I'd like to pose the question to former GT3 owners who have now converted to the turbo. Did the low ground clearance on the GT3 force you to sell your GT3s and convert to the Turbo? I live in MA, and I am worried that the bad roads in and around Boston will be problematic if I get a GT3. Even with Front Lift, there will be times that I will be slow on the trigger, will have to pay a dear price of bottoming out. So I am wondering how much of a pain is/was the low clearance for you?... Are There any other significant reasons why one might sell the GT3?... Before buying a GT3, I thought it would be best to ask.

Thanks!

 

I bought my 997 turbo in 10/06 and 997GT3 7/07. The idea was to keep the car that was better suited to my driving and locale. I drove the GT3 all throughout Europe (did Euro Delivery) for 2000km and loved it. Drove it for <100 miles in Houston and hated it. Sold the Gt3 and never looked back. It is a great car, just completely unsuited to an urban environment. If you live in Boston proper the GT3 would be hell to drive and take care of. I lived in Kenmore Square for 4 years. It was tough on my 1983 Rabbit - it would be torture in the Gt3.

 

Agree w Gene, unless you're a track junkie with another DD car, a gt3 will get old in a hurry. Why do you suppose you see so many barely used gt3s on dealer's lots?

 

I guess it depends where you live. I'm lucky enough to have a '09 Turbo and '10 Gt3 and in SoCal for me it's the GT3 all the way. Sure you actually have to think and drive it but for a person that enjoys the thrill of not mindlessly just pointing and going it's addicting. I can see where driving on just city surface streets where the pavement is questionable could be a deciding factor. The Turbo hit is wonderful but short lived as I'm constantly shifting to keep off the limiter but when the GT3 goes north of 6400 to 8400 it's magic and I don't even need to mod the exhaust. There is no "PERFECT" car for all situations but to paraphrase the Almond Joy/Mounds commercial" Some times you feel like a Turbo sometimes you don't" Enjoy what you have , it could be worse as the Government would have all putting arround in Prius. Cheers

 

It really does depend where you live. I have a GT3 and love it. I really like the turbo as well, but the GT3 is my personal favorite. I disagree that it gets old in a hurry. I can't wait to drive it.

I was out to purchase a turbo when I was buying again and at the last minute I chose to test drive a GT3 - WHAMMO! That was it for me. You are correct in being concerned about the roads where you live, but I have no trouble around Dallas/Ft Worth. I have scuffed the lip a bit, but that is consumable and I will replace it annually just as a maintenance item. They are cheap. On the other hand, I would not want to DD my GT3, but I would not want to DD any of them. I like to be inconspicuous when going to work and not worried about the jacka$$ in front and behind me. My 4x4 truck is good for this purpose.

Good luck with the decision. It's a great problem to have!

 

Having driven both cars extensively, I can give you my 2 cents:

While both have the fun factor of speed and power (in their own respective ways), driving the GT3 always has more of a sense of occasion vs. driving the Turbo.

Sure the Turbo has more torque, which is more fun around town and from stop light to stop light, but the GT3 just grabs you and asks to be driven.

In regards to street conditions and scraping, pothole avoidance and what not, it's really a moot point unless you get a front lift system. Both cars are low, with the GT3 obviously having a more aggressive stance. That being said, the front lip on the GT3 is a consumable, and fairly cheap to replace.

It really comes down to what your driving style is and if you need AWD or if you prefer FI vs. N/A. While they both offer thrills galore, they have VERY different personalities and offer vastly different driving experiences.

Personally, I love the GT3's rawness and the fact that it takes a little more attention and skill to master it's capabilities.

My suggestion would be to drive both and let your gut/heart decide. Both cars 'stir the soul' in different ways, it just depends on what your preference is.

 

Has anyone sold their TT to go for a GT3 to use the car not just on a track but a daily?

 

There's a whole thread dedicated to them here somewhere. Seems like people really like the visceral feeling of the GT3 vs. Turbo.

Beautiful TTS btw, haven't seen one in Meteor Gray, at least not under 110 mph... Excellent choice sir!

 

The kick of a turbo especially on semi rural roads allowing you to " just hit the button" for an explosive slingshot is awesome as the turbo is always on the boil (almost). A GT3 needs constant attention with the 6-speed. Great as a week-end driver... not so much as a Daily driver. I do like my small rear seats in the Turbo.

 

FWIW at speed the turbo is the harder car to master at the track. The turbo has the schizophrenic cycle between understeer and oversteer, less optimal suspension alignment, heavier weight, and the non-linear throttle response when the boost kicks in. It is the easier car to track at 5-6/10ths, but at 8-10/10ths it is a crazy redhead

 

Thank you eclou, TT Surgeon, Rt-Turbo, ScooterP, DBV, Sanchezdds, hroussanrd for the great experiences.

I have 2 other cars as DD. The GT3 or TT will ONLY be a weekend car. No track use. The deal breaker with the GT3 is/will be the low ground clearance and low approach angle due to the 3ft long nose - Pinocchio would be proud! Even on familiar roads, there is so much that goes on from week to week with construction or lack thereof that the moment I take my eye off of directly what's in front of me, the front and bottom will be shot. I plan to keep the car ~10 years, and in that time, it will just take one pot hole to total the car!... Just how fast and often will I have to reach for the Front Lift button?! It may rob the fun from actually riding a GT3...

I know that the GT3 front lip is consumable. I've been so consumed with the GT3 ride height that I am not sure what it costs to replace the front lip of a 2011 Turbo should that get scraped too?...

 

Tough questions --

In all honesty I feel that the streets are not ideal for any of thse cars . Between the Turbo and the Gt3 living in the Boston area .. the Turbo will offer more versatility .

On the other hand .. if the car is a weekend toy I feel the gt3 is the most pure platform for the 911 . It is light , nimble, seamless , and precise . There is an absense of luxury .. just basics .

On the other hand for the price of a Turbo S Cab one could buy BOTH a Gt3 and an M3 for daily use. That sounds pretty good !!!!

You can't go wrong with any choice -- All are great cars .

Good luck !!!

 

I think you will have to drive both cars and really test them out. That's the best way to nail this decision down. If you are passionate about one over the other after that, then it won't matter about the front lip on either of them. You will drive it no matter what and get accustomed to the driving nuances and compensate for them over time. Initially, I scraped the heck out of my lip because I came from a C4S, but now I don't scrape at all because I have figured out how to avoid it. My roads sound a lot better than yours however, so go test each one and see what stirs you.

 

Weekend only...gt3!
or better yet, an old turbo.

 

get both!