Why the 997 GT3 is the best car I’ve ever owned.

[Blow Dog]

bund said:

Guys and Cem,

I still have time to change my GT3 order and im in doubts as to go with normal sport seats or go for the buckets. Im thinking that it will spend perhaps 50/50 track/road as it wont be my everyday car. Im 5'9(5'8) i keep hearing different storys as to the best size for the buckets, can anyone tell me if they think being short will prove ANOTHER problem and so just go for standard sport seats? I take it i could fit recaro's afterwards?!?!?

I really need to get out in one i suppose.

I find the carbons real comfortable. They require a little effort getting in and out, but what's a sports car without compromises?
They look knock out, add to the cars hardcore nature and offer fantastic levels of support.

But you really need to sit on one because I've read many 'large' people have discomforts. I'm quite short so for me, it's no issue.

[trackdemon]

Just wanted to add some more verbage to the 997GT3 eulogies, as I managed to grab over 300miles in one the other day on a decent mix of b roads in Essex & Cambs. Fantastic bit of kit with possibly the best drivetrain I've ever used and a highly exploitable chassis to compliment... looks bl00dy marvellous in white too (eh Cem ) I'm 6'1 and I'd have to go for the standard seats as I found the carbons in Cem's car a little too tight, but they do look the business.

[Pugsey]

bund said:

Guys and Cem,

I still have time to change my GT3 order and im in doubts as to go with normal sport seats or go for the buckets. Im thinking that it will spend perhaps 50/50 track/road as it wont be my everyday car. Im 5'9(5'8) i keep hearing different storys as to the best size for the buckets, can anyone tell me if they think being short will prove ANOTHER problem and so just go for standard sport seats? I take it i could fit recaro's afterwards?!?!?

I really need to get out in one i suppose.

I think being a bloater is the only thing that presents probs. with these seats. They can go so far forward that I can't even get in them - I'm 6'1" - so I'm sure they'll be OK for you. If you ever come near Odiham (N. Hampshire) you're welcome to try mine.

[loach]

Pugsey said:

I think being a bloater is the only thing that presents probs. with these seats. They can go so far forward that I can't even get in them - I'm 6'1" - so I'm sure they'll be OK for you. If you ever come near Odiham (N. Hampshire) you're welcome to try mine.

I don't think it's being a bloater that presents a problem so much as having a pair of shoulders. If you're in any way broad at all, these seats aren't really the best.

[bund]

thanks everyone, i think ill see if Porsche Reading have a car with buckets and give them a try.

[DanH]

loach said:

Pugsey said:

I think being a bloater is the only thing that presents probs. with these seats. They can go so far forward that I can't even get in them - I'm 6'1" - so I'm sure they'll be OK for you. If you ever come near Odiham (N. Hampshire) you're welcome to try mine.

I don't think it's being a bloater that presents a problem so much as having a pair of shoulders. If you're in any way broad at all, these seats aren't really the best.

I think regardless of bulk, they push your shoulders forwards to anchor you in. I find it ok once I've adjusted and they are a god send on track.

[Pugsey]

DanH said:

loach said:

Pugsey said:

I think being a bloater is the only thing that presents probs. with these seats. They can go so far forward that I can't even get in them - I'm 6'1" - so I'm sure they'll be OK for you. If you ever come near Odiham (N. Hampshire) you're welcome to try mine.

I don't think it's being a bloater that presents a problem so much as having a pair of shoulders. If you're in any way broad at all, these seats aren't really the best.

I think regardless of bulk, they push your shoulders forwards to anchor you in. I find it ok once I've adjusted and they are a god send on track.

Yes, I'd forgotten the shoulder thing - although amongst the people who've tried mine it only seems to bother those under 6', and then not all of them. DanH - I believe these seats are different to those in the 996?

[bund]

For those who have gone for the bucket seats, have you gone for club spec also? Does anyone think it will make a big difference when it comes to selling on if i have buckets but not club spec?

[Pugsey]

bund said:

For those who have gone for the bucket seats, have you gone for club spec also? Does anyone think it will make a big difference when it comes to selling on if i have buckets but not club spec?

