996 GT3 RS - daily driver?
Discussion
Currently trying to work out what 911 to buy next year, and leaning increasingly towards a 996 GT3 RS as opposed to ordering a 997 GT3. Saving £20k+ helps, but what are they really like to drive on normal roads (the 996 GT3 RS I mean). It will be a second car, but I will want to drive it once or twice a week in to work, as well as having weekend blasts/ odd bit of track fun/ and European breaks. Are they too much hard work and only really suited to the track? 
Simon
I know it's none of my business but why buy an RS if you're only going to track it occasionally?? The car was specifically designed for track yse and as such driving it in to work once or twice a week would be a wicked waste of a fantastic drivers car. You will never get to see it's awesome performance on the road(unless you are in the market to kill yourself). I reckon you would be far better off opting for a GT2 for the same sort of money. You could still occsionally use it on track and during the week you could murder virtually anything out there on the road, if that is what turns you on.
I say this as a current MK1 GT3 owner who one day hopes one day to acquire an RS. The only reason for so doing would be to use it on track.
Steve
I know it's none of my business but why buy an RS if you're only going to track it occasionally?? The car was specifically designed for track yse and as such driving it in to work once or twice a week would be a wicked waste of a fantastic drivers car. You will never get to see it's awesome performance on the road(unless you are in the market to kill yourself). I reckon you would be far better off opting for a GT2 for the same sort of money. You could still occsionally use it on track and during the week you could murder virtually anything out there on the road, if that is what turns you on.
I say this as a current MK1 GT3 owner who one day hopes one day to acquire an RS. The only reason for so doing would be to use it on track.
Steve
The 996RS will never BE a daily driver but it is possible to use it frequently. The problems are:
- ground clearance - in London this is a real issue.
- the feeling that you're wrecking the cars suspension over some bad roads.(and definitely screwing the cars geometry which you may have expensively just had sorted at a specialist).
It's not comfortable and it's not meant to be, you can live with that...also it's way too much of a racer (too sharp) to be a good motorway/high speed cruiser. Unless it's a bright sunny morning and you really fancy a fix of Porsches finest, I can't imagine what would compel you to take it to work.
The biggest problem you will find is the intensity/capability of the machine. On familiar, well surfaced roads on the way to work you'll start driving it like a complete idiot well within your and the machines limits but totally outside the law.....
Although it can be done, it's not much fun on a commute and requires MASSIVE restraint -Personally I would give it a miss.
- ground clearance - in London this is a real issue.
- the feeling that you're wrecking the cars suspension over some bad roads.(and definitely screwing the cars geometry which you may have expensively just had sorted at a specialist).
It's not comfortable and it's not meant to be, you can live with that...also it's way too much of a racer (too sharp) to be a good motorway/high speed cruiser. Unless it's a bright sunny morning and you really fancy a fix of Porsches finest, I can't imagine what would compel you to take it to work.
The biggest problem you will find is the intensity/capability of the machine. On familiar, well surfaced roads on the way to work you'll start driving it like a complete idiot well within your and the machines limits but totally outside the law.....
Although it can be done, it's not much fun on a commute and requires MASSIVE restraint -Personally I would give it a miss.
The real issue for me was ground clearance.
I drove an RS and loved it. Loved the single mass flywheel --- but couldn't quite come to terms with the white and the tea tray.
So ... I bought a GT3MkII with PCCB's set on it's softest suspension settings for country roads and town, and I adore it.
Daily drive ? Not quite --- but almost. (The standard GT3 has an extra 10mm of ground clearance).
The only thing that's better in slippery slime --- is my Clio Trophy with which I share most of the mileage. And slide, it does very well.
Plus a very nicely sorted 3.8 993 --- but build quality and image apart, the GT3 is the best --- for me.
I drove an RS and loved it. Loved the single mass flywheel --- but couldn't quite come to terms with the white and the tea tray.
So ... I bought a GT3MkII with PCCB's set on it's softest suspension settings for country roads and town, and I adore it.
Daily drive ? Not quite --- but almost. (The standard GT3 has an extra 10mm of ground clearance).
The only thing that's better in slippery slime --- is my Clio Trophy with which I share most of the mileage. And slide, it does very well.
Plus a very nicely sorted 3.8 993 --- but build quality and image apart, the GT3 is the best --- for me.
i have attempted to do a mk1 as a daily driver ( in london ) failed
amazing cars.... BUT not around town, especially london
speed humps. oh no oh no too fast , sccccccrrrraaaaaaappeeeeeee shi* shi* , another £150 at the next service
buy one buy one, but only if you dont HAVE to drive it everyday
if you do 993/996tt everytime
amazing cars.... BUT not around town, especially london
speed humps. oh no oh no too fast , sccccccrrrraaaaaaappeeeeeee shi* shi* , another £150 at the next service
buy one buy one, but only if you dont HAVE to drive it everyday
if you do 993/996tt everytime
I've been commuting into central London in a Mk II GT3 for the last year.
Echo most of the comments here, but would also add...
There is no question as to reliability and if you chose a comfort model (obviously not an RS) then you get practical folding sports seats, aircon, a decent stero etc...in other words it's perfectly tolerable. Ride height is a pain in the arse but you soon get used to "coming in at an angle".
At this point I have a confession.
Last month I bought an automatic diesel 3 series touring. It's quiet and economical...it has cruise control and a clever phone. The GT3 is noisey and harsh by comparison.
The plan is to save the GT3 for the weekends...and the odd fair weather biz trips. Thing is now I'm feeling guilty and missing it. I hate the thought of having worked hard for it then only using it one day week. Not sure it's good for the car to sit idle for long periods either.
I suppose commuting in a GT3 is like climbing 6 flights of stairs to the office rather than taking the lift. Not so convenient but certain to get your blood flowing.
Echo most of the comments here, but would also add...
There is no question as to reliability and if you chose a comfort model (obviously not an RS) then you get practical folding sports seats, aircon, a decent stero etc...in other words it's perfectly tolerable. Ride height is a pain in the arse but you soon get used to "coming in at an angle".
At this point I have a confession.
Last month I bought an automatic diesel 3 series touring. It's quiet and economical...it has cruise control and a clever phone. The GT3 is noisey and harsh by comparison.
The plan is to save the GT3 for the weekends...and the odd fair weather biz trips. Thing is now I'm feeling guilty and missing it. I hate the thought of having worked hard for it then only using it one day week. Not sure it's good for the car to sit idle for long periods either.
I suppose commuting in a GT3 is like climbing 6 flights of stairs to the office rather than taking the lift. Not so convenient but certain to get your blood flowing.
S1XXR said:
I've been commuting into central London in a Mk II GT3 for the last year.
Echo most of the comments here, but would also add...
There is no question as to reliability and if you chose a comfort model (obviously not an RS) then you get practical folding sports seats, aircon, a decent stero etc...in other words it's perfectly tolerable. Ride height is a pain in the arse but you soon get used to "coming in at an angle".
At this point I have a confession.
Last month I bought an automatic diesel 3 series touring. It's quiet and economical...it has cruise control and a clever phone. The GT3 is noisey and harsh by comparison.
The plan is to save the GT3 for the weekends...and the odd fair weather biz trips. Thing is now I'm feeling guilty and missing it. I hate the thought of having worked hard for it then only using it one day week. Not sure it's good for the car to sit idle for long periods either.
I suppose commuting in a GT3 is like climbing 6 flights of stairs to the office rather than taking the lift. Not so convenient but certain to get your blood flowing.
Echo most of the comments here, but would also add...
There is no question as to reliability and if you chose a comfort model (obviously not an RS) then you get practical folding sports seats, aircon, a decent stero etc...in other words it's perfectly tolerable. Ride height is a pain in the arse but you soon get used to "coming in at an angle".
At this point I have a confession.
Last month I bought an automatic diesel 3 series touring. It's quiet and economical...it has cruise control and a clever phone. The GT3 is noisey and harsh by comparison.
The plan is to save the GT3 for the weekends...and the odd fair weather biz trips. Thing is now I'm feeling guilty and missing it. I hate the thought of having worked hard for it then only using it one day week. Not sure it's good for the car to sit idle for long periods either.
I suppose commuting in a GT3 is like climbing 6 flights of stairs to the office rather than taking the lift. Not so convenient but certain to get your blood flowing.
isnt this what the 996tt was built for?
Fair points one and all. Thanks. Steve (paulburrell) - I'm inclined to agree with you re it being a waste not to track it more often. I'll test drive a GT3 then an RS and see how it goes. I've got a barge (Range Rover Vogue) which I normally drive every day, and (whisper it) love it, so the GT3/ RS would be a 'toy' for when the sun is shining. Part of the reason I like the idea of the RS is that I think it will depreciate a bit slower too. Having lost about £24k on the Range Rover in two years I'm keen to avoid too many big losers!
sjm18 said:
Fair points one and all. Thanks. Steve (paulburrell) - I'm inclined to agree with you re it being a waste not to track it more often. I'll test drive a GT3 then an RS and see how it goes. I've got a barge (Range Rover Vogue) which I normally drive every day, and (whisper it) love it, so the GT3/ RS would be a 'toy' for when the sun is shining. Part of the reason I like the idea of the RS is that I think it will depreciate a bit slower too. Having lost about £24k on the Range Rover in two years I'm keen to avoid too many big losers!
As a non-everyday toy I don't think you can go too far wrong. Driving one everyday in London would drive me mad. They are so eager to move and quick to rev that bumbling along in traffic is utterly frustrating. I find it bad enough in an automatic 3 series, let alone when in the RS.
Regarding the ride height, I don't see why it couldn't be raised if road driving is the main priority. Most of the tuning shops seem to focus on lowering and track setups, but don't see why they couldn't go the other way and give you a setup more like a 996 TT.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff