Which 996 would you rather own?

[machjim]

My budget fals in the area of trading up to a 996 from the Boxster I currently own...Out of these three which would you rather own and why??

[Loren]

Only one can be a serious race car (IMHO) - the GT3

[Richard Hamilton]

For me, it would very much depend on if it was a daily drive, or weekend toy, and how I was going to use it. As Loren says, the GT3 is very much more track focussed, the Turbo gives more scope for tuning (if that's your thing) and explosive performance, and the C4S is a great all-rounder. They all drive very differently, so you need to consider your usage, and try all three.

Nice dilemma to have. Enjoy your hunt.

[clord]

Hi Jim.... In the 996 category, I've owned a '99 C4, and my current, '04 GT3. Put 50K miles on the C4, and have 31K on the GT3. I'm obviously biased, but, that's what you are asking for. The GT3!! It puts a smile on my face every time I start that race bred engine, shift the race bred g'box, and step on those brakes.

[Dntlvet]

Hi Jim.... In the 996 category, I've owned a '99 C4, and my current, '04 GT3. Put 50K miles on the C4, and have 31K on the GT3. I'm obviously biased, but, that's what you are asking for. The GT3!! It puts a smile on my face every time I start that race bred engine, shift the race bred g'box, and step on those brakes.

I am also looking at these cars and I do believe GT3 is the most performance orientated.

That car is scarry fast on straights and very sharp with braking. Not a winter car :-)

Definitely decide what you need as well as what you think you want.

[machjim]

Hi Jim.... In the 996 category, I've owned a '99 C4, and my current, '04 GT3. Put 50K miles on the C4, and have 31K on the GT3. I'm obviously biased, but, that's what you are asking for. The GT3!! It puts a smile on my face every time I start that race bred engine, shift the race bred g'box, and step on those brakes.

I am also looking at these cars and I do believe GT3 is the most performance orientated.

That car is scarry fast on straights and very sharp with braking. Not a winter car :-)

Definitely decide what you need as well as what you think you want.

Great info gents..Thanks..My current Boxster isnt a daily driver, Its more of a weekend toy all from spring to fall and I love the top down days any day of the week.....So the upgrade would be about the same..As much as I would like to, I dont race road events..Im more of a drag guy with the old Mopars I own..

So being said the upgrade to a 996 fell within the three cars I posted...I love the GT3 AND the Turbo...I think the GT3 will get the nod and from what I have researched I have been told not to buy ANY 996 or 997 unless the RMS has been repaired...Is there truth in this??

[machjim]

Hi Jim.... In the 996 category, I've owned a '99 C4, and my current, '04 GT3. Put 50K miles on the C4, and have 31K on the GT3. I'm obviously biased, but, that's what you are asking for. The GT3!! It puts a smile on my face every time I start that race bred engine, shift the race bred g'box, and step on those brakes.

I am also looking at these cars and I do believe GT3 is the most performance orientated.

That car is scarry fast on straights and very sharp with braking. Not a winter car :-)

Definitely decide what you need as well as what you think you want.

Great info gents..Thanks..My current Boxster isnt a daily driver, Its more of a weekend toy all from spring to fall and I love the top down days any day of the week.....So the upgrade would be about the same..As much as I would like to, I dont race road events..Im more of a drag guy with the old Mopars I own..

So being said the upgrade to a 996 fell within the three cars I posted...I love the GT3 AND the Turbo...I think the GT3 will get the nod and from what I have researched I have been told not to buy ANY 996 or 997 unless the RMS has been repaired...Is there truth in this??

My current Porsche...

[Brenton b]

Rms is not a problem on the gt3 gt2 and turbo cars as they have a different motor to 3.4 and 3.6 n/a cars. The problem is more in the 3.4. And by now the issue would have raised its ugly head by now.

I have had 3.4 c2 cab and now 04 turbo. Chalk and cheese. The only thing the c2 was better at was initial turn in. But I am slowly getting the turbo close to it. If you don't do track work don't get a track car.

