996 turbo driver thinking of GT3 ...
Discussion
I'm used to an occasional thrill with a 996 manual turbo (450 bhp) and I'm thinking of buying a 997 Gen 2 GT3. I'm aware the GT3 will need greater revs, has rear wheel drive & a more 'connected' drive. Whilst I am yet to drive a GT3, the question is whether I keep the 996 turbo & add the GT3 because of it's different 'personality' or change the 996 turbo for the GT3.
Viewpoints and feedback is appreciated.
Viewpoints and feedback is appreciated.
This will split the porsche lovers then;-)
I had the same delima. The gt3 is a very nice place to be, particularly the atlantis blue with carbon, bucket seats, spoiler etc I saw in London, but the seat height is fixed and the clutch requires a lot of pressure. No good for girls then. The noise is out of this world and it handles like a atom .. However the suspension is like an atom - fillings beware - and in the wet with 430+hp and almost cut slicks hmmm my bullocks are already clenching. you can potentially use it on the track to get that authentic feel, heel/toeing, noise, handling however more than a few track days (according to Swindon and London) voids your warranty. Seems to hold it's value fairly well
So onto the turbo. Atom quick. Very sure footed on most roads even in the wet. Nice place to be and room for four - well at least for my two petite daughters. My better half can drive it and not kill herself and its definitely an A to B car. However it sounds like a hairdryer and the value drops faster then a fat man jumping out of a plane (at least years 1 to 5).
What did I choose? The turbo and now looking for oem exhaust for some better noise! I not going to use it on the track since I have other toys for that but I am going to enjoy annoying all those other supercars on the road :-)
Tim
I had the same delima. The gt3 is a very nice place to be, particularly the atlantis blue with carbon, bucket seats, spoiler etc I saw in London, but the seat height is fixed and the clutch requires a lot of pressure. No good for girls then. The noise is out of this world and it handles like a atom .. However the suspension is like an atom - fillings beware - and in the wet with 430+hp and almost cut slicks hmmm my bullocks are already clenching. you can potentially use it on the track to get that authentic feel, heel/toeing, noise, handling however more than a few track days (according to Swindon and London) voids your warranty. Seems to hold it's value fairly well
So onto the turbo. Atom quick. Very sure footed on most roads even in the wet. Nice place to be and room for four - well at least for my two petite daughters. My better half can drive it and not kill herself and its definitely an A to B car. However it sounds like a hairdryer and the value drops faster then a fat man jumping out of a plane (at least years 1 to 5).
What did I choose? The turbo and now looking for oem exhaust for some better noise! I not going to use it on the track since I have other toys for that but I am going to enjoy annoying all those other supercars on the road :-)
Tim
Would have loved to have both. My best friend had a tricked up Mk1 GT3 and it was so far removed for the turbo. It was, however and absolute blast.
Having both would be the best of both worlds. Torquey mile muncher & bone shaking nut job.
Would be like being married to Carol Vorderman, but every now and again she'd ask to suck your balls.
Having both would be the best of both worlds. Torquey mile muncher & bone shaking nut job.
Would be like being married to Carol Vorderman, but every now and again she'd ask to suck your balls.
tjlees said:
This will split the porsche lovers then;-)
I had the same delima. The gt3 is a very nice place to be, particularly the atlantis blue with carbon, bucket seats, spoiler etc I saw in London, but the seat height is fixed and the clutch requires a lot of pressure. No good for girls then. The noise is out of this world and it handles like a atom .. However the suspension is like an atom - fillings beware - and in the wet with 430+hp and almost cut slicks hmmm my bullocks are already clenching. you can potentially use it on the track to get that authentic feel, heel/toeing, noise, handling however more than a few track days (according to Swindon and London) voids your warranty. Seems to hold it's value fairly well
So onto the turbo. Atom quick. Very sure footed on most roads even in the wet. Nice place to be and room for four - well at least for my two petite daughters. My better half can drive it and not kill herself and its definitely an A to B car. However it sounds like a hairdryer and the value drops faster then a fat man jumping out of a plane (at least years 1 to 5).
What did I choose? The turbo and now looking for oem exhaust for some better noise! I not going to use it on the track since I have other toys for that but I am going to enjoy annoying all those other supercars on the road :-)
Tim
Interesting post. Couple of points - I had the same delima. The gt3 is a very nice place to be, particularly the atlantis blue with carbon, bucket seats, spoiler etc I saw in London, but the seat height is fixed and the clutch requires a lot of pressure. No good for girls then. The noise is out of this world and it handles like a atom .. However the suspension is like an atom - fillings beware - and in the wet with 430+hp and almost cut slicks hmmm my bullocks are already clenching. you can potentially use it on the track to get that authentic feel, heel/toeing, noise, handling however more than a few track days (according to Swindon and London) voids your warranty. Seems to hold it's value fairly well
So onto the turbo. Atom quick. Very sure footed on most roads even in the wet. Nice place to be and room for four - well at least for my two petite daughters. My better half can drive it and not kill herself and its definitely an A to B car. However it sounds like a hairdryer and the value drops faster then a fat man jumping out of a plane (at least years 1 to 5).
