Porsche 996 v 997 GT2: which lightweight, RWD 911 Turbo is best?

[@Royalflushness]

996 Turbo / GT2 aged like fine wine.

[@benprouty2446]

996 GT2 for me! (as a biased owner of one) 😉 Nice video 👏

[@porsche911fan2]

The 997 GT2 was always my dream car

[@TheDjcarlos67]

I saw a 996 GT2 at a Porsche Club meet last month. Even among all the super desirable cars, it stood out to me. Absolute perfection in my eyes 👀

[@elllloz]

996 is the one! Amazing how it's aged so well.

[@BABY3438]

I do like the 996

[@juvanblunt1028]

996 GT2’s (and X50 package turbos) had the same oil pump with additional scavenge stage that the GT3 had, as well as larger K24 turbochargers and upgraded intercoolers.

[@andyrobinson1237]

Great video. 996 looks absolutely awesome.

[@cjpriustt]

The 996 has a sleeker and more fluid look. It’ll age well into the future. The 997 with the retro big round lights always looked like a beetle to me, cartoonish, not racy. The 996 GT2 bumper has more aggressive corners and cutouts, more motorsports like.

[@judemurphy3356]

That 997 is a dream machine.

[@GuardsRed996]

996 all the way, I just love these cars, the way they drive, they look, they feel 😍

[@ghostriderpa31]

Any good well looked after 996 📈

[@nostopping]

I think it depends on what you're looking for. They're both fantastic, and have their use cases. 997: Something you drive every day, it is the perfect "One car solution" choice. The ride is not harsh, it does not feel oldschool (thx to vtg turbos). 996: Purely a weekend car. The ride is harsher, the turbo lag is brutal, and the car feels smaller. It's something you drive when you want to feel alive.

[@carlos13rivera]

Why does the 996 look meaner and cleaner. The headlights are actually aging well on the 996!

[@cjpriustt]

The 996 turbo lights look more unique and rakish, and integrates well with the angular GT2 bumper. The 997 retro round lights are a bit too big and round, and just like the cartoonish new VW beetle. The cross bar in the 997 bumper grill opening is distracting and takes away the Motorsport look.

[@wesleycarusos8225]

I have an 02 996 with the GT3 / Aero kit. I swear with the lights it looks better to me than almost any other Porsche I am however very biased

[@WadeinWhiskey]

This has always been my opinion and I have always been told I’m crazy.

[@seshelbow336]

Many people don’t realise there’s 2 different style 996 head lights. The later style with the GT2 front bumper have aged very well, and even the early style are looking better as time passes.

[@UfukDirim]

Thanks for the nice and informative video as always. Both are fantastic cars. The 997 GT2 is probably more appealing because, it is newer and more practical but the rawness of the 996 GT2 as a fully analogue toy is also unique and appealing (I have a Club Sport one). The performance difference is probably academic under most conditions (except heavy rain). The 996 can easily become a 200+ mph car with simple ECU tuning. Also, the rear-play under acceleration can easily be eliminated by swapping the rubber bushings with more rigid ones. Still, one would better keep the wheels straight before flooring the pedal to the metal. 😂

[@9WERKSTV]

Love this! Thanks for commenting and offering some advice as an owner, this is great to see. That's a very special car you have.

[@rennstreetpodcast]

If you own the yellow one, I met you at the Nurburgring in Sept. of ‘22! Loved your car, it’s gorgeous!! I have a 996TT that’s a GT2 clone, absolutely love it and it’s a blast to track!! Under the knife right now getting a full rebuild out to 3.8 liter! -Scott

[@jasonforrester6522]

I put Cup toe links on my GT2 and it completely tied the back end down. Best investment I made on the car. 996 GT2 for 12 years now and I love it even more. Awesome to look at and just such an adrenaline pump to drive.

[@bananjan2]

Love your enthusiasm for these cars, and I totally agree - the 997 is a more refined package. But I still love the attitude and presence of the 996 :) BTW the power bump, new wheels and other minor adjustments were first applied for the model year 2004. Greetings from another 996 GT2 owner :)

[@rennstreetpodcast]

In Europe, they got them a year sooner than here in the US. Infact, they made the 993 and the 996 concurrently in ‘98 as they made the 996 for ROW and The 993 was still being manufactured for the North American market. They got the 996 Turbo in ‘00, us in ‘01 etc.

