Simple question...

What things should one be looking for when looking at higher milage .2 GT3s (not tracked)? Welded coolant pipes? Clutch replacement? LSD replacement?

The reason I ask is because I am in the market for a GT3 and have found two higher mileage examples (~40k).

Thanks in advance.

 

Front Axle Lift functional!

 

Regarding coolant pipes, if the car hasn't been tracked (nor will it be), is this a 100% must?

 

Mine blew around 40K before I started tracking it.

They'll need to drop the engine to do it - will cost about 2,000 or so to put in the $50 part.

 

No!

My 997.1 has 51K miles and has had no problems. I do not track. I DO check all the coolant fittings, front and back on a regular basis because I perform all the maintenance; and actually enjoy tinkering on my "fun" car.

I live about 20 miles N of Malibu and enjoy early AM trips through the Santa Monica Mtns. to the coast for breakfast. Sometimes I get lost and the drive extends to 100 or so miles. But only during the week. Week-ends are too crowded.

Spirited driving on canyon roads have had no impact on my coolant system, only the tires. That is my conclusion after driving my car 40K miles in 7 years.

If I tracked, the fittings would be welded. IMO, pins, even if properly installed, will not stop deterioration of the adhesive. They have proven to keep fittings from separating, but slower leaks is another issue.

The excessive and sustained heat cycles on track will have an adverse effect on the adhesive holding the fittings together. Especially if a car has a purported bad batch of adhesive, or it was not applied correctly.

Regular preventative maintenance is a must, whether you track or not. This should include coolant level, visual (under panel removal) and sniff checks.

Enjoy

 

Since you're not tracking I'm guessing you don't want GT2 Buckets or race seats. If you do want those seats, I recommend you try to find a car with them already in place because that can be expensive (or impossible) to obtain afterward.

 

grizfish: Great, thank you for that!

Nice to have, but not a must.

 

I have 75K non-track miles on my 997.1 GT3. Other than tires and routine maintenance, nothing has needed repair. The most trouble free car I have ever owned.

David

 

How troubling would this be? As per the PPI:

Leak at oil pump drive line(possible to tighten) Sweat at oil pump drive
Minor sweat, rear main seal

 

Seems like that car was run pretty hard.

 

Not familiar with the term "minor sweat." However, in 2010 during my pre-purchase inspection, a leaking rear main seal was detected. Not enough leak to drip to the ground, but the owner had his local dealership replace the RMS under warranty. No leaks now with 40K additional miles.

I don't understand how the leaks you mentioned can be construed as indicating "that car was run pretty hard."

 

Seals can happen if the car sits for a longer period of time. The RMS and other seals function better when regularly used.

Agree that leaks don't mean the car was run hard. hard is also relative. most GT3 owners do drive their cars harder than they would drive a Prius.

 

You make no sense.
It just means car wasn't driven much.

 

Here's a quandary.
He's looking at a 'high mileage' GT3 with a leaking/sweating RMS. If leaking/sweating RMS means the car 'wasn't driven much' how can it also be high mileage?

 

I spoke with my mechanic. Nothing to worry about. It just means the car has not been driven much recently.