991 Turbo or 991 GT3??
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I've been instructing with BMWCCA for several years, it's quite amazing to me how people all rave about the GT3 (for good reasons) but so few can actually use the performance of that car.
I understand most people just want the "best" track car and obviously, the GT3 is the more track oriented car. But few people can actually use it to its full potential. It's not a matter of what car is best for the track, but a matter of what car will be best for the owner.
The Turbo with its awd system, softer suspension and street tires is much easier to drive for most drivers. It is also a lot faster. But then, it becomes a whole freaking lot faster under bad conditions (rain, dust, cold) and to top it all, is much easier to drive.
So what car is best, I'd say for most, the turbo is the best car. Obviously, many will prefer to have Porche's "best track car" no matter if it is not the best choice for them.
I've driven the red group full of Porsche club instructor and many of them had GT3 and GT3RS, and I'd say many of them would have been faster in a Turbo.
Now, I understand that many are not that interested in lap times but just enjoying the car. Then there's nothing wrong with the GT3. I believe the GT3 is much fun to drive. Though, I didn't drive the new 991, I'd guess it will remain true for that generation as well. But don't kid yourself into thinking that the Turbo ain't fun to drive. It is. Though not as much.
So all this ramble leads me to this conclusion, don't lie to yourself. If you're not a very adavanced driver, chances are you'll be much faster and safer in the Turbo. If you don't track the car regularly, you're definitely compromising a lot on the street to have a GT3 over a Turbo. But if you prefer the GT3 for aesthetic reasons or whatever, then that's not a bad choice at all.
I understand most people just want the "best" track car and obviously, the GT3 is the more track oriented car. But few people can actually use it to its full potential. It's not a matter of what car is best for the track, but a matter of what car will be best for the owner.
The Turbo with its awd system, softer suspension and street tires is much easier to drive for most drivers. It is also a lot faster. But then, it becomes a whole freaking lot faster under bad conditions (rain, dust, cold) and to top it all, is much easier to drive.
So what car is best, I'd say for most, the turbo is the best car. Obviously, many will prefer to have Porche's "best track car" no matter if it is not the best choice for them.
I've driven the red group full of Porsche club instructor and many of them had GT3 and GT3RS, and I'd say many of them would have been faster in a Turbo.
Now, I understand that many are not that interested in lap times but just enjoying the car. Then there's nothing wrong with the GT3. I believe the GT3 is much fun to drive. Though, I didn't drive the new 991, I'd guess it will remain true for that generation as well. But don't kid yourself into thinking that the Turbo ain't fun to drive. It is. Though not as much.
So all this ramble leads me to this conclusion, don't lie to yourself. If you're not a very adavanced driver, chances are you'll be much faster and safer in the Turbo. If you don't track the car regularly, you're definitely compromising a lot on the street to have a GT3 over a Turbo. But if you prefer the GT3 for aesthetic reasons or whatever, then that's not a bad choice at all.
c
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I have at least 4 friends who have gone from 997 Turbos to 997 GT3 and would not have a Turbo again, purely based on the fun factor. They have convinced me to try the 991 GT3 to replace my 997 Turbo S.
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Yes, I've got an October build.
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That a lot of 'common' drivers cannot fully utilize GT3's capabilities compared to Turbo (or even base model for that matter) is a true statement. But suggesting that they therefore should shy away from purchasing one goes a bit too far.
Since when "maximum utilization" is the prerequisite to purchase a toy or any other piece of goods?
Ever thought of whether you can "fully" use the capabilities of your smartphone and if you cannot, then maybe you should get a more "plain" phone? or a computer? or a house? etc. etc.
Since when "maximum utilization" is the prerequisite to purchase a toy or any other piece of goods?
Ever thought of whether you can "fully" use the capabilities of your smartphone and if you cannot, then maybe you should get a more "plain" phone? or a computer? or a house? etc. etc.
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That a lot of 'common' drivers cannot fully utilize GT3's capabilities compared to Turbo (or even base model for that matter) is a true statement. But suggesting that they therefore should shy away from purchasing one goes a bit too far.
Since when "maximum utilization" is the prerequisite to purchase a toy or any other piece of goods?
Ever thought of whether you can "fully" use the capabilities of your smartphone and if you cannot, then maybe you should get a more "plain" phone? or a computer? or a house? etc. etc.
