Blast from the past ex-996 GT2 owner - Page 3 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Hey all it’s been a few years! I sold my 996 GT2 about 6 years ago now to put towards a deposit on a house, maybe I shouldn’t have, anyway there’s nothing on the market like the one I sold so I’m looking to replace it finally but with a GT3 or RS. Also after 14 years of ownership I think I can say I ticked that box and moving on. Been looking around and I see now 991.1 GT3RS in the 130s which seems like a fair drop from when I last looked. Have these got any engine issues to worry about? I’ve looked at a couple and I love the raw almost prototype feeling they have in comparison to the exquisitely finished and gorgeous GT4RS (again same money but wrong chat so won’t mention that here) I also see 997 GT3 RS for similar money which is also tempting. What is the thinking about the market in these RS cars? I’m not a rich man and although I can pony up the cash to buy with I don’t want to take a bath should I one day need to sell. Driving wise, do I get a 991.2 GT3 which seem to be 10-15k cheaper and considering I don’t do massive amounts of track days may be more suitable. Basically… talk to me Any views around this would be very welcome… Cheers

the choice in that price range is just nuts really at this time in terms of what you can get for your money, 600lt mclaren, 488 ferrari etc if it was me i'd probably go for an MC20 Maserati, £300k new with options but some have sold as low as £110k 997 RS's are beautiful and really all you ever need but it is such a premium you're paying for collector status

welcome back! I saw a 996 GT2 last weekend, such a good looking car..... I would go 997 RS (as I have done), they produced so many more of the newer cars so from a rarity and value retention perspective I personally think it is the safest bet. Also can't get a new RS with a manual and given you can't drive fast anymore on the road, the manual at least makes it a little more engaging / entertaining imo. I have not driven anything newer than a 997 though, so I do not have first hand experience.

I think the 997 GT3 RS would be the choice if you're still looking for the old school raw drive or if you want newer, the 991.2 GT3's are the sweet spot between old and new.

Reminds me of the Lonman GT2.

I don’t think the 991.1 RS corrected the engine weaknesses of the 991.1 GT3. Although it may have a slightly lower rev limit which reduces the risk. All IIRC so somebody else please correct if wrong. You have the 10 year engine warranty from Porsche and the ability to run extended to 15. Personally I would go 991.2 GT3.

neverlifted said: Reminds me of the Lonman GT2. Still ticking I believe!

Welcome back, I remember your contributions back in the day, indeed your posts inspired me to buy my own gt2, a midnight blue comfort. I did 16k over 3 years and loved every drive, however I too sold mine to free up the cash for other pressing investments. When I was ready to get another gt product I got a 2017 manual g3 and loved it. However I found I wasn't using it often enough and in my 4th year of ownership I only did 2k miles in it. So last year I decided to step it up and move into a 2018 gt3rs which I still have and it is just more in every department. Both seem utterly reliable, rewarding on the road and probably more so on track, the thing that did shock me was how much the servicing costs have moved on since covid. These gt cars are no longer the bargain they once were, having said that there is very little alternative once you have experienced a gt3 on circuit. Your thought on the 997 gt3 is also tempting in either general 1 or 2, both are particularly cool looking and exciting to drive at more normal road speeds. As for depreciation, whilst Porsche are producing more and more cars, they are also getting more and more expensive, my thoughts are that the 991.2 gt cars are a sweet spot for people who want the latest generation of engines and the old school interface, before the driver aids and digital dash took over, and because of car play I don't think they will age quickly, modern nav etc. Good luck with your search, keep us updated on any decisions you make

regarding service costs - indeed, my OPC charges 400 euros per hour wtf

@hardlylikely I remember somone getting a midnight blue, obvs you've changed profile name, you weren't slippydiff were you? Anyway, maybe we didn't interact. Super advice many thanks. I don't think I can stretch quite to a 991.2 GT3RS so it really needs to be a 991.2 gt3, manual or pdk I'm actually neutral on those (no pun intended) or a 991.1 gt3rs. I did sit in the orange gt3rs Cambridge Porsche have, didn't drive as it's a customer car on SoR, and immediately it felt far more prototype like, sort of race car like than the GT4RS which is bang modern, and the 991.2 GT3 which definitely feels like a comfier and better turned out product. I really liked the look and feel of that car, just to be clear yours is a 991.2 GT3RS? A shame about servicing costs, it was a great plus that you could get a basic service in a 200mph supercar for 400 quid back in the day, 1300 for the major. Thanks for the tip, something I hadn't considered.

