Would a GT3 or GT4 RS hit the mark?
Discussion
Hi All,
Was hoping to get some views and opinions from those of you who have been in a similar position. I have been fortunate enough to own a number of exotic cars such as Audi R8 (only the V8 but gated manual!!), 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430, Gallardo LP560, McLarens etc.
I will be looking to get my next car in the coming weeks/months and decided that it needs to be a N/A engine'd car. From the various cars owned, I have learnt the ones I enjoyed the most were the N/A cars. I have never owned or driven a GT product Porsche, and the GT3 or GT4 RS models in particular have always been intriguing.
I don't track my cars, and only use them on extended sunny/dry weekend drives out. My usual list of requirements is that as it is strictly a weekend toy, it has to through a combination of its looks, presence, sound and drive feel special and a sense of occasion every time I take it out. My budget will probably be around £110-115k so I am thinking if I am patient and wait a few weeks till winter I should be able to get into either a private buy 991.1 GT3 RS, a GT4 RS (WS), or perhaps a 991.2 GT3 (although I prefer the more aggressive styling of the RS cars - in order to hit the looks/presence requirement!).
My question to others that have been in a similar situation where you have owned more traditional supercar or exotic brands, when making the switch to a Porsche GT product how has the experience been for you? I have no doubt they are just as capable and arguable even more so, but given I don't touch the edges of the potential performance of most of the cars I have owned given I don't track them, do they still feel as special or give that real sense of occasion when walking upto, sitting in and then driving, in the same way you get when doing so in the usual thoroughbred supercar suspects like a McLaren/Ferrari/Lamborghini etc?
Was hoping to get some views and opinions from those of you who have been in a similar position. I have been fortunate enough to own a number of exotic cars such as Audi R8 (only the V8 but gated manual!!), 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430, Gallardo LP560, McLarens etc.
I will be looking to get my next car in the coming weeks/months and decided that it needs to be a N/A engine'd car. From the various cars owned, I have learnt the ones I enjoyed the most were the N/A cars. I have never owned or driven a GT product Porsche, and the GT3 or GT4 RS models in particular have always been intriguing.
I don't track my cars, and only use them on extended sunny/dry weekend drives out. My usual list of requirements is that as it is strictly a weekend toy, it has to through a combination of its looks, presence, sound and drive feel special and a sense of occasion every time I take it out. My budget will probably be around £110-115k so I am thinking if I am patient and wait a few weeks till winter I should be able to get into either a private buy 991.1 GT3 RS, a GT4 RS (WS), or perhaps a 991.2 GT3 (although I prefer the more aggressive styling of the RS cars - in order to hit the looks/presence requirement!).
My question to others that have been in a similar situation where you have owned more traditional supercar or exotic brands, when making the switch to a Porsche GT product how has the experience been for you? I have no doubt they are just as capable and arguable even more so, but given I don't touch the edges of the potential performance of most of the cars I have owned given I don't track them, do they still feel as special or give that real sense of occasion when walking upto, sitting in and then driving, in the same way you get when doing so in the usual thoroughbred supercar suspects like a McLaren/Ferrari/Lamborghini etc?
I’m about to swap out of my AM DBSS into a 992 GT3 manual. First Porsche for me and it was a case of a massive itch needing a scratch…I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the test drive I had in the car. The engine in these is masterful and a true joy to behold. I preferred the looks of the GT3 over the 4RS and having spoken to other people the general consensus was the 4RS is brilliant but too loud inside given where the intakes are positioned. I have a 675LT Spider as well and I’m pretty sure the GT3 is going to give me as much enjoyment just because it’s a totally different proposition. Also the more advanced tech in the 992 was another important factor. I hope to take it on track too so it’ll be getting used as intended.
Evening, good choices! I was similar to you, my first “Supercar” was a 991 gt3 which I regretfully sold and bought a McLaren & Ferrari over a 3 year period. I always regretted selling the GT car and went back into one nearly 2 years ago (991.1 gt3rs) and absolutely love it! The raw sound and mechanical feel you just don’t get with Ferrari or McLaren in my opinion. Mines just gone on the market due to house renovations 
I will buy another though in a couple of years.
