How "lethal" is a GT2? Exaggerated claims of widowmaking?
Discussion
Given that there are two "driving in the wet" threads in a GT2 on PH at the moment, I thought I would ask the dreaded question.
I am sure this may have been done to death at some point, but I couldn't find it in a quick search, so if this is a repeat, sue me!
I appreciate the GT2 is rear wheel drive, turbo'd and f*** me that's quick mate, quick.
However, surely how quick a GT2 (or indeed any car goes) depends on a prudent right foot. I have spun my little Turbo cab in the wet, but that was when I was being a monkey (and knew as much!). If I had been a good boy it wouldn't have happened.
If you are gentle with the car and don't let it get on (*much*) boost, there should be little chance of facing traffic that was behind you a minute ago? If you are "pressing on" of course you need to exercise more caution than in most other cars, simply because of the power available.
I am just keen to understand if there is something I am missing here?
I love anything with a turbo, and one day I will own a GT2
. I just want to know if it really is necessary to make a will before I pick up the keys?
I am sure this may have been done to death at some point, but I couldn't find it in a quick search, so if this is a repeat, sue me!
I appreciate the GT2 is rear wheel drive, turbo'd and f*** me that's quick mate, quick.
However, surely how quick a GT2 (or indeed any car goes) depends on a prudent right foot. I have spun my little Turbo cab in the wet, but that was when I was being a monkey (and knew as much!). If I had been a good boy it wouldn't have happened.
If you are gentle with the car and don't let it get on (*much*) boost, there should be little chance of facing traffic that was behind you a minute ago? If you are "pressing on" of course you need to exercise more caution than in most other cars, simply because of the power available.
I am just keen to understand if there is something I am missing here?
I love anything with a turbo, and one day I will own a GT2
. I just want to know if it really is necessary to make a will before I pick up the keys?The GT2 is 'slightly' less tactile (if that's the right word)than most Porsches. It certainly feels more unforgiving/intimidating, but this is largely due to perception, due to fixed buckets, and low/harsh suspension. First time I drove a GT2 I was extremely cautious - after a years ownership, I was merely cautious! I would say that the 'Widowmaker' tag is unjustified, it's just that we've all become so used to modern safe cars (C4S, TT for example) that some people don't realise how much they take the safety control systems forgranted.
The suspension is also very adjustable, and rumour has it that a few changes can make the car feel more sorted. I'm sure Timmo/Supermono etc will be along shortly to advise on such things.
Having said that, in the wet (and once in heavy snow!) the GT2 was/is perfectly usable, as good as any 2wd 911, in fact. Just don't drive it like you would an Evo/Scooby etc. and you'll be fine.
I'd have another in the blink of an eye.....
The suspension is also very adjustable, and rumour has it that a few changes can make the car feel more sorted. I'm sure Timmo/Supermono etc will be along shortly to advise on such things.
Having said that, in the wet (and once in heavy snow!) the GT2 was/is perfectly usable, as good as any 2wd 911, in fact. Just don't drive it like you would an Evo/Scooby etc. and you'll be fine.
I'd have another in the blink of an eye.....
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
Given that there are two "driving in the wet" threads in a GT2 on PH at the moment, I thought I would ask the dreaded question.
I am sure this may have been done to death at some point, but I couldn't find it in a quick search, so if this is a repeat, sue me!
I appreciate the GT2 is rear wheel drive, turbo'd and f*** me that's quick mate, quick.
However, surely how quick a GT2 (or indeed any car goes) depends on a prudent right foot. I have spun my little Turbo cab in the wet, but that was when I was being a monkey (and knew as much!). If I had been a good boy it wouldn't have happened.
If you are gentle with the car and don't let it get on (*much*) boost, there should be little chance of facing traffic that was behind you a minute ago? If you are "pressing on" of course you need to exercise more caution than in most other cars, simply because of the power available.
I am just keen to understand if there is something I am missing here?
I love anything with a turbo, and one day I will own a GT2. I just want to know if it really is necessary to make a will before I pick up the keys?
I am sure this may have been done to death at some point, but I couldn't find it in a quick search, so if this is a repeat, sue me!
I appreciate the GT2 is rear wheel drive, turbo'd and f*** me that's quick mate, quick.
However, surely how quick a GT2 (or indeed any car goes) depends on a prudent right foot. I have spun my little Turbo cab in the wet, but that was when I was being a monkey (and knew as much!). If I had been a good boy it wouldn't have happened.
