10 years on… should you buy a Porsche 991.1 GT3? Ft. engine replacements & warranty!

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The Porsche 991.1 GT3 has been on quite a journey in the first ten years of its life: first they had catastrophic engine failures which lead to a worldwide recall and replacement engines, then there was a heavy overs market, and a decade on, they are still worth the same money as new.
But with their 10-year Porsche manufacturer warranty coming to an end, should you buy a GT3? In this video we cover the troublesome E-series engine, plus how Porsche improved the car with the F-series and G-series replacement engines. There's plenty of on-board footage as we take you on a test drive so you can hear the amazing sound and see for yourself how brilliant these GT3s are to drive.
With thanks to Lakeside Classics for the loan of their stunning 991.1 GT3 for our video. A real pleasure to drive.
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[@cp4512]

I think the 991.2 GT3 with a manual gearbox will be the one to own and enjoy and also make some money with.

[@sillybilly7467]

agreed

[@VK6AB-]

@@sillybilly7467 The touring yes, the winged version no. The 991.2 GT3 RS is a massive improvement over the 991.2 GT3 winged).

[@calebizsol]

There is some serious AI going on inside the PDK that a manual will never be able to match unless you are Lewis Hamilton (and I'm not to sure about that). Drive a 991.1 on the most windiest roads you can find and you will throw the 991.2 manual gear box in trash. No miss shift and that is huge. There is no bigger bummer than being into the groove and blow a shift!!! There was a time that manuals had the edge. There was also a time when Microsoft DOS was the main operating system for computers. It's funny how You Tube reviewers immediately put the PDK in manual mode and start flipping paddles. They failed to understand and the experience the goodness that the PDK in automatic can bring to the table. Heck, I think I've used my PDK twice in manual mode since I've owned it. The 991.1 is a once off. As time passes it will be the one collectors will be after due to its "odd man out" drive train build. I paid $125,000 for my 991 and have been offered 140,000 just recently. This will only increase over time for very low miles. well preserved samples.

[@xruud24]

​@@VK6AB-what's that for bullshit? What's the improvement ? 20hp? Like the usual RS differences over the normal gt3. He's talking about manual, rs is not manual. Gt3 991.2 is legendary. The 991.1 doesn't rev to 9000

[@xruud24]

​@@calebizsolyou just not a true car fan. Manual is way better, if you like automatic you should have gone for the RS. Also, shifting yourself lets U shift at 9000, if you drive automatically the car shifts before 9000. You should know this as owner of this car.

[@pauln0371]

The price of these will undoubtedly come down in the next yr or 2 due to the engine warranties expiring and also the introduction of the new 992.2 GT3. They are already starting in the low £90k range. When a new model is launched it always has a knock on effect with the older recent models. The used retail prices of the current 992 GT3 have already softened from a high of circa £240k to less than £200k with some starting in the mid £180k's. 991.2's can now be had for less than £130k. I expect these to drop to nearer £110k when the new car arrives. These 991.1 models will probably be in the low £80k range. Still bloody strong for a 11-12 year old car though. Just beware of the engine issues. Other than that if you've got the money just buy a 991.2 GT3 and have less sleepless nights.👍

[@paul_sykes]

Great video, Lee. As a 991.1 GT3 owner (in PTS Irish Green I might add), thanks for doing your bit to prop up values 😄

[@kennymcallister2523]

Fantastic video as always lee Suprisingly my dream favourite models of Porsche has been for last 10 yrs the 991.1 gt3 and 991.1 turbo s always a soft spot for the .1 in many a Porsche model

[@jbenjamapha]

With 991.1 GT3 it recommended before reaching the end of warranty period get the cam lobes inspected by the dealer, there will be a cost though but if you lucky and they see cam lobes wear. You will score a new G6 engine 👍🏼

[@FM-kk1uz]

The market today propped you wrong

[@mathewdavies1931]

Brilliant review absolutely love my 991.1 GT3

[@s.godbur3589]

I thinking about purchasing one of these this year. Totally agree with you it is a sweet spot of the GT3 at the price point.

