No more talking the talk - the GT3 has arrived
Discussion
Having watched the market for over 2 years, I came to know the exact day my dream spec GT3 came onto the market and cornered the seller before he knew what hit him.
Mk 2 GT3, one year old, 24k km, Cobalt blue, bucket seats, roll cage, litronics, alu pack, and a few trivial bits and bobs.
I spent 2 hours driving it after picking it up and it was a physically draining experience, especially after a namby-pamby 996 Carrera. This car is a beast.
First impressions compared to my ex: wrap around seats mean very little body movement. A big guy will struggle with these, but they suit my diminutive frame perfectly. Airbagged steering wheel is still too big, and that may have to be replaced. HEAVY clutch, short throw stick (lovely metallic click-clack, like a rifle bolt I imagine), no slack in the steering (so much meatier), immediate turn-in, a smidgeon of understeer at five tenths, hmmm that's odd.
I've read about this, about the fact you need big balls to "drive through" the understeer and come out on the other side. I will have to work on this, as the car feels quite "edgey" to me - even when I'm taking a bend at say 3000 RPM and lift my right foot a micrometre, I can feel the nose sniffing the inside line.
Maybe some driving lessons are in order, as I don't feel I can easily induce power oversteer in this thing without my brave pills. The 996 Carrera 2 was much more accessible on first impressions, but I guess that's also why it attracts so much criticism.
This feels like old-school 911, from the angry spluttery growling at low revs (some might unfairly compare it to rattling nails in a bag), to the complex multi-voiced roaring crescendo as you approach the 8000 red-line. And the surge is relentless - just one seamless thrust all the way up the rev range, until you glance at your speedo and realise the bend has come up more quickly than you anticipated, so you hit the brakes. I thought the stock 911 had great brakes, but these are another step up. Again, no slack, just immediate action and feedback, as if someone has junked all the superfluous material between driver controls and road surface.
Body control through the bend is ultra taut (no doubt the roll cage helps with this), but I have yet to experiment with mid-corner bumps and adverse cambers, and that will be the real test.
Only one niggle from my 2 hour drive - my oil pressure sensor kept swinging from maximum to zero and back again after a few seconds. At one point, a warning message flashed up that a failure had occurred. I wondered whether this was something to do with the extreme humidity last night (in Dubai) - I know water from car washes can sometimes affect the oil pressure sensor for a while. Any thoughts?
Mk 2 GT3, one year old, 24k km, Cobalt blue, bucket seats, roll cage, litronics, alu pack, and a few trivial bits and bobs.
I spent 2 hours driving it after picking it up and it was a physically draining experience, especially after a namby-pamby 996 Carrera. This car is a beast.
First impressions compared to my ex: wrap around seats mean very little body movement. A big guy will struggle with these, but they suit my diminutive frame perfectly. Airbagged steering wheel is still too big, and that may have to be replaced. HEAVY clutch, short throw stick (lovely metallic click-clack, like a rifle bolt I imagine), no slack in the steering (so much meatier), immediate turn-in, a smidgeon of understeer at five tenths, hmmm that's odd.
I've read about this, about the fact you need big balls to "drive through" the understeer and come out on the other side. I will have to work on this, as the car feels quite "edgey" to me - even when I'm taking a bend at say 3000 RPM and lift my right foot a micrometre, I can feel the nose sniffing the inside line.
Maybe some driving lessons are in order, as I don't feel I can easily induce power oversteer in this thing without my brave pills. The 996 Carrera 2 was much more accessible on first impressions, but I guess that's also why it attracts so much criticism.
This feels like old-school 911, from the angry spluttery growling at low revs (some might unfairly compare it to rattling nails in a bag), to the complex multi-voiced roaring crescendo as you approach the 8000 red-line. And the surge is relentless - just one seamless thrust all the way up the rev range, until you glance at your speedo and realise the bend has come up more quickly than you anticipated, so you hit the brakes. I thought the stock 911 had great brakes, but these are another step up. Again, no slack, just immediate action and feedback, as if someone has junked all the superfluous material between driver controls and road surface.
Body control through the bend is ultra taut (no doubt the roll cage helps with this), but I have yet to experiment with mid-corner bumps and adverse cambers, and that will be the real test.
Only one niggle from my 2 hour drive - my oil pressure sensor kept swinging from maximum to zero and back again after a few seconds. At one point, a warning message flashed up that a failure had occurred. I wondered whether this was something to do with the extreme humidity last night (in Dubai) - I know water from car washes can sometimes affect the oil pressure sensor for a while. Any thoughts?
