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Porsche 911 GT3 996

First water-cooled1999–2005

Six generations of naturally aspirated, motorsport-derived 911. The benchmark for what a road-legal track car should be.

8 reviewers · 25 videos · 4 hours watched · 63 press articles

Generations
9961999–2005997.12006–2009997.22010–2012991.12013–2016991.22017–2019992.12022–2024992.22025–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.

across 8 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Daily drivability
1 say · liveable

"With the modifications, reference the semi-active suspension put here, instead of compromise, we've now got compliance on the public playground, the public road."

9WERKS TV · ▶ 13:01
3 say · critical

"if you want a comfy ride get another car if you want to be cool on a hot day get another car"

Top Gear · ▶ 1:48
Value
4 say · liveable

"I'm not surprised therefore that there have all been snapped up since and no Mezger engine GT cars were around because they are just phenomenal."

9WERKS TV · ▶ 15:38
1 say · critical

"low mileage 996 GT3 will go for about three times the price of an ap2 S2000"

Zygrene · ▶ 12:13
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus

“I'll never pass up an opportunity to drive a Metzger powered anything. Such a legendary engine just the sheer sound and the power delivery are just to die for.”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:15

“the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated 6-cylinder boxer... after 6,000 rpm it explodes”

positive · Motor1 Italia · ▶ 2:07

“Big punch from the Mezger flat-six. So talky. It's got 80% of maximum torque in this reworked Mezger engine from just 2,000 rpm.”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 10:27
// 02

Handling

4.5/58 of 8 reviewersconsensus

“Everything is so much more delicate, precise. It It's scalpel.”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 12:30

“the balance of these 1350 kg is formidable”

positive · Motor1 Italia · ▶ 15:39

“this immediately feels a lot more connected feels heavier feels too like the rack might be just a little quicker”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 15:48
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus

“The sensory experience of driving this GT3 is just incredible through your inputs, through the feel, through the noise of the thing.”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 7:09

“this car is absolutely magical”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 15:07

“provoking a GT3 on the circuit is one of those things that an enthusiast must experience at least once in their life”

positive · Motor1 Italia · ▶ 14:04
// 04

Daily drivability

2.5/58 of 8 reviewerssplit

“With the modifications, reference the semi-active suspension put here, instead of compromise, we've now got compliance on the public playground, the public road.”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 13:01

“if you want a comfy ride get another car if you want to be cool on a hot day get another car”

critical · Top Gear · ▶ 1:48

“the clutch is heavy this car is stiff I I mean it's not an easy car to putt around in that's for sure”

critical · Zygrene · ▶ 6:28
// 05

Value

4.0/57 of 8 reviewerssplit

“I'm not surprised therefore that there have all been snapped up since and no Mezger engine GT cars were around because they are just phenomenal.”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 15:38

“low mileage 996 GT3 will go for about three times the price of an ap2 S2000”

critical · Zygrene · ▶ 12:13

“after having tried a GT3 MK1 I know perfectly well where those tens of millions of lire went”

positive · Motor1 Italia · ▶ 20:04
How it stacks up

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

9WERKS TV
Posted Jul 19, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Seen Through Glass
Posted Mar 22, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
JayEmm on Cars
Posted Oct 24, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Porsche 911 GT3 reviews
Head to head
From the press · 63 articles