Back in a CSL.. or 997 GT3?

[funtime]

That is the question chaps...

As some of you will know I sold my CSL around 18 months ago now to buy my first house... missed it every day since. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've just sold the house and wont be buying another for a good while yet so looking to put the money back into a car.

I've had a few normal M3's since, but after having the CSL they felt so compromised and didn't gel with them at all..

But, before I jump back into another CSL (if I can find a good one!!!) I want to weigh up whether it's worth trying a 997 GT3. Whilst I loved my CSL, I have a fair bit more to play with this time and before it goes back into another property I thought it would be good to try something a bit more serious...

I've looked at GT3s, GTRs, F430s Maser GT etc, but the only one I can see as being as easy to live with in terms of not being scared to leave it parked up anywhere or drive it in anger is the GT3. Plus GT3 is the only one that has servicing/running costs similar to the CSL.

Only thing that puts me off is the manual in the GT3s as I love the SMG of the CSL and find it much easier to work with on track - but I'm sure I'd get used to that and just have to learn to master heal and toe...

Any thoughts much appreciated! And in the meantime if anyone is thinking of selling up please let me know!

Thanks,
James

[terryb]

You'll find that the GT3 manual box is one of the very best ever made in any car and a real joy to use. There's also a good spread of torque so don't need to change gears all the time to be on the boil

Have you considered a 996 GT3? Obviously older and not as nice inside, but likely to be depreciation proof and possibly more rewarding to drive, depending on what you like. Definitely more raw than a 997

[funtime]

Thanks for the reply Terry. I have looked at the 996's - I was wondering whether to go and see this one http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...nd-fsh/1156210 but it's been for sale for ages now so wonder if there's something wrong with it or if it's just too expensive?

Anyway, I'm not ruling them out, but if I'm honest I just much prefer the 997's to the 996's - exterior and interior is much nicer I think - especially the carbon buckets on the CS packs. I also don't think that prices on 997's will fall much more if I get an early one.

Plus I read the EVO group test of all the GT3's recently and it said that they were such a step up from the 996's. That's in standard form though so not to say with a few choice modifications the 996's couldn't be as good...

Love yours though, remember seeing it going up for sale!

Quick question - what's the traction control like in the GT3's? is it just on or off or does it have a track or race setting like the CSL? I'm guessing it's less intrusive than the CSL's but haven't driven one yet!

Cheers,
James

[portlandgrey]

PM Dazz, he has/had his 997 GT3 for sale.

I'd have thought its been well looked after & sorted.

[Mike R]

Car choice is very subjective. I personally found the 997 GT3 RS (v.1) to be notchy and quite easy to miss-shift at 9/10ths driving. Despite this, it IS more rewarding than the CSL, as when you get everything right, the sense of achievement makes you bond more with the car.

However, I have only ever driven one on track (but I didn't want to hand it back to my mate afterwards), so not sure how they are at more normal speeds.

What I'm trying to say is that you need to get yourself behind the wheel and see if it is for you, especially as you're saying that you already have a preference for the CSL's SMG.

As an aside, white ones are fastest .

[s.mac]

Porsche if you have the choice, you can always go back to CSL but worth trying another lump if you have the chance

[funtime]

Originally Posted by portlandgrey

PM Dazz, he has/had his 997 GT3 for sale.

I'd have thought its been well looked after & sorted.

Yeah and it's been for sale for ages - not sure why it hasn't gone although I would hazard a guess that the wrapped bonnet has put a lot of people off. Anyway, I'm sure it's immaculate, but I wouldn't consider one that didn't have the carbon buckets and cage really...

Originally Posted by Mike R

Car choice is very subjective. I personally found the 997 GT3 RS (v.1) to be notchy and quite easy to miss-shift at 9/10ths driving. Despite this, it IS more rewarding than the CSL, as when you get everything right, the sense of achievement makes you bond more with the car.

