I've been thinking about consolidating my two cars a Honda S2000 (daily driver) and Lotus Elise (weekend toy) into one car and I've always drooled over the GT3. I want something that is bearable on the street and still near Lotus rawness for autocross and occasional DE, and not much comes to mind except the GT3 or maybe a Cayman S (not as fun).

The prices have come down to a price range I can afford comfortably but I keep hearing stories about potentially 4 digit repair bills and maintenance items. If that's the case it's probably not the car for me. If I can do most of my own maintenance (fluids, brake pads, etc) just how expensive is it to own a 996 GT3? Of course there are the normal consumables like tires, rotors, pads etc but that's to be expected.

I'm more or less wondering about the surprises along the way racking up huge bills (RMS, leaking water pumps? etc).

 

Wow, I was in almost the same situation as you (owned 2 s2000's at one time instead of Elise).

From close friends that own porsches (GT2/3/Turbos), looks like they are one of if not the cheapest exotic sort of car to own. I'm sure you're aware if you had the PCCB's, those are $$$ expensive per corner if infact they needed replacing.

 

Right, would look for one without the PCCB. Biggest concern is random failures (driveshaft, LSD blowing up etc) costing me random $1,500-4,000 bills. More or less wanted to know if it's common to see stuff like that or if the instances online are just one off happenings.

The Elise is very affordable to own and maintain yourself but oil changes at the dealer are still $250.00. Obviously if I can do most of the basic maintenance myself with the GT3 I think I would be fine but just looking for some owner input.

 

I hear you man.... I've been contemplating between a GT3 RS/Gallardo/Z06 for quite some time.

Initially I wanted an Exige S for a summer/Track toy.... but seeing as I'm 6'4".... it doesn't work well getting in and out of.

Wish you the best on your search

 

I had a 996-3 and besides wear items, it was trouble free in the 12000 miles that I owned it... mostly track miles...

LSD will fail as it is a wear item -- you have several options from rebuliding to replacement

regular fluids, pads, rotors, etc...

I am on a 997RS right now and so far so good witht he exception of the RMS (warranty) issue that I did not have with the 996-3.

 

Good to hear, especially being mostly track miles. Am I looking at any extreme prices on brake pads/rotors (are there aftermarket alternatives for a reasonable price)?

Is it pretty easy to do oil/diff fluid changes with the rear engine? I've only owned front and mid engine cars before.

 

there are aftermarket less expensive rotor alternatives for rotors and I only have useed pagid pads so I am not sure pricewise how the others stack up.
Rotors for a 996-3 -- AFAIK the deman rotors are the least expensive and many board memebers use them...

oil changes -- easy... wasier if you have access to a lift :-)

I think the front deman rotors are $600 per pair IIRC

pretty bulletproof cars... that is why you see so many at the track week in and week out...

do it

 

I owned my 996 GT3 for 3 years and 20,000 miles and it was one of the cheapest cars I have ever owned. Of course, some physical items are more expensive to replace than on a cheaper car, but when it comes to track duties alot more of the GT3 will stand up to the punishment.

The internet will always be filled with stories concentrating on the negative, and may have us believe that every GT3 leaks oil through the RMS, that the gearbox on every Nissan GT-R will suffer complete failure and that every 458 on the planet has burst into flames at least once. If everytime someone reported a problem everybody who didn't experience the problem also chimed in 'my one is fine', these issues would be seen in proper perspective.

I would say the GT3 is a car to buy for its reliability and lower maintenance costs. Brake pad and disk swaps, oil and brake fluid changes plus a few others can all be done easily (with time) at home.

 

i think you may be happier with 997.2 'S' car for intended usage than with GT3. 'occasional DEs' IMHO is not enough reason to invest into a track car like GT3.
other than that, if you sure your budget can afford older GT3 with any maintenamnce required - it is one hell of a car. But again, for street usage regular 'S' car is much better.

 

I guess I should say that my main "track work" is autocross rather than HPDE. The car would be raced in SCCA Super Stock class where I race my Elise now (and the 997.2 is not competitive). I just meant that it would be doing double duty as a street car and autocross car. I also do a few HPDE's a year. I'm not buying it to just drive to work, if so I would just get the Cayman.

 

That's encouraging news. Should I expect something like this annually as far as maintenance assuming DIY labor? (based on a 12-15K driving per year).

4-5 oil changes ($60 for Synthetic oil, $20 for filter?)
Tranny/Diff fluid once a year ($50-80 in fluids?)
Brake pads once a year (400 front and rear set?)
Flush brake fluid 2-3 times a year ($80)

Any other big maintenance items assuming the car is in good starting shape with relatively fresh wear items?

Lastly, it seems like you can get a good 03/04 for around 50. Is it hard to find a good condition, well maintained example with slightly higher miles for mid 40's?

 

yep, 996 gt3 will do nicely there. it is a big decision but if you have a budget - why not.
other ideas:
A-Stock: 2004 Anniversary Boxster S with PCCB
B-Stock: 1995 968 M030
E-Stock: 924S M030

it all truly depends of a budget only.

 

small correction - the 996GT3 only came in 04 and 05.
here is a nice car that caught my eye a few months ago, just to give you a ballpark on your price range:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...rey-black.html

 

Had an 05 GT3. 20,000 trouble free miles. Great cars.

 

I'll chime into this one since I just sold my Elise to pickup a GT3.

The GT3 has 95% of the fun of the Lotus and 100% more grown up fun and comfort thrown in (meaning the A/C actually functions properly). It's kind of how a fat kid see's fat free muffins, all the taste none of the guilt (at least on the surface).

Great car so far, great community around it and just a totally different ball game when it comes to limits and abilities. I also spent a lot of time looking at maintenance etc, from what the GT3 guys have said in this thread and on other forums it seems like a pretty bulletproof car.

If you can swing it I'm sure you'll love it. Prices are pretty good right now and strangely variable depending on mileage and options.

Good luck!