Porsche 911s have a reputation for reliability. They’re robust. You might even hear them referred to as “workhorses.” All are undeniably true—spotting a forty-year-old 911 SC isn’t tough in most cities. They are the everyday supercar, the one to take your kids to basketball practice in style.
What about a 996.2 GT3 Clubsport that’s spent nearly 80,000 kilometers on the track? It’s seen some serious freeway and backroad mileage, too. In total, this car has been driven by its owner for some 230,000 kilometers, and best of all, its owner still frequents the Nürburgring.
At the Nürburgring, this old GT3 can still hold its own, thanks largely to its owner’s sensible driving and a strong engine. Note at 4:38 how the healthy engine keeps it in spitting distance of a 997 GT3, which ought to have an additional forty-odd horsepower on the camera car. Now, this 996 Clubsport’s engine was rebuilt 21,000 kilometers prior to the filming of this video—and it’s only gone through three clutches (skip to 20:44 for the full list of maintenance items). With only new dampers, and the occasional brake and tire refresh, this paragon of durability has provided its owner with hours and hours of stress-free smiles. Sounds like a deal to me.
Considering the life this GT3 has lived, it’s aged better than Morgan Fairchild.