun to drive.

Mine's not a daily driver, however. But, I have 4 cars, so, technically, none are "daily drivers". To me, it's not a daily driver for size practicality reasons (Home Depot stops on the way home, etc.) not because of the ride, noise, etc.

Buy one, you'll love it!

ltcjmramos

Can't agree that it's a "fine street car," but it is a very fine car. My druthers, if the premium between the 996 and 997 GT3 were closer to $10K, I'd jump into the 997 in a sec. I like its looks more, its relative comfort, and its safety features. Frankly, on looks alone, I'd go that way. And, yes, I have driven the 997GT3.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!

Steve B in SD

Yes, I agree with you on that point--- 997GT3 vs 996GT3 for the street, but there's the $40k+ delta at this point, so that becomes it's own decision. He was talking about going from a 996C4S to a 996GT3, which is what my comments were directed towards.

ltcjmramos

Correct. I thought we were still uncertain if he was talking about a 996 or 997. If I just read, I'd see it's a 996 he's looking at.

fhp911

I love my 996/GT3 -- it is my daily driver; I install snow tires for the winter and it's happy in the snow.

BUT ...

It does NOT have a comfy ride unless the road is really smooth

It always gets the front spolier ripped off by driveways. I now drive it without the spoiler.

It's noisy enough (mostly tire noise; Michelin PS2) that yu can't hear the radio too well

It is absolutely reliable. Like I said, I love it! But have your eyes wide open before purchase

note: my wife won't ride in it due to the ride.

note2: I did 2:09 at Watkins Glen last week in it, so I'm very happy.