Drove a GT3 today
Discussion
Went to Silverstone today for an experience in a GT2 and GT3 that my lovely wife got me for Xmas.
The GT3 was my weapon of choice as I have been tinkering with the idea of acquiring one to replace my R35 GT-R so off we go. The gearbox felt beautifully weighted, nice and chunky, like you could to propel an artic with little worry of it breaking, the clutch heavy but not too heavy, steering so precise, first impressions put a smile on my face.
After a few laps of the handling course I found drropping down into 2nd gear just before the straight was most entertaining giving me the chance to rev that stunning engine past 7k and the noise, oh the noise!!!
After a little go on the kick plate we headed for the low friction surface, here I spent 30 minutes in first gear having the time of my life, I wont pretend I mastered connecting drift to drift but I had a good go and the fleeting moments of actually feeling the car responding to my prods on the throttle was a fantastic feeling and one I didn't want to end.
I improved my heel and toe technique with Richards patient help, as I went from missing the loud pedal completed to revving the thing into orbit time after time slowly my technique got better and a little blast tonight in the wife's Boxster has shown a distinct improvement and one I'm now determined to perfect.
So, what did I learn?
1. I don't need 600hp to enjoy driving a car.
2. There is a way of connecting with a car, if it allows( the GT3 does)
3. A manual gearbox may not be as quick as a dual clutch but boy does it feel good.
4. I really want a GT3 RS!
I drove back in the GT-R and I still love it, it does everything so bloody brilliantly, a completely different animal to the GT3 and I wish I could have both, but I can't so at this time, I'm confused, very confused :-(
Off to bed now, hopefully to connect those corners together in my dreams just like Richard did with ease!
A fantastic experience and one that's given me a real dilemma, I now really get the Porsche "thing" and I'm not sure the Boxster is going to completely fulfill my needs.......
The GT3 was my weapon of choice as I have been tinkering with the idea of acquiring one to replace my R35 GT-R so off we go. The gearbox felt beautifully weighted, nice and chunky, like you could to propel an artic with little worry of it breaking, the clutch heavy but not too heavy, steering so precise, first impressions put a smile on my face.
After a few laps of the handling course I found drropping down into 2nd gear just before the straight was most entertaining giving me the chance to rev that stunning engine past 7k and the noise, oh the noise!!!
After a little go on the kick plate we headed for the low friction surface, here I spent 30 minutes in first gear having the time of my life, I wont pretend I mastered connecting drift to drift but I had a good go and the fleeting moments of actually feeling the car responding to my prods on the throttle was a fantastic feeling and one I didn't want to end.
I improved my heel and toe technique with Richards patient help, as I went from missing the loud pedal completed to revving the thing into orbit time after time slowly my technique got better and a little blast tonight in the wife's Boxster has shown a distinct improvement and one I'm now determined to perfect.
So, what did I learn?
1. I don't need 600hp to enjoy driving a car.
2. There is a way of connecting with a car, if it allows( the GT3 does)
3. A manual gearbox may not be as quick as a dual clutch but boy does it feel good.
4. I really want a GT3 RS!
I drove back in the GT-R and I still love it, it does everything so bloody brilliantly, a completely different animal to the GT3 and I wish I could have both, but I can't so at this time, I'm confused, very confused :-(
Off to bed now, hopefully to connect those corners together in my dreams just like Richard did with ease!
A fantastic experience and one that's given me a real dilemma, I now really get the Porsche "thing" and I'm not sure the Boxster is going to completely fulfill my needs.......
Hi,
Sounds like you had a great day!
I drove mine home tonight for first time in a long time....... I enjoyed every minute of it
mine is but a mere 996 non RS version but to me means the world!
Glad you enjoyed the experience and will be looking forward to reading your next post..... I have just traded up in to a GT3
Mike
Sounds like you had a great day!
I drove mine home tonight for first time in a long time....... I enjoyed every minute of it
mine is but a mere 996 non RS version but to me means the world!Glad you enjoyed the experience and will be looking forward to reading your next post..... I have just traded up in to a GT3
Mike
all2ofme said:
Great to hear it! Made me want mine back so that I could go out for a blat, so it has to have been a good write-up, Andy
Ditto! I'm sat in a Courcheval chalet at the moment enjoying the epic snowfall here. Few material things could draw me away from this place at prsent but reading that has me thinking about a morning blat on Sunday...Glad you enjoyed it Andy; it's just a matter of time now
drpep said:
Ditto! I'm sat in a Courcheval chalet at the moment enjoying the epic snowfall here. Few material things could draw me away from this place at prsent but reading that has me thinking about a morning blat on Sunday...
Dude I hope you drove up there! I do it every Xmas in my 911s...no matter what the weather! I have snow socks that fit the RS - and they works wonders in the snow. Couple nice rounabouts up there, or the 180 pin at the bottom where the poneys/horses are.
911Thrasher said:
Dude I hope you drove up there! I do it every Xmas in my 911s...no matter what the weather! I have snow socks that fit the RS - and they works wonders in the snow.
Couple nice rounabouts up there, or the 180 pin at the bottom where the poneys/horses are.
Lol - no we took the 'snow train' London to Alps direct, good fun in itself! Next year though!Couple nice rounabouts up there, or the 180 pin at the bottom where the poneys/horses are.
I went from a 997.1 GT3 in to an R35 GT-R and I’m now back in a 997.2 GT3 (via a Boxster Spyder).
I understand how you feel. I loved my 997.1 GT3. I sold it on a whim and then repented at leisure. The R35 GT-R was epic however, the fastest car I have ever driven and not lacking in ‘soul’ or ‘feel’ as some might have you believe. BUT, it is not a GT3.
The GT3 is just about as close to driving perfection (for me) as I can imagine – I’ve never owned an RS, but have driven a few and the only thing I miss in the GT3 is the single-mass flywheel and the improved response of the engine associated with it. I do however prefer the more ‘understated’ looks of the GT3 as opposed to the RS.
I used my GT-R daily, the GT3 is more of a ‘special occasion’ car – I don’t commute in it and that makes the occasions when I do drive it all the more special.
If you make the move from an R35 GT-R in to a GT3, you certainly won’t be disappointed – the discussion is in full flow about Monkey’s C63 AMG on space saver wheels video and as he has said – ‘fun is better than speed’ and the GT3 is ALWAYS fun.
I understand how you feel. I loved my 997.1 GT3. I sold it on a whim and then repented at leisure. The R35 GT-R was epic however, the fastest car I have ever driven and not lacking in ‘soul’ or ‘feel’ as some might have you believe. BUT, it is not a GT3.
The GT3 is just about as close to driving perfection (for me) as I can imagine – I’ve never owned an RS, but have driven a few and the only thing I miss in the GT3 is the single-mass flywheel and the improved response of the engine associated with it. I do however prefer the more ‘understated’ looks of the GT3 as opposed to the RS.
I used my GT-R daily, the GT3 is more of a ‘special occasion’ car – I don’t commute in it and that makes the occasions when I do drive it all the more special.
If you make the move from an R35 GT-R in to a GT3, you certainly won’t be disappointed – the discussion is in full flow about Monkey’s C63 AMG on space saver wheels video and as he has said – ‘fun is better than speed’ and the GT3 is ALWAYS fun.
i am assuming most people know this but a 911 generally is not meant to wag it's tail and has very high traction (look at the size of the rear boots), you have to intentionally provoke it and be quick with correction. I think the opposite of what harris was trying to show. a cayman/boxster is much better with narrower tires and much friendlier at the limit.
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