CSL or GT3 the age old question

[glendog74]

Originally Posted by DazBlackCSL

So true

Thank you please

[DazBlackCSL]

Originally Posted by glendog74

Thank you please

[PeteGray]

Buy the GT3, it's definitely different enough to the CSL to justify a change and, in my view, worth the extra outlay for that different experience.

I can't see the car market nose diving but, there's already a gentle drift down in prices as the economy continues to stumble forward amid political uncertainty (not sure this is the case with the CSL?).

I firmly believe that new low's have been created for special cars, such as CSL's and GT3's, and you should get most, if not all of your money back when you sell.

A potential threat to the 997.1 price is the introduction of the 991.2, manual, GT3 (there not having been a manual GT3 in the 991 series before). That said, the majority of 991.2 GT3 buyers may well spec the PDK box, so it's not a given that this will overly affect prices.

Regardless of the 991.2, the 997.1/2 GT3's are very special cars in their own right and still look like very good value against a lot of older air cooled Porsche's.

Now the dust has settled on the Cayman GT4 there seems to be a growing voice that believes that the 997 GT3's is still the better car, and certainly has the better, GT3 specific engine, whilst the GT4 has the normal 991.1 Carrera engine. Prices of GT4's are still higher than the 997, which is understandable as their all mega low miles, look great, go great, and have lovely interiors. Give it a few years though and the pull of the 911 could see the 997 move ahead of the GT4 and further underpin prices.

[Pip1968]

Jon8710, personally I would also say go for it. I cannot see the bottom falling out of the GT3. I bought a 996 GT3 (arguably a more hardcore GT3 with no aids whatsoever apart from ABS) back when the CSL was unloved at £25-30,000. Then the GT3 was cygnet waiting to become the swan price wise at least. This was around 2009 and most 996 GT3 were around £45,000. About two/three years ago prices went mad - up to £70-80,000 and this has subsided slightly as everyone started selling. 997 GT3/RS reflected this at a slightly elevated price as it is a newer model.

At the time I nearly opted for the 996 GT3 RS which at £60,000 was stretching my budget. Well that was a mistake as they are now £120-150,000 ish. In deciding to keep the CSL as an icon and occasional track toy I opted for the GT3 over the RS.

The GT3 is a beautiful drive and very different from the CSL. The car is so tactile you feel completely in touch with the road and the car's response to changes in undulation, camber, turn et cetera (mine has been set up for track). I hate to say it but I prefer it to the CSL. The main bugbear being that the GT3 is stick/manual and the CSL is paddle shift.

Back onto topic I cannot see the bottom falling out of the market on these. The 996 and 997 both run the race proven Mezger engine and are stick drive. The 991 GT3 came along and there was no manual option and no racing history (see exploding GT3 engines) so suddenly 996 and 997 prices took off. There maybe a small adjustment if Porsche do issue a 991 GT3/RS with stick but I cannot imagine it will be much if at all. They are very different cars.

Most drivers of Porsche GT3/RS like the full interaction of a car without all the electronic gimmickery on the 991s. Even the motorsport boss Andreas Preuninger recognized this and so the 991R was made (sold out immediately and prices through the roof). Unfortunately most buyers new are not the real enthusiasts that end up with them once the 'shiny kit syndrome' is over or the car is over three years old. What I am saying here is I do not think there will be any great drop.

The biggest reason for a drop would be a sudden increase in interest rates so that those speculators actually prefer the liquidity of cash and so sell these 'investments'. And when is that ever going to happen - no time soon.

One thing to bear in mind is that the Porsche is a far more expensive car to run. It is best kept as a second car or track toy. Do you intend in tracking her? Are you going to get Clubsport specification (more expensive than Comfort Spec - comes with bucket seats, roll cage and only two seats).

I think the other thing to think about is will you go back to a CSL as finding a good one could prove difficult. In theory you will have the funds to get back in due to the price disparity between the CSL and a GT3.

Personally I hanker after a GT3 RS although they are not massively different from the GT3 and in the back of my mind do not want to regret selling the CSL. The 996 GT3 is a keeper.

I think Outnumbered or someone else had a 997 GT3 RS in orange as well as a CSL. Maybe worth a PM.

Best of luck.

Pip

[nw99]

Very well written Pip , couldn't agree more I have love my 997 GT3 RS would only sell it for the next manual Porsche RS.

[Mr Prem]

Do it! You only live once.....

[billyboysm3]

Do it as once you have kids very close together its a life changer, wouldn't change it for the world but as far as cars, track days or even having a shower in piece whole different ball game.

[glendog74]

Originally Posted by billyboysm3

Do it as once you have kids very close together its a life changer, wouldn't change it for the world but as far as cars, track days or even having a shower in piece whole different ball game.

Yip...

[GregorFuk]

Originally Posted by glendog74

Yip...

Hmm. But you can put your kids in the back of a CSL. Not so a GT3. (Yes yes, I know some people have retrofitted seats and belts in the back).

[nw99]

Don't want the kids in the back of my racing cars ! But point taken