Comments on 2003 Porsche GT2

How does a 997 GT2 drive compared to the 996? It looks like the 997 version has more luxury amenities and not as stripped down as the 996. I don't see many people on forums commenting on the rawness of the 997, but have regarding the 996 for a number of years now. The 996 (or 997) GT2 will probably be my first "exotic" car, but that won't be for another 5 years. :/

 

There is nothing really "raw" about this car (the 996 GT2). It is just back to the legend of the pure Porsche - a time we have passed by with the electronics and the paddle shifters. It is nice inside - it has air conditioning, etc... it does not have a phony "roll cage" or "sports seats" to make you feel like the boy racer.

It is just what it is. It pretty much is itself - and it kicks butt.

Did I mention that I love this thing?

 

Any photos?

 

We may have photos in the morning...at least by the afternoon.

 

Great.

 

I love the 996 GT2. And I think they can be easily bumped to in the vicinity of 600 hp with intercoolers and a reflash (maybe a few other things, but not new turbos or internal engine parts).

It's a real big boy car that you have to drive and respect. I'd have one if I was not a Viper fan.

 

you are correct. lot's of go to be unleashed if stock is not enough!!

 

Must be someone out there w/both?! If you dig Vipers and Forty's, you might humor one 'o these.

 

Two serious things to look for:

2nd gear pop-out

Premature wear on PCCB rotors (surface flaking)

Interior quality was still 996, so it scratches easily, radio knobs get 'sticky', ignition switch failures are common, etc. Minor stuff.

 

OK - to continue with some driving impressions:

There is NO discernible turbo lag - there is, of course, more power at higher RPM, but no dead spot under 4000 like the original 930 for example.

The brakes are excellent - and I was glad to see that they did not grind or squeak.

It did not pop out of second gear, but you can beat the syncro - especially if you do not put in the clutch all the way. It has an assisted clutch, so it is light but has a rather odd over-center action which takes getting used to.

The trip computer was showing a cumulative 15.1 mpg - maybe it will do better on the road.

There was about a 25mph crosswind when I drove it on the highway, and this did not have any noticeable effect - there is also very little wind noise in general.

It felt about equivalently powerful to the 993 RUF CTR that I drove, but feels heavier on its wheels. This car had (I believe) an aftermarket coil-over suspension system which feels about as stiff as a 458 Ferrari on full race settings. The steering is quite excellent (WHY did they have to go to electric power steering???)

It has a rather minimalist sound system (only two speakers) but that is in keeping with the lightweight theme of the car (no sunroof, no upholstered rear seats, no nav system, etc.) and does not bother me.

Hans at RAC performance assured me that this is a completely different engine block than the NA 996, and it has a true dry sump system and does not share the oil seal problems of the early 993s. He says it was a very rare car - only about 150 or so brought to the US.

I still wish that Porsche had kept the traditional 5 gauge dash panel with the water cooled engines.

 

I've seen this car, it's SICK!

Buy it so I don't have to!!

 

that's actually one thing you will lose if you chip/modify the car for more power...Porsche goes through a lot of tuning to reduce the impact of the turbo lag in the modern cars; more often than not reflashing the ECU or any other boost-related mod will remove that fine tuning and you'll be back to the good (bad?) ol' days of massive turbo lag.

and yes the guy at RAC is correct...GT2 is a turbo Mezger engine, great block and very solid engineering. much better than the M96 motor in the standard 996/997 (and Boxster/Cayman).

 

Only 150 brought to US? That for the 2003MY alone or all years? Otherwise I'm shocked if it's for all years...I've seen so many for sale over the years and would've thought closer to 5x that number came in.

Hope I can find a nice one in the coming years. There's a sub 1k mile one for less than $100k. In my favorite color...black.

 

Yes, you never know. Actually - the factory tune is PLENTY for me. However, that 993 RUF CTR that I drove did not really have much turbo lag either...

I believe Hans was talking about just the 2003, but that is still really low production numbers.

 

well, RUF is one of the few that really knows what they're doing

just an FYI that if you go for more power, you might also get worse power delivery, should you choose to go that route.

 

Found these production numbers on 6sponline:

2002 - 184
2003 - 90
2004 - 24
2005 - 5

Unbelievable how few there are. Easy decision to buy it imo.

 

Sloan has a white one, no idea on price vs the RAC car.

I'd go for it, James, it's black and there is nothing more badass than black on a GT2

 

Very cool my buddy is picking up one of these.

 

Yes just told me he got a black one from Texas.

 

Ah, someone I know, who had a Maranello, told me about getting it on about 90 MPH against a 2003 GT2. He says he won, but I'm not sure he was telling the truth.

Dale

 

I find that hard to belive when the gt2 pulls on a f430

 

Maybe - but only if the GT2 was dogged down in sixth gear.

 

Did you buy this one, James?

 

Sadly, no. It was for my stepson - and his mother said NO. He did not have his own money to pay cash.

We are a very conservative family.

I shall never forget the driving experience, but I must say that the RUF 993 CTR impressed me more.