997.2 RS, but don’t think they are 130k or 991.2 GT3 of your choices. Had a 991.1RS, no engine issues, but felt the 991.2 GT3 was a better car, one of the great engines.

Yes, got locked out of my account so set up a new one when I had something to post again. My GT3 and RS both 991.2, the second gen just works for me, the pressed door handles, the revised brake lights, the newer pcm, and obviously the engine redesign. You pays your money........ I think that the manual/pdk choice is answered by your use case. The rs def suits the pdk for track use, and the gt3 manual on A and B rods is well suited. Its really torquey to, which allows for a really relaxed drive in the manual if you want it. When I got the RS and sat in it, if I closed my eyes it was identical to the gt3, so not sure I follow your thinking. But when you start it up its sharper, the turn is very sharp, to the point that it took me a while to adjust to the steering, its a harder car to drive smoothly. It requires more subtle inputs as it reacts to every input you make. On track it is 5 sec quicker around Spa, but again you needed to be smoother, I found the sharper turn in would induce oversteer on the mid speed corners before downforce working. Im on my second full geo set up, and it's getting there, but still demands 100% focus. By contrast the gt3 just seemed so wonderfully neutral and it made me feel like a better driver than I actually was. RS caries much more speed when downforce kicks in.

Excellent thanks. I think the orange GT3RS at Porsche Cambridge had deeper seats somehow which felt slightly more "racecar" (for the want of a better word) than the GT3. Whilst the draw of my first RS is strong I just can't stretch to a 991.2 RS at the moment and I do think the 9k RPM newer engine is a bit of a must have. It's narrowing the choices somewhat now to the 991.2 GT3 or (heaven forbid) a nearly brand new GT4RS. Has anyone done the move either way between GT3/RS and GT4RS? Would be interesting to know thoughts. On the Cayman forum I see that consensus is it's not too noisy to drive distance, but those carbon intakes make it sound like a legend!

I'd go for a manual 991.2 GT3 or Touring. Looks far nicer than the GT4 RS if you look at them side by side. Enjoyed watching this the other day

IMI A said: I'd go for a manual 991.2 GT3 or Touring. Looks far nicer than the GT4 RS if you look at them side by side. Enjoyed watching this the other day ^ This.

Slippydiff said: IMI A said: I'd go for a manual 991.2 GT3 or Touring. Looks far nicer than the GT4 RS if you look at them side by side. Enjoyed watching this the other day ^ This. Agreed, 911.2 Touring or GT3 hard beat in my experience, added bonus with the Touring is the clean under the radar looks.

neverlifted said: Reminds me of the Lonman GT2. The Henry (911v) thread back in the day involving that car was epic

Now then, apologies if this isn't allowed, but looking at this car... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302... What does the panel think? I think I'm fairly sure I want a 991.2 GT3 manual ideally but PDK if the right car. PCCB a must, lift, clubsport and not black/white or silver. Ideally this blue but can't be too choosy. This car has 7 previous owners!! Meaning I'll be 8th or 9th depending on how the dealer has interpreted "previous owners". Would appreciate the knowledge on this car please.... Also, other than Porsche, here, CC and AT, where else do we find these cars today?

can't help you with info, but it looks very nice (even though I would prefer black brake calipers)

MDL111 said: can't help you with info, but it looks very nice (even though I would prefer black brake calipers) Ha, all comments welcome... thanks.

I see a few cars advertised at dealers yet claiming Porsche warranty. Wasn't there a rule where the Porsche warranty stopped if a dealer sold the car? So if I bought that Guards Red 991.2 GT3 from JZM for example, Porsche would bounce a big warranty claim when they discover it was sold by a dealer? Maybe my info is out of date.

