Up-Trading a classic

[irrational_e]

Hi.
I have a dilemma and would appreciate some insight.

Basically I own the following 2 cars (Not in the USA, so RoW cars).
1980 Porsche 911 SC (LHD) with full service history. Very original with 204k km. Needs new paint, exhaust and some interior refurbish. Main driver. Value in current state about $30k here.
2006 Maserati Gransport Spyder (RHD). 1 of 48 RHD (478 total built) with 45k km. Value in current state about $40k here. Still owing $20k in finance.

So the question is, do I trade both for a 2004 Porsche 996.2 GT3? Value about $70k here.
The point being it would be an entry to the higher end bracket of both collectible and higher performance. I am not a huge fan of the turbo, but I am considering the 996.2 or 997 turbo as well (Always manual of course).

I absolutely love my SC. Its very light at about 1100kg and even though only 140kw(188 bhp) it is is a really lovely car to drive. But the restoration will cost quite a bit, even if it will be for driving and not concourse. The Maserati is very special and wonderful in its own way, but I don't think its a keeper.

[irrational_e]

I should add that I love driving. So the GT3 would be driven a lot.
Because I love driving, driving feel and engagement is important to me.
I am by no means rich, so heavy maintenance will be a problem (The Maserati is rather scary but no big bills so far)
I have also driven the SC everywhere, including gravel passes. So the GT3 will clearly remove that possibility. But I think at my age, I might just get an SUV for that sort of thing in future. I had my fun.

[walt]

Keep the SC since you love it so much. Sell the Maserati and use the 20K remaining to upgrade the SC. You will likely recover most of the upgrade cost on the sale when you finally decide to sell it.

[Matt Monson]

I agree with Walt.

Why wouldn’t you drive the same gravel passes in the gt3? Fear of wrecking a more expensive car? If so, definitely keep the SC. Though I can tell you that from my own experience a 996 is a hoot in the dirt.

[Marine Blue]

The GT3 performance will be head and shoulders above your two current cars and while it won’t have the feedback and engagement of the SC it is still very engaging for a modern Porsche.

For me the answer would lie in the type of roads you have access to. For example, I could sell my current cars (Boxster Spyder & 964) to get into a new GT3 but I know buying a new car that is exceedingly capable will be an exercise in frustration. While roads in Cali allow for higher speeds they definitely don’t accommodate the full capabilities of a new GT3 so I would always need to exercise restraint when I drive it. My current cars allow me to explore 90% of their capabilities on the road without fear of arrest or taking as much risk which makes each drive enjoyable.

Do you have the space to stretch out a 996 GT3? If not I would sell the Maserati and restore the 911 and or sell both cars and pick up a nicer example of the SC with the work already done.

[NYNick]

This is a tough one. As an SC owner, I understand the love, but it's a 42 year old car. It's basic, not particularly fast and is going to break. Not only that, yours has some needs and with 125,000 miles or 205,000 KM, those needs aren't going to get any smaller.

The GT3 is an awesome car. Quite different and distinct from the caveman SC in comparison. Plus, it's kind of modern. Yet, it's 18 years old and not exactly the type of car you can work on yourself. Nor would I be looking forward to that long driving vacation with the wife or girlfriend. It's a very directed driver.

Sell the Maserati and spend the money on the SC, I guess. Really tough decision but the GT3 will need money thrown at it as well.

[faverymi]

Maintaining a SC way cheaper in every form compared to GT3.

My 2 cents

[QueWhy]

Just curious where “here” is that SCs are $30k and GT3s are $70k

[Tonger]

If you can get a 996 GT3 for 70k I would jump on it. Around here, that's what they were bringing 3-4 years ago. Now a 996 GT3 with reasonable miles is a six figure car.

In terms of the opinions above, I don't have an SC but I've got a midyear. The GT3 absolutely crushes the stock midyear in terms of immediacy and driver engagement.

As for maintenance, it is amenable to DIY as the Mezger is very durable once the water pipes are pinned or welded. The factory LSD internals are short lived and will need new internal parts from Guard/Monson that are much better quality. Maintenance wise, I've spent more time and money on my midyear than the 996 GT3. Besides, it's nice to drive a car with working AC here in the south.

The other consideration is that the GT cars are very limited production and have started to appreciate significantly. Since we are on the marketplace discussion board, the investment upside of the GT3 is likely greater than the SC. While this is a normally a good thing, it can definitely discourage one from piling on the miles.

[irrational_e]

Originally Posted by QueWhy

Just curious where “here” is that SCs are $30k and GT3s are $70k

Here is South Africa.
With the current dollar strength you can do well. There are several 996 GT3s around for about $60k with current exchange rate, even one from Porsche themselves with a 6 month service plan.
There are almost no older Porsches for sale. So prices are hard to fathom. But a LHD car in a RHD country is down in value. Even though I specifically wanted one since I prefer the driving position and a few other things on the LHD car.

[irrational_e]

Thanks for the replies!
I think most advice aligns with what I think is the better option after some objective consideration.

My own sentiment is also that the SC is an increasing value car (Perhaps $70k properly restored here). The Maserati is fast, but not engaging except for the completely glorious sound, so its the one that can be replaced. The gearbox is not the monster people think, but it does really want smooth and open roads to be enjoyed. We have them here, but I need to drive out quite a bit for that. So its not nearly as usable and enjoyable as a Porsche.
It is very hard to sell since no one knows they exist, special as they are. There are only 2 in South Africa and the other is locked in a collection. The 3 coupes have been unsold for almost a year now, so I'd need to look at a trade and probably a loss of about $5k-$7k after 3 years ownership.

