GT3 Nut

I am looking to get back into a cup car after experiencing withdrawal problems
I am selling my new to me RS and plan to buy another Cup.
The question is which one? I have never driven a 997 Cup, but I love the idea of getting one. That being said I think my driving ability is one of my concerns (not that I am dependent on ABS - I am not, but it does offer a degree of safety net) and the increased cost (potentially) of the sequential gearbox is another.

Anyone here (especially those who have owned and/or driven both) have recommendations and reasons for one or the other?

BGB Motorsports

What about a 997 from the dealer built to Koni Challenge / PCA GTB specs? You get the ABS, standard 6 speed tranny and the benefit of buying cheaper parts from the dealer as opposed to Cup car parts from PMNA.

Although...there are some really good deals right now on 996 Cup cars. I heard last weekend that the Championship flying Synergy GT3 Cup of Stanton/Murry from 2005 is back up for sale. I think it's in Texas somewhere.

amondc

I would stick with the 6. They are much more driver friendly and a lot cheaper. I have seen several 7 tranny failures and think that the 7 box is no where near as durable as the 6 box. The average driver will be just as fast in a well driven 6 vs a person trying to learn to drive a 7. The lack of abs is tough to un-learn. We recently sold our 7 and kept both of the 6's. If you decide to go with a 6 pm me, I know of one for sale thats good.

Chris

jrgordonsenior

The 7 is definitely a faster, better handling car but it takes some time to get used to it's idiosyncrasies. Many owner never seem to find that potential. Conversly I agree with Chris that a well driven 6 cup can run with the 7 cups all day long.

Maintenance definitely favors the 6 cupsand the 7 cups are selling for much more than a good 6 cup and that seems inequitable to me. Additionally good, straight 03'-05' 6-cups are getting harder to find as many have been whacked....

95m3racer

If you're not looking to race it, and just want the power/speed, get a 6 and drop in a big motor ...Or even a turbo setup.

supercup

I have owned and driven both. There is no downside to a good 2003 - 2005 996 Cup. Buy the newest best car you can afford, whether it is a 996 or a 997. If you run your car alone, get a 996 it is just much easier to set up and run by yourself. If you get a 997 you really need some help.

That being said; I sold my 2005 996 Cup, which I was the only owner. I had owned an 01, and 03 then the 05 and was very comfortable with the car and set up for each track.

I felt for some time I made a mistake moving on to the 997 Cup. It has taken a year in the 997 Cup to get fully comfortable and to sort the car, I was in fact slower at all tracks for the first year. Now that I have invested the time and money into the 997 Cup I like it better than the 996 Cup, it is a better handling, faster car. My times have improved everywhere and I am now bettering my old 996 cup times at most tracks. I love the tranny! I would not go back to a 996 Cup for that reason alone.

The brakes have taken some getting used to, but I have not had any lock up in the past 4 events. I am no longer getting out braked by the 996 cup guys for the most part. But I am still at a disadvantage to an ABS car.

My experiece to date is the 997 Cup has been no more expensive to run than my 996 cup. I have had no failures of any kind. It is easier on front brake rotors than my 996 Cup was for sure. It is basically been oil, tires and brakes, just like the 996 Cup.

The 997 Cup is overkill for club racing. I have one so I am keeping it. But if I did not have a car (like you) and had never owned a 997 Cup and driven its tranny I would stay with the 996 cup. I would find a 2004 or 2005 that is straight (they are basically the same). My 2005 was by far my best car. Right out of the box it was faster at every track I went to than my 2003, I loved that car!

Good luck with your search!

C.J. Ichiban

997 cup @ 170,000+ vs 996 cup @ 120,000 and times within 'driver makes the difference' margin? for club racing/ open track events?

I personally would go for a 2004-5 996...that's personally what I'm looking at doing in another year or so

jrgordonsenior

John where were those pics taken? I'm 6 cars back from you and I don't recogonize any of the other cups or the track for that matter. God I'm getting senile. Remember that when we're on track together ....

CJ, the 03' (mine) is mechanically identical as the 04'-05' cars. The only difference was a variation in the cross member of the roll bar behind the seats to better accomodate a Hans configuration.

Jerseybean

I have a nice low hrs 04 cup with fresh engine, tranny, suspension for sale. I went over to driving boxsters and IM having a lot of fun.

toppracing

We have the synergy car mentioned below for sale through our shop (TOPP Racing). We also have some older cups 2000's and 2003 for sale. Please give us a call or email toppracing@gmail.com if you are interested.

Todd

38D

Looks like Road Atlanta.

jrgordonsenior

Great call. MyLaps says my car was there in April 05' right before I bought it. Didn't finish the race unfortunately.....

supercup

Yep Road Atlanta in 2005 - so at that time it was not yet your car!

JCM

lone wolf

i've owned and driven both 7 and 6's....its not an easy choice. The 6's are great cars but the 7's are just so much more exciting. I literally got goose bumps my first time out in a 7cup back in 2006 after racing 996cups for several years....the 7 is just so much more of a race car. and that means in a good way and in a tuff way...it really is a 996 rsr from 2004....and that brings with it certain challenges and certain rewards....good luck. you cant miss with either.

95m3racer

How long has your 997 sequential lasted? Have you rebuilt it yet?

That's the real big difference in maintenance costs I have seen so far.

What else on the 997 cup car do you guys feel is advantageous over the 996?

If there is a 997for sale in need of a trans rebuild, would it make any sense to swap in a manual trans, or is it just too much work, and better off to just get a 996.

I think with either car, it really does come down to the driver in club racing environment. When you have significantly slower cars in races running "not that much slower" than cars with significantly more grip and power, you have to look at the big picture.