kiwi 911

OK - If you want one - buy mine, silver, kiwi new and 60K on the clock.

Totally original with only a handful of track days.

Make me an offer??

996tnz

Just saw your summation after my reply to Phil. We're obviously on the same page. They even don't embarrass themselves too badly (for sports cars) in mudpits, going by the last gymkhana.

Their strength is also their weakness though and consequently they can be a bit boring to drive compared to those others. More responsive alignment and killing PSM (which I believe the GT2/3s don't suffer from) are the cure for that.

996tnz

Love the stance and purposeful aero of the GT3 Paul. The half-cage just adds to that and could save a life.

kiwi 911

^^^^ Yeah good photo taken by Jake I think.

I'm really liking this photo too that I found on the net - thinking of copying the stripes.

Macca

Re your prior post I would actually say a well maintained MT 996TT on decent road tyres is the better road car over a 996/7 GT3 in NZ. Our B roads (bumpy, narrow, ruts, inconsistent surface condition, frequent ne lane bridges and expansion joints etc) and changeable conditions (rain, damp patches, loose chip debris etc) make an earlier stock GT3 a handful in these conditions and not entirely confidence inspiring. Id therefore conclude the turbo is more "fun" unless slower progress due to skipping, tram-lining and fish tailing near banks is your thing.

However on the track front I think the turbos need a bit of work. They can be as fast or faster than a stock GT3 there is no doubt, but to enable them to consistently pound out 13s at HD means deep pockets for improvements - and then compromises on the road as a result. They will always be too heavy and with 4WD a little bit numb IMO compared to their track focused 2WD siblings. You can run 13s all day in a GT3 without breaking it and it will give more feedback and "fun".

If we are comparing apples with apples then a 996TT and 996 GT3 with light modifications (tyres, geo, pads, fluid) and within the factories original design/build parameters is probably what we are looking at. On NZ roads, touring, DD & B roads as well as Targa Tour duty the turbo has it. On the track the equivalent gen GT3 has it. On the money side the 996TT has it in spades.

Once you start modifying the 996TT to be a better track competitor for the GT3 you take away many f its benefits for other usage. Likewise in reverse for a GT3 (though I dnt see people attempting that - they usually run a GT3 on the road fr a year then make a decision t keep it r sell it if they are not doing track work).

The issue is the price delta. At 20-30K difference if you wanted a track car with road usability there was no question you bought a used GT3. At 50-60K you start to see the 996TT presents better value.

I need to point out however that at 50-80k you could also purchase a 964/993 MT which will give you good coverage of both with more feedback and "fun" at a slower pace. Will never be as accommodating as a turbo on the road nor as quick and exhilarating as a GT3 on the track, but can give a nice balance in the middle.

Macca

Looks great. Do it!

kiwi 911

Bloody double post - (so will include a pic of car with orange stripes I like )

kiwi 911

To make the GT3 B road friendly, you need to put JZM's or motions in.

$10K later you have a GT3 faster on the track and more road compliant (i.e. won't kill you on B Road)

I was planning to go visit the guy who purchased the white 6.2 GT3 targa car. Surely that has to be friendly on B Roads otherwise owner would be dead??

Macca

Friendly and competitive are two different things!

My 993 is only on coilovers but it is very effective on back roads. Quicker on tighter roads than my GT3. It behaves well without skipping, hoping or bottoming out, but Im not sure everyone will agree its friendly.

Motons will help the ride of virtually any Porsche on road or on track. Assumes you have plenty of time and experience to set these up for each as they have both rebound and compression settings and much more adjust-ability).

Sway bar settings will also have an affect.

But I was comparing apples with apples.

996tnz

Agreed, JZM's or Motons if you're looking to enhance track performance at the same time as roadability and are keen to adjust them a fair bit. If willing to stay at or near track performance but improve road composure, particularly if just wanting to 'set it and forget it' then Ohlins Road and Track are reputedly worth a look at about half the cost.

Pel

996tt's may not be "chuckable" but it makes me smile like a kid on Christmas when you hit the pedal.

Been considering some bigger wheels for the road, I think the oz ultraleggera keep the right look for a Turbo, sophisticated and not too racey.

Macca

Pel. You keeping her? It looks so good in white...

kiwi 911

No - I don't have the time, but like you my mechanic does.

Maybe even PSS10's would be an interesting experiment.

Something to look at next year depending on how work goes.......

996tnz

Believe they look good (though I reckon the original Turbo II's are hard to go past for looks). In 18s the Ultraleggeras are actually well suited to track too as they are light, properly forged for strength, and will clear big brake kits IIRC.

On that front, maybe we're all still relying on the same early magazine test, but accepted wisdom is that 996Ts handle best on 18s rather than anything bigger.

John McM

Dave's handiwork (I know he won't blow his own trumpet). I'm really liking the bead blast finish. Germanic understatement.