991.2 GT3 to 570S
Discussion
As mentioned on Justin220's thread (worth reading start to finish if you're in anyway interested in either a Mac Sports Series or driving in Scotland. -Justin, I think the Scotland Tourist Board should sponsor you) I have sold my 2018 GT3 after 14 months and 5000 miles. The GT3 was a dream car and whilst there was a great deal that I absolutely loved about it there were some things that did not suit our requirements.
In no way am I stating that there is anything wrong with the 3, they are absolutely amazing. Mine was a PDK clubsport with buckets on steel brakes. We did three track days and it's the first car I've had that didn't feel either out of it's depth or leave you wanting more power around a track like Silverstone. Not that I am a track junkie, or a fast driver, I've done less than 10 in my entire insignificant life.
The issue with it for us was that I found it too harsh and noisy for any kind of road trip. We really wanted to go to Spa last year with a visit to friends of my wife in Brussels but with Covid it was never going to happen. The more I got used to the car the more I realised that I wasn't looking forward to hours in it with inevitably a fair amount of motorway miles. I just found it irritating that it revs at 3400 at around 80 mph which made it too noisy to be able to converse in a relaxed way. BUT, that's not what the car is designed for and hundreds of others don't find it a problem, so it's not the car at fault, it's just not for me particularly.
It's well documented on the positives of the car and I agree with all of them. Yes it's tricky in a downpour below 5 degrees, but then any car like that on more track focused tyres is. I had the geometry and ride heights set at String Theory which made a really worthwhile improvement, a fraction sharper and even more tactile. (And the steering wheel straight which it wasn't on collection and no way was I going to let Porsche try and fix. Athough they offered to, at a price).
I was going to get another 981 CGTS as that has been my favourite all time car so far, having owned one from new which I then bought back again after trying a GT4 (but finding the manual too much due to having badly broken my ankle on a motocross bike 14 years ago).
Then I started looking into a 540/570 as I couldn't believe how much they have dropped in price. Initially I was thinking around £80k and the yellow Track Pack of AM43 looked amazing. (Really sorry for wasting your time Allan!) but I need finance and that's not possible on a private purchase in my case.
The more Iooked into specifications and prices inevitably I started looking at newer and newer cars, it's a shame you only get a 1 year warranty if you buy from Mac delaers, though I saw someone recently negotiated a two year deal, after being used to Porsche 2 year minimum. But I suppose you just factor that in to your man maths.
In the end we found a car in my all time favourite colour with incredibly low miles, I should hear today if we have secured it and will post details if it's finalised. Not sure I will be able to even open the door in the garage, I might have to make a dolly that pulls the car in on a winch!
What I am really hoping for is a car that we can not worry about adding miles to, enjoy many road trips in some comfort and then still get in the odd track day fun without feeling the car is being abused. Fingers crossed.
In no way am I stating that there is anything wrong with the 3, they are absolutely amazing. Mine was a PDK clubsport with buckets on steel brakes. We did three track days and it's the first car I've had that didn't feel either out of it's depth or leave you wanting more power around a track like Silverstone. Not that I am a track junkie, or a fast driver, I've done less than 10 in my entire insignificant life.
The issue with it for us was that I found it too harsh and noisy for any kind of road trip. We really wanted to go to Spa last year with a visit to friends of my wife in Brussels but with Covid it was never going to happen. The more I got used to the car the more I realised that I wasn't looking forward to hours in it with inevitably a fair amount of motorway miles. I just found it irritating that it revs at 3400 at around 80 mph which made it too noisy to be able to converse in a relaxed way. BUT, that's not what the car is designed for and hundreds of others don't find it a problem, so it's not the car at fault, it's just not for me particularly.
It's well documented on the positives of the car and I agree with all of them. Yes it's tricky in a downpour below 5 degrees, but then any car like that on more track focused tyres is. I had the geometry and ride heights set at String Theory which made a really worthwhile improvement, a fraction sharper and even more tactile. (And the steering wheel straight which it wasn't on collection and no way was I going to let Porsche try and fix. Athough they offered to, at a price).
I was going to get another 981 CGTS as that has been my favourite all time car so far, having owned one from new which I then bought back again after trying a GT4 (but finding the manual too much due to having badly broken my ankle on a motocross bike 14 years ago).
Then I started looking into a 540/570 as I couldn't believe how much they have dropped in price. Initially I was thinking around £80k and the yellow Track Pack of AM43 looked amazing. (Really sorry for wasting your time Allan!) but I need finance and that's not possible on a private purchase in my case.
