Discussion
Hi Folks,
Going to chop-in the Noble and TVR to get behind the wheel of a 996. Drove a GT3 (club sport) at the weekend and was very impressed by the feel of the car, but prefer the creature-comforts (and styling) of the Turbo.
I plan to do 5-10 track days per year and really want to improve my technique from novice standard; will be taking some instruction. Primary use of the car will be weekend-hoons and evening runaround, with some longish journeys for business.
The question is, is the Turbo a sensible car for the occasional track day or would I be better off getting a comfort-spec GT3?
I haven't driven a Turbo yet... the obvious next step... but probably won't be able to get either on-track to see how they feel. I guess "how it feels on the road" will be a good indication, but comments appreciated!
Interestingly, I'd definately go for a GT3 in speed yellow, but would go for silver or black on a turbo.
Going to chop-in the Noble and TVR to get behind the wheel of a 996. Drove a GT3 (club sport) at the weekend and was very impressed by the feel of the car, but prefer the creature-comforts (and styling) of the Turbo.
I plan to do 5-10 track days per year and really want to improve my technique from novice standard; will be taking some instruction. Primary use of the car will be weekend-hoons and evening runaround, with some longish journeys for business.
The question is, is the Turbo a sensible car for the occasional track day or would I be better off getting a comfort-spec GT3?
I haven't driven a Turbo yet... the obvious next step... but probably won't be able to get either on-track to see how they feel. I guess "how it feels on the road" will be a good indication, but comments appreciated!
Interestingly, I'd definately go for a GT3 in speed yellow, but would go for silver or black on a turbo.
I totally agree with your choice of colour for both cars. I also happen to like Zanzibar on GT3s and seal grey for Turbos.
I think you need to think about the ride height issues of the GT3. How many speed bumps do you come across on your travels? If the answer is "very few" then you might be able to get away with a GT3 in comfort spec. Ask to borrow a GT3 and drive it around the places you normally go and see how much you need to slow down for speed bumps of steep ramps (eg car parks). This will make your mind up I expect.
I think you need to think about the ride height issues of the GT3. How many speed bumps do you come across on your travels? If the answer is "very few" then you might be able to get away with a GT3 in comfort spec. Ask to borrow a GT3 and drive it around the places you normally go and see how much you need to slow down for speed bumps of steep ramps (eg car parks). This will make your mind up I expect.
I would expect the turbo would be a bit easier to drive on track. They're great fun on track, just as Dazren, Getcarter etc on here.
Big community on Rennlist in america all track their turbos.
If its a single car and you want the creature comforts, get the Turbo, and maybe think about adding a rollcage for safety reasons.
rico
Big community on Rennlist in america all track their turbos.
If its a single car and you want the creature comforts, get the Turbo, and maybe think about adding a rollcage for safety reasons.
rico
Personally, I feel 996 Turbos are too lardy and gizmo packed for proper track use. They are an immense machine, but maybe lacking the delicacy of something track oriented like the GT3.
Have a drive in both. The GT3 simply feels like much more of a track machine.
The main problem is probably ground clearance with the GT3; the ride is pretty good and they're quite comfortable/practical apart from the lack of PSM in the wet for the missus. It is an untamed beast compared to the turbo, and more exciting for it
As ever, Turbo for the road, GT3 for the track. You'll have to decide where your intentions lie. One car can't do both...
Have a drive in both. The GT3 simply feels like much more of a track machine.
The main problem is probably ground clearance with the GT3; the ride is pretty good and they're quite comfortable/practical apart from the lack of PSM in the wet for the missus. It is an untamed beast compared to the turbo, and more exciting for it
As ever, Turbo for the road, GT3 for the track. You'll have to decide where your intentions lie. One car can't do both...
domster said:
Personally, I feel 996 Turbos are too lardy and gizmo packed for proper track use. They are an immense machine, but maybe lacking the delicacy of something track oriented like the GT3.
Have a drive in both. The GT3 simply feels like much more of a track machine.
The main problem is probably ground clearance with the GT3; the ride is pretty good and they're quite comfortable/practical apart from the lack of PSM in the wet for the missus. It is an untamed beast compared to the turbo, and more exciting for it
As ever, Turbo for the road, GT3 for the track. You'll have to decide where your intentions lie. One car can't do both...
Although you can now spec the Turbo with 20mm lowered suspension, get an X-50 add a sports exhaust & some track tyres & BOOM !!
rico said:
Talking about ground clearance....
Theres a MK2 GT3 parked near my bro's place and the only access roads to this have huge speed bumps. The GT3 looks standard (not raised) and even in my bro's 5-series he has to slow down quite a bit...
blingin' air suspension!
does it dance to usher etc.?
Marlon said:
Thanks.
I've heard of the "Turbo Power Kit" as an official model, what is it? Where does the X-50 fit in (guessing it's a similar engine upgrade to the Turbo-S?) Why is the Turbo-S not rated as highly as the standard TT in the general motoring press? So many questions...
Turbo power kit and X50 are one and the same thing. It is a desirable option that cost something like 7 or 8 grand when buying a new 996 Turbo.
I'm not sure what you mean about the new 996 Turbo S not being rated so highly by the press compared to the normal Tubo. There's no reason why it shouldn't be. It's basically an X50 with ceramic brakes and a nice badge on the back. I wouldn't want ceramic brakes in any case. The sensible money would be on a used Turbo with X50 pack with a warranty.
