I am thinking of getting a GT3 for track use only and want to do it as economically as possible with start up costs. What is the big difference between the two as a track car? Does anyone know the price difference between used versions?

 

Have you thought about a 996 or 997 Cup?

 

^^^ Agreed.
Consider a retired 997 GT3 Cup car or 996 Cup car.
Purpose built race car and should sorted out. That could depend from whom you buy but check with established known teams like GMG or TRG just to name a few.
Problem with Cup cars is maintenance can be costly.

Ranger

 

Cup cars economical? No way. You are looking at almost 100K for a used 996.1 Cup car - and that won't even have a sequential shifter. Cup cars and "economical" shouldn't be in the same sentence! lol.

In stock trim: the 996 GT3 is about 1 second slower than the 997.1 GT3 on a 2 mile track. They are about $30-50K in price differential now, depending on years, options and mileage. The 997 has nannies, but the 996 has none. The "value" choice is the 996, as 1 second a lap is not worth 30k [IMO]. Others may disagree. The 997.2 GT3 is a bit faster, but you are talking about a higher price point as well.

All versions are pretty much bullet proof, so enjoy whatever you get.

-td

 

Get a 996 GT3 for 50kish

put 10k in mods.... done

or get a high mile 997 GT3 (70ish) and do the same

 

I have seen 996 Cups from 65K to 85K some with updates to 04/05. Yes you need to do your homework on condition but you also need to do it for a 996GT3. I also disagree that 996 Cups are that much more expensive than a dedicated 996GT3 track only car. At least with the 996 Cup you will get a properly geared transmission and working LSD. Also most Cups will have Moton or JRZ adj shocks which are not available unless added to the 996 GT3. Another + to the Cup is full safety gear and much lighter than a Street GT3.

I think you all can guess what my vote is.

Peter

 

Hmm, 85K is "economical"? lol. I need your job!

Also, cup cars do require more upkeep than a street car - no question there. Case in point, what is the rebuild schedule for a street engine?

-td

 

if you are time trailing or club racing get a street GT3 and mod it.... you can also finance a street car and you have to pay cash for cup car (no title).

If you buy a street GT3 ($50K) and put $30k in mods (suspension, saftey, upgrades) you will have one hell of a track car.

$85k will buy you a beat and used 996 cup car....

YES, the cup car will be faster and lighter, but it needs much more TLC than a street car.

 

The op is interested in doing this "as economically as possible". I presume he's not starting a racing team or looking for something that will win serious races.

That would be the 996 GT3 without a doubt.

 

+1,000

 

996 GT3,

put close ratio gears in it, and it will spank almost anything unless you're on a track where you need speeds well over 160mph

 

$10k wont go far. moton, spring, labor, drop links, toe links >10k, guess why i know


cup is nice. but i want a NICE cup, a very fresh one. that's not easy to find in 996 variant. of all the 996 cup i have seen so far, only 2 were nice for me. one wasn't for sale, the other was $100k. both only has stock SACHS.

while many cups have moton/jrz, all the one i have seen (some over $80k) needs to have those rebuilt.

certainly one can get lucky and find a cup thats cheap and good. but i have never been so smart or lucky.

 

Wanting to be economical then your answer is 996 gt3

 

This might be a crazy idea, but could one get a GT3 Cup, drive it until needs rebuilding and instead of spending the $ for a rebuild, replace the racing engine and transmission with street versions? Wouldn't this cut the maintenance costs? Is this even doable?

 

Economical and GT3 really shouldn't be in a the same sentence!

However - considering your choices I would say a 996GT3 is an ideal choice for DE car.