WannaGT3

Beginning to look for a 996 GT3, but early in process. At this point car will be used primarily for Autocross. Budget is $50k.... I know probably a bit low but notimpossible. Would love the GT3 recaros in it and the PCCBs ...open to suggestions but to me those are nice to have.

Was comparing 3 options:

1). 2004 GT3 gt3 seats, 48k mileage, 2 owner, $58k price will take offers - Bay Area

Thoughts nice car but high price for the mileage

2). 2005 GT3, 18k. MT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...#ht_500wt_1021

Nice low mileage, SOLD $52k. Bothered me that there were 4
owners? Should it?

3). 2004 67k miles, pccbs asking price $48.5k
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_48018wt_948

Example of what Im not looking for...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/996-G...ht_4925wt_1010

May be a great track car but

Any thoughts or advice? How would you have ranked them? They all look good but would you weigh mileage or number of owners? Obviously not buying anything without a solid PPI.

996FLT6

Any particular reason u want pccbs? I think you have more options with non-pccb cars in the market. Mike

WannaGT3

PCCBs would be nice but not nccessary at all. Not sure they would even be an advantage in AX. Best car for the money wins.

88 Club Sport

It would not bother me that a car has 4 owners if you know the story. I just bought a 6GT3 and there were 3 owners, each made it better. If you planning on using it on the track, you are better finding one done vs. having to do it. For example, I found a buddy a nice clean stock car for $55k. He then did seats/belts/bar/wheels etc. I bet he is into it for $10k.

If you are buying for street use only, my choice would have been #2 above.

Mikelly

I would NOT be concerned over numbers of transitions of ownership if you are getting the owners records. I got a very thick folder showing all the records for the car from the point of initial sale all the way through the 30K service just before I bought it in May.

Finding a one-owner special is gonna be hard, and may not mean a hill of beans if the owner was a jackass and didn't maintain the car.

Mike

WannaGT3

Okay so service records trump everything. What would you consider high mileage for a GT3? Whats the most you've seen on one? At what level would it worry you?

gvtesse

+1

Mine also had 3 owners before I purchased it.

LVDell

The manner in which the owner(s) took care of the care trumps miles all the time. I'll trust a 50K mile car maintained by one of the regulars I've known here for years over a low mile, little records available example from eBay, autotrader, etc.

Also, it sounds like you want a high 50's car with a 50K budget. My suggestions would be to expand your budget to high 50's so you can (a) get what you want; and (b) get one that has been taken care of so all you have to do is get in and drive worry-free.

FYI...You do not PCCB's. These cars are 9 years old now and a car with PCCB's is going to cost you serious $$$ if you want to replace them with PCCB's. Most here bought cars without specifying they wanted PCCB and if the car they found was perfect but had PCCB, they removed and replaced with steels. Trust the group here, get one with steels. Many more options for rotors, pads, etc..

Remember, these are not your average pre-owned cars. They are specialty cars that are relatively rare. Number of owners and miles should not be what you focus on. Full record of ownership, preventative maintenance, etc, should be your priority.

As a data point, 4 years ago I sold my 6GT3 to another member here. The car had 25K miles on it with fully documented track days. It had some fantastic goodies installed as well. But most importantly, I had documented the history of the car from delivery in July 2003 to the day I put it up for sale. I was insanely meticulous about my fluid change intervals and preventative maintenance of the car. It sold the same week I put it up for sale. The new owner basically bought it sight unseen.

Keep posting your questions about examples you find and be realistic about your budget and what you want in the car and the collective brain trust here will get you to the finish line.

yoda888

Dang it! Another person in the bay area competing for a GT3?

I took a look at the '04 with you're talking about. It seems overpriced compared to other GT3s I've seen listed on ebay and on rennlist. Specially given the mileage on the car. For that price that they're asking, I think you can even buy the unicorn colored GT3. WHITE!

To me, the car wasn't as "clean" as I thought it would be based on the asking price. I expected no knicks/scratches at all. There was a couple of those on the bumpers. I understand they've gotten a couple of offers at $50k and balked at it. (The car is actually on consignment.)

It does have the euro GT3 seats which are quite pricey if you were to buy it yourself. I'm actually curious as to how they compare in comfort to the normal GT3 sport seats. The reason I say this is that I'm a fairly thin guy and I find the seat to be tight. I can't imagine taking the car up to the Napa or something. My wife would kill me, and I'd probably want to kill me! Plus getting in and out is a PIA! But they would be very good for HPDEs!

Serge944

The 18k mile car for 52k seems like a very fair deal.

You will be able to get an excellent car for 50k - you just need to be patient. I'm not impressed with most of the 996 GT3s currently advertized. The asking price spread is also huge, with lots of dreamers.

Regarding brakes, it doesn't matter what you get. If you get PCCB, you get bling yellow calipers and can replace with steel rotors fairly inexpensively.

Mikelly

There are nice examples out there... Mine had 31K miles on it, had new NT01s, a FaBSPEED exhaust, 997 SSK, Dasport rollbar, factory optioned Carbon trim, and the 30K service completed. It also had a total of 6 pin sized rock chips TOTAL on the whole car, and they were on the lower front bumper above the splitter. I'm the 4th owner, according to the records.

$52500 was the price... They're out there... search hard...Be patient!

Mike

pu911rsr

FWIW mine had 25k miles and was a no stories car, first two owners really never drove it. All necesary maintanance done.
Phil

ewj

First time buyer also looking for a 996 GT3. Didn't get to see #1 (2004 GT3 in the Bay area), however, spoke to the seller - he is willing to negotiate and gave me a counter offer which was several thousand below asking. Good luck on your search.

RSMC

Might go look at the red one at RUF soon...thoughts on pricing? Previous owner tracked a good amount, but RUF did the maintenance so they should have records.

Fooshe

Wish you luck!