Any Rennlisters from New Zealand?
06-02-2013, 05:14 AM
#3091
Rennlist Member
Macca,
After 10 Years with my 993. I guess I have an itch for a change.
Need a car that I can do 20,000km per year on NZ's undulating chip sealed roads.
First choice would be a 997 GT3 comfort. These cars seem to have almost disappeared from the classifieds in recent times. Even in the UK there are no cars on Pistonheads at he moment. Will be interesting to see if they start to appear again when the 991 GT3 is released.
My only concern is how compliant a GT3 would be for day to day use in NZ. However given the 993 sits on Bilstiens HD shocks which is a relatively stiff set up. Could you comfortably drive a GT3 from Napir to Auckland in one go?
After 10 Years with my 993. I guess I have an itch for a change.
Need a car that I can do 20,000km per year on NZ's undulating chip sealed roads.
First choice would be a 997 GT3 comfort. These cars seem to have almost disappeared from the classifieds in recent times. Even in the UK there are no cars on Pistonheads at he moment. Will be interesting to see if they start to appear again when the 991 GT3 is released.
My only concern is how compliant a GT3 would be for day to day use in NZ. However given the 993 sits on Bilstiens HD shocks which is a relatively stiff set up. Could you comfortably drive a GT3 from Napir to Auckland in one go?
There are 5x 997 GT3s on TM now including 2x 997 RS's a 4.0RS but none of then have the comfort chairs.
It comes in fits and starts on TM with the used car market these days. For a few months just one or two then all of a sudden 6-7. Wont be like that for ever though!
991 GT3 prospective owners only got pricing for the new car last week and Porsche are realigning their prices across the board tomorrow so I think you will find more 997 GT3s enter the market in coming months. As I understand it all 12-14 991 GT3s coming to NZ are pretty much now spoken for.
In answer to you question would a 997 GT3 be a good daily driver 20k km pa with regular long haul trips to Auckland etc on the open road chip seal? As much as all here know I love teh GT3 I have to say no. The 997 chassis is noisy and harsh compared to the 991 platform. The car is stiffly sprung and will be tiring with 3-4 hrs trips. It stwitchy and can tramline in teh wet on open road. Its not an ideal long hauler.
I have a mate with one of the best optioned NZ new 991 S in the country (PDK, Lower sports chassis, ceramic brakes etc) and that would be the perfect vehicle for what you are looking for. Hes put an order in for a 991 GT3 which will arrive in January and a machine like this or similar could be purchased in the mid 100s or less by early next year. That would be my choice of transport for the type of driving I think you do if Im totally honest. My friend only uses his 991S on the weekend and lives in Auckland...
Just My 2.0c worth. If comfort wasnt important it (997 GT3) would make a magic bus! Also remember the comfort version is really just different chairs - suspension, chassis etc remain the same...
Last edited by Macca; 06-02-2013 at 06:13 AM.
06-02-2013, 06:37 AM
#3092
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Macca,
Thanks for your thoughts. My budget means that I am really looking for an early 997GT3. Milage doesn't bother me as I would be putting the miles on it anyway.
My Porsche experience is that the more you use them the more reliable they are. In the last 8 years my only expenses have been consumables.
The other option for me is to spend some money on the 993 and run it for a few more years. Even with the high k's it still drives beautifully. I have done 15,000km in the last 6 months. It hasn't missed a beat.
Out of interest do you know how many 993 C2S were registered new in NZ?
Thanks for your thoughts. My budget means that I am really looking for an early 997GT3. Milage doesn't bother me as I would be putting the miles on it anyway.
My Porsche experience is that the more you use them the more reliable they are. In the last 8 years my only expenses have been consumables.
The other option for me is to spend some money on the 993 and run it for a few more years. Even with the high k's it still drives beautifully. I have done 15,000km in the last 6 months. It hasn't missed a beat.
Out of interest do you know how many 993 C2S were registered new in NZ?
06-02-2013, 07:25 AM
#3093
Rennlist Member
For regular long journeys, as it sounds like you do, 997 Turbo for circa $125K would be my pick. A much faster, quieter and more comfortable car: 0-60 in 3.7 sec's!!!!!, and you can chip it for another 30-50hp!!
997 GT3 would only win out on the track (maybe?). It is my observation that 997T's are generally the fastest thing on the track short of 996 Cup Cars at Porsche DT days.
They scare the sh*t out of me at Puke, you hear them sucking air like nothing else when they come from behind.
06-02-2013, 07:26 AM
#3094
Rennlist Member
Paul. Only four C2S were officially imported and all were in 1997. Later there were a few UK imports.
I agree these cars liked to be used. Particularly the air cooled ones.
