GT3 > e9x m3 + cayman?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

It makes no sense to me to spend most of your driving time in a cheap beater if you love to drive. Decide on a budget then split that budget relatively evenly between two cars that will give you different yet equally enjoyable driving experiences. For example, if my total budget was $100k, I might buy an Infiniti Q50 and a 370Z. Or a used Cayman S and new 328.

Just don't buy one spectacular vehicle that you will hardly drive, and another "beater" that you will drive all the time.

This is why I have an S6 (my DD) and an M3. I bought both cars new and built to order. For the same money, I could have bought a used Gallardo and a Nissan Altima as a DD, but then 90% of the time, I would be driving an Altima.

Good thought, I would add you want 2 very different vehicles as well so you have some variety.

[ChrisF]

GT3 + cheap DD; no question.

I started looking at .1 GT3's back in '09 and decided to spend a little less and bought an new 987.2 Cayman S. DD'd and tracked it for a year and a half. Great car. The lack of power started to get boring and I was at a point where I wanted to dump money into it for suspension, power mods etc. I realized, but the time I was done, I'd be into it for near the price of a GT3 so I bought one. The GT3 is BY FAR the greatest car I have ever owned and I smile each and ever time I open the garage or drive it. No other car has done that for me and I've owned quite a few. Coming from a guy with automotive A.D.D. (SQUIRREL!), that says a lot.

If you can shut off the part of your brain that worries about depreciation, you could DD one for sure. Raise the ride height, buy several front splitters and buy street rubber and you're good to go. As far as general depreciation goes, I think in the next several years, they are unlikely to move much at all. The Porsche market is just nuts.

[Petros]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

It makes no sense to me to spend most of your driving time in a cheap beater if you love to drive. Decide on a budget then split that budget relatively evenly between two cars that will give you different yet equally enjoyable driving experiences. For example, if my total budget was $100k, I might buy an Infiniti Q50 and a 370Z. Or a used Cayman S and new 328.

Just don't buy one spectacular vehicle that you will hardly drive, and another "beater" that you will drive all the time.

This is why I have an S6 (my DD) and an M3. I bought both cars new and built to order. For the same money, I could have bought a used Gallardo and a Nissan Altima as a DD, but then 90% of the time, I would be driving an Altima.

Totally agree. I actually don't think there is a point in having a GT3 if it's not for the track. It's not exactly a practical or comfortable car to daily drive, and it's way too expensive for an occasional weekend spirited drive and then back to storage.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by Petros

Totally agree. I actually don't think there is a point in having a GT3 if it's not for the track. It's not exactly a practical or comfortable car to daily drive, and it's way too expensive for an occasional weekend spirited drive and then back to storage.

Its such a very special car but is plenty comfortable to drive anytime/anywhere. It makes a great street car and an unbelievable track car.

[Petros]

Originally Posted by Wolfinwolfsclothing

Disagree, its such a special car but can be daily driven if need be.

oh hey look who's back! Here's a welcome back gift:

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by Petros

oh hey look who's back! Here's a welcome back gift:

So funny I forgot to laugh. :roll eyes:

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by ChrisF

GT3 + cheap DD; no question.

I started looking at .1 GT3's back in '09 and decided to spend a little less and bought an new 987.2 Cayman S. DD'd and tracked it for a year and a half. Great car. The lack of power started to get boring and I was at a point where I wanted to dump money into it for suspension, power mods etc. I realized, but the time I was done, I'd be into it for near the price of a GT3 so I bought one. The GT3 is BY FAR the greatest car I have ever owned and I smile each and ever time I open the garage or drive it. No other car has done that for me and I've owned quite a few. Coming from a guy with automotive A.D.D. (SQUIRREL!), that says a lot.

If you can shut off the part of your brain that worries about depreciation, you could DD one for sure. Raise the ride height, buy several front splitters and buy street rubber and you're good to go. As far as general depreciation goes, I think in the next several years, they are unlikely to move much at all. The Porsche market is just nuts.

The best sports car ever made with the most successful race block in it, yea, I don't see the prices dropping much.
At the same time, the new GT3 motor is something very special indeed. One of the best engines out there by far. Porsche keeps pushing the envelope on their engines to rarified territory for street going cars and yet almost everyone else is doing the complete opposite.

[attila]

I do not fully understand why people here love the 997.2 GT3 soo much. I have a totally ambivalent feeling about my 997.2GT3RS. I love it on the track, then hate it on the road. Still when spring comes (just happened this year) I take it out then scream and swear to sell it right away until our local track opens. Granted the RS is less DD than the regular GT3 - my car especially with its full RSS suspension - not a good car on the road. To the extent that after 1h you would take even a camry instead. (OK this maybe an exaggeration.)
Plus on the track the M3 or a Miata is just as much fun. (Speed and fun does not have a linear correlation.) The GT3 has just as much issues on the track than the M3 as well. Coolant line separation, stupid center lock wheels falling off, PCCB is a nightmare - avoid it at all cost! etc.
Still, I have to admit I ordered the new 991 GT3, fortunately there is a sale stop so mine cleared the paint shop and now on hold.
I would by the Cayman and keep the M3 no question. However if you need a track car and a fast one, buy a C6 Z06 vette. It is as fast as a 997 Cup (with proper tires) in my hands. Above that go with the Radical or with the new Mono.
If you want to have fun, like working on a car, get a Mazda Miata. Spend just 5K on it and you have the most fun car ever. My wife has one - I moded it and now keep stealing it from her.

[ChrisF]

Atilla: Everyone's tolerance for suspension and NVH is different. I know the RS, especially with RSS bits is a little more firm but for me at least, not out of the realm of regular driving by a long shot. My GT3 is stock but I have been considering the RSS bits to firm her up a bit more. If anything, I find it a little soft. I am running 18" wheels so that's part of it.

