Chris Harris - Quick Steer | Porsche 911 (996) GT3 RS - The Blue Ones Are Faster!

[@adamwoodford7629]

Seeing a 996 GT3 RS takes me straight back to Topgear with Clarkson's review of this and the 360CS. Good times.

[@the-boring-car-guy]

Just watched it a couple days ago. Class review.

[@TheWhiteCometOfZion]

Man....those were some fantastic days....

[@richboy900]

The GT3 has aged better, the transmission in the 360 CS would feel really old

[@Ellis01234567890]

Core memory unlocked. Gunna have to fing that review now

[@Caplax40]

"A scaled down version of...God!"

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Still dreaming of a show with Harris and Tiff... Please do it.

[@stephen300o6]

Tiff? God no.

[@wassup404]

My two favorite car reviewers

[@4272005]

Maybe VBH?

[@dtprodrive]

Could you image a tiff,Plato & Harris lineup. God tier drivers show

[@dtprodrive]

@@4272005vbh was never as quick as tiff & Plato. Great presenter but just outgunned by the others

[@Nord_Mann]

True story. I owned a prototype to the 996.2 GT3. It was built 11/02 on a C4 chassis and was never meant to be sold but crushed alongside the other 6 0-series cars. The spec sheet read 0-series engine, 0-series transmission and on other 0-series item that I can’t remember right now, but I do have a photo of it. The car was labeled GT3CS on its rump and was in guards red paint which was blasted off from its many laps of the Nordschleife in all the wheel arch corners where you typically see wear on 996s. It had an “RS tune”, a lightweight flywheel, race exhaust and was dynoed to 415whp according to a read out that followed the car. It had not one, not two, but three emergency power cut offs scattered around the car. One red switch in front of the gear lever, one exposed wire in front of the windshield and one underneath the hood on the battery if I recall correctly. Seats were agonizingly unforgiving Nomex clad (fire retardant) Recaro fixed buckets. It also had the lower wishbones Chris mentioned the RS got later. Oh, and of course a racing clutch that gave a proper leg workout. Strangely it also sported a PSE-button, but the valved exhaust had been done away with in favor of the aforementioned race exhaust. Suspension was KW ClubSport. I’ve never, ever driven such an uncompromising and uncomfortable 911. The noise it made under load was absolutely heavenly and would shame any tubi-equipped Ferrari or heavily exhausted Lamborghini. It was a true beast and still resides in Norway. I named the car quite appropriately “Red Alert” and it was an RS on steroids, lacking only the carbon fiber bonnet and the Lexan rear window, Chris forgot to mention in the video. RS cars have plastic rear windows.

[@drummerdoingstuff5020]

How do you buy or sell something that’s supposed to be destroyed? Better yet how do you destroy one of these bad boys?!

[@invASIAN95]

Amazing, please do tell how it was acquired though, I assume porsche sells these to breakers to be scrapped/crushed but once in ownership of the breakers they don't always go down that route so to speak

[@Porkycheun]

@@drummerdoingstuff5020I did see a prototype Clio V6 for sale not too long ago on a very popular French website. It was half the price of typical Clio V6 but the flip side was it was only allowed to be driven on a closed course… Maybe it would be doable to homologate it for road use, but would make it financially uninteresting I suspect… I had the money available to buy it (very tempting) but had other projects… Such is life I guess? 😢

[@sherparoyale]

Woah. How do these things hold/gain value over time? Feels like one-of-a-kind has to be special for the archives/museums.

[@cylentone]

The CS badge is usually a GT3 with Club Sport package, if built 11/02 then it was already MK2 delivered as of 2003. O series at Porsche are the last pre-production models that are tested. Usually, none survive either because of crash testing, actual crashes, technical malfunctions or they are destroyed. Some actually made their way into dealerships for exhibition but were not supposed to be sold. It is also possible that someone raced yours, or a Porsche professional driver was able to keep and mod it. Normally, the first registration should be to Porsche AG in the papers.

[@playwithcars]

996 Appreciation Society!

[@CovKid2K10]

U lot are weird. The 996 will always be the ugly duckling. 997 was peak 911

[@1967Stotty]

996’s are massively under rated full stop. Even a boggo mk1 C2 with 300bhp is fabulous to drive… light, fantastic steering, not too fast that you can’t drive them hard on public roads… and civilised enough to do big miles in.

[@mr.revmatch]

They are the bargains! The normal Carrera not the rs at +150k haha

[@R03333]

Those headlights though 🤮 has to be 997 onwards for me.

[@PrimeMatt]

100%

[@TheWindingRoadClub]

@@R03333997 looks worse, unbelievably boring

[@Will_Lenz]

@@R03333can’t see the headlights from the driver seat!

