Both of the 996 vintage.

Car will be used as a daily driver with 6-8 track weekends a year. I live in Denver, but have an old Jeep Cherokee that'll come out on the really bad days.

I've been leaning towards the turbo due to the awd and the fact that forced induction cars perform better here vs NA because of the altitude. The back seat is nice, but not totally necessary.

However I've been looking into what the turbo guys are doing to mod their cars for the track and it's more than I expected. As such I'm wondering whether I'm better off just spending the additional money for a GT3.

That assumption tho is that the GT3 needs basically nothing to be track ready other than brake fluid/pads and tires.

Is the above assumption correct? Or does it need suspension, exhaust, bushings, etc, etc?

Is a GT3 livable as a daily driver ~12,000 miles a year?

 

I don't believe you will find a 996 GT3 to be livable for 12k per annum. I'll let the owners chime in here but I've got many friends with them. They are absolutely superb cars, and probably THE value in Porsches at the moment. That said, they are very stiffly sprung and have no traction or spin management. They're quite hard core little cars. I'd love to add one and use it as my track car (I currently use my DD 997TT for mixed duty of about 15k miles per annum and ~20 DE days).

996 Turbos are a superb value as well. Ultimately I believe they are less desirable over the long term than a 996 GT3 but given your desire for something you can use on a DD basis I would probably try to find a nice one. They're out there and they're fast, solid cars that with a few mods can be killer on the track too.

 

Thanks, that was kind of what I was thinking. I was just surprised by what people were saying was needed to make the 996tt really track worthy (suspension, GT3 brakes, GT3 control arms, toe arms, etc, etc)

 

You live in denver @5000 ft the turbo is the only way to go!

 

Turbo my friend. It can be used as a excellent sled as well! Post pictures when you pull the trigger on the turbo.

 

I'm working on it, my wife gave me the go ahead last week! I'd like to sell my current 2002 M3 privately, but if that doesn't happen I'll trade it in.

 

I'm telling you .. 996 GT2 all the way if you're up for the challenge.. Best of both Worlds.. Turbo power, GT3 lightness, a bit of suspension work and they are EPIC... Ask me how I know...

 

gt 2 sounds like it would be the way to go for you.

how about this one, deep discount
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-...item19b895de48

miles should not matter if your going to drive it
( i have no relation to the ebay auction)

 

Turbo all the way IMO. You want a DD to take to the track a few times a year. For those purposes the TT with a few mods will be just fine. We're talking about DEs here, not racing. I would say a good alignment, pagids, R compounds, a rear GT2 sway bar, and possibly coil overs is plenty. Actually probably overkill, as all Porsches are more than capable cars right out of the box, strone cold stock.
Besides, once you've gone boost you can never go back to NA

 

GT2 is probably out of my price range.

 

if it really will only be 6-8 DE events, then yes, go for the turbo. It is more pleasant to DD.
However, if you get into R-compounds, etc, you will not be able to get any signifcant camber out of stock suspension. To properly align the car for r-compound tire use (you dont have to, you will just tear through a set of hoosiers every 3 days on the track) you will end up swapping for gt3 control arms, amoung other various parts. The lighter weight of the gt3 is also favorable for the track.

my experience is coming from the 997 family, but I imagine the relationship between tt and gt3 is similar.

Hope this helps.
-Niels

 

So there's no way to use a set of camber plates on the Turbo to get proper camber?
I ask mostly because it sounds like resetting the camber with the GT3 control arms between a street and track setting is a PITA.

 

Really its time!! Sorry noway do you want to drive a the gt3 daily. I hate taking mine to Denver, drags, scrapes bumps etc.
Drive what ever it takes daily to have the gt3 for track days.
When the sun comes out you can take mine for a drive around Denver you will understand. What about keeping the m and getting a spec 911?

 

Not ready to go wheel to wheel, don't have the storage space for a race car/trailer/truck. Also don't have a truck or a trailer, nor do I have the funds or time for all three.

If I get a spec car, the M3 will go and I'll get a spec E36 M3, way cheaper, very durable and easy to work on.

 

The turbo because of where you live. Easy choice IMHO.

Try to find one without a sunroof and with the X50 package then work on shedding some pounds from the car.