| Author | Message | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1507 Registered: 10-2002 |
Wm The GT2's brakes are very very impressive. The whole car works. My friend has one that he bought to flip and wound up owing. Worse things have happened. For the money 155K it's about the fastest thing you can own. (His is a euro car that he federalized) With all of these cars you have to drive them to know if they're for you. I'll bring him along to our next drive. Best Jim | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2579 Registered: 2-2001 |
Bill the GT2 is an awesome car. I ran against 1 at Lime Rock. Thing was modded so it must have had near 600hp. its a monster, I got by him cus the driver was a wus in the corners. That was the day I was doing 1:01 at LRP in the 512TR  If I had $200k burning a hole in my pocket and choosing between a 575 or a GT2 I'd take the GT2 in a heartbeat | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 555 Registered: 4-2002 |
I would definitely recommend as long a test drive in the GT2 as possible. From everything I have read and heard first hand from owners/drivers, the GT2 is not really a "comperable" car to a 550. The 550 indeed offers fantastic performance and still provides luxury cruising that a Lexus would be proud of. The GT2 laughs at luxury pretext and instead relies on performance and handling that fall firmly into the BRUTAL catagory. The GT2 is as close to a Lemans ready racecar as you will ever find street legal. The engine in the GT2 is directly derived from the original GT1 engine that powered the '97 and '98 Lemans winners. It does not share parts with the wet sump junk that resides in the back of a stock 996. If your not looking for something that needs to impress the significant other with its practicality and civility and instead would rather give yourself a frequent weekend long terrorization at the track.... get a GT2! And PLEASE.... let me have a few laps behind the wheel! | ||
| TC (Houston) (Tec)
Junior Member Username: Tec Post Number: 86 Registered: 2-2002 |
Whart, I gotta admit, I never would have seen this one coming. There are obviously a lot of P-car crossover people here, but you might also find it interesting to check out a P-car forum similar to F-chat. http://www.funcarsonline.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php There are a few GT2 owners over there and a ton of GT3 waiters. If you want some great first hand info, search the site or post an inquiry (I'd post in the 996 section--more traffic). Not affiliated, just a satisfied member. Good luck with your research. I look forward to hearing how it turns out. The GT2 is an absolute beast. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 733 Registered: 11-2002 |
Kuzi, I was saying most of it in jest, although the underlying tone is serious. I do agree with you, but I think Mr. H is in a different situation here. The man has owned 2 550s already. It's time for a change. He currently has a Barchetta if I'm not mistaken, hence the comment about the roof. The GT2 will be a good car to have to break the cycle. It's not like it'll be the last car he every buys or one he's going to be stuck with. He'll get good use out of it until the next Ferrari that tickles his fancy will pass along. Who knows maybe he'll take it to the track and want a track car! Then the GT2 will be a keeper. You are also right about the attention a GT2 brings. The car screams look at me in some ways. Nevertheless, it is time for some diversity. Cheers | ||
| Kuzi (Kzma)
Junior Member Username: Kzma Post Number: 178 Registered: 3-2003 |
You're right Taek, that Porsche is really nice..........but I just think one would tire of it quicker than the F-cars.....at least for me anyways. And Tenney, my 575M (black/black) is not an event to drive daily, hardly anyone except for die hard Ferrari fans know what it is anyway. The GT2 with that huge spoiler on the lid attracts way more attention then any Maranello ever could. I drive and park it just like any other automobile. (maybe its the color combo that makes it obscure) | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 727 Registered: 11-2002 |
Basta 360! Shame on you Tenney. The man needs a Porsche! Talk about a bargain, that Porsche sure is nice! Cheers | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 380 Registered: 2-2001 |
Couple more thoughts, wm. If I had both cars and parted with the 550, I'd miss the sound, personality and shift gate very much. Perhaps more than I'd miss the performance edge of the GT2, if it were to go. Particularly if the two were to be used primarily on the street. Additionally, while the 550 offers a more compliant ride, the GT2, in my experience, isn't as compromised as some of the mags claim. Could be comfortably driven daily and I've a friend who does so (also owns 550, btw). On the daily drive topic - the GT2, while a great performer, is less an "event" than the 550. And so would be more willing to regularly drive/park the Porsche. That said, were it to primarily be my weekend (street) car, I'm more available for and attracted to the special qualities the Ferrari offers v. Porsche. Tough choice, but no bad one. Although, per your initial question re: pure performance, my vote stays w/the GT2. Btw, perhaps an interesting "middle-ground" would be a 360 coupe w/proper exhaust. Or Stradale? | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 724 Registered: 11-2002 |
William! Come on over to the dark side! When you come to Pebble I'll lend you the keys to the Turbo and you can get a feel of what a milder GT2 feels like. Finally getting a car with a proper lid eh? I have had little wheel time in the 550, and also did a little on the GT2. Ride is definitely compromised with the GT2, but it is a fun fun car to drive. The guys have already pretty much said what I would've. I only want to add that if you're leaving heritage and mystique aside, the GT2 is for you. Especially since you have already owned the prancing ponies. Plus I know you love boxer engines! Cheers | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 379 Registered: 2-2001 |
I've some experience w/550 and GT2 (no 575, yet). Would consider myself fortunate to have either. Balls to the wall performance in a usable package with a roof goes to the GT2. | ||
| Kuzi (Kzma)
Junior Member Username: Kzma Post Number: 177 Registered: 3-2003 |
I put about 100 miles on the GT2 last october when I considered trading in my 97' TTS for it. If you are going to use the automobile for more than just weekend runs or the track......then imo it is way to "go-cartish" and definitley a punishing ride after a while. No doubt like all the reviews say, it is probably just an amazing track auto. My 575M is a much more user friendly and livable automobile. As you know from owing two 550s, real world (street) performance is really a non-issue with any of the Maranellos. | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 118 Registered: 2-2003 |
The GT2 engine is, I believe, a full dry-sump system, as opposed to the "regular" 911/996 engine, which is quasi-dry-sump. The GT2 is no more susceptible to dumping oil on the track than any other car; thus far this DE season, I've seen two dry-sump Ferraris dump oil on the track, thanks to failed lines. I've been a passenger around LCMT in a friend's GT2, and it is one damn impressive car. The HP ratings on that thing are way, way understated; when it's on the "overboost" mode, it puts out a LOT of power. It's drivable on the street, though the suspension is fairly stiff and creaks and rumbles. If you're looking for a serious quasi-track car that can be used daily on the street, the GT2 is at the top of my list. Also on it would be a Viper (new one is ugly but FAST) or a Z06. Otherwise, we're moving into the world of the hyper-exotics; consider an F40 (a friend of mine is selling a perfect one, BTW), the new Saleen S7, the Murcielago, or an F50 or Enzo. Or a McLaren. Or the new Carrera GT. But in the real world, a GT2 would be great. And they're available for something close to MSRP these days.... Or see if you can get a GT3. If you can buy that at MSRP, you can probably sell it in 4 years without much depreciation. vty, --Dennis | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1186 Registered: 12-2001 |
OK, coming from me, you know i'm not trying to be provocative here. But, thinking about buying a "performance" car, and leaving aside things like heritage and mystique (please, i've owned 2 550's so far so yes, i do like the car), has anybody had real wheel time behind both to do a real world comparison? Keep in mind that i am not a trackmeister (although i could be persuaded), but if i wanted balls to the wall performance in a usable package with a roof, what say you? Also, these things i hear about P cars dumping their oil on the track; is that cause they don't have dry sumps? |