Postscript: 997 GT3
Discussion
It was 2003 and I was at Paragon Porsche looking at their stock. I was in the market for a 993 Turbo at the time, but the salesman said I should try the 996 Turbo. The 996 Turbo left me rather cold, noticeably so. The salesman sensed this and took me out in a silver 996 GT3 MK2. He had to convince me to take a test ride in it, because I had read so much about the car then, all of which seemed to suggest it was too hardcore and low to be a car you could use in an “every day” fashion.
Suffice to say, I took the test drive in the end and came back a changed man. The experience did nothing short of blow me away. The sensation, the handling and the poise was something I just needed to own someday.
I had lusted after a 997 GT3 since it was introduced and had systematically obsessed about it. I watched every Youtube review I could find (why did Top Gear never feature it? No loss these days to be fair.) including the Fifth Gear one with the lady who seems to squeal whenever she drives anything.
Fast forward to 2012 and I bought a mint condition cobalt blue 997 MK1 GT3 from a former British Clio Cup champion. He had looked after it and it was in jewel like condition, complete with half cage, PCCBs and a warranty. I didn’t want a car in fridge white, and cobalt blue really does come alive in the right light.
I bought the car on a Wednesday, promptly booked myself on the Eurorail and drove to Lake Como on the Friday. My abiding memory of that trip will be screaming up to St Moritz, on a road between the mountain and the valley with the exhaust bouncing off the cliffs. Just laugh out loud moments...
Once back in London, I discovered that this really was the complete package. Despite being a lightweight, track focussed machine it really is incredibly compliant in town. The suspension is not what I would call extremely harsh. In fact, my TVR had a much stiffer ride. It really is a remarkable thing, that such a potent machine can be so gentle and accommodating. Yes, the clutch is a little heavier, the splitter makes speed bumps sing and you can’t get much by way of larger pieces of luggage into it, but if you are ready to work around those things, I really do not think there is a better car out there at that price and perhaps, well above it. I did 6000 miles in the car in 18 months. I don’t the car that has replaced it will get anywhere near that figure. Not because I don’t want to, but because it’s just not accessible for a trip to the shops or something mundane. “Mundane” is not a word I would associate with the GT3, but another thing I loved about the car was how it didn’t attract too much attention. Everyone though it was a standard 911 (so many in London), but those who knew, KNEW.
Once its replacement arrived, I put the car up for sale in earnest and it was gone (twice funnily enough, with one sale falling through) in a week. I had some idiots come around in that time too. One joker who asked why the parking sensors did not make any noise and another seemed obsessed about the quality of the stereo. You also get your standard tyre kicker who think that a couple of stone chips on a 30,000 mile car is unusual in the extreme.
Naturally, driving the car is what it is all about. I wouldn’t describe the acceleration as brutal, but the way the numbers rise on the speedometer is absurd. Journalists have waxed lyrical about the noise from the engine, and once you’re near the redline you can understand why none of it is exaggerated. It handles too, but I must admit that I did occasionally get the feeling that it was pampering you, and that the line between a cuddle and spitting you off the road was a fine one. I have driven faster cars, but nothing I have driven quite makes you feel like the GT3 in a long, sweeping bend. The way it presses the outside tyres into the asphalt is confidence inspiring in the extreme, but I was always careful to make sure it felt like I was well within its limits.
I don’t see 997 GT3 prices rising in the near future (perhaps they will plateau). Still, a great buy today. What a wonderful thing. Don't let all the armchair enthusiasts around here tell you that it's too hard to drive, too noisy or too anything - it's a revelation and the best car I have ever owned. I would have one again in a heartbeat. Perhaps a 991 GT3 in a couple of years time!
Suffice to say, I took the test drive in the end and came back a changed man. The experience did nothing short of blow me away. The sensation, the handling and the poise was something I just needed to own someday.
I had lusted after a 997 GT3 since it was introduced and had systematically obsessed about it. I watched every Youtube review I could find (why did Top Gear never feature it? No loss these days to be fair.) including the Fifth Gear one with the lady who seems to squeal whenever she drives anything.
Fast forward to 2012 and I bought a mint condition cobalt blue 997 MK1 GT3 from a former British Clio Cup champion. He had looked after it and it was in jewel like condition, complete with half cage, PCCBs and a warranty. I didn’t want a car in fridge white, and cobalt blue really does come alive in the right light.
I bought the car on a Wednesday, promptly booked myself on the Eurorail and drove to Lake Como on the Friday. My abiding memory of that trip will be screaming up to St Moritz, on a road between the mountain and the valley with the exhaust bouncing off the cliffs. Just laugh out loud moments...