The more Iooked into specifications and prices inevitably I started looking at newer and newer cars, it's a shame you only get a 1 year warranty if you buy from Mac delaers, though I saw someone recently negotiated a two year deal, after being used to Porsche 2 year minimum. But I suppose you just factor that in to your man maths.
In the end we found a car in my all time favourite colour with incredibly low miles, I should hear today if we have secured it and will post details if it's finalised. Not sure I will be able to even open the door in the garage, I might have to make a dolly that pulls the car in on a winch!
What I am really hoping for is a car that we can not worry about adding miles to, enjoy many road trips in some comfort and then still get in the odd track day fun without feeling the car is being abused. Fingers crossed.
Excellent. 
if you get the call ! Excellent description of why the "hardcore" versions of Super/Sports cars aren't for everyone or even most of us petrolheads. The folks that love them tend to shout loudest (a bit like their cars 
) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.
Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
p-car said:
Excellent description of why the "hardcore" versions of Super/Sports cars aren't for everyone or even most of us petrolheads. The folks that love them tend to shout loudest (a bit like their cars ) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.
Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
Well put. Hence it’s the 650s + Atom 3.5 for me, over track versions of supercars. One is exciting on the road when you want it to be but yet relaxing - and the other is anything but relaxing on track. ) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
p-car said:
Excellent description of why the "hardcore" versions of Super/Sports cars aren't for everyone or even most of us petrolheads. The folks that love them tend to shout loudest (a bit like their cars ) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.
Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
Agree with pretty much all of that. GT3 etc are deservedly top of the Porsche tree but for me and most people the GTS and regular range is the better proposition. ) so they get the most airtime but the regular versions are better propositions, even better cars, for the vast majority of us.Porsche's RS, Ferrari's CS/Scuderia/Speciale/Pista and McLaren's LT models might well be better on track but they're all still too heavy for serious track work so if you're really into track driving you're much better off with an actual track or ex race car!
Good luck with the 570S, they're great cars and will be fantastic for those long special trips you have in mind
Really interesting, and thanks for the positive comments on my thread.
I really look forward to a decent drive in the 540C, maybe I've been lucky with the seats. The only car I'd rate higher was my old Evora.
Good luck on the purchase, hope all goes through.
And then get a road trip planned for Scotland. Its worth the journey!
I really look forward to a decent drive in the 540C, maybe I've been lucky with the seats. The only car I'd rate higher was my old Evora.
Good luck on the purchase, hope all goes through.
And then get a road trip planned for Scotland. Its worth the journey!
I own a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and have sold my 991 GT3RS. I agree with you that for long cruises the RS is loud and very stiff so if you are looking for a better compromise of using it for everyday/long trips and the occasional track day, I guess a Porsche 991 GTS is the better compromise. Despite the 540/570 being a good car, there is a reason why residuals are where they are. It’s a bit like catching a falling knife. With the Porsche you are on safer and more predictable ground regarding residuals. You can always get rid of a Porsche. A McLaren can be very difficult to shift even at a price. If you need to finance a car I would always go for something that is more liquid.
All good points, but I've tried a 991.2 GTS and other Porsche's and at the price the GTS's are they are not 'special' enough for me. Still £90k for a well optioned low miles car and they don't have the residuals of the GT products. In fact I can't see that they would depreciate less than a £90k 570s. But we are all guessing on this, especially in the current climate and we all know it's best to expect the worst.
I don't think anyone can tell another what is right or wrong, it's an entirely personal and subjective decision, I'm really looking forward to a change, for better or worse.
The experiences on this section of PH forums has been fantastic in describing the good and bad of the McLaren's, my eyes are open.
Edit: re safer bet if financing I always work on a quite large deposit, everything sells at the right price so if disaster strikes I can reasonably expect to remove myself from the obligation, I could pretty much pay outright if it really came to the crunch.
I don't think anyone can tell another what is right or wrong, it's an entirely personal and subjective decision, I'm really looking forward to a change, for better or worse.
The experiences on this section of PH forums has been fantastic in describing the good and bad of the McLaren's, my eyes are open.
Edit: re safer bet if financing I always work on a quite large deposit, everything sells at the right price so if disaster strikes I can reasonably expect to remove myself from the obligation, I could pretty much pay outright if it really came to the crunch.
Edited by robj4 on Tuesday 12th January 15:41
hornbaek said:
I own a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and have sold my 991 GT3RS. I agree with you that for long cruises the RS is loud and very stiff so if you are looking for a better compromise of using it for everyday/long trips and the occasional track day, I guess a Porsche 991 GTS is the better compromise. Despite the 540/570 being a good car, there is a reason why residuals are where they are. It’s a bit like catching a falling knife. With the Porsche you are on safer and more predictable ground regarding residuals. You can always get rid of a Porsche. A McLaren can be very difficult to shift even at a price. If you need to finance a car I would always go for something that is more liquid.
