Discussion
I know these types of thread are fairly subjective, but I would welcome some input - particularly from anyone who has owned both of these babies...!
I'm working up to a big landmark birthday pressie this summer, and have a budget of max 75K. Having had lots of different stuff in the past, more recently a 997 C2s and Exige 240 I had thought 997GT3 and have driven one, it was everything and more that I hoped it would be.
I've also looked at 996 GT3 and GT3RS, drove 997 Turbo and Spyder, have considered a 996 GT2...! Of all of them I would probably go Spyder if I bottle it as regards spending ALL the money..! It's harder than my 997 was but not as extreme as the Exige which got a little wearing.
The wild card would be the new Exige V6 which I have a drive lined up for in February.
Say I do for the biggie and do all the dosh, my alternatives are really GT3 genI or II (I could really do with the lifting front) or as a once in a lifetime opportunity the F430 is now within budget.
Being a fan of Pork, and the fact that I like to drive my cars as opposed to posing about in them, my head says GT3 all day long but I can't quite get away from the thought you only live once and to have a Fezza in the garage for at least a short while ticks a lot of boxes in the 'life goals' criteria..
I'm led to believe the 430 is much more reliable and useable than say 360/355 models were and at the £75k price point should hopefully hold their money fairly well (another important factor).
I have several other sensible family vehicles so this is purely a toy.
Accordingly, I open the floor, what does the panel think?!?!
240
I'm working up to a big landmark birthday pressie this summer, and have a budget of max 75K. Having had lots of different stuff in the past, more recently a 997 C2s and Exige 240 I had thought 997GT3 and have driven one, it was everything and more that I hoped it would be.
I've also looked at 996 GT3 and GT3RS, drove 997 Turbo and Spyder, have considered a 996 GT2...! Of all of them I would probably go Spyder if I bottle it as regards spending ALL the money..! It's harder than my 997 was but not as extreme as the Exige which got a little wearing.
The wild card would be the new Exige V6 which I have a drive lined up for in February.
Say I do for the biggie and do all the dosh, my alternatives are really GT3 genI or II (I could really do with the lifting front) or as a once in a lifetime opportunity the F430 is now within budget.
Being a fan of Pork, and the fact that I like to drive my cars as opposed to posing about in them, my head says GT3 all day long but I can't quite get away from the thought you only live once and to have a Fezza in the garage for at least a short while ticks a lot of boxes in the 'life goals' criteria..
I'm led to believe the 430 is much more reliable and useable than say 360/355 models were and at the £75k price point should hopefully hold their money fairly well (another important factor).
I have several other sensible family vehicles so this is purely a toy.
Accordingly, I open the floor, what does the panel think?!?!
240
Do it ! I am planning to get one very soon. They are the best buy on the market right now. As for the drive, they are wonderful road cars. You will likely fall head over heels with that engine, especially the low down umph it now has compared to its 360 forbear. The cabin space is modern and luxurious, the handling is far better balanced than either the 355 or 360 and as a road car they are very well judged with great body control and a very inertia-less pointy sinewy lightweight kind of feel. Like a big Exige almost. What won me over was that I was expecting a 'Ferrari' as ive always known them but as you allude to, they feel very well screwed together and finished and seem like a properly modern accomplished car. No belts so thats a bonus on the servicing front and they are proving to be rather reliable (although the manifolds can still go and the front ball joints should be uprated with Hill engineering ones too). Simon on here ran one as a supercar/trackcar hire and it needed its first clutch at something like 50k miles.
As an out and out drivers car, a GT3 will likely be more interesting and challenging at the limit but for punting around everyday and country roads you cant beat that mid engined uber-balanced double wishbone thing. Also, I found that driving a 430 is a huge emotional event ... stepping into a 97 Gt2 or 3 is a bit ordinary and dull by comparison. My choice though is geared by the fact that I already have a focused airooled 911 in my garage which I wouldn't be usurped by any known water cooled car. The supple theatrical and more generalist 430 is a perfect partner to what I own already. Choosing only one car i would test drive a few Gt3's as well and decide but be prepared for a massive grin and a big emotional hit when you drive the 430. If you wanted more of a real tool and to track as well then i'd go for a 996 Gt3 (in preference to the 7 as well).
I have seen the EXige V6 going round the track at Hethel. Its a great package but a totally different thing IMO. Throwaway, kit-car-esque and really just a track toy. Just get a cheap 111s elise if you want that kind of experience IMO. Elise based cars are so much moe fun and rewarding when they are low powered.
