996.2 Manthey GT3 for sale

[niall1]

I have driven an M3 CSL as my daily driver for a number of years but had grown tired of the ‘DSC’ and ‘M Mode’ interventions, plus having to press a ‘Sport’ button to experience the full aural and edgy characteristics of the car. I wanted to take a step back to a truly analogue drive but still wanted a step up from the CSL. The 996 GT3 RS was the obvious answer and having researched and watched suitable cars for sale one came up that ticked my boxes (clean, original panel, average mileage but with some driver focused modifications). The selling garage even offered a trade in on the CSL that almost matched what I had paid for it a few years earlier. I contacted Revenue (here in Ireland) to establish what the potential VRT (an import tax we have to pay = 36% of the value of the car) hit was and hit a blank wall. ‘When you bring the car in and present it at your local NCT station for registration the ‘experts’ in Rosslare will calculate the value and VRT rate due at that time’, I was told. This made me very nervous as a potential (non-refundable at the time) tax bill for half or more of what I would pay for the car, was more than I could afford. Rather than take the chance I pulled out of the purchase of the RS and started looking at GT3’s instead. It had to be a Mk2 996 as Porsche’s continuous development of the 911 means each subsequent evolution is a significant improvement on the previous model. In the case of the GT3 the internet is alive with ‘experts’ claiming the exclusiveness of the ‘last hand built in Weissach’ production car. I was looking for the best analogue drivers car I could afford and the 996.2 GT3 fitted that bill. Renowned Porschephile Chris Harris would agree: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=26071 and it was EVO Performance Car Of The Year in 2003 when it was launched, which was enough for me.
How could I match the RS driving experience without the potential VRT hit? This is where Manthey Racing step in. They have been working with Porsche since 1999 running the factory Cup cars at Le Mans and Nürburgring. The ultimate recognition of their success came in December when Porsche bought a majority stake in the company. Their base next to the Nürburgring also provides the ultimate test facility on their doorstep. I had seen some 996 RS’s for sale with Manthey modifications but Manthey Racing Converted 996 GT3’s (effectively an RS plus) were like hens teeth. As luck would have it when this car came up for sale (based on a Club Sport 996.2 GT3) the owner had already moved on to a new automotive toy and just wanted it sold. I had JZM complete a pre-purchase inspection. It turns out they knew the car well as they had maintained it in the past. It received a clean bill of health and when I personally inspected and test drove the car, it was obvious that it had never wanted for anything and had been serviced and maintained regardless of the cost throughout its previous 50k miles. I had to have it.. I wasn’t to be disappointed. I even managed a trackday in Mondello on my way home.

The car was sublime and helped me truly understand the excellence of the GT3 legend plus the skill of Olaf Manthey to further fine tune what was already a special driver’s car. The current suspension setup is neutral to mild over steer which perfectly complements the rear weight bias and the ‘slow in, fast out’ mantra of 911 driving. It was also the driving experience I was searching for. A step up from the CSL (debate ad-nauseum..), no Sport, Stability or other electronic nanny’s interfering, just how you last physically set the car when you turned the ignition off.

So why am I selling? Unfortunately life, work and family have taken priority and I’ve covered less than 500 miles in the 18 months that I’ve owned the car. I bought it to drive but that hasn’t happened so it’s time to pass it on to someone who will. While it’s fabulous to look at, resplendent in its Speed Yellow (the colour chosen by Porsche when Marketing the 996.2 GT3),
but it’s equally frustrating that I haven’t had the time to enjoy it and I can’t foresee the time presenting itself in the near future either, so it has to go and the subtle CSL with its ‘practical’ rear seats stays. Perhaps the new owner will take part in that Nordschleife Manthey Trackday I never did..