[@bananjan2]

​@@rennstreetpodcast GT2 update still was for model year 2004 both US and Europe even though some was delivered 2003 :)

[@kale4925]

996 actually looks materially better than the 997

[@TobyD]

Love this video Lee - great compare! I’d take either. Very special cars 👍

[@9WERKSTV]

Cheers Toby! Agreed, both are very special, yet still very much under the radar in a way, compared to GT3s.

[@hmk911]

Small amendment on the 997: approx 1000 were built in years 2008 and 2009 with PCM2. Then actually there was a model year 2010 where still approx 240 were built with the PCM3, right before the 500 RS as model year 2011.

[@Ty10444]

The GT2 is a beast. With the current 911 depreciation trend, would these cars still be a good investment?

[@seshelbow336]

The majority of depreciation is in the newer cars. 996 GT2 were 40k (for a high miler bottom of market car) 11 years ago. They’ve hit their bottom a long time ago, and are far rarer than most recent halo models.

[@MW-uy3np]

I need to get a 996 gt2 before they become $500,000

[@seshelbow336]

When I bought my turbo about 11 years ago the bottom of the GT2 market was about 40k. Seemed expensive when turbo manuals started at about 20k.

[@exc911ence_channel]

One of those rare cases where the 996 is vastly cooler than the 997 equivalent.

[@sklyrovka]

996 GT3 RS still cooler than the 997 RS. Base GT3 I can give to the 997.2.

[@hmk911]

I do disagree strongly. 996 is still the only generation that I‘ll never consider owning.

[@exc911ence_channel]

You're missing out.

[@WillChestnutt]

@@exc911ence_channelAgreed, it’s such a raw and dramatic car.

[@sklyrovka]

​@@hmk911964/993 both drive worse than a 996. The only reason to own an aircooled is that you don't actually like to drive the car, just talk about it

[@rennstreetpodcast]

Great Video Lee, I really enjoyed it! As a 996TT-GT2 tribute owner, I’m just so in love with these cars! I wished Porsche would have raced the GT2 category with the 996’s like they did their namesake 993 GT2’s. Unfortunately rules changes made it impossible to be competitive at the time in 996 GT2.

[@G3LDY]

just came across your videos and like them man keep up the good work

[@mattdedasc]

Wow. Great video, Lee. 2 of my favourite 911

[@9WERKSTV]

Thanks Matt!

[@user-ij6xs4ut7j]

I have to say it, the 996 looks better!

[@Askgeez]

997 GT2 is still incredible value given the production numbers …

[@christophzitka7610]

Warte ein wenig ab: in 5 - 8 Jahren sieht es anders aus! Wie viele unfallfreie, im Erstlack befindliche 996 GT 2 mit einer geringen Laufleistung gibt es noch? Sicher deutlich weniger als Carrera GTs, Ferrari F 40 oder 997 GT 2 RS? Die Tastache, dass der 996 GT 2 sehr billig war, führt dazu, dass es spaeter so gut wie keine guten Autos mehr gibt...

[@xaviv6840]

Man that 996 GT2 is such a sexy car. I can't bear it anymore.

[@996Revival]

Great video! Both awesome cars.

[@deltaomega1539]

Hallo Zusammen, toller vergleich beider GT2. Ich habe beide Autos gehabt, den 996 GT2 behalten.Warum? Weil es das puristischere Auto ist und mehr Fahrspass bietet. Mit kleinen Modifikation der ECU in Kombination mit einer Inconel 625 Exhaust System ist man auch heute sehr schnell unterwegs. Aber man muss mit einem 996 GT2 immer voll dabei sein. Es gibt keine Elektrische Hilfe, das Fahrwerk sollte bestens auf den Fahrstil eingestellt sein. Und zum Schluss, nie den Respekt vor dieser Waffe verlieren…..Dieser 996 GT2 ist unvergleichlich.Grüsse aus der Schweiz

[@9WERKSTV]

Thank you for your comment! I hope you continue to enjoy the 996.

[@WadeinWhiskey]

I’ve always been a big fan of the 996 and always been the minority in that opinion. It’s interesting to see everybody come around to the 996

[@seshelbow336]

I always thought they were ugly. Now I thing the 996 GT2 is possibly the prettiest water cooled Porsche of all time.