The SC has had a top end rebuild due to a broken head stud a while ago, but needs a gearbox rebuild, new heat exchangers, new rubber seals everywhere, new glass out repaint. Interior refurbish to original pascha cloth inserts. No rust here. That is zero concern. The restore cost is about $20-30k in my estimation for everything.
The GT3 is also an aging car and will need work in future, most likely more costly than the SC of course. So its allure is almost purely its performance and engagement as well as its position in the eye of enthusiast for value purposes. (I think its 100kg overweight myself!).

I was thinking of selling the Maserati to restore the SC, but I would miss the additional performance and there isn't really anything at its price point that can match it except maybe an E39 BMW M5 or E46 M3, which are both not really to my taste.

Or I need to sit still for another 5-10 years hoping I can save up faster than the GT3 increase in value. I missed the boat on Ferraris that way (I was looking at a 550 Maranello potential a few years ago) but now that is faaaaar above my paygrade.

[DaytonaCoupe66]

Many of us have to give up something to get something else. Often the something else fits the '...grass looks greener....' analogy. The GT3 or turbo that you decide upon won't necessarily be without it's own long list of needs; buying an older used sports car often comes with undisclosed issues. As you get into newer model P cars, the reliance on a Dealer with diagnostic tools grows, with fewer options on sourcing parts.

[G450X]

South Africa sounds pretty nice, at least for motorheads who long for the days of somewhat affordable hot rods!

I like the idea of a more raw/visceral car (SC) along with a newer sports car that’s more comfortable, has real AC, etc…. I have an e46 M3 manual slicktop that I ordered new which compliments my old SC.

I’m kinda in the same boat, but unfortunately I’m in the land of wacko Porsche prices (especially GT3’s). I wish I could find an affordable 997 GT3 (I just can’t get by the 996 looks). A few years ago nice 997.2 GT3’s were somewhat affordable ($75k - $90k), but things have really changed.

One thing to consider is the “fun factor,” as the old saying goes sometimes it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast (and I really don’t consider an SC, especially ROW, slow) than it is to drive a fast car slow. I don’t know what driving is like in SA, but I’m guessing the opportunity to open it up and run it properly is very limited (like in the U.S.), so maybe a GT3 is not really practical to a large degree.

I would keep the SC as a very fun and low maintenance driver in its current state, sell the Maserati for more than 1/2 the cost of a GT3, and get the GT3 as a halo car that would be infrequently driven. The GT3 is a modern classic and I see prices only going up for all “real” (manual transmission) GT3’s. I consider the GT3 a tangible asset that can be enjoyed on occasion even more so than the air cooled cars - it’s a modern version of a ‘73 2.7 RS, and we all know what they bring these days…

[irrational_e]

Originally Posted by G450X

South Africa sounds pretty nice, at least for motorheads who long for the days of somewhat affordable hot rods!

I like the idea of a more raw/visceral car (SC) along with a newer sports car that’s more comfortable, has real AC, etc…. I have an e46 M3 manual slicktop that I ordered new which compliments my old SC.

I’m kinda in the same boat, but unfortunately I’m in the land of wacko Porsche prices (especially GT3’s). I wish I could find an affordable 997 GT3 (I just can’t get by the 996 looks). A few years ago nice 997.2 GT3’s were somewhat affordable ($75k - $90k), but things have really changed.

One thing to consider is the “fun factor,” as the old saying goes sometimes it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast (and I really don’t consider an SC, especially ROW, slow) than it is to drive a fast car slow. I don’t know what driving is like in SA, but I’m guessing the opportunity to open it up and run it properly is very limited (like in the U.S.), so maybe a GT3 is not really practical to a large degree.

I would keep the SC as a very fun and low maintenance driver in its current state, sell the Maserati for more than 1/2 the cost of a GT3, and get the GT3 as a halo car that would be infrequently driven. The GT3 is a modern classic and I see prices only going up for all “real” (manual transmission) GT3’s. I consider the GT3 a tangible asset that can be enjoyed on occasion even more so than the air cooled cars - it’s a modern version of a ‘73 2.7 RS, and we all know what they bring these days…

For lots of fun in a slow car I have my 1955 Triumph TR2. Its a complete hoot in the 30-60mph bracket. 80mph+ Is quite scary as it has not been modernised. And its character means I will keep it. It is cheap and characterful and a different world.

Its a very big country. I have seen 135mph(235kph-ish) on the SC in a few spots (Far flung from police and other car presence) and also 165mph (265kph-ish) in the Maserati. We have stunning passes of all kinds of road type. The SC has been to around 75 or so where it absolutely shines.
So the speed is obtainable but with high care and also far away places. But opportunity is not that common unless I move to a different city.

I also think perhaps go for the GT3 in future as a special car. I have driven a 4.0 991.2 GT3 which is an astonishing machine. but high prices and much more of a track car. I am sure the 996 is much better suited to road use. I think the turbos are more GT and closer in concept to the Maserati. But I dislike their lack of feel. I drove a 997.2 cabrio recently and it has insane power and high capabilities, but little feel.

My current cars are very different in feel and purpose. I think the TR2 and SC are both perfect and I want a more modern, sorted and high performance car in addition. So what you say makes sense too. Extend my timelines and go for a GT3 a few years from now rather. I also agree that the 996 is probably the more special of the bunch and closer to the 2.7 in concept.

[70SATMan]

Sell both, get a GT4 instead of the GT3.

[Patrick3000]

Having owned several 911SC’s and currently two GT3’s, I say sell everything you have and get your hands on a GT3, yes they are that good