Manual 991.2 gt3 or boxster gts 4.0 as a road car
Discussion
So I’ve owned a 981 boxster gts - great car for the roof down, wind in your hair and the noise, good power for road use, though I found the front end to be lacking a little in feedback especially in wet conditions
I’ve also owned and out 20000 on a 991.1 gt3 which I adored. However arguably it was very very fast (too fast) and capable for road use.
Now I’ve driven a 718 and found the chassis revision over the 981 to be much better.
And the 991.2 manual will give more engagement at road speeds.
So the question is - as a road car, with trips to wales, Scotland and alps, but virtually no track use. Which would you chose.
I’m not fussed about cost or values
I’ve also owned and out 20000 on a 991.1 gt3 which I adored. However arguably it was very very fast (too fast) and capable for road use.
Now I’ve driven a 718 and found the chassis revision over the 981 to be much better.
And the 991.2 manual will give more engagement at road speeds.
So the question is - as a road car, with trips to wales, Scotland and alps, but virtually no track use. Which would you chose.
I’m not fussed about cost or values
You make some really good points and clearly have experienced enough of the Porsche models, to do so!
My only comment would be that having previously owned some more powerful models in the range and experienced the visceral engine and associated sounds with those models, a GTS may feel like a compromise. If you are content with that and the everyday usability that brings, then it may well be the right choice.
A pre GPF 991.2 GT3 manual is the last of the non filtered products! It seems to becoming the norm nowadays that the first thing people comment on is the noise from the newer models and are immediately considering modifications to address this. In my mind, these cars all need some miles on them to develop and unleash their true character. The last of 991.2 GT3 were registered Mar/Apr 2018, if you pick one fo these up by the time you add the 2 yrs OPC warranty you be left with almost full 3 yrs warranty, just like a new car.
The decision is yours.....
My only comment would be that having previously owned some more powerful models in the range and experienced the visceral engine and associated sounds with those models, a GTS may feel like a compromise. If you are content with that and the everyday usability that brings, then it may well be the right choice.
A pre GPF 991.2 GT3 manual is the last of the non filtered products! It seems to becoming the norm nowadays that the first thing people comment on is the noise from the newer models and are immediately considering modifications to address this. In my mind, these cars all need some miles on them to develop and unleash their true character. The last of 991.2 GT3 were registered Mar/Apr 2018, if you pick one fo these up by the time you add the 2 yrs OPC warranty you be left with almost full 3 yrs warranty, just like a new car.
The decision is yours.....
I bought my 991 GT3 (Touring/Man) new, intending it for fairly regular U.K. road use.
Within a month I realised it wasn’t going to work - UK roads too compromised, so I bought a 981 CGTS as an accompaniment. Much better day to day - size practicality, comfort.....
For track, yes, GT products.
However, for special occasion use, maybe a GT3, but even then, a drop top option can be a nice feature, especially when you or your passenger want to take in the surroundings, not just the driving.
In the U.K., for fun these days, personally prefer the engagement of the best ‘air-cooleds’ rather than outright performance.
Within a month I realised it wasn’t going to work - UK roads too compromised, so I bought a 981 CGTS as an accompaniment. Much better day to day - size practicality, comfort.....
For track, yes, GT products.
However, for special occasion use, maybe a GT3, but even then, a drop top option can be a nice feature, especially when you or your passenger want to take in the surroundings, not just the driving.
In the U.K., for fun these days, personally prefer the engagement of the best ‘air-cooleds’ rather than outright performance.
Yup I have thought about this a lot.
Unfortunately I don’t fit in the older stuff, including 996 and not much room in a 997 to change gear.
Both of the lengthy replies above sum up my thoughts pretty well.
To me the boxster gts was the better car 95% of the time. But...... it’s a gt3, the noise, acceleration, handling. I loved it.
Need to find a way to have both
Unfortunately I don’t fit in the older stuff, including 996 and not much room in a 997 to change gear.
Both of the lengthy replies above sum up my thoughts pretty well.
To me the boxster gts was the better car 95% of the time. But...... it’s a gt3, the noise, acceleration, handling. I loved it.
Need to find a way to have both
As you say, ideally you need both, lol, but based on your current requirements...I'd say the Boxster GTS 4.0 is gonna give you more of what you want more of the time... and thats really the key thing.
You've have both types of car before so, you'll know bet but it sounds like you're hedging toward the Boxster anyway.
You've have both types of car before so, you'll know bet but it sounds like you're hedging toward the Boxster anyway.
Directness and intensity of a 3 is hard to beat, IMO. That was the reason I bought them. It is what I enjoy and drive the 7.2 as daily. The GTS is surely a great car and probably "better" in the real world (and I love the Coxsters). I am perfectly fine with the compromises a 3 requires as to me it more than pays back on an emotional level.
You need to drive a 991.2 GT3 manual to see how it compares to your experience in the 991.1 GT3 as they really are very different not least because of the great gearbox the manual being one of Porsches finest along with the 981 GT4.
There are slight differences in the suspension between the gen 1 and 2 which is improved but the main difference lies with the fantastic 4.0 gen 2 engine which is truly a masterpiece.
With more torque at lower revs and less engine drag due to central crank oilfeed etc the 3.8 pales into insignificance and the 4.0 torque and power drop offs at higher engine revs are far less than with the 3.8.
The other greatly improved aspect with the gen 2 is the all important engine sound with far more and continual variable induction noise across the rev range which is utterly addictive. Gone too is the hideously intrusive 'bag of spanners' sound and driveline shunt and clatter of the gen 1 at tickover and low speeds largely due to the different flywheel on the gen 2.
