jreifler

In case anyone's bored over Turkey Day, here's a proposition for input: I've long wanted to experience a 993, but need to keep the stable to 2 cars for now.

My GT4 is a dedicated track build, and it's incredible for that purpose. I don't really drive it otherwise, as it's pretty aggressive for the street, and the 3 is just too good not to drive at every opportunity.

If I part with the 4 for a 993, I'll be "forced" to track the 3. That's something I really want to do, but am also a little hesitant about. Not for any of the usual misconceived reasons about undue track wear. That's all nonsense. More about needing to add a cage, buckets, likely 5 lugs, etc. Expensive and a little intrusive for an otherwise stock example.

I could let the 3 go, but I've only had it 2 years, and genuinely can't imagine enjoying another car more (excepting a 7 RS). So, not quite ready to NOT have a GT3.

What would folks be inclined to do in this scenario? I worry I'll miss the brilliance of the 4 on track, but if I can get over my hangups about tracking the 3, I suspect that won't last. Thoughts ?

vma1788

Sounds like you have the ideal situation currently if you don't want to track out the GT3. What is the want from the 993, just a cool cruiser? If that's the case I would say stick with what you have. I think the 993 is cool for the old car nostalgia but as for on street excitement it wont compare to the GT3.

On the other hand if you commit to making the 997 a more track focused car, while still being able to enjoy it on the street, a 997 GT3 and 993 street cruiser is a great combo.

Belinko

This is going to be biased, so you might want to propose the same question in the GT4 forum.

I was between purchasing a 4 and 3 for tracking/HPDE and driving purposes
Decided on the 3 for a couple of reasons:
1. it's a 911
2. 996/997 3 is almost a cup car
3. driving challenge/learning to drive the GT3 (much harder and less forgiving than the 4). if you can drive a 6/7 Gt3 to 9/10ths you can drive anything. The "brilliance" just means easier to drive at the limits.
4. GT3 > GT4 always
5. GT4 trans, tall gearing, shock tower issues, really depends on generation of 4 at this point. The 4.0 GT4 or new GT4 RS would be a beast on track. Just depends on what you're looking to achieve.
6. Service and maintenance on the GT3 so much easier to access every thing, if you DIY.

I knew what I was getting into, I was hoping to find a clean 7.1 with some track mods. I purchased a clean "high mileage/daily driver" 3 with no track mods whatsoever. No 5 - lug conversion needed and no issues with cam adjuster bolts backing out.
I understand your hesitation with regards to the mods, but I don't think the mods are that intrusive if you try to keep it OEM+ and keep everything that you remove. Example, even Mooty converted his 7.2 4.0RS to 5-lug. You need to decide if you're trying to preserve the car for someone else or if you're going to make it yours.
Required Mods IMHO for HPDE: you know the drill
- pin coolant lines
- adjustable rear toe links, toe lock out plates, (thrust arm bushings)
- track pads, brake fluid
- roll bar, harnesses, fixed back seats
- R-comp tires
- PPF
- (side muffler delete)

Maverick11

I totally get the need to scratch anitch with the 993 if you haven’t tried one or an air cooled in general. They are good things. If the itch is strong do what you need to do.

But, if you want the honest take having owned and driven lots of 911s… 997s and especially the motorsports cars are the sweet spot and as good as it gets road or track. I’d keep the current set up but have already scratched the itches. 993s are good stuff but won’t beat your 3 as a road car or your 4 as a track car.

dave292

Get a bigger garage.

Wonderdan

The fact that you came to the gt3 section to pose this question means you already know the answer RS it is

ljmartyre

I loved my 981 GT4, but I never miss it.
A 993 S and a 997 GT3 to me is the perfect garage.

As someone who drives the 7.2 GT3 way more than the average owner, when I was looking at adding a 993 it just didn’t make a ton of sense.

The 7.x GT3 is a fantastic car around town or doing whatever else you need it to do while still retaining the tactile feel that most people seek.

Can’t go wrong either way!

JS

Exactly.

jreifler

Good stuff already, as expected. Thank you!

@vma1788 + @Maverick11 The 993 desire is just a P-Car experience I want to have at some point. I loved my 930, and think I’d really enjoy the last of the air-cooled breed. It would be a weekend cruiser, C&C car, and something I could customize over time. It’s definitely not a “will this compare to my GT cars?” proposition. It won’t. Just a different experience.

@Belinko Great input. I’ve driven a good number of cars way less forgiving than the 4 on track, so I hear you there. The GT3 would certainly be a more intense and engaging car on track, and I DIY just about everything I can, so I’d actually enjoy that process with the 3. You’re probably right that the mods won’t matter if done right and reversible. And with every mile I add to mine, I care less about preserving for resale than I do about just enjoying it. I’ve also strongly considered trying to find another 3 with miles and some mods already done, as you initially considered.

@ljmartyre 993 didn’t make sense because you spend so much time driving the 3 already? Interesting you say you never miss the 981. I kinda feel like I wouldn’t either. It’s obviously incredible, but it doesn’t really have a special, sentimental feel to it.

@dave292 / @JS Sigh. I know that’s the “right” solution.

@Wonderdan I’ll take yours . . .

Wonderdan

I don’t know if you want mine… it’s parted out spread across my shop (god help my wife if I croak) even my PCCBs are on their way to Slovenia as we speak to “get a new chance at life”. If you like DIY I’d get a loved but not abused RS and make it your own and track it

Wilder

As someone who has had four 993s, was looking for a GT4, and bought a 7GT3 instead a few hours ago...

- Don't sell the 3. It's peak 911.
- Aircooled cars are special but the 993 is not that big of a departure from the 3. Feels like a softer, underpowered version. I'd step back to the 964. Turning a C2 into an RS tribute would be fun.
- Sell your 4 and track your 3. You're going to die and don't know when. Take your stock 3 and enjoy it. Modding is half the fun.
- So many here on RL made a great argument for the 4 when I was looking and I'm sure it's an amazing car but it will never be a rear-engined 911 and all that comes with that.

jreifler

I keep waiting for an RS with miles and mods to pop up. Seems the ones that get used properly never come up, but museum pieces trade regularly . . .

Wonderdan

It’s also gamble for sure on what you get… I just keep telling guys, outside of the body panels this thing is a Lego man’s dream to work on. If your trying to hard your doing it wrong, German parts just “fit”.

Auto_Werks 3.6

In my family we have a 997.2 gt3, 981 cayman s, and a 3.6 swapped 87 carrera. I’ve had aircooled cars forever, but it’s hard to get excited about the aircooled now that I’ve had the gt3 for a few years. It’s just a slightly underpowered no air conditioning version of the gt3. I actually find myself wanting to have a clean 4 cylinder 914 more than the old 911. I think if I were you I’d keep the stable you have now. Rent yourself a storage unit and get the 993 for the experience, but I doubt it will be a keeper.

993Brendan

My 997RS shares garage space with a 993 that I've had for 18 years. Its my favorite car and a great companion experience to the 997 GTs.