I will buy another though in a couple of years. To me the Ferraris feel more special and more of a sense of occasion car than the RS Porsches. my Porsche was more fun to drive on the road though, largely due to the manual transmission. I usually picked the Ferrari keys for the special feeling and the Porsche ones to get my manual fix and for the more race car feel of the car. Never owned a McLaren so can’t opine on those. Those cars were a 997 RS and a Scuderia, so not modern versions of the brands. I did sell the Scuderia and still regret it to this day - was a stupid decision.
I have never owned a Mclaren or Ferrari, but have a 992 Turbo S, an R8 v10+ and 718 Spyder RS in the stable currently.
For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
BlackR8 said:
I don't track my cars, and only use them on extended sunny/dry weekend drives out.
This sentence stands out to me. I had a similar GT itch and went for a vanilla/cooking (by comparison to what you’re considering) 981 GT4 clubsport. Plenty of occasion and theatre with the buckets, harnesses and cage; exquisite gearshift and pedal weights; otherworldly grip. But it’s really a track car that can be used on the road, rather than a road car that can be used on track if you see what I mean. Over time the noise (great in the early stages of ownership) and harsh ride (great on a smooth surface) became wearing and ultimately not that enjoyable.
It’s was certainly a box worth ticking, and I don’t regret buying it. But I don’t regret selling it either.
Hedgeman said:
I have never owned a Mclaren or Ferrari, but have a 992 Turbo S, an R8 v10+ and 718 Spyder RS in the stable currently.
For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
Really like the Spyder RS, great looking car if it had the manual option I’d have seriously considered one ….how do you find the roof? For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
RSbandit said:
Really like the Spyder RS, great looking car if it had the manual option I d have seriously considered one .how do you find the roof?
I like my manuals too, but the engine and close ratio gearing really suits the PDK gearbox, definitely don't be put off. The roof is an easy job with 2 people, probably about 3 minutes. Solo it's a faff, particularly rolling it correctly so it's tight and no creases for stowage. But all that said, if I ever had to downsize my car collection, other than keeping a practical vehicle out of necessity, this would be last to go. I will never voluntarily sell it.Thanks all, very useful input. From my experience I found that the more capable or all rounder a car was the less exciting it was actually to drive on the public roads unless there was something else that made it still feel special and enjoyable. For example the McLarens were amazingly capable but that made them a bit 'too good' unless doing crazy speeds if that makes sense, and the engine/exhaust character was not a patch on say the N/A Ferrari or Lamborghini, but it was actually the looks and the drama with the doors going up etc that made up for that sense of occasion requirement.
Given I have never tried or owned a GT it might be just a case of a itch that just needs to be scratched, like has been the scenario for many others that have commented.
I am leaning towards a GT4 RS as my logic is that everything that probably makes it impractical for the road (deafening noise, hard suspension etc), will probably be what makes it feel different/special for that 1 day a week blast on a Sunday morning. My slight apprehension is that the looks/presence and that intangible feeling the true supercar brands give you won't be the same but I am hoping the drive itself will make up for this. Almost the opposite of my experience with the McLarens.
Given I have never tried or owned a GT it might be just a case of a itch that just needs to be scratched, like has been the scenario for many others that have commented.
I am leaning towards a GT4 RS as my logic is that everything that probably makes it impractical for the road (deafening noise, hard suspension etc), will probably be what makes it feel different/special for that 1 day a week blast on a Sunday morning. My slight apprehension is that the looks/presence and that intangible feeling the true supercar brands give you won't be the same but I am hoping the drive itself will make up for this. Almost the opposite of my experience with the McLarens.
BlackR8 said:
Thanks all, very useful input. From my experience I found that the more capable or all rounder a car was the less exciting it was actually to drive on the public roads unless there was something else that made it still feel special and enjoyable. For example the McLarens were amazingly capable but that made them a bit 'too good' unless doing crazy speeds if that makes sense, and the engine/exhaust character was not a patch on say the N/A Ferrari or Lamborghini, but it was actually the looks and the drama with the doors going up etc that made up for that sense of occasion requirement.