If there was one criticism of the car imo it would be that the clutch is on the light side for a Porsche GT but many prefer this.
Mines been used for road trips and is the perfect involving and usable road car (but front lift is essential) seen by many as the sweetspot of Porsche GTs and last of a line pre GPF diluted cars.
No doubt the Cayster GTS is a decent package but obviously on a different level entirely to a GT3 and as such there is no comparison.
There are slight differences in the suspension between the gen 1 and 2 which is improved but the main difference lies with the fantastic 4.0 gen 2 engine which is truly a masterpiece.
With more torque at lower revs and less engine drag due to central crank oilfeed etc the 3.8 pales into insignificance and the 4.0 torque and power drop offs at higher engine revs are far less than with the 3.8.
The other greatly improved aspect with the gen 2 is the all important engine sound with far more and continual variable induction noise across the rev range which is utterly addictive. Gone too is the hideously intrusive 'bag of spanners' sound and driveline shunt and clatter of the gen 1 at tickover and low speeds largely due to the different flywheel on the gen 2.
If there was one criticism of the car imo it would be that the clutch is on the light side for a Porsche GT but many prefer this.
Mines been used for road trips and is the perfect involving and usable road car (but front lift is essential) seen by many as the sweetspot of Porsche GTs and last of a line pre GPF diluted cars.
No doubt the Cayster GTS is a decent package but obviously on a different level entirely to a GT3 and as such there is no comparison.
cowboyengineer said:
Yup I have thought about this a lot.
Unfortunately I don’t fit in the older stuff, including 996 and not much room in a 997 to change gear.
Both of the lengthy replies above sum up my thoughts pretty well.
To me the boxster gts was the better car 95% of the time. But...... it’s a gt3, the noise, acceleration, handling. I loved it.
Need to find a way to have both
Quite surprised by the comment about the 997...I’ve got a manual 997 and a manual 991.2 GT3 and don’t notice any difference in space as a driver. I’m not a giant but I am over 6ft and have legs more like a rugby player than a marathon runner so do have problems with some earlier Porsche. Even a 993 I need spacers on the steering wheel and a dished steering wheel and/or spacers on earlier cars. Unfortunately I don’t fit in the older stuff, including 996 and not much room in a 997 to change gear.
Both of the lengthy replies above sum up my thoughts pretty well.
To me the boxster gts was the better car 95% of the time. But...... it’s a gt3, the noise, acceleration, handling. I loved it.
Need to find a way to have both
Back to your original question 991.2 GT3...and I honestly don’t think it’s close. The engine is a masterpiece and that alone makes it worth for long journeys it’ll be more tiring than the Boxtser on say a drive to the Alps but when you get there you won’t regret it. Mine is going to the Alps as soon as I get the chance...I have been meaning to do it for the last 18 months and like many of us will appreciate it a lot more when we can do it !
Sound is important to me. .2 GT3 on that basis.
Even the new cars post GPF with exhaust modifications are missing tonal range and the sound is quite 'thin'.
991.2 better than 991.1 aesthetically and for engine woes. Agree on speed but 981 suffers on gearing but is partially compensated with torque on 718 series with 4.0 engines.
Had 991.2 allocation but wouldn't let me change to Touring so cancelled order. Not been able to find a touring in spec I want but happy with my 981 GT4 and 997.2 RS. Had intended to swap 997 to 991.2 Touring but nothing has come up in spec.
Interior tech in 991.1/981 is not as good as 718 series and chassis compliance is personal preference but it's sort of noise/gearing/chassis progression versus lack of noise/less bad gearing. You can customise and run changes to a 981 or a 718 Spyder through Manthey so depends on what your feelings are toward modification.
Even the new cars post GPF with exhaust modifications are missing tonal range and the sound is quite 'thin'.
991.2 better than 991.1 aesthetically and for engine woes. Agree on speed but 981 suffers on gearing but is partially compensated with torque on 718 series with 4.0 engines.
Had 991.2 allocation but wouldn't let me change to Touring so cancelled order. Not been able to find a touring in spec I want but happy with my 981 GT4 and 997.2 RS. Had intended to swap 997 to 991.2 Touring but nothing has come up in spec.
Interior tech in 991.1/981 is not as good as 718 series and chassis compliance is personal preference but it's sort of noise/gearing/chassis progression versus lack of noise/less bad gearing. You can customise and run changes to a 981 or a 718 Spyder through Manthey so depends on what your feelings are toward modification.
All above points and opinions are well worth considering. But how about a curve ball, a 981 GT4. Gives a GT experience, a superb gear change and engine noise plus the smaller size that you mentioned. Plus not as silly fast as GT3, but more of experience than a the GTS.
I’ve used a GT4 for many Euro, Welsh, Scottish road trips a and it’s awesome. All the GT drama but at a Lowe speed. Many people think it’s a track focused product, but I’d wager it’s more useable on the road than a GT3.
Just a thought.
I’ve used a GT4 for many Euro, Welsh, Scottish road trips a and it’s awesome. All the GT drama but at a Lowe speed. Many people think it’s a track focused product, but I’d wager it’s more useable on the road than a GT3.
Just a thought.
I’d have a 718 spyder if I could get an allocation. That would be the best of both worlds.
Issue with 981 gt4 and spyder I find that my leg hits the steering wheel with the gear change. I would have no issues with modification to anything other then a .1 gt3, mine had the engine rebuilt twice....
For some odd reason that doesn’t happen in the 718.....
Issue with 981 gt4 and spyder I find that my leg hits the steering wheel with the gear change. I would have no issues with modification to anything other then a .1 gt3, mine had the engine rebuilt twice....
For some odd reason that doesn’t happen in the 718.....
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