420R v 911 GT3
Discussion
Dear All,
Just looking for thoughts on this lovely dilemma - have a 992T (which I love) and am thinking of getting a 420R in addition to do the odd track day and a few longer runs now that semi retirement is beckoning
However the other choice to is sell the 992T and instead of that and the Caterham get a 991 or 992 GT3 - wondered if anyone had owned both or could give me any views
Happy 2026 all
Just looking for thoughts on this lovely dilemma - have a 992T (which I love) and am thinking of getting a 420R in addition to do the odd track day and a few longer runs now that semi retirement is beckoning
However the other choice to is sell the 992T and instead of that and the Caterham get a 991 or 992 GT3 - wondered if anyone had owned both or could give me any views
Happy 2026 all
I’ve had a few Caterhams and Porsches, and have come to the conclusion that track only the Caterham is great, on the road it’s a car for somebody who can’t ride a bike, the biggest issue is vision, if you only drive to the distance you can see the 7 can be very limited, unless you drive on well sighted roads.
If you do decide it’s for you, don’t stress over the power output, I found my least satisfying car was a CSR with 260 bhp, and the one I enjoyed the most was 150-160.
If you do decide it’s for you, don’t stress over the power output, I found my least satisfying car was a CSR with 260 bhp, and the one I enjoyed the most was 150-160.
Kickstart said:
Superlightdaa said:
I own a 992.2 Carrera and a R300K. The best driving experience by far is the Caterham
Thanks for replying - do you get to use the Caterham much and if so what for ?gareth h said:
If you do decide it s for you, don t stress over the power output, I found my least satisfying car was a CSR with 260 bhp, and the one I enjoyed the most was 150-160.
I've had my 140bhp for nearly 15 years and with the few trackdays I do, I suspect I'm the speed hindrance rarther than the car!I would think that a few extra bhp would be nice just to help get past a bit on the straights, but in the corners there's not much that can keep up.
(That said, I've got an Elise S1 itch that I'm going to have to scratch one day).
EDIT: Just to add, maybe try one on a track and see how you get on? I think Dave at Opentrack still has one that you can hire out.
Had an R400 and then a couple of GT3's - The Caterham was by far the most fun car to drive and it did a lot of track duty. Soaked up the punishment and very cheap to run. I used mine for track days both in the UK & Europe and also a few road trips. They are basic as hell but that is their beauty. I used the roof on mine and had a normal windscreen rather than an aero screen. Perfectly comfortable with the roof up and doors on with the heater blasting but as said above , it's basically a bike with 4 wheels so dress accordingly.
The GT3 was a much more expensive , very capable machine in the same respects that it put up with all sorts of punishment in it's stride and was a great car too drive. I just fancied a few creature comforts that the Caterham doesn't give you.
I had the scratch the Caterham itch and loved every minute of it but with age comes the feeling that you want less faff. It's great on a hot sunny day with the roof off but on a cold rainy day it becomes a bit of an endurance game. That being said, you can smash the Caterham round decent back roads and not really get into licence losing territory, the GT3 only gives you that same sensation when your double the limit !!!
The GT3 was a much more expensive , very capable machine in the same respects that it put up with all sorts of punishment in it's stride and was a great car too drive. I just fancied a few creature comforts that the Caterham doesn't give you.
I had the scratch the Caterham itch and loved every minute of it but with age comes the feeling that you want less faff. It's great on a hot sunny day with the roof off but on a cold rainy day it becomes a bit of an endurance game. That being said, you can smash the Caterham round decent back roads and not really get into licence losing territory, the GT3 only gives you that same sensation when your double the limit !!!
That is a lovely dilemma!
I think it depends on how much track/ blast/ road trips you do + how far the tracks are from home.
I have a road biased 996.1 (far from a GT3) and a Caterham. The former is boring on track the latter painful on dual carriageways.
Before buying a Caterham I thought it was a pity to Tow it to tracks, yet, after every track day I’m happy to be in my tow car.
I think it depends on how much track/ blast/ road trips you do + how far the tracks are from home.
I have a road biased 996.1 (far from a GT3) and a Caterham. The former is boring on track the latter painful on dual carriageways.
Before buying a Caterham I thought it was a pity to Tow it to tracks, yet, after every track day I’m happy to be in my tow car.
Thanks very much for all the feedback
I think I will end up buying a Caterham as I have driven a few over the years and I suspect my son could be persuaded to do a track or two with me plus I get the pleasure of speccing one which is not likely with a GT3...
Before final decision is made I will do a Porsche experience day in a GT3 to see if I can be swayed
I think I will end up buying a Caterham as I have driven a few over the years and I suspect my son could be persuaded to do a track or two with me plus I get the pleasure of speccing one which is not likely with a GT3...
Before final decision is made I will do a Porsche experience day in a GT3 to see if I can be swayed
WombleCate said:
I have a road biased 996.1 (far from a GT3) and a Caterham. The former is boring on track the latter painful on dual carriageways.
I think that sums it up.I had a RS Megane 250 Cup that I did lots of trackdays in and several trips to the ring. I was always amazed at how well it would lap, but then get me home in comfort.
The downside to a 7 (unless you're towing) is the drive home. You're already tired after driving all day and it's the last thing you want.
The RS didn't half chew through tires and brake pads though - the Caterham just seems to go on and on with them. I imagine the cost savings compared to a GT3 would be huge (if that's an issue).
I ran a k series R300 alongside a 996 Turbo S, an Elise and a Ferrari for a couple of years. I’m sure I’m not typical, but I really didn’t gel with the Caterham. There were probably a couple of runs on a couple of days where it all clicked but most of the time I felt everything was just too much of a faff or a compromise and that no matter how hardcore I wanted to be I’d find reasons to take something else. In saying that, I never thought the car wasn’t fast enough!
If you havent tried a Caterham (or similar) before you really should before you part with some cash (although you could probably buy now and sell in the summer for at least the same or more if you buy wisely).
I bought my Caterham without ever driving one before, I knew I would love it and it was a massive itch - and itches dont go away easily. Having daily driven Elise and motorbikes for years, I just love punishment - but as mentioned above that is what it can feel like 5% of the time... The other 95% is just the best driving experience you can have without risking your license.
Tomorrow is the first dry (ish) day for the past few weeks, and I cant wait to get the Caterham out and have a giggle.
I bought my Caterham without ever driving one before, I knew I would love it and it was a massive itch - and itches dont go away easily. Having daily driven Elise and motorbikes for years, I just love punishment - but as mentioned above that is what it can feel like 5% of the time... The other 95% is just the best driving experience you can have without risking your license.
Tomorrow is the first dry (ish) day for the past few weeks, and I cant wait to get the Caterham out and have a giggle.
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