Ken,

There is one thing I had almost intentionally avoided mentioning since you didn't seem very happy with (at least the particular) GT3 you drove. That is, if trends continue, you could buy the GT3, keep it for a little while, and if you decide you want a Turbo instead, sell the GT3 for a modest loss, and pick up a Turbo. It would be a time and money-intensive process, but it's certainly a possibility. Selling a GT3 is not easy, and while they do not take the same depreciation hits that Turbos do, they are most certainly *not* immune. There are some "hidden" costs involved, such as the Virginia car tax (you're looking at about $2700 if you buy the GT3) and the time it would take to sell the GT3, but it's certainly something that might put your mind at ease.

ill: Ken has some seat time in my car. Perhaps he needs some more

Ken, did you speak to the gentleman in Great Falls? Perhaps you should try his car, and on better roads. It sounds as though the one you may have looked at may have either had an issue, and/or the roads were a factor in your test drive. Sorry to keep jumping in on forums when we keep chatting other ways, but it seems natural, and these guys make awesome points that are worthy of being addressed!

 

Justin good post, definitely some food for thought! I see he has had some time in the Turbo, I would love to know what he didn't like about the GT3 though??

 

Ok, no problem. Talk to you soon.

 

Good post Justin. I see your point. I haven't talked to the seller in Great Falls yet but after riding along with you on the way back from George Town that night, I don't feel like I should. Your car made me realize that I want the turbo more. It's more thrilling, versatile and looks cooler IMHO. Plus, I don't want my very first porsche to be the hardcore one. Plus, I've never owned a turbo car before so getting a turbo is more exciting.

Martin (I think I've seen some of your posts on E46f )

Thanks for the advice. GT3 that I test drove didn't impress me much. The rear end of the car gone unstable at some high rpm shifts (5-6k rpms). It almost as if one of the rear tires has very low tire pressure compare to other side. The salesman checked the pressure after the drive and he said it's fine. Very strange. He also blamed on the road condition but I think otherwise after hearing how sensitive GT3s are when it comes to alignment. That car did not give me confidence while driving it at all. Justin's turbo on the other hand, which I'm sure you already knew how turbos are, basically has endless grip. The car is solidly planted on the road at any speed. Very stable and provide the head snapping acceleration at the same time. Turbo is just more exciting to me. Though it would be very special to own a car with a GT badge from Porsche, I think I'd wait a bit. I think GT3 prices are still falling while this is buyer's market for TTs. I don't wanna miss out on my chances of getting a first turbo car.

I do love to drive cars on the roadcourse. That means, whatever that I'm getting next will be seeing a lot of hard brakings, very high speed turns and accelerations on the track. I bet TT can do it as nicely if not better with the money that I saved from not going with GT3. BTW, I'd give GT3 a thumbs up for a steering sharpness and response tho. Turbo's steering has a bit of a audi feel (numb). Probably it's because of an AWD?

 

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, did you get one yet?

Mike

 

Yes im over on E46 Well man, yes the GT3's are pretty sensitive to alignments and so on with suspension.. You know cars as well as i do, something was seriously abnormal with the GT3 you drove, kind of an unfair comparison and yes the TT has endless grip, but in fact if you drive the GT cars through the same corner i guarentee you are carrying more speed into and out of the corner despite the feel of the awd's grip

I still say go for a clean GT3, but that's me. Goodluck

 

How many 996 GT3s are ever sold in US compare to 996 TTs. Anyone know? Thanks!

 

Datex,

I just got back from inspecting the car. It was bought by the dealer owner's minority partner. I was told he bought it off a random dealer trade with 6k miles. It has 26,925 right now. It's in nice shape overall, but it is not a babied garage queen. It has countless surface scratches from poor lot boy washing, especially the bumper skins. 80-90% could probably be removed with a really good polish/light wet sand. This is one of about 20 cars the owner supposedly has, so I'm sure he didn't hand wash it himself. The front plastic lip needs to be replaced as it's been scraped a ton. There is a super small passenger side ding about 12 inches in front of the handle. It's REALLY small, I had to look 3-4 times to catch it. The hood has 3 decent sized chips and some average road rash. The interior is nice, dirty, but nothing major. Driver seat looks average for the mileage. It was hard to really inspect as the car was dirty and had been sitting for at least a month with a dead battery. I did not drive it, but it was idling as as went through it. It doesn’t appear to have any paint work...I rubbed my finger on all edges and couldn't catch anything. Hard to tell if any drove it through salt as I couldn't lay down to look at the underside.

IMO, its average example for an average price. My buddy bought from the original owner a red 01 for 64k with 12k miles in nicer shape. Personally, unless you love the color and NAV option, I think you could do a bit better for about the same price, maybe even cheaper, from a private, super **** owner who treated this car as his dream ride. But I'm am pretty picky with my cars, so my report is relative.

No major issues I could see....so your call.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Jamie

 

dude for you get the GT3.. you're a serious track guy... GT3 is a much better track car, plus yes values are holding up.

To some people, including myself, I highly value the CPO aspect AND the fact that it's from a Porsche dealership.

There's been buyers who bought a $55k Turbo who immediately spend several thousands ($5-7k IIRC) after finding out more issues, even after a PPI.

 

Jamie- Thanks a lot bro. I really appreciated it. Without your input, I will never get the clear idea about the car. Your trip saves me time, money and everything. You have no idea how much I want to thank you for helping me like this. If you'll be ever in Washington DC area, just hit me up. I'll be more than happy to come out and buy you a dinner/drinks whatever. I keep thinking the car is more than an average TT with an average price. Will rethink again and talk to the dealer and see what they can do.

KJ - 8 out of 10 people that I talked to suggest me to get GT3 over TT. But like I posted earlier, I'm ready for a change and see whether I like the dark side (or the bright side depending on how you look at it. lol). I've been with NA cars all my life and I think this is the best time to find a right TT with too-good-to-miss deal.

 

Hey, no problem. I may have been a bit harsh stating that's it just an average example...but I think you know what I ment. I'd buy the car for the right price. Since he's an owner, it's not like he NEEDS to make money on his personal car. Try for near wholesale, whatever that is these days. Good luck. Just try not get me too involved, I may need to buy a car from those guys one day

 

No worries. Won't get you too involve. I'm even thinking of heading up there this weekend while visiting my friends in PA and see the car myself. Will keep you guys posted.

 

datax,

I have seen at least a dozen TT's in the for sale section here at 6 speed during the last 5 months that are a better deal than that car, even if you got him down to 65K.

 

If you must go to the darkside, get a GT2, believe me

 

Martin,

Even though prices have dropped, we are still talking about 100k for a good condition low mileage GT2. And then another 20 k in mods.