997 GT3
- Thread starter JamesBall
- Start date
Don't want to spoil your fantasy. I had my first 964 for around 10 years, I then thought I wanted something more refined and swapped it for a 997 C2S (admit that's no GT3). After about 18 months I missed the analogue driving experience of the 964. I still love the 997, but in some ways it's too easy to drive. The 964 was always a work out (possibly not 100% set up right)? I did buy another 964 but that is the process of a full rebuild (it was tired). Good luck on the decision Peter
I had four air cooled cars from SC through to 993 turbo. Made the mistake of buying a 997 GTS... couldn't get on with it at all...
Far too good a car at everything to get anywhere near enjoying an engaging driving experience on public roads at anything other than absurd speeds. No problem so long as there are no other road users around or speed cameras.... how often does that happen nowadays?
Lots of cabin noise all the time, which is just a bore if you're driving in a responsible fashion.
Fabulous car... just doesn't make a lot of sense on public roads.
Now I have reverted to a restored 964 Targa and have a 3.2 backdate in progress. Both much better tools for having some (reasonably sensible) fun.
Far too good a car at everything to get anywhere near enjoying an engaging driving experience on public roads at anything other than absurd speeds. No problem so long as there are no other road users around or speed cameras.... how often does that happen nowadays?
Lots of cabin noise all the time, which is just a bore if you're driving in a responsible fashion.
Fabulous car... just doesn't make a lot of sense on public roads.
Now I have reverted to a restored 964 Targa and have a 3.2 backdate in progress. Both much better tools for having some (reasonably sensible) fun.
Hi James,
I have driven an air-cooled 911 for many years and also have a 997 GT3, so happy to provide my perspective.
I would strongly recommend any air-cooled Porsche enthusiast that hasn’t driven a GT3 to drive one! The engine is based on the old Mezger motorsport derived flat-six and it is a completely different animal (and completely different engine) to a 997 C2S or 997 GTS.
In fact, in character terms the GT3 engine does remind me of some of the noises of an air-cooled flat-six masterpiece from Porsche.
Drive a GT3 and you will know within 30 minutes whether it suits your driving.
In my opinion, the 997 GT3 is a brilliant car and has the ability to take driving pleasure to a very high level.
I also love driving an old air-cooled 911, so don’t listen to those saying they are mutually exclusive.
For those that have driven a 997 C2S or 997 GTS, I would encourage you to take a test drive in a GT3. It is a completely different car... engine, noise, suspension, brakes, handling, gearbox all very different.
That is my honest opinion.
Have fun trying a GT3! [
]
I have driven an air-cooled 911 for many years and also have a 997 GT3, so happy to provide my perspective.
I would strongly recommend any air-cooled Porsche enthusiast that hasn’t driven a GT3 to drive one! The engine is based on the old Mezger motorsport derived flat-six and it is a completely different animal (and completely different engine) to a 997 C2S or 997 GTS.
In fact, in character terms the GT3 engine does remind me of some of the noises of an air-cooled flat-six masterpiece from Porsche.
Drive a GT3 and you will know within 30 minutes whether it suits your driving.
In my opinion, the 997 GT3 is a brilliant car and has the ability to take driving pleasure to a very high level.
I also love driving an old air-cooled 911, so don’t listen to those saying they are mutually exclusive.
For those that have driven a 997 C2S or 997 GTS, I would encourage you to take a test drive in a GT3. It is a completely different car... engine, noise, suspension, brakes, handling, gearbox all very different.
That is my honest opinion.
Have fun trying a GT3! [
]
JamesBall
Member
Thanks guys. All of my hopes and concerns have been covered in just three posts
Stig_GT3 - thank you for your thoughts as an owner of both cars - I am jealous! I've driven a 996 GT3, allbeit only for about 45 mins and many years, and loved it. I haven't tried to get test drives in a 997 GT3 yet as a potential purchase is still some months off but I imagine getting test drives will actually be pretty tricky. This has to be the answer though, of course.
I'd love to keep the 964 and run a GT3 alongside it at least for a while but I've also got an Elise (mainly for track days) and I am not sure my ever-patient wife (or equally importantly, the bank manager) will let me get away with 3 toys. It would have to be an extraordinary year with work - fingers crossed!
Stig_GT3 - thank you for your thoughts as an owner of both cars - I am jealous! I've driven a 996 GT3, allbeit only for about 45 mins and many years, and loved it. I haven't tried to get test drives in a 997 GT3 yet as a potential purchase is still some months off but I imagine getting test drives will actually be pretty tricky. This has to be the answer though, of course.
I'd love to keep the 964 and run a GT3 alongside it at least for a while but I've also got an Elise (mainly for track days) and I am not sure my ever-patient wife (or equally importantly, the bank manager) will let me get away with 3 toys. It would have to be an extraordinary year with work - fingers crossed!
I'm in a similar boat.
I have just sold my 997 C2S, after 6 years, I finally gave in to what I always knew, I just didn't get on with it. Having driven a 997 GT3, it's a different beast, more of a yob, less GT, more feel. I am actually looking to replace my 997 with a 991 GT3 RS as it has always been my poster car since launch but I still have not driven one, I am planning to find one to go out in to see if it betters the 997 GT3, if not, I will go back to that plan..
Total curve ball but you may also like a BMW E46 M3, CSL ideally but save yourself a few quid and a normal M3 can be made close to a CSL. I had a fettled with M3 before my 997 and I STILL miss it, I still harp on about them to anyone that will listen and I really believe they are probably the best all round car, for the money, you can get. Perfect balance of old and new, mechanical and engaging. Appreciate it's a different car to a GT3 but I believe it can offer just as much enjoyment, CSL out of the box, a normal M3 after brakes and suspension uprated. With a 964 and Elise, the GT3 would make a great addition for sure BUT if the bank manager steps in, the M3 can't be discounted IMO.
I feel I need to revisit an E46 M3, maybe it is the car I need over a GT3 but I just think I want a GT3 because it's a GT3..
I have just sold my 997 C2S, after 6 years, I finally gave in to what I always knew, I just didn't get on with it. Having driven a 997 GT3, it's a different beast, more of a yob, less GT, more feel. I am actually looking to replace my 997 with a 991 GT3 RS as it has always been my poster car since launch but I still have not driven one, I am planning to find one to go out in to see if it betters the 997 GT3, if not, I will go back to that plan..
Total curve ball but you may also like a BMW E46 M3, CSL ideally but save yourself a few quid and a normal M3 can be made close to a CSL. I had a fettled with M3 before my 997 and I STILL miss it, I still harp on about them to anyone that will listen and I really believe they are probably the best all round car, for the money, you can get. Perfect balance of old and new, mechanical and engaging. Appreciate it's a different car to a GT3 but I believe it can offer just as much enjoyment, CSL out of the box, a normal M3 after brakes and suspension uprated. With a 964 and Elise, the GT3 would make a great addition for sure BUT if the bank manager steps in, the M3 can't be discounted IMO.
I feel I need to revisit an E46 M3, maybe it is the car I need over a GT3 but I just think I want a GT3 because it's a GT3..
JamesBall
Member
MarkGolf said:
I agree. I've flirted with E46s for years, including helping a friend by a CS when they were only mid to low teens for a lovely one. I gave up on them when the price started rising but perhaps they are still "value" at today's prices. I can't imagine going for one instead of a GT3 though tbh.
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