[@WadeinWhiskey]

I’ve had a 996 turbo aero for 10 years now and I still love it.

[@seshelbow336]

@@WadeinWhiskey I bought one back in 2011. My wife was pregnant and I’d just finished a good job. Needed to replace a Honda S2000. Never been a huge Porsche fan, but wanted something “special” that 3 of us could go out in together. Didn’t have the balls for a TVR Cerbera, so my shortlist at the time was 996 Turbo, 997 Carrera, R34 GT-R (these could easily be had for 20k at the time in UK, but just didn’t seem special enough.) or an E46 M3 CSL (starting at 25k at the time, but again didn’t seem special enough). So I chose the 996 Turbo, ended up paying 23.5k for a 82k mile 2002 Black/Black with GT2 kit. 7 years later sold it for a slight profit at 30k…..at that time R34 were 100k minimum and CSL were starting at 60k ish. At least I didnt get the 997 which would have at best held it’s value. When I bought the 996 I thought it was ugly, like every other 911 looked better, but it was a 911 Turbo, and if it wasn’t ugly I wouldn’t be able to afford it. By the time I sold it it’s looks had grown on me a bit. I liked the GT2 but thought all other 996 looked a bit rubbish. Now 5 years after I sold it I think the 996 GT2 is one of the prettiest 911 of all time. When I had my “lookalike” my desktop photo was a 997 GT2. At the time I thought it looked incredible and my 996 looked a bit rubbish. Now I think the 996 GT2 has aged so much more gracefully, and am even starting to like the narrow body NA GT3/Aero cars.

[@dardog7734]

I much prefer the outside of the 996 but the inside is hard to love and when I had one the seats just weren’t wide enough and I’m tall but slim so I’d go for the 997

[@UfukDirim]

Club sport interior is the answer. 😁

[@seshelbow336]

I had a 996 turbo with sports seats, 6ft 1 and 25 stone at the time, and I found the 996 more comfy over a long drive than my Range Rover L322.

[@felixolopade1781]

Nice compare…Many thanks. Prices are crazy though 😅

[@benprouty2446]

Yes, crazy cheap when there are under 1,000 left of each and Carrera GTs go for 10x the amount (and they made more)

[@MrRoyck10]

Beggars can’t be choosers, I will have any GT2 be it 997 or 996, they are brilliant cars.

[@_marcus_does_]

Such a great car. 😊

[@NZotyoka81]

I would have both because I couldn’t make a choice.

[@9WERKSTV]

Agreed! I think, if you have the cash, there's room for both of these in a garage/collection. Both equally special and drive differently enough to justify the man maths…

[@knutjenssen8002]

According to AP the 997gt2 is not from weissach at all. I had one a few years ago , a proper car and it really goes. But you can tell that is is a parts bin developed model.

[@KenJB-c3m]

Very well done video! I'm a huge Porsche fan and own 2 but I just don't understand these low production cars. Only a few hundred were sold in the USA. Very nice to dream about and be entertained by some KZbinr... I get that part. In reality, the few remaining vehicles with this spec are sitting in someone's garage, rarely driven, not used for their intended purpose, and worst of all have overinflated valuations because of their rarity. They cannot be purchased by people who know how to drive (not me) them. These types of videos are akin to watching fictitious fantasy TV shows. They are created for entertainment and to inflate the value of an already overpriced vehicle.

[@rennstreetpodcast]

I’m going to respectfully disagree. I have friends with both. You got the part about not driving them too often correct. But that’s because they have collections. So they do drive them, but the driving is spread over their collection. Allowing them to enjoy their cars but not accruing a ton of miles. But I don’t believe them to be overpriced one bit. If anything, maybe underpriced. I’ve driven both and they’re fantastic cars!! Get yourself a higher mileage one so ur not afraid to put miles on it and enjoy it in the twisty’s, out on the track and even in your garage 😁 Also, u can basically drive it for free, because it wont depreciate!

