360 Modena vs. 997 GT3

Funny that you ask.

Just last week my mate turned up with his 2013 GT3. It is AWESOME. Honestly, the sound is the best EVER from any Porsche I have ever owned or been in, and I have had 8. When this car lets rip you hang on!

On the road is the big surprise, it not as hard as you'd expect. It actually very comfy, and VERY fast. the PDK is insane. Everything about the car is superb.

Fit and finish makes the older series look sad, and the Alacantera is top notch.

But it is not a Ferrari. I would love to own a 997 GT3 but not in place of my 360, which by the way is F1.

We went for a drive in my car after he scared the crap out of me, and he loved the 360 and told me to keep it. The 360 is clearly old technology, but that's what I love.

This is a tough call, but too me, and only in my opinion, if your'e not going to track a GT3, and GT3 from any era, it's a waste. They are made for the track and make no secrets about that fact. That car blew me away.

So far the only money I have spent is for a service and bits I bought to make me feel better. Maintenance on the 360 is fine. That GT3 will need maintenance as well.

 

I have both a CS and a GT3RS (Mk I) so I'll do my best to try and compare the two. The CS actually feels a little quicker but they are nearly identical from a performance standpoint. The GT3RS is the better semi-daily driver but the nose is much lower than the CS making it a bit more of a challenge on regular streets. The CS isn't happy at all running around town but far more fun in the twisties. To answer your questions:

1. - If I could only have one there is no dispute, it would be the CS.
2. - Different degrees of harsh but neither is good if you have a bad back. I would actually say the GT3RS is slightly harsher but like I said, they are both harsh.
3. - My hope is they both will at least hold some semblance of value but I sense the CS is the stronger of the two.

I'd be happy to discuss if you want to PM me with your contact info.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

There simply ain't no comparison to the CS...

but I LOVE the GT3RS!

 

I would get the GT3, it's fine for a weekend driver. Probably the harsher ride of the two and the front is lower but manageable. From a dollar point of view going forward the GT3 is the better choice as Porsche manual cars are increasing in demand.

 

I have a CS and a 996 GT3. I love them both. They are similar in purpose but the GT3 gets driven to the office and around town but the CS, never.
I think the GT3 will hold its value and possibly appreciate vs a 360 Modena based just on numbers (not vs a CS). Also the 996 GT3 is considered by some P car fanatics as the more pure sports car as there are few if any electronic nannies. Low mileage 996 GT3s are getting harder to find and are ticking upward in price.

There is a nice looking example in the other car section for sale (not mine, mine's not for sale and no affiliation)

 

I have both a 360 manual, and a 997.2 GT3. I can't say which one I like better as they are both very different, but I would have a hard time letting go of the 360. The Gt3 is a semi DD, and the 360 a weekend car. I would disagree that the GT3 is a waste if you're not tracking it, because it has so much feeling to it. In the standard car, 80 feels like 50. In the GT3 80 feels like 80. There are so many more sensations that come through the car. That being said the clutch is really heavy, and it does ride rougher, but I enjoy it. The GT3 is more reliable than the 360, and maintenance is much less. The 360 has more low end torque, and the shifter and clutch allow for the finest heel toe experience of any car I've driven. Steering wheel feel is amazing.

So, I'd say the GT3 is the better car, but I think the 360 may be the better experience. I wouldn't worry about the values on either. I think the standard 360 is pretty much depreciated. The GT3 is probably more "special" (being a special version like the CS) and values have gone up in the last 2 yrs with its motor/tranny combination, and Porsche blowing the launch of the new car.... Drive both and see what feels best. Don't think you could go wrong with either car, and I couldn't see parting with either!

 

Btw...a 360 will get you MUCH more attention and will feel special but will cost more to maintain. With a 996 GT3 you can keep a good chunk of change in your pocket.

 

Nice summary.
I let my 996 GT3 go to keep the CS. I miss the GT3 though so I will be selling my 355 GTS to make room for another GT3.

 

Easy-360 hands down. A Porsche will never be a Ferrari.

 

the GT3 hands down........ don't own one but would love to one day!!!!!! but as a more friendly DD i think the Modena would be a better choice.....

 

I think both cars would be easy to live with as weekend drivers. AC is good on both; GT3 a little better. 360 manual has a lightweight flywheel, so the revs drop quickly, so that takes some practice to drive smoothly. The metal shift knob gets really hot in the sun, and you have to protect all the dash leather from the sun. The GT3 has a really heavy clutch and shifter. It's seats are more comfortable, and seating position is more upright. Ride quality is about the same. GT3 is faster. From my limited experience in a 328, I'd say either choice would be light years ahead in comfort, performance and drivability compared to your 308.

 

Forgot to mention the clutch. The GT3 clutch is a bear especially in stop and go traffic. Net, you will have a strong left leg.

 

Very personal discussion - both are wonderful cars. I have a 360 Spider and tracked it as well as drove it often and now have added a 997.2 GT3 essentially for the track. I drive it occassionally off track, but find the clutch a bit too stiff and the ride pretty harsh for a daily driver - so drive a GTS cab daily.

Comparing the GT3 to the 360 - I agree with most of the comments above. The GT3 is a better track car, although the F1 transmission is really beneficial on the track - let's you concentrate m0re on line, entry and exit speeds, etc. My laps times a a little quicker in the GT3, although my terminal speeds seem to be a bit higher in the 360.

Street driving, the 360 is a great, sound (with Tubi) is unbeatable , but you will be the center of attraction and need to feel comfortable with that. Maintenance is significantly higher with the 360, although Porsche is now cautioning about bearings on the centerlock wheels and they are really more of a pain than whatever Porsche claimed their benefits.

So, drive both - for as long as you can and on different venues - and determine which is best for you. You will not go wrong with either.

Good luck.

Rob in Potomac

 

The better car -GT3
Better weekend car - 360
Better appreciation - Don't see either as an investment car, but guess GT3 would have the edge for lower numbers andmore defined purpose

Not ever going to track it - waste of good GT3

 

If your nervous about it have an Instructor that knows GT3's drive it with you as a passenger on the track so that you can experience how wonderfully sharp of a car it is.

I have been around the GT3 since it came to North America back in 2004, the GT3 is the only car that lours me away from the Ferrari but that is because I enjoy driving my cars on the race track.

 

I am going thru this right now. Want a sports car and had a few in mind: Viper, GT3, 360 Modena, AMG Benz, ZO6, ZR1, NSX, etc...

Basically anything in the $75,000 +/- range I was considering.

I owned a Viper already and didn't really want another one. AMG Benz was a sedan without three pedals. A corvette, although a great car, is still a corvette.

Although I love the Ferrari, it wasn't really what I wanted for a few different reasons, so I basically narrowed it down to a 997 Turbo or a 997 GT3.

I drove both - the Turbo was more comfortable, but the wail of the GT3 got me. I have money down on a 2007 GT3.

Mike

 

Was the 997 Turbo you tried a 2007 to 2009 or 2010 to 2011? The GT3 is closer to a Ferrari in terms of feel then a Turbo. I hope you get the GT3.

 

It was a 996 Turbo. I think a 2002. The GT3 just passed the PPI. I guess it's mine. 2007 and white. 25,000 miles.

Mike

 

Turbos are good DD but I think you made the right decision if you didn't want the 360 (for whatever reason). GT3s are hard to beat for fun/dependability/maintenance factors.
Good luck.