997.1 C2S v 997.1 GT3 - my initial thoughts .....
Discussion
As I'm changing cars and as a few people have expressed an interest, I though I would write down my thoughts thus far and see what others think.
In terms of the engines, the GT3 makes much more of gravelly “thrum” at idle and more of a bark as the revs rise. The engine really dominates the sound / noise experience, far more than the C2S, so I expect it has less sound deadening and in having a freer flowing exhaust, it’s definitely louder than a C2S with PSE (even with the X51 manifolds). Even more so when you hit the GT3’s sport button, when it becomes much bassier and more resonant at all rpm, with at truly wicked snarl at high revs.
Despite running longer gearing in the GT3 it feels as if it's more torquey up to 4,000 rpm and the throttle response is more immediate. My (lightly tweaked) C2S feels similarly fast up to 4,000rpm and probably matches the GT3 for shove until 6,0000rpm, but after that the GT3 engine goes properly "feral" with another, even stronger ramp up from about 6,500rpm and no discernible let up until 8,000rpm (when it's supposedly 400rpm past it's power peak) .... The speed / acceleration difference is not night and day, but the GT3 just feels stronger, freer revving and more willing everywhere. With its chassis and LSD, you feel more confident to deploy it more often.
The gear change feels like a rifle bolt, short, slightly heavier, very mechanical and much more direct than even the short shift on the C2S - the upshot is that you are never in any doubt as to which gear you're in or whether you've selected it. The clutches are heavier than the C2S, so if anyone finds their Carrera clutch heavy, then the GT3 will be more tiring to use in heavy traffic. On open roads you don’t really notice it so much, but the 911 Virgin car had a much lighter clutch than the one I’m buying, so I’m having the dealers workshop (OPC Mid Sussex) check that out (as I gather it might need bleeding, the assister spring under the pedal could have gone, or the whole clutch unit needs replacing). The do seem to get through clutches!
I’ve now driven them on a mixture of Motorway, smooth A roads, B roads and even a minor road or two and the thing that really strikes you is how composed the GT3 feels. The ride is not uncomfortable, just stiffer than the C2S and I found this quite surprising when it sits so much lower and is so resistant to weight transfer. I can only put it down to the quality of the dampers (or damping), which feel substantially tighter than those on the C2S, so although you know the GT3 uses stiffer springs and antiroll bars, the dampers always seem to have them under control. So yes it’s stiffer than a C2S, but it still absorbs the worst of the bumps and the GT3 moves around much less, especially on uneven or undulating roads when it feels really well “tied down”. So when you have the tail loaded (coming out of a corner under power); there is less bobbing, less of the squatting sensation and much less instability on that loaded outside rear (where I always felt my C2S rear anti roll bar wasn’t stiff enough for the grip that the 305 section Michelin Pilot Sport 2’s could generate).
The steering is amazing, more direct and alert that the C2S and perfectly weighted so that you can judge your turn in and are able to trust the front end as it seems to have much more bite, regardless of the tyres its on. This just gave me so much more confidence from the moment I got in it.
As for the brakes, well as either steels or ceramics, you have more confidence to lean on them from high speeds, but especially the ceramics, which take less pedal pressure to provide decent retardation and seem to just get better as they get hotter.
Lastly, the combination of the aerodynamic agenda and the stiffer suspension means that the car feels much more stable at higher speeds, more resistant to the blustery winds we have been experiencing and therefore more confidence inspiring. In fact if I had to sum the GT3 in two words, it would be “confidence inspiring” as it’s capable of really flattering the driver!
In terms of the engines, the GT3 makes much more of gravelly “thrum” at idle and more of a bark as the revs rise. The engine really dominates the sound / noise experience, far more than the C2S, so I expect it has less sound deadening and in having a freer flowing exhaust, it’s definitely louder than a C2S with PSE (even with the X51 manifolds). Even more so when you hit the GT3’s sport button, when it becomes much bassier and more resonant at all rpm, with at truly wicked snarl at high revs.
