996 GT2 or GT3 Mk1

[mrg3.6]

For some strange reason, I am developing an odd interest in some of those water cooled devices?

Anyone have any opinions (or experience) on the merits (or otherwise) of owning a 996 GT3 Mk1 or the 996GT2 Mk2 ?

Thx
Martin

[964RS]

For some strange reason, I am developing an odd interest in some of those water cooled devices?

Anyone have any opinions (or experience) on the merits (or otherwise) of owning a 996 GT3 Mk1 or the 996GT2 Mk2 ?

Thx
Martin

Funny been thinking the same thing.

GT2 is better looking and a lot quicker.

It will kill you though.

Its too quick for fun road use really.

GT3 is better drivers car and has great sounding engine at full chat (GT2 is typically quiet turbo). GT3 mk1 gearbox is not the most reliable thing in the world...and neither are exactly cheap to maintain, although both engines are very reliable in comparison to other water cooled variants!

[squirejo]

I think it really depends on the intended use.

For a principally track weapon, you want a GT3 mk2, purekly as it goes harder and stops better than the mk1.

I have no experience of a GT2 but have always felt a 2wd turbo to be something of a curates egg. I suspect this is another car that can be categorised as 'too fast for the road'

[964RS]

I think it really depends on the intended use.

For a principally track weapon, you want a GT3 RS......

[Sam]

The Mk2 GT2 is a rare old beastie, especially as a Club Sport. It's also utterly awesome and if you have the means I highly recommend picking one up, so long as you have lots of self control and a decent degree of car control.

Its power means every journey is an event. I get a bit shaky even thinking about driving one. Your heart starts beating faster just starting it, never mind actually going anywhere.

If you want to step out of the car feeling like you've cheated death, with your eyes on stalks and the veins in your arms throbbing, little compares to the '2.

The '3 has sweeter steering and is easier to drive quickly but is far less of an occasion. It's a very nice car, but not a spectacular, mind-blowing car.

I'd have the MK1 GT3. They tell me you can make the MK2 drive as nicely as the MK1 but I've never driven one that does, the steering is always less pointy. They have 20-odd bhp more, but that's not enough to make a big difference. You can definitely feel the bigger front brakes on a MK2 though.

You should only buy either in a fast colour - guards red or speed yellow or something.

[964RS]

You should only buy either in a fast colour - guards red or speed yellow or something.

+1

My old one.....

[Sam]

Mine :

[carreracat]

i don't think you'd go far wrong with either martin and both certainly appear to be relative bargains at the moment.

however, from a bargain point of view the GT2 seems to be a lot more car for the same kind of money.

the GT3 is of course the first GT3 so will always have that acolade and being the first of anything seems to prop up values well when it comes to porsches.

[RobP]

finding a pucker 996 gt2 maybe harder than you think. and the Mk1 gt3's are already like rocking horse and seem to be selling high when they are on the market.

I know this as I had been looking at 996.1 gt3s and gt2s. I ended up with a 997.2 gt3 clubby last month (which I am very happy with)

[mrg3.6]

Any mechanical or other issues with either car?

Martin

[squirejo]

I don't know the GT2, but the GT3 suffers none of the other 996 era car issues (rear main seal, bore scoring). The diff plates wear out and should be replaced with motorsport plates, otherwise it's consumables and wear and tear - eg rads corroding in corners due to leaf and other matter builkding up, that sort of thing. My 996 GT3.2 is a 2004 car with 20k miles and has needed nothing bar servicing and brakes.

There are loads of buying guides and writeups onall GT3's out there which cover all points very well.

[ChrisW]

Unless you choose brakes very carefully with the 996 GT3 MkI (performance friction discs and pads ?), they are simply not good enough.

If for this reason only, unless a collectible, the MkII is the better car. There, I've said it.

GT2 -- the 996 GT2 engine is a terribly laggy thing -- even if Porsche did their best.

(I once had an Escort RS Turbo where you had to know the road to plant your foot in time for the Turbo to spool up at the apex ... very bad news on an unknown road when travelling swiftly enough to be dangerous ...)

997 GT2 is however, something else. The variable vein turbo arrangement is almost laggless -- and very strong. So powerful in fact that I wonder if a 997 GT2RS is really any faster on the average B road ... though the indisputable master when driven by a Pro-driver at the Nurburgring !

It will be very interesting to see the 991 GT2

Which brings us to useable power. The Cayman R is fab ! On my roads.

[mrg3.6]

Unless you choose brakes very carefully with the 996 GT3 MkI (performance friction discs and pads ?), they are simply not good enough. If for this reason only, unless a collectible, the MkII is the better car. There, I've said it........GT2 -- the 996 GT2 engine is a terribly laggy thing -- even if Porsche did their best.

Chris,

I guess that the poor GT3 Mk1 brakes can be easily resolved by installing a set from a Mk2 or even some ceramics?

Interesting comment about GT2 turbo lag, I had imagined that this problem had been resolved with the 993/996 series turbo's, the thought of 460 bhp + lag may explain its nickname?

Taking into account the various comments above, it would seem that both the GT3 and the GT2 (if well maintained) are strong/reliable cars, so assuming these cars are not abused any thoughts on the longevity of the engines before a rebuild is necessary?

Thx
Martin

[Sam]

The 997 GT2 has driver aids and a nice comfy ride so is definitely better if your mum wants to borrow it, but I don't think it feels as exciting as the 996.

You'd have to drive one to know where you sit on the lag tolerance continuum but relative to the 3.3 cars it's fine. A bit of a pause before the neck snap is what turbos are all about and you certainly don't have to wind it up in advance like the older single turbo cars.

There are a number of 996 GT3s around with well over 100k miles and no engine work and at least 1 with over 200k. Treated well they are robust enough. As always, get something that's been looked after and has had similar use to that which you are going to put it to.

[squirdan]

Gt3 bullet proof Martin

Common issues are:

Coil packs which are cheap
Cats start going at 40k miles plus
Control arms can need replacing
Corroded rads

Other than that not much

Lots of debate about clubsport spec ... There aren't many about but worth a bit more

Loving my gt3 and Jzm are the people to chat to in uk