[@stevemanklow7581]

Great vid as usual Lee! One thing to note, Porsche will not (at least in my case) give you any information on the engine replacement.

[@jayringo77]

Interesting video and appreciate the overview. Would love to see a "If I had $XXK, which Porsche would YOU buy?" in today's market. Also interested in your thoughts on the GTS trim.

[@benbustama3430]

Ordered/owned a ‘15 GT3. Kept it for four years. Longest I ever kept a car! Lovely car. Added an aftermarket rear catback slip on which really increased my ownership experience. The only criticism I had was that it was really down on torque. You had to drive it in low gears to really enjoy it! Reminded me of my former Honda S2000 ownership experience…. Traded it in on a new/ordered 991.2 Turbo in 2019. Never looked back. No regrets! Next up - 992 GT2 RS, when it comes out. Love FI Porsches! P-car FTW! Cheers/B

[@paul_sykes]

Mine is under warranty still but I’ve just added a JCR exhaust that retains the OEM valves. Just wondered if Porsche allowed you to continue the warranty with your aftermarket exhaust fitted? Thanks in advance.

[@benbustama3430]

Never had an issue with my non-OEM catback/rear silencer, nor with my dealer. Car was extremely reliable so I never encountered an issue with my dealer. Moreover, merely a catback install will not cause any issues with dealer. Check Moss-Magnussen Act…. Cheers/B

[@jickel180]

@@paul_sykes An aftermarket cat-back exhaust does not affect the finger follower warranty. I'd be a bit more weary if you were running catless headers and an ECU tune, but even then neither of those affect valvetrain oiling - you may catch more grief during the diagnosis period with those modifications however. - Happy 991.1 GT3 owner for over 4 years with a G6 engine.

[@paul_sykes]

@@jickel180 thanks for the response 👍 I’ve also learned recently that if I renew the extended warranty before it expires, I don’t need to have it inspected. 👌 I have an F engine and the car has never been out of warranty… I had it for 3 years now and am still blown away each time I drive it!

[@carreras1856]

uhm, i want that too. Where can i apply for a job?

[@davidcollett1699]

Great video lee. What a car.

[@epson552]

Great video as always 😎👏

[@dmrtagge6274]

Every iteration of gt3 (not considering problematic gen as 991.1 and 997 with coolant hose failures that in defense I can say wasn't wide spreaded issue) is a great buy I'm talking superficialy because on canon the Porsche GT3 image is of a hardcore high performance car for track use with happy revving natural aspirated powerplant + manual + advanced aero + lightweight composed finely tuned chassis.

[@paulm2518]

I've been following the advert for this very car (with genuine interest) which is still for sale and not shifting for 92k over 18 months later... and that 10 year warranty is just about to run out.

[@DarkClosetOfTheMind]

Good video, wish you would have focused more on what went wrong originally, what was fixed, and why we shouldn't worry if we buy one...or should we.

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

With a Porsche engine (any Porsche engine), always worry. They (like most manufacturers) could care less about the robustness of their cars after the warranty ends.

[@DarkClosetOfTheMind]

@@user-qn6yt3zx3w I've owned one model or another for the last 30 years, they are extremely reliable

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

@@DarkClosetOfTheMind I’m $55k into the rebuild of a well maintained 30k mile example. Alusil (and lokasil) cylinders means most post-Mezgher engines will need a rebuild sooner or later. That’s not to say that any other manufacturer is any better - environmental and emission laws have given all modern engines built-in design-faults - needlessly complicated too.

[@joetacchino4470]

@@user-qn6yt3zx3w So the fact that they owned up to the problem and extended the warranty all the way to 10 years doesn't count as caring?

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

@@joetacchino4470 I said 'outside of warranty'. To my knowledge, the GT3 engine failures and subsequent warranty extensions were all within the first year of warranty! And don't be fooled, it's always a business decision, it's not that they care about anything beyond their bottom line and what might impact it.

[@devcondev1424]

anyone selling for more than 140k will never get it sold

[@Redducati1199]

I’ve just picked up a GT4 which blows my socks off, Definitely have a GT3 on my future list.

