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This 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Is a Modern Classic Looking for a New Owner

Even though the 996 switched to water-cooled engines, Porsche didn’t forget to continue the tradition of lightweight specials. The GT3 is arguably the most popular of the lot, and the GT3 RS is the one to have for obvious reasons.
2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 17 photos
Photo: Joe Macari
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Thanks to its age, the 996 is now considered a modern classic that wouldn’t look out of place next to a 993 and a 964 in a collector’s garage. This explains the price tag for this particular example of the breed, a 2004 model year GT3 RS with 25,025 miles on the clock that can be yours for 119,950 pounds sterling ($155,300).

The two-door sports car is a European specification in Carrara White, flaunting blue wheels and decals over a black interior with factory-supplied bucket seats from Recaro. The color-matched seat belts are complemented by Schroth racing harnesses, and the roll cage is painted white just like the exterior.

Alcantara on the rim of the three-spoke steering wheel, electric windows and door mirror, top tinting for the windshield, electronic air conditioning, the headlight package with Porsche’s cleaning system, as well as a CD-playing radio are a few of the other highlights, along with passenger-side fire extinguisher.

The post-facelift 996 in GT3 RS flavor – also known as the 996.2 in Porsche jargon – features a true dry-sump lubrication system with a separate oil reservoir. In this configuration, the 3.6-liter boxer develops a rather respectable 381 PS (376 horsepower) and 385 Nm (284 pound-feet) of torque at the crank.

Those numbers translate to 4.4 second to 100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 306 km/h (190 mph) despite the generously-sized wing on the rear deck, figures that are respectable for sports cars from that era. The GT3 RS – built in only 682 units between 2004 and 2005 – is better suited for the twisties, though.

Lighter than the GT3 and featuring progressive springs rather than linear springs, the RS brings the point home with stiffer damper, improved dynamic camber control, adjustable control arms, and lower ground clearance. Last, but certainly not least, the track-focused variant uses carbon fiber for the hood and rear wing as well as carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide brakes at all four corners.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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