First impressions of my 997.2 GT3
Discussion
I haven't started to use the GT3 as a daily drive yet, but I took it for my first long drive (450kms) a couple of days ago which was predominately highway with a bit of urban in there too. Where do I start.... a superlative WOW about sums it up.
The car is phenomenal. Everything that is in the press about these cars is absolutely true. As soon as you get in it you realise that this isn't one of those slow burn learn to love cars, it means business right from the off. The seats just grab you and envelope you in confidence, the seating and steering position is perfect, the brakes require just the lightest touch for a eye popping retardation in velocity. This car is all about giving you the confidence to drive it that much harder.
The acceleration is brutally responsive and rapid and the noise, the noise of the sports exhaust is spine tingling. The biggest astonishment for me though is the steering. The 996t was ok for steering feel, but this is like driving with braille. You literally feel every change in road surface which gives you the most tactile driving experience I have ever had. Oh, and the turn in, the only thing I have felt close to it is the CSL. The turn it is sensational, the car just goes where you point it and without the slightest hint of understeer or wash out. You could so easily chew out a set of tyres in no time in one of these as the grip level (on street tyres) and sense of confidence the car lulls you in to will see you turning in with that much more with more speed. Roundabouts, what roundabout, bang straight through.
Yes I do have my new car blinkers on, but honestly, I just can't think of anything more that you could want from a car. It has everything for me, power, looks, feel, confidence, practicality, handling, great running costs, superb ride and most importantly a thrilling character. Just sublime.
If you get a chance to drive one of these, you won't regret it, especially if on a track. Truely a car [U]made for drivers without compromise[/u] yet civil enough for daily use.
Here are some pictures after I washed it today before I put it back in the Carcoon, alas for a few more weeks.
The car is phenomenal. Everything that is in the press about these cars is absolutely true. As soon as you get in it you realise that this isn't one of those slow burn learn to love cars, it means business right from the off. The seats just grab you and envelope you in confidence, the seating and steering position is perfect, the brakes require just the lightest touch for a eye popping retardation in velocity. This car is all about giving you the confidence to drive it that much harder.
The acceleration is brutally responsive and rapid and the noise, the noise of the sports exhaust is spine tingling. The biggest astonishment for me though is the steering. The 996t was ok for steering feel, but this is like driving with braille. You literally feel every change in road surface which gives you the most tactile driving experience I have ever had. Oh, and the turn in, the only thing I have felt close to it is the CSL. The turn it is sensational, the car just goes where you point it and without the slightest hint of understeer or wash out. You could so easily chew out a set of tyres in no time in one of these as the grip level (on street tyres) and sense of confidence the car lulls you in to will see you turning in with that much more with more speed. Roundabouts, what roundabout, bang straight through.
Yes I do have my new car blinkers on, but honestly, I just can't think of anything more that you could want from a car. It has everything for me, power, looks, feel, confidence, practicality, handling, great running costs, superb ride and most importantly a thrilling character. Just sublime.
If you get a chance to drive one of these, you won't regret it, especially if on a track. Truely a car [U]made for drivers without compromise[/u] yet civil enough for daily use.
Here are some pictures after I washed it today before I put it back in the Carcoon, alas for a few more weeks.
Glad to hear you are loving the car - they are very special.
A couple of observations - I took advantage of that fabulous front end grip on road and track and front tyre wear was very moderate. Just make sure the car is balanced and it really looks after its tyres.
The other observation I would make is that I thought my 996 GT3 had a lot more feel than my 997 GT3 - however I think these cars are very sensitive to geo, perhaps even more so the 996.
Enjoy what is clearly a fabulous car!
A couple of observations - I took advantage of that fabulous front end grip on road and track and front tyre wear was very moderate. Just make sure the car is balanced and it really looks after its tyres.
The other observation I would make is that I thought my 996 GT3 had a lot more feel than my 997 GT3 - however I think these cars are very sensitive to geo, perhaps even more so the 996.
Enjoy what is clearly a fabulous car!
NBTBRV8 said:
the brakes require just the lightest touch for a eye popping retardation in velocity. This car is all about giving you the confidence to drive it that much harder.
I have only tried PCCB equipped 7.2 Gt3s, so the brake pedal travel is the same for the steel ones it appears. IE short and firm. I like the firm bit as it gives massive confidence as you say but I hate the short travel. Is there any way to lengthen the travel other than brake booster? This is the same reason I hate audi/bmw brakes. It works well on the track just not great for 5/10 or 7/10ths driving and heel/toe.
arcamalpha said:
NBTBRV8 said:
arcamalpha said:
Very nice indeed. What exhaust have you got on there - doesn't look like a standard outlet.
It is a standard exhaust.I've now been driving the GT3 for a week as a daily driver and it still continues to amaze, astonish and thrill me. I took it for a 250km trip up to the central highlands last weekend with the sport button on and exhaust open, in a glorious 25 degree cloudless day. The car was brilliant through the twisties and just sits on the road with absolute precision. It was a brilliant drive which I will do again.
I can't praise the steering and turn in enough. Every roundabout I enter the first thing that I think about is the turn in, even to the point where sitting in silence I just call out to myself "the turn in, the bloody turn in!" The feelling is akin to braille, it really is. It just gives you all the confidence in the world.
One thing that astounds me is how deceptively torsionally stiff it is. On the road you don't feel it that much, but going in to a supermarket say or diagonally driving out of a drive the car just lifts the wheel about 20-30 cm off the ground without a creak, it just simply doesn't flex in the body. It is such a weird feeling, my old 996t didn't do anything like that.
It is simply a enthusiasts drivers car that is so daily compliant. A real road car built for the track.
Amazing, amazing, amazing...
I can't praise the steering and turn in enough. Every roundabout I enter the first thing that I think about is the turn in, even to the point where sitting in silence I just call out to myself "the turn in, the bloody turn in!" The feelling is akin to braille, it really is. It just gives you all the confidence in the world.
One thing that astounds me is how deceptively torsionally stiff it is. On the road you don't feel it that much, but going in to a supermarket say or diagonally driving out of a drive the car just lifts the wheel about 20-30 cm off the ground without a creak, it just simply doesn't flex in the body. It is such a weird feeling, my old 996t didn't do anything like that.
It is simply a enthusiasts drivers car that is so daily compliant. A real road car built for the track.
Amazing, amazing, amazing...
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