If you are in the market to spend 100-130k then the 997 GT3 is definitely worth considering closely. But I still think its the wrong car for your application.
Perhaps running the 993 for another two years isn't a bad idea at all. they are such lovely cars to drive daily and uber cool that you should be lucky enough to have dome such extensive mileage in one. Id see a guy using a C2S as a daily driver a quite a connoisseur doing the daily commute. It wouldn't cost you anything now in depreciation either. possibly the opposite. In a couple of years a well specced low mileage 991.1S would be right in range and make a formidable daily long distance driver. Heck - keep the 993 for a bit of fun and nostalgia too!
I agree these cars liked to be used. Particularly the air cooled ones.
If you are in the market to spend 100-130k then the 997 GT3 is definitely worth considering closely. But I still think its the wrong car for your application.
Perhaps running the 993 for another two years isn't a bad idea at all. they are such lovely cars to drive daily and uber cool that you should be lucky enough to have dome such extensive mileage in one. Id see a guy using a C2S as a daily driver a quite a connoisseur doing the daily commute. It wouldn't cost you anything now in depreciation either. possibly the opposite. In a couple of years a well specced low mileage 991.1S would be right in range and make a formidable daily long distance driver. Heck - keep the 993 for a bit of fun and nostalgia too!
06-02-2013, 07:31 AM
#3095
Rennlist Member
Kiwi 911 has a good point about the 997T. They are a great car and not alot of money - especially if you wait until December when thee new one will start arriving in NZ. The 997.1 versions will fall back to around 100-105K.
However I still believe personally holding onto the 993 for a little while longer and then jumping into a 991S would be the perfect solution. A friend of mine Ron has 997.1T (with chip upgrade and exhaust) and a 991 (manual) and says that the 991 chassis is just so refined over the 997 for chip seal roads and the handling is very neutral, turn in is sharp and little under-steer. He prefers the 991 for long journeys.
However I still believe personally holding onto the 993 for a little while longer and then jumping into a 991S would be the perfect solution. A friend of mine Ron has 997.1T (with chip upgrade and exhaust) and a 991 (manual) and says that the 991 chassis is just so refined over the 997 for chip seal roads and the handling is very neutral, turn in is sharp and little under-steer. He prefers the 991 for long journeys.
06-02-2013, 08:29 PM
#3096
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Yes my car is the local C2S.
Have seen your Blue RS2 at Hollywoods a couple of times. Always liked those cars.
I think I caught up with your brother at The Hawkes Bay car Club Track Day. Like you I was interested in the mid corner speed of some of the cars that day. Wondered whether it was the stability control systems on the cars taking over from the drivers?
PA.
Have seen your Blue RS2 at Hollywoods a couple of times. Always liked those cars.
I think I caught up with your brother at The Hawkes Bay car Club Track Day. Like you I was interested in the mid corner speed of some of the cars that day. Wondered whether it was the stability control systems on the cars taking over from the drivers?
PA.
06-02-2013, 11:41 PM
#3097
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06-03-2013, 03:52 AM
#3099
Rennlist Member
3mauto product is very interesting. with the grit on our QT roads this time of the year I should try it on our Outback as a tester.
06-03-2013, 04:08 AM
#3101
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Guys thanks for the advice. Interesting to see how the 997 turbo is depreciating. Although the rate may be effected by the exchange rate.
997 turbo is a lot of car for close to 100k.
Do like the thought of the 991. Always preferred a normally aspirated engine over a turbo one.
PA.
997 turbo is a lot of car for close to 100k.
Do like the thought of the 991. Always preferred a normally aspirated engine over a turbo one.
PA.
06-03-2013, 08:37 PM
#3104
Rennlist Member
Paul. Give us an update on your car amte. Is it back on the road now? Will you be terrorizing people in it on the 9th at HD LOL?
John. Any news on whether yours will be ready for 9th?
John. Any news on whether yours will be ready for 9th?
06-03-2013, 08:45 PM
#3105
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A couple of photos from Taupo on the 1st. Last shot is an MR2 that caught fire on the second lap of the first session for that group, the fire got out of control very quickly and the car was totaled. Fortunately the driver escaped shortly after pulling over and wasn't injured.
Nice to meet you there, floatingkiwi!
Got a couple of things to sort before the 9th: check alignment (suspect right front camber is off) and replace the front splitter that was removed by a possum at 100kph on the way home. Anyone know who in Auckland is likely to have a splitter in stock?
Nice to meet you there, floatingkiwi!
Got a couple of things to sort before the 9th: check alignment (suspect right front camber is off) and replace the front splitter that was removed by a possum at 100kph on the way home. Anyone know who in Auckland is likely to have a splitter in stock?