Once back in London, I discovered that this really was the complete package. Despite being a lightweight, track focussed machine it really is incredibly compliant in town. The suspension is not what I would call extremely harsh. In fact, my TVR had a much stiffer ride. It really is a remarkable thing, that such a potent machine can be so gentle and accommodating. Yes, the clutch is a little heavier, the splitter makes speed bumps sing and you can’t get much by way of larger pieces of luggage into it, but if you are ready to work around those things, I really do not think there is a better car out there at that price and perhaps, well above it. I did 6000 miles in the car in 18 months. I don’t the car that has replaced it will get anywhere near that figure. Not because I don’t want to, but because it’s just not accessible for a trip to the shops or something mundane. “Mundane” is not a word I would associate with the GT3, but another thing I loved about the car was how it didn’t attract too much attention. Everyone though it was a standard 911 (so many in London), but those who knew, KNEW.
Once its replacement arrived, I put the car up for sale in earnest and it was gone (twice funnily enough, with one sale falling through) in a week. I had some idiots come around in that time too. One joker who asked why the parking sensors did not make any noise and another seemed obsessed about the quality of the stereo. You also get your standard tyre kicker who think that a couple of stone chips on a 30,000 mile car is unusual in the extreme.
Naturally, driving the car is what it is all about. I wouldn’t describe the acceleration as brutal, but the way the numbers rise on the speedometer is absurd. Journalists have waxed lyrical about the noise from the engine, and once you’re near the redline you can understand why none of it is exaggerated. It handles too, but I must admit that I did occasionally get the feeling that it was pampering you, and that the line between a cuddle and spitting you off the road was a fine one. I have driven faster cars, but nothing I have driven quite makes you feel like the GT3 in a long, sweeping bend. The way it presses the outside tyres into the asphalt is confidence inspiring in the extreme, but I was always careful to make sure it felt like I was well within its limits.
I don’t see 997 GT3 prices rising in the near future (perhaps they will plateau). Still, a great buy today. What a wonderful thing. Don't let all the armchair enthusiasts around here tell you that it's too hard to drive, too noisy or too anything - it's a revelation and the best car I have ever owned. I would have one again in a heartbeat. Perhaps a 991 GT3 in a couple of years time!
Edited by AdvocatusD on Thursday 10th October 16:18
Good write up and wholeheartedly agree - amazing cars, am smitten with mine! What did you replace it with?
Also, not sure I'm with you on the price rise? I bought mine in Feb this year and a few like for like cars have sold recently for at least 2K more than I paid. If nothing they are rock solid, at best slightly under valued as the gap to gen 2 is a fair spread...
Also, not sure I'm with you on the price rise? I bought mine in Feb this year and a few like for like cars have sold recently for at least 2K more than I paid. If nothing they are rock solid, at best slightly under valued as the gap to gen 2 is a fair spread...
AdvocatusD said:
It was 2003 and I was at Paragon Porsche looking at their stock. I was in the market for a 993 Turbo at the time, but the salesman said I should try the 996 Turbo. The 996 Turbo left me rather cold, noticeably so. The salesman sensed this and took me out in a silver 996 GT3 MK2. He had to convince me to take a test ride in it, because I had read so much about the car then, all of which seemed to suggest it was too hardcore and low to be a car you could use in an “every day” fashion.
Suffice to say, I took the test drive in the end and came back a changed man. The experience did nothing short of blow me away. The sensation, the handling and the poise was something I just needed to own someday.
I had lusted after a 997 GT3 since it was introduced and had systematically obsessed about it. I watched every Youtube review I could find (why did Top Gear never feature it? No loss these days to be fair.) including the Fifth Gear one with the lady who seems to squeal whenever she drives anything.
Fast forward to 2012 and I bought a mint condition cobalt blue 997 MK1 GT3 from a former British Clio Cup champion. He had looked after it and it was in jewel like condition, complete with half cage, PCCBs and a warranty. I didn’t want a car in fridge white, and cobalt blue really does come alive in the right light.
I bought the car on a Wednesday, promptly booked myself on the Eurorail and drove to Lake Como on the Friday. My abiding memory of that trip will be screaming up to St Moritz, on a road between the mountain and the valley with the exhaust bouncing off the cliffs. Just laugh out loud moments...
Once back in London, I discovered that this really was the complete package. Despite being a lightweight, track focussed machine it really is incredibly compliant in town. The suspension is not what I would call extremely harsh. In fact, my TVR had a much stiffer ride. It really is a remarkable thing, that such a potent machine can be so gentle and accommodating. Yes, the clutch is a little heavier, the splitter makes speed bumps sing and you can’t get much by way of larger pieces of luggage into it, but if you are ready to work around those things, I really do not think there is a better car out there at that price and perhaps, well above it. I did 6000 miles in the car in 18 months. I don’t the car that has replaced it will get anywhere near that figure. Not because I don’t want to, but because it’s just not accessible for a trip to the shops or something mundane. “Mundane” is not a word I would associate with the GT3, but another thing I loved about the car was how it didn’t attract too much attention. Everyone though it was a standard 911 (so many in London), but those who knew, KNEW.
Once its replacement arrived, I put the car up for sale in earnest and it was gone (twice funnily enough, with one sale falling through) in a week. I had some idiots come around in that time too. One joker who asked why the parking sensors did not make any noise and another seemed obsessed about the quality of the stereo. You also get your standard tyre kicker who think that a couple of stone chips on a 30,000 mile car is unusual in the extreme.
