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Bang for buck yes.

95% of performance for 30% of the price compared to 3.8RS. With the money difference reinvested it will outperform the 3.8RS in every way as Alex is about to demonstrate.

But no wide hips and round headlights...

 

Only from cost basis. Slower, lesser looks, lesser interior and amenities.

 

I owned both. The 996 is harder to drive and requires more attention. The 997 is more refined and not as raw. It depends on what you want. I had to pay attention at all times in the 996. Even after an alignment the 966 would be very twitchy in the front and tramline.
Obviously the 996 is going to cost less, but you are going to have a hard time finding a pampered one. one that wasnt abused.

 

I've owned 3 out of 4....all but 997.2 RS obviously

here is my opinion in a simple scale breakdown and it depends on what you want it for/it's intended use:

996 GT3
Track fun factor = 10
Street comfort = 7
Cool factor = 7
Cost = 10

997 GT3
Track fun factor = 8
Street comfort = 9
Cool factor = 8
Cost = 9

997.1 GT3RS
Track Fun factor = 9
Street Comfort = 8
Cool Factor = 10
Cost = 8

 

Styling/interior/amenities....whatever. This is the only view that I care about:

 

I agree with DRG13's ratings in general but have some thoughts to add. I own a 996.2 GT3 and have driven all the rated cars on the street and track (except 997.2). The 996GT3 is definately more fun at the track but less street friendly than the later versions. Overall performance differences between the variants are measurable but not huge. Here are my ratings as seen by an enthusiast/collector, regarding value in 10-15 years:

996.1 GT3
Rarity: 9
Fun:8
Useability:7
Collector Grade: B+ : 1st of the breed,- not officially imported into the US

996.2 GT3
Rarity:7
Fun: 9
Useability: 7
Collector Grade B: limited production, 1st US version, considered the most "raw" base version, closest to factory racers, challenging suspension.

996.2 GT3 RS
Rarity:9
Fun: 9
Useability: 6
Collector Grade A- (No US cars, low numbers, even more raw than base GT3, arguably best exterior graphics)

997.1 GT3
Rarity: 6
Fun:7
Useability:9
Collector Grade: B: High production numbers, Known for "softening" the car with sunroof, electronic nannies, higher weight, but more power and attractive with with traditional headlamps and upgraded interior.

997.2 GT3RS
Rarity:7
Fun: 8
Useability: 7
Collector Grade B+: Somewhat less soft than GT3 variant, somewhat lower numbers, exuberant colors/graphics.

997.2 GT3
Rarity: 7 (economy sucks so lower sales numbers)
Fun:8
Useability:9
Collector Grade: B More electronic nannies but a return to a harder feel. Great compromise between road and track.

Like all Porsche street cars the value of these cars is mostly based on their useability and community. They are not ultra rare so thay will never be true A list collectables. If "recreational" tracks become more popular they will hold their value far better than the more mass produced 911 models. If insurance and liability fears increase they will all take a big hit. 996 GT3 may be the "sweet spot" as they are likely to make club racer conversion candidates, like the RSA, keeping their values relatively stable. Newer models will face steep drops as they become yesterday's news fast. Witness the drop of 997.2 RS models recent 12 month drop from $175 to $110k cars. Don't feel too bad for GT3 owners as compared with comparitively lower production Ferrari V8 models we are fortunate: 360 Spiders worth $250K in 2004 are now $100k erasing 60% of their value in 5 years compared with 996.2 GT3s dropping about 40% in the same time. Note that base 996 and 997 models are a now cautionary tale losing 50% of their value in three years or less, even worse if highly optioned or less desireable like targa or base models.

 

996 GT3 is awesome car. one of the best performance bargins out there!

that being said, i hate the fact that if i had a 996 gt3, it looks just like my neighbour's 4th hand 996 carrera which is worth only 19k

 

The 997.1 RS (and GT3) failed to get me out of my 996 RS. The 997 is definitely a friendlier road car but in terms of driving purity and raw fun I think the 996 wins.

 

RS is better hands down. I've had both and have tracked both fairly extensively.

RS - smoother, stiffer, better handling/suspension, better exhaust note, just a well planted car.

6GT3 - great car, but not an RS. floaty on the track, good power though. I don't have to turn off/on 38 buttons when I get on the track

Of course, this is comparing stock to stock.

 

OG, no flame intended, but I never understood this type of statement from guys on this board...clearly the 996 GT3 was most fellows first taste of a factory hybrid track-street car with its inherent track based nuances of driving...some called it, "twitchy; less controllable; unpredictable".....ad nauseum....insert your own adjectives.

The main point is that most guys stepped into these from cars without prior HP upgrades and without significant track experience and without it being correctly dialed in and pronounced it all of the terms as described above.

The 996 GT3 is a great car for both the track and street and the current values make it a real bargain and the bang for the buck is great

 

leif did you not read my Even after alignment? I dont disagree with your comment about the car being great, But I had it aligned by laser at a race shop specializing in GT3s and race cars. On the way back home it hunted on the freeway. I had tracked my TT and it was more stable after RS sways dropouts and PSS9s(the 996 GT3 was more fun though). I had the chance to compare the cars(993TT,996GT3 and the 997 GT3) on the same tracks in the same configuration. One thing that sticks in my mind is Cotton corners at Buttonwillow in configuration 13. Three corners in a row, with the last being off camber.
On a typical day (sunny in the fall) I spun the 996 GT3 three times in the same spot. I never spun the TT or the 997 in that spot. So while your complaint might be valid in some cases, not so in mine.
Maybe if you were on the west coast and could talk to us left coasters you would have a better idea of what happened. I wasnt the only one who complained about this at the track. I have alot of tracks with in my one day range. Willow Springs is just 50 miles away, buttonwillow, Fontana (which was my favorite) Leguna Seca Thunderhill, Reno Sparks raceway (where I debuted the 996 Manthey GT3)Infineon.
Youre trying to say that I dont have the experience to say what I said. However i had been to the track with my TT and spent alot of money to get it track worthy. Thats when the GT3 came along. I have even driven a 2WD version of the 993 TT(and many more race prepped 911s including a full race prepped 70 911 with carbs. Under the tutelage of Viper Bob
I got alot of track knowledge. I also participated with Vintage Auto Racing Association (where I got to drive a race prepped 914) I didnt drive one but I have been in a 996 Cup at willow springs.

Maybe youre thinking of someone in Iowa.

 

Twitchy-yes on less then smooth roads, less controlable- I think it does what u want it to do , unpredictable- very predictable when u do something wrong or right : ). Mike

 

Yea that was what I was talking about. After the 996 alignment, I had to drive home via the 405 and I5
VERY un-smooth and in traffic is wasnt confidence inspiring.

 

I didn't really find mine that twitchy (by my definition) on the track but you did need to be smooth on the controls and quick to correct. I learned to drive it in the rain on a very slick track which helped me appreciate it It did hunt around a lot on the roads - alignment helped some with that but it never went away. Vs the 997.2 - the new one is easier to drive on the roads and the track. Both great cars and the 996 GT3 is a bargain right now IMO. I have thought about buying one back to convert to dedicated track/race car.