Since when "maximum utilization" is the prerequisite to purchase a toy or any other piece of goods?
Ever thought of whether you can "fully" use the capabilities of your smartphone and if you cannot, then maybe you should get a more "plain" phone? or a computer? or a house? etc. etc.
Anyone is entitled to buy whatever their heart desire. I merely expressed my opinion. Because, if I'm not mistaken, the original poster wanted our opinion on the GT3 vs Turbo. Being a BMWCCA instructor for the last 7 or eight years, I've seen my share of GT3/GT3RS and their owners and felt my personnal experience could be relevant to the discussion.
The worst driver in the world can go out and buy a GT3. There are, thank god, no rules against that. Based on my experience, I'd still advise him/her not to do it if he/she asked me.
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Maybe, if you had read my post to the last word you'd noticed that the last sentence said:"But if you prefer the GT3 for aesthetic reasons or whatever, then that's not a bad choice at all."
My comment was more towards the often stated notion on many forums (including this one if you have seen them here and there) with the very clear black & white advise regarding "only buying what you can drive".
Perhaps I should have phrased it better. Anyways, apologies if it came over as a direct response/attack.
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Maybe, if you had read my post to the last word you'd noticed that the last sentence said:"But if you prefer the GT3 for aesthetic reasons or whatever, then that's not a bad choice at all."
My comment was more towards the often stated notion on many forums (including this one if you have seen them here and there) with the very clear black & white advise regarding "only buying what you can drive".
Perhaps I should have phrased it better. Anyways, apologies if it came over as a direct response/attack.
*Edit to add, I agree, if people only bought what they could drive, it would be really hard to get better at driving. People should make their way up by buying a car that can challenge them to a level the owner can handle. That's what I say to my students anyway. That's how it happens in racing as well. No one gets a F1 as a first gig. You build your skills and your confidence to one day get there.
Last edited by Darth GF; Aug 19, 2013 at 05:13 PM.
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I am not in the market for another car, but I just bought a Z4 3.0si Coupe for my gf (she wanted it) and I drove this car, it is not a rocket like Turbo, but it is a very pleasant engine, than N52.
I do love my manual (tuned) Turbo but somehow the thrill of very high horsepower starts to wane, but not the manual transmission or the handling or the feel of hydraulic steering.
Therefore I would not chose either 991 GT3 or 991T(S), I still prefer 997.2 GT3, or, on a whim, a 997 GT2. And they do not even have to be RS, I am not professional driver, non-RS GT3 would be enough to keep me entertained for years. But since I love my Turbo, I will keep it for years to come, would be interesting to see if a tuned Turbo can last past 100k miles.
I do love my manual (tuned) Turbo but somehow the thrill of very high horsepower starts to wane, but not the manual transmission or the handling or the feel of hydraulic steering.
Therefore I would not chose either 991 GT3 or 991T(S), I still prefer 997.2 GT3, or, on a whim, a 997 GT2. And they do not even have to be RS, I am not professional driver, non-RS GT3 would be enough to keep me entertained for years. But since I love my Turbo, I will keep it for years to come, would be interesting to see if a tuned Turbo can last past 100k miles.
Maybe, if you had read my post to the last word you'd noticed that the last sentence said:"But if you prefer the GT3 for aesthetic reasons or whatever, then that's not a bad choice at all."
Anyone is entitled to buy whatever their heart desire. I merely expressed my opinion. Because, if I'm not mistaken, the original poster wanted our opinion on the GT3 vs Turbo. Being a BMWCCA instructor for the last 7 or eight years, I've seen my share of GT3/GT3RS and their owners and felt my personnal experience could be relevant to the discussion.
The worst driver in the world can go out and buy a GT3. There are, thank god, no rules against that. Based on my experience, I'd still advise him/her not to do it if he/she asked me.
Anyone is entitled to buy whatever their heart desire. I merely expressed my opinion. Because, if I'm not mistaken, the original poster wanted our opinion on the GT3 vs Turbo. Being a BMWCCA instructor for the last 7 or eight years, I've seen my share of GT3/GT3RS and their owners and felt my personnal experience could be relevant to the discussion.
The worst driver in the world can go out and buy a GT3. There are, thank god, no rules against that. Based on my experience, I'd still advise him/her not to do it if he/she asked me.