However, I have only ever driven one on track (but I didn't want to hand it back to my mate afterwards), so not sure how they are at more normal speeds.

What I'm trying to say is that you need to get yourself behind the wheel and see if it is for you, especially as you're saying that you already have a preference for the CSL's SMG.

As an aside, white ones are fastest .

Sounds like wise words - but like you say it's those kind of shifts when pushing it that I'm worried about but I'm sure It's just down to practice!

And it would be White or Grey that I'd go for anyway

Originally Posted by s.mac

Porsche if you have the choice, you can always go back to CSL but worth trying another lump if you have the chance

To be honest, this is the main thing for me, with so many options open with the budget I have, it seems silly to go for another CSL despite how much I loved owning mine!

Decisions decisions!

[terryb]

Originally Posted by funtime

Thanks for the reply Terry. I have looked at the 996's - I was wondering whether to go and see this one http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...nd-fsh/1156210 but it's been for sale for ages now so wonder if there's something wrong with it or if it's just too expensive?

Anyway, I'm not ruling them out, but if I'm honest I just much prefer the 997's to the 996's - exterior and interior is much nicer I think - especially the carbon buckets on the CS packs. I also don't think that prices on 997's will fall much more if I get an early one.

Plus I read the EVO group test of all the GT3's recently and it said that they were such a step up from the 996's. That's in standard form though so not to say with a few choice modifications the 996's couldn't be as good...

Love yours though, remember seeing it going up for sale!

Quick question - what's the traction control like in the GT3's? is it just on or off or does it have a track or race setting like the CSL? I'm guessing it's less intrusive than the CSL's but haven't driven one yet!

Cheers,
James

That looks like a very nice and well specced GT3. Mine now has 80k miles and is going as well and as strong as when I got it 4 years ago and almost 30k miles ago. I'd have a look at that one and take it for a drive, see what you think . These cars are better driven quickly than slowly

[DazBlackCSL]

Yup my 997 GT3 still for sale, bonnet and roof carbon wrap comes off in 15 mins and detailed and waxed back to std for those who prefer it original, so not really a biggie.

Think as most buy to use on track and track day season has been slower to start due to weather not had that many calls, had a few silly 45k bids, someone offering an R8 in chop the trade is around 48 (offered from two specialists) as its fully up and together with recent major service so that's not needed for another 20k, new supersports all the extras inc passenger air bag de-activation (for Chloe to ride in her car seat in the front)

Just clicked 40k full service history Porsche and specialists, 3 years ago I was thinking I would only have one with carbon buckets etc etc, but in reality if your using it as a daily the std spec comfort is the one to have, doesn't change the drive or lap times or experience with a cage or buckets

Plus you don't look like a **** when your getting out of the car at work or the local shops !!

On iPad so can't post link ads expired and not renewing just yet ( don't really want to sell it to be honest ) so just pm me if your interested and im more than happy for you to take her out and have a looky, Alex and Stu have driven it in the last few weeks so can vouch for her

[DazBlackCSL]

Forgot to answer your original question !

Loved my CSL had her for the longest I've ever owned a car just over 4 years, purchased with 30k on and sold her with just over 90k, loads of miles on track, ring and road, it was my actual daily, probably better in std form for those duties than with all the toys I had on her by the time I sold it.

Had to scratch the 997 GT3 itch though, and sitting in a 996 v 997 as a daily it's far nicer don't doubt the 996 enthusiasts say is supposed to be better drive, either one requires effort and to get under the skin a lot more than a CSL.

Once you spend a bit of time with one it is far more rewarding to drive quicker as it does need respect and understanding to drive harder, once you do hook it up it's immense, and the manual box is awesome, learn to H&T and it's a knife through butter pin sharp, steering is go kart like responsive and with sport on, dampers switched to hard and traction off its a weapon, and the noise

Anyway regardless of whether your looking at mine or not, have a drive I would tick the box, pretty much depreciation free ish, paid 55k a year ago so up for 49,999 at the mo.

Hope that helps