I need help deciding on a GT car
Discussion
Long story short, help from owners of Porsche GT cars is needed!
I've had a reasonably varied car history, although have generally settled on Porsche. Previously I've owned 987.1 Boxster S manual, 987.2 Boxster S PDK, 997.1 Carrera S Manual, 997.1 Turbo Manual, 981 Cayman GTS Manual, 981 GT4 and currently a Cayman R manual.
I've never owned a GT3, but it seems the next logical step. Having often contemplated buying one, for some reason I've not pulled the trigger. I'll pre-fix this by saying that I have never driven a Porsche GT car other than the GT4. The models I am contemplating are:
997.1 GT3
997.2 GT3
991.1 GT3
991.1 GT3 RS
991.2 GT3
997.1 GT2
And a left field option of a 718 Boxster Spyder.
I have a few questions I'm hoping that you all may be able to help out with.
Having sat in a 997.1 and 997.2 GT3 I've found the clutch to be too firm for my initial liking, however on the move is this resolved?
How have you found the ride in the 997 GT3's?
How does the setup in the 997 GT2 compare to the 997 GT3? Are they the same and it's just the engine that is different or are there other changes that alter the driving experience?
Do you miss a manual in the 991's?
I love high revving engines generally and I do like a nice slick manual.
For context the other cars I currently own alongside the Cayman R are a 570S spider, a RR SVR for daily and an FN2 Civic Type R for track.
I guess I'm looking for something that ticks the engaging B road blast option that is more exciting to drive than the Cayman R. Also something that could handle a road trip.
Any insight would be appreciated. I know the answer is 'go drive them and decide', however trying to get test drives on all those models will be nigh on impossible or will take an age visiting individual dealerships, so I'm trying to glean the information needed from others' experience first.
I've had a reasonably varied car history, although have generally settled on Porsche. Previously I've owned 987.1 Boxster S manual, 987.2 Boxster S PDK, 997.1 Carrera S Manual, 997.1 Turbo Manual, 981 Cayman GTS Manual, 981 GT4 and currently a Cayman R manual.
I've never owned a GT3, but it seems the next logical step. Having often contemplated buying one, for some reason I've not pulled the trigger. I'll pre-fix this by saying that I have never driven a Porsche GT car other than the GT4. The models I am contemplating are:
997.1 GT3
997.2 GT3
991.1 GT3
991.1 GT3 RS
991.2 GT3
997.1 GT2
And a left field option of a 718 Boxster Spyder.
I have a few questions I'm hoping that you all may be able to help out with.
Having sat in a 997.1 and 997.2 GT3 I've found the clutch to be too firm for my initial liking, however on the move is this resolved?
How have you found the ride in the 997 GT3's?
How does the setup in the 997 GT2 compare to the 997 GT3? Are they the same and it's just the engine that is different or are there other changes that alter the driving experience?
Do you miss a manual in the 991's?
I love high revving engines generally and I do like a nice slick manual.
For context the other cars I currently own alongside the Cayman R are a 570S spider, a RR SVR for daily and an FN2 Civic Type R for track.
I guess I'm looking for something that ticks the engaging B road blast option that is more exciting to drive than the Cayman R. Also something that could handle a road trip.
Any insight would be appreciated. I know the answer is 'go drive them and decide', however trying to get test drives on all those models will be nigh on impossible or will take an age visiting individual dealerships, so I'm trying to glean the information needed from others' experience first.
I think you need to speak to the Porsche Experience Centre and see if they can build you something bespoke along the lines of this:
https://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/...
You need to try a few models out and this is by far the best way. Not cheap, but you're getting driving instruction at the same time...
https://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/...
You need to try a few models out and this is by far the best way. Not cheap, but you're getting driving instruction at the same time...
If you are more road than track biased, I'd say 991 might edge it, especially on longer road trips.
That said, the 997 platform will always feel more raw, direct and old-school analogue.
Driving the PDK 'box, even for a die-hard manual fan like me is a doddle and they have made it work so well that it's intuitive totally unobtrusive and a joy to use. It's just very different to the three pedal setup. Speaking of the latter, I have a 997 and really do not know WTF the fuss is about in regard to the clutch FWIW - not unduly stiff IME.
As Twinfan says, the PEC experience would be a very good port of call.
That said, the 997 platform will always feel more raw, direct and old-school analogue.