Given I have never tried or owned a GT it might be just a case of a itch that just needs to be scratched, like has been the scenario for many others that have commented.
I am leaning towards a GT4 RS as my logic is that everything that probably makes it impractical for the road (deafening noise, hard suspension etc), will probably be what makes it feel different/special for that 1 day a week blast on a Sunday morning. My slight apprehension is that the looks/presence and that intangible feeling the true supercar brands give you won't be the same but I am hoping the drive itself will make up for this. Almost the opposite of my experience with the McLarens.
Just go and drive one.Given I have never tried or owned a GT it might be just a case of a itch that just needs to be scratched, like has been the scenario for many others that have commented.
I am leaning towards a GT4 RS as my logic is that everything that probably makes it impractical for the road (deafening noise, hard suspension etc), will probably be what makes it feel different/special for that 1 day a week blast on a Sunday morning. My slight apprehension is that the looks/presence and that intangible feeling the true supercar brands give you won't be the same but I am hoping the drive itself will make up for this. Almost the opposite of my experience with the McLarens.
Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
RSbandit said:
Really like the Spyder RS, great looking car if it had the manual option I d have seriously considered one .how do you find the roof?
For me it would be Spyder RS or 991.2 GT3. Both great cars.Given your use I wouldn’t give the roof on the Spyder a second thought, I think as an owner you’d get used to it fairly quickly.
I’ve owned a manual 9991.2 GT3 since new…nothing that’s come out since has really improved on it. They’re awesome cars. The engine is a masterpiece and it’s only in the 991.2 that it was produced without a GPF (early 991.2 RS’s were also pre GPF)
bennno said:
Just go and drive one.
Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
I agree a drive is a must as if it is anything like people talk and review it, I expect this may be the deciding factor where I may be willing to overlook the lack of visual and road presence drama vs the traditional supercars. Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
The Spyder RS is not really an option, as I am not one to take the hood down. I owned a couple of Mac Spiders and they were totally wasted on me
I have driven extensively a Vantage V8, and I assume the Mercedes equivalent is not too different. They are great examples of where in my personal experience the drivetrain whilst good, did not make up for the lack of visual drama/specialness. I am hoping a GT product Porsche driving experience will be a step on from the engine in those cars. My Porsche experience so far has been that of owning a 911 Turbo, and a regular cooking 911 Carrera albeit with the aerokit etc. Truth is that I found both of those cars pretty uneventful and lacked the sense of occasion that sits at the top of my requirements.
BlackR8 said:
bennno said:
Just go and drive one.
Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
I agree a drive is a must as if it is anything like people talk and review it, I expect this may be the deciding factor where I may be willing to overlook the lack of visual and road presence drama vs the traditional supercars. Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
The Spyder RS is not really an option, as I am not one to take the hood down. I owned a couple of Mac Spiders and they were totally wasted on me
I have driven extensively a Vantage V8, and I assume the Mercedes equivalent is not too different. They are great examples of where in my personal experience the drivetrain whilst good, did not make up for the lack of visual drama/specialness. I am hoping a GT product Porsche driving experience will be a step on from the engine in those cars. My Porsche experience so far has been that of owning a 911 Turbo, and a regular cooking 911 Carrera albeit with the aerokit etc. Truth is that I found both of those cars pretty uneventful and lacked the sense of occasion that sits at the top of my requirements.
The Porsche, especially gt4rs is based on the Boxster architecture if 2012 so won’t feel as exotic as others you’ve mentioned - it’s principally a car for the track.
BlackR8 said:
bennno said:
Just go and drive one.
Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
I agree a drive is a must as if it is anything like people talk and review it, I expect this may be the deciding factor where I may be willing to overlook the lack of visual and road presence drama vs the traditional supercars. Having had porsche, ferrari, McLaren then i'd strongly suggest trying a Vantage 4.0 - with its Mercedes V8 it's an absolutely mental car for a Sunday thrash.
There are some very good Spyder RS and GT4RS deals about, but id wait till January when they will be 10-15% lower....
