Excellent review (the first one). I read it a while back while on the GT forum. To be fair, I own a 'down-market' P-car (a 997S Cab). So I can't comment on all aspects but:
I have a sense that the brakes are more even between the two - steel versus carbon or not. The big advantage the Porsche has in stopping is less the brakes and more the weight distribution. It can get proportionately more bite out of the rear wheels because of the engine location. Though the mid-engine of the Ford is excellent, for pure stopping (different from braking), basic physics helps the Porsche. But I have never ever noticed any fade or change of pedal feel with the Ford.
The other issue, not covered at all, is much more difficult to characterize. Of all the cars I've ever driven (F430, Lambo, Z06) the Ford is the only car that can best be described as 'mass-less'. Most of the time, it does feel like a bigger car, with less visibility, and the need to grunt when changing speeds. But true to it's race car design center, once the engine is in it's power band, the car shrinks to a small wrapper around the driver, and loses any sense of mass. Going 70 and want to be doing 110? Done. 100 in second? No problem. There is no sense of weight, mass, inertia, acceleration. It's a rocket. Just light it up with your right foot, and you're instantly moving. Nothing like it. Something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. But also something that always has to be treated with great respect. With no electronic nannies to catch your mistakes, you are fully and frighteningly in charge.

 

MANILA SKYWAY!!!!!!!! is that the JWK 993 GT2?

 

I always enjoy reading W. Mittys posts. That GT must really be something for him to consistantly chose it over some really outstanding machines. Enjoyed the Gallardo, ACR and F40 reviews the best.

 

I own one and it is fabulous - wouldn't consider trading it fro anything else - except maybe an Enzo!!!

 

Yeap..even with more in next event...Ford GT lost to us in 1/4 final...1 race we won, 2nd he, 3rd we ))) and in final we beat another mod 997 TT...but rolling start we have no chance agaist this monster...

 

Absolutely agreed. The car is so easy and relatively inexpensive to mod, and the thrill driving it is incomparable. Especially if it's been modded. I still get an ear to ear grin every time I'm behind the wheel, whether it's just a drive around town or a rip around the track. As for the shocks, yes, I think this car (and I'm on stock shocks - but it's been lowered with a bit more camber) and the Lotus are quite akin. The Ford feels a lot heavier than my Lotus, but then again, it IS a lot heavier. But on the track, with all that power to command, it 'feels' light and it 'feels' right. Kind of like my Lotus but with a LOT more jam. And truth be told, around town, the Lotus steering and shifter are quite heavy too, both getting much much much lighter as you really start to move. But the Lotus is never going to have the power of the Ford, or even the feel of that much power.

My 996 Turbo S has been modded, the biggest noticeable change being the suspension, and admittedly it's not a GT2 but the handling, while stellar, is not in the league of the FGT. They're probably equally quick, or damned close to each other, but the Ford just simply feels better. Especially at speed. Honestly, it does sort of shrink wrap itself around you the faster you go. That might be why others speak of it's size, they're just tooling around town. It's a big car, and you know it. But then again, a Murci of Gallardo are big too. But they all get smaller the faster you drive them. My 911 is so easy to drive around town, much moreso than the GT. But they both feel great on the track. And quite honestly, the GT feels significantly better than the 911 (again, recognizing that I'm riding a modded 4wd 996 turbo and not a GT2 or GT3). I would expect the GT2 and the Ford to feel pretty similar out there.

Truth in that brother. Acceleration is ferocious, at any speed, in any gear. The GT brakes are simply astounding. Then again, so are the PCCB's. Hell, for that matter, so are the big reds. I didn't have ANY brake fade with my GT on the track. Also, Heavy, I didn't have ANY overheating issues in two hard days at Willow Springs. The 05's had some problems due to the 05 grill, but that was changed for 06. Also, I took off the Ford Exhaust and added the Heffner pipes, they allow a LOT more airflow (both through the pipes and through the engine compartment), so a lot of the formerly trapped heat now has a place to go. Again, probably contributed to the elimination of any overheating issues. Oh, I've also got the additional oil cooler. Plus a few other mods of course. It's all good. And as long as you're paying attention, driving without the nannies is a very rewarding experience. Yes, it's too bad more of them aren't tracked in anger. They're wonderful cars, and the sense of occasion from them is unparalleled.

None of that is to take anything away from Porsche. I'm not saying that my GT is any faster than my 911, but it just feels better to me. Porsche makes wonderful cars, and keep improving upon them year after year. I'll always have a 911 in my garage, whether it's this one or a newer one. But I'll never ever sell my GT.

Macca F1 is the only one I'd consider a trade for. Everything else would be in "addition to". But I hear exactly what you're saying. Not many other cars attract a following where an owner has MORE than one of the exact same car!!! And the number of Ford GT owners who do just that (multiple GT ownership) is truly amazing.


And dang it all, it looks fast just sitting there!!!

 

nope, this is across town actually.