[@ShedLifeUK]

I was never a Porsche fan as a kid having loved Ferraris and remember the 996 series come out, but in the last 5/6 years I have slowly come around to Porsche, particularly appreciating all the generations of GT3s. Recently, I went to test drive a 996.2 GT3 at a price which I thought was too good to be true. Needless to say, I broke the guy's arm off buying it off him. It is straight from a past era of raw, drivers cars. I literally wobbled the steering wheel from left to right and was sold on the feel alone. Having read all the other comments on here from previous owners trading for 997 GT3s and the owner I bought off also mentioning he's had later generations and still said this was better, it's making me feel I've got one hell of a car.

[@DPCcars]

Absolutely mesmerizing to see how the 996 GT3 RS not only stands the test of time but ignites such a unified passion among us enthusiasts! 🤩

[@PhilipFranklin-j7o]

I used to be a scaffolder........love the interior !

[@markjohnson8352]

I used to be a chef ........ love the fried egg headlights !

[@PhilipFranklin-j7o]

@@markjohnson8352 😂👍🏼👏🏼

[@assininecomment1630]

I used to supervise small kids playing with plastic moulds, at day-care.... I love the dashboard materials. 😄

[@ChuckBeefOG]

I’m a boxer so I love the engine design.

[@Grasshopper1888]

My introduction to this car was one turning up to a track day at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Scotland about 18 years ago (in this exact spec), destroying everything on track - including the stuff that turned up on trailers - then monster past us on the motorway on our route home. Stunning.

[@jarrodnaidoo]

I was about 20 years old when they launched this car. I bought all the car magazines that had this car on the covers. I was so excited. Ive loved porsches since i was a kid. The 996 gt3rs still holds a special memory. What a glorious machine.

[@geoffclarke3796]

Love these cars. I owned a modded 996.1 GT3 for many years with a few minor mods including a Manthey K400 upgrade and it great fun on track. Have driven a 997.1 GT3 but didn't find the steering as good and the gearshift was heavy and baulky. My dream Porsche is a 996GT3/GT3RS with the 4 litre engine from the 997.2GT3RS.

[@thegrandpumbaa]

Was lucky enough to have a 996.1, 996.2 GT3 and a 996 GT3RS. The RS was a way better car. Easy to drive on the road, more of an event. Loved it. My red one was quicker than the blue ones! As for power, went to a Dyno day with all the other Titanic chaps, mine put out 385hp - lowest of the group - drove to the 2004 Le Mans and used the car “properly” . Went to a dyno same gang after the trip to France. Theirs all put out the same HP. Mine now put out around 420 - it was a long time ago - moral is, they need a good thrash! Will have another one at some point. My favourite car ever.

[@marky9117]

Only fools don’t “get” the 996. Even haters admit they’re decent after they drive one. Jethro owns one, Harris loves them and even Clarkson the biggest 911 basher out there was in awe of the 996.2 RS and “normal” GT3 if you watch the old Topgear vids. I’ve had a 996.1 C2 with refreshed everything and it was lovely. 90% of a GT3 for 25% of the price. I’ve also had 996.1 GT3 CS. Gorgeous. And now a 996.2 GT3. I sometimes think of swapping for a 997 GT3 as they are a better road car for my Euro trips, but I just couldn’t do it. The 996 is perfect dynamically and dimensionally for our roads. If I ever can I’ll move up to a 996 RS but I think I’ll be lucky to manage to.

[@sidewayssam]

You had the connoisseurs choice then! with lsd and m030, the best value 996,twin gear ims shaft, cable throttle, no psm....superb

[@Nord_Mann]

996GT3RS isn’t what you want for your euro road trips. Keep your car👌🏻 Read my post above

[@marky9117]

@@Nord_Mann Yes good post. 👍🏻 And yes if I ever upgraded to the RS I’d have to do my trips in something else. Which kind of defeats the object of why I have a 911 for summer use. 😄

[@jackd8336]

Always good to start the week with watching a review done by Chris H and team!

[@ukwan]

Ahh yes the 996... I had a 996.1 Carrera aerokit. Looked just like a GT3.. oh how silly I was to sell that.

[@martinsuareznunez2620]

I also had it , i got scammed in a bussiness….

[@JiPappaJi]

DID anyone NOTICE? The way Chris handles the car? look at the start of the video, how he touches, holds, closes, not touches the door-the frameless glasses. Oh man, he is a man who loves and cares for the car he is with! HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS MAN??

[@gunterlauch2264]

But he did close the door via the glass? (Not that I care)

[@ThePopolou]

Great plate for the Mezger-engined car. Nice touch.

