I am a previous owner of a 3rd Gen RX7 heavily modified for the track. I also have a 2008 Z06 that is essentially stock for the track. My lifestyle today only allows me the luxeury of 3-4 track events a year, down from the 6-8 I used to run.

I have always wanted a Porsche and the opportunity to purchase a 2004 GT3 with 12,000 miles has presented itself. The car is essentially a stock 996 GT3 but with the PCCB option. It is essentially flawless needing an alignment and has a small chip in the front windsheild about the size of half a dime. The Michelins still have about 50% tread left.

I have lurked on this forum for over 3 years and now actually need input from its illustrious members. What are the things that I should be looking at that are unique to GT3's before purchasing? I know what to look for on standard car purchases, but each performance car has its own unique things.

The seller is highly reputable and has already performed a complete bumper to bumper inspection indicating that the only items of note are what I just described. I drove it and found the suspension firm and solid with no noises or oddness to it. The accelleration was very good with nothing noteable. The shifting seemed to be fine although I must admit I was not used to the gearbox in a GT3. Clutch felt smooth and firm.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and I am looking forward to joining you as a Porsche owner!

 

The big things i would check would be:

1. RMS (Rear Main Seal)- For leaks
2. LSD- If the car was tracked it might be shot

At the minimum you should have a PPI done on the car. Find a reputable indy shop or Porsche dealer to have the work done. Check all of the records to see if it has been properly been maintained. You are coming up on the 15k minor inspection. A list of what it entails can be found HERE. http://www.euroaddiction.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4860

 

Sounds exactly what I purchased in July. 12k miles, no track duty, excellent condition. By the way, I paid $58k. Good luck.

 

Sounds like you got a good deal!

 

I am a recovering Z06 owner who bought a 04 GT3 a couple months ago. The car is mint condition 9700 miles and I got it for ~56k in NJ.

It is a very different experience than the vette that you won't regret.

 

I am glad to read that! I am excited about taking possession of it!

 

Congrats...keep us posted on your impressions as a new gt3 owner. I am thinking about making my next P-car a 996 GT3.

 

Please let us know when you get it and post up pictures?

Thanks.

 

i also have a third gen rx7 (3 rotor) and am gravitating towards a Gt3 porsche. i think the main atrraction is its more of a a grown up 's machine and less of a cheap toy. i admire the details , fit and finish and materials on the Porsche coukld see myself enjoying it year round.

 

The Porsche is great and you'll have no regrets. Tell us about the three rotor mod. Sounds cool. What kind of power?

 

sorry to get off topic but here 's some info.
just your every day 20b 3 rotor turbo , 20 psi, gt42r, 705 whp street legal racecar.

penskes, brembo gtr's , ccw wheels, tial wg, tilton trple clutch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsG4f6oCo7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKJ_kIkhah0

 

My 3rd Gen RX-7 put out about 325RWHP and had just about every mod you could do for it. However, it was not a reliable car and constantly needing work. In effect, it was a toy to be played with. However, RX-7 owners loved the car because of the handling and response along with the great tactile feedback when on the track. The GT3 is that, taken to a whole new level of sophistication.

The GT3 is an amazing piece of machinery! It was designed to do one thing and that is to go around a track as fast and as optimally as possible, and ... oh by the way, it will also drive on the street. It is what all RX-7 owners wanted their cars to be but could never get there. The workmanship in this car is total and complete precision. I may still be in "new car honeymoon mode", but every little detail in this car speaks quality.

 

Get it, you will not regret it. My old GT3 did 372rwhp on a heartbraker mustang dyno with a drop in filter, full exhaust w headers and a tune, btw.
If you plan on tracking it often, I would take off the PCCB rotors and replace them with inexpensive steel cup rotors and track pads.
The stock coilovers are actually pretty good and allow for some pretty agressive set ups for the regular DE guy.
I had 2 years and 20,000 miles of trouble free fun with that car as a daily driver. Will likely pick up another one soon.

 

The GT3 is a very reliable car and you won't regret buying a nice example like the one you found.

The advice on swapping out the rotors is good, checking RMS and LSD is good advice to. Otherwise the PPI will cover it. Lower mileage cars may have more RMS issues as it dries out without driving it.

Snap it up and post pics!

 

Hey Jon!
Great to see you here!

I would like to re-introduce myself as we had met before and also had a friend in common. That person would be Brad Barber and we met at Summit Point after that epic drive and Rx7 brethren encounter more than 10 years ago. I am David I e r o n c i g from Montreal and ex Canadian Liaison Officer for the Houston Rx7 club. Remember?

Good to see you in a legendendary car like the GT3. And, you are right... The car is everything that a heavily but precariously modded Rx7 could be with no reliability issues right from the factory. Despite this, it has all the character that the FD had with non of the headaches.

Welcome! I'm sure you will make good use of this "instrument" and enjoy it thoroughly.
If you have not taken the car to the track yet you will simply be blown away on how the car literally transorms itself on track... From John Deere on the street to putty in your hands on a circuit. Believe me on this. You WILL be amazed.

All the best to you Jon!
David