GT3 997 Gen 2 vs GT3 RS 997 Gen 2
Discussion
Dynamo69 said:
I have a 996 turbo at the moment. I know that the GT3 is much more a driver's car, with no low down turbo grunt. I shall be testing a GT3 at Silverstone late June, so just doing some research.
in your position i'd go for a standard 3.8 GT3 then. it's a mega car, a fair bit cheaper than the RS, and the RS will only display it's superiority in the track. the standard car is at least 95 pcnt as brilliant as the RS, and much less 'shouty' to look at imho. i went for the RS, but i use it on the track mostly. Dynamo69 said:
Much appreciated ... I'll NOT be tracking my car . which should I look to buy ?
If the fiscal aspect is not a major factor, the RS is almost certain to retain its premium over time, so if you are not keeping it forever and aren't investing your capital in something making an unusually good return, it is very safe to buy the RS. If you did, not tracking it would be even more of a crime than not doing so with a cooking GT3.Reasons not to opt for an RS as a road only car are basically that the shouty decals are very much for people who like attention and the rear wing does very bad things to the touring range. But is that important to you? Conversely, the RS is rarer, sounds better, has a better front end and just has that little bit more awesome. On one hand, it is not really worth it's premium by objective measure as the differences are fairly minor, but on the other you get the difference back at resale.
I bought a 3.8 non-RS. If an RS had been on the market in on or about my personal perfect spec I would probably have bought one, however that was not the case so I'll be spending the difference on track days and consumables over the next few years. I am happy with mine, and I am quite comfortable that my mates with the RS will always be a bit cooler than me. Does that help?
seawise said:
Dynamo69 said:
I have a 996 turbo at the moment. I know that the GT3 is much more a driver's car, with no low down turbo grunt. I shall be testing a GT3 at Silverstone late June, so just doing some research.
in your position i'd go for a standard 3.8 GT3 then. it's a mega car, a fair bit cheaper than the RS, and the RS will only display it's superiority in the track. the standard car is at least 95 pcnt as brilliant as the RS, and much less 'shouty' to look at imho. i went for the RS, but i use it on the track mostly. Dynamo69 said:
Much appreciated ... I'll NOT be tracking my car . which should I look to buy ?
Out of interest, if you're not going to be tracking the car, why do you want a GT3? I'm not suggesting you shouldn't have one by the way or anything like that just a genuine interest as to what other reason is there to buy one? They are great cars but not very comfortable, noisy in traffic, not a car you can really potter about in - they only really make sense to me when you're really going for it, which in this day and age you can only really do on track, if you don't want to risk losing your license.
Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely have one but then again I'd definitely be tracking it!
I've also been lucky enough to own both (and still own the non RS 3.8).
Depending on the specification of the non RS car, their characters can be quite different. My non RS has comfort seats, no roll cage and steel brakes. Compared to the RS, it also has the narrower front track, slightly softer settings for PASM, much longer gearing (probably the biggest difference) and slightly less power (although this is hardly noticeable).
So my RS always felt rather more urgent, and had an even more fantastic turn in.
Looks wise I prefer the non RS. The design is very coherent and balanced; the RS does look the business but the rear wing is, well, a bit large! It does also obscure a lot of rear vision (although not as badly as my 4.0 litre with its steeper angle of attack - it's easy to lose a whole car in the rear view mirror!).
My non RS is a simply fantastic road biased GT3, which will, of course, also devour any track I take it to. I love it.
Cheers
Depending on the specification of the non RS car, their characters can be quite different. My non RS has comfort seats, no roll cage and steel brakes. Compared to the RS, it also has the narrower front track, slightly softer settings for PASM, much longer gearing (probably the biggest difference) and slightly less power (although this is hardly noticeable).
So my RS always felt rather more urgent, and had an even more fantastic turn in.
Looks wise I prefer the non RS. The design is very coherent and balanced; the RS does look the business but the rear wing is, well, a bit large! It does also obscure a lot of rear vision (although not as badly as my 4.0 litre with its steeper angle of attack - it's easy to lose a whole car in the rear view mirror!).
My non RS is a simply fantastic road biased GT3, which will, of course, also devour any track I take it to. I love it.
Cheers
A little bit off topic but for those who struggle with rear vision with the larger wings, paint the underside half black. A piece of vinyl will also work if you dont want to paint (and if you go this route you can use matte finish too). It will improve things significantly.
Have done this on every cup I've owned (if previous owner already hadn't).
Have done this on every cup I've owned (if previous owner already hadn't).
Edited by fioran0 on Friday 1st June 01:36
Slippydiff said:
mrdemon said:
which one do you want ?
These cars are quite hardcore if you are not going to be using them on track.
Oh perleeeeze, "the GT3 is too extreme/hardcore for everyday road use" is this your next soap box axe to grind ?These cars are quite hardcore if you are not going to be using them on track.
FIGHT!!!!Slippydiff said:
mrdemon said:
which one do you want ?
These cars are quite hardcore if you are not going to be using them on track.
Oh perleeeeze, "the GT3 is too extreme/hardcore for everyday road use" is this your next soap box axe to grind ?These cars are quite hardcore if you are not going to be using them on track.
mrdemon said:
And me, I know the RS are just about the same but at 69k which a few good ones are now, they seem a better buy, every one always wants a RS in the future.
Fully agree to that - on the long term, the RS always carries a premium 
And truthfully it always felt a little more special than the bog standard GT3 - both in my eyes but clearly in others too.
My RS was mainly a trans-european car, saw a few tracks but nothing hardcore. Most of the 19kmiles i did were on long trips to the Alps and Atlantic.
GT3s are wonderful places to be in, and feel so good on continental highways. They are no less comfortable than a Turbo or Carrera.
I would say - even if you don't track the car - go for it. They are lots of fun at normal speeds on normal roads (as long as the tarmac is of good quality - not always the case here in the UK).
I loved mine (997.1 RS) - now gone to another good home - but sticking to the "race bread" car: CStradale on its way.
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 1st June 10:55
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