What did I choose? The turbo and now looking for oem exhaust for some better noise! I not going to use it on the track since I have other toys for that but I am going to enjoy annoying all those other supercars on the road :-)
Tim
- Which GT3 are you referring to? A 996 GT3 might give your fillings a bit of a rattling but not a 997.1 or .2 which are much more compliant and comfortable (unless you want rock-hard in which case hit the PASM or Sport buttons)
- Seat height is not fixed on non-buckets (if you go for the Comfort as opposed to the Club Sport version)
- Clutch requires more pressure than a Carrera, however clutch travel is much shorter, net effect is that (I, personally find) gear changes are easier and no problem at all in traffic (I own a 997.1 GT3 and live in Central London)
- Agreed the Pilot Sport Cups are not the friendliest road tyres, I soon switched to a set of Pilots Sports which are excellent all rounders
- Voiding of Warranty due to track use - this is what the cars are designed for - so long as you don't abuse the car and over rev you'll be fine - guidance from one OPC I spoke to about this last year was "hard but fair use" of the car on track is fine
I'd say try a GT3 out first.... You'll either love it or hate it - very different animal to a Turbo. Turbo is more like a continental cruiser, designed to cover big distance with big speeds. The GT3 can do that but is more fun in the bends.
Good luck
For the gt3 I am referring to the 997.2. It's a hard ride and my ultima is better over the same run, which has traks shocks. The clutch is fine for me but not for the better half. I could have had the fat boy seats but IMHO it spoils in the inside look of the gt3. Still dream of having gt3, the driving position is just right, the ride is fine once you are upto naughty speeds, but I will suffer with the turbo :-).
I am not sure about the warranty - it seems to split opc opinions - Swindon quote a few track days as fair use. I do 10-15 per year and any way would I really want to put a £70k+ car on the track? Not sure what the cost of a machine-wall interface problem with a Porsche. The ultima costs around £2k for the complete front clam plus the front is boxed so can be replaced easily.
So gt3 if you are the only driver and turbo for the family then?
I am not sure about the warranty - it seems to split opc opinions - Swindon quote a few track days as fair use. I do 10-15 per year and any way would I really want to put a £70k+ car on the track? Not sure what the cost of a machine-wall interface problem with a Porsche. The ultima costs around £2k for the complete front clam plus the front is boxed so can be replaced easily.
So gt3 if you are the only driver and turbo for the family then?
7.2 GT3 is perfectly usable every day. I do have folding buckets for rear access and Ceramics for a more pliant ride.
Get the the 3 and decide then. I can't see a reason why you would ever want to use the Turbo again.
Whilst I run a Conti GT for long trips i do find the folding buckets in my GT3 much more comfortable...
Get the the 3 and decide then. I can't see a reason why you would ever want to use the Turbo again.
Whilst I run a Conti GT for long trips i do find the folding buckets in my GT3 much more comfortable...
Interesting comment in their about speed v. aggression.
I think you will find than once moving the GT3 will be quicker than the Turbo, especially a 996, even in a straight line.
Personally it is an easy choice - and also in my own experience I have not had a problem with the Cups on either the 996 or the 997.2. Of course you need to adjust your style according to the conditions!
I think you will find than once moving the GT3 will be quicker than the Turbo, especially a 996, even in a straight line.
Personally it is an easy choice - and also in my own experience I have not had a problem with the Cups on either the 996 or the 997.2. Of course you need to adjust your style according to the conditions!
Old Trout said:
...I think you will find than once moving the GT3 will be quicker than the Turbo, especially a 996, even in a straight line....
No chance.Anyhoo, after a period of absence from my 996 (annual service, MOT etc) I was again amazed at how well it handled and how nimble it is.
monthefish said:
No chance.
Anyhoo, after a period of absence from my 996 (annual service, MOT etc) I was again amazed at how well it handled and how nimble it is.
Why no chance - even on the 996 the GT3 and Turbo had almost identical power to weight ratio and the lower weight car has less inertia (Turbo is 272bhp/tonne; GT3 is 271.7bhp/tonne)Anyhoo, after a period of absence from my 996 (annual service, MOT etc) I was again amazed at how well it handled and how nimble it is.
I believe it was Monkey that commented that the GT3 was faster something like 30-100mph - can't remember the exact increment but it was real world style acceleration
Edited by Old Trout on Monday 9th April 23:38
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