I went for Clubsport - not because I needed it, although I have got a few visits to the 'Ring planned - but because I wanted the full GT3 'experience'. I don't think it'll make much difference come selling. If anything it might make it a little easier to sell - I seem to remember a few people mentioning on here that they'd like the buckets but didn't want the rest of the 'track car' interior. Can't imagine any nice 997GT3 is going to be difficult to sell over the next couple of years! Final thought - don't forget that if you're going for the buckets then all the Clubsport stuff is free so you might as well have a cage, extinguisher, harness etc. all of which you can remove/not fit. Then it's down to whether you're happy with the different interior trim. Back to backed caged and non caged cars recently and the Clubsport car did feel a tiny bit more postive/stiffer, especially at the back. Don't get me wrong - the standard car was awesome and the difference was marginal but it was there.

[bund]

Do you get a full cage or half cage?

[Pugsey]

bund said:

Do you get a full cage or half cage?

Rear only - front extra!

[bund]

Pugsey said:

bund said:

Do you get a full cage or half cage?

Rear only - front extra!

Hmmm that wouldnt really be a problem for me to leave in. Does it come in ext colour?

[Pugsey]

bund said:

Pugsey said:

bund said:

Do you get a full cage or half cage?

Rear only - front extra!

Hmmm that wouldnt really be a problem for me to leave in. Does it come in ext colour?

Black - but I'm sure Porsche will paint it for you.................at a cost! Think RSs come with cage in body colour?

[997gt3]

I've gone for the buckets but not Clubsport. I could have lived with the roll cage etc but I wanted my buckets to be in leather/alcantara not black fabric.

[Grant3]

I really can't see what is wrong with the standard sports seats, the Alcantara center separates them from a regular 997, all leather looks great, crests add a touch of class & you get the thorax airbag, height adjustment access to the back, side cubby boxes & save £3,000!
Just add G-lock for extra cornering hold!

Edited by Grant3 on Monday 29th January 18:52

[Pugsey]

Grant3 said:

I really can't see what is wrong with the standard sports seats, the Alcantara center separates them from a regular 997, all leather looks great,added crests add a touch of class & you get the thorax airbag, height adjustment access to the back, side cubby boxes & save £3,000!
Just add G-lock for extra cornering hold!

Hi G. Nothing wrong with those at all. Very nice in fact.However, I just want to see something a bit more special when I look inside a GT3 and the buckets give me that, and for me are superbly comfy - just been to Gaydon and back (shhh) and they were snug as ever but no aches or pains.

[Grant3]

Pugsey said:

Hi G. Nothing wrong with those at all. Very nice in fact.However, I just want to see something a bit more special when I look inside a GT3 and the buckets give me that, and for me are superbly comfy - just been to Gaydon and back (shhh) and they were snug as ever but no aches or pains.

I can fully understand those points & they do go with track ethos of the beastie, I also thought your car looked the proper racer with the cage, fabric seats & no leather....sex on wheels in fact.....
But I actually prefer the standard seats with the leather & alcantara, as that also saved me £3k it was no brainer! No doubt it will bite me on the bum come re-sale,I can hear the dealer sucking through his teeth "what no buckets" but I can still sell it for 3k less than a GT3 with buckets!
Anyway how was Gaydon?

[bund]

Well I'm off to Reading Saturday to check out the seats once and for all but I'm starting to think if i do go for buckets id like them in the leather so go without the club sport no cost option.

The other thing I'm thinking of is what will it cost for a pair of black recaro buckets for track days or would it just be to much agro changing them over?????

I think both options in the cars look wicked and they both have pros and cons for me, ill just have to make a firm decision Saturday.

Edited by bund on Monday 29th January 19:32

[Pugsey]

bund said:

Well I'm off to Reading Saturday to check out the seats once and for all but I'm starting to think if i do go for buckets id like them in the leather so go without the club sport no cost option.

The other thing I'm thinking of is what will it cost for a pair of black recaro buckets for track days or would it just be to much agro changing them over?????

I think both options in the cars look wicked and they both have pros and cons for me, ill just have to make a firm decision Saturday.

Edited by bund on Monday 29th January 19:32

Hang on - surely you can have leather covered buckets in a Clubsport car? No?

[Pugsey]

Grant3 said:

Pugsey said:

Hi G. Nothing wrong with those at all. Very nice in fact.However, I just want to see something a bit more special when I look inside a GT3 and the buckets give me that, and for me are superbly comfy - just been to Gaydon and back (shhh) and they were snug as ever but no aches or pains.

Anyway how was Gaydon?

Very interesting indeed (and that's apart from speccing new stead), I'll post elswhere tomorrow. Mrs B seems to think part of the deal was that in return for being dragged round the factory she now gets taken out!