Hello! New guy here... (Considering GT3)

I'm new to the forum and I have something I want to get an opinion/guidance on. I've never owned a Porsche but I have owned several sports cars in my lifetime; some cars include M3 's, GTR's, GTO, Nismo Z, etc. Among those cars I had both manual trans and sequential gearbox. After owning two GTR's (2012 BE and 2013 Prem), I don't feel like I can go backwards in power and performance and I don't want another GTR. It has always been a goal to one day own a Porsche, but not just any Porsche, a GT3. I had considered getting a used 997 GT3 at one point about 5 years ago, but didn't feel I was ready for that car. Then, Porsche launched the 991 GT3 and I instantly feel in love with it. I'm not technically ready to buy one today, but my goal is to get one within the next 12 months. Now, I know the 2nd gen 991 GT3 is imminent and that will potentially have an affect on the used market for the 991 GT3.1. So, here are my questions: 1. Should I buy a used GT3 or wait until I can get a new one? 2. If used, which model year? 2015 or 2016? Certified or non-certified? What's the max I should pay for one? 3. How long will it take to get acclimated to a GT3 based on the previous cars I've owned? 4. Are maintenance costs similar to a GTR or more/less expensive? 5. Any known issues with the PDK in the current GT3? Lastly, what type of treatment can I expect from Porsche dealers' when I inquire about buying a GT3?

1. The lineup has already formed for 991.2 GT3s...if you're not already on the list, the chances of getting one in the first run is slim (unless you'll pay over MSRP). 2. The answer depends on what options you want, whether you are OK with one that has been tracked, your mileage threshold, and price point. Get the newest and best one you can afford...and find. 3. impossible to say without knowing your driving skill level...and what you plan to do with it. A RWD GT3 on the track is an entirely different animal than an AWD GTR. 4. I'd say about equivalent. 5. Don't know...best visit a GT3-only forum for the inside scoop. Without some prior relationship buying or servicing cars at a Porsche dealer, or expressing that you're OK paying whatever amount over MSRP they want to charge, consider yourself fortunate if dealers politely advise that they already have lists that have more names on them than the number of cars they will likely receive.

Thanks for the response. I'm definitely not optimistic about getting a new GT3. Considering I've never owned a Porsche, let alone a GT3, I figure getting a used 991.1 GT3 would be the better (and cheaper) approach. If I love the car then I can always upgrade to the 991.2 later on. I'm really at a point with cars where not a lot of cars impress me anymore within the $100-$150k price point. So, with that said, I feel (hope) that Porsche is what I've been missing and what I need to get reinvigorated. I need a car with SOUL and I haven't felt much of that since my E46 M3 's days.

The 991.1 GT3 is a great car.......but, there are numerous reports of premature cam wear on cars being driven on track (HPDEs). Definitely should research the issue before you buy. So far they are being fixed under warranty. Best bet is a 2016 "G" and CPO warranty. It's noteworthy that the 991.2 GT3 has a different valve train (solid lifters vs hydraulic). A track buddy got the misfire codes on his 2015 at COTA this past weekend. Swapped plugs and coil packs but the issue returned. He was headed to the dealer for diagnosis. Very few if any PDK -S issues reported. As stated there are already long "lists" for the .2 GT3. Given your history and statement of not wanting to go back on power, maybe test drive a 911 Turbo S? The GT3 makes good power but has to rev, it feels weak at low rpms. You just need to shift down, it is pretty impressive ripping off 9k rpm upshifts. The ultimate 911 will be the GT2, but will likely be even harder to get than a GT3. Best of luck.

I'm actually ok with going 'back' to a high revving motor. I had both E46 M3 & E92 M3 and, while the power/tq is weak down low, the experience is surreal beyond 4000rpm. As far as the price to pay for a used 991.1 GT3 at 2015 MY with less than 15k miles, whats roughly the max I should pay? I see that prices are still above original MSRP but hoping that will change within the next 12 months.

Are you stuck on just GT3's? Have you considered buying a new Carrera S or slightly used turbo? I can understand the love affair with the GT3 though, they not only look great but are badass cars. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Honestly, I haven't considered a Carrera because I felt like I should go for an elite car. The Turbo is definitely elite, but isn't it way more expensive than a GT3? My budget when I'm ready cannot exceed $130k-150K.

Good point. I guess I should test drive some of the 911 variants before I fully declare that I have to have a GT3.

Curious: Why do you not want another GTR?

