Discussion
Chaps
I've been thinking about realising one of my life ambitions and getting a 911. Every petrolhead has to have one at some point in his life.
Which one to get? Well, I would love a 993RS or 964RS as a high days, track days and holidays car but I have also been thinking about using a GT3 every day (something I think unlikely in the other two).
How many GT3 owners use their's everyday? Are they usable enough: ie. tractable in traffic (it's a Porsche, so I guess it's not temperamental), parkable (probably at the upper limit of comfort for leaving in a public car park) and, more to the point, enjoyable day to day? Or does it just seem a waste, sitting in traffic jams in your beautiful car?
Obviously, Porsche took a strategic decision to develop the car as more usable than the RSs, with the inclusion of air con etc.
I can see a certain attraction in buying an RS just for fun days but the GT3 would have to be my only car at that price. Mrs Toad has a TD for boring journeys so that's OK.
Very much appreciate your thoughts.
cheers
Toad
I've been thinking about realising one of my life ambitions and getting a 911. Every petrolhead has to have one at some point in his life.
Which one to get? Well, I would love a 993RS or 964RS as a high days, track days and holidays car but I have also been thinking about using a GT3 every day (something I think unlikely in the other two).
How many GT3 owners use their's everyday? Are they usable enough: ie. tractable in traffic (it's a Porsche, so I guess it's not temperamental), parkable (probably at the upper limit of comfort for leaving in a public car park) and, more to the point, enjoyable day to day? Or does it just seem a waste, sitting in traffic jams in your beautiful car?
Obviously, Porsche took a strategic decision to develop the car as more usable than the RSs, with the inclusion of air con etc.
I can see a certain attraction in buying an RS just for fun days but the GT3 would have to be my only car at that price. Mrs Toad has a TD for boring journeys so that's OK.
Very much appreciate your thoughts.
cheers
Toad
Toad, good choice! There has been a lot of 'GT3/everyday' discussion before, so do search the forum using those words, or something like 'GT3' and 'practical' or 'daily'.
The general consensus is that despite the low ground clearance they are doable everyday. However, normal cautionary stuff about your mrs borrowing it in the wet as it doesn't have PSM and is much more tail happy than a normal 996.
ATB
Dom
The general consensus is that despite the low ground clearance they are doable everyday. However, normal cautionary stuff about your mrs borrowing it in the wet as it doesn't have PSM and is much more tail happy than a normal 996.
ATB
Dom
Why don't you talk to Allan at Uk Trucks? He has got both a lovely Guards Red 964 RS (he bought it from me!) and a black GT3...
www.uktrucksltd.com/cars/cars.htm
www.uktrucksltd.com/cars/cars.htm
domster - thanks for that - I had done a search but found a bit more this time round...
general consensus seems that it's do-able if you're keen enough... drive to work is 14 miles across country, 2 sets of traffic lights, with a longer option if necessary...
my recent car list has been: caterham superlight (everyday), integra type-r, bm z3m roadster, elise 140, mini cooper, m3, mini cooper s, s2000, superlight again, 330i, elise 111s, m3 so I can do the committed car thing
santos - I had had that very idea, he's not far away from me but not sure that lhd is the way to go for everyday...
cheers now
toad
general consensus seems that it's do-able if you're keen enough... drive to work is 14 miles across country, 2 sets of traffic lights, with a longer option if necessary...
my recent car list has been: caterham superlight (everyday), integra type-r, bm z3m roadster, elise 140, mini cooper, m3, mini cooper s, s2000, superlight again, 330i, elise 111s, m3 so I can do the committed car thing
santos - I had had that very idea, he's not far away from me but not sure that lhd is the way to go for everyday...
cheers now
toad
A quick summary for you below.
I use mine in all traffic and a couple of track days a month. Perfectly tractable and not temperamental, albeit has a heavy clutch which can be a pain (literally) when in stop start traffic on a steep upwards slope (off-ramps on motorways for example). Once you're free of the hordes, it all makes glorious sense.
I park miles away from others when at the supermarket (hell is other people and their flipping kids) and choose my spots strategically. Underground car parks are not a problem at slow speed - also take it easy on speed humps. Reverse parking is difficult the first time (roll cage, high back seats and a big wing make it partly guesswork), but you get used to it.
Oddly enough, although it is an extremely quick track car, I would venture to suggest it is not quite a perfect track car in stock form (although not yet tried it on track tyres, so might revise my opinion), and I am unwilling to muck about with factory settings, after all what do I know. Instead, I would say it is pretty much the perfect road-biased driver's car (I very much doubt I could enjoy a Ferrari more). Which sounds like what you're looking for.
mr toad said:
How many GT3 owners use their's everyday? Are they usable enough: ie. tractable in traffic (it's a Porsche, so I guess it's not temperamental), parkable (probably at the upper limit of comfort for leaving in a public car park) and, more to the point, enjoyable day to day? Or does it just seem a waste, sitting in traffic jams in your beautiful car?
I use mine in all traffic and a couple of track days a month. Perfectly tractable and not temperamental, albeit has a heavy clutch which can be a pain (literally) when in stop start traffic on a steep upwards slope (off-ramps on motorways for example). Once you're free of the hordes, it all makes glorious sense.
I park miles away from others when at the supermarket (hell is other people and their flipping kids) and choose my spots strategically. Underground car parks are not a problem at slow speed - also take it easy on speed humps. Reverse parking is difficult the first time (roll cage, high back seats and a big wing make it partly guesswork), but you get used to it.