I don't find the car any more firm or punishing than my E92 and I'm 45 and have been known to tell kids to get off my lawn

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

I've actually met a few GT3 --> Cayman converts at the track. I'd drive a Cayman first and see what its about.

Edit: Funny, here's the same discussion elsewhere w/ input from GT3 owners http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...997-1-gt3.html

Interesting perspective. I'm keeping my e90 and planning for a caymanS or another pcar for a toy.

[NBTBRV8]

I dd my 2010 GT3 without too many issues. Practicality isn't a problem.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by robbiejones

Do you think the 997 gt3s will experience significant depreciation once Porsche resolves the recall on the 991 gt3? Also, is the gt3 very expensive to maintain with miles?

It is impossible to predict the future of course, but staying as impartial as I can, I doubt prices will come down as fast as some hope. My guess is that the prices will drop down to mid 70s to low 80s as mileage on cars increase within the next 2-3 years, but I don't see them going below $60K within the next 5 years.

They are going to probably produce twice as many 991 GT3s as 997 GT3s, and once the RS comes out the prices of the 991s will drop significantly more and sooner than the 997 prices IMHO. There are so many first time Pcar and GT3 buyers with the 991 that I suspect some of those who just bought the car primarily due to its performance on track will sell more quickly as faster cars keep coming to the market, and some will just upgrade to the RS. So, if one can wait 2 years, the GT3 market will have many options to offer and it will be a buyers market. Right now it is a sellers market and I think there is a 'bubble' if you will.

At the same time the good news is with a lot of depreciation built into the 997.1 GT3, it is hard to lose money on it. Buy one, use 2 years, sell and recover 80-85% of money you initially put it in; I think that is a good deal.

Maintenance costs of running a GT3 as a DD is no more or less than any other performance car and depends on how well you want to take care of it. If you track, preventive maintenance alone will double costs.

[robbiejones]

I appreciate all the info guys. This is a hard decision.

To the gt3 guys, is the 997.2 worth the premium over the .1 cars for a street driven car?

[robbiejones]

What do you guys really think about the Corvette c6 z06? My neighbor gave me a ride in his and that is so fast. Not as refined as the cayman but shreds it in speed.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by robbiejones

What do you guys really think about the Corvette c6 z06? My neighbor gave me a ride in his and that is so fast. Not as refined as the cayman but shreds it in speed.

Daily Drive an M3 and get a C6 z06 (with rebuilt heads, research valve guide issue on LS7 first) as a track toy and you have the perfect setup right there.

If I didn't already have a completely dedicated track car handed down to me, that's what I would do!

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by attila

I do not fully understand why people here love the 997.2 GT3 soo much. I have a totally ambivalent feeling about my 997.2GT3RS. I love it on the track, then hate it on the road. Still when spring comes (just happened this year) I take it out then scream and swear to sell it right away until our local track opens. Granted the RS is less DD than the regular GT3 - my car especially with its full RSS suspension - not a good car on the road. To the extent that after 1h you would take even a camry instead. (OK this maybe an exaggeration.)
Plus on the track the M3 or a Miata is just as much fun. (Speed and fun does not have a linear correlation.) The GT3 has just as much issues on the track than the M3 as well. Coolant line separation, stupid center lock wheels falling off, PCCB is a nightmare - avoid it at all cost! etc.
Still, I have to admit I ordered the new 991 GT3, fortunately there is a sale stop so mine cleared the paint shop and now on hold.
I would by the Cayman and keep the M3 no question. However if you need a track car and a fast one, buy a C6 Z06 vette. It is as fast as a 997 Cup (with proper tires) in my hands. Above that go with the Radical or with the new Mono.
If you want to have fun, like working on a car, get a Mazda Miata. Spend just 5K on it and you have the most fun car ever. My wife has one - I moded it and now keep stealing it from her.

honest review from someone who obviously knows what he's talking about. I wish I could afford a GT3 - especially the new one (potential fiery meltdowns, notwithstanding).

[Slapshot9]

GT3 is the track car king, period. Assuming you have the skill, you've got the car thats competitive with anything and will bury most. I'd own one and skateboard if I could afford it. Buy it!

[Darth One]

i have all 3 of the cars in question - 997 GT3, E90 M3, but my Cayman S is the current gen (981). i think the perfect combo is E90 M3 + GT3. pretty much does everything.

[ChrisF]

+1 I love the combo. Can't think of many cars I'd rather own.

[robbiejones]

I test drove a couple under 15k used econo cars to see if I could sacrifice e90m for a gt3; NO WAY!

I would be miserable during the week and don't think a gt3 would make the sacrifice worth it.

So I am keeping the M3. In addition to the cayman s I am now looking at z06 corvettes. Not sure if the interior crudeness can be over looked for that monster v8

[thorny]

I daily 2002 ford focus (maybe 4 days a week) in heavy traffic. I drive M3 on the weekend and 1-2 work days. Driving in traffic jams in a focus is not daunting to me. I'd love to own a gt3 and drive my focus until the wheels fall off. Cant afford 140k for now.. My opinion.

[omegaSMP300]

Originally Posted by Darth One

i have all 3 of the cars in question - 997 GT3, E90 M3, but my Cayman S is the current gen (981). i think the perfect combo is E90 M3 + GT3. pretty much does everything.

I agree. I had a e90 335i and that combination with my 981 was a great combination. If all works out my future combo will be a 911 and an SUV (halfway there). I feel the obvious additional space and utility ability of an SUV (even one the size of say, the Macan) will be plenty for me.