996 Turbo to 997.1 GT3
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm thinking of going to a 997.1 GT3 so that I can get the rawest driving experience but my worries are that it may be way beyond my driving skills. I've always preferred 4WD cars for the added safety limit. My main question is....how forgiving is a 997.1 GT3? Is it really tail happy and a 'widow maker' like the 996 GT2? Or is it confidence inspiring and easy to drive fast?
Thanks for your input!
I'm thinking of going to a 997.1 GT3 so that I can get the rawest driving experience but my worries are that it may be way beyond my driving skills. I've always preferred 4WD cars for the added safety limit. My main question is....how forgiving is a 997.1 GT3? Is it really tail happy and a 'widow maker' like the 996 GT2? Or is it confidence inspiring and easy to drive fast?
Thanks for your input!
IMO you will be pissed off after a week with the heavy clutch, and the bone shaker ride, but if you want raw then a '3' is where it's at.. I'm going the other way to a TT..!
You do have to hold onto them, specially on 'B' or bumpy roads, loved mine, but just not practical as a daily driver on the roads round my way, they always ground out on driveways, in car parks or on kerbs when ever you park them too.
You do have to hold onto them, specially on 'B' or bumpy roads, loved mine, but just not practical as a daily driver on the roads round my way, they always ground out on driveways, in car parks or on kerbs when ever you park them too.
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Monday 24th June 21:55
I went from a 997 C2S that I used as a daily driver to a 997.1 GT3 which is purely a weekend car.
The C2S was a lovely car but I wanted something more focused for weekend thrills and the GT3 fit the bill perfectly.
First thing you should do is get a test drive.
As RatBoy alludes to above, they are not for everyone and you may find the change from the turbo a step too far.
The C2S was a lovely car but I wanted something more focused for weekend thrills and the GT3 fit the bill perfectly.
First thing you should do is get a test drive.
As RatBoy alludes to above, they are not for everyone and you may find the change from the turbo a step too far.
V8KSN said:
mrdemon said:
"easy to drive fast?"
no in a word, you don't see that many going very fast on track days, so I would say no :-)
You love winding people up don't you no in a word, you don't see that many going very fast on track days, so I would say no :-)
Martian O said:
V8KSN said:
mrdemon said:
"easy to drive fast?"
no in a word, you don't see that many going very fast on track days, so I would say no :-)
You love winding people up don't you no in a word, you don't see that many going very fast on track days, so I would say no :-)
(I realise that some peole think this 'journey' thing is an owner's myth...however, people who 'get' the GT3, get the concept)
Sorry, as for the OP's question, it would be good to test drive a GT3 and consider it in the context of how you intend to use it. A daily driver is possible but really for the hard core - flowing country roads would help.
If its for weekend use, ocassional drama, then I would definetely recommend it.
You should have no issues with driving manners on the road if you drive 'sensibly' - i.e. pressing on is ok. They do not bite.
A GT2 (aka widowmaker) has earned a more fearsome reputation though I have not had one so cannot comment how deserved this reputation is.
If its for weekend use, ocassional drama, then I would definetely recommend it.
You should have no issues with driving manners on the road if you drive 'sensibly' - i.e. pressing on is ok. They do not bite.
A GT2 (aka widowmaker) has earned a more fearsome reputation though I have not had one so cannot comment how deserved this reputation is.
Edited by LaSource on Tuesday 25th June 00:09
BavarianBiturbo said:
Hi Guys,
I'm thinking of going to a 997.1 GT3 so that I can get the rawest driving experience but my worries are that it may be way beyond my driving skills. I've always preferred 4WD cars for the added safety limit. My main question is....how forgiving is a 997.1 GT3? Is it really tail happy and a 'widow maker' like the 996 GT2? Or is it confidence inspiring and easy to drive fast?
Thanks for your input!
The only person who can answer this, is you. I'm thinking of going to a 997.1 GT3 so that I can get the rawest driving experience but my worries are that it may be way beyond my driving skills. I've always preferred 4WD cars for the added safety limit. My main question is....how forgiving is a 997.1 GT3? Is it really tail happy and a 'widow maker' like the 996 GT2? Or is it confidence inspiring and easy to drive fast?
Thanks for your input!
Go drive one.
I would have thought that if you can't drive a GT3 well, a turbo will also be beyond you. I have only tried a 996 GT3 Mk2, but I believe that's relevant as it has no electronic safety net and I felt totally safe with it - I didnt realise what progress I was making until I saw the speedo.
Personally I'd have more fears about a turbo, being able to pile on speed very quickly and then carrying more weight for braking and turning. Both are really easy cars to drive though, I think. Could just be me!
Personally I'd have more fears about a turbo, being able to pile on speed very quickly and then carrying more weight for braking and turning. Both are really easy cars to drive though, I think. Could just be me!
Unless you are a very poor driver indeed you will be absolutely fine on the road. I don't find the clutch heavy at all and whilst the suspension is hard its fine for 80% off roads.
My last car was a 996 GT2 and the cars are worlds apart in terms of the confidence they inspire. That said even the GT2 felt safe so long as you followed a few simple, common sense rules - the most important being to get the tyres warm before letting your right foot lose.
My last car was a 996 GT2 and the cars are worlds apart in terms of the confidence they inspire. That said even the GT2 felt safe so long as you followed a few simple, common sense rules - the most important being to get the tyres warm before letting your right foot lose.
BillTheButcher said:
Did it/does it feel noticeably slower than the Turbo because of the NA delivery?
IMO no, the 996 Turbo is very quick but the chassis contains the drama verywell. The 997 GT3 is more fun to extract the performance. However, although the Turbos and N/A cars are very different in many areas, my order of preference would be 1. 997 TT, 2. 997 GT3, 3. 996 TT. But the GT3 might hold its value better.NBTBRV8 said:
I went from a 996T to a 997.2 GT3 daily driver and have no regrets. It is much better on the track as you'd expect and more than compliant on the road. No problems at all.
+1Am running a 7.2 GT3 as a daily driver for over two years now. No regrets but lots of big smiles. I don't understand where this car should be compromised over any 2WD stock Carrera (yes, I ran a 7.1 C2S before). The car gets used all year around with winter rubber being fitted for the colder months. It's a fantastic drifting machine in the snow too.
But it's horses for courses.
Only dangerous if you drive like a moron, you shouldn't be getting anywhere near the cars limit's on normal roads given you have zero room for error.
When you first get it and get a little excited with your right foot when coming out of a corner at high rev's the back end might step out but traction control will kick in and you'll be fine!
"Clutch is too heavy"..... my wife loves to drive the GT3 and she never complains about clutch, yes it's heavier than your average car, just man up!
When you first get it and get a little excited with your right foot when coming out of a corner at high rev's the back end might step out but traction control will kick in and you'll be fine!
"Clutch is too heavy"..... my wife loves to drive the GT3 and she never complains about clutch, yes it's heavier than your average car, just man up!
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