I have an opportunity to purchase a long time (39 years) Porsche friend's '07 997.1 GT3 for a good price. It has around 33K miles, isn't a track car and is in beautiful, pristine condition.

I've been driving Porsches since 1972, my current one is a 1987 Carrera that has been backdated to a widebody 1974 RS-look. It has been lightened to 2560 lbs, A/C, radio, heater blower delete, 'glass IROC bumpers, lightweight Recaros, etc. However, it is a street car with a stock 3.2 and stock suspension.

I'm an old guy (63) and I don't track or auto-x any longer. Back in the day I did with a Formula Vee race car and did a lot of autocrossing with previous Porsches.

The GT3 will be a weekend toy, street driven only. I'm being told that I would be "wasting" the car and that it's not suitable as a street car, which I have a hard time believing. I like a harder core Porsche than most, and don't want a regular 997. I had a 996 several years back and hated it. It drove like a very quick Lexus and I sold it within 3 months. But having driven and ridden in GT3's since then, I really want one even though I doubt that I'll ever explore it's full potential. I respect and admire what the GT3 represents from a historical standpoint as Porsches have been my automotive passion for a long time.

So, am I nuts? Many of the guys on that "bird" air-cooled 911 Forum I usually frequent think I am. I'd love some feedback from someone who at least occasionally street drives their GT3.

Here's the current 911:



And my friend's GT3:

 

Yea, this thread screams "Senna"

 

i would guess may be 80% of all gt3 cars that are sold in USA never see track?
anyway, who cares, it is just a car. how owner uses it is his own deal.

 

Try it
Don't like it
Sell it

 

I would not advise it. Given your age and intended you, you are not going to like the heavy clutch, shifter, steering or ride. You would be far better off looking at a Carrera S or a Turbo. Even a 997.1 Carrera S is going to be a major change with such a huge increase in power, handing and braking capability while have a good ride, easy steering, light pedals and a climate control system that works all year round.

 

63 is the new 45

 

Get any car you damn well please ! Life is to short to worry what anyone else thinks is an appropriate choice of ride ! Have fun in what ever you drive!

 

I would say the vast majority of GT3 owner's never get near the full potential of the vehicle. I met a local owner of a GT3RS who takes it to a cars & coffee every month and drives it a bit on weekends. While some may think he was 'wasting' the car, he seemed pretty happy to me.

I say go for it and enjoy it any way you want. Who cares what others think?

 

I highlighted some parts of your post, and I think they answer your question. I track my 997.1 GT3 a few times a year, and drive it on the street about twice a week. I am not sure I can tolerate driving it every day, but your plan is to use it on the weekends. You need the keep the revs up to enjoy the car.

Buy the car, and enjoy it.

 

Buy it and drive it however you want. You will love it.

 

Really?!

Buy it now, do yourself a favor and do at least one DE in it unless you are not well/able..
Plenty of older guys then you are having plenty of fun. But even if not, it seems a GT3 would be a great car for you. No better reason to buy a car than because of the fact that you want to.

Or listen to the other nutters who think you are wasting a GT3 and probably oxygen and drinking water as well, lose the will to live and go kill yourself. Please will you car to me..

 

Who cares what others think, do what you want. The GT3 is an awesome car for the street or for a weekend track toy. If all the "real racers" were serious they would be in a cup car. Get the GT3 and enjoy it. Beautiful car BTW.

 

Great responses, much appreciated!

 

I really don't think you'll have any problem at all driving it around on the street and will enjoy the car greatly.

 

I had a .1 GT3 and drove it on the street all the time

Of the 20k miles on my RS, half are on the street