997 GT3 as a daily driver
Discussion
Hi everyone, posted here a few times, was looking for a 997 turbo a while back but bought a C63 AMG instead, bad move to be honest. Its a lovely car and makes a cracking sound but it just doesn't feel special enough. I also dislike the auto gearbox, its my first auto and I can safely say I am definitely a manual man.
I really want to get my backside in to a Porsche and the best option at the moment seems to be a 997 GT3 and its also my favourite! With the new 991 being PDK only, I can't see the prices of the 997's dropping very far. They have hardly dropped in the last year or so anyway as far as I can make out.
I have a few questions
1) Is the car suitable for a daily driver? I have a pickup truck for when the weathers really bad (snow etc).
2) I note there are two different seat choices, what look like normal seats and what look like buckets. I like the look of the buckets, again for the "special" feel. I am 6ft 3 tall, will I be able to sit in the car comfortably?
3) Any more info much appreciated!!!
I am heading down to Hampshire next week for a short break and will be driving round the M25 so quite near to 911V. They have a stunning white example in at the moment with black wheels and buckets, basically exactly as I'd want it. I might pop in and give it a look on the way past!
Thanks,
Andrew
I really want to get my backside in to a Porsche and the best option at the moment seems to be a 997 GT3 and its also my favourite! With the new 991 being PDK only, I can't see the prices of the 997's dropping very far. They have hardly dropped in the last year or so anyway as far as I can make out.
I have a few questions
1) Is the car suitable for a daily driver? I have a pickup truck for when the weathers really bad (snow etc).
2) I note there are two different seat choices, what look like normal seats and what look like buckets. I like the look of the buckets, again for the "special" feel. I am 6ft 3 tall, will I be able to sit in the car comfortably?
3) Any more info much appreciated!!!
I am heading down to Hampshire next week for a short break and will be driving round the M25 so quite near to 911V. They have a stunning white example in at the moment with black wheels and buckets, basically exactly as I'd want it. I might pop in and give it a look on the way past!
Thanks,
Andrew
Quite a few similar threads on this subject if the search is working.
However briefly from me I would say :
1. Yes they can easily be used as a daily driver, if the slightly heavier clutch and low front splitter isn't an issue for you.
2. The buckets seats are very comfortable esp the folding ones from the Gen 2, I'm the same height and plenty room for me, I like the Clubsport version as I think it really suits the car well.
3. Make sure you have a comprehensive inspection done, and a decent warranty is probably a good idea. The gen 1 didn't have mesh fitted as standard to the front intakes, so check carefully for any stone damage on rads etc.
4. Having had both gens 1&2, i'd go for a gen2 CS if you can stretch, many also have a front lift for speed bumps etc, having said that the gen 1 is also a great car.
Good Luck.
However briefly from me I would say :
1. Yes they can easily be used as a daily driver, if the slightly heavier clutch and low front splitter isn't an issue for you.
2. The buckets seats are very comfortable esp the folding ones from the Gen 2, I'm the same height and plenty room for me, I like the Clubsport version as I think it really suits the car well.
3. Make sure you have a comprehensive inspection done, and a decent warranty is probably a good idea. The gen 1 didn't have mesh fitted as standard to the front intakes, so check carefully for any stone damage on rads etc.
4. Having had both gens 1&2, i'd go for a gen2 CS if you can stretch, many also have a front lift for speed bumps etc, having said that the gen 1 is also a great car.
Good Luck.
At 6`3 the carbon backed buckets will be fine. I find mine very comfortable and no problem at all during a 2500 miles euro trip. I though that as they are rigid it may be a problem but nothing of the sort. I`m the same height as you by the way.
Many of the GT3`s that have popped up for sale are the comfort spec and not clubsport spec. The later being preferable if you want to venture out on track. A comfort spec can be pretty much specc`d into a clubsport but without the cage in the back for easier access.
I would imagine the clutch might get a little heavy for the daily drive and the splitter will get a bashing on the speed humps but manageable. Depends on the sort of daily drive you intend to do. 15 miles eachway through the country lanes great - 5 miles in central London , not so great !
Many of the GT3`s that have popped up for sale are the comfort spec and not clubsport spec. The later being preferable if you want to venture out on track. A comfort spec can be pretty much specc`d into a clubsport but without the cage in the back for easier access.
