Reflections on 12 months with a GT3

[bobfair]

My car is almost 12 months old now. It did 8 track days last year and that is where it is in its element. I am really looking forward to this years track days and learning more about the car and how to drive it

I took the car out for a run today. On start up it caused the usual smog alert but that soon clears and you notice the rattles and the shakes and the anticipation of whats to come rises. Brakes seem a little poor from cold and you need to be a little bit careful until you have used them a few times. Car is little bit awkward in traffic but as soon as you get a clear road and you can pile on some revs you realise what a fabulous sports car this is. The noise it makes as you approach the limiter (8,500) is addictive and you never get tired of listening. Then you long for some fast twisty bits where you can enjoy the feedback from the steering and be hard on the brakes and then enjoy a burst of acceleration to get that wonderful noise again.The level of mechanical grip and stability through fast corners is just incredible. Every time I drive this car I get out with a smile from ear to ear. Even Clarkson likes it (see his latest video The Italian Job)

There are some down sides though:

1. Management doesn't like the lack of adjustment in the lightweight seats where you only get forward or back. These seats are a no no for anyone with a bad back.
2. The harnesses are great on a circuit and help you feel at one with the car but they get in the way the rest of the time.
3. In some ways the car is frustrating on the road. To enjoy it you have to push it and that soon becomes illegal. The Turbo does road legal speeds better and is a better all round road car. The Turbo is great for short bursts of acceleration which seems to suit road driving. To get the best out of the GT 3 you need to carry that speed and let it flow which is not always possible on the road.
4. Its much thirstier than a Turbo
5. The 600NM torque for the centre lock wheels is ridiculous and I physically lift the car at the front trying to get the wheel loosened. Has to be a 2 man job.

Overall though it has been a fabulous ownership experience and I am so pleased I did it but I am not sure what I will follow it with. Views?

 

[spyderman]

Thanks very much for posting. Am hoping to experience a couple of 997.1 GT3s tomorrow, but your report pretty much confirms my suspicion that I don't want a Clubsport.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: bobfair

Overall though it has been a fabulous ownership experience and I am so pleased I did it but I am not sure what I will follow it with. Views?

991 turbo - obviously![]
'Tis a lovely car of yours Bob and still enjoying the memory of those laps at CC last year!

 

[bobfair]

The Castle Coombe Day

http://www.vimeo.com/14909136

Anthony the instructor was runner up in the production class of Britcar in 2010

 

[okellyt]

Bob

its a great car, you've had a great time.

If I won the Euro Millions treble roll over lottery - I'd have the Turbo for everyday driving but a GT3 (RS) in the garage for track days and those special blasts. Along with something Italian for arriving somewhere posh.

 

[adrian996]

Has to be the 997.2 Turbot, surely!![]

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: okellyt

If I won the Euro Millions treble roll over lottery -

I know they're not cheap but I think that's a bit OTT Tom![] Or is that to cover the servicing costs of the "something Italian"?[]

 

[garyw]

Bob
Really pleased to see you making use of the car and well done on getting the car on so many trackdays in the last 12month.
I was surprised that the fuel is noticeable or is that from the 8500 rev limit []

garyw

 

[marlin]

Many thanks for taking the time to share your experience, I followed your posts since you bought the car. As a Turbo owner I have always had the GT3 itch. Your write up clears that itch, the way I use my car and my age (old git) I refer to the seat issue [] makes me happy with my choice of car.

At the end of the day it's clear you have to have both cars if funds allow, if not it's the Turbo for a one car garage, once again thanks

Graham []

 

[bobfair]

Tom
If I won that much money I would buy a Zonda R or run a Cup car as a track day weapon.

