advice 997 gt3/tt vs 348 spider

A GT3 you could certainly drive everyday and is great on track.

The Turbo is the best daily drive by far, but to me, too fast - ie you have to go silly speeds to enjoy it whereas in the GT3 you can have more fun at lower speeds as the car is more alive, sounds better, more of a sports car.

GT3 in my book.

You must drive them to decide really.

 

I would think any of the Porsche models would compare favorably to the 348 practicality wise. They should be easier to service, hold more passengers, and have less required maintenance. Plus I'm sure they are much easier to get in and out of. Give it a try, if you don't like it you can always go and get another Ferrari.

BT

 

Wow, I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this topic, but look into a 993TT. The newer Porsches just aren't inspiring in the way your 348 is. The 993 is a sexier car, and truer to the sports car concept (except for the vestigial back seats). My normally aspirated 993 was plenty fast for the street, but the TT is one handsome beast, and heading up in price instead of down.

The true downside is that there's no warranty unless you can find one Porsche CPO, but given the routine costs on a 348 you could probably drop a new engine in the Porsche without breaking a sweat. Also, the dealer/service network is excellent.

I hate to see anyone buy a car that they don't really like. While I think the 997 is a nice step over the Toyota-esque 996 (now it looks less Toyota-like and more like a VW Beetle up front), Porsche made soul an automatic-delete option starting in '99.

 

GT3s have a really hard ride if you want to drive it every day.

Frankie, you ARE a broken record on this. The 996TT (and 997TT I'm sure) are MUCH better in nearly every respect than 993TTs. Any why get so worked up about a headlight?

Don't know where you get your pricing information either. Driver grade 993TTs are still going down. Plenty available in the $50s, alot of car for the money.

 

Actually the 993 has always looked more svelte to me, and the interior is classic. Everything from the German door handles to the carved rear "shoulders". I don't know what Porschetoyota was thinking when they came up with the extruded-pasta interior door handles, fake aluminum interior trim and Jetsons-style dash with cartoon gauge fonts. The 996 headlights don't bother me at all. Just the rest of the car looks obese and cheap - even if it is technically more advanced. If Spiderman is coming from a 348, a 993TT is a reasonable recommendation.

With regard to pricing, it sounds like Spiderman is considering a brand new 997 GT3, so my point of reference is based on the several virtually new 993TT's available through specialized dealers (Premier, RPM Motorsports in Houston, etc.) Asking prices seem to be $80K to $90K right now. True, he could pick up a decent one for less, but that all depends on how picky he is.

Where's a listing to one for $50K or so, BTW? I might be interested.

 

You say classic, I say OLD.....Like my Grandfather's recliner. The 996 Interior is so modern and cool. I have full leather with full carbon fiber package, I don't like painted panels either. The only gauge problem for me is the poor resolution on the analog speedo, so like everyone else I have to rely on the digital (yuck).

Not saying the 993TT isn't a great car, I'm just telling the guy that the 996 represents alot of improvement in the lineage and should consider it, like he should consider alot of cars.

The real point is most people can't live with a GT3 as a daily driver.

As for the Japanese influence reference, there would not be a independent Porsche today if they did not modernize the car.

Plenty of driver grade 993TTs available in the $50s in Autotrader, or locally. I drove two of them here in Houston that would have sold in the $56-57 area 8 months ago

 

We'll just have to disagree on some things. I'll concede that full leather certainly addresses the 'cheap' factor, although it's an expensive option and most 996's don't have it.

If spiderman was moving from a 360 to a Porsche, I probably wouldn't mention the 993TT. However, he has a 348 and seems to be able to afford pretty much whatever he wants car-wise, so I thought he might like the traditional aspects of the "older" cars.

There's no doubt Porsche had to move away from air-cooled, just like Ferrari had to move past the Daytonas and Boxers. Speaking for myself, I think modernization has taken a lot of the character out of sports cars.

 

That is so true, the Turbo is case in point. If the guy has a 348 and wants something similar then the Turbo is not for him. You might get a temporary kick out of the speed, handling etc as compared to a 348 it is light years ahead but there is a huge gulf in character IMO. The 993 would be good thing, but I don't think a GT3 would shock him at all having owned the 348, in comparison it's luxury!!

 

Have you considered a 360?

 

I have had a 94 348 Spider for 2 years now. It is a gas and the ultimate toy (short of a 430) but soon realized it is no daily driver, so I soon added an 01 996 C4 Coupe (really nice ones are down to $40Ks range now) with CPO. Last month I sold that to a friend and promptly bought a new 997 C4 Coupe (did not want to wait months for a C4S). As stated many times on this site, F and P approach the sports car experience in vastly different ways but one can sense a convergence lately. I consider one of each ideal but I have a 2-car garage. Have to say I agree that if one has room for just one sports car and wants to enjoy it every day, a 911 AWD car is the way to go. The 997TT is tempting but I suspect 95% of its goodness can be had for 70% of its cost in a 997C4S. Even the C4 is faster than the 348 and for more "soul" one can order the sports shifter, sports exhaust and tweak the suspension aftermarket at modest cost. Check out the Rennlist Porsche forums.

 

Amen to that. The 430 is brilliant in every aspect. I wonder if 30 years from now if it will be a car that you look at the way you look at a Daytona. I hope so but kind of doubt it.

 

Just remember at GT3 is what stradale is to a 360. It's not easy...Everytime I get out of my GT3 into my C4S, the latter feels as plush as a Caddy. If ou have questions about it, pm me.

 

When i was a kid (in age), my first car was a Turbo. Back then, they didnt have intercoolers and all the technology. Bottom line, that car was the biggest headache. I vowed NEVER to buy a turbo vehicle again.

Does anyone here have hands on ownership experience with a Porsche TT that is over 3 years old? How is the maintainance, durability and longevity?

