Bxstr

Hi Everyone,
TLDR: 997 GT3 owner here. What made you choose your 718 GT4/Spyder over 997 GT3 or really the other GT Porsche choices (even 981 GT4) for around the same money? Warranty? Usability? Spec'ing it new? Condition? Hoping to keep this a respectful conversation and not a "my GT3 is better than your GT4/Spyder or my GT4/Spyder is better than your GT3". I've seen the other threads over the years, but figured it would be helpful for all of us to hear. I'm not posting this in the 997 GT3 group because I want only the other side of the argument. My friend and I were having this conversation and wanted to get some other perspectives too.

Asking this as my local dealer just received a CPO 5k mile 718 GT4 in a good spec (good color, buckets) with full car PPF. Not surprisingly they're asking over sticker, but similar money to my GT3. Have owned my 997 GT3 for five years and truly don't think there is a better driving experience for my use-case which is 1500-2k miles/yr, point A to point A on backroads. The only reason I'm considering this is to have something that is near mint with as few imperfections as possible. While my GT3 is in exceptional condition, I'd say a 9/10 for the age and I'm as picky as they come, it has small imperfections that any 17 year old car is going to have. Maintenance on the GT3 is reasonable if used as a street car and while warranty is nice it isn't going to make or break the deal for me, although when I saw this GT4 is till 2029 with factory+CPO warranty, that is certainly nice. With a Kline exhaust, I know the GT4 will be exceptional. But I also know it is going to feel different than my GT3 and I'm not sure I'm willing to give that up when all cars will age/wear/get imperfections over time. My other argument is that maybe I'd drive the GT4/Spyder on a dry winter day whereas I preserve the GT3 all winter to keep it nice, given it's an older car with less underbody protection, but the reality is you don't know until it is in your garage if these are all fantasies or truths.

The ultimate answer is to drive one, which I may try and do. A friend has offered to let me drive his and I'm sure the dealer would have no issue with a short test drive given I'm a customer there.

Thanks everyone and genuinely looking forward to your reply to see what blindspots I have.

Larry Cable

having owned 996.1, 996.2, 997.1, 997.2, 991.2 GT3s and currently a 718 Spyder I'd certainly keep a Mezger over a 718 ... but its difficult to do an apples to apples comparison.

I have a Spyder because its the "classic" definition of a sportcar for me, open top, 2 seater, N.A ICE, 6MT ... great for weekend drives etc... a GT3 belongs on track ... end of ... cant speak to a GT4, but having driven a 4RS several times on track, if the choice were a 4RS or a 997 or 991 or 992 GT3 ... my money would go to the GT3!

YMMV

p.s if you do get a test drive, find some rough, bumpy, uneven, off-camber corners to navigate ... see how the rear of the 718 behaves vs. 99x GT3 ... make sure you like/tolerate what you experience!

Higgs Boson

A 997 has a higher probability of being worn out so starting with no Porsche I would choose a newish (22/23) Spyder over a 997 GT3 but a 997 GT3 over a GT4, the RS doesn't interest me because I would want this car to be manual only.

The 997 would need to be out of the box / under 5k miles to be a car I could appreciate in it's more original form, unmodified, etc. The 997 will definitely join the garage but I am out of space w 6 cars and the Spyder made the cut. 10 car garage, the 997 GT3 will be in there.

Xxyion

I actually went through this exact comparison when i was looking to buy my first Porsche 2 years ago. I ended up with the GT4 but here were the reasons why.

1. I wanted to build my own. I didnt realize how important this was to me when i started looking. I also didnt realize how customizable Porsches were until i really started playing with the configurator. As i was looking at the 997 GT3 as it was in my budget, i started also looking at the GT4 and playing with the configurator. The fact i could build one out exactly as i wanted it was enough to make me start considering a GT4. And now after doing that, it's hard for me to want to buy a used Porsche. Theres something so intimate about building your perfect spec and i love doing it. In fact my Boxster GTS is on the boat right now and i'm anxiously waiting its arrival.

2. The new car vs old car argument ended up winning me over to the new car side. I wanted CarPlay, i wanted the "newer" interior and my wife made the argument that i'd also have a warranty which would allow me to maintain the car for the first few years. Unfortunetly the car ended up being a lemon but on the bright side that is where the warranty came into play.

3. I actually think the GT4 looks better than the 997 tbh. For me my favorite years of the GT3 are the 991.2 and the newer 992 model years. I'm a relatively newcomer to Porsche. I was never a Porsche fan growing up as i was big into the JDM car scene, and in the 2000s McLaren really caught my attention i only recently became a Porsche fan starting in 2019 when my wife took me out to the launch event at our Porsche dealership for the 992. I think modern Porsche design is absolutely perfect and thats when the bug bit me.