These cars are more than likely SOR, meaning the warranty is still valid and can be passed on to the new owner. Its only when an (indie) dealer owns the car the warranty would be void.

supermono said: Now then, apologies if this isn't allowed, but looking at this car... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302... Buy the car not the dealer... but he is embroiled in some very unsavoury practices that are being exposed by the "great and good" of social media clout chasers at the moment. Regardless, we're in an infinitely similar position at teh moment SM, I've just sold my Manthey 996 GT3 in order to buy my mate's 997.1RS later this year but there are so many other GT cars turning my head! I personally feel that the 997 RS is massively undervalued at the min but I actually think the real bargain is the 718 GT4. And with production finished and at the moment, unlikely to return I think values will hold long term in either manual (for the purists) AND PDK (because there's no other GT PDK in that price range and folk like an automatic these days). £75k get's you something absolutely stunning and I'm amazed at how similar in feel they are to my old 996 GT3-that's a huge compliment! 8k redline, Porsche warranty, cheap to service and keep warrantied-that's some cost effective track days for the next few years. Not to mention not spending each winter in the garage rebuilding something or other! My head though, keeps getting turned by GT4 RS'. They're just a bit out of range at £125k but I keep wondering if I sold a private plate, a watch or something whether it would be worth a stretch? I think if, and it's a big if, Porsche don't resurrect the ICE powered Cayman these will be the absolute stone cold classic of the future. The ultimate hot rod Porsche said they would never make. £125k now get's you a minter, so that'll likely be £110k to £115k as a trade in-what a car for the money!

PRO5T said: Buy the car not the dealer... but he is embroiled in some very unsavoury practices that are being exposed by the "great and good" of social media clout chasers at the moment. Regardless, we're in an infinitely similar position at teh moment SM, I've just sold my Manthey 996 GT3 in order to buy my mate's 997.1RS later this year but there are so many other GT cars turning my head! I personally feel that the 997 RS is massively undervalued at the min but I actually think the real bargain is the 718 GT4. And with production finished and at the moment, unlikely to return I think values will hold long term in either manual (for the purists) AND PDK (because there's no other GT PDK in that price range and folk like an automatic these days). £75k get's you something absolutely stunning and I'm amazed at how similar in feel they are to my old 996 GT3-that's a huge compliment! 8k redline, Porsche warranty, cheap to service and keep warrantied-that's some cost effective track days for the next few years. Not to mention not spending each winter in the garage rebuilding something or other! My head though, keeps getting turned by GT4 RS'. They're just a bit out of range at £125k but I keep wondering if I sold a private plate, a watch or something whether it would be worth a stretch? I think if, and it's a big if, Porsche don't resurrect the ICE powered Cayman these will be the absolute stone cold classic of the future. The ultimate hot rod Porsche said they would never make. £125k now get's you a minter, so that'll likely be £110k to £115k as a trade in-what a car for the money! I loved my 718 GT4, it was a great car to daily and was fab round a track also. But I drove a 991.2 gt3 and my head was turned, so that's what I now have. The GT4RS sounds great in theory but from what I've read about the intake noise I couldn't live with it as I have quite bad tinnitus in my right ear (too many years in exiges); and I spoke to a couple of GT4RS/Spyder RS owners at an event last year and both of them said that for them the 991.2 gt3 was a high point. Admittedly I haven't driven one and would need to experience it for myself before deciding - but I'm holding on to the GT3 for another couple of years at least, I've promised myself no more car changes before the mortgage is paid off.

There's no doubt the 911 offers something the Cayman never can, the weight transfer will always make it so until it's powered by batteries (if it ever is). I do like a mid engined car though.

