Sean

Well, I posed this question on the GT3 forum, so I might as well ask it here.

I have been suffering from a bout of "GT3 fever" lately. You know the symptoms: sweaty palms, shortness of breath, insomnia, and an irresitable urge to visit the local P-car dealership and get copies of GT3 order forms.

The GT3 is clearly an amazing car.

But the 997 is also clearly on the horizon and approaching fast. It looks good, and it will have all sorts of technological improvements. If Porsche follows past form, it will roll out Turbo variants shortly thereafter. And can a 997 GT3 be far behind?

So what do you think: 996 GT3 today or 997 tomorrow?

Eyal 951

first, I don't think there are plans for a 997 GT-3, but I may be wrong. I say for sure a GT-3 now over a 997 NA. If your waiting for a 997 TT, I believe they will be keeping the TT's as 996's. Again, I'm not 100% on this info. The GT-3 is quite an amazing car. Either way, enjoy it!
~Eyal

earlyapex

I'd stick with the GT3. Why jump into a vehicle in the first year of production (997)? Why wait for the next turbo when the best NA Porsche is available now?

smk002

Not clear on your query. Are you asking wait for 997 C2, TT, then buy 997
GT3 if it is built, Vs. 996 GT3? Or 996 GT3 Vs. 997 C2 (assuming it is first
available variant)? Either way I say get GT3 ASAP, and let them work out
early production problems.

Eric - Plug Guy

Agree with most here. The GT3 is something that will most likely not be seen in 997 format. Get the GT3 now, and enjoy.

Sean

Some people change cars once a year. I am a "buy and hold" type. When I get my hands on a car I keep it a long time.

The GT3 is being compared (favorably) to the 1973 Carrera RS. That says a lot in my book. It took Porsche 31 YEARS, but according to a lot of people, they've eclipsed that benchmark.

But...the 997 will be out soon with updated styling and technology. And I don't see why Porsche would not offer a 997 GT3. I would expect the 997 to follow the path of the 996...first the coupe, then the Cab and Turbo and other variants.

Will the 997 steal the GT3's thunder? Or will the GT3 be "king of the hill" for a long time to come?

Steve in FL

Sean: Look at the sales figures on the '04 GT3 in North America to date. Projecting total deliveries thru July based on the current rate Porsche is going to fall well short of the 750 that were supposed to be allocated. That they didn't make the effort to get some version of the GT3RS approved for the US I see as a sign Fred Schwab's promise that we'd get the "special" cars in the future expired when he left PCNA. Based on that I doubt that Porsche will ever go through the process of getting a car like the GT3 approved for sale in the US again.

RR

Steve,

I can't bloody well blame them.
What North American's need is big fat, V-8 torquey power.

These car companies do so much marketing research that they know what you want before you even get to the dealership and right now that's basically, Power, and torque and GOBS of it.

Cars like the GT3 don't fit that mold. The number of people that want a car and I mean really want a car like the GT3 are small in North America.

Look at all the car companies supercharging their motors. This is something that came through marketing research. Supercharging is a quick and inexpensive way to increase power especially if you have only 8 months to bring a car to market.

Its like Fahren Affair said in a previous post. How many 3.6L 6 cylinder normally aspirated cars do you know out there that are producing 400hp?
None.
How do you think it got that way? Years and years of development and research. Development work on such a car is expensive vs just taking an exisiting motor and adding a supercharger to it. You can basically do that in your own garage.

carrageous

If you're a buy and hold type -- and we presume you're talking a soon decision, rather than waiting 5 years for a possible 997 GT3 -- then buy and hold a GT3 now.

Love it, hold it, it's a remarkable, low production ultra-sport 911 that will will undoubtedly be a great keeper.

But be sure to drive the hell out of it while you're holding it, for pete's sake!!!

Sean

The GT3 is interesting to me because it seems to have silenced a lot of the backlash against the 996. I can understand the enthusiasts resistance to water cooling the 911. But each year Porsche seems to be hitting closer to the mark in building cars that are consistent with the company's history. The 996 Turbo was widely hailed a great (albeit overly civilized) car. The GT3 seems to have silenced all doubts.

JS

There isnt any word there will be a 997GT3.

Steve in FL

I do expect to see a 997 based GT3 at some point for the same reason Porsche developed the 996 based GT3 - to homologate for GT class racing. I just don't expect that car will ever be available from PCNA and I'm not willing to pass on an '04 GT3 to take the chance we will. I may not have learned much from the dotcom implosion but I did learn to enjoy it while I can.

Sean

There are no guarantees of a 997 GT3, but one would expect it in a few years.

Steve makes a good point. Even if produced, the 997 GT3 may not make it to the United States. The Mk 1 996 GT3 did not.

BTW, the word on the street is that the GT3 will continue production in 996 format through 2005, even though the 2005 997 coupe will be available. Porsche is going to migrate to the 997 platform in stages.

Steve in FL

Sean: The rumor of an '05 996 GT3 came up on the GT2/GT3 forum recently as one of the folks there reported getting an e-mail from a sales rep with that info. When they followed up with the sales manager no supporting documents from PCNA to the dealer could be found.

yongster

On the GT3 forum, it states NO 2005 GT3. You better get moving! (may be already too late). Early 997's will not hold their value (just look at the history of the 996s).