Ok guys,

I normally hang out on the 997 forum, but given the predicament I'm in here, I thought I should post this here as well. All help and thoughts are appreciated.

I have been talking with Synergy Racing (real Rolex Cup race team) about doing more mods on my car. The estimate came up to $33k though. Let's call this amount Y. Y Includes: custom Ohlins suspension system (same as on their Cup cars), a carbon hood and rear bumper (like GT3 with center exit), Cup car exhaust with center exit, tranny upgrade to LSD, lightweight flywheel and racing clutch, an AIM data system (very high end and expensive), and carbon brake scoops to go under the car and bring air in to cool them (as well as electric fans to flow a ton of air through the scoops and to the brakes). The price is with install and all that. So, before I jump in somehow deeper than I am now, I HAVE to consider my other options. Given my car's current setup, there's some value to it now. Let's call that value X. So, if I took X and added Y to it, I get Z. The question is, what would Z be, and what else would it afford? Would I be better off getting a GT3, which would save the money of the transmission upgrades? So, I guess the question is, what is my car worth? Here's the full run down:

2006 997S. Full leather interior and two tone light and dark gray. 6 speed. 23k miles. Basalt Black Metallic

Evolution SC
Fabspeed exhaust and headers
RPD plenum
Bilstien PSS for PASM
Cargraphic GT2 rear wing with carbon uprights
GT3 control arms
GMG sway bars
GMG rear dog bones
OEM GT3 nose
Cargraphic front chin spoiler
Brembo 6 piston calipers on 15" slotted rotors (front)
stock rear brakes with Pagid yellow pads
Porsche short shifter
Porsche carbon center console
Porsche carbon shift **** from 997TT
Pioneer AVIC-D3 head unit with navi and iPod integration
JL Audio 250/2 amp
JL Audio 500/1 amp
2X JL Audio 10W3 subs in totally great custom box
Focal (forget which ones) high end components in front (yellow)
GMG matte black roll bar
Carbon Fiber Cobra Racing technology racing seats
Also have the stock seats
OMP 6 point racing harnesses
bumperplugs clear corners
EvoMS carbon side mirrors
19" Volk TE37s in gunmetal for the track
20" Avus AF-MO2 wheels in Basalt Black Metallic for the street

It's been incredibly maintained. Oil changed at 3k every time when driven on the street and after every track weekend. In case you don't know, I put it into the tire wall at the Oak Tree at VIR. The bill wasn't bad and nothing was bent in the car, other than a bent control arm and I put on a new front fender. I have pics. There was a few other minimal things, but it is what it is. Synergy has set the car up beautifully (suspension). The car drives perfectly, and is blazing fast on street or track.

I know you could get all of that (just about) out of my signature. Just needing some help here.

Thanks to all of you... and I think I remembered everything.

Jared

 

I would just get a GT3. Honestly - unless you're wheel to wheel racing a few of the mods you are looking at IMO go beyond the point of diminishing returns.

You've got a super cool street car that's been modded nicely for track work. How much would you gain from lightweight body panels? Your wallet would surely be lighter but it's not as if it's going to make you any money by being marginally lighter.

For 33K you could buy a decent looking salvage title Elise AND mod the hell out of it (forced induction/suspension/harness/race tires) and have a 2000lb mid engine track toy that would be likely more fun than an uber-997S.

 

Do you plan on using this as a track only car? If it were me I would just go for the gt3. Be careful with how much cooling you give those brakes or else they will glaze or just not have any initial bite.

 

I wouldn't think you'd be able to get more than 95k for your car, if that and at that price it'll take a very specific buyer.

You're going to take a bath on it, may as well just stick with it. I'm with LIG, get a dedicated track car and mod that instead.

 

It sounds like its a stunner, I think 95k is a big stretch. I would part it out or be prepared to take a bath. I am guessing high 70's low 80's. for the right buyer.

 

Hey Jared you have an interesting case. What is your exact intention w/ this car? Will it also serve as a DD and occasional track event (7 or 8 per year)?
Are you going to do wheel to wheel racing?

Point being if this will be as exclusive track car w/ trailer and all you should seek to buy an '07 GT3 Cup car that are being sold now. Unfortunately you can't buy a new one. I would prefer that over one done by Synergy. A factory cup car is a dream.

If the car will do street duty then get a GT3 and tweak it up to your liking. Work done by Synergy, Farnbacher-Lole or GMG to name a couple.

Sell your car and consider a new start but again it depends on the purpose of the car. Either way it is a fun and interesting process to under go. I've done it before and projects are a blast.

Good luck and I'll follow your decision process.