You can't drive residuals...........Sarnie said:
You can't drive residuals...........
+1. Besides, as a buyer you get amazing performance bang (with comfort) for your buck. Quite the opposite for a Porsche. Unfortunately, I drive a monster EV as a daily, which is sterile to drive but makes regular performance cars feel slow. Kinda need the straight line performance of a Mac.
https://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives...
Edited by 12pack on Tuesday 12th January 20:51
WCZ said:
you're getting a great deal with them being in the 120's as it is though imo :>
I’ve not seen any 720s for 120k- Most are asking around 140k
Are you saying that during negotiations they will discount 20k?
I did call Birmingham McLaren however things didn’t go well- I asked the salesman for a trade in price on my GT3 RS.......he called me back an hour later and said ‘I’ve just spoken to OPC Chester who we deal with and your car is worth x’
By coincidence I’d already called Porsche Chester for a price and when they rang me shortly later it transpired they hadn’t actually just spoken to McLaren Birmingham and the price they offered was 7 grand more!?!?
donutskidmark said:
I’ve not seen any 720s for 120k-
Most are asking around 140k
Are you saying that during negotiations they will discount 20k?
I did call Birmingham McLaren however things didn’t go well- I asked the salesman for a trade in price on my GT3 RS.......he called me back an hour later and said ‘I’ve just spoken to OPC Chester who we deal with and your car is worth x’
By coincidence I’d already called Porsche Chester for a price and when they rang me shortly later it transpired they hadn’t actually just spoken to McLaren Birmingham and the price they offered was 7 grand more!?!?
There are no reasonable spec 720s out there at under £140k except the strange light blue one which is hanging around for some reason.Most are asking around 140k
Are you saying that during negotiations they will discount 20k?
I did call Birmingham McLaren however things didn’t go well- I asked the salesman for a trade in price on my GT3 RS.......he called me back an hour later and said ‘I’ve just spoken to OPC Chester who we deal with and your car is worth x’
By coincidence I’d already called Porsche Chester for a price and when they rang me shortly later it transpired they hadn’t actually just spoken to McLaren Birmingham and the price they offered was 7 grand more!?!?
Dealerships are dealerships and they tell lies, In my experience Sytner being the worst but McLaren Sytner despite their aberration a year or so ago have been excellent to deal with
It is worth remembering whether it’s Porsche or McLaren etc that the dealers are often Multi franchised with many owning 3 or 4 high marque dealerships around the country. It is therefore conceivable that their business practices are the same whichever car manufacturers they sell cars for
Quick update, in case anyone's interested, in the end I decided I couldn't afford another really expensive car, the one I was after was still £100k which wasn't much different to the GT3. Shame and one day I'll try a 570 hopefully, though in a couple of years I can see good ones starting to command decent money. Especially if I want one.
I've gone for another (third time) 981 GTS. A new 4.0 GTS PDK would have been £85k with the spec. I like (Ceramics and buckets) but I've been looking at a 2016 with only 9000 miles and near enough the right bits for me and agreed on it yesterday. Having gone from one of these into a GT4, back to the GTS and then a GT3 I know it'll feel a bit tardy, but they really are capable of giving you a big grin on a clear road without screaming to the redline and the fear of a ban. Lots of people say the steering is a bit pants but it always felt good to me. They also cruise on the motorway nice and relaxed, unlike the GT products.
Nice to have dipped my toe in this forum, it's much more pleasant than the sniping that can take over on the porker section! Here's to a Scotland tour in the summer once enough of us have had Bill Gates microchips injected under the pretense of it being a vaccine. hahahaha
I've gone for another (third time) 981 GTS. A new 4.0 GTS PDK would have been £85k with the spec. I like (Ceramics and buckets) but I've been looking at a 2016 with only 9000 miles and near enough the right bits for me and agreed on it yesterday. Having gone from one of these into a GT4, back to the GTS and then a GT3 I know it'll feel a bit tardy, but they really are capable of giving you a big grin on a clear road without screaming to the redline and the fear of a ban. Lots of people say the steering is a bit pants but it always felt good to me. They also cruise on the motorway nice and relaxed, unlike the GT products.
Nice to have dipped my toe in this forum, it's much more pleasant than the sniping that can take over on the porker section! Here's to a Scotland tour in the summer once enough of us have had Bill Gates microchips injected under the pretense of it being a vaccine. hahahaha
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