Despite running longer gearing in the GT3 it feels as if it's more torquey up to 4,000 rpm and the throttle response is more immediate. My (lightly tweaked) C2S feels similarly fast up to 4,000rpm and probably matches the GT3 for shove until 6,0000rpm, but after that the GT3 engine goes properly "feral" with another, even stronger ramp up from about 6,500rpm and no discernible let up until 8,000rpm (when it's supposedly 400rpm past it's power peak) .... The speed / acceleration difference is not night and day, but the GT3 just feels stronger, freer revving and more willing everywhere. With its chassis and LSD, you feel more confident to deploy it more often.
The gear change feels like a rifle bolt, short, slightly heavier, very mechanical and much more direct than even the short shift on the C2S - the upshot is that you are never in any doubt as to which gear you're in or whether you've selected it. The clutches are heavier than the C2S, so if anyone finds their Carrera clutch heavy, then the GT3 will be more tiring to use in heavy traffic. On open roads you don’t really notice it so much, but the 911 Virgin car had a much lighter clutch than the one I’m buying, so I’m having the dealers workshop (OPC Mid Sussex) check that out (as I gather it might need bleeding, the assister spring under the pedal could have gone, or the whole clutch unit needs replacing). The do seem to get through clutches!
I’ve now driven them on a mixture of Motorway, smooth A roads, B roads and even a minor road or two and the thing that really strikes you is how composed the GT3 feels. The ride is not uncomfortable, just stiffer than the C2S and I found this quite surprising when it sits so much lower and is so resistant to weight transfer. I can only put it down to the quality of the dampers (or damping), which feel substantially tighter than those on the C2S, so although you know the GT3 uses stiffer springs and antiroll bars, the dampers always seem to have them under control. So yes it’s stiffer than a C2S, but it still absorbs the worst of the bumps and the GT3 moves around much less, especially on uneven or undulating roads when it feels really well “tied down”. So when you have the tail loaded (coming out of a corner under power); there is less bobbing, less of the squatting sensation and much less instability on that loaded outside rear (where I always felt my C2S rear anti roll bar wasn’t stiff enough for the grip that the 305 section Michelin Pilot Sport 2’s could generate).
The steering is amazing, more direct and alert that the C2S and perfectly weighted so that you can judge your turn in and are able to trust the front end as it seems to have much more bite, regardless of the tyres its on. This just gave me so much more confidence from the moment I got in it.
As for the brakes, well as either steels or ceramics, you have more confidence to lean on them from high speeds, but especially the ceramics, which take less pedal pressure to provide decent retardation and seem to just get better as they get hotter.
Lastly, the combination of the aerodynamic agenda and the stiffer suspension means that the car feels much more stable at higher speeds, more resistant to the blustery winds we have been experiencing and therefore more confidence inspiring. In fact if I had to sum the GT3 in two words, it would be “confidence inspiring” as it’s capable of really flattering the driver!
Edited by MadMark911 on Sunday 24th June 19:38
Edited by MadMark911 on Sunday 24th June 19:47
Edited by MadMark911 on Monday 25th June 17:31
MadMark911 said:
Thanks for the comments and yes I particularly like the GT Silver! It'll make a change for me as I've not had many silver cars!
The 996 GT3 is a stunning car and wickedly quick, but I've obviously gone soft as I couldn't drive one every day!
MM.
That silver GT3 is lovely. I would really like one, but need the rear seat. Ive seen the threads on the fitment of rear belts, but I guess you cant move the buckets enough to get them, and I would want the buckets!The 996 GT3 is a stunning car and wickedly quick, but I've obviously gone soft as I couldn't drive one every day!
MM.
lingus75 said:
That silver GT3 is lovely. I would really like one, but need the rear seat. Ive seen the threads on the fitment of rear belts, but I guess you cant move the buckets enough to get them, and I would want the buckets!
I think it's actually illegal to have rear seats with the fixed buckets ..... Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff