Have a 458 Spider - GT3 On Order....hopefully in my hands later next year. I have owned Porsche Turbos as my daily drivers but I am getting tired of the Turbo - a GT3 (white) will serve as a great daily driver revving to 9000 RPM.
Please let us know what you think when you get it. I always thought the suspension of a GT3 would be to firm for a DD
The Gt3 will be great value, providing most of the same excitement and comparable performance as a 458 at half the price. It can be a daily driver. The 458 does get you more attention, exclusivity and a sense of occasion.
My 997 GT3 was just too much of a bear to be a DD. The clutch was like a bear trap; the ride was very stiff, and the front spoiler was always being chewed up on the street. But it was always an authentic sports car experience. I understand the 991 GT3 is more suitable for a DD, and I am not sure that makes it more desirable.
991GT3 is harder to get than a 458 (presently) very low production and very few allocations... My dealer (and I live in top 5 population cities in US) has a allocation of 4 for entire 2014 and will get the first one on in March (mine to be delivered 2nd half of 2014). OTOH he is offering me a 991 Turbo S Cab in December (next month) - the GT3 is one popular car with low supplies. I have ordered mine with the front lifter (to avoid scraping the front) and believe this version is a better DD.
I would choose the 458. More powerful, more luxury, overall better sports car in my opinion. The gt3 is a focused track car from what I can see. I love Porsche and the cars they make but the 458 is one of the best cars Ferrari has ever made. The Gt3 is nice but the 458 is overall the winner in my book.
I think you cannot really compare them... both in terms of price as well as experience, only the performance is similar. So far, the reviews of the GT3 are very positive, even though some people (expectedly) miss the manual transmission, but varies journalists express that they would pick one over a 12C or even 458. I'm getting my GT3 in January or so. It should have been here 3 months ago already, but Porsche had parts issues which delayed the production. My 458 Speciale will arrive in March. I will back-to-back on the best driving roads in the country and then decide which one deserve the free spot in my garage. So let me get back to you in 4 months... ;-)
thanks for all the replies i just sold my 997 pdk TurboS. can't decide whether to get a new 991 gt3 or used 458. they are about priced the same i will use it on weeekends B roads hill drives & track it probably 2x a year. ive test driven the 458 & definitely can live with daily too. i love the looks of 458. its the most beautiful F car in my eyes now. there is so much +ve review about the new 991 GT3 tho. ive not driven any previous GT3 cause its manual & i dont drive manuals well. reason why i sold my TurboS was i felt that all the power was just too much and not usable for most of the time. i want to enjoy the driving experience. it is about how u reach the destination & not about how fast i get there my daily driver is a E92 M3 DCT i really appreciate all the advice & hope u guys can help me make a happy choice
+1 GT3 in honer; but this car can possibly replace your DD M3, but as an alternative to a 458 - never!
new 991 GT3 is probably a better choice for trackdays and weekend B roads joy rides, and since demand outstrips production, it shouldn't lose too much value. Maybe even the best(and cheapest) option would be a used 997 GT3 RS.