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

Get a 4.5 conversion (with a shorter set of 2,3,4 ratios) and forget about the GT3… the GT4 is the better car.

[@BubuBarong]

You didn't give the engine issues the hard time they deserve... This is a problem that should not overlooked.

[@marioleyba]

How do you solve the engine issues

[@BubuBarong]

@@marioleyba buying a 991.2, unfortunately there's no definitive solution

[@willhurst]

Bro, he spends minutes of the videos talking about it, solutions, and told the story of how Porsche added a 10 yr/120k mile warranty. Did you watch?

[@BubuBarong]

@@willhurst yes I did, did you?

[@sklyrovka]

big poor person energy

[@neilbailey4313]

Good to see Ur in Shropshire dream car

[@y0057]

I believe, like the 996 with IMS/ Bore scoring issues (which some may still have), they all have issues somewhat. At least water cooled cars. It’s all really subjective what should be bought or what will become sort after. People should just go in eyes opened and choose what fits their requirements. Advice should be applicable to every single watercooled cars, all had one issue or another.

[@a1topdog]

Those 996 engine issues did not affect the mezger engine, so not relevant in a discussion about GT3s

[@TractionOffTV]

To spend a day in that Porsche... Amazing

[@schmuck6]

Great video Lee, but I don't think this was the first time forged pistons and titanium rods were used in the GT3. I think you'll find them lurking in the mezger GT3 engine aswell?

[@joehowman7030]

You are correct sir

[@nadavravid1242]

Correct. Agreed.

[@calebizsol]

I bought a 991.1 (two payments left) in 2017. The few issues I've had with it had nothing to do with the engine. If you find one with the upgraded engine then buy the damn thing.

[@crispingarza5658]

Which engine do you have? E1, F or G?

[@calebizsol]

@@crispingarza5658 The car is in storage and I'm on another continent so I can't check at the moment. What I can tell you is that when I purchased it, Porsche's service computer shows it was on it's third engine. I think the previous owner made sure the latest and greatest was under the hood. With that said, I have been many many miles away from home on weekend drives/getaways and I have never had a hiccup from the engine or any other components on the car. With that said, I did have a few minor problems that was covered under the CPO warranty. Fact is, these are amazing pieces of automotive engineering and art. I sold my vette for a SUV. The GT3 will always be in the hangar. Anyone out there contemplating buying a 991, don't think twice about it. It will be low miles and there are plenty of third party insurance companies that will sell you a warranty.

[@spencerjoyce332]

More vids on the 991.1 gt3 🙏🏻

[@James-fp2np]

I have a 991.1 GT3 and had the engine replaced under warranty and it is a G series engine (code 6), which according to the Porsche engineer fitting it and an independent specialist is effectively the RS engine with a shortened stroke. If you can find a G series engine it is a screamer and well worth the money. I have driven with 992 GT3s and prefer the 991 GT2, just as quick on the road and narrower and better sounding (some good upgrades and it is almost unbeatable).

[@andrewlakes7461]

Likely better than the RS engine as those were made prior to the G6.

[@Franzino]

How can you find out if the car in question has a G (code 6) engine?

[@Indyfinnswim]

great car, 991.2 is better (no engine issues), but the car is great. It looks fantastic as well. Too bad you don't have the full bucket seats

[@thecasualpetrolhead]

Agreed!!

[@Nord_Mann]

The engine issue probably always will be in the back of a potential buyers head, thereby keeping the prices down. I know I would use it against it for getting the price down, IF I were to consider getting the 991.1 GT3 instead of another GT-Porsche. It might come round as the 964’s have done with their initially head gasket free leaking engines, but somehow I doubt it. Porsche really needs to not make such mistakes, but keeping it PAW’d might float them for the coming 5yrs. Anyway, it’s always going to be a 100k sub-991.2GT3 car due to it’s history. Unfortunately 😢

[@carlridley7469]

Why do you throw your hand off the steering wheel when you change gear?