PRO5T said: There's no doubt the 911 offers something the Cayman never can, the weight transfer will always make it so until it's powered by batteries (if it ever is). I do like a mid engined car though. Speak softly and carry a big stick : The Sun headline : "Last night joyriders stole a £54,000 Porsche Cayman, the driver lost control of the car at speed and spun it through a Halfords shop window. The driver and passenger escaped injury and were last seen running from the scene of the incident. Police attending the scene of the accident commented that the thieves appeared to have attempted to fit an aftermarket rear spoiler from the store, but in their haste had fitted it upside down ..."

A touring is out of budget for this poor northerner, plus until the advent of the 992.2 it offers nothing I need (which would be the bonus of rear seats). I don’t need to be driving the kids in a 911 anyway.

PRO5T said: A touring is out of budget for this poor northerner, plus until the advent of the 992.2 it offers nothing I need (which would be the bonus of rear seats). I don t need to be driving the kids in a 911 anyway. Not aimed at you C, and from memory, Supermono isn't a poor Northerner either. And the Touring" thing" isn't about the rear seats for me, it's about deleting that rear wing, and choosing a somewhat more discrete colour ... Most on here appear to have a real aversion to Carmine red, but I tend to think it's somewhat more discrete than Guards, of which I've had my fair share)

Is carmine red and gts red the same thing these days?

PRO5T said: Is carmine red and gts red the same thing these days?

Good to see you back! I remember your posts from some time back, I learned a lot from your threads at the time. I'm considering a similar purchase, still miss my 991.1 GT3 which I sold about 3 years ago. Car looks lovely, and I can't comment on the dealer personally, but I remember seeing their name mentioned on a youtube video recently regarding a problem with a lamborghini. Might be worth doing some research. Good luck with the search!

Thanks gd, interesting stuff. Looked at the videos mentioned (thanks!) and whilst the faults he reported didn't seem unusual either in that Ferrari he borked or the Lambo, I felt the ending scene with screen shots seemed slightly worrying if genuine. We do pay a premium at Porsche but honestly when you're dropping 130k on a car you need to be 100% confident that the seller isn't going to turn on you when there's a genuine problem. Otherwise you might as well buy privately and save dollar, getting your own inspection from Porsche. That being said, the blue car I linked to seems good but I'm not sure I can get something with 7 owners in almost as many years. Just feels wrong and I know if/when I sell I'll struggle certainly in the first 10 years when owners count per year is huge.

PRO5T said: Buy the car not the dealer... but he is embroiled in some very unsavoury practices that are being exposed by the "great and good" of social media clout chasers at the moment. Regardless, we're in an infinitely similar position at teh moment SM, I've just sold my Manthey 996 GT3 in order to buy my mate's 997.1RS later this year but there are so many other GT cars turning my head! I personally feel that the 997 RS is massively undervalued at the min but I actually think the real bargain is the 718 GT4. And with production finished and at the moment, unlikely to return I think values will hold long term in either manual (for the purists) AND PDK (because there's no other GT PDK in that price range and folk like an automatic these days). £75k get's you something absolutely stunning and I'm amazed at how similar in feel they are to my old 996 GT3-that's a huge compliment! 8k redline, Porsche warranty, cheap to service and keep warrantied-that's some cost effective track days for the next few years. Not to mention not spending each winter in the garage rebuilding something or other! My head though, keeps getting turned by GT4 RS'. They're just a bit out of range at £125k but I keep wondering if I sold a private plate, a watch or something whether it would be worth a stretch? I think if, and it's a big if, Porsche don't resurrect the ICE powered Cayman these will be the absolute stone cold classic of the future. The ultimate hot rod Porsche said they would never make. £125k now get's you a minter, so that'll likely be £110k to £115k as a trade in-what a car for the money! Cool we're both in the same mind set! I've seen a few GT4RS now and they're quite simply amazing. But all they say to me is "I'm not a 911". I know they're sensationally good at what they do and I certainly don't feel the faux-stigma of the Cayman, but in my mind I think I just need it to be a 911. That's why 991.2 GT3 is bubbling to the top. And at 120k or so for a nice one it feels like a reasonable place to put my money. 997RS yes, definitely one to consider seriously. Have you driven these cars? I've not tested anything yet.

