Is the GT3 (3.8) comfortable to Tour In?

[Timbo_Mint]

Due to moving aboard I sold my 981 Spyder last year. Though I'm now in the south of Spain it didn't work on the roads around here - too many people driving in the middle of the road. The Spyder took me around Europe and it was ideal for throwing a tent in the back and cruising down the French roads.

I now have an itch again (liking nice cars is a curse) and I'm thinking of getting a GT3, leaving it in the UK for most of the year and then Touring with it in the Spring/Summer.

I know it's implied in the GT bit but has the modern track focused GT3 got too harsh to do long, comfortable distance. The only experience of a GT3 I've had is a GT3RS at the experience centre and I suspect this is not a good tell

So thoughts / opinions.

[911Thrasher]

Anytime! I’ve used my 997.1 GT3 RS as a daily and obviously ran it all over Europe whether to a track day or for ski/surf holidays (roof rack included).
They are comfortable enough and not loud that you cannot talk or listen to the radio.

I say do it! Especially as the newer stuff is a lot more comfortable and easier to use.

[LemonTart]

I have had my 997.2 GT3 about 15 months did a lovely road trip up to and around some ace roads in Scotland, car performed excellently without one glitch.

The SatNav is old and clunky, folding buckets firm but comfy even after 5 or 6 hours and with a standard exhaust not too loud. Plenty of room for stuff in the front and across the back scoop outs.

I haven’t any experience of Cup 2 tyres but you might wish to research this if you are going to areas expected to be cold and wet.

After that experience i am planning to do it again, next summer we plan to go to Austria for a mix of nice hotels and epic scenery. Fingers crossed of course.

[MDL111]

Lots of nice roads in Austria

I find my 997 RS very comfortable for longer distances. Had a 997 GT2 in the past and drove that from Austria to Scotland and back - very comfortable although the cage does limit storage in the rear (but did save my and my dogs life, so well worth it)

[Gander101]

I did a couple Euro tours, Le Mans and a Scotland tour in a 991.1 GT3 (Comfort) and a Euro Tour and Le Mans in my current 991.2 GT3 Club Sport. Great in both cases, although the 18 way Sport seats and the absence of a cage made the comfort spec car easier to live with whilst touring, but both work ..... just a question of choice and what you are happy to put with I guess

[av185]

Bear in mind the 991.1 GT3 is less hardcore than the 991.2 and there are far more comfort 991.1s around.

The later cars have better replacement engines.

Spyder more usable than GT4 which is slightly less usable than GT3 due to lift.

GT3 different level to a 981 Spyder.

[Porsche911R]

which 3.8 the 997.2 or the 991.1 ?

50% people (current owners) will say "yes",, 50% will say "no" people who have bought and sold them as it was a no for them.

I still think a big % people are incorrect when they say a new cars easier to use than the old one.

But if you buy a PDK comfort seated 991.2 with lift, Dynomat the whole car and fit a set of PS4S then yes.
If you by a bucket seated, Manual CS and stay on cup's then no.

best euro tourer imo would be the 718 Spyder with heated comforts and your choice of gear box.

it's VERY VERY personal and a lot also has to do with the passenger.

[LemonTart]

As others say it very personal to you and your passenger / passengers.

I think back to my father driving us down to Southern Italy in a then new Capri would have late 70s, aircon - nope, opening windows in the back - nope, plastic seats that were the temperature of a lava on my little hairy legs - yep. I think kids would be onto Childline now..

Did we have fun? No it was horrible.. especially as my brother used to like hogging the arm rest and frequently barfed up too.

Arrrrr happy days

Edited by LemonTart on Thursday 19th November 12:57

[pete]

If this is a 991 question, my 991.1 GT3 clubsport is perfectly fine for long distance touring, with the following observations:

• It's a noisy place to be at motorway speeds. Lots of tyre roar, and the PDK box has quite a low final drive, so you'll be spending a lot of time cruising at over 3000rpm in 7th even in the UK. The stereo is crap in the 991.1, as it just can't compete with the road noise.

• The cage isn't an issue for luggage storage, especially if you have folding buckets rather than the 918 lightweights, and pack in soft bags. The front boot is also refreshingly large compared to my old 996 Turbo. Having said that, for touring, a comfort spec car with folding buckets might be the best of all worlds. The cabin has lots of practical cubbies for long days on the road too.

• Cup 2 tyres are fine for everything except cold AND wet weather. In normal conditions, they clear water surprisingly well, but you obviously need to drive to the conditions. I've had a few spells on French autoroutes in torrential rain where I've had to sit at 90kph for a while, but only when there's a risk of deep standing water. PS4Ss would be more flexible for pure road use, but you'd lose some of the incredible sharpness that Cup 2s bring.

• Fuel economy and range isn't great. Low to mid 20s at best, whereas a Carrera S would get into the 30s on a motorway run. Put that down to gearing, no "sailing" mode on the PDK box, and the constant temptation to explore the upper rev range, but then again you don't buy a GT3 for economy :-D

• Front lift is very handy for underground car parks. The really long front overhang, combined with the splitter and low ride height, make the GT3 surprisingly tricky on ramps. You'll have lots of people say it isn't essential, but for touring where you can't predict what obstacles you'll encounter, I'd say it's a must.

Oh, and don't skimp on a warranty :-)

[Timbo_Mint]

Cheers for the replies. The did help me make a decision.

In the end I went for a 718 Spyder. I have no doubt I would have enjoyed the GT3 but would I have enjoyed it anymore that the spyder when I have no intention of ever taking the car on track, I know the Spyder does what I want it to do and I got a 6 month old rather than a 6 year old car.

[franki68]

Timbo_Mint said:

Cheers for the replies. The did help me make a decision.

In the end I went for a 718 Spyder. I have no doubt I would have enjoyed the GT3 but would I have enjoyed it anymore that the spyder when I have no intention of ever taking the car on track, I know the Spyder does what I want it to do and I got a 6 month old rather than a 6 year old car.

This is the only thing that matters,what you want everything else is bullst. Enjoy .

[majordad]

I’ve a 991.2 Gt3rs and what Pete said above is exactly my experience. I’ve done tours to Scotland, Wales, Austria, Le Mans, Nurburgring and Ireland, all thoroughly enjoyed.

[Porsche911R]

Timbo_Mint said:

Cheers for the replies. The did help me make a decision.

In the end I went for a 718 Spyder. I have no doubt I would have enjoyed the GT3 but would I have enjoyed it anymore that the spyder when I have no intention of ever taking the car on track, I know the Spyder does what I want it to do and I got a 6 month old rather than a 6 year old car.

Great choice, :-) I hope to see it about in 2021.

[benmc]

No issues here, we have just done 1000 miles/4 days in GT3 Touring up the West Coast of USA. Mix of motorway and back roads. Could argue it’s been the perfect car for the trip

[Dr S]

Go for it. I use the 7.2 as daily. This year alone I did three 1000 km round trips to the Ring. The folding buckets are for me the most comfortable car seat I have experienced. I can easily do 500 km non-stop and feel fresh when stepping out of the car

The 7.2 RS offers a slightly more refined ride. Only potential "downside" could be clatter due to the SMFW when idling

Go for it!

[rosino]

I found the 991.1 and 991.2 comfortable on tour, certainly more than in town where the very low front end and harsh suspension on ravaged town streets would make for a stressful experience. Gearbox is also superb when touring and less at ease in town i found.

you have space in the back.. i mean it's overall a great car to go touring, shame not more ppl do it. Suspension wise it will remain very firm overall, but exceptionally damped. But say a Speciale will be more forgiving in bumpy mode.

Noise wise the 991s i had were entirely bearable