Thank you in advance.

 

I have two...the '87 930 (20,000 miles) has never given me a days trouble. The '96 993 is currently apart...car has 38,000 miles and lost compression in one cylinder. Leak down pointed to the exhaust valve, but I have not heard from the repair shop what all they found when they did the tear down. Other than this issue both cars have been easy to own and trouble free.

 

If you're worried about reliability of Porsche over Ferrari of any vintage don't.
I've owned both, but still own Porsches. If you want a performance car that is seriously usable, they are the ones. I don't hesitate putting them on the track, day to day commutes and extended hours hwy time.
things I balked about with the ferrari.

 

Im not worried at all about reliablility.. They are not my everyday drivers.

My personal experiences from an older turbo (my first car when I was 17) is that man kind will never perfect it and that they cause nothing but trouble and wear down engine components twice as fast.

Im sure they've gotten better thru the years with technology. My concern is owning a turbo vehicle that is over 3 years old and how long will it take before the engine and/or turbo start having problems? Is it a matter of when WILL it happen? or a matter of it COULD happen?!

What are the statistics? Is the problem factor closer to 100% or 30% because of the turbo?! Thats more what im trying to get at. Who better to ask then Porsche Turbo owners?!

 

I am with Kevin, I would get a 360 You will have more performance then a GT3 and you will also stay in the Ferrari-hood. You will miss your Ferrari ownership if you leave it. I like others on this board have both a Ferrari and a Porsche and I will continue to own both as long as I can

 

Funny you should mention the situation you are in. I live in So Cal and have been a Porsche dude my whole life. I have six, latest is an '01 turbo. I ski Mammoth 6 or 7 times a year so as far as the snow is concerned on the Turbo if a bit rough. If the roads are plowed it's not an issue if you keep it at low speeds, traction control only seems to help under 35mph. Instead of a 5-20% front end 4 wheel drive lock that is, at least that seems to be the only time there are no issues. It's "Bad" in all other conditions, ice patche's, rain and really fun at the track, etc...(Bad is Good) My buddy has a GT3 but not as a driver. The only complaints he has had is some of the roads around here have a lot to be desired. Pot holes, patches, and bigger pot holes. The suspension on the thing is a bit stiff. (Stock) I have the PSS9 struts on mine so I can ajust to the bumps. He is saving for a set for his. (A bit pricey) Anyway, I am currently looking to track or maybe sell my Turbo and am looking as we speek at a '92 348TS. Being the only one I have driven as I am a total newbe with the Ferrari. The turbo smokes it. However, my buddies GT3 smokes my turbo. I don't mean totally, after turn 9 a Williow Springs, he pulls a couple cars into 4th. Maybe one into 5th and my top speed going into turn one is 132mph. His is just about 146. Then on the binders Big Time. Now, on the way home from Mammoth, Vegas, from his house (on the smooth road) I can get my tired old junker to almost 180. From about 140 to 190, it seems like his has a 7th gear. Please don't try this at home!
The Turbo (late), is the Baddest car I could ever imagine owning. With the milage, you can see I drive it every where. Very similar as far as drivability as the GT3. Just a bit rougher and a different powerband. Sorry for the long mail. I can't wait to own a Ferrari. Just undesided on the model. If I sell mine, I kind of have a close back-up. Just NA in stead of Turbo. Hope this helps!!

Bill

 

After reading a few more posts, 120Kmiles on my '01 Turbo. Repair wise , two clutches, oil change every 10K, $100. Two sets of turbos and a water pump. And, I drive mine like a sports car is suppose to be driven. Ebay the turbo's 1800 a set. Clutch and pump myself was 1100 with the new flywheel. Not to bad.

 

You hit my biggest fear on the head... Im going to miss the "Ferrari" ownership. Its definately different.

Ive never had a Porsche and ive always enjoyed rides in them. I figure grab one of the most brilliant "driver" cars they've made--the GT3. From what I read its a 190MPH car, and the suspension is just plain incredible. I go thru cars often. I enjoy them and move on. Part of the fun, for me, is searching for one.

I see 2004 and 2005 GT3's. They offered them for 2 years? Any major differences in the different model years? What is a fair price? I see from $84,000-$104,000. Any advice?

 

A Porsche will never duplicate the appeal of "Ferrari Ownership", but for pure performance especially hard track use, a GT3 is on a completely different planet from a 348. I have one of each. The only Ferrari in this price range that can hold a candle to a GT3 on the track is a Challenge car, either a race car or a Stradale.

'04&'05 GT3's are, I believe identical. There may have been some minor change to the front spring rates, but no significant differences at all. They are fantastic track/street cars, but can be a little stiff and noisy for daily drivers. The only problem with the engine is that it practically forces you to rev the hell out of it.

Mark

 

go with the 997gt3. The performance will be that of a 360 but much better for daily driving. Color combo you chose is great. GT3's main complaint is the harsh ride.

 

Well spiderman, I can tell you tell you this, Mark is the dude to listen to. With both in the garage, the prestige of the Ferrari is in a different ball park, so I can assume it is an up-grade. Owning both has been a dream of mine ever since the the wife left. You guys are alright! I was kind of expecting a bunch of dudes that were anti-porsche cars. But, I suposed the thrill of getting checked out, going fast, and having a darn blast every time I drive my cars runs in all family's. Glad to be of help, I kid you not, Ebay might be the place to get your Gt3. They have some killer deals every now and then. I bought my Turbo there. $61K. 30Kmiles. Almost three yrs. Flew back to PA, a Valintine 1 and drove it home on a 3K mile round about way home to CA. I never had a better vaca, by myself, in my life. One draw back the GT3 has down, rear tires don't last for crap. Even with the "lazer align" .

Bill