[@davidd5712]

Most of my friends that own these cars beat the living shit out of them and turn them back in to the dealer within a year. So some sucker buys them at a tremendously jacked up price just to find out down the road issues with the engines or other

[@bertraminc9412]

There is serious lasting time with a triple black and yellow carbon ceramics!

[@ZDY66666]

Technically depreciated due to the severe inflation the world's has seen. Prob around $50k difference in inflation adjusted value. Nonetheless that's only $5000 depreciation per year....crazy value holding

[@nehalbechan685]

Favourite car

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Mr Purple for the win!!!!

[@franzhuber7361]

Front bumper looks like a skull 💀. 991.2 GT3 front has so much more stance 💥

[@crispingarza5658]

The 2014 991.1 was also fitted with the E1 series engine that you fail to mention. Not well informed.

[@shorehambeach]

Lee - how much were these in the peak when investors were paying over the odds.

[@hmk911]

Does anybody know the production number of the 991.1 GT3 in the meantime? Certainly lower than the .2

[@mikew9743]

about 6k+ world wide

[@hmk911]

@@mikew9743 I expect a lower number after the recall in 2014 and reduction of the manufacturing slot, but we will only know once the official figure is published.

[@mikew9743]

@@hmk911 it’s not a super rare car that’s for sure, price will likely be pretty stable but downward trending

[@joaoalegrio6433]

145k in Portugal

[@IraniIslami]

The 991.1 has almost constant engine problems. Even the latest g series engines are known for having problems. You might be lucky to own one without such, but I would not recommend anyone buy this car.

[@felipeblanco9260]

G engines and specially the G6 series are bulletproof

[@deezknuts07]

I would be cautious since these engines have problems.

[@mikew9743]

Get a 991.2 manual if you can afford it, otherwise it’s this or GT4 Manual

[@dlj1285]

Porsche ownership is cultish

[@FM-kk1uz]

I have one 2014 original engine and will not change it for any other gt3

[@crispingarza5658]

You have the E0 (Zero) engine? How many miles on it?

[@FM-kk1uz]

@@crispingarza5658 20k miles

[@FM-kk1uz]

@@crispingarza5658 my gt3 has 23k miles

[@mattdedasc]

Great car but too much risk

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

Hahaha in more ways than one - only fun when fully-wrung-out, which of course lands you in jail all too easily!

[@emalior5000]

If its been replaced with the G6 then there's not much risk as the g6 has been installed in GT3s since 2016 with many driven hard on the track and now 7 years later there appears to be zero failures due to the original issue.

[@SeamusMcFitz-jz9if]

Same price but worth less (depreciated) because of inflation. You can buy less now with 100k then you could when launched 10 years ago ;)

[@tantabi2531]

maybe it is time you put out the 991.1 RS review that you never published?

[@9WERKSTV]

Perhaps!

[@Griphook1]

My year 2000 DC2 revs to 9k... just saying 😁

[@A92_]

I prefer his body type over the new 992

[@tagtag-connected5263]

Prices still high

[@Foxtrot1967]

finger follower issue

[@huwd2292]

Nice. But there’s a reason why the 10yr/120k warranty is unlike other manufacturers. It’s because apart from Porsche, other manufacturers tend to design and produce engines with far better quality and have never needed to offer it. Porsche got away with building unreliable engines (you mentioned IMS but also bore scoring) for the 996/7. But how the hell did they expect to sell a car for over £100k with a chocolate engine. There’s a big myth about Porsche quality… (and I have a 997.1 🤞

[@crispingarza5658]

Porsche provided the 10 year warranty to reassure owners of their confidence in the quality of the machine.

[@jamessung797]

Pdk Gt3 is what’s wrong with this car

[@nadavravid1242]

Usually an unquestioning fan of your channel. But I feel like, in this case, the engine issue was completely glossed over, the conclusion being a) totally UK-centric and b) 100% reliant on “the aftermarket” coming up with some sort of “solution” to the engine problems. I’m still not clear, not being UK-based, what the conclusion around the end of warranty situation on 991 is? Felt like an opportunity to drive a 991 GT3, rather than a deep dive into its issues, a decade on.

