gt or gts

I own both a GT and a GTS.

I live in Texas.

Both are very nice driving cars. I think the current condition of the powertrain in the cars you are considering are the BIGGEST factor to consider. Mainly because a strong engine in both would be fine, but if one has a weak engine, expect less acceleration.

The A/C system is a joke, unless you modify and update it.

I like the GTS because it is SO easy to lift your hand up and direct airflow down towards you. The GT makes that a little harder to accomplish.

This is just basic feedback from regular driving. I have to believe that if you were to drive aggressively or on the track, the GT would be more rigid.

 

GTS has much greater appreciation potential.

 

In the US, I agree, but, in Europe, I don't know....

The GTS is almost more prevelant in the US and rare in Europe. Buyers in Europe don't seem to pay extra for them.

I honestly think, in the US, if you had a 308 and welded on "Flares" and put in striped "Chairs", along with a Dino hood badge, you could make all kinds of silly money. Kinda fickle the way buyers are today. Crap cars that were 246 with "original" Chairs and Flares bring silly money and most didn't leave the factory that way.

 

Hey Jamie,

I can't really answer your original question since I have never driven a GTS. I never even considered one since the look/design of the GT was the most important aspect for me. That flowing roofline of the GT makes the entire shape come together IMHO. My GT has factory A/C which I had restored and it blows freakin cold ... so much so that I need to turn it down to the first fan setting.

I say, figure out what's the most important aspects of GT or GTS that works for you. I guess my only point here was to say that it is possible to get the A/C to work well in a GT.

Good luck with your search,

Tom

P.S. I see GT's appreciating at the same rate as GTS's.

 

I had to consider the same question 15 years ago when the price difference was about $10,000. I chose a GTS and have never regretted it. I can count on my fingers the number of times I have driven it with the top on.
As for the A/C change the drier and the expansion valve when you service it, and it should work well.
Aloha,
Mark

 

Gt is without doubt better looking, but unless you drive like a mad man all the time there is not much difference. BUT i have driven my car a thousand miles now and out of all the journeys the roof has only been on twice! and one of the times was because the wife was with me and she was moaning about the cold!!
I absolutely love it with the roof off and the pleasure of driving it roof on is lessened to a big degree in my humble opinion.
Graham

 

Mine is a GT and I was out in it on Sat in the UK - The weather hit the dizzy heights of 27degs and although the car was fine - I was cooked! I have driven it around Europe but trips are limited to late April and Sept otherwise it is simply no fun. Is there an Air con mod available?

 

We were determined to find a GT, but along the search I also test drove a GTS. As far as I am concerned the handling of these cars today is much more dependant on the condition of the car in question. I guess if you have 2 cars in identical condition the GT would be the sharper drive, but remember that they are 40-odd year old cars. The Dino is all about sound, smell, and sweet, sweet handling, and if you get a car that is properly set up you can't go wrong with either. Your corner speed will never match a modern sports car, but you'll have a much, much larger grin on your face

 

For sheer looks the GT is the winner but cruising around in a GTS with the top off is sweet!

 

Jamie, I assume your looking at E-series cars only? I don't think this is general for 206/L/M GT compared to E-GTS.
Closest I've come to this comparison is driving a 430 coupe and spider back to back along twisty roads. I felt instantly comfortable in the coupe but the spider felt very exposed and would take me some time to get used to. I think it's the extra noise, wind etc. which I find distracting above certain levels. Point is, they drove the same but felt different.

Drive both and let us know what you think, it's such a personal choice thing.
I'd buy the one with knock-off wheels, a roof and no A/C.

 

I bought a GTS last year, and a friend of mine in the same area bought a GT at the same time. During the recent hot weather in the UK I have used mine every day and love it, and am looking forward to a Euro jaunt later in June (30c + ?), my friend has avoided using his car after the first week of hot weather due to being cooked alive ! It tells a tale really. Here in the UK very few cars have AC, so perhaps my bias is not relavent in the US where AC is normal.

 

Don't buy a GT or GTS for which one will be worth more in the future. Follow your heart. That's why we love Dinos.

Freeman

 

Gt, although they are both great. I would love a Gts, but not in this place.
Here, it is really hot.... or it rains, 4" at a time. Every day, one or the other.
You can always hunt eBay for a 'period correct' clip-on fan . Oops, no plug-in lighter...

Hurry up and get a Dino already, you will know which.

Good hunting and keep us posted!
Regards, Alberto

 

I love my GT, but it is true that they get hot inside on a hot, sunny day.
I have something called a Cool Shirt that pumps ice water next to your skin for long drives in the car, but I don't need it for short drives. It is the heat-soak phenomenon that gets you--it takes a while for the heat to work its way into the cockpit.

I took the rubber seals around the doors off and replaced it with simple finishing strip (to increase air flow around me), added a layer of heat barrier to the engine side of the firewall, and plugged any hot air entry holes around the central console -- that helped too.

Also, it is very important that the sealing strip on the upper edge of the barrier between the radiator and spare tire is healthy.

 

Never driven a Dino, but can tell you that a 308 GTB drives much better than the GTS variants; IF you really like to "drive, that is, and not "putter about". And even if you do like to "putter", you'll feel much better chassis rigidity and, accordingly, a much crisper driving experience in a GTB. BUT...if you're a "sun on your face" kind of fellow, then I suppose it'll have to be a GTS ;-)

 

i have a gt, and while it's true that it's hot in summer, that is more than counterbalanced by the purity of the design-the car was drawn as a gt-every decision thereafter was a marketing decision-

for me, the gt is pure and lovely to look at from every angle, which isn't easy for a car-since i'm a miserably shallow and superficial photographer, that's all that's important

(ok, ok, driving experience, sound, etc also count for something!)

 

To my mind it is not about having the top on or off and the convenience that may or may not come with that choice. To me the GT and GTS's despite the similar looks might as well be two different cars. The GTS I have zero interest in and forget it as soon as it is out of my line of sight whereas the sight of a GT will linger with me for years. Values, potential appreciation, driving dynamics, etc mean nothing as the visual aspect is by far the most motivating decider. Fact is that if you want a great driving experience buy something modern, for the full experience I'd go for the GT. To me the GTS has always been a bastard Dino.

 

I think if Ferrari only made the GTS and not the GT I would still think it is a Wowie! car. I have both so no problem. I find the GTS still has mesmerizing beauty even though maybe not the purest form.