Just bought a GT3....
Just bought a GT3....
Author
Discussion

V8KSN

Original Poster:

4,713 posts

214 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
..... and I am really very pleased with it biggrin

I started a thread on here a few weeks ago saying I am looking for a GT3 and I am so glad I did because the car I bought was from a guy on here who replied. Its in my perfect spec too (by that I mean the spec I would have ordered from the factory) He lives less than 10 miles away from me and I collected it at 6pm..... I got home two hours later 

It had the inspection done on Saturday and the car came up perfect with no mechanical issues and zero revs recorded in all the rev ranges - very happy with that. It also has the remainder of the warranty (till Feb 2015) which will be transferred to be.

I collected it on Monday and took it the long way home. What can I say about this car that has not already been said? It simply feels amazing! It took a few miles for everything to warm up but once it did and I could really extend the engines reach - my god!! I kept changing up a gear too soon because it still feels odd to rev it up to 8000 revs when in my old 997S I was changing up around 2000 revs earlier!

The alcantara steering wheel encourages smooth measured inputs and the gearshift is very short and precise requiring accurate and decisive changes. I am still trying to get used to the grip and I need to learn to trust the tyres and chassis more. The carbon brakes are amazing, you just have to brush the pedal and 30mph is easily wiped off.

One thing that is concerning me is how stiff it is. By that I don't mean its uncomfortable or anything like that it just feels so...... tight. With my old 997 C2S I could be driving quite quickly over a fast flowing road and it would feel like I was 'floating' along, playing within the pitch and roll confines of the suspension travel. With the GT3 it generally feels a lot more tied-down. Almost like an invisible hand is gripping the car between thumb and forefinger and pushing it into the tarmac. My fear around this is once it lets go or slides, the grip the will be released will be sudden and unexpected.

I know its not the done thing on PH to admit this but I need to improve my driving in order to get the best out of the car so I will be booking myself on a proper driving course. First stop, Silverstone Experience Centre.

All in all I am VERY pleased with it and i'm looking forward to learning the car over the years to come.


AndyBrew

2,774 posts

249 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Awsome looking car, enjoy!!

puntograle

2,654 posts

238 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Great to hear.

You do need to get used to the stiffness. It doesn't bite on the road - however on severe potholed/bumpy roads you will be quicker in a station barge!

Lovely looking car.
Enjoy!

lewea

189 posts

208 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Car looks great, congrats on your new ownership, you will not regret moving from the C2S to a GT3... ;-)

Mermaid

21,492 posts

201 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all

Good choice, great spec - sports car bargain.

Terminator X

20,678 posts

234 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Wow looks great cool

TX.

Trev450

6,757 posts

202 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Many congratulations - you were lucky to find such a nice one so close to home.

dazren

22,612 posts

291 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Great looking car. Hope you enjoy it. clap

lingus75

1,705 posts

252 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
That is lovely, more pics please!

Magic919

14,511 posts

231 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Beautiful car. PCCB and a dull colour, exactly what I'd buy :-) Maybe when I stop needing rear seats.

nxi20

786 posts

235 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
V8KSN said:
I know its not the done thing on PH to admit this but I need to improve my driving in order to get the best out of the car so I will be booking myself on a proper driving course. First stop, Silverstone Experience Centre.
Congratulations smile

This may not be a popular view, but the Silverstone Experience Centre is of extremely limited benefit if you are really looking to improve your driving skills. I say this as someone who has done several days there & while it's a hoot to play on the ice hill & kickplate, it's not terribly relevant unless you're planning to drive about in snow & ice.

IME, doing a proper limit handling day or a CAT driving course will teach you far more and will also be immediately transferable to the real world. It's also a lot cheaper in terms of the money paid for the amount of track time.

Al W

591 posts

257 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Lucky OP, and just in time for Spring too! Enjoy....

David Hype

2,296 posts

282 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Great car, enjoy driving

When you get on track a GT3 will come into it`s own...

stubbsy996

785 posts

243 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Great looking car - congratulations smile

DoubleSix

12,545 posts

206 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
nxi20 said:
Congratulations smile

This may not be a popular view, but the Silverstone Experience Centre is of extremely limited benefit if you are really looking to improve your driving skills. I say this as someone who has done several days there & while it's a hoot to play on the ice hill & kickplate, it's not terribly relevant unless you're planning to drive about in snow & ice.

IME, doing a proper limit handling day or a CAT driving course will teach you far more and will also be immediately transferable to the real world. It's also a lot cheaper in terms of the money paid for the amount of track time.
+ 1 on CAT driver training at Milbrook. That is the real deal.

V8KSN

Original Poster:

4,713 posts

214 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for all the kind words guys thumbup

nxi20, I'll look into the CAT training days. Cheers for the suggestion

BillTheButcher

393 posts

191 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
That is gorgeous. I love the GT3's subtle aggression.

kbooker

728 posts

169 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Congratulations on your purchase, I'll be starting the same search in a few weeks time....biglaugh

V8KSN

Original Poster:

4,713 posts

214 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
kbooker said:
Congratulations on your purchase, I'll be starting the same search in a few weeks time....biglaugh
Cheers bud.
I would highly recommend starting a wanted thread when you start your search. Hopefully you will catch the eye of anyone who is thinking of selling.

What spec are you thinking of going for?

fergus

6,430 posts

305 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
V8KSN said:
Thanks for all the kind words guys thumbup

nxi20, I'll look into the CAT training days. Cheers for the suggestion
Don Palmer is also worth having a chat with.