Well, I've had two GTR's and I want something different. Now, if I'm left with no choice but to get another GTR, then, yea, I'll definitely get one. When I see the GT3, when I watch videos of it and read about it, it gives me that 'warm and fuzzy' I haven't had in a while with a sports car. The GTR is a brute; it’s super-fast, got tons of grip, but it’s not the most engaging car out there due to AWD, the electronics and software aids. Yes, the raw performance of it makes up for some of the lost engagement/connection, but, at the end of the day you want to drive a car that you feel totally in-tune with. I've always been a proponent of writing down my goals and/or keeping them in front of me, and attached is a capture of my desktop (Literally, LOL)

2015 GT3's are in your range of ~ $150K, I think 12 months later is a great time to pick up a GT3. The 991.2 GT3's will be out and some current owners will trade up to get a manual 991.2 GT3. The market might be flooded with PDK 991.1 GT3's, it's supply and demand. So the price might drop down to ~ $130K. The opposite can happened as well, the demand for 991.2 GT3's are so high that it demands $20K-30K over MSRP, then the market for 991.1 GT3's will remain high and not much of a price drop.

Yea, I'm definitely counting on the former scenario. Oh, and I really hate the fact that 16-year old YouTube'rs are buying brand new GTR's as their first sports car, SMH. I'm 37 and I don't want to be trolled by young kids or have sub 21-year old's with GTR's trying to start a GTR club with me :-( (No offense to young sports car owners).

2 GT3's at Porsche of Annapolis, huge price difference even though only 2 years difference, both badass cars. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

^ They are different models which is the reason for the price delta more so than the model year. The Lava orange car is an RS (4.0l, more aero etc.). It will be interesting to see how the 14 GT3s fare in the market. There are not many of them and they all have replacement engines and some extra warranty.

I saw those listings on cars.com. I know I should probably appreciate the white one with the Martini vinyl, but I would have it removed ASAP. When I enter the market to buy one it will have to be a 2015 or 2016 with certified warranty. I'm planning to keep the car at least 2-3 years and then upgrade to a 991.2 GT3.

What are you going to do with a GT3? Track, road or just look at it in your garage? If Track, then wait for a new one with finances, doesn't make sense to purchase used then new? Road, it's not a cruiser despite what owners tell you. Drive one. Road, best value is a 991.2 base. If you just want to look at it or drive to car show, then find the cheapest thing with a wing. Many do just that.-Richard

Yes, 2015 and 2016 with warranty, I heard the 2014 are prone to engine failures from ********.com. Most would not own the 991.1 GT3's without warranty.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to shoot for a new one, but, if necessary, settle for a used one.

Hey im a bit late here, But maybe I could help a bit. Last year I bought a 991.2 Miami blue C2S manual transmission and it was my first ever 911 , i loved it even though my goal in life was to own a GT3, so i had the C2S for about 4 months and one day i Decided to go check out another Miami Blue that had arrived to the dealer since mine was the first one to hit florida back in Feb 16' so when I went there i was with a couple of friends and they knew I always wanted a GT3 so they were teasing me with a 14' Basalt Black with only 5k miles And it was a Demo car. I did not want to change my brand spanking new C2S but the dealer made me an offer it was stupid to pass by so I took the shot. 155k with 5k miles, Sharkwerks exhaust installed by the dealer with warranty, Engine had been recalled and got 2 year maintenance free and a clear bra! This was August 16' now the car has 11k miles tracked it 3 times and I dont plan on selling it as it is my favorite car ever. You may hear bad things about the Gt3 about the recall on the engines and some stories about other stuff but as of mine, I have driven my car the way it should and it has not given me any problems as of the last 9 months. Your questions about expenses on the car is what you would expect from a 150k+ car will be. Just changed the tires for a total 2200$ which Porsche says that every 8k miles it should be changed. ( I think its bullshit) mine had 11k miles and 3 track days and still were good enough for 1k miles. The first oil change due on mine is free but i will also have to change plugs that total should be a bit over $1k which is not bad considering the price of the car. If you are going to track the car people will say get steelies because if something happens to the CCB it will cost a fortune and that is totally true but I do have PCCB and after 3 track days and 11k miles i have zero rotor wear and pads are still more than 80 of life. (Pads are not expensive) Now if you are a die hard track guy who will go 5 or more times a year to the track then get steelies. PCCB should last 100k miles with occasional tracking a bit less but nothing to worry about. Thing is it doesnt matter if you get a 14,15,16 as long as you get CPO and a good deal. Forget about the new GT3 in terms of getting one this is just an update version of the old and is not and will not be worth the over sticker price. If the car is not going to be a business and is going to be a pleasure look for the 991.1 it will satisfy you more than any other car on the market. If you need any other info just let me know. Best of luck.

This post! This is really great info. So, I currently have a deposit on a new 991.2 GT3 with a dealer that is not charging over MSRP. They will be requesting a production from Porsche later this year and I'm first in line. Dealer is 99.9% confident they will get the approval to build based on their past history with GT3 allocations. So, I've been looking at a used one as an alternative and for a 2015 (haven't looked at '14's) the prices are $140-147k for CPO. My current build for a 991.2 GT3 is $149k, so I feel like I might as well go new unless the prices drop significantly over the next 8-10 months. With 99.9% of dealers marking up the new ones anywhere from $25-75k, I highly doubt the used market will soften up much anytime soon.