Models · Porsche
Porsche 911 GT2 997 buying guide
The 997 GT2, on sale from late 2007, and the GT2 RS of 2010 pair a twin-turbo 3.6 flat six with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The engine is the Mezger design shared with the 997 Turbo and GT3.
The versions
- GT2: 3.6 twin-turbo flat six, 530PS, from late 2007
- GT2 RS: 3.6 twin-turbo flat six, 620PS, from 2010, 500 built
- 6-speed manual only, rear-wheel drive
- Carbon ceramic brakes (yellow calipers) as standard
- Coupé only
What to check on a 997 GT2
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Coolant pipe fittings
What to look for: Ask whether the engine's coolant pipe fittings have been pinned or welded, and look for the invoice. Check the coolant level and look under the back of the car for pink crusty residue.
Why it matters: On these Mezger engines the tubes that carry the coolant hoses were glued into the cast housings, with no press fit holding them. Heat cycling can soften the adhesive until a tube pushes out and the engine loses coolant suddenly. Pinning the joints is a well-known preventive job done with the engine out, and paperwork for it is a sign of a car that's been looked after.
Over-rev record
What to look for: Ask for a diagnostic readout, or have a specialist do one. It shows engine over-rev events in ranges, with the engine hours at the most recent one.
Why it matters: The engine computer logs every time the revs went past the limit. A few low-range events are normal. Events in the higher ranges usually mean a missed gearchange on a manual, which can damage the engine, and they can affect warranty claims.
Carbon ceramic brakes
What to look for: The carbon ceramic discs, with yellow calipers, are standard. Look at each disc face and edge with a torch for chips, cracks running from the drilled holes, or a heavily pitted surface. Ask about track use and when the discs were last assessed.
Why it matters: Carbon ceramic discs last a long time on the road but wear faster with hard track use. A specialist inspection with a recorded result is the way to know how much life is left, and replacement discs are a major expense.
Also in the full guide
- Front radiators and condensers
- The nose and underside
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the 997 GT2
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Porsche.