supermono said: Have you driven these cars? I've not tested anything yet. So far of the ones mentioned only the 718 GT4 and it was a revelation if I'm honest. It really did feel similar to my 996 GT3 in just a more modern and polished package. Still small enough to feel "right" on our roads, absolutely still mechanical enough and raw compared to anything else I drive daily. It's funny, I can't shake the feeling I got when the 991s first came out that they're just a little bit too big, they look ace in photos and on the daily perusal of AutoTrader but when I used to pull up next to one in my 996 or the 997RS they look like oil tankers! I can see H's appreciation of the Touring, without the wing they visually sort of correct themselves but it won't make them feel any smaller.

Yes totally agreed about the 718 being a good size and the 991 I drove (just a Carrera) felt big compared with the GT2. I've always said that the GT4 feels correctly sized but that wasn't when I was actually looking to buy! The 991GT3 does look big parked up.

Curveball/diversion, I did a PEC Silverstone morning last month to scratch a few itches and satisfy curiosity: They might be able to hook you up with some sort of test drive package to help you decide. It’s not the best track but is 100 times better than a road test drive IMHO. TLDR of my day, in no particular order: The PEC 997.2 3.8 RS is a lovely car but it’s been very ‘well used’ so gearshift is baggy and it’s not prime. The 4.0 RS flywheel and clutch on my 997.1 GT3 is better. A 991 RS feels BIG. You sit high and the car is physically larger. GT4 RS (I don’t the the MR package was the decider in this) was easily most fun drive for me. Welcome back to the fold.

supermono said: Yes totally agreed about the 718 being a good size and the 991 I drove (just a Carrera) felt big compared with the GT2. I've always said that the GT4 feels correctly sized but that wasn't when I was actually looking to buy! The 991GT3 does look big parked up. Weird how Porsche made the 991.1 look a bloater, whereas the reality is somewhat different : 996 GT2 width 72" 996 GT2 length 175.2" 991 Carrera C2 width 71.2 991 Carrera C2 length 176.8" and most who've driven the later car, say exactly what you've said it feels much bigger.

Many thanks for that. And thanks for the welcomes on here!

The GT3 RS is much wider than a carrera though ain’t it?

PRO5T said: The GT3 RS is much wider than a carrera though ain t it? A smidge under 3" wider overall.

That's amazing about the widths. So I have to assume then (actually I should look it up) that the GT4RS is narrower than my 996GT2 was. Hi, btw, slippydiff.

supermono said: Now then, apologies if this isn't allowed, but looking at this car... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302... What does the panel think? I think I'm fairly sure I want a 991.2 GT3 manual ideally but PDK if the right car. PCCB a must, lift, clubsport and not black/white or silver. Ideally this blue but can't be too choosy. This car has 7 previous owners!! Meaning I'll be 8th or 9th depending on how the dealer has interpreted "previous owners". Would appreciate the knowledge on this car please.... Also, other than Porsche, here, CC and AT, where else do we find these cars today? This blue GT3 sold on CC a year ago for £111k plus fees.

Cool thanks, just looked at it, didn't realise it was the same car. I remember watching that one going through. Rightly or wrongly I'm not confident buying that car so it's off the list. There is a pdk car near me in Kent which I'm going to look at this week. https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1902215 Anyone know this one?

Slippydiff said: PRO5T said: The GT3 RS is much wider than a carrera though ain t it? A smidge under 3" wider overall. 996 GT2 was on the wider, turbo body too. So 996 C2 and GT3 were narrower. Drive a 997, back to back, with a 991.2 GT3 RS and latter feels a bit SUV like in seat height and size, if not weight.

IMI A said: I'd go for a manual 991.2 GT3 or Touring. Looks far nicer than the GT4 RS if you look at them side by side. Enjoyed watching this the other day I was in that very car at 193mph last yr, surprisingly bumpy btw, I tell this to a well known gentleman of this parish who promptly sends me a pic of him doing 201 mph in his touring

supermono said: Cool thanks, just looked at it, didn't realise it was the same car. I remember watching that one going through. Rightly or wrongly I'm not confident buying that car so it's off the list. There is a pdk car near me in Kent which I'm going to look at this week. https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1902215 Anyone know this one? I'm off to see this tomorrow, really can't bear that blue trim inside, how hard would it be to change that for the nice CF stuff? I guess getting hold of the parts is dear to start with then fitting could be a ballache.

