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GT3 owners - Advice

Dunc

Well-known member
Joined
26 Jan 2003
Messages
1,259
Currently Porscheless and planning the purchase of a mk1 GT3 in the near future. Been watching a few recently and was looking for some advice on spec.

I last had a 993C4 with M030 so I can handle a stiff ride, I presume the GT3 will be like the other 996s i've driven which feel a lot more stable than the 993?

Clubsport spec - i don't mind the roll cage etc. and do plan some track work but will 3 point harnesses be a nightmare for normal driving? I like the look of the big recaros but are they comfortable enough for normal use or should I seek out a comfort with turbo seats?

The car will be used purely for enjoyment and no commuting etc. so will prob sit for a while between uses and i'm concerned about disc corrosion (a 911 favourite!).

Cheers

Dunc


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54680
 
Also - Insurance...

I'm 27 but have a 'good' postcode and so have been getting relatively cheap Insurance. How does the ins. cost for your GT3s compare with your previous porsches?

I tried typing in the plate of a GT3 that's for sale into confused.com and elephant and they didn't recognise it for make / model!?

Dunc


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54689
 
dunc

gt3 is totally different to a 996 and even more from a 993....

all cars IIRC even with the harness also have normal seat belt


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54694
 
Dunc,

I suggest you get a test drive in one, it feels different than my old 993 which had a Roock set up, ride is hard but not uncomfortable. The buckets are brilliant, I wouldn't have anything else. Don't bother with a full cage as its unsafe on the road.

Disc corrosion shouln't be an issue if it is garaged or if you get PCCB's but these are expensive to replace unless you replace with Alcons from JZM.

Mk1 or Mk2? if budget can stretch I woulkd recommend the Mk2 as the brakes are awesome, Mk2 has six pot calipers and larger discs, Mk1 has 4 pots calipers. Adrien, has just changed his front calipers and discs all round to Mk2 items and Alcons at JZM at a cost of £2600! Mk2 gearbox is also stronger (radiator and steel LSD!)

It is also better value IMHO, Mk1's are circa £45-£50k 1998-2002, whereas Mk2's can be had for circa £55k-£60k 2003-2005.

I guarantee that if you test drive one you will not want anything else, the sound of the engine at full chat is simply amazing.

Where are you? there is a Mk2 CS at a garage near me for sale for £56k.

BTW, Insurance for me is £1k, and I am 36 live in NW London and have a garage.

Good luck

Migration info. Legacy thread was 54719
 
I was wondering if the GT3's lowered stiffened set up from standard 996 was kinda comparable with the M030 on 993 in terms of ride. I imagine it will be a very different drive from the 993 I had but still expect the size / dynamics of the 996 to make the GT3 a more stable car in general and less small / skittish as the 993. I've found the 996s i've driven to be an easier (though not easy!) car to pilot than the 993 and imagine the GT3 to be a more focused evolution from the standard.

Standard seatbelts are a def. requirement (to save hassle at junctions!) so that's a winner if they're there - I'd prefer the Recaro's just don't know how passenger would like them after a long drive?

Dunc


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54720
 
Dunc

If you don't plan to track it, I highly recommend you get an extended test drive in one to find out if it's really the one you want. The Mk1 is the least refined of all the GT3s and whilst it will do the Tescos run with no problems, it is compromised at all other times on regular roads. Ground clearance is a major PITA on the mk1 - more so than on the mk2.

With regards to the seats, the Recaros are perfectly supportive and comfortable over roads and long distances. But it depends on where you are coming from... my previous 993 had regular seats which I found uncomfortable because my previous car had carbon Recaro buckets which I was used to. As another point, and strictly imho, is that a GT3 without Recaros begs a few questions!

Mind you, they are fabulous machines. Their home is on track, and once you get them setup properly for track, they become even more compromised on road. Imho, the most characterful watercooled 911 Porsche have ever made.


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54721
 
Dunc,

I've got the Mk2 not Mk1, not huge differences between the 2 so should be able to help. Sundeep is correct regarding the harnesses / seat belt issue. The GT3's have a very firm ride, Mk1 is slightly firmer than the Mk2's. I think you will find it's much firmer than the 993 you've experienced. On a smooth road the car is very stable more so than a 996, however you can scare yourself to death on anything other than a smooth road until you have got used to it. A Gt3 is just not set up for B road blasts.

I don;t have the recaro's but the sports seats. The choice depends in what your use will predominantly be. Recaro's are not comfortable for long rides. Not easy to get in & out of & you also forgo the ability to get behind the seats to store things. Obviously they are far superior for track use.

Insurance : I'm with elephant, had problems getting a match up on the website, but spoke to them on the phone and after a few checks they were OK to cover the car. I suspect from the discussion I had with them that they may not cover the Clubsport specced version. Elephant are very particular with options. They were several hundred cheaper than anywhere else. Elephant were also the only of the cheapo insurers to give a quote. Price wise Elephant gave me similar quotes for GT3's, GT2's & Turbos all within 20 quid of each other. For reference I pay 740quid no tracker & 7000 miles a year.

Don't think anyone on here has a Mk1, but maybe wrong, but there are definitely 3 Mk2's

Migration info. Legacy thread was 54724
 
Cheers Poon,

Did your ins. go up much from your 993?

I'm in central Scotland so getting a test drive is tricky when all cars are a flight away. I can't stretch to a mk2 I don't think so i'm set on a mk1 though I appreciate that the newer car has benefitted from better spec & power, I just ain't got the means to buy one.

Reckon i'll get a good mk1 for low £40s. Not fussed about a low mileage just want a good well maintained car as I'm buying it to drive anyway.

Dunc


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54725
 
Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by poon on 20 April 2006

Mk2 gearbox is also stronger (radiator and steel LSD!)


Steel synchros on 3rd and 4th, not the LSD! :wink:
(Mk1 has brass synchros on 3rd/4th)


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54726
 
Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by oceancarrera on 20 April 2006
Dunc
  As another point, and strictly imho, is that a GT3 without Recaros begs a few questions!

Ok so I've got a tarts GT3 & it's even got carbon fibre all over the place, but thats OK cos I drive like a tart too :D

Migration info. Legacy thread was 54727
 
I'm covered by Peart Insurance. They are specialists on these kind of machines, and they offer excellent customer service. They also cover trackdays both in the UK and on the Continent (Ring excluded) for just £50 per event.

I had a 993C4 before the GT3, and my Insurance did go up by about 20%. Mind you, I was due for renewal and I decided to switch from Adrian Flux to Peart at the time. My premium works out at £1600 for unlimited mileage, garaged, tracker, £500 excess and I'm based in central London.

Oh, and mine's a Mk1!


Migration info. Legacy thread was 54728
 
Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by Rob J on 20 April 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by oceancarrera on 20 April 2006

Dunc

As another point, and strictly imho, is that a GT3 without Recaros begs a few questions!
Ok so I've got a tarts GT3 & it's even got carbon fibre all over the place, but thats OK cos I drive like a tart too :D
yeah, Rob likes to get spanked on track whenever he goes out! :D :D

Migration info. Legacy thread was 54730
 
Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by Dunc on 20 April 2006
Cheers Poon,
Did your ins. go up much from your 993?

up from £700 to £1000

Migration info. Legacy thread was 54731
 

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