The Spyder RS is not really an option, as I am not one to take the hood down. I owned a couple of Mac Spiders and they were totally wasted on me
I have driven extensively a Vantage V8, and I assume the Mercedes equivalent is not too different. They are great examples of where in my personal experience the drivetrain whilst good, did not make up for the lack of visual drama/specialness. I am hoping a GT product Porsche driving experience will be a step on from the engine in those cars. My Porsche experience so far has been that of owning a 911 Turbo, and a regular cooking 911 Carrera albeit with the aerokit etc. Truth is that I found both of those cars pretty uneventful and lacked the sense of occasion that sits at the top of my requirements.
Hedgeman said:
I have never owned a Mclaren or Ferrari, but have a 992 Turbo S, an R8 v10+ and 718 Spyder RS in the stable currently.
For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
A R8 V10+ is a scratch I haven't itched yet so it is interesting you say the SRS is the biggest sense of occasion for you compare to having something with that epic Lambo V10 behind your head. For me the RS, hands down, is best to drive and has the biggest sense of occasion. But utimately this is such a personal thing, only you can decide.
This post is relevant and well worth reading.
It is interesting how so many on this thread have suggested the Spyder RS and for the reasons mentioned I didn't even have it in the running, but I may need to revisit this. This may be an unpopular view, but I don't think it looks great with the roof up (roof down yes it is a pretty thing!). I think I will start with a drive in the GT4 RS, and see how I get on.
Do people think it would be realistic this winter to get into a sensible miles WP GT4 RS for £110-115k based on a private buy? I can see dealers are selling non-WP cars already in this range right now.
p.s. started going through that Ferrarchat thread, makes for an interesting read.
Edited by BlackR8 on Wednesday 17th September 12:58
BlackR8 said:
A R8 V10+ is a scratch I haven't itched yet so it is interesting you say the SRS is the biggest sense of occasion for you compare to having something with that epic Lambo V10 behind your head.
Yes the v10 is epic, and puts the engine in my turbo S to shame by any measure other than outright thrust (and even then, there is barely a difference). The flat 6 in the SRS doesn't burble and pop like the v10 and its mostly induction noise, but that noise and the response are just spell binding, and make it more charismatic than the v10. As many have pointed out, this is the best application of porsche's motorsport engine for visceral experience.But the whole car with WP, half painted bonnet, all the carbon, the custom aero on the bodywork all add to the occasion. It certainly gets more attention than the R8. I think its definitely worth looking for a high spec one given your requirements - WP, custom stitching, colour coded instruments, painted wheels, carbon all lift the car even if they don't alter the dynamics.
Hedgeman said:
Yes the v10 is epic, and puts the engine in my turbo S to shame by any measure other than outright thrust (and even then, there is barely a difference). The flat 6 in the SRS doesn't burble and pop like the v10 and its mostly induction noise, but that noise and the response are just spell binding, and make it more charismatic than the v10. As many have pointed out, this is the best application of porsche's motorsport engine for visceral experience.
But the whole car with WP, half painted bonnet, all the carbon, the custom aero on the bodywork all add to the occasion. It certainly gets more attention than the R8. I think its definitely worth looking for a high spec one given your requirements - WP, custom stitching, colour coded instruments, painted wheels, carbon all lift the car even if they don't alter the dynamics.
Yes totally agree on spec. The spec I am going to go for is WP (with cage), PCCB's, lift, and ideally the mag wheels to make sure it again adds something that extra bit special to the mix. I like the coloured wheels too so something in the gold or indigo blue would be nice. But the whole car with WP, half painted bonnet, all the carbon, the custom aero on the bodywork all add to the occasion. It certainly gets more attention than the R8. I think its definitely worth looking for a high spec one given your requirements - WP, custom stitching, colour coded instruments, painted wheels, carbon all lift the car even if they don't alter the dynamics.
I had a similar experience with a Turbo and having spent time either owning, or being a passenger in most of the range 996, 997, and latest 992 they all lack that engine character or drama that the V10 or generally speaking any N/A engine offers hence my preference.
I haven't really followed the market for the 4RS, do you think it would be realistic to get into one for £110-115k (I know this is cystal ball stuff) but would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this.
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