I remember how moving from a 997 turbo to a 991 GT3 felt like a big jump in size, even if it wasn't. The 997 felt a lot more compact and nimble than my 991 ever did, and it was rapid, but I loved the race car feel of the GT3. I bought a 991 GTS a couple of years ago, thinking that it was 8/10 of a GT3 so would probably be fine. It was a nice car, but it was a league apart from a GT3, so it too was sold after a year. I hadn't ever seriously considered a Cayman until I went to a Porsche Experience Centre in Shanghai last year, there they had laid out a timed 'gymkhana' handling circuit through cones, and challenged us to get through it as fast as we could in some GT4s. I had about ten goes at it, and it was probably the most fun I've ever had in a car. The balance and handling of the car was just something else, and being able to slide the car around a 180' hairpin and get straight on the throttle into a straight really made me grin. I left the place with a lot more respect for those cars, and even thinking about getting one. Porsche do know how to sell these cars :-) But they are still not GT3s... hence now thinking about buying one again... bloody addictive things they are!

supermono said: I'm off to see this tomorrow, really can't bear that blue trim inside, how hard would it be to change that for the nice CF stuff? I guess getting hold of the parts is dear to start with then fitting could be a ballache. Get it wrapped in CF instead? Probably a LOT cheaper than trying to replace the parts and less likely to give you creaks!

gd said: Get it wrapped in CF instead? Probably a LOT cheaper than trying to replace the parts and less likely to give you creaks! Good call, probably look similar in a matt. But really if I buy the car it'll be because I can live with the blue inside, which is doubtful but subject to actually looking at it. I'm weakly preferring the manual anyway, that other blue one at Nico's mate's place seems actually pretty much at the mark, but I'll carry on looking. I'm not actually certain if these things are still sliding, and with the economic turmoil unfolding, they might just soften a little more yet.

supermono said: Good call, probably look similar in a matt. But really if I buy the car it'll be because I can live with the blue inside, which is doubtful but subject to actually looking at it. I'm weakly preferring the manual anyway, that other blue one at Nico's mate's place seems actually pretty much at the mark, but I'll carry on looking. I'm not actually certain if these things are still sliding, and with the economic turmoil unfolding, they might just soften a little more yet. I can’t talk, every time I have decided on a vehicle type that I really want i end up buying the first one that fits the bill. But the sensible money would be to bide your time and buy over the winter. Deals can be had from the end September onwards. Join the WhatsApp groups and let people know what you’re looking for, be specific with your wants and needs, make it clear you are ready to deal with no part exchange and you should get a great car with just your perfect spec.

Very good advice thanks! I wonder which whatsapp groups there are! How do I find out?

Will dm you

(thanks, replied) I went to look at the blue VVS car today. First wow what a showroom! Almost worthy of paying an entrance ticket to see what's in there. Hilarious that a car costing me such a significant sum was more or less the cheapest car in the place... Quite humbling. Anyway I could completely live with the blue trim, actually it looks really nice and the car was in near perfect condition by my estimation, full PPF and the must-have for me options (pccb, lift, clubsport, buckets) Being critical I think the 6 owners and mileage (28k) is a tiny bit high and really I need to believe that PDK is right for me. I think at 117k it's probably priced ok for the current state of the market. Even has a reasonable bit of extendible Porsche warranty. Driving there and back in the SL63 (6.2 n/a not 5.5 turbo) the gearbox (which isn't a dual clutch but which I use in "manual") is fine so I'm fairly cool with the concept I think, just still trying to convince myself fully. Obvs at this point I should ask if anyone spots a 991.2 GT3 in something other than black/white/silver/guards I'd be keen to know about it...