Gt3 / gt2 for tracking and rallies.

Turbo for road and the odd track day.

[OscarAH1W]

Agree... I ended up with both the Turbo Cab (04) and a GT3 for DE/TT, etc. The two cars couldn't be any more different. That being said, there are far fewer 996 GT3s around than turbos and if you look you can find early Turbos for under 40 grand. Hard to beat that level of bang for the buck. Then again, a GT3 at 8,000 RPM sounds unlike anything else. Whichever of the three you choose, you won't be disappointed. I think that Loren would agree that a thorough service history and good PPI are important in the process. Just because the "GT1" engine doesn't have the RMS issue, the coolant line fittings can fail where they are epoxied into the block. Big $$$ if it isn't under warranty. Happened on my Turbo Cab but wasn't catastrophic and no issues since. Not to scare you, just information so you can weigh everything as you look. Best of luck!

[petercory]

I have a 930S Cabrio and an '04 GT3 with Club Sport mods; my best comparisson is it's a highly refined 427 Cobra with creature comforts!

[doublesnaggle]

I know this is an old thread. But, I am thinking if GT3 right now. When I go to look at them, is the epoxy thing the only thing I should ask or worry about?

[phillipj]

Epoxy is on the turbo engine not GT3

[bobsan]

Epoxy is on the turbo engine not GT3

If only, unfortunatly for GT3 this is a very large and real issue, many circuits won't even let a gt3 on if the hose fitting haven't been welded, deffo

needs looking into with these engines.

[phillipj]

Epoxy is on the turbo engine not GT3

If only, unfortunatly for GT3 this is a very large and real issue, many circuits won't even let a gt3 on if the hose fitting haven't been welded, deffo

needs looking into with these engines.

Bobsan,

I did not know that.. Thanks for the info!

:cheers:

[jonnyd330]

Only one can be a serious race car (IMHO) - the GT3

I agree with this. Go with a GT3 those are such great cars with a lot of raw power. Turbo's are fun but they are not as good at the track.

[Exigent]

I've had a 2003 tt & currently an '05 GT3. They are very different but both great cars. TT is easily modded for more power, GT3 handles great but has no PSM etc. so it can bite you.

They share the same block so the epoxy fittings are present in both cars. You have to decide if that's an issue.

[alarm1]

GT3 by far

[therecklesswanderer]

I Owned a 996 2002 Boxster, which had a RMS problem so i traded it in for a 2004 Carrera Cab, which I loved. Then in 2006 I saw a GT3 in a lot (an 04), given up by a guy who thought it would be a good daily driver. Well, I let the GF drive the Carrera and I got the GT3. I have Since got rid of the GF and the Carrera, but the GT3, never. After I drove the GT3, i never drove the carrera again. I use it as a daily driver (in the short summer months) and in the past i tracked it. I have never driven a TT but i can't imagine it's more fun than driving a GT3.

[OscarAH1W]

Epoxy is on the turbo engine not GT3

The GT3 and TT both use the Mezger GT1 engine. Modified from an air cooled block with liquid cooled cylinder jackets. No liquid cooling ports/channels in the block mean the liquid is circulated external to the block and those lines are held to the block with adhesive. The GT3 motor has different internals: Lightened Crankshaft, Titanium connecting rods, lightened valve train, etc to reduce rotating mass. The Turbo motor (obviously) has the additional plumbing, turbochargers and intercoolers, but not the lightened internals.

[aehsani]

It may be too late to respond . Nevertheless, there is, at least for me, only one choice, and that is 996 GT3. 996 turbo is a great car, and undervalued (still a Mezger engine) but it is not as entertaining, fun to drive and challenging as GT3. I have owned mine (2005) for almost 8 years now.  Regrettably, I have to sell it because I am getting a 991 GT3 this month and don't have space to keep it.