No longer a GT3 virgin
Discussion
Drove about 25 miles today in a 997 Gen II GT3.
Wow! Nothing like any other Porsche or any car I have ever driven.
Yes, it’s hardcore, but it has a surprisingly compliant ride, stunning steering, intoxicating engine and ‘no need ever for a stereo’ exhaust sound.
Car had bucket seats which are just perfect for the GT3. They are spot on, they suit the GT3 as well as red wine with red meat. Made for each other.
I got the engine up to about 7.5k .. past 4k rpm, it’s as if someone has switched on the microphone. I could really listen to that noise all day long. And then I pressed the ‘Sport’ button .. it was like surround sound was switched on. Effectively, there are 2 very distinct exhaust sounds. Loud, sharp and mechanical; OR quite a bit louder, rortier and less mechanical.
The engine is a masterpiece. The way it revs so quickly, responsively and powerfully is nothing short of amazing. It’s on another level compared to my meagre 3.4S. The GT3 engine is full on organic steak from the most pampered cows, the Boxster engine is a burger made from good quality beef. It needs to be revved but it loves to be revved – there’s little inertia or delay to speak of, and its reactions are so quick when in the right gear that it’s revving almost as soon as you think you want more revs. Truly and utterly joyful, with lots of laugh out loud, sometimes very loud experiences.
Steering seems light, but accuracy and feel is mind bending. No slack, no artificialness, just clarity, alacrity and unfiltered and unadulterated responsiveness. Effortless, yet utterly connected to the tarmac. Sublime.
The gearbox is a delight, snickety snick, with just the right weight and superbly precise. I can imagine that once you get used to where the gears are, using it will be just like an extension of your hand – think and the gear you need is engaged. So analogue, so alive and so quick. Needs to warm up though. By comparison, the short shift in my RS60 feels 2 dimensional.
Clutch felt heavy initially, but after 10 minutes, was just right in the terms of weight, pressure and feel for the car. Perfectly judged for GT3’s demeanour and purpose. I confess I stalled it once at a roundabout .. that’s because I had barely scratched the car’s capabilities.
Car had standard brakes, which were as good as you will ever need on a public road. Easy to modulate, incredibly powerful and very quick to react. Boxster’s brakes just seems spongy and liveless after the GT3 experience.
I think I get the whole GT3 thing now – it was a really revelation. You drive it, you have to be awake and concentrating, but my word, the thing is alive, it talks to you, it has personality, character and it has a soul. How can a machine be so well tuned to a human?
I can’t put a price on the experience, and simply can’t figure out whether it is ‘worth’ it. The only way to think of it is:
“Do you want it? If so, you need to pay for it!”
Wow! Nothing like any other Porsche or any car I have ever driven.
Yes, it’s hardcore, but it has a surprisingly compliant ride, stunning steering, intoxicating engine and ‘no need ever for a stereo’ exhaust sound.
Car had bucket seats which are just perfect for the GT3. They are spot on, they suit the GT3 as well as red wine with red meat. Made for each other.
I got the engine up to about 7.5k .. past 4k rpm, it’s as if someone has switched on the microphone. I could really listen to that noise all day long. And then I pressed the ‘Sport’ button .. it was like surround sound was switched on. Effectively, there are 2 very distinct exhaust sounds. Loud, sharp and mechanical; OR quite a bit louder, rortier and less mechanical.
The engine is a masterpiece. The way it revs so quickly, responsively and powerfully is nothing short of amazing. It’s on another level compared to my meagre 3.4S. The GT3 engine is full on organic steak from the most pampered cows, the Boxster engine is a burger made from good quality beef. It needs to be revved but it loves to be revved – there’s little inertia or delay to speak of, and its reactions are so quick when in the right gear that it’s revving almost as soon as you think you want more revs. Truly and utterly joyful, with lots of laugh out loud, sometimes very loud experiences.
Steering seems light, but accuracy and feel is mind bending. No slack, no artificialness, just clarity, alacrity and unfiltered and unadulterated responsiveness. Effortless, yet utterly connected to the tarmac. Sublime.
The gearbox is a delight, snickety snick, with just the right weight and superbly precise. I can imagine that once you get used to where the gears are, using it will be just like an extension of your hand – think and the gear you need is engaged. So analogue, so alive and so quick. Needs to warm up though. By comparison, the short shift in my RS60 feels 2 dimensional.
Clutch felt heavy initially, but after 10 minutes, was just right in the terms of weight, pressure and feel for the car. Perfectly judged for GT3’s demeanour and purpose. I confess I stalled it once at a roundabout .. that’s because I had barely scratched the car’s capabilities.
Car had standard brakes, which were as good as you will ever need on a public road. Easy to modulate, incredibly powerful and very quick to react. Boxster’s brakes just seems spongy and liveless after the GT3 experience.