Oddly enough, although it is an extremely quick track car, I would venture to suggest it is not quite a perfect track car in stock form (although not yet tried it on track tyres, so might revise my opinion), and I am unwilling to muck about with factory settings, after all what do I know. Instead, I would say it is pretty much the perfect road-biased driver's car (I very much doubt I could enjoy a Ferrari more). Which sounds like what you're looking for.
verysideways said:
don't dismiss the 993RS as an everyday car until you have driven one.
you may be pleasantly surprised, especially if you get one with air con.
VS
Yes, I was surprised how useable the 993RS was. (Thanks Paul
) . It is a good cross between 964RS and GT3. Probably ideal for what you need. Only thing against it are the high prices relatively compared to GT3.domster - yes, 993RS looks ideal and I suppose I could combine that with something like a Z3M Coupe or Mini Cooper S for grotty days
tricky to find a good, good value one now though - does anyone know the car at GT Classics?
on a separate note, would a 968CS be any good as a cheap track car or would I get bored of it very quickly (as magazine articles often suggest)?
cheers now
toad
tricky to find a good, good value one now though - does anyone know the car at GT Classics?
on a separate note, would a 968CS be any good as a cheap track car or would I get bored of it very quickly (as magazine articles often suggest)?
cheers now
toad
Mr Toad
Whilst a Porsche RS is a fantastic car in any model [911 964 993 GT3 ] I am unsure on the everyday useability :-
1] 911 RS = too valuable
2] 964 RS = too focussed + uncomfy offset pedals in RHD
3] 993 RS = too valuable in RHD+uncomfy offset pedals.
4] 993 RS in LHD = probably a good bet, more refined than 964RS
5] GT3 in any guise is most useable apart from speedbumps, ramps etc.
A 968CS whilst producing less outright power is huge fun for not much money, extremely capable on track days and a reasonable hedge against depreciation.
So choices for me would lie between 968CS RHD at around £16k +set up or 993RS LHD at around £43k + set up
These of course are just my opinions and many may disagree.
Whilst a Porsche RS is a fantastic car in any model [911 964 993 GT3 ] I am unsure on the everyday useability :-
1] 911 RS = too valuable
2] 964 RS = too focussed + uncomfy offset pedals in RHD
3] 993 RS = too valuable in RHD+uncomfy offset pedals.
4] 993 RS in LHD = probably a good bet, more refined than 964RS
5] GT3 in any guise is most useable apart from speedbumps, ramps etc.
A 968CS whilst producing less outright power is huge fun for not much money, extremely capable on track days and a reasonable hedge against depreciation.
So choices for me would lie between 968CS RHD at around £16k +set up or 993RS LHD at around £43k + set up
These of course are just my opinions and many may disagree.
usual suspects
www.911uk.com
www.autotrader.co.uk
PH classifieds
and of course trade like Specialist Cars, 911 Virgin, RSJ, UKtrucks, etc. (i can personally recommend Joel at RSJ)
993RS for track and sunny days, and 968 Sport (not club sport) for every day use. Whaddya reckon?
VS
www.911uk.com
www.autotrader.co.uk
PH classifieds
and of course trade like Specialist Cars, 911 Virgin, RSJ, UKtrucks, etc. (i can personally recommend Joel at RSJ)
993RS for track and sunny days, and 968 Sport (not club sport) for every day use. Whaddya reckon?
VS
The 968CSs are good on track (very exploitable, friendly on the limit), but I imagine the lack of grunt and uninspiring engine note (in comparison with some of the cars mentioned previously) may mean you could get bored of one quite quickly. You'll find a Boxster S is as wonderfully benign on the limit and could be a good Z3M alternative. However, for real trackday exploitability I'd get another Seven; I've had two myself and Superlight Rs are reasonable money now. I really struggle to think of cars that are as much fun and as competent on track.
VS - thanks for that, I can't cope with the search functionality of 911UK but have kept an eye of the others
993RS / 968CS combination looks damned cunning, will consider
Dmster - I'm afraid I just don't like the Boxster at all - I thought that the original concept car was lovely and have always been disappointed by the actual production execution
SLR is very very tempting and cracking value; Mrs Toad has great fear of them and a Porker is considerably stronger but I am thinking in that direction again as an alternative
keep the advice coming! I can't find a RHD 968CS anywhere but will go and have a look at a RHD GT3 soon
cheers
toad
993RS / 968CS combination looks damned cunning, will consider
Dmster - I'm afraid I just don't like the Boxster at all - I thought that the original concept car was lovely and have always been disappointed by the actual production execution
SLR is very very tempting and cracking value; Mrs Toad has great fear of them and a Porker is considerably stronger but I am thinking in that direction again as an alternative
keep the advice coming! I can't find a RHD 968CS anywhere but will go and have a look at a RHD GT3 soon
cheers
toad
mr toad said:
VS - thanks for that, I can't cope with the search functionality of 911UK but have kept an eye of the others
993RS / 968CS combination looks damned cunning, will consider
Dmster - I'm afraid I just don't like the Boxster at all - I thought that the original concept car was lovely and have always been disappointed by the actual production execution
SLR is very very tempting and cracking value; Mrs Toad has great fear of them and a Porker is considerably stronger but I am thinking in that direction again as an alternative
keep the advice coming! I can't find a RHD 968CS anywhere but will go and have a look at a RHD GT3 soon
cheers
toad
Blatent plug here. I've got a RHD 968CS for sale at www.911sport.co.uk. I've said before that it's a bit too nice for trackdays, but it depends on your preferences.
You may want to expand your 968 search - the Sport variant is the SAME running-gear wise as a CS apart from seats & electrics unless it has the M030 option (adjustable suspension & LSD). You'll find the standard Sport seats a lot better than the buckets in the CS for daily use - even the buckets in a 964 RS are MUCH better for daily use.
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