I appreciate that people enjoy cars in different ways. Some like polishing them to death but for me I cant see the point of having a GT 3 and not doing track days as there are so many other cars that do "slow" better. For me having a GT 3 and not doing track days would be like supporting an expensive mistress but never having S*X. (i.e. I think I would be missing something)

As far as replacements go I am looking forward to getting some details on the next generation 911 but after 4 911's I might be tempted elsewhere. DBS with low mileage now look attractive, there is a new DB 9 coming, the next Bentley Continental with a V8 engine might make a great GT and second hand 599's are now down to a reasonable level so much to think about over the next 12 to 18 months. It seems the next 911 will be pushed further upmarket

If I do go for another 911 I think I would go for some colour inside again:

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: bobfair
... second hand 599's are now down to a reasonable level

Shame the 599 GTO price will never come down, only go up :-(

 

[lowndes]

Very interesting post Bob.

First I think you are 100% correct in using the GT3 properly on the track rather than just polishing it in the pub carpark. But that takes some commitment in an expensive car. So all credit to you, and incidentally it has been a pleasure easing off the gas and indicating Right to move out of the way of the Blue Streak.

So track days the GT3 gets top marks.

But I guess the question of where to go next depends on what proportion of your pleasure driving is on the track and what proportion out on the open road. And to some extent the open road element includes but is not limited to "Sunday blasts" and longer trips. In my case I know that my seat time is heavily weighted towards open road and that track days are just the icing on the cake. Therefore whilst I would love to take a 997GT3 on a road trip to the Alps, it wouldn't do it any better than the turbo and would deal less well with the more day to day trips. For me that is the strength of the turbo. It has the ability to make even mundane trips enjoyable and, particularly in PDK guise, deals brilliantly with a vast range of road conditions. So my view is pure sports driving GT3 no question; allrounder it's the turbo.

But if you are thinking of moving away from Porsche it might not be that easy. Neither of my recent attempts which were to DB9 and F430 were ultimately that satisfactory. Better looking perhaps, but somewhat underwhelming and unconvincing in the areas of engineering and design development that really matter. And I wouldn't be that comfortable taking either on the track.

I did look at the V10 R8 but there is no room behind the seats for the Chief Exec's hat box so that was out. Pity really because I think it is an interesting car with some attractive features.

Whatever your choice it is a nice dilemma to have and if you do go for more of a GT such as the Bentley you could always scratch the track itch with something raw and second hand or even open top like the Captain (though his particular steed seems to have quite a high maintenance coefficient)

Cheers

Nick

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: lowndes

or even open top like the Captain (though his particular steed seems to have quite a high maintenance coefficient)

New engine teething problems! Hopefully all sorted now...........and the maintenance is considerable cheaper than the other machinery talked about on here!.[]

When are you thinking of changing Bob?

 

[bobfair]

Not really thinking of changing yet but at my age the anticipation of the event can sometimes be as nice or nicer than the event itself. With long lead times you have to plan well in advance.

Nick was the ride on the DB 9 harsh? It is a fabulous looking car. Ferraris seem so expensive to buy and maintain compared to Porsche and if you actually use them the depreciation can be massive as the second hand market seems to demand very low mileages. I like to drive my cars as that is what they are for.

 

[motughosh]

Good post and an interesting discussion point. I bought my first Porsche 12 months ago. Whilst my heart wanted a 997.2 my head prevailed and I bought a beautiful low-mileage 997 GT3 CS instead.

Over the past year I have mainly used it for finding my feet on track days. One thing is for certain, I have the bug. It's easy to spend *hours* and hours mulling over the options from minor set-up hacks, tyres, brakes etc... and I love it.

So far I have concentrated most 'upgrades' my driving skills. This Spring I'm making a few minor upgrades to the suspension (via chris @ center gravity) and brakes (Parr).. OK so far.

But, there's a niggle and I think @bobfair has nailed it. I also want to enjoy the odd journey by road and the UK's roads are getting worse by the minute. My Sunday early morning drive today was punctuated by big potholes, slow traffic, disintegrated surfaces and bumpy undulating B roads and, unable to stretch it's legs, the GT3 lacked rhythm and rarely felt settled and composed. I tried hard to enjoy the drive but, if truth be told, it was a little over-stimulating.