GT3Ranger BTW my GT3 (3200 mi.) could be under consideration.

 

Oh Jared I apologize, forgot to write my name is Juan.

 

Well, to try to catch up to all of everyone's thoughts here, first of all the value. That's a big spread. I'd definitely not sell it for the low figures posted on here, and if that's the reality, then I think that does it right there.
However, here's the stuff that I could easily remove and put on the GT3 (or whatever) that I get: The Brembo front brakes can come off and the stockers are ready to go back on. The stock seats and belts can go back in. The Cobras were like $6k. I can just sell it with the Avus 20s and stock wheels, keeping the Volks for the next car. These are some pretty big ticket items. So the car would then be a 24k mile, beautifully maintained (you KNOW I'm taking care of this baby), with badass wheels, a GT3 front, carbon pieces, a Cargraphic wing AND the stock decklid, and a well-worked-out supercharger. No check engine lights. No issues at all. Plus, it'd have a very trick suspension that could be set up to be whatever the next buyer would ever want, even if it never sees the track. Then I could just do the Ohlins and such on the GT3. I've also been tinkering with the idea of ordering a very light, creamy baby blue GT3. So maybe we can talk about how much the car would be worth that way. I could actually see it being worth as much or more this way because the buying group would be broadened without them, especially the seats.

As far as what I use the car for, that's a bit of a crazy thing with me. I run in the advanced solo group in various track clubs (including PCA, but mostly others) and actually run 3 weekends a month for 8 months a year. So I get a good amount of tracking in. I have a trailer and a big diesel to pull it with too. However, I live in the mountains and often get up really early to go out and tear up the curves before the cops get out. I think this kind of kicks the Cup car idea out, right? That's why I have the stereo in my current car. I love blasting through the hills with the windows down and the bass booming. Don't worry, I can still hear the engine just fine! It all works together in my book, and is worth the weight. I won't be doing any door to door RACING, but our track days are door to door of course. My wife and I also take the occasional weekend trip in it too, loading up the luggage in the front and driving down to the beach or whatever. That's when I put the 20s on, because the other sets have compound tires on them. The tires on the 20s are pretty hard and do alright with the camber.

So, does this help with anyone? I feel really crazy right now.

Juan, great to meet you. Regarding your car, feel free to PM me.

 

What you said will save you a little money on modding the next car only.

If you get more than 90k for your car i'd be shocked, regardless of what mods you leave on it, it's just the reality of the effects mods have on a car.

You can buy 2006 997 S's for around 68k with your mileage, then add up all your mods and divide the cost spent by 50-60% straight up, then remove another 10-15% as most people don't want a modded, let alone tracked car no matter how well it has been maintained and that'll be a reasonable price range to expect.

Best of luck making a decision.

 

Sounds like a pretty serious car as of right now. With the mods you have planned it will be probably one of the baddest 997S's around. So if you really like the car, see the project through till' the end! I also agree strongly with LABrit's above statements regarding resale. I don't think you will find the type of money you are looking for from the 997S, so keep modding!

 

Jared I always liked your car a lot, and the work you have done is top notch. IMO do nottttttt NOT drop another 33k even if it means nothing to you right now cash wise, its pointless and you will regret it after.

Go for the gt3 I'm sure you won't regret it, or how about a GT2?

Martin

 

Keep your car, and buy a dedicated track vehicle (e.g. used GT3, Lotus, Ariel Atom, etc.). That way, you get the best of both worlds!

 

I would go the route mentioned above, take off whatever you can and transfer to the new car. I learned after selling my tt that I was into for 220k for 85k. On my e55 i transfered all the mods to my new e except the rims. People rarely pay for the kind of mods you have, and its just a matter of when you come to the realzation that you really want to sell it. I declined offers for my tt at 115k, decided to wait it out and ended up at 85k a year later.

 

Thanks for all the words, guys. Some of the comments lead me to think that you MAY not be on the same page as me though. What I mean is, a stock GT3 is slower than my car on the track... on every track that I've run on... even with the same drivers (me or a professional instructor). I'm not actually trying to get a better car, so much. But my car has a good amount of miles on it, and the gearing is just too off for the track, in my opinion. So the question posed itself that way. I don't see a GT3 as a step up. I have more power and the same/better suspension and possibly better brakes. The LSD and gears are big improvements that the GT3 brings. However, again, with a pro driver driving my car and a GT3 with slicks, my car was nearly 2 seconds faster than the GT3, consistently, at VIR. But, I'm sure you know, I wouldn't leave the GT3 alone either.

 

Oh, and you can't forget depreciation.