A Track Toy Discount?

February 01, 2023

The 996.2 GT3 was our first taste of the new normally aspirated water-cooled GT car built to homologate the 911 for GT racing as we never received the 996.1 here on our shores. Lauded for being more “hardcore” than its predecessors, the 996 GT3 has seen value hold fairly steady over the past year with US examples trading hands for $80,000 and up. So why was this 27,000-mile 2004 GT3 only bid to $61,996, and why was that actually a fair price?

You can probably tell by the rear wing that our Spotlight car is far from stock. And the eagle-eyed among us might notice that the rear bumper is that found on a Carrera 4S. In addition to the rear bumper and wing, the car is fitted with an RS-style front bumper, wider fenders, and a carbon roof.

Inside the car is ready for the track with a full roll cage, Recaro seats, racing harnesses, modified shifter, and thicker steering wheel. The Mezger engine is mildly tuned with Fabspeed intake and exhaust along with their mild tune. The power is transferred to the pavement via Bilstein RS suspension and Carrera III Wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza tires.

The seller made no secret of his HPDE Drivers Education and Autocross use and had his price expectations right in line with the market for a fun track toy GT3 you could drive to the track, lap all day, and then drive home without issue. At $61,996, the car did not find a home. But the final bid isn’t far off from the Buy-It-Now price of $68,000 in the PCARMARKETS Deal Tank.

They say there is an ass for every seat. But you greatly limit the number of asses when you modify a car for track use. Had there been a few more asses in the bidding, I’m sure this car would have sold. Even at the Deal Tank price, this GT3 track toy would be well-bought.