Porsche 911 GT2 (996 Series) (2002 - 2004)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Of all the versions of the 996 generation Porsche 911 offered, the GT2 is the most controversial. Its the fastest, scariest, most focused and most expensive and divides opinion like no other recent 911. Some say this is a car that Porsche should never have built. Others reckon its a proper Porsche that credits its driver with talent and courage.
One things for sure its certainly anything but dull. If youre looking for the wildest 911 experience and missed out on the GT2 when new, heres what to look for second time around.
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A very slim grille was added just above it, below the leading edge of the bonnet. At the back, you also lose the rear spoiler which, in the Turbo, flips up and down like a performing seal depending upon your speed: the GT2s replacement is a large fixed affair, with extra air intakes tucked into the wing supports to feed the turbochargers. Inside, carbon fibre trim has been liberally applied around the cabin to give that race car feeling. There are huge race-style seats with leather trim and enormous wings on each side. Where the rear seats were, there are just deep, carpeted wells behind you.
In fact, this is a rather good idea: the standard rear seats are useless anyway for anyone other than children and dwarfs. Removing them frees up a remarkable amount of luggage space.
There are always a surprising quantity of GT2s for sale on the used market given their limited production run. This is probably due to most owners wanting the ultimate 996 and then finding the GT2 a little too extreme for their taste. Prices start at around £58,000 which represents savage depreciation given that the car originally retailed for £126,000. This makes the GT2 one of the more interesting cars in recent Porsche history as most GT Porsches go on to become reasonably collectable and a car with a reputation like this can only gain kudos over time.
The 3.6-litre engine has proven to be a fairly rugged unit and always remember that the GT2 is a massively complex piece of engineering that requires regular and expert servicing to keep in tip top trim. The good news is that GT2 owners tend to be a fairly diligent bunch. Do check for accident damage and look for extended warranties.
Dont be too worried about small cosmetic scuffs on the front splitter all GT2s ride low and often have trouble negotiating speed humps as a result. Also check that the optional carbon ceramic brakes arent on their last legs. Dont take short cuts when buying a GT2 - invest in an HPI check and be prepared to have the car inspected by an expert.
(Estimated prices, based on a 2003 GT2) Consumables for a Porsche 911 GT2 are reasonable. Youll pay £15 for an air filter, £4 for each spark plug, £10 for an oil filter, £16 for a alternator chain, and £15 for a fuel filter. Offset these costs by running any 911 exclusively on high quality synthetic oil.
So while the GT2 is clearly based on 911 fundamentals, all of the bits that matter are borrowed from the pitlane. There's the 483bhp engine for a start, essentially the same unit used in the companys Le Mans-winning 911 GT1. This twin turbo flat-six 3.6-litre unit is truly state-of-the-art, using exotic materials like titanium to enable the engineers to create the fastest 911 ever built. Sixty is 4.
0 seconds away en route to a maximum of close to 196mph. Though to be fair, the 'ordinary' 911 Turbo isn't far behind (4.2s and 189mph), the faster you go, the greater the difference becomes. Rest to 100mph takes 8.5s and should you have a racetrack to hand, you can accelerate from rest to 186mph and back again to rest before the 911 Turbo driver has even applied the brakes.
Even if you do settle for a standard Turbo, youll have got yourself a car thats faster in its basic form than many of the race-prepared 911RS models that provided the inspiration for the GT2. Which of course was the purpose of developing them in the first place: to enable the creation of a sports car that anyone could enjoy - to the ultimate. Which is why future 911s will also benefit from the GT2's advanced six-speed manual gearbox, lifted directly from the original turbocharged competition GT2 Carrera, a car with over one million miles of racing development to its credit. Add this to stiffer suspension, competition spring rates and dampers and you've a machine capable of phenomenal cross-country speeds.
The Porsche 911 GT2 isnt going to be for everyone. Many owners keep theirs for less than a year before trading down to something with a little more compromised. If, on the other hand, youre up for a challenge and have the requisite skill level and funds, go right ahead. When you get things right in a GT2, theres not a great deal thats more rewarding.
Bear in mind that if you do get things wrong, youre probably going to be travelling at an unholy lick. One for the brave only.
