360 or 997 gt3

I sold my 360 for a 997 GT3. No regrets whatsoever as the 3 is a compelling car in every way. But in comparison to the 360 it lacks presence and is far less streetable.

Part of the answer to your question hinges on where you fall along the track/street continuum. For starters, if you aren't into at least occasional track weekends, I'd stay with the Fcar.

 

I have had plenty of Porsches and will be keeping my 360 F1 for right now till the 430 drops down to my affordability range.

 

i have a 997gt3 and i would say if you just feel like a change it's one of the best cars out there..only problem is that it's not a ferrari..lacks the soul and driving feel of an f-car...but it should be more capable car on the track

 

i'd only consider the question if it's a gt3 rs. saw one in person today and it does look great. it's a pretty desirable car so expect a premium like new f car

 

A 997 GT3 is an entire generation newer than a 360. Car to car there is no doubt in my mind that the GT3 is superior in every way as it should be - 1999 technology versus 2006 technology is a no brainer. I have a 997 GT3RS and it is a fantastic car. I drive my 599 much less once the RS arrived. Anyone who says the Porsche has no soul is really missing the point IMO. I have a 430LP arriving early 08 and that will be an interesting comparison to the RS although it is a bit unfair as I expect that the LP will be pretty much double the price

 

997 GT3 for sure.
My 996 GT3 runs circles around 360's.
The 360 is a great car, but the 997 GT3 is light years ahead in every possible way.

 

Get both if you can, they're a great complement to each other

 

I think Frayed has a good point. The 997 GT3 is an amazing car but you will not actually realize that unless you take it to the track. If you are more of a spirited country driver type of person then I think you will miss the 360. If depreciation matters to you at all the 360 value won't change much over the next few years but the 997 GT3 will depreciate even if its slower then the other Porsche models it will get cheaper if you wait a year or two. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

 

Disagree. I drive my 997 GT3RS on the road and it is fantastic. I much prefer a Cup car on the track. The RS is a good road car on the track but cannot be compared with a race car. Same for a CS vs. a Challenge car

 

I found my 360 to be less annoying on bumpy, real life roads, than my GT3 and very close to my 997 Carrera S. It has great roll stiffness due in part to its weight distribution and in part to its much wider track. It also has better ground/front lip clearance making driveways less of a challenge.

What I missed with the 360 after coming out of numerous Porsches were several things: the more tractable handling and better communication to the driver in terms of what each contact patch was doing, the tighter dimensions making the 911 feel more nimble, and the far stronger aftermarket and motorsports support that you get with a GT3.

The GT3 feels tough, feels track bred and track proven. It has a far better braking system and gives a much stronger feeling of grip. You can sense the track bred DNA in the car that seems absent in the comparatively softer and more feminine 360.

The Ferrari has much more of a sense of occasion when you drive it, while the GT3 feels far more purposeful and serious. I don't want to sound like a jackass, but I had this feeling that the 360 was more show than go and the opposite in the GT3.

I also had the prior 996 GT3.

Anyway, FWIW.

 

I think this is the longest series of seemingly unbiased answers for a P-car vs. F-car I have seen in my short time on ferrarichat. Bravo!

As I contemplate the move to a 360, I would love to hear more impressions.

 

An opinion based on actual experience will never qualify you as a jackass! Quite the opposite. Thank you for sharing it. BTW I completely agree with you

 

what does the GT3 running circles around the 360 have to do with it? As with the 996, the 997 is not more 'streetable' compared to the 360--which is one of the aspects he has to account for...where and how he will be driving the car. Yes, the 997 GT3 is a superior machine, but you still have to consider ground clearance, ride characteristics, etc... anyway, several owners here have already hit the nail on the head.

 

Sure, if it's modded enough. Stock vs stock, they are reasonably close.

Gary

 

Stock versus Stock my 355 keeps up with 996 GT3's on the track just to add some perspective. I would expect the 360 would have no problem keeping up with and passing stock 996 GT3's on the track. Now when it comes time to brake for that sharp corner at the end of a long straight... let's just say I would need to upgrade my brakes to keep up with the Porsche's stock brakes

 

LOL. Wow.

 

i would disagree, I own a CS and no Porsche so there is no bias in my opinion.

 

My point was that the 997 GT3 is a better car than the 996 GT3 which is faster at the track, on the street and in every situation than the 360.
I am not saying that the 360 is a bad car, but facts are facts. I have extensive track time on my car and have driven several 360's on the track (including a Stradale). The 996 GT3 and the Stradale are definately more evenly matched. The 997GT3 is superior to all of the above.

 

Well, I'm basing that on several track days where there were multiple 996 GT3s running. It's not a wild guess, they are in fact pretty close. What is your disagreement based on? Also bear in mind even if the GT3 is a little quicker, the 360 is by far the bigger hoot to drive.

Gary

 

stock to stock i find it very hard for a 355 to keep up with a 996gt3, given similar driver skills.

360 vs 997gt3 is a tough call.

430 and 997gt3RS.... my hearts goes to F430, though the wallet only allowed the RS.

 

you still didn't get the point....yes, the 997rs may be a superior machine, but we are discussing the overall usage capability...it's 'streetability'...the harder ride and the low lip makes it a pain on real/bumpy roads.

 

the porsche will make more sense to most people because for the same price you will be getting a newer car which has better technology, more capable and reliable...only the current f-car model will match it in these aspects but will be much more expensive( currently 430/430lp) but for some the driving feel/experience of an f-car even if older/slower etc is just something else this is felt even more on the street

 

my disagreement is based on track days also..

I would say "quicker" not a little.

and I don't see how getting constantly beat around the track becomes a "hoot" experience..

 

"Usage capability"? The Porsche takes it as well. "The low lip"? Come on man.......Do we need to go out and measure how low a 360 and a 997 GT3 are to the ground, in the front? I am sure that the difference is not that significant.