Congratulations! My experience pretty much matches yours - I'm very happy with it and looking forward to a trip to Italy this Summer with a day at the Nurburgring.
My oil pressure doesn't budge from the top when given some gas. It drops to about half when using very little gas. Sounds like it's worth checking yours out.
Enjoy!
My oil pressure doesn't budge from the top when given some gas. It drops to about half when using very little gas. Sounds like it's worth checking yours out.
Enjoy!
I agree with Melv; Mr Aubrey is a great driver and very patient.
Don Palmer is also worth a note. He'll really get you on (over) the limit!
I'm doing a day with Anthony Dunn next month. Anyone tried him?
Reading this post has answered my question regarding my seats - I need GT3 SEATS! - THANKS
Don Palmer is also worth a note. He'll really get you on (over) the limit!
I'm doing a day with Anthony Dunn next month. Anyone tried him?
Reading this post has answered my question regarding my seats - I need GT3 SEATS! - THANKS
I would warn, though, that the bucket seats really are a tight fit. I am 5'6" and slim build and they feel perfectly contoured to my shape - I wonder what 6 footers think of them?
I adopt an upright "rally driver's" driving position, which is really what these seats are meant to achieve, so if you don't like that, best to stick with the reclining sports seats.
That said, the buckets look fantastic and they're really quite well padded and comfortable (other than the lack of ventilation around your back on a hot day).
The only real problem is it's difficult to twist round to see when reversing which makes parallel parking a chore. Also I find pulling on the handbrake a touch tricky given that there is so much side bolster in the way, but that's a really minor thing.
On the driving lessons, thanks for the top tips guys, but sadly I am not based in the UK, so I will have to source someone through the local Porsche Club.
I adopt an upright "rally driver's" driving position, which is really what these seats are meant to achieve, so if you don't like that, best to stick with the reclining sports seats.
That said, the buckets look fantastic and they're really quite well padded and comfortable (other than the lack of ventilation around your back on a hot day).
The only real problem is it's difficult to twist round to see when reversing which makes parallel parking a chore. Also I find pulling on the handbrake a touch tricky given that there is so much side bolster in the way, but that's a really minor thing.
On the driving lessons, thanks for the top tips guys, but sadly I am not based in the UK, so I will have to source someone through the local Porsche Club.
Harris_I said:
Only one niggle from my 2 hour drive - my oil pressure sensor kept swinging from maximum to zero and back again after a few seconds. At one point, a warning message flashed up that a failure had occurred. I wondered whether this was something to do with the extreme humidity last night (in Dubai) - I know water from car washes can sometimes affect the oil pressure sensor for a while. Any thoughts?
RTFM -
Had the same thing last week. Phoned opc who had the car recovered as it was probably the sensor but may not be. Car was in for 2 days for a new sensor. Call your opc asap.
superlight: waiting for the OPC to send the manual to me - there's one on order. (Seems to have been misplaced by the previous owner). Why - does it say something about the sensor?
james and jjr: I specifically asked the OPC to check the tracking before taking delivery as I noticed a scuff on one of the alloys and wanted to make sure - they tell me it's fine. However, for some reason this car has a front strut brace and I know from my previous Carrera 2 that that tends to make the car a little friskier (although obviouly a GT3 is a very different beast).
murray - many congrats!
Now for something prosaic: I have some questions on baby seats installed on factory Recaros, but maybe I'll post a new topic.
james and jjr: I specifically asked the OPC to check the tracking before taking delivery as I noticed a scuff on one of the alloys and wanted to make sure - they tell me it's fine. However, for some reason this car has a front strut brace and I know from my previous Carrera 2 that that tends to make the car a little friskier (although obviouly a GT3 is a very different beast).
murray - many congrats!
Now for something prosaic: I have some questions on baby seats installed on factory Recaros, but maybe I'll post a new topic.
Congratulations Jim, a great car and sounds like a good deal, suprising from an OPC!
I can imagine the safety net of a full warranty is very appealing right now, I will be intereted to hear how you get on with the car in comparison to your RS.
Did you px or keeping the RS as a track car?
I can imagine the safety net of a full warranty is very appealing right now, I will be intereted to hear how you get on with the car in comparison to your RS.
Did you px or keeping the RS as a track car?
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