raidersfan

I have been looking into purchasing either a 997.2 GT3 or a GT4 for awhile now. I want to do some tracking, but mostly I love the presence and connected-ness of the GT platform: it just feels more "me" than a standard 997, which is softer and a different car. Both the GT3 and the GT4 have a much better gearbox than the 991 in that price range. Reading the forums here, I see a lot of "GT3 is much more expensive to own than a GT4". If so, why is that, from a daily driving standpoint? I may do a couple of track days a year: it won't be anything serious, but I will put 7,000-10,000 miles a year on this car. What makes a GT3 cost so much more to daily? Are there inherent failures that are only present in the 997.2 GT3? I had always thought the Mezger engine was bulletproof. What about the transmission compared to the standard 6MT box in the GT4? What else (again, assuming most miles are done as a daily driver, not as a track car).

I searched, but couldn't find a whole lot of details on what makes these so expensive to own. Obviously tracking the heavier, more expensive car will be a different story, but if I were buying a track car, it would be much cheaper car to start with.

WantA997

GT4 is still under warranty.

raidersfan

True. With that said, I don't know of a lot of GT4 problems outside of the 3rd gear issue. The 2 guys I know with a GT4 have not had a single issue. Is the GT3 prone to issues that would also happen, but be under warranty, in a GT4?

WantA997

I can't imagine annual running costs of the 2 cars being much different, however I have 0 experience with the GT4. What I do have experience with is the 3.8 DFI in the GT4 (which is the same engine in my old C2S), and I can confirm it is indeed bulletproof.

What will make your GT3 cost of ownership more than the GT4 (excluding depreciation) is the coolant lines and the LSD. The coolant lines will fail, thus requiring them to be pinned or welded. And if you plan on tracking the car, your diff will require a rebuild (or a replacement with a Guard unit) fairly quickly. Since these are engine-out services, it makes sense to do both at the same time (along with the clutch). The cost of this service is around $10k. So either find a car that has had all this work previously completed, or factor it into your purchase price.

pdds

I purchased my 7.2 GT3 8 months ago, 23k miles, and I chose to CPO it. After about 800 miles, I took it in because there was a loud rattle from the right rear. Turns out the side muffler (not sure what component) broke. It was just a loud rattle, no performance issues. Repair cost was $5000+ to replace the side muffler. Obviously, glad it was under warranty! Other than that, I've put on a total of 1100 miles since I've purchased it, and not a single regret, not the fastest car I've had, but it's the most visceral, and enjoyable car. I don't really foresee selling it anytime soon, if ever. Not really answering your daily driver question but hope it gives you some more of an idea of repair costs.

balefire

My 997.1 gt3 is a semi daily driven car with irregular autocross use
After 2 years and 15k miIes here is what has needed repair.
Exhaust tips loosened.
Coolant leak
Diff rebuild
Exhaust valves stuck closed
Washer fluid leak
cigarette lighter fuse blew
Worn front splitter despite very careful approach angles

Of course this also doesn't include typical consumable items like tires brakes fluids

silviaks

Whats the procedure to CPO a car? And how much did it cost you?

noro78

If you take out the heavy drive line failures (like gearbox/engine), cost to own the GT3 is no more than any other 911. I've asked this question before and people have difficulty convincing me otherwise. If you do heavy track.. that's different and frankly most nice cars when tracked heavily cost a lot.

pissedpuppy

virtually none for me

DD both for the past 4-5 years, though my daily usage is not extreme

EDIT: knock on wood!

hillsdonsmith

David911

I bought my 08 with 3,000 miles, CPO. I now have 84,000 miles. This has been the best, most trouble free car I have ever owned. There have been no repair costs (other than some body work).

The big costs are major service ($3K, every 24K miles), regular service ($900 or so), and F%$^ing tires - they seem to be screw magnets and I only get around 10,000 miles per set ($2K). All of these are approximate prices at a dealer. I am sure it could be less at an independent shop.

David

pissedpuppy

^^^ well done - drive that beast ^^^

raidersfan

Thanks everyone! I have a line on a 7k mile GT4 w/buckets for $14k under MSRP (CPO, one owner-guy just wants to get anything more than trade-in on the car). But man, that is tempting; I know the GT3 is just a different car entirely.

Would this be a good candidate at the "right" price? What would that price be?

https://main-line.porschedealer.com/...AC2A94AS783107

WantA997

Assuming you like black (I love it), don't mind the plastic dash (deal-breaker for me, YMMV), and the over rev report is clean, I think it's priced fair as-is. Can't hurt to throw out a $95k offer and see what happens though.

Esq.