[@craigbest8644]

Like a fine wine it gets better with age.

[@steverance1874]

The 996 RS was produced to homologate revisions for the 996 RSR in AMLemans. In was certainly not a sticker exercise. Among many other changes from the Clubsport, the suspension pick up points were revised to reduce bump steer. These were carried over to the 997 GT3. The upgrades to the car were so expensive to produce that it remains the only 911 that cost more to produce than the sale price of the car.

[@keithrichards-io5db]

I had 2 different 996 turbos with the x50 (bigger turbos) pkg. people dished the 996 era but if you get one of the “special” 996 cars like the gt3, club sport, RS, or x50 turbo- they were all so good. Manual, hand brake, analog dials and small body All true drivers cars

[@harlanpepper]

Even the non-X50 996 Turbo I'd add to that pile. Fantastic engines and drivetrains for all the Mezger-based 911s.

[@keithrichards-io5db]

@@harlanpepper totally agree Reason I liked the x50 -it added the bigger turbos which made it easier to “tune” up 100 HP with a flash and better exhaust-they weren’t a necessity

[@mark4lev]

@@keithrichards-io5dbI reckon the non x50 996 turbo was snappier especially when mapped. These cars were low £20 grand in 2010. Absolute bargain.

[@philrob110]

Great video and great to see the 996RS getting some appreciation. A note on the differences: The 996RS, along with the 996.1 GT3, was the closest the road car got to the race car. The 996RS was made so that Porsche could adapt the existing 996.1/.2 suspension geometry to improve tyre wear. The 996.1 & 996.2 GT3 had the same control arm pickup points on the wheel carriers as the road going 996 - there were some differences in bearing sizes used, but the pickup points were the same. Lowering the car to the "race car" height meant the inclination of the control arms & tie rod ends pointed upwards - this caused the bumpsteer problem. The race cars got around this to a degree by using exceptionally stiff springs that restricted droop, but just go watch onboards of the 996.1 GT3RS (Race Car RS) and you'll see what I mean. 996RS(R) & 997.1RS is much "calmer" to pilot over rough terrain. The rear wheel carrier was adjusted too for toe arm angle and the angle of the lower control arm mounting was twisted so that it matched the angle on the rear subframes. The rear subframes are milled further than stock 996.2 GT3 too & the angle upon which the camber adjust eccentric operates is different. It also had some stickers.

[@ziginox]

There's something just right about seeing Chris in a GT3 RS. I remember watching him back on Drive and his own channel sliding the 991 GT3 RS around years ago...

[@MrORLY]

When I was in high school, a family friend had a string of nice cars. It all started when he got rid of his E34 535i Sport Auto, to put towards an E34 3.8 6 Speed M5. He also paired that with an ex Frank Sytner owned E39 B10 V8. Then after a while he picked up an S1 E Type, then a 993 Turbo (which was buttons back then), a 996 Turbo Cab X50 and finally, one of these. In the weeks leading up to the summer, my Dad was picking me up on a Friday in increasingly outrageous motor vehicles, but I'll never forget the day I came out of the school gates to see the White and Red GT3 RS. What a special car. Somewhat hilariously, the 993, 996 Cab AND the GT3 RS all got chopped in after the summer against an 355 F1 Cab, which in hindsight must be one of the worst deals of the past 20 years?

[@DavidTYork]

I have never driven the RS but I chopped in my 996.2 GT3 for a 997.2 RS. With the benefit of hindsight it was a mistake. The 997 was objectively a better car, but, subjectively the 996 was superb, even though I did manage to spin it a couple of times 😅

[@Inazuma68]

I only have the 996.2 GT3. But an entertaining car to drive. Just yesterday I was out for a quick round. Love that thing. Of course you need the RS wing just for the looks 🤷‍♂️

[@cutoverpark9596]

Do you have an idea of what this car would be worth,is it an early 2000’s car….??

[@camrsr5463]

the GT3s without the rear fender intake are the best looking.

[@RzogL]

This with clear 996.1 headlights would be my dream 911.

[@12345rpm]

Mine too!

[@Orchy500]

I bet anyone local recognised that road in the opening 2 seconds. Good drive that.

[@herefliesadam]

Yes indeed, good to see those roads getting some airtime.

[@smaranello]

Next to a 997 RS 4.0 the best car I've ever driven! Absolutely love it!

[@mattmclean6409]

Love these. I remember reading about them in Autocar and becoming obsessed with them.

[@chrisandshazza01]

Silence!!!! Someone Knighthood this man!!!!! Sir Harris, worlds #1 journo hoonigan 🤘🤘

[@finleypdoherty]

Nice numberplate, for the Mezger engine.

