I have been reading numerous posts where gt3 owners have been adding aircooled 911s to their collection. Are the aircooled cars that rewarding?

If you had to choose between your GT3 or your antique, which would it be? I guess this question would be aimed more towards 997.1 owners, since it would be unfair to compare a 911, 964 or 993 to a 997.2 GT3RS.

Unfortunately, I am currently not in a position to add a 3.2 Carrera or 964 and keep my 2007 GT3. Is the experience of a aircooled car more enjoyable? The prices have gone a little crazy if you ask me, but have always wondered about these older 911s. I don't track my GT3 and primarily just drive it on the weekends for fun.

My current thinking was to sell the GT3 and buy a 87-89 Carrera coupe and maybe a e92 m3. Is a 3.2 Carrera and m3 > 997.1 GT3?

Or is the 993 the pinnacle of aircooled 911s?

Thoughts?

 

Really only you can decide which is more enjoyable for you. The air-cooled 911s are great cars, but they are also much older and have certain quirks that you must appreciate. For me personally I would lean towards a GT3, but I spend a lot of time at the track. If it were just a street car, that would be more difficult. Air cooled 911s, for me at least, have an intangible aura that make them fun. The sound, the heavy steering and overall lack of assistance, the shifter, the quirkiness all combine to make a fantastic drivers car. Though there are many who just don't get it.

In stock form, an early 911 will feel considerably slower. They can be made to be faster (especially around corners), mainly by removing weight and optimizing the suspension, but it will need a ton of work to be as fast as a gt3. Much like your GT3, they are very rewarding when pushed hard. Unlike your GT3, the suspension will be more forgiving than harsh. 993s are great, but I personally prefer a 964 or earlier due to them being less complicated and smaller/lighter. The 993 being the newest it will have more creature comforts, but all of them will be laughable compared to your 997.

Try to drive one and see how it makes you feel. I feel certain that there are some aircooled guys near you who would swap rides with a gt3 owner for a bit.

 

Drive a few and get a feel. Driving experiences are pretty subjective and in the end a personal opinion.

For me the 964 will be the car I never sell, just continue to improve through cash infusions, especially for street. Plan on dropping weight first then adding power. Driving a lightweight car with some power is a blast.

That being said I'm in no rush to move on from GT3 either. Lots of power with modern grip is a lot of fun too.

In the end it's all good, just a matter of preference. We all tend to want and try what we don't have.

 

depends a lot on what you intend to do with the car. if you're going to put miles on it especially in traffic or as a commuter, 997 all the way. 356-993 is a broad range. i've owned a 75S and it was a cool neat car, lots of character and manual everything from steering to brakes. If i could still have it I would.

If i were to go air-cooled again it would be 964 for me. I used to think they were ugly up until 5 years ago and now i think they are the coolest looking cars, especially since the narrow-bodies are back in style.

 

It would be like asking me which kid is my favorite.

 

I love the old p-cars. Its a matter of time and care. Its strange to jump in the 07 GT3 and have it feel "older"- I couldn't imagine a 80s-90s car or even 70s as much as I love the style. I would enjoy an air cooled turbo - older the better, but I am losing the time and patience these days. Something to think about. You need to be more DIY/handy with the older ones. I used to be a full DIYer until I just got too busy.

 

I'm thinking about doing the opposite. After time with my antiques I'm thinking about getting a 997.1 GT3 or possibly a 997 turbo. Hard to get enough time in a car you are thinking about to get a good feel for the car.

 

I traded my '88 Coupe for the 2008 GT3. I sort of regret it, but it is complicated. I drive my car a lot on the street. For this, you need to realize that the AC in the older cars suck, so dressing nice and driving them (to work, to dinner) is very problematic in the warm months.

The GT3 is a more modern car. For a significant amount of street driving, the GT3 will be safer. Not only from crash survivability, but also from street induced emergencies (i.e. lift throttle oversteer in the wet due to something unexpected). The safety factor is very important to me.

The 88 Carrera was just more special in a "car" kind of way. It did not feel like a 1988 car, more like a 1978 car - no backlit gauges, completely weird heating and cooling controls, slight fuel smell occasionally, manual steering... I miss it, but only have one spot in my garage. Also, I did not know how to work on it, and always felt guilty as an enthusiast taking it to a shop.

Ultimately, at this point I have decided that older cars are great to look at, and I'm glad someone owns them, but they are not for me. Sort of like Ferraris

-- David

 

As a slightly related point, our now 9 year old, twice superseded GT3 are now classed by Porsche as a classic and not modern car.......time sure flies.

I kind of like the idea it's now a classic myself....they sure go well for an old car!

Maybe keep your 997 and enjoy your classic.....

 

LOL. Had no idea. Was just saying that. No bluetooth and ipod makes me pull out my CDs which I haven't looked at in years. Oh an that 07 is incredible. Replaced my 99 Saab Viggen with it. No regrets.

 

Having owned several air cooled cars, I wouldn't replace one for a GT3. I would be a nice addition to your car.

 

Well, I am most glad that I do not have to make this type of choice. For me at least one of each is the best option. My stash includes a 356, 912, '69E, '72S, 3 '72T hot rods, '86 3.2 Targa, '90C4 Targa, '94C2 Coupe 6speed, '08 GT3. The added advantage to having these to choose from is being able to enjoy the unique characteristics of each back to back. I love the 356 for its style and responsiveness, it is on 14" Fuchs with 60 series tires, like having a short R&P. The longhoods make one a believer in the wonder of lightness. They have adictive handling and demand your complete involvement when driving. The mid-year cars are less inspiring, the loss of power to emissions and added weight as creature comforts were added made them feel a bit numb. These cars can be made fun with a diet and pumping up the output but getting it right costs and requires some knowledge of what works. The 964's are a joy to drive and live with. The combination of classic look and modern suspension, induction, and A/C make it a great choice. The GT3 is without doubt the best ride. Everything I heard about it before getting one was a lie, it was better than anything I had read or been told. I am convinced the negatives I've heard come from first time Porsche owners, coming lux barges. The clutch is not too heavy, the ride is not too harsh, it's a great daily.
If you want an antique get a longhood, you will be rewarded.

 

If you want to talk about selling that sign in the back or any other memorabilia (looks like lots stashed away) let me know

 

Well said; every time I have sold a P-car, I can always think back and reminisce about something specific towards each car. And this includes multiple GT3's that have been the same vehicle on paper.

 

That sign has been moved to its new location in my new garage.