Hey boardmembers,
For those who responded to my previous post regarding my dilemma in choosing btwn a 996TT or a GT2, I thank you once again. I however, had the opportunity to test-drive both cars this morning.
996TTX50: I was suprised how easy it was to drive a 450hp+ car. Clutch effort was minimum and the brakes responded very well. MY neck snapped couple times when the turbo kicked in Excellent car IMO.

996GT2: I kid you not, I was too scared to drive this beast! As what some board members described, the clutch was very stiff (stalled couple of times just to get used to clutch). The rear did break loose couple of times, had to quickly let go of the throttle to correct it (hope I did not scare the salesman ). The seat hugged me very well, but I can't say it was comfortable. This car just gives me the shivers

So my question to boardmembers is if there is a learning curve to driving the GT2? In my 20+ years of driving experince, I have driven high hp cars; nothing can be compared to the GT2 I drove today. This can be an excellent track or street car, but at the same time, can be a total nightmare in the wrong hands. Thx.
MAC

 

MAC

I am glad you actually test drove both cars before purchasing. The shivers that you got is normal. The analogy is like using a surgical knife. The car is sharp and precise when in the hands of a good surgeon. It does takes times and intelligence to man handle it.

 

While the GT2 requires concentration to drive, there are far more challenging cars out there. I suppose it is all relative to what people have driven before.

 

After a month or two, the GT2 will feel normal (maybe even slow). You just need more seat time.

 

The TT is definately get in and go fast and feel totally comfortable. The GT2 will take time to get a comfort level and will aways demand your respect. That is one of the things that makes the GT2 so great every time you drive it you know you need to be focused. That makes it a very exciting street car to own.

Good luck with your decision!

JCM

 

the experience you felt with the GT2 is exactly why they deemed it like it's 930 brethren, "The Widow Maker". High horsepower, rear-engined, rear wheel drive cars take not only getting used to but respect, because they can bite the hand of even the most experienced drivers. Getting off the throttle like you did, at higher speeds will send you *** over shoulders in a hurry, with much consequence in the wrong place. The TT as you experienced (especially the x50), has all the power that you're probably seeking and is much more driveable for the normal person looking to just have some fun. But if you like a challenge, but are willing to not overstep your abilities and let them grow with the car, then the GT2 could be a very rewarding car to own and drive.

 

does the GT2 have a different clutch than the TT? If so, what does it have? The stock clutch in the tt feels like a VW gti to me.

 

I simply don't see why the GT2 does not come with a fully defeatable PSM. Any argument that it is somehow a better car because of it is moot IMO.

Personnally, I think a TT with the front driveshaft disconnected can offer 99% of the GT2's prowess on the street while maintaining PSM as a safety feature + tens of thousands in the bank.

BTW I have a stage 3 X50 with RWD and have not found traction to be lacking with PS2s. The car spun the tires in AWD with the factory Pirellis though.

 

I went from a 993TT to the GT2. I assumed that it would be almost a straight trade with a little more HP and slightly less subtleties. Man I couldn't have been more wrong...

That feeling you described, I got that every time I hopped behind the wheel of the GT2 for at least the first 2 months. Even now if I don't drive it for a few weeks I get that empty gut, 16 year old kid driving for the first time feeling.

If you're looking for a car to drive to work, take the wife out for dinner and hammer some canyons every now and then, then don't by the GT2. It demands that you are focused and respectful, and it has none of the sublteness of the TT.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my GT2 for another TT, but I wouldn't mind having both



The GT2 doesn't have a power assisted clutch. That's why it has such a different feel than the clutch in a TT.

My GT2 spins the rear tires too with Michelin Pilot Sports. I've never been in a GT2 that didn't have some traction loss from time to time.

 

Because it does not need it.

While that mod potentially improves the car over its AWD configuration, the GT2 still has a different suspension configuration and geometry (not just limited to springs and shocks), the added handling benefit of its more aggressive aerodynamics and the fact that it is several hundred pounds lighter than the 996TT.

 

Agreed.

Although my car, which currently weighs only 3,200 lbs, is RWD, has coil-overs, GT2 rear swaybar, and has been corner balanced by the crewchief of a local Porsche race team...is extremely close in feel. So close in fact, that I couldn't tell the difference in handling/feel between it and the 996 GT2 I drove in the past. I won't say it handles/feels *exactly* like a GT2...but it's damn close.

That having been said, I feel the GT2 is a easy car to drive. Much easier than a Viper.

 

Haha... you nailed that one for sure! My brother has a Viper, killer curb appeal but not much in the World Class Sports Car department. At Buttonwillow Raceway (in CA.), I'm about 6-8 seconds per lap faster in my GT2 than he is in the Dodge (on the long track configs). Originally I thought he was just a crappy driver, but after doing a few laps behind the wheel of his Viper, I realized he wasn't that bad, it was the car.

 

I agree, I've had mine for 3 months and I am already trying to make it faster. Although I had a Gt3 for a year prior to the 2, so I had a reasonable reference point. Still, the acceleration/torque smokes the 3. The clutch and handling characteristics were very similar. Get the 2, you won't regret it.

 

x2, The GT2 is an awesome car but you just have to have respect for what you are driving every day.

 

I agree. As long as it can be completely turned off at will, any car with stability control is better than one without. We're not always driving at 100% focus. I believe the reason it's not offered is related to the LSD, rather than the marketing spin Porsche puts on it (track-focussed, race-bred, etc.)