Porsche Experts - I would love to hear your opinions. I'm thinking about my next sports car after owning a 2001 Viper RT/10. I sold it because it just wasn't comfortable to drive the 100 miles or so to my cabin. Anyway, of course I love Ferrari. But I keep reading about Porsche and I think for my next car, I want a 911. I thought I'd go for the Turbo, but after reading about the GT3, am starting to question my decision. I want a fast car. Also comfortable. Good looks, etc... Track day is not a priority. Back curvy roads in Minnesota and some highway/interstate use would be. Reliable. 996 compared to 997? Years to stay away from? Thoughts? Thanks. MDS
A Turbo should be the best daily driver 911, but not for me. I want a normally aspirated car that feels more like a Ferrari and with the right engine sound. I drive mine daily because it's my only car and in central florida roads the ride isn't a problem. Any GT3 is a good choice. A 996GT3 is your skills alone, no computers or anything to help you. Prices are between $50k up to lower $60k for a very low miles car. First generation 997 GT3 is another great one, more performance than the previous, but you get to pick on a firmer of softer ride with the push of a button. One can also pick to have the car help you or to count on human skills alone. Prices are around mid seventies to mid eighties for a very nice example. The GT3 RS of this version are around low nineties to upper nineties. A light fly wheel, wider car, lighter among a few little differences, but both versions have the same bhp. Second generation 997GT3 is really fast. Prices from high nineties and up. I bought a 2010 model year that has 435 bhp over a Turbo. Mine has red wheels, and all the accents and decals of the GT3RS but of course they only say GT3. I get as many comments on it as I did with the F430. Just today two college girls rolled down their windows and called me "hey sexy", it made my day. Well, this is a drivers car, nothing else in the Porsche line up measures up to the GT3 variants. Test drive one and decide for yourself, maybe you want to go RS (450 bhp), you get a wilder car with a few more horses. Or you may want to go all out and buy the 4.0 RS that has 500 bhp. If you really love driving a hardcore sports car then the choice is any GT3 over a Turbo.
a MKII GT3/RS is not too hardcore at all and quite a few guys daily drive them. The only thing is the clutch is a little stiff but you get used to it pretty quickly.
Gt3 997 Turbo will bore you after 10 accelerations. Having to constantly shift because no sportscar should redline in the 6k mark. Gt3 in corners at 7ooo rpm's is magic. Torque-ie yet responsive. Gt3 RS better as I like the wide body looks. They aren't the fastest car on the block. Won't throw you into your seat like your viper did but will surprise you every time you hammer a corner and it glides effortlessly thru to the next apex.
Turbo is the better daily driver. Very fast and comfortable. 996 GT3 is a great track car. Too harsh for daily driving if you have to deal with anything other than smooth roads. 997 GT3 is less harsh than the 996 and could be used daily. I have owned all of these and now have a 2007 GT3 RS. This is the best car I have ever owned or driven -- I use it for track purposes as well. My comparison set includes a bunch of Lambos that I have owned (Countach, Diablo, others) and recent supercars I have driven as a member of the Ecurie25 Supercar Club (458 Italia, McLaren, SLS, Gallardo, etc). Those are all great cars but I am not a paddle shift guy. Kirk
I have owned a few Porsche's and what most people have no idea about is that when you convert a turbo to RWD it transforms the car from dull to amazing. I have done it to every AWD one I owned and did it to the 04 Gallardo I owned too. Easy to put back, but considering you owned a viper the car wont scare the piss out of you once it is in RWD.
Looking at your requirements (couldn't drive the viper 100 miles, fast (assume viper fast), comfortable, no track time) don't see how anyone could recommend a GT3. Great car, not the right fit. I have a 996 Turbo. Has to be the bargain of the decade for $30k....and almost unlimited upgrade potential. Yes, the 997 is better but (for me) not $50k better For the price of a 997 Turbo, you can buy a 996 Turbo AND a Ferrari F355. Now how cool is that?
I had 2 996tt's (turned to RWD) I cannot remember everything I did to them (both tuned) but it was fun. It is easier to turn a 997tt into RWD than buy a GT2. First off way cheaper more comforts and you can always put it back to AWD if you want to. I find my Z06 is fast, comfortable, scary when need be, and with 3.5lbs of sound and heat insulation (you need to take the interior out but should not cost more than a grand) it is pretty quiet on the highway with the valves closed.
I have always wanted a Porsche turbo. But my next car is going to be a GT3 that I will use as my daily and hopefully a day a month or more at the track. I skipped over it to get the 430. I was at Champion Porsche this week. I talked to a salesman and he convinced me the GT3 would be the most fun on the track. I keep the 430 in Race mode and it's lowered so I'm used to a stiff ride. No I am not selling the 430.
