bmwtmx

Recently sold my Lotus Exige which was an 85% track car due to the fact that I don't go to the track as often and it was miserable as a street car. So I am trying to decide which of the following to get as a 70% street car:

993 Turbo; 996 GT2; 997 GT3 (2007 model)

I know these are all great cars but I want a car that I can drive on the street about 4k-6k miles a year and the rest track. I am not sure about reliability of any so any feedback would be helpful. Also, maintenance cost is important so if anyone has an idea of the costs of regular things that need looking after that would be great as well.

mooty

all good cars, but if you care about maintenance cost, then 997gt3 wins hands down.
993turbo are all out of warranty. reliable car yes, but if something goes wrong, open your wallet.
some GT2 are still under warranty, so you can look into that.
i would venture to say all 997gt3 are still under warranty so zero cost to you. the 7gt3 are very comfy on street unlike 6gt3.

Rob in VA

What Mooty said.

BDHo

the 993turbo is too heavy as a track car unless you want to do lots of things to reduce weight.
i would get a 996gt3 or a 997gt3 depending on your budget.

blake

+1 - and 997 "3" is more comfortable... it would make a better DD...

The 996 GT2 is a lot of car - IMHO too much for a "compliant" DD..

-B

roberga

the 997 GT3 is a great choice. I tried to go with a turbo but I think you would hate it coming from a fun car like the Lotus. Take the GT3 out for a test drive. It is a fine DD in stock form.

switchcars

What everyone already said. 996 or 997 GT3 hands down. The 997 GT3 will be more reliable, AND you have warranty still, and it's a little bit more comfortable on the street.
But, the 996 gt3 is a little more raw, which you might like coming from a Lotus, and they are $30k cheaper

bmwtmx

That is what I have come to expect but I just wasn't sure if the 997 GT3's were too high strung for the street or just not quick enough on the track. I was nearly as fast in my Lotus as any GT3 and I always wanted to be faster which is why I liked the idea of a GT2 which are cheaper for now. But I am very skeptical about buying a 7 year old twin turbocharged car (let alone a 993 which is far older).
Thanks for the heads up.
I need to trade out one of my cars. This is gonna be a problem!

GrantG

996 GT2 with Motons might be an interesting option.

Should be possible to make it comfortable enough on the street while making it nice on the track too. I don't think you'll have a problem putting some distance between yourself and the other cars mentioned if you contact a true expert for the suspension install/alignment and you're a very good track driver.

iLLM3

This man speaks the truth... My GT2 is modified, has Motons and suspension goodies, and it is just an absolute blast... EXTREMELY fast around the track in the right hands, and can be driven on the street, haven't had one problem with my car in the almost 3 years of ownership...

IMO though, it's not a car for everyone, if you wanted a GT2 i'm sure you would know it quite frankly, I knew I wanted a gt2 and went looking exclusively for them.. I had a 997 GT3 on order to my spec too but then changed my mind..

I would probably go with a 997 GT3 for what you want, as my car isn't the most pleasant on the street!

Good luck

Rob in VA

No offense, but those GT3 drivers weren't any good. No eff'n way would a well driven GT3 get caught by an Elise. It just won't ever happen.

Sounds like you have some driving talent, but if you haven't driven a 911 on the track, they can take some getting used to before you can start to get quick with them. Once you learn how to exploit the pros and cons, they can be hella quick. I've been driving for some time and I still don't maximize the potential of the car.

blake

I was thinking the same thing... Which Exige did you have?

Test drive the 996 and 997 variants, then make a decison. Oh - and test drive *several* of each as set-ups vary widely car to car...

Good luck.

-B

switchcars

If you really want an experience.....we have a 996 gt3 in stock, a 997 gt3, and a 996 gt2 coming in on trade....and our dealership is at a racetrack.

If you have time, fly out to Vegas, come see us, and you can really compare all three cars. Hopefully you'll buy one from us then too after that

4porsh

^
And that is a great track and facilities you are at.
Had a great time there a few months ago in the rain. My friend and I had the two SY 996 GT3s and I think you had the silver GTR.
Nice to meet you.

Joe

switchcars

It is indeed, but I don't believe that was me. I have a red GT-R we use as a demo at our showroom, but I think the silver one was a customer's car that he was driving....he's out there a lot.