I will accept that I am still very much a L-plate Porsche driver with much to learn... so far the GT3 remains an amazing track car, and that's the point - just don't expect it be anything less than very engaging/tiring on British roads. []

 

[lowndes]

Bob

Somewhere buried in my Outlook folders is an e mail exchange I had with Ulrich Bez concerning the merits or otherwise of the DB9.

Mine was an early car, March 2005 and I guess there has probably been development and refinement since. But in a nutshell I would describe it as an understeering lardy barge with beautiful exterior but an interior styled by a reject from the Philip Stark school of kitchen design. I did have a fabulous trip up to Cape Wrath in it but had sold it within 4 months.

Gearbox is just a slush box and the buttons rather than a lever drove me mad. You get AnyPart bits and bobs such as door fittings, and a key and separate remote from a 90's Volvo. Friend has had a Vantage for 3 years and quite likes it but has had a fair number of trips to the service centre.

If I can find my mail I'll pm you.

Cheers

Nick


PS As far as Ferrari are concerned everything you say is true. You really to tend to not use it for fear of what it might cost, which is all in the mind really but not something I ever think about with Porsches. And though I bought the 430 at a big big discount to list the depreciation at time of selling still made the eyes water. It's not that you can't affford it, it's just that it seems such poor value for money.

 

[spook]

Enjoyed your write up Bob, and even with only 250 odd miles on my GT3, having stepped across from the Turbo,I concur with all your comments. There is no doubt, the two cars are very different, and the approach to driving the GT3 has to be more involving and planned rather than the point and squirt attitude of the Turbo. I'm having to get used to the difference in power, and remember to drop down a gear to overtake. This is when the car comes to life above 6000rpm. Can understand the logical step to GT2- but shame there is such an extreme gap between the horsepower of these great cars 430-610 something like. Now a car with say the output of the Turbo S engine would be ideal. Still as you say, the car really puts a smile on your face and I'm looking forward to several trackdays as well as the Isle of Man trip. Any one else going this year?

997GT3 Gen 2 Carrara White- running in!
Cayenne Diesel Gen 2- Meteor Grey

 

[tscaptain]

You forgot to mention that it's also like looking at the world through a letter box, Nick![]

 

[lowndes]

Quite right Sir


and many other things besides...I'll add you to the circulation list if I can find the damn e mail. It was 2005.

In fairness though UB was a good sport. One of the things I complained about was what a waste of space the rear seats were. In response he sent me a photo of his wife and daughter in the front seats and him and his mate in the back. Top man ......but then he did manage the 993 programme so knows a thing or two.

Nick

 

[mnk303]

ORIGINAL: lowndes

But if you are thinking of moving away from Porsche it might not be that easy. Neither of my recent attempts which were to DB9 and F430 were ultimately that satisfactory. Better looking perhaps, but somewhat underwhelming and unconvincing in the areas of engineering and design development that really matter. And I wouldn't be that comfortable taking either on the track.

I did look at the V10 R8 but there is no room behind the seats for the Chief Exec's hat box so that was out. Pity really because I think it is an interesting car with some attractive features.

Whatever your choice it is a nice dilemma to have and if you do go for more of a GT such as the Bentley you could always scratch the track itch with something raw and second hand or even open top like the Captain (though his particular steed seems to have quite a high maintenance coefficient)

Cheers

Nick

I too had an Aston and a 430 and while an object of beauty yes, but as an engineering marvel no way!!! Actually it's hard to say which was worse the Aston or the Ferrari, both from new both only did less than 5K miles in 2 years and both spend at least 2 months in the garage over that time, mainly with stupid faults and bad engineering, nothing went wrong with the engines though. I will never go back, actaully I have learnt to admire the 911 shape and for me as a sunny day car I am happy with the GT3 RS, afterall this is Porsche No 5 in 15 years so I think I am a follower of good engineering rather than just beauty, depreciation and running costs.