Thing with the 996turbo is- devastatingly quick cross country weapon that it is; your gran could get respectable lap times in it, while also chatting on the phone to her friend Mildred about the chinz curtains at the Bowls club.
The GT3 on the other hand will see you pointing the wrong way at the 1st bend if you try & drive it in the same way.
One will challenge you one will (relitivly speaking) cosset you. Different strokes for different folks.
The GT3 on the other hand will see you pointing the wrong way at the 1st bend if you try & drive it in the same way.
One will challenge you one will (relitivly speaking) cosset you. Different strokes for different folks.
[quote=iguana]Thing with the 996turbo is- devastatingly quick cross country weapon that it is; your gran could get respectable lap times in it, while also chatting on the phone to her friend Mildred about the chinz curtains at the Bowls club.
The GT3 on the other hand will see you pointing the wrong way at the 1st bend if you try & drive it in the same way.
One will challenge you one will (relitivly speaking) cosset you. Different strokes for different folks.
[/quote
Agree with that .........not driven 996t but spent 14 months & 8 thousand miles hustling a mk2 gt3 along Suffolk lanes and "A" roads with the occasional commute to the Smoke, now have a lardy c4s cab ( with 345hp ) with a 360 F1 for that period when the rush must be sated. Loved the gt3, love the c4s..........
The GT3 on the other hand will see you pointing the wrong way at the 1st bend if you try & drive it in the same way.
One will challenge you one will (relitivly speaking) cosset you. Different strokes for different folks.
[/quote
Agree with that .........not driven 996t but spent 14 months & 8 thousand miles hustling a mk2 gt3 along Suffolk lanes and "A" roads with the occasional commute to the Smoke, now have a lardy c4s cab ( with 345hp ) with a 360 F1 for that period when the rush must be sated. Loved the gt3, love the c4s..........
No , the gt3 was a superb road car, the problem was with me , I drove like a hooligan as soon as I got some heat in it , even a drive to the shops was a trip "off piste" ......"down a black run please" it would plead.
Lovely big lardy c4s is ( relatively speaking ) an enjoyable nursery slope , ( still not run it in yet though so not maxed it through the rev range) The 360 is an F1 , I loved the turn in and the banshee wail, the engine`s quite a looker too.
Sorry to some what hi- jack the thread, take the gt3 and go off piste.
Lovely big lardy c4s is ( relatively speaking ) an enjoyable nursery slope , ( still not run it in yet though so not maxed it through the rev range) The 360 is an F1 , I loved the turn in and the banshee wail, the engine`s quite a looker too.
Sorry to some what hi- jack the thread, take the gt3 and go off piste.
Regarding a 996TT on track it really does depend on the track. I have a lot of fun in mine on the space of the Nurburgring but was less satisfied with the Brands Hatch Indy circuit which is tight and twisty. No real space to stretch the TT's long legs. I may get contradicted on this forum but I feel the Turbo is really an exceptional GT, with amazing abilities none the less. Having driven a GT3 on road only I can see it has a heavy track bias that for me is too harsh for the road (not sure what suspension it had) . Also like you I like the creature comforts of a Turbo plus 4x4 on the TT is a godsend and I far prefer 400+ bhp to go to all the wheels. Turbo is more easily power upped too.
Basically IMHO Turbo all the way - it is a car everyone should own but few do, you'll look back and never regret having one of the worlds finest (if not THE finest) sports car ever.
Basically IMHO Turbo all the way - it is a car everyone should own but few do, you'll look back and never regret having one of the worlds finest (if not THE finest) sports car ever.
iguana said:
Thing with the 996turbo is- devastatingly quick cross country weapon that it is; your gran could get respectable lap times in it, while also chatting on the phone to her friend Mildred about the chinz curtains at the Bowls club.
"SO", she would still be having great fun in the Turbo and also pumping adrenalin from all that grunt, whilst still sorting out the chinz curtains. I call that a win win situation!
In the GT3 she would have thought she was a real racing driver (don't we all when we aren't really!!) blasted into the corner too fast due to detached retina's from the hard ride, hit understeer, lifted off & gone through the hedge backwards wearing the curtains!!
Having said this on the smooth relatively safe confines of a race track I agree it's GT3 every time, but as a daily driver the Turbo is the mut's nuts!!!
Being lucky enough to own one of each, i feel i have an objective view here.
The GT3 is king of the track and the Turbo king of the Road.
I only did 3x laps on track in my turbo before i took it back in to get back in my GT3, which i also had there at the time, the difference between the two was vast, and i soon became bored with the turbos understeer and body roll.
We all know the strengths of each car, i think the question is, is the GT3 a better road car than the turbo is a track car ????
Answer me that one then guys ???
The GT3 is king of the track and the Turbo king of the Road.
I only did 3x laps on track in my turbo before i took it back in to get back in my GT3, which i also had there at the time, the difference between the two was vast, and i soon became bored with the turbos understeer and body roll.
We all know the strengths of each car, i think the question is, is the GT3 a better road car than the turbo is a track car ????
Answer me that one then guys ???
Glenn McMenamin said:
We all know the strengths of each car, i think the question is, is the GT3 a better road car than the turbo is a track car ????
Answer me that one then guys ???
That is a great question, Glenn!
I'd say Turbo is 70% road, 30% track
GT3 is 60% track, 40% road
So I'd say the GT3 is better road car than Turbo is track car. But it's a really close call...
ATB
Dom
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