As an out and out drivers car, a GT3 will likely be more interesting and challenging at the limit but for punting around everyday and country roads you cant beat that mid engined uber-balanced double wishbone thing. Also, I found that driving a 430 is a huge emotional event ... stepping into a 97 Gt2 or 3 is a bit ordinary and dull by comparison. My choice though is geared by the fact that I already have a focused airooled 911 in my garage which I wouldn't be usurped by any known water cooled car. The supple theatrical and more generalist 430 is a perfect partner to what I own already. Choosing only one car i would test drive a few Gt3's as well and decide but be prepared for a massive grin and a big emotional hit when you drive the 430. If you wanted more of a real tool and to track as well then i'd go for a 996 Gt3 (in preference to the 7 as well).
I have seen the EXige V6 going round the track at Hethel. Its a great package but a totally different thing IMO. Throwaway, kit-car-esque and really just a track toy. Just get a cheap 111s elise if you want that kind of experience IMO. Elise based cars are so much moe fun and rewarding when they are low powered.
Edited by jackal on Friday 3rd February 13:23
get the F430
135k new, nice ones with <10k now for 70k, 1/2 price what's not to like.
these will hold value now at 65-70k.
If I did not have to visit clients in it I would have one right now on my drive.
I think if you buy a GT3 you will always wonder what it would have been like to own a F430
Now the time to buy the F430, loads of low mile examples which look brand new, you can always buy a GT3 in 12 months time.
135k new, nice ones with <10k now for 70k, 1/2 price what's not to like.
these will hold value now at 65-70k.
If I did not have to visit clients in it I would have one right now on my drive.
I think if you buy a GT3 you will always wonder what it would have been like to own a F430
Now the time to buy the F430, loads of low mile examples which look brand new, you can always buy a GT3 in 12 months time.
mrdemon said:
get the F430
135k new, nice ones with <10k now for 70k, 1/2 price what's not to like.
these will hold value now at 65-70k.
If I did not have to visit clients in it I would have one right now on my drive.
I think if you buy a GT3 you will always wonder what it would have been like to own a F430
Now the time to buy the F430, loads of low mile examples which look brand new, you can always buy a GT3 in 12 months time.
You think wrong, I have no wish to drive around in an overpriced Fiat, I'd much rather drive around in an overpriced Beetle.135k new, nice ones with <10k now for 70k, 1/2 price what's not to like.
these will hold value now at 65-70k.
If I did not have to visit clients in it I would have one right now on my drive.
I think if you buy a GT3 you will always wonder what it would have been like to own a F430
Now the time to buy the F430, loads of low mile examples which look brand new, you can always buy a GT3 in 12 months time.
keep it lit said:
jackal said:
1/ As an out and out drivers car, a GT3 will likely be more interesting and challenging.
2/ My choice though is geared by the fact that I already have a focused airooled 911 in my garage which wouldn't be usurped by any known water cooled car.
1/ true2/ My choice though is geared by the fact that I already have a focused airooled 911 in my garage which wouldn't be usurped by any known water cooled car.
2/ false
ade
And as for 1/, well yes but realise that that applies like 3% of the time. The other 97% of the time the F will be more engaging, more fun, better sounding, nicer to sit in, more exclusive and make yuo feel better.
I have owned 430 coupe and quite a few GT3's. They are very different cars!
This is almost an impossible question to answer, as it is entirely personal choice.
For me I found the 430 initially intoxicating, the sound the badge etc....But the drive is not as pure as a GT3 and on or near the limit the communication is just not the same.
The Ferrari I found more benign on the limit, more easily controlled, even clumsy inputs aren’t guaranteed to result in a rapid backward exit somewhere you don’t want to go.
Both cars will ground regularly if driven enthusiastically on a public road, the Ferrari grounds the underside of the front PU, the Porsche its brake ducts or lip spoiler. The Porsche makes you wince when it happens, the Ferrari makes your sphincter tighten and wallet loosen.
Neither car is cheap to own if you use them, but the Ferrari will cost significantly more to service and repair.
If you want looks and attention then the Ferrari is a league above the GT3 (even RS versions), you will also get a few more wan*er signs.
If you want a weekend and track day car GT3 by a mile, RS if you want something special and a sound investment. If you want a weekend and posing car the Ferrari is the winner.
Miles will be more easily accepted on a GT3 come resale time, but either car has a good following and arguable the Ferrari has a wider market.
Happy Birthday and enjoy whatever you choose
This is almost an impossible question to answer, as it is entirely personal choice.
For me I found the 430 initially intoxicating, the sound the badge etc....But the drive is not as pure as a GT3 and on or near the limit the communication is just not the same.
The Ferrari I found more benign on the limit, more easily controlled, even clumsy inputs aren’t guaranteed to result in a rapid backward exit somewhere you don’t want to go.
Both cars will ground regularly if driven enthusiastically on a public road, the Ferrari grounds the underside of the front PU, the Porsche its brake ducts or lip spoiler. The Porsche makes you wince when it happens, the Ferrari makes your sphincter tighten and wallet loosen.
Neither car is cheap to own if you use them, but the Ferrari will cost significantly more to service and repair.
