After a spring cleaning session I went out for a drive. The drive was nothing but sublime. Tons of power for me and the car is performing better than ever. My driving skills are way below the limits of this car. I got back home with a grin and explained the drive in detail to my wife. She listened attentively. After a few minutes she asked "...and why exactly are you getting the GT3?".

I started to explain why...or so I thought. She listened, patted me on my back, grinned and got back to her business. I was left thinking....

Power - 991S has than enough for my needs....I could always use more...could I?

Handling - GT3 is of course in a different league but I haven't come close to feeling compromised by my car and I so like the PDCC SPASM combo.

Comfort - 991S

Flexibility & Rear seats - my nephews love the moments in the S and not being able to have the rear seats and take them would over time become painful.

Tracking & Thrills - I really don't track my cars and doubt that I would the GT3. It was intended for the winding roads around me. The GT3 would be stunning but I am more than satisfied with the flexibility of the 991S.

Aesthetics - whilst I like the aggressive stance of the GT3, I REALLY don't like the rear spoiler. I also think that I would miss the inconspicuous simplicity of the 991S.

And the list continued..... and for me the 991S ticked many of the boxes!

I really cannot understand why I still want the GT3!!!!..... but I so love my 991S!....but....

 

I know in the 997's you can retrofit rear seats in them. Surely the mounting points are under the carpet in the 991. Just a thought.

 

It's the desire in us to have the latest and greatest. I would have gone for the GT3 (although it would be sitting at the dealer right now, but wanted the rear seats to take the kids along sometimes. Have you driven a GT3? Owner of local dealer got one and I went for a drive and don't think I felt much of a difference in handling over current 4s with spasm. It still lacked the low end punch but pulled a bit harder above 4k rpm. Im sure the handling is there as its a little stiffer etc., but doubt you could feel the difference at anything less than 60-70 mph+ around track corners. I do think it's the best looking 911 as I love a more aggressive look. Good luck with that decision though It's tough.

 

For me, the only reason to get a gt3 would be to come into forums and brag about it. Just for me, as I said. (not that there's anything wrong with that!) (via 6SpeedOnline iOS)

 

"Spent lots of $ on cars - the rest I just threw away"

 

By your own admission and like most of us, your capabilities are far below the limits and skills required to get the most out of this car, let alone a GT3.

Sadly most folk would never be so honest, instead pursuing an ever faster car in hopes of follicle regeneration or some sort of appendage enhancement.

As you rightly stated, the lack of a rear seat is bad enough but the obscene wing screams "boy-racer" at every turn. Surely they could have designed a fully retractable / foldable wing that would have retained some semblance of inconspicuousness.

If anything, I would consider a 991.2 C4S or simply enjoy what you have, perhaps enhancing it with the occasional modification.

Without track use, I simply cannot rationalize the GT3.

Your gut is telling you something...

 

"Sadly most folk would never be so honest, instead pursuing an ever faster car in hopes of follicle regeneration or some sort of appendage enhancement."

^^+1 Dux

 

If you sit down and think about it long enough, Haku, most things we own can be compared in a similar fashion. Do we really need an iPhone 5S when the 5c does the exact same job? Do you need the designer jacket you're wearing? Why pay $4.50 for a Starbucks latte when you can get one at the corner cafe for $1.50?

It's all perception and value to yourself. If you KNOW that you'll be happier with a GT3, that you'll enjoy every single drive home, that you're willing to trade some of the comfort and, dare I say, low-key looks of the 991S compared to the GT3, then you have your answer.

Your wife is being more objective. That's the tricky part about asking any other person about "want" purchases. I have a friend who always, ALWAYS bums me out whenever I mention a potential purpose. His question is always, "why do you want that?" It kills me, but it also puts things into perspective.

Oh, hell... GO GET IT!

 

You want it just because you want it.. Don't try to rationalize it or explain it.. The truth is, any car that is more expensive than basic transportation is not needed. You don't need a GT3, you don't need a 911.. you don't need a sports car.. But you want it..

Want and need are two dramatically different things..

It's a matter is if what you want is worth it to you.. (and conversely what do you give up by having it)... If the answer is yes, get it..

 

Actually I did need the 5S, lol.. The finger print unlock saves me 500 times a day entering my pin.. That was the best $100 I ever spent..

But your point is well made..

 

And remember, most of these posts are from people who want more cup holders, the ability to play DVDs, and just got their first Porsche. And it's a two syllable word!

 

you can have the best of both worlds and save thousands.......replace the Carrera S rear emblem with GT3 . only 1 person in 10,000 would know the difference

 

Thank you for all the replies and opinions. They are appreciated.

Just a couple of addons to my initial post.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 997.2 GT3 I had and it was a stunning car on many fronts as I am sure the 991 GT3 will be. I didn't track it but did drive it spiritedly. We have great driving roads where I live. This version is even more road compliant than its predecessors. Of course there are compromises and we all know what they are.

Impression, bragging rights, and other folks perception about what I drive really matter very very little to me. If they don't notice me, the better.

The areas that really interest me are technology, engineering, and out of the box application of functionality. This is where the GT3 tickles my fancy.

The other issue that I was highlighting was how amazing the 991S actually is and....how much/little of its capabilities are used by me/most of us. I've had the pleasure of being driven around a track in a 991S by a pro driver who claimed to be pushing the car close to its limit. The driver and car performance was staggering. I, and dare I say it, most of us (who I would assume to be well above average and good,brisk,fast drivers) even on a good day would not come close to performing at that level or be able to push the car as he did.
So whether it's the S or GT3, I know it's not about me having outgrown the abilities of my S.

My GT3 allocation has been in for a while and is scheduled for production in a few months. Logic does not always play a part in our decisions but the process is sometimes interesting. The choice of car and why we want what we do sometimes detracts from what we have. One thing that has become apparent for me is to appreciate what I have.
Regardless of the choice I make, I think the 991 S is a stunning car and I am so fond of it.
Those of us who have one are truly lucky.

 

If it helps you any, we all want a GT3.
The S is just more practical, over all, and still has more performance than we can use.
Just wait for the next generation and channel the savings into your Porsche fund, until then.

 

Your finger print unlock still works??!! Mine and everyone I know that has a 5S only worked for about a week. Reset it and it works for maybe a day before you have to reset it again. Lucky you!