cphelps

I'm thinking about trading my GT2 for a 997 Turbo - help me make a decision. The reasoning:

1. I have a 996 GT3 that I love. And I mean love, in all of the wrong ways, inappropriate man on car love. I'll only get rid if it if I find a 997.1 GT3RS in Green that I like.

2. The GT2 and GT3 overlap quite a bit for use.

3. I can't take my wife and son on rides with me in the GT2.

4. The Turbo's are a dime a dozen. There are only 25 2004 GT2's, and I have one of them.

5. Turbo will probably depreciate faster than the GT2.

6. I have a solid trade in offer of $75k for my GT2 on a completely loaded 997 turbo in the color I want with PCCB's and a ton of exclusive options.

7. I own a 996 GT2 and 996 GT3, which is awesome and a childhood dream.

What would you do? I'm torn - the GT2 is amazing, it's an animal, but I'd like to be able to take the family out in one of my Porsche's and right now we have to drive both, which isn't always practical, and the GT3 has Euro seats, cup cables, 997 shifter, LWFW, etc etc - so not the best street car, but like I said, I love it. Trying to make a decision this week.

LVDell

1. We all feel that way
2. 100% agree
3. Major Negative which requires the purchase of a model with rear seats (hence the reason I moved over to the Turbo....see my avatar)
4. Actually Carrera's are a dime a dozen. The Turbo models were not produced at that volume and they are few and far between finding a good condition example. The used market is just not 6Turbo flooded like the Carrera's. With that said, there were not many 996 GT2's prodcued for the US (maybe 500 total but it's not just 24)
5. Not really, the GT2 depreciated faster and at a greater percent than the turbo relative to it's "new" price.
6. I'd be all over that (if I still had the 6GT3 in the garage) and the 7Turbo was CPO'd not brand new.
7. 100% concur.

Result? 6GT3 and 7Turbo (or even 6Turbo) is a fantastic setup to cover both ends of the dichotomy My near future goal is to get back in a GT3 (Cup this time) and have that for the track and the Turbo to drive around with the kiddos.

K964

Tough call. You do have a rare GT2 as only 24 were produced in 2004 for the North American market. The car has taken a hit in terms of depreciation, but IMHO has nearly reached its market low of around $70K. Even abused examples go for $60K.

The 997 Turbo will continue to get whacked---look at what is happening to the 996 turbos right now. You can snag a nice 2001 996 Turbo for $35K---the latest "Excellence" had an article talking about $25K 996 Turbos.

If you must take the family out in a Porsche, why not buy a 996 Carrera or Turbo or hell even a Cayenne. No problem getting one in the $20K-$30K range. Keep both the 6-2 and the 6-3 as good ones are getting tougher to find.

I've posted some production #s as well:

996 and 997 North American production number info

Data is sorted from lowest production number to highest:

997 GT2 total - 205
2008: 185
2009: 20

996 GT2 total - 317
2001 (2002 Model year): 14
2002: 184
2003: 90
2004: 24
2005: 5

Carrera GT ('04 to '06) total - 604

997 GT3 RS total to date - 810
MK1: 413
MK2: 397 (up to Nov '10)

996 GT3 total - 960
2003 (2004 model year): 257
2004: 607
2005: 96

997 GT3 total to date - 1462
MK1: 916
MK2: 546 (up to Nov '10)

997TT total to date - 8,009
2006 (2007 Model Year): 1156
2007: 3509
2008: 2141
2009: 872
2010 (up to Feb '10): 331

996TT total - 9,180
2001 Coupe: 2418
2002 Coupe: 2318
2003 Coupe: 1384
2003 Cab: 482
2004 Coupe: 298
2004 Cab: 1490
2005 Coupe: 186
2005 Cab: 604[/font]

LVDell

Wow, I would have thought a bit more for the Turbos but 9K over their run isn't much at all. Thanks for the breakdown as the list I have is for worldwide production.

If you are buying a Turbo in the 35 range it will be one of the less cared for examples. Right now, the 6Turbo's (nice examples) are 02-05 and range from 45-60k. The 01 is the least desirable and not just b/c it's the first of the 6Turbo line. FYI....that 25K Turbo was a 100K+ mile example and an 01. Lucky ot even find a buyer for that and the $25K was a steal. I was offered 25K for my 2000 CAB with 75K miles as a comparison point.

I'd 100% stay away from the Carreras when the price delta is minimal in this price point to get the Turbo instead. GT1 motor versus M96 mass produced is a no brainer.

The other option is to sell the 6GT3 and keep the 6GT2 and get the Turbo. Either way, it's a tough call but one most would love to be in

85Gold

Had an 05 6GT3 traded up, or thought I did at the time, to highly modded .6GT2. Missed the GT3 immediately and when I sold the GT2 got another 6GT3 which i will keep for a long time. Moral GT3 is greater than GT2. Get the 997 turbo for street fun

Peter

StephenB

Get the 997 turbo and keep the 6GT3. Your kids are only young once! They will enjoy riding in the Turbo. When my sons were younger, I would take them to school every morning along with a friend. My 996 would easily hold 3 boys, 3 backpacks, 2 violins and my briefcase.

P.J.S.

$75k trade in offer for gt2 is pretty good
Sounds like they have the turbo you want
I vote yes - do it
Do it for your kids :-)

supercup

I had a 996 GT2 - traded it for a 997 GT3 RS.1 - loved the RS - but I have a Cup car, so it was redundant for me. I sold the RS - and bought a 997 TT Cab - great decision - wife and kids love the car as do I. Great street car and I know its not going to the track. I enjoyed the GT2 but sold it (and the RS) for all the reasons you are considering and have never looked back! You will be happy you did, since you have the GT3 for your weekend fun and track days.

Go for it!

ukrbmw

Wow - tough call. I actually spoke to you about the GT3 when you were thinking of selling - that thing is spotless with 7K on it if I remember correctly.

GT3 is a blast on the track, but I don't even drive it to work on Fridays any more - too flashy, too loud, too uncomfortable. 997 Turbo, especially a Cab, seems like the perfect weekend car!

cphelps

Thanks for the rational feedback everyone - my gut feeling is getting confirmed. Who would have thought a bunch of racers are the rational ones? I'm going to check out a 997 Turbo that has all the right options tonight, I'll drive it for a while and see if it fits, maybe keep it overnight.

supercup, you've had an amazing collection - looks like I'm on the supercup plan with my cars!

K964 thanks for all of the production numbers - that is great info!

JG 996T

I'd keep the GT2 and trade-in the 3. But, I love forced induction.

And it looks like the 2 is more rare than the 3.

TrackDays247.com

997.1 Turbo is a lot less enjoyable at speed than the curent models...be aware....

GTgears

That's my thinking on it. If I'm considering which of the two I want in my garage "forever" I'm going to put a 996 GT2 there over a 996 GT3.

K964

I agree. Especially considering the fact that you have 1 of 25 for the US market.

cphelps

Well, I did it. Traded the GT2 for a 997 Turbo in Atlas Gray (my favorite color) with full natural gray leather, complete carbon package, PCCB's and full stitching throughout. I'm sad to see my GT2 go, but this car is pretty amazing, and my son fits in the back just fine. Some of you might know this car - it was for sale on another forum in 2009, I'm the 3rd owner.