[@delatroy]

Chris is the best pundit imo 🙏

[@stuartdouglass01]

Cobra head gear shift 😂 smith n sniff would be proud

[@ThisiscoolGAMES]

996 still my favorite gen 🔥

[@QuantumBlu9x]

Love 996❤

[@kevindoyle5402]

Car reviews with Chris Harris,can't make enough of them for me.Chris is as good as it gets!!

[@DougSlmon]

❤ my bad it says five months ago I understand take care. Have a good day and keep up with the Porsche videos. I like what you do with them.

[@sutats]

This Smurf edition is the best edition.

[@WeirdNeville]

Shortly after these were released I was in Pimlico late one evening and saw a 20 year old Chinese lad sat on the wing of one of these. I struck up a conversation and he was a student in London and his father had bought him the car. I said how lucky he was, and he replied 'yes, but my father expects a lot from me in return'. With such an air of sadness and weight on his shoulders. It was even a blue one. Amazing cars then and now.

[@amardhillon317]

Love this shape and Colour combo on the GT3RS ! - Stunning

[@tylercobb6146]

The RS also had custom front spindles with revised mounting points to facilitate good geometry when lowered. IIRC that's where a lot of the cost went.

[@kevingolden5675]

These and the gt3 997 are really well priced at the moment. Only going up I think.

[@Gmoneyluv4u]

Beautiful 'old' example of the GT3 although I wasn't fond of the front lights! The favorite is the 94-96 models with the duck bill wing ..... yaaaaassss

[@andrewb325]

I really appreciate this review. The comment about the steering really resonates.

[@_que]

Some track driving of this 996.2GT3RS would have been epic with CH behind the wheel. But I get it, it's for sale.

[@ortontom]

Driven that car, its very nice ! only 1/3 are blue..

[@edwardpryce2596]

I own a 996 C4S . It still looks great , goes faster into and out of corners than a gokart , and the girls love me taking them out in it .❤😂

[@oakleygt]

Since 2008 this has been my dream/lottery car from when I saw them at the Nurburgring. But at the moment I will have to settle for my 40 ish GT3rs models 😢.

[@Euphorica]

996s have always beem fantastic

[@jamesburrell8782]

I bought I believe the first blue one in UK when they weren’t particularly popular. I kept it for 5 years and did 30,000 miles - fantastic fun with other GT3 owners in Titanic club. I should never have sold it.

[@bleachyberserko4191]

I want to see that group test!

[@juhakivekas2175]

The 996 has the best steering of all 911 generations, aircooled included. In time the 996 GT3 RS will be the ONE to collect. Wasn't he "father" of 996 GT3 RS actually Roland Kussmaul. I think he is the one who specified it and then Preuninger suggested it to the board?

[@nathandepasquale9571]

Probably the best car I have ever driven in my life. Agree with the blue wheels 😂

[@tabryis]

Finally something within the recent era

[@JohnButler-iq8rl]

What a car beautiful analogue and soooo desirable 😊.

[@bondy284]

Another Chris Harris video.......YES !!!!!👍🇦🇺

[@Samfamson]

Happy to see Chris reviewing actual cars anyday of the week be a fan spice EVO MAG But the truth is these cars which are all available up for auction Chris has become car salesman who’s taking us the potential customer for a test drive …. Hopefully we’ll get actual car reviews, back to Chris Harris Drive days please … Thx again Chris

[@gtclubuk]

Incredible car, I'd love one eventually!

[@peteadams7916]

Liking these videos... a lot! Well done team

[@aggie3344]

996 and 997 the best gt3’s

[@caymanblack9567]

One of the best cars I have owned.

[@NickTube2012]

Different front wheel carrier similar to the cup car that helped manage bump steer better especially on lowered cars

[@walidelotmani7408]

Chris please remove your hand from the window glass it hurts my feelings

[@993GT3]

Was lucky enough to have one of the standard 996 GT3's in cobalt blue. Epic car, but the engine sounds broken when you're not revving the shit out of it (not a negative btw).

[@pauln0371]

Definitely the best colour way👍👍👍

[@davidmarshall6409]

I remember seeing a nearly new one of these after the owner had a big off at Castle Combe. It slid into the tyre wall at some speed and the entire drivers side was caved in. 🙁

[@loslogo]

Not closing the frameless windows with the window 😮

[@chrismuc4023]

Blue wheels faster then red ones! 😂👍

[@Mr_Sentoo]

I wish it was longer 😢

[@Mike-1000]

Indeed, but these videos are really just for sales promotions.

[@scotti_wan_kenobi]

@Mr_Sentoo That's what she said....