I would imagine the clutch might get a little heavy for the daily drive and the splitter will get a bashing on the speed humps but manageable. Depends on the sort of daily drive you intend to do. 15 miles eachway through the country lanes great - 5 miles in central London , not so great !
..Forget it, I've tried it, and it's a pain in the ass, fantastic cars don't get me wrong, but on open, smooth A roads only, broken roads, traffic and car parks will drive you nuts, it might be fun for 2 weeks like it was for me, then I had to buy a Golf Diesel as well for a daily, now both have gone, and I'm in a 996-4S, which is an excellent daily driver.. horses for courses, and a GT3 isn't for that purpose IMHO. Some of the die hards will tell you that you can run one as a daily, which you can, if you only have 1 car..!, but trust me if you have a choice to use, after a month in a GT3 you will be picking up the keys to the softer, easier clutched car with a higher ride height.. ! each to their own, mega cars GT3's I bloody loved mine, but for a blast and a track day, not as a daily driver. As for buckets, yes they are great, for the track, but a royal pain after going shopping or a client visit in a suit..!
Go C2/C4/S or Turbo as a daily.. GT cars for a blast and a track day toy..!
Go C2/C4/S or Turbo as a daily.. GT cars for a blast and a track day toy..!
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Friday 8th March 15:10
IMHO - it's not a daily driver unless all the roads you would travel on have recently been resurfaced, the ride is very stiff and you risk damaging the suspension on rough roads / potholes. Personally, I find my adaptive sports seats much more comfortable than the buckets (and still very supportive). I'm 6ft 2" and I have plenty of room inside! 
For me the gt3 is not a daily drive, not over anything but perfect roads. Heavy clutch becomes tiresome, and front splitters well, they split quite often! Sold mine, went for a turbo which is far superior on uk roads and a caterham which is far more fun on track. I would say stick it out a bit with the c63 it is an awesome piece of kit and at some stage would like to own one myself. Has one thing the turbo lacks - amazing soundtrack. Ps my neighbour sold his c63 for an R8 and has regretted it ever since!
Dogbash said:
Hi everyone, posted here a few times, was looking for a 997 turbo a while back but bought a C63 AMG instead, bad move to be honest. Its a lovely car and makes a cracking sound but it just doesn't feel special enough. I also dislike the auto gearbox, its my first auto and I can safely say I am definitely a manual man.
I really want to get my backside in to a Porsche and the best option at the moment seems to be a 997 GT3 and its also my favourite! With the new 991 being PDK only, I can't see the prices of the 997's dropping very far. They have hardly dropped in the last year or so anyway as far as I can make out.
I have a few questions
1) Is the car suitable for a daily driver? I have a pickup truck for when the weathers really bad (snow etc).
2) I note there are two different seat choices, what look like normal seats and what look like buckets. I like the look of the buckets, again for the "special" feel. I am 6ft 3 tall, will I be able to sit in the car comfortably?
3) Any more info much appreciated!!!
I am heading down to Hampshire next week for a short break and will be driving round the M25 so quite near to 911V. They have a stunning white example in at the moment with black wheels and buckets, basically exactly as I'd want it. I might pop in and give it a look on the way past!
Thanks,
Andrew
I went from a 996t to a 997.2 GT3 and whilst both are fantastic cars, it really depends upon what you are looking for in a car. The turbo is a very easy car to drive daily but isn't as tactile as a GT3 on the road. My GT3 is a daily drive with sports adaptive seats and for a daily drive this is perfect. I too am a bit over 6" and thin, the adaptive seats really grab you. I think the buckets would be a pain after a while as a DD, great for a weekend blast though.I really want to get my backside in to a Porsche and the best option at the moment seems to be a 997 GT3 and its also my favourite! With the new 991 being PDK only, I can't see the prices of the 997's dropping very far. They have hardly dropped in the last year or so anyway as far as I can make out.
I have a few questions
1) Is the car suitable for a daily driver? I have a pickup truck for when the weathers really bad (snow etc).
2) I note there are two different seat choices, what look like normal seats and what look like buckets. I like the look of the buckets, again for the "special" feel. I am 6ft 3 tall, will I be able to sit in the car comfortably?
3) Any more info much appreciated!!!