I think I get the whole GT3 thing now – it was a really revelation. You drive it, you have to be awake and concentrating, but my word, the thing is alive, it talks to you, it has personality, character and it has a soul. How can a machine be so well tuned to a human?
I can’t put a price on the experience, and simply can’t figure out whether it is ‘worth’ it. The only way to think of it is:
“Do you want it? If so, you need to pay for it!”
SFO said:
The engine is a masterpiece. The way it revs so quickly, responsively and powerfully is nothing short of amazing.
I think I get the whole GT3 thing now – it was a really revelation. You drive it, you have to be awake and concentrating, but my word, the thing is alive, it talks to you, it has personality, character and it has a soul.
Difficult to put into words unless you drive / own 1... but I think you have summed it up well..! just a Mega car.. sight, smell and sound they do it all.., loved mine.. 7.2RS for me next.. I think I get the whole GT3 thing now – it was a really revelation. You drive it, you have to be awake and concentrating, but my word, the thing is alive, it talks to you, it has personality, character and it has a soul.
..I spent a year talking myself into one, but trust me, the drive home was a memorable experience.. they don't come along like that very often... utterly brilliant..
Way more fun than girls.., the GT3 cars communicate in a a way that we can understand, not the usual incomprehensible inane diatribe and drivle that tests your patience to bursting point and we have to pretend to understand..!
Way more fun than girls.., the GT3 cars communicate in a a way that we can understand, not the usual incomprehensible inane diatribe and drivle that tests your patience to bursting point and we have to pretend to understand..!
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Tuesday 8th January 17:19
Only bit i disagree with is the gearchange. Coming from an older car i find the 997gtx gearchanges a bit slick and synthetic. Not enough 'massey ferguson' in the mix for my tastes. Not quite as charcterless as a boxster/cayman change but quite a way from the best boxes ive tried.
Edited by jackal on Sunday 12th June 10:28
RatBoy M3CSL said:
..I spent a year talking myself into one, but trust me, the drive home was a memorable experience.. they don't come along like that very often... utterly brilliant..
+1jackal said:
Only bit i disagree with is the gearchange. Coming from an older car i find the 997gtx gearchanges a bit slick and synthetic. Not enough 'massey ferguson' in the mix for my tastes. Not quite as charcterless as a boxster/cayman change but quite a way from the best boxes ive tried.
not driven any other GT3, so have nothing to compare it withEdited by jackal on Sunday 12th June 10:28
911Thrasher said:
Callughan said:
Remember to wear flip flops heard it works wonders;)
It does ahahah! I'm a flip flop adept in the 7.1RS
J-P said:
Enjoyed your post - makes me think I made a good choice not driving it - (need 4 seats) 
had you driven one, you would have had to buy a GT3 instead of GTS .. and leave the kids at home!this makes a good read.
However..
I had a similar experience a few year back and drove (a somewhat more compromised) 996 gt3 mk2.
I was blown away by the experience. I had also been taken on track in a 6 gt3rs which reinforced my idea i wanted one.
Trouble was: when real life kicked in, I found the car somewhat limited in its abilities.
I found it hard, difficult to clear sleeping policemen, noisy, poor stereo, more pleasant to drive on the good quality roads of the continent rather than in crappy uk roads.
Bottom line, I got tired of it after a few months. Just a bit too intense for me. I was probably not doing enough trackdays either to justify its existence. i did a lot of London driving at weekends and often going away to the countryside with girlfriend.
Bought a mint 996 turbo which I had remapped and ended up keeping two years (a long time for me). This for me was the perfect car and more rounded overall. Although the initial test drive was far from being as exciting or intense.
I don't mean to be a joy killer, as I am sure the 997 gt3 mk2 is very different, but I just want to bring a bit of perspective as to what happened to me past the first few test drive experiences.
However..
I had a similar experience a few year back and drove (a somewhat more compromised) 996 gt3 mk2.
I was blown away by the experience. I had also been taken on track in a 6 gt3rs which reinforced my idea i wanted one.
Trouble was: when real life kicked in, I found the car somewhat limited in its abilities.
I found it hard, difficult to clear sleeping policemen, noisy, poor stereo, more pleasant to drive on the good quality roads of the continent rather than in crappy uk roads.
Bottom line, I got tired of it after a few months. Just a bit too intense for me. I was probably not doing enough trackdays either to justify its existence. i did a lot of London driving at weekends and often going away to the countryside with girlfriend.
Bought a mint 996 turbo which I had remapped and ended up keeping two years (a long time for me). This for me was the perfect car and more rounded overall. Although the initial test drive was far from being as exciting or intense.
I don't mean to be a joy killer, as I am sure the 997 gt3 mk2 is very different, but I just want to bring a bit of perspective as to what happened to me past the first few test drive experiences.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff