So I'm looking for a bit of help making up my mind on which vehicle to get. I chose to put the thread in this section, maybe because it's the model I am leaning more towards? First off I have been a Porsche enthusiast as long as I can remember. I have a 944 track prepped car that a buddy and I have raced in different events for EMRA and CART. I've decided to finally get a 911 but am not sure which to go with. I am looking at either a 996 X50 Turbo with some other sugnificant work done, or a 997.1 GT3 that stock. I know in this section I may get some people that are a bit more biased towards the 996, but I am hoping some may have opinions pro or con. Read a ton of threads so far but I'm still at a loss. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks and look forward to hearing from everyone.

 

More info, can we assume that your 911 will spend most of it's time on the street and not on the track ?

 

Yes, I doubt the car will actually ever see the track honestly. I basically enjoy my cars on the weekends. Although if I had a GT3 I'm not sure the temptation wouldn't force me to try it at least once.

 

Turbo is much more fun to drive, especially on the street. GT3 = track fun. I enjoy the linear power from an NA on the track versus the sudden power of a turbo. If it's a street car, stick with the turbo. Just my opinion....

 

I know what yu mean about enjoying the NA power I hae a 450+HP V8 car now that I love to hae the instant power from Have owned turbo cars before and felt that lag Although this X50 car I droe didn't seem to have that roblem. Very responsive, very very fast. I can't help but love the allure of that 997 GT3 car though

 

The 997 GT3 is the better / newer style / track choice.

The x50 is laggy compared to a K16, but the K24, has more of a push that you'll feel. I am pretty bored in a K16, even with a reflash.

The 997 is gorgeous, but I'll take a turbo for a street car any day of the week, I have a thing for FI. Besides, if you get bored with the K24, a $1500 reflash will make it fun again. Milking power out of a GT3 is going to be much harder or at least much more expensive.

 

See, this is why I came on here, I need these opinions. The car I am looking at actually has a Stage 4 kit, with the K24's, Headers, Full exhaust, flash, etc.. I was ery surrised by the amount of power the car had at even half throttle. I still need to find a GT3 locally to test.

 

Who was the Stage 4 done by?

If the car was flashed with a K24, a GT3 is going to feel boring. Also, go for a ride in the passenger seat of both.

Honestly, I don't see the reason for buying a GT3 if you'll never track it, but I'm sure someone else may chime in (if they have one and don't track it!).

Actually, I can get some thoughts from a member who went from a Turbo 996 (I think a C2s?) to a 997GT3. I'll see what his thoughts were!

 

[quote=LIVEVIL;3296099] I doubt the car will actually ever see the track honestly. quote]

I dare you to try it once go GT3 otherwise TT

 

What it all really comes down to is this - do you get that happy feeling when you drive it? Do you imagine driving it when you're out to dinner, with your friend, sleeping with your wife, g/f, b/f (I'm not implying anything, just sayin') - haha.

I can't wait to leave the office to fire up the 996tt and make the drive home. I love every second I am behind the wheel, and while I still want more and more and more power, it's perfectly great how it is now. I want that violent push that a turbo can give, so I may go with K24/18 or 20 or more. Sounds like the car you are looking at may already have that done. My advice - get all of the paperwork on the upgrades, make sure it was done by a reputable shop, and have everything verified, checked, and checked again.

Drive both and then drive both again. Also, drive the car at a level your comfortable with, but GET ON IT somewhere safe. Test drive a car like you would drive it yourself (obviously there may be a slight learning curve), but you'll be thankful you did before making your decision.

Assuming the GT3 is stock, you're looking at 415hp NA versus 450hp FI on the x50. With the x50 flash, you're looking at 525hp+, you could be closer to 550-575 depending on what was done. You could probably milk the GT3 for another 50hp, but not for the price of what it would take to get the 996tt there.

As far as maintenance, you'll have less problems with NA, but maybe more problems with the 997's PASM suspension.

As I said, pick the one you enjoy driving. Not what your buddy things or what your mom thinks. Pick the one that gives you that nice warm feeling and puts you in your happy place.

/rant

 

Here is the question I asked:

Can you give me your thoughts going from a turbo'd 996 to a 997 gt3? There is another forum member looking at picking up a 996tt or a 997gt3, but he won't be tracking the car. I figured you were in a similar situation and could provide your opinion?

Here was his response:

Imho porsche isn't about turbo. It is about the raw lightweight
normally aspirated driving experience. The gt program cars come
straight from their motorsport group which is the best in the
industry. They do such a great job of also marketing their successes!

But if you like the newer stuff like pdk, navi, electronic gizmos,
dynamic lights... Best to stick with the carrera or turbos and they
are killer gt cars bordering sports car.

Another thing is the gt cars look great as is just add wheels. The
carrera and turbos need help from techart, speedart to really bring
them to light.

I'm a huge fan of both actually. Techart turbo.... Gtx on wheels.
Gt's are also much rarer.

Can't go wrong!

 

If the car is not going to be tracked much at all if any as you said, I would suggest the 996tt. I would also think a 997gt3 is going to be quite a bit more money no? Unless you are looking at a Turbo S? Not up to date on mkt much but I thought they were 70-80's and the TT 40-50's. I could be wrong.

I have the Protomotive/Motorwerks K24/18g 650 kit and on 104+ and high boost and 1.3 bar she pull and pulls. For the track however, I stay with pump gas and 1.2 bar or just turn the greddy off. Good luck and you certainly could not go wrong with either one.

 

I completely understand how people could say why buy a car built for the track if youll never drie it there. I'm not saying NEVER, but most likely not. I simply appreciate the appearance, feel, and NA driveability of the GT3. Also I already have a track only 944. I don't mind so much if that one has a slight off track accident as much as I would this car. The X50 car had the Stage 4 Upgrade done by PES. The owner currently has an Overkill of serice records and eery single modification receipt to show. Very diligent almost OCD owner, like myself.

When I test drove the 996, I drove it like I do my own personal fast car. I generally never hammer on a car unless I am solo on the road for a bit. NJ is not the best place to speed with a cop around every corner, and that car stand out It's not quiet. It was very civilized around town, violently fast from a stop and roll, suspension rode better then I expected with the Coilover setup it has. The car was dynoed and showed over 600+ HP at the crank.

I have read more then afew things about this PASM suspension? Still trying to understand that. I will say that the X50 car is actually going for $10K less then the GT3 car is. I am still looking at numbers but thats where I am so far. I won't be as arrogant as to say that money is no object, but I am willing to pay for what I really want. I know the Turbo will be more civilized for the weekend trips and casual driving, but that 997 look is just insanely temping as you all know. Seriously I appreciate everythign you guys have posted. Only been a member for a few hours and hae so much more knowledge already.

 

Get the turbo....there are track guys in these forum that beat 997 GT3 at the track with the right mods.For the look you must spend some to get the turbo sharp close to a GT3.No way you'll get the turbo look better then the GT3.

 

You haven't given us a budget to work with in order to give you better advice. How much you have to spend pretty much determines most of the time what car to get.