[@WayApp]

Buckle up for some serious speed and excitement!

[@stevewhite9653]

My favourite RS.... if only.

[@RobWeb_1]

Timeless car

[@mochabear88]

ty

[@Rockit181]

Same steering as my 986 S with GT3 control arms and coilovers lol

[@Speedygonezarles]

When you're next up in Shaftesbury, Chris pop in to Wren Classics for a cuppa. we have a great selection or cars / projects on

[@normsallitt2753]

"Manuel" Lol!! 👍

[@davidebernardi3256]

Whats this a reference to?

[@normsallitt2753]

@davidebernardi3256 strangely, the climate control system screen says Manuel instead Manual on all versions of the 996. I had it on my 2003 Turbo.

[@Pholous]

@@normsallitt2753 Is it maybe "Manuell"? Which is "Manual" in German.

[@Marvelous0071]

You know what this is what will inspire me to mod my 370Z close to this spec, I would like to have a Porsche but German maintenance isn't what it's cracked up to be.

[@2HYPE4U_OG]

Let’s face it, those headlights KILLED the 996. Not saying the car isn’t magnificent because it definitely is, but something as simple as headlights can make or break you. Of course there are people who love the look, but it’s safe to say the majority do not approve and the prices are a reflection of that.

[@cw205mi16]

Yep. 993 964 etc still look amazing. Enough time and newer gen 911s have passed for the 996s looks to have come around...but still not doing it for me.

[@nezabytes]

Only for you older people. Us milenials and gen z love them!

[@SPDTDL]

I ended up with the press car, although Porsche UK put a new clutch in for me FOC. Hated the car and ended up part-xing it for a BMW M5. 😮

[@automaniac5458]

A great coincidence that the 996 has a plate number with the name of another Posha, the 959. This cars just makes you think of it's relatives in the Porshe family tree

[@cylentone]

Fun fact - when the 996 GT3 RS was presented to the Porsche Board before launch, a version with purple wheels and decals was suggested. I won't repeat what the feedback was, but as we see, it was a clear "no'.

[@ghostriderpa31]

996 📈📈📈📈📈

[@davem1664]

When will more merchandise be available on the store?

[@BTguy]

The car market has such incredible ups and downs. When discussing the 996 as recently as 2017, a group of automotive journalists were discussing which models over the last 40 years to buy/avoid. All agreed that used Porsche models from 1999-2005 were to be avoided at all costs due to poor reliability, oil seal issues, IMS bearing failure, etc. On autotrader in 2017, there were over 100 in the state of Florida alone for sale for less than $20,000. Porsche design chief Harm Lagaay has even admitted the car should be avoided in favor of other model years. Now suddenly they are being celebrated? I don’t get it.

[@EvoraGT430]

They were clueless to not know that the GT/Turbos had a different engine.

[@omgitsabloodyandroid5161]

Mine has blue wheels too MT-09 -SP

[@jacksonbarinowski3966]

Not hating, but I would SO take this over a 992.

[@janojanuary]

Blue one is the best one

[@alexandercowin4921]

chris not taking the up zig zag hill, wouldve been fun in that thing

[@stevefox6753]

Well they are £179,000 on Autotrader so 'the best value' statement might be stretching it a little...

[@drexel5146]

Will they bring OJ back for the new Naked Gun?

[@mr.revmatch]

996rs is more expensive than 997rs except for the 4.0, so I dont see why this is the bargain RS at the moment. I have a 997.1rs and a friend has the 996rs its just as fast in the straight line! Its a different animal, smaller but more special. Every RS is something special, not on paper but once you drive it you feel the difference!

[@marcusp905]

Oi this is my road 🤯🤯🤯 zig zag hill ?

[@herefliesadam]

Yep

[@stephenauty2402]

The RS used the C4 body shell unlike the GT3 (i think)!

[@993GT]

the suspension uprights are unique to the RS

[@frankwolf-d5s]

It’s always bloody raining there. It can’t get any more English than that.

[@quackyduck1499]

Still a very expensive car. Well when you compare it to a 996 GT3 Clubsport which for mine is the true bargain and the pick of the crop for the money. You have to love the narrow body, perfect balance.

[@chrisb5986]

Chris Harris is fully detached from reality. These are neither cheap nor available anywhere for sale.

[@scotti_wan_kenobi]

Cheap compared to other, more desirable, Porsche models. And, available soon on Collecting Cars. 👍

[@phil4193]

Uff. The headlights are a deal breaker for me.

[@nezabytes]

I love them!

[@bluedog2367]

Would have one over a 992 or 991. 997 or 996, that’s a harder choice.