2010 Porsche 911 GT3
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Beginning with the legendary 1973 Carrera RS, Porsche Cars AG had a long and illustrious history of...depriving its adoring American enthusiasts of the coolest cars it makes. The 959, 964 RS, 993 RS, the 993 GT2, and the 996.1 GT3, and 996 GT3 RS were all conspicuously absent from the US market, and aside from what was in large part a badge job in the form of the 964 America RS, Porsche had never sold a GT or RS model in North America when the 997 GT3 was introduced here 15 years ago. Nowadays, the notion that GT models wouldn’t be offered here is unthinkable and so the absolutely explosive excitement that greeted this car’s arrival is difficult to imagine today.
But the excitement was completely justified. The GT3 was cause for tremendous enthusiasm: the now legendary 115 hp per liter Mezger engine descended from the Le Mans winning GT1 engine and track honed chassis were the types of ingredients that not only homologated the car for racing in the GT3 class, but make driving enthusiasts giggle like children. The first 997 GT3 was available for the 2007 and 2008 model years, and for 2010, an updated GT3 was introduced with an enlarged 3.8 liter engine and center lock wheels, as well as a number of less significant updates such as the addition for the first time of optional front axle lift. The significantly revised engine brought new internals including lightweight titanium connecting rods, lighter pistons and valvetrain, and hollow camshafts, which allowed a higher redline of 8,500 RPM.
Critically, unlike the 991, Porsche made the car better without losing rawness or excitement and to drive a 997 GT3 today is a revelation. Where every 991 GT car can easily be driven by any person with a driver’s license, 997 GT cars aren’t like that. This car demands not just physical strength but also significant finesse of its driver, as well as a considerably higher tolerance for harshness in the chassis. But the flip side is an incredibly raw, involving car that feels extraordinary no matter what it’s doing. It also feels worlds away from today’s cars, like a view into some world in the distant past despite only being 15 years old.
This particular car is a 3.8 liter car which was nicely optioned with front axle lift, ceramic brakes (PCCB), heated leather sport seats, dynamic engine mounts, sound package plus, dynamic cornering lights, bluetooth hands free phone interface, sport chrono plus, XM radio, floor mats, universal audio interface, self-dim mirrors and rain sensor, PCM 3.0 with extended navigation, illuminated door sill guards, Porsche crest in headrests, metallic paint, and aluminum footrest. Its original MSRP was $136,285. The car has covered just 6,600 miles and received a 2 year service in June 2022, which included oil change and fresh brake fluid. The car has been routinely serviced by Porsche dealers and comes with service records, as well as books set and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