Driving the PDK 'box, even for a die-hard manual fan like me is a doddle and they have made it work so well that it's intuitive totally unobtrusive and a joy to use. It's just very different to the three pedal setup. Speaking of the latter, I have a 997 and really do not know WTF the fuss is about in regard to the clutch FWIW - not unduly stiff IME.
As Twinfan says, the PEC experience would be a very good port of call.
I suspect trying to get the best out of a 997 GT2 will never get boring. Clutch is a bit heavy compared to a lot of other cars (but so is the steering), it does not detract from the driving experience though IMO.
Given you have a McLaren for the modern , fast, DCT experience I would go 997
Just to add: 2 or 3 depending on engine preference - both marvelous from my experience
Given you have a McLaren for the modern , fast, DCT experience I would go 997
Just to add: 2 or 3 depending on engine preference - both marvelous from my experience
Digga said:
If you are more road than track biased, I'd say 991 might edge it, especially on longer road trips.
That said, the 997 platform will always feel more raw, direct and old-school analogue.
Driving the PDK 'box, even for a die-hard manual fan like me is a doddle and they have made it work so well that it's intuitive totally unobtrusive and a joy to use. It's just very different to the three pedal setup. Speaking of the latter, I have a 997 and really do not know WTF the fuss is about in regard to the clutch FWIW - not unduly stiff IME.
As Twinfan says, the PEC experience would be a very good port of call.
The 997 gt3 clutch ….various things conspired against me getting a 997 but I drove maybe 6 different ones and honestly in some the clutch was fine and others it was too heavy for regular use .That said, the 997 platform will always feel more raw, direct and old-school analogue.
Driving the PDK 'box, even for a die-hard manual fan like me is a doddle and they have made it work so well that it's intuitive totally unobtrusive and a joy to use. It's just very different to the three pedal setup. Speaking of the latter, I have a 997 and really do not know WTF the fuss is about in regard to the clutch FWIW - not unduly stiff IME.
As Twinfan says, the PEC experience would be a very good port of call.
Never understood why .
GT cars are a very personal thing, to this end, here are my thoughts based on my recent experience.
I originally chased a 997 GT3. I saw them at the 'Ring 10 years ago and I was smitten. Reason enough to want? A .1 seemed a good starting point as there are double the numbers around compared to the .2. I test drove one, found the clutch was heavy, but not a problem for my use and the rest of the experience was what I hoped, except, there was no front lift option on this model and during the test drive I nearly ripped off the freshly installed splitter, multiple times, from merely crawling over speed bumps. This to me is a bit tedious and I'd advise caution based on where you normally drive. I looked into .2s after this, but there are so few around (~120) that it conflicted with my patience (none) and so I decided to look into 991.1's that I always wanted but didn 't think fell into my price bracket.
Man maths, that fixed the 991.1 price issue. There are many more of these around, lots of warranty options should that be a concern and based on my experience they are a more usable car, in general. Do I miss the manual, no - this bit is very very personal, I thought I loved manuals, turns out I no longer have an interest in them, perhaps this is the GT3 effect. I found the PDK in the 991.1 to be the most interesting two pedal experience I've had, it does the auto thing okay, but it's got charm. Drive it and see what you think - As may be obvious, I ended up with this model.
Of the remaining models you've listed, all would have featured on my wishlist if the budget allowed. If yours does cover them all without concern, I would put most of my chips on the 991.2, if for no other reason than the more resolved engine, plus later cars have lots of little tweaks that all add up. This being said, my future aspiration is for a 991.1 GT3 RS. Why not the 991.2 for roughly the same money? Because this type of car sits firmly in the emotive want category for me, and I really want one.
I originally chased a 997 GT3. I saw them at the 'Ring 10 years ago and I was smitten. Reason enough to want? A .1 seemed a good starting point as there are double the numbers around compared to the .2. I test drove one, found the clutch was heavy, but not a problem for my use and the rest of the experience was what I hoped, except, there was no front lift option on this model and during the test drive I nearly ripped off the freshly installed splitter, multiple times, from merely crawling over speed bumps. This to me is a bit tedious and I'd advise caution based on where you normally drive. I looked into .2s after this, but there are so few around (~120) that it conflicted with my patience (none) and so I decided to look into 991.1's that I always wanted but didn 't think fell into my price bracket.