[@motorclaimguru]

Great review, my turbo is a bit spicey with a little bit more power and will light them up in third, does make your arse pucker up. I would be interested to hear what you think of comparing a turbo to a gt2, See if it is the same as my view. Only area I could say there was a discernable difference was on high speed turn in, and the brakes being better.( I have pss10's on mine). Other than that, very similar in feel

[@seshelbow336]

If you want more of an idea on the feel of a GT2 you can remove the prop shaft and front shafts….fit some dummy cv ends to stop the front bearings falling apart……and you will get the RWD experience. Totally reversible, and the PSM will still work too.

[@motorclaimguru]

@@seshelbow336 There is negligible difference in steering feel, a lot more lively at the arse end, the PSM throws wobblies when you do it and you cannot disconnect it. The GT2 is programmed differently on the PSM, so it is more playful. But there is hardly any difference when you drive the back to back.

[@seshelbow336]

@@motorclaimguru I was under the impression the 996 GT2 had zero PSM. And if the GT2 steering feel isn’t simply a case of removing the front diff and shafts, whatever parts are different could easily be fitted to a Turbo for the exact same feel.

[@Clarkeisawesome]

Anyone know what the curb weights of these two cars is?

[@socalmotorheads2562]

997 GT2 is the one!

[@JBOsurf]

How many days a year is it NOT raining in the UK? 3? 5? It must be miserable living there. At least Porsches are cheap.

[@9WERKSTV]

Hahahaha, this really tickled me. We have a summer, usually around the second week in June.

[@JBOsurf]

@9WERKSTV come to Australia and I'll take you for a porsche run in the adelaide hills. You'll be amazed. Anytime from January to May. Any year. Great weather!

[@realstradman]

@@JBOsurf Yeah so you can really enjoy all the perfomance of the GT2 in 90 km/h average speed camera infested Adelaide hills....😂😂🙈🙈

[@JBOsurf]

@@realstradman you just need to know where and when to go…

[@realstradman]

@@JBOsurf Nah. I'll just skip Oz with its holier than though attitude and zero tolerance to anything speed related. A lot better places around the world that use and have a more common sense approach with reasonableness to speed and its enforcement.

[@xliu37]

VTG reduces turbo efficiency

[@harlanpepper]

The 996 GT2 just needs the Porsche Classic PCCM+ stereo upgrade and it's the perfect car. I drove a 996 Turbo for years and it was a pain to listen to tapes.

[@cjpriustt]

The turbo has a CD changer option. Besides, listen to a good aftermarket exhaust with ECU tune for music.

[@harlanpepper]

@@cjpriustt When I first bought the car, I did indeed load the CD changer - and it still has those same CDs loaded to this day. Agreed on the tune - just a basic 1 bar tune with the stock parts makes a HUGE difference in power delivery.

[@cjpriustt]

Exactly. 1 bar boost is how it should’ve came from the factory. Add in a short shifter, better shocks like Bilstein, and a freer exhaust, the car will be different beast altogether, and well into GT2 category.

[@MrAnticaArte]

Give me a 996 GT2 please!

[@stu4181]

Love both of these, but the prices are insanity, 120k and 180k maybe it’s just me 😂

[@benprouty2446]

I know, crazy cheap when compared to retail prices of mass produced modern 911s and well sub-1,000 left on the roads of each 😉

[@stu4181]

@@benprouty2446 you must be pulling in some serious coin to be able to justify 180k on one of these, especially when a 458 can be had for 110 😂

[@benprouty2446]

I paid way less than that for my 996 GT2. 458 a great car but they will have made over 10k of them. Rarity is key to future values

[@stu4181]

@@benprouty2446 yes I understand rarity a factor, but at some point you have to look what you can get for 180k That’s a lot more house for example from 500-700k 😂

[@niall3973]

@@stu4181 From purchase to sale a 996 GT2 will cost you significantly less (if anything) in total than owning a 458. The only issue is getting that initial lump sum. Ben will likely get back the 130k he paid and pay very little in maintenance. Rare car.

[@eljefe3993]

2008 911 GT2 is my dream car… black on black paint job💦💦

[@stephenauty2402]

Bit confused when you say "chassis" ...I mean neither has a chassis , they're monocoque with suspension and drivetrain all fitted to that. A Land Rover and pickups etc has a chassis. Maybe you mean suspension.

[@itisjustacomment]

997 just looks better into my opinion, lights mostly and rear tiger claws.