4. Mid-engine. The car the GT4 replaced was my S2000. I was essentially looking for a car that would take that spot in the garage. The S2000 is basically a front-mid-engine car and i really wanted to stick with the mid-engine layout.

Now i've never driven a 997 but i did ride with my friend who had one when we did Autocross a few times. And it was a ton of fun and the car sounded amazing. I think no matter what though, if i had to do it again i'd get the GT4. When i did get to drive the car it was an absolute dream. It was everything i ever wanted in a car and i wanted it to be my forever car. I personally think the GT4 is just a fantastic machine.

Hope this helps.

TRSCobra

For me it was hard to justify spending $130k on a 15+ year old car that out of the box isn't quite as capable a
on track.
Don't get me wrong, the 997 is my favorite body style and I absolutely love the sound of the mezger, but since I can only afford one GT car the GT4 won out. (Plus a car with PDK ranked higher on the list with the MRS.)

clutchplate

Spyder/GT4's are the latest versions and last of their kind and it appears the market knows this. These are cars to hang on to.

Gabriel@NutCracker

I would say you really need to drive it before you spend much time contemplating the move. You just might be quite disappointed in the steering feel in comparison to your 997 GT3.

sf_c63

Not a GT3 but before my 718 GT4 I had a 997 C2S for 10 years…saw 50+ track days over the past 3 years and eventually spun a rod bearing on track and blew a hole through the block. I already knew I wanted to get into a GT4 for a mid-engine experience (although I previously owned an S2K) and having a newer car.

I expected the GT4 to be easier to rotate, faster overall, more comfortable, and more confidence inspiring and it absolutely is. I’m running around the track lapping 5 seconds faster than my 997 which was track prepped and quick on its own right. I can take different non-racing lines and it’s so easy to correct my line since it rotates so well. I always had to manage the rear engine on my 997 but it felt more rewarding to get the line right.

I might be brainwashed with Porsche marketing my whole life but 911’s still feel more special to me. The 718 looks sexier but I found the 997 to be the perfect size and it’s like sitting in a bubble with 360 visibility.

Im super happy with the performance, handling and looks of the 718 but if I ever get an opportunity I still want a GT3 of any generation.

TurboCup87

I kept my 6GT3…. It’s parked in my garage next to my GT4. I guess I’m confirming that it’s hard to choose, so I didn’t.

GentianGentleman

As a reader who is considering SELLING his 718 GT4 to aquire a 997 GT3, i find this thread very informative. I sort of assumed the 997 GT3 would have a more raw feeling, hydraulic steering, and an engine that sounds better when revving. Maybe i need to enjoy the 718 a bit more.

Larry Cable

it does ... but te clutch is a LOT heavier than the 718

Xxyion

I think one thing to consider is that older cars will always feel more raw and more engaging. However with that does just come with old car things. It WILL feel like an older car. It's like my friend who bought and imported an R34 Skyline from Japan once the ban was lifted. He loves it, and it's his dream car. But when i ask him what its like to drive, he says...It drives like a 25 year old Nissan. Sure it's raw and engaging, but it's to still a 25 year old Nissan.

Not to discredit the 997 GT3 at all i'm sure it's a fantastic vehicle. But i can definetly see go from a newer Porsche to an older Porsche will lose some of its luster after a bit and you will eventually start craving a more modern driving experience. I think Porsche is one of the few companies where they've managed to maintain as much of the driving engagement as possible while still adhering to the new car safety standards and its for that reason its easy to always look forward...until everything turns EV.

sunnyr

OP, I have a 997(.2) GT3. Other GT cars (981 GT4, 1.2 GT3, RS) have come and gone. Also just took delivery of a 4RS, but the 7.2 GT3 has stayed on and probably will continue to. That should tell you something. I do wish I hadn't sold the 981 GT4.

If you want a different experience, definitely go for it (YOLO and all), but not necessarily a better one, just different. Also keep in mind, it is hard to find good 997 GT3s now if you want to go back. And it is only going to get harder. While there will be plenty of nice GT4s for a long time. If I sell my 7,2 GT3, it will cost me 2x what I paid and probably still not find as a good example.

ps. @Larry Cable you have/had a Riviera (or Mexico?) blue 7.2 GT3 right? I have seen it once, beautiful car.

Higgs Boson

I think that's really the sticking point. A few years ago they were 75 grand and a few years newer at the same time.

Walter_

I was looking for a similar use case, but passed over the GT3s mostly due to one reason. I LOVE the convertible experience. It was Spyder or bust and the multi-year wait was worth it.