Man maths, that fixed the 991.1 price issue. There are many more of these around, lots of warranty options should that be a concern and based on my experience they are a more usable car, in general. Do I miss the manual, no - this bit is very very personal, I thought I loved manuals, turns out I no longer have an interest in them, perhaps this is the GT3 effect. I found the PDK in the 991.1 to be the most interesting two pedal experience I've had, it does the auto thing okay, but it's got charm. Drive it and see what you think - As may be obvious, I ended up with this model.
Of the remaining models you've listed, all would have featured on my wishlist if the budget allowed. If yours does cover them all without concern, I would put most of my chips on the 991.2, if for no other reason than the more resolved engine, plus later cars have lots of little tweaks that all add up. This being said, my future aspiration is for a 991.1 GT3 RS. Why not the 991.2 for roughly the same money? Because this type of car sits firmly in the emotive want category for me, and I really want one.
franki68 said:
The 997 gt3 clutch ….various things conspired against me getting a 997 but I drove maybe 6 different ones and honestly in some the clutch was fine and others it was too heavy for regular use .
Never understood why .
The various elements wear/degrade over time, if you stick a new 4.0RS clutch with ALL of its components together with new master and slave cylinders and related hoses it will feel great, most people just replace clutches piece meal but to get it as good as it can be needs all the bits renewing.Never understood why .
I had a particular issue on my 7GT2 which made it near impossible to get into first or reverse when hot, it turned out my engine was eating the 764 Sachs pressure plates for fun and distorting them, I switched to Sach's special newer bolted PP the 487 (which was developed for 9ff's 1000+hp 997GT3 turbo monsters) together with fully renewed everything and a Function First
billet/ball bearing shifter kit + Heavy Knob and my clutch is really nice, not hard at all and great feel for daily driving as well as being able to handle 900+NM.
No 997GT clutch/gearbox will ever shift as nicely as your FN2 though !
leemanning said:
...
I guess I'm looking for something that ticks the engaging B road blast option that is more exciting to drive than the Cayman R. Also something that could handle a road trip.
...
I'm thinking that if your 570S doesn't meet your preference for an engaging B road blast option, the 991 cars probably won't either? The 997 (and 996) options are probably the closest thing to an R-with-extra-zing.I guess I'm looking for something that ticks the engaging B road blast option that is more exciting to drive than the Cayman R. Also something that could handle a road trip.
...
As an aside it would be interesting to hear how steering feel compares between the 570's hydraulic system and the electric systems on the 991s.
All the options will be fantastic for road trips. I have a 997.1 and the clutch is heavy compared to other cars. It's doesn't lighten up on the move but perhaps it's less noticeable. Heavy city traffic gets a bit tiresome but it's not a regular thing.
My take for what it’s worth is also towards the 997 GT3 generation cars. The 991 is closer to the Mac experience in PDK form and not as engaging a drive as the earlier cars, it’s a fair bit quicker but a bit less of an event. The much more dated interior of the 997 will be very similar to the CR and non the worse for that, assuming you are fine with it in the R, then it will all feel very familiar. I would be tempted by the 997GT3 RS. It’s problem to find a useable one that isn’t a garage queen but it’s very rewarding if you do. It’s a much sharper drive than the R or the GT4. It’s about the ultimate in old school GT3. I enjoyed all my GT3’s but the car that is still in the garage is the CR.
I think your choice is really 997.2 GT3 or manual 991.2 GT3. 997 GT2 is a bit more of a GT car from what I have been told, a friend recently bought a 997.2 GT3 having driven both that and the 997 GT2, said he much preferred the naturally aspirated engine of the GT3 and felt the GT2 was more a car for European roads. For whatever reason 996 and 997 GT2’s don’t sell well….Porsche isn’t shy of selling multiple variants of the 911 and has quietly dropped GT2 apart from the RS.
997.2 vs 991.2 is really a personal choice, clutch is much lighter in the latter. 997.2 feels smaller because the glasshouse is but there’s not much in it on the road. 997.2 harder to find as there were roughly half as many sold vs manual 991.2. I think you’ll know as soon as you drive them.
997.2 vs 991.2 is really a personal choice, clutch is much lighter in the latter. 997.2 feels smaller because the glasshouse is but there’s not much in it on the road. 997.2 harder to find as there were roughly half as many sold vs manual 991.2. I think you’ll know as soon as you drive them.
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