If you want looks and attention then the Ferrari is a league above the GT3 (even RS versions), you will also get a few more wan*er signs.
If you want a weekend and track day car GT3 by a mile, RS if you want something special and a sound investment. If you want a weekend and posing car the Ferrari is the winner.
Miles will be more easily accepted on a GT3 come resale time, but either car has a good following and arguable the Ferrari has a wider market.
Happy Birthday and enjoy whatever you choose
Edited by GT3RS on Friday 3rd February 13:58
quote
"Miles will be more easily accepted on a GT3 come resale time"
does not seem that way
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3469401.htm
been for sale ages and 10k less than low miles cars, the cars only done 6.8k miles a year.
Use any of these types of cars and it costs you massive ammounts of cash.
"Miles will be more easily accepted on a GT3 come resale time"
does not seem that way
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3469401.htm
been for sale ages and 10k less than low miles cars, the cars only done 6.8k miles a year.
Use any of these types of cars and it costs you massive ammounts of cash.
Some years ago now, but I've owned both. A 996RS followed by a 430....
.....And the 430 was a load of rubbish as a focussed drivers car by comparison to that and my previous GT3 MK2. I'm no race driver but I'm also no 80 year old armchair lover....I paid thousands in multiple suspension setups to get the Ferrari to handle (which eventually it did) but ultimately it was still too soft and still needed, at the bare minimum, revised stiffer springs and roll bars to actual corner properly with any confidence-inspiring gusto and a "zorst" for that minging blowing sound it makes.
By the end of it all, it handled very progressively and sweetly, sounded well, but what I couldn't live with, were the non-ceramic brakes which are WOEFUL. If you drive at all hard, they will not withstand it. and I'm talking about road use. Driving it in any mode other than 'RACE' mode or 'CST-off' yields a pretty poor hooning experience.
I suppose the Ferrari could be enjoyed at low speed on a sunny day (mine was a spider)and the Porsche couldn't but really I shouldn't have sold the 996RS - hindsight is always 20/20 I suppose - and perhaps more to the point, I wonder whether i'd be in prison for speeding/dead had I kept it....
With the new gen GT3's having adaptive damping and TC, I wouldn't go near a base 430 if driving hard is my priority....
.....And the 430 was a load of rubbish as a focussed drivers car by comparison to that and my previous GT3 MK2. I'm no race driver but I'm also no 80 year old armchair lover....I paid thousands in multiple suspension setups to get the Ferrari to handle (which eventually it did) but ultimately it was still too soft and still needed, at the bare minimum, revised stiffer springs and roll bars to actual corner properly with any confidence-inspiring gusto and a "zorst" for that minging blowing sound it makes.
By the end of it all, it handled very progressively and sweetly, sounded well, but what I couldn't live with, were the non-ceramic brakes which are WOEFUL. If you drive at all hard, they will not withstand it. and I'm talking about road use. Driving it in any mode other than 'RACE' mode or 'CST-off' yields a pretty poor hooning experience.
I suppose the Ferrari could be enjoyed at low speed on a sunny day (mine was a spider)and the Porsche couldn't but really I shouldn't have sold the 996RS - hindsight is always 20/20 I suppose - and perhaps more to the point, I wonder whether i'd be in prison for speeding/dead had I kept it....
With the new gen GT3's having adaptive damping and TC, I wouldn't go near a base 430 if driving hard is my priority....
If you've never had a Ferrari and you're now in a position where you can justify buying one I would find it very hard not to recommend it; of all the cars I've owned the Ferrari was the one that excited me the most.
Having said that, its fragility was always at the back of my mind, and I was always a bit cautious when pushing on hard as spurious caution/engine lights wouldn't be an unfamiliar sight and the thought of a big bill being just around the corner was also always a worry....I'd have another tomorrow though!
Having said that, its fragility was always at the back of my mind, and I was always a bit cautious when pushing on hard as spurious caution/engine lights wouldn't be an unfamiliar sight and the thought of a big bill being just around the corner was also always a worry....I'd have another tomorrow though!
It sounds like you wanted your 430 to be like your gt3 and tried to make it so ... they are chalk and cheese and you need both IMO. As a counterpont, a 96rs is a pretty hopeless road car in comparison to a 430. It sniffs out cambers like crazy, is a PITA on the Mway and the whole car has a very clinical, neutral, androgenous air to it. Great to drive hard on a cct or the middle of scotland but its not a desireable nice thing to own and be in, more of an 'instrument' designed to get one single job done.
... and what is this thing you refer to called "driving hard" ... is that a young persons thing or something ? Surely the only that matters about a car is the noise it makes and how nice the interior is
... and what is this thing you refer to called "driving hard" ... is that a young persons thing or something ? Surely the only that matters about a car is the noise it makes and how nice the interior is
Edited by jackal on Friday 3rd February 15:30
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