996 GT3 vs "normal" 996 for 1st Porsche ?

proenca · Feb 26, 2008

Hi there,

I posted this in the GT3 section as well but I decided to post here because some current 996 drivers may had the same doubts and even if not, the ones that drove a GT3 can contribute; Im in a quandry - Im about to buy my first Porsche : either a 996 GT3 MK1 or a late 996 C2 or C4S. Theres a few problems though :

- im quite an average driver ( im not useless but no schumacher )
- i have a driving license for few years but most of it was with automatic cars ( first because was the only available and then since it was mostly city driving then auto makes more sense )
- so I have a bit limited experience with manual gearbox

Im torn which car to buy. Where the C4S seems a very logical sensible option - traction control, 4 wheel drive, can even choose triptronic, etc etc, the GT3 makes my heart go faster. Just looking at the thing. The 4S is a beauty but the GT3 is another stratosphere.

Im quite responsible driver ( altough is easy to say that when you drive - well me - a Grand Cherokee ) - in these few years never got a speeding ticket and never crashed.

But one fellow GT3 user and owner advised me against buying the GT3 - basically widow maker , hard to control because hard to see when its out of grip / traction .

Since I will be importing the car back to Portugal ( hence needing a LHD ), I will keeping the car for a few years to come - a GT3 is timeless, a C4S becomes an old Porsche with time.. not exactly a classic.

I'll be staying one year more in the UK and have already looked for a few advance instruction days and trackdays for novice with instruction ( sorry better to be honest here !

- I will like to drive the GT3 better and discover its limits but NOT on the road.

Ideas ? Is it suicidal to buy the GT3 for occasional weekend drive ? If I get past second gear that is

PGAdamopoulos · Feb 26, 2008

Both cars will age more or less relatively the same, and at the end of the day most probably you will get back the difference in purchasing price.
If you never have had any experience with Porsche, going for the GT3 you increase massively your chances to loose your license and/or crash it...[

]
I would advice a vanilla flavour to start with, before going for the "dark" chocolate...[

]

Robertb · Feb 28, 2008

Go for the GT3 if it makes you happy! I'd strongly recommend some driver training though, and take it easy... lots of power and rwd only, no PSM. I can't imagine its any harder to drive/easier to crash than a 3.2 Carrera Sport, and that was my first sportscar- despite the protestations of those near to me who envisaged peeling me off a tree after day one, I got through it without any significant moments, and really enjoyed it!

Alternatively, you could go for a GT3 wheeled and bodykitted 996 C4 tiptronic, or manual- it looks the biz, but a much more sensible proposition to cut your Porsche teeth on.

C4S al · Feb 28, 2008

Hi,

My brother is in a similar situation. He is wanting for his first Porsche a 997 GT3 but his budget will not stretch that far so he is looking at a 997 C2S with the GT3 body kit.

Over all getting a 996 C2S with the body kit will give you the rear wheel drive purity but you get the PSM which you can turn off when you feel in a Hamilton type mode!!! As stated the GT3 does not have this any way so more of a handful.

Personally think the 996 C4S is the best looking 911 ever[

] not that I am biased!!

Enjoy your search and test drive several to get a feel of the variants. Had my C4S for 2 years now and still getting to know her, more than capable and will easily be a license teminator if you get carried away.

Regards Alan.