I want to put a full-stop on my GT car obsession. I enquired today about ordering a GT3 RS 4.0. The dealer says the waiting list is three times longer than the allocation. At the same time, a friend is offering his 997 GT2 for sale, which I know has low kms and has been treated well. I am a NA fan, and vowed GT3 RS would be my next. Why is it that the GT2 continues to be an option in my mind, am I being tested? The GT2's exhaust note is so muffled, which turns me off. A few Youtube reviews say it is soft focused and porky. Most articles say get a GT3 as you will feel more connected to the car. The torque excites me most about the car, secondly the car has taken a huge depreciation hit and is good value..arrghh. I was planning to convert it to a road going track *****. It is Clubsport optioned. I do not want understeer so it's weight worries me. I have enough of that in the C4S. My friend has offered me a test drive, but I keep declining, as I would have to thrash it to see if it ticks the boxes. The thing that worries me; is the GT2 nibble enough for hard cornering? Will the way the power develops with the turbo during cornering be a new positive experience or down right annoying compared to a GT3? More importantly, can somebody convince me the GT2 would put a fullstop to my madness.

 

if you are considering a 997 GT2 just get a 997.2 GT3RS...you will save a lot of money (the 4.0 RS's will be rarer but probably will still not hold their cost value) and you can use the money you save to have Sharkwerks take it out to 3.9L if you want more torque...as far as the GT2 vs. GT3RS..the GT2 will never feel quite as nimble on a track but if the car is set up property it will give you good feel...if the tracks you want to run have some long straights the GT2 could be faster...putting down that GT2 power exiting a corner will require some throttle skills but you can't just mash the GT3RS throttle either....well you can...but you better be paying attention

 

This might sound a bit strange, but have you driven a Lotus Exige? If not, schedule and go for a test drive. If you like the thrill it gives you in the corners, then I would say GT3 RS (the 3.8L or the 4.0L) is the car for you.

As great as the GT2 is as a car and I love it, I prefer the GT3 or GT3 RS for tracks as I love cornering more than top speed.

Cheers.

 

here is something I ran into the other day.
hopefully it can help you reach a decision:

http://axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/...97-gt2-vs.html

 

Both GT3 Chuck and 512BB are affirming my gut thoughts that the GT3s are precise and controllable for cornering, and the correct tool for the track. The Sharkwerks option is something that excites me, I was probably thinking more along the lines of a 997.MK1, as I have seen some pre-loved cars for sale. I am flying to the the West Coast next month and thinking about visiting Sharkwerks. Probably the wrong thing to do when you have the urge. Thanks for your experiences.
AlexN your article is fantastic, as the Scud was also an option. Just don't like the electronics in the Scud and associated reliability. I just reckon the motor sounds like an outboard. I am a die hard Porschephile so at the end of the day I won't be happy unless it is a rock solid car. I don't know the author/test driver but it appears like he is quite capable and handled the test quite scientifically, so it has some credibility (with me). I am not looking at 10/10ths but the tracking experience, it makes the decision tough. I do like the fear factor of the GT2. Like all things you probably get used to it after a while. The challenge of battling with the on/off nature of power while tackling corners could make me hate the GT2. I still remain a hung jury.

 

You are right about visiting Sharkwerks...leave your credit cards at home....but, should you stop in you can get a ride in Kermit or the new 3.9 project...either ride will convince you that you are on the right track....go to their website and check out the Kermit videos....did you see Tanner Faust driving Kermit (3.9 997.1 GT3RS) take down Paul Tracy in a Ferrari F430 on battle of the super cars? That will get your juices going...

 

I cant imagine ever going back to a Gt3. My car weighs 3260lb 3/4 tank fully loaded stock wheels. It pulls just over 1.5 g's lateral. As of yet I have not come across a Gt3 that I can't pass..

Sound track is the only thing the Gt3 has on it, but I don't mind when I have that massive power in return.

So all this talk of on off power, to heavy to be nible make me laugh..Just go drive the Gt2!

 

I'm in Z06's camp. Haven't found a 3 that can run with it on the track, and even Cup cars are just dead-even. With an EVOMS 600 upgrade, it's stunningly fast and torquey. Go drive it and see what you think. At that point you will have tried both and will no longer be wondering "what if".

 

Here are some pics at speed

 

GT2 in a second!

 

F'ing A!

 

Ideally you should test drive both on a track if you're going to mostly race the car. Of course that's tough to do, if not impossible unless you've got buddies own/track each car, but at the very least see if you can ride passenger. They're very different beasts on the track, but if you plan on spending even 50% of the time driving on the street, GT2, no doubt.

 

GT2 hands down. RE the sound, just get a sport filter and 2 bolt on 100 cell cats and you are home. Re the feeling of "precision" of a GT3 just spend 2k usd getting a couple of suspension components missing from the GT2 and you are home too.
How do i know? I changed all these things to a turbo and it feels more precise than a GT2 or GT3 that i recently test drove.
With the 997 platform you can actually have exactly what you want as all the components exist by either P motorsport or tarrett/gmg etc.
You will never ever miss a GT3 if you get a GT2 and do those few things above..

PS forgot that with a simple ecu calibration you can release 70+ hp in the mid range that P decided you dont need!

 

My impression of the GT2 has shifted immensely. The track testimonies are most compelling, thanks. Must admit I am most surprised that a GT2 matches Cup cars and mops floors with GT3s. I followed up on several of the GT2 mods and can see you would never outgrow it's power. The EVOMS 600 looks effortless however I'm not sure what it does to the motor long-term. Won't open that can of worms. Those in the US are lucky to have such experts/services in your backyard. The more I read the more I am being drawn in. The only thing that is outstanding is the high rev soundtrack that I would miss with the GT3. It's pointing towards a GT2 drive.... that was what I was afraid of.

 

I was in the same boat as you are last year. my debate was between a 996 GT2 and a 997 GT3.
Having owned a turbo car in my past and an M3 at that time, I loved the torque, the turbo whine and that kick in the back in the S14. The lack of torque and the need to go above 5k rpm to get some movement in the M3 didn't really appeal to me.

I'm just the average driver that enjoys a few DE's a year and I knew that I would never go out 10/10 on the track. (Search around for the track day insurance threads..)
So at the end of the day it was a pretty easy choice for me. Torque that would bring a smile to my face every time I step on it, street or track, or that extra something that you really need to be a great driver to appreciate on the track... I'd rather be the axe murderer rather than the ninja in this case
and there is some financial reasoning to it as well - the 996 GT2 was not going to depreciate a lot more compared to the 997 GT3 that would depreciate more. Some of this reasoning still applies to your dilemma I think..
I'm sure that once you drive the GT2 it will be game over for you too.