[@9WERKSTV]

Hi Nadav, the title question was "should you buy a 991.1 GT3" and I definitively concluded 'yes', and gave my reasons why. Engine warranties were referenced as for cars worldwide, so this wasn't a UK-centric video at all. Thanks for watching my videos and for your continued support.

[@winkstorm]

Imagine none of the reviewers were robotically programmed to brag about the 9000 rpm as if it’s some impossible miracle. My motorcycle goes to 14K rpm. So what.

[@snmaae5049]

Who else is 16 with 2000$ to their name watching this video because this Porsche is the “affordable” gt3 😭😭

[@Kpaxlol]

10 years??? Aware

[@VK6AB-]

Never buy a 991.1 GT3 - the finger followers issue is a major flaw. I don't know anyone that has had one of these that hasn't had an engine replacement. Just avoid it. The issue is related to both oiling and finger follower composition/met. In essence, the finger followers don't get the oil they need leading to excessive wear and then failure - leading to engine failure. There is no fix for this other than replacing the engine. The engine was such a problem they developed a completely new engine for the 991.2 series GT3 and GT3 RS. This new engine is completely bullet proof and is carried over into the 992 GT3 and GT3 RS with minor revisions from the engine found in the 991.2 GT3 RS.

[@aliahmed-vm6qo]

The replaced engines are G6 engines, and do not suffer these issues.

[@VK6AB-]

@@aliahmed-vm6qo There are a range of engines that are refurbished and used as replacements - you do not get a new engine under warranty. The fundamental oiling issue still remains. Thats why, for the 991.2 series, Porsche developed a new engine.

[@aliahmed-vm6qo]

@@VK6AB- absolute nonsense, I’m afraid. I am involved in the process. The engines are new, and developed from E and F. G series do not fail due to finger follower issues etc.

[@VK6AB-]

@@aliahmed-vm6qo lol no they’re not - if in warranty they are refurbished engines. Porsche dealers return the failed engines and these are recycled. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Shockingly high failure rate and appalling response from Porsche - Porsche buckled when they were about to get hit by a class action from a group in the US. One of the worst engines Porsche have ever made in terms of failure rate and the G engine has the same oiling problem as the previous E and F versions. Porsche gave up on that engine completely and developed a totally new engine - why because the E F and G variants of the previous engine were a disaster. The long and the short of it was the 991.1 GT3 was a great design with a shit engine, so shit the first 700 or so were replaced due to another issue. Following on for that E engines started grenading as did the F engines - G engines have the same oiling issues as the E and F series. Occam’s razor why did Porsche develop a new engine if the G series engine was so good? Answer they knew it wasn’t a good design and had problems, and thus through charity and the goodness of their heart they designed built and delivered a totally new engine for the 991.2 GT3 - these are facts.

[@akkando]

@@aliahmed-vm6qo G6 engines have some bottom end failures I guess (rare) but none have failed from finger follower issues. I believe the 991.2 gt3 also has had some bottom end failures.

[@Airbag1010674]

The engine literally eats itself. The hydraulic lifters destroy the top-end over time. This is why Porsche completely re-architected the head design to solid lifters in half cycle 991.1 to 991.2. Because it's an intrinsic design flaw that has catastrophic consequences. It's not an "if" it's a "when". The G6 is a band-aid, and will just prolong the failure.

[@MrGB1999]

A religious experience / a Ferrari * 😏

[@jep1912]

That voice tho'... no thanks.

[@kcw9313]

991.1 gt3 hard pass

[@Archived_Rem]

I drive a 992.1 GT3 RS *non weissach* Its a MONSTER. Revs out to 9,000 RPM W/ 7 GEARS. It NEVER wants to STOP accelerating. Foot to floor going, I am already at ~145MPH when I’m leaving 4th gear into 5th gear, with all of 5th, 6th, and 7th to GO.. I’ve driven/been in a lot. Not this. BUT If you respect her, she won’t kill you. I agree, it ONLY wants to FLY. But I’ve been enjoying it being my Daily Driver. Would I pick up a first date in it? No 😂