Naturally, driving the car is what it is all about. I wouldn’t describe the acceleration as brutal, but the way the numbers rise on the speedometer is absurd. Journalists have waxed lyrical about the noise from the engine, and once you’re near the redline you can understand why none of it is exaggerated. It handles too, but I must admit that I did occasionally get the feeling that it was pampering you, and that the line between a cuddle and spitting you off the road was a fine one. I have driven faster cars, but nothing I have driven quite makes you feel like the GT3 in a long, sweeping bend. The way it presses the outside tyres into the asphalt is confidence inspiring in the extreme, but I was always careful to make sure it felt like I was well within its limits.
I don’t see 997 GT3 prices rising in the near future (perhaps they will plateau). Still, a great buy today. What a wonderful thing. Don't let all the armchair enthusiasts around here tell you that it's too hard to drive, too noisy or too anything - it's a revelation and the best car I have ever owned. I would have one again in a heartbeat. Perhaps a 991 GT3 in a couple of years time!
Great post AdvocatusD - but I'm dying to find out how the Ferrari compares (as a former 997 GT3 owner)! Suffice to say, I took the test drive in the end and came back a changed man. The experience did nothing short of blow me away. The sensation, the handling and the poise was something I just needed to own someday.
I had lusted after a 997 GT3 since it was introduced and had systematically obsessed about it. I watched every Youtube review I could find (why did Top Gear never feature it? No loss these days to be fair.) including the Fifth Gear one with the lady who seems to squeal whenever she drives anything.
Fast forward to 2012 and I bought a mint condition cobalt blue 997 MK1 GT3 from a former British Clio Cup champion. He had looked after it and it was in jewel like condition, complete with half cage, PCCBs and a warranty. I didn’t want a car in fridge white, and cobalt blue really does come alive in the right light.
I bought the car on a Wednesday, promptly booked myself on the Eurorail and drove to Lake Como on the Friday. My abiding memory of that trip will be screaming up to St Moritz, on a road between the mountain and the valley with the exhaust bouncing off the cliffs. Just laugh out loud moments...
Once back in London, I discovered that this really was the complete package. Despite being a lightweight, track focussed machine it really is incredibly compliant in town. The suspension is not what I would call extremely harsh. In fact, my TVR had a much stiffer ride. It really is a remarkable thing, that such a potent machine can be so gentle and accommodating. Yes, the clutch is a little heavier, the splitter makes speed bumps sing and you can’t get much by way of larger pieces of luggage into it, but if you are ready to work around those things, I really do not think there is a better car out there at that price and perhaps, well above it. I did 6000 miles in the car in 18 months. I don’t the car that has replaced it will get anywhere near that figure. Not because I don’t want to, but because it’s just not accessible for a trip to the shops or something mundane. “Mundane” is not a word I would associate with the GT3, but another thing I loved about the car was how it didn’t attract too much attention. Everyone though it was a standard 911 (so many in London), but those who knew, KNEW.
Once its replacement arrived, I put the car up for sale in earnest and it was gone (twice funnily enough, with one sale falling through) in a week. I had some idiots come around in that time too. One joker who asked why the parking sensors did not make any noise and another seemed obsessed about the quality of the stereo. You also get your standard tyre kicker who think that a couple of stone chips on a 30,000 mile car is unusual in the extreme.
Naturally, driving the car is what it is all about. I wouldn’t describe the acceleration as brutal, but the way the numbers rise on the speedometer is absurd. Journalists have waxed lyrical about the noise from the engine, and once you’re near the redline you can understand why none of it is exaggerated. It handles too, but I must admit that I did occasionally get the feeling that it was pampering you, and that the line between a cuddle and spitting you off the road was a fine one. I have driven faster cars, but nothing I have driven quite makes you feel like the GT3 in a long, sweeping bend. The way it presses the outside tyres into the asphalt is confidence inspiring in the extreme, but I was always careful to make sure it felt like I was well within its limits.
I don’t see 997 GT3 prices rising in the near future (perhaps they will plateau). Still, a great buy today. What a wonderful thing. Don't let all the armchair enthusiasts around here tell you that it's too hard to drive, too noisy or too anything - it's a revelation and the best car I have ever owned. I would have one again in a heartbeat. Perhaps a 991 GT3 in a couple of years time!
Edited by AdvocatusD on Thursday 10th October 16:18
ablac2000 said:
Great post!
i have just bought a 997 GT3 mk 1 in white with black wheels, comfort spec. Pick it up from porsche OPC next weekend!
Very Very excited now!!
Good man, I know how that excitement feels I'm still grinning like an idiot a month into ownership even though the weather has provided few driving opportunities. i have just bought a 997 GT3 mk 1 in white with black wheels, comfort spec. Pick it up from porsche OPC next weekend!
Very Very excited now!!
Enjoy collecting, my face ached from so much smiling I hope you have the same reaction
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff