Current Carrera vs. GT3 conundrum

[jackb911]

To make a long story short, the conundrum is that a good friend has offered to trade (plus a fairly considerable pile of cash) his pristine, never tracked '07 GT3 pictured here...



...for my backdated '87 Carrera.



Me: I'm an old, retired geezer (63) but I am very immature for my age. I've been driving Porsches over 40 years and while I'm not a huge speed freak nowadays, I do like "edgy" cars and motorcycles. The blue Carrera has no radio, A/C or center console and has been lightened quite a but from when it was bone stock.

Ever since the GT3 was on the market, I've wanted one. A new or nearly new one is out of the question cost-wise. But with the trade, my friend's GT3 is doable although I'll have to sell two other vehicles I currently have but rarely use.

Problem is, the Carrera is a known quantity. I bought it in 2001, later sold it to my brother and bought it back a couple years ago. EVERY wear item has been replaced including the valve guides and head studs.Things that appeals to me about the Carrera are that it is relatively simple to maintain and having been lightened considerably (2560 lbs. now) it is a blast to drive.

But the GT3 is something pretty special too. I'm not tracking or autocrossing any longer so I'd never reach the outer limits of what the GT3 can do.

Decisions, decisions. Your thoughts and input are welcomed.

[billh1963]

I am a big fan of watercooled cars (heresy, I know). The GT3 (out of the box) is far better than your '87 can ever hope to be.

However, the GT3 will continue to depreciate. Your '87 is appreciating, is a much simpler car, and probably has more sentimnetal value.

Keep the '87 and wait until the GT3's depreciate to where you don't have to sell anything to buy one.

[mlfox]

I drove a PCA club member's '07 GT3, same color as the one depicted. It's an impressive automobile.

Given the circumstances you've presented, I would sell your vehicles, purchase the GT3, and enjoy it immensely.

Regards,

mlfox

[KC Chief]

I agree with Bill if your hierarchy of decisions is mostly financial. If it's about money, keep your car. However, if you put that aside, and I look at what you typed, I'd say you are ready for a change, buy the GT3, that's an amazing car. Side note, your 87 is one of my favorites. There is no bad decision here!

[porsche0nut]

My 2 cents:

Your 87 is gorgeous and obviously a very special car.

The GT3 is incredible and very desirable, but not difficult to find relative to a car like yours.

If you go for the GT3 you will enjoy it, but you will end up replacing it in the next fee years once you've had your fun. I think you'll miss your 87 and find it hard to replace.

If you love your 87 to the point it is irreplaceable, i say keep it and wait until you can add a GT3 without selling and then scratch the itch.

If the 87 is replaceable down the road with another air cooled car and you don't mind having to start over the work you've put into your current car, then I say go get the GT3.

Either way, this is a good problem to have!!

[porterdog]

I think the idea of selling the air cooled unit for the GT3 has regret written all over it. Is there nothing you can do to acquire the GT3 without letting the backdated Carrera go?

This isn't a slam on the GT3- that would be heresy. At the same time, the older cars have very desirable elements that by all accounts are impossible to replicate with modern machinery.

[dad911]

I owned a 2004 gt3. Sold it when I drove my 964 through back roads to the mechanic, and picked up the gt3 and drove home.

Driving back to back, on country roads, the 964 was much more fun.

GT3 also depreciated like a rock, in 2 years it cost me more than your likely to get for the '87

[esample]

No one loves the air cooled cars more than I do and your car is a very nice example. I would never consider trading for a 2007 Carrera, but a GT3, as you have suggested, is a whole 'nuther story'. In a heartbeat.

Just my .02

-e.

[Porchcar guy]

Your 87 is a wonderrful car that you have completed to your satisfaction. Is the job done ? If so, then go for the GT3 as it is sex on wheels. Half the fun is in the doing then enjoying !!

[cfries]

I was in the same situation as you a few years ago with my 75 Carrera. I decided to keep it and wait until the GT3's come down a little more and have both Its getting harder to find a nice air cooled. Most GT3's are very well kept so finding one in great shape would be easier than finding an old one. Great car by the way.

[twistoffat]

I´ve driven my 87 clear across the USA and I´ve driven it across Europe. The GT3 is a Grrrreat Car and will beat the pants off my 87 any day. It would be oh so tempting to switch given the opportunity. I know if it was me I would regret it. I see a lot of GT3´s in Germany and everybody like them but the 87 still gets the looks and smiles. Keep your car and don´t give in to temptation

[quattrorunner]

Here is what I would do, but I'm not that smart
I would sell those other cars, build your engine to the efi turbo engine it wants to have, add the ac if you need to and whatever suspension you might need to kill newer cars such as the GT3. You still won't have the package to beat one on a track, but it would be close. But around town it would kill most anything including a GT3. Go turbo.

[911Freak]

Personally, I'd grab that GT3 and drive the ceap out of it. But, only if you get a great deal on it hedging 'some' future depreciation. My buddy in DFW just got on similar Znd he can't stop smiling. He's doing more DE/ track days then ever b/c it's more comfortable (modern AC, etc) then his Carrera was. He also got a screaming deal on it.
If you can sell your 87 for fair $ and acquire the GT3 at a good price, why not?!
Just my .02.

[Onefastman]

Keep your car. It's a value and would be more expensive to replace than you will sell it for.

GT3's are a dime a dozen comparatively speaking.

Also if you aren't getting a 997.2 then I wouldn't even bother. It's a ton more car.

[Deadeye]

Keep your '87. Sell off whatever is not essential. Borrow the $$ to buy the GT3 and drive it for 6 months or a year. If the smokin' deal is that good on the water pumper, you should be able to sell it and get your money back.

[Craig T]

What this really boils down to is what you are looking for in a car.

I've owned Porsches of most generation myself, including a 996GT3, 993TT, and currently own a 997S as a daily driver. For recreation, I simply prefer the older car's character and modesty. My dream Porsche right now is a backdated 75-to-73 high-HP 3.4 hot rod with torsion bars (Almost finished). It's a a valueless bastard really, but what a blast to drive.

The first thing to consider is cost. If you're not sensitive to cost it's a mute issue, but it's not just the cost of the car, or the GT3's continuing depreciation of $6K-$8K per year. There are countless direct expenses that will jump considerably. First, on the GT3 compare these annual expenses to the 87...Registration fees, sales tax, tires (at $1800 vs $800), insurance. I pay $348 for a $40K agreed policy on my long-hood hot rod. Insurance on my GT3 was $1,900 per year with a $1000 deductible.

Second, is your identity tied to the car? When you park this GT3 at the downtown coffee shop, only guys that have them will give it a second glance. Nobody with come up and talk to you about it. To 99% of the general population, it's just another yuppie with a leased Porsche. In the 87, people from all ages and economic levels will appreciate the old Porsche. No intimidation factor or jealousy induced.

Third, how are you going to drive it? The GT3 as a daily driver it's very harsh, yes worse than the 87. It's a much sharper jolt over pot holes and rough roads. The GT3 is the only car my wife ever complained about riding in. Plus, unless you take the GT3 to the track, how often are you really going to put it on the edge, where you can appreciate what it is? On a typical canyon road, you need to be doing 100mph just to get it to the edge. For cornering the 87 will feel like a go kart comparatively. Take a 1967 911 on the same road and you'll be scared ****less and sideways without breaking the speed limit.

My $0.2. You'll be like me and all my POC friends (Except you Steve Wong. I know you LOVE you GT3). You'll get the GT3, drive it for a few weeks, then it will sit in the garage for months on end without being driven, then you'll sell it.

[89911]

The GT3 is the go to car for those with the money and want the performance now. Unfortunately, they keep making better and better cars so a few years from now, you will have a dated, albeit fast, car. The 87 has a different lineage and doesn't compare. It will never be as fast, but does flat out speed always directly relate to enjoyment? Maybe for winning races. Your 87 looks beautiful and well done. I don't know about you, but I've put so much money into my 89, I can never get it back nor would I want to. If you want to run in DE's and want to beat the pants off those running lesser cars, get the GT3. For all around driving enjoyment, what you got isn't too shabby.

[Brad394]

GT3 - without hesitation ....

Sure it will depriciate, and the 87 may go up (not likely very much). Yes Porsche will make a better one, that is how the 87 got to were the 12 is ... by getting better.

Its like every other decision in life, make one ... if it turns out you its wrong for you then sell it and buy number 23

[Big Jon Jacobs]

Sell the '87 Carrera, sell the other two cars in the garage, buy the GT3 and go in debt up to your eyeballs to have what you want now, not later.

My formula for decision making:

Immediate Gratification + Debt = Dumb decision/dumb purchase

Postponed Gratification (wait for GT3 depreciate more) + '87 Carrera paid for = Smart decision

Been there, done that. I would wait! All three of my old cars I sold because I wanted something newer. Dumb on my part! I wish I had those three back each day. You will regret it! It may take you two years to wake up and say "what was I thinking selling that wonderful '87 Porsche Carrera?" But that day will come.

[vracer]

Craig T brought up a great idea. Sell everything BUT the '87, and have a leasing company buy the GT3. Drive it for 2-3 years and give it back.