I am heading down to Hampshire next week for a short break and will be driving round the M25 so quite near to 911V. They have a stunning white example in at the moment with black wheels and buckets, basically exactly as I'd want it. I might pop in and give it a look on the way past!
Thanks,
Andrew
The clutch on the GT3 is unassisted unlike the turbo so it is heavy. You do get use to it, but you still notice it. I would also highly recommend the front lift option, I couldn't get in and out of my garage without it. Having said that though, it is very rare that I find I need it for normal driving on the street, I've not hit the front lip yet.
Also for a daily consider your needs, do you need navigation and bluetooth? Turbos will have these, but they are an option on the GT3.
All up if you aren't a hardcore car enthusiast, I would recommend the turbo, it is blisteringly quick, comfortable and grips well. If you are a hardcore enthusiast then you will forgive the slightly harder ride and clutch because you'll love the extra steering feel, turn in and overall confidence the GT3 will give you that the turbo doesn't, at least to the GT3 level.
The obvious answer is to drive both. Also don't discount the non-clubsport cars, all the nuts on here say that your GT3 isn't special without it. I disagree and wouldn't want a clubsport as a daily. Literally the only difference though is the cage (which costs you even more rearward vision loss) and the buckets. Everybody that has got in to my car, the first thing they have said every time, is "gee the seats are comfortable".
Edited by NBTBRV8 on Friday 8th March 23:43
Edited by NBTBRV8 on Monday 11th March 00:39
I use my 997.1 GT3 clubsport spec as a DD no problem. I was surprised when I first drove it as I thought it was going to be alot harsher than it was. I dont even notice the clutch any more but the front splitter does scrape on everyday things like car park exits etc. But its only about 100 quid to replace.
The biggest hastle for me as a DD is the tiny tank, at 40 litres it drinks through the petrol pretty quickly, so refills are frequent.
Might not be for everyone to drive every day so go and test drive one and see what you think!
The biggest hastle for me as a DD is the tiny tank, at 40 litres it drinks through the petrol pretty quickly, so refills are frequent.
Might not be for everyone to drive every day so go and test drive one and see what you think!
I have a couple of RS and they are fine as DDs in terms of driveability though the clutch is heavy as mentioned. I think the key point others have brought up is road surface.
In the case of the 997.1 RS the splitter is so close to the ground that I replace it annually. Even the regular GT3 is low and the problem is when you have to go down a steep ramp into a multistory car park. Sometimes its too narrow to go in sideways and you have that long scraping sound as you grind forward. I would recommend that you try one on the route you would normally travel and see what you think.
In the case of the 997.1 RS the splitter is so close to the ground that I replace it annually. Even the regular GT3 is low and the problem is when you have to go down a steep ramp into a multistory car park. Sometimes its too narrow to go in sideways and you have that long scraping sound as you grind forward. I would recommend that you try one on the route you would normally travel and see what you think.
As others have said it all depends on the context of your daily drive I do 18 miles each way to work and I typically take about 1.45mins each way,this is not enjoyable in any way shape or form in my manual turbo let alone a gt3 infact that's why I'm flogging it. manual turbo in stop start is a bore.the best daily driver for that is a mercedes e class diesel with sbc adaptive braking and DVD player in dash. Am opting for an air cooled fun car instead for weekend usage
Edited by metsta on Saturday 9th March 20:20
..Like I said, some of the die hards still think a '3' is a daily driver, well not for me it wasn't.. not by a country mile, so I disagree with Mr Rance here..!
Given the choice of cars to use as a daily which I have, after a month in the '3', it's just tiresome to work with, you can do it if you really want to, but for a relaxing drive, all you want is something soft and comfortable with a light clutch and no fuss or worries about if you can park it or not.
If the local roads are in good shape it's more fun, but in the sticks and the local tarmac in a 15 mile radius more like some thing out of Romania it's just hard work after a while.
For a blast and a track day they are mega cars, and I will have another.. only a 991 next time..!
Given the choice of cars to use as a daily which I have, after a month in the '3', it's just tiresome to work with, you can do it if you really want to, but for a relaxing drive, all you want is something soft and comfortable with a light clutch and no fuss or worries about if you can park it or not.
If the local roads are in good shape it's more fun, but in the sticks and the local tarmac in a 15 mile radius more like some thing out of Romania it's just hard work after a while.
For a blast and a track day they are mega cars, and I will have another.. only a 991 next time..!
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