458 Speciale or Porsche 991 GT3 RS?

Which car will be faster one around the track and which car will be perceived to be the more 'special' one in years to come?

 

Okay. To be fair, Ive driven the 991 GT3 and just about every other GT3 variant including 997 GT3 RS, GT3 R, all the Cup cars going back to the 996. But, I have not driven the new RS.

So, my guess, depends on the track. At Laguna it'll be hard to beat the RS. At tracks with higher speed turns I suspect the Speciale will trump.

The Speciale is ~3 seconds quicker than the GT3 at Buttonwillow and Willow Springs fwiw.

 

I would take the Ferrari any day . Sounds better, looks better, feels better and is better .. In the long run I think it'll be more special too

 

if you don't already have an allocation you are probably not getting an RS unless you are willing to pay 100k over. Get a used Special.

 

I just drove the 991 RS around Road Atlanta.....and the car is simply spectacular.
I have a Speciale which was my absolute favorite car of all time on the track. But the RS just too good. Emotionally the Speciale is a more satisfying car. The RS is all about execution without drama. I smoked my own lap times of the Speciale by a margin in the RS.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'd guess the RS will hold its value much better.

 

+1 as good as the speciale is, everyone that I know that has driven this car is in awe. Still going at 100k over though

 

If you can get an RS at MSRP it's a deal. Mine should be here in 2 weeks. At 100k over I would get a special instead. I have a 488 coming in January instead of a special.

 

Went thru same debate, am picking up the Speciale this week.

 

Having owned a 996 GT3 and a 991 GT3...the RS isnt much faster than the 991 GT3. My 458 Italia is way more fun than my latest GT3. If tracking is your thing, the GT3 RS will cost less. If the majority of your driving is public roads, the Ferrari is the ticket for day in, day out emotional fun. The RS is not worth a penny over MSRP....well maybe a few. 50-100K...no way unless you want to collect the car and stick it in a bubble for 4-5 years. If you haven't driven a 458...do it. It will make your decision easier.

 

my .02:

RS = track goddess
Speciale = Italian goddess

 

When you get a 911 GT3, you will have lots of cousins that look the same. Carrera, CarreraS, 4, 4S, Targa, Turbo, etc. This is something like economy cars. They build many many models from one platform, so the car can be cheaper in every aspect. Speaking about exclusivity in years to come, this is zero.
When you buy a Speciale, you don't have many cousins. Only 458 which is also a very special car.
Speaking about the look, IMO, 911 looked good in 1980s. In today's design, it looks funny.
Then the interior. The quality of Ferrari's interior is much better than 911's.
But GT3 is the only 911 that has sound quality close or equal to Ferrari's NA-V8. And a Speciale can buy a 991 GT3 RS + Cayenne Turbo S + some change for over 7 years of maintenance for the 2 Porsches.

 

Something to consider, recent video by Chris Harris.

MB

https://youtu.be/58j0Mmj41m0

 

I find it weird how you joined in Dec 2013, and you picked today to make a post.

 

You'll find the answer to your question at 1m 22sec...

https://youtu.be/58j0Mmj41m0

 

Drive both if you can, it's a personal preference. I haven't driven a 991 GT3RS yet, but the sound alone does much more for me than the sound of a Speciale. Those I've spoken to who have driven both, actually give the nod to the P car - it is supposedly that good.

Now here's the thing though. You come to the 458 board and ask what's better. Try it on one of the Porsche forums. The choir will never cease chanting "RS, RS, RS, RS" like in a trance. We're here because we love 458's and Ferraris.

 

Thank you all for your valuable thoughts and comments. I do have a 458S and I love it! I was really shocked to see that people pay 100k above list price for the GT3 RS. I think both cars are very similar, have the last NA engines, are light weight track versions etc. The 911 might be a tic faster in corners due to it's 4WD, but we are really talking about minuscule difference.
Having said all this, there are two important attribute the 458S beats the GT3 RS in - Emotion and Looks !

 

GT3 RS with 4WD???

 

Ragarding their performance: Ferrari 458 Speciale vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS - FastestLaps.com

 

I believe he meant 4 wheel steering.

 

4 wheel steering of course....

 

sorry, 4 wheel steering of course...

 

ok, much better...

 

This. As Chris Harris notes, once you have to start paying ~$100k over sticker, you might as well look in the next league up (such as what you're doing with the Speciale).

Want to have something more special than a Speciale and still have some money left over? Look at a McLaren 675LT or 650S Le Mans (ohhhh, that roof air scoop!).

 

The problem is that there is no chance of getting a 675lt. Rs is available...