If you are gentle with the car and don't let it get on (*much*) boost, there should be little chance of facing traffic that was behind you a minute ago? If you are "pressing on" of course you need to exercise more caution than in most other cars, simply because of the power available.
I am just keen to understand if there is something I am missing here?
I love anything with a turbo, and one day I will own a GT2
. I just want to know if it really is necessary to make a will before I pick up the keys?Yep, its as quick as you ask it to be. The chasis holds no dark surprises and having two turbos it is not brutal when it comes on boost. The more power a car has the quicker things will happen. It is as simple as that.
Steve R
After my 3200mile round trip to Italy and the Nurburgring
we experienced all sorts of weather and the car never got out of shape once
unless I wanted it to !!
When you buy a GT2 spend a few trackdays at Bedford to see what the car is like spinning ,on the limit and out of shape all in a safe enviroment
Its a big pussy really
a 996/997 turbo feels safer but does not have the grin factor a GT2 has
+ you know you are driving something special !
I once drove an old series M5 with a dog leg gearbox and a 325i old old shape
now they were lethal !!!!
tim
we experienced all sorts of weather and the car never got out of shape once
unless I wanted it to !!
When you buy a GT2 spend a few trackdays at Bedford to see what the car is like spinning ,on the limit and out of shape all in a safe enviroment
Its a big pussy really
a 996/997 turbo feels safer but does not have the grin factor a GT2 has
+ you know you are driving something special !
I once drove an old series M5 with a dog leg gearbox and a 325i old old shape
now they were lethal !!!!
tim
timmo said:
When you buy a GT2 spend a few trackdays at Bedford to see what the car is like spinning ,on the limit and out of shape all in a safe enviroment
Its a big pussy really
...i have just done exactly this to learn the car. It took a surprising amount of provakation to get it out of shape in very wet conditions. There is just so much rear end grip under power (obviously being sensible about it and most importantly smooth throttle inputs)
ineedagallardo said:
it does require a lot of respect in the wet
Mines mildly tuned, 520ish (in the process of making it 600 bhp)
and ive had the thing sideways in the wet @ 100mph + in 5th gear
Mines mildly tuned, 520ish (in the process of making it 600 bhp
) and ive had the thing sideways in the wet @ 100mph + in 5th gear
I'll bet that was in a straight line as well! Was it?
I guess the only thing one does without thinking is floor a car in a straight line! That would certainly bite 9/10 times in the wet in a GT2 wouldn't it? How sideways would you get... minor correction or Fangio skills requires to not die?
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
ineedagallardo said:
it does require a lot of respect in the wet
Mines mildly tuned, 520ish (in the process of making it 600 bhp)
and ive had the thing sideways in the wet @ 100mph + in 5th gear
Mines mildly tuned, 520ish (in the process of making it 600 bhp
) and ive had the thing sideways in the wet @ 100mph + in 5th gear
I'll bet that was in a straight line as well! Was it?
I guess the only thing one does without thinking is floor a car in a straight line! That would certainly bite 9/10 times in the wet in a GT2 wouldn't it? How sideways would you get... minor correction or Fangio skills requires to not die?
Id have to say that mine 9/10 times in 2nd and 3rd the back end breaks away in the wet.
Unless your reactions are down right slow, in which case you really shouldn't be driving a Gt2 then most of the time a bit of opposite lock and a slight reduction in throttle normally does the trick.
What i find more heart wrenching is when you floor it over bumpy uneven roads in third and fourth and the thing starts to hop around like the duracell bunny on acid, - This can be quite worrying and thats when its dry.
Touch wood though ive only ever spun the car once
(well it went round at least 4 times
) at vmax coming out of the bottom straight flat out in third,
I was trying to take too tight a line and its quite bumpy, it lost grip and at that sort of speed it goes so quickly that the quickest reaction in the world wont help you.
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
I just want to know if it really is necessary to make a will before I pick up the keys?
The biggest smashes at PCGB trackdays to my recollection both involved GT2s. On that basis I would say "Yes. You will die."
Common sense and the long standing ownership of a TVR tells me that whether or not the back end goes is largely down to the amount of finesse one has gained with one's right foot.
The problem isn't really one of skill, however. Its one of temptation.
Enjoy your car when you get it.
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