I never said the gtr isn't a great track car, I'm just wondering why I always see them on the sideline, are they no fun to drive? Do maintenance costs discourage regular track use? Is there something about the demographic that's not interested in racing as much? Uncomfortable seating?

 

[QUOTE=pureporsche;3540315]GTR: Can't deny it's one hell of a piece of engineering. But for me... No!
Not a fan of the GTR.

Looks - that subject is very subjective.
I don't like it at all, doesn't do anything for me.

Performance: the 997.2TTS out performs the 2012 GTR Black Edition (latest), numerous comparisons on Youtube/magazines by professional drivers and enthusiasts, both on launch, and mid range power. 997.1TT manual... stands no chance competing unless you throw some aftermarket goodies in it. There is simply no way a human can shift as fast and keep the boost pressurized between shifts like a double clutch auto. Re. the 997 engine... look at the torque curves and compare those to see how much more and how quickly the TT's comes on.

I found if you hold down on the gas as you shift from first to second, my 997-turbo is tremendously faster during the 1-2 shift and I beat slightly, not smoke shamefully my buddies GTR. But I'm afraid such no-gas-release shifting will destroy the clutch. I guess with an aftermarket heavier duty clutch...this may not be a problem. Having a manual-shift gear box is to me an important part of street driving. If all you want to do is race, race, race..... and if you're lazy, clueless or missing or cannot use a your left leg...by all means buy the GTR.

 

I belong to a local car club. We rally, raise money for charity and also hit the track. The fastest car (heavily modded) is a GTR on the track. On those days I am in awe of the beast but I climb into my stock tts cab and drive home with a huge grin enjoying the car to its fullest.

I am a life long car guy. For me the Porsche ownership was a life Long dream. I have had a poster of a variation of this car on my walls since I was 15. I have owned many sports cars 280zx, 300zx turbos, M3s, Supra Turbos and now this Tts. I am happy. I briefly considered the GTR but to me I always new that if the planets lined up right for me there would be no question.

Love the quality, feel, look and performance of my tts. I would like to buy a track monster someday and that may very well be a GTR. For my life today the Porsche fits me.

My suggestion for you is, buy what fits you and your life. Forums are great to perspective, but your is really the only one what matters in these decisions.

 

You're right. I probably did miss the point.

I was just speculating that the reason why GT-R guys are always around talking to people about their cars, is because people keep asking about it.

Sometimes, I've missed some of my running time, because people are still asking about the car. It is still a mystery to some (because its relative newness in the 'States).

My previous post was right before a long road trip home (where I was stalked for about 100 miles by several cars that kept pace with me at an annoying distance, trying to egg on a race or two).

 

The gtr is hugely capable and can be driven very fast by just about anyone. In the right hands the 997 turbo can be as fast, however it requires a degree of thought and skill to push it to the limit...ulitimately that is why I like and personally prefer the Porsche.

My neighbor has a switzer gtr with some 1200hp and my ruf r turbo although no where near as fast just feels more refined and better put together. The gtr shifts hard, sounds like a blender, and is gimmicky inside. The fact that it lacks the pedigree of the Porsche really leaves it outside the realm of cars that I would want to own.

 

Gimmicky? How so? I find it almost all fully practical. One of things that drew me to that car was the no-cost options, and everything was standard.

(Not touching the pedigree perspective)

 

There is no way a 997.1 can take a GTR on the track, just not possible. A 997.2 is a different story though. The GTR trans is just to quick compared to the tiptronic and manual. I bought my 997.1 for roll racing and weekends. If I were to get a track car it would definitely be a GTR.

The GTR does feel cheap compared to a Porsche Turbo though. It is almost 33% cheaper for a GTR though (new vs new). I'm honest, I tell it how it is.

 

Eh. It's a wash. I'd suggest a slightly less capable driver would net a slightly better result in the GT-R.

But then also depends on which year GT-R as well.

They've been getting better and better each year.

 

I bought a 997.1TT cab so that I wouldn't have to worry about this argument of GTR vs. 911 Turbo... GTR isn't available in convertible =P

That said I'm thinking of possibly getting a GTR in a year or 2 and keeping the 911. I've been through a lot of cars like most people on this forum. The 997.1TT is definitely a special car and I would have a hard time ever getting rid of mine. But as someone who read all the import tuner mags when I was in high school and owned an old turbo supra as my first car, I have to own a GTR at some point.

997.1TT is definitely a unique, special car. It's noisy in all the right ways but it's comfortable and easy to drive. It doesn't feel like a big box of a car, it feels small and agile even though it's a little heavy. I really don't get much of an opportunity to drive fast anywhere nearby and I wanted something I could enjoy on a nice day so an open top 997.1TT was the best choice.

 

I've seen VID997 extract faster and faster times from his 7.1TT and we have a nicely modded 12GTR in our race group that certainly gives it a go but VID takes it home each time. Now a few days in the GTR and he could probably extract some impressive times as well. In our 25min run sessions the Porsche is ready to continue the battle while the GTR was throwing some heat concerns (tranny/brakes) but both can be addressed with additional coolers/fans. Both are VERY capable cars and ran much better at the limit than mine. Suspension makes a huge difference and both of these cars are very well sorted.

 

Okay a few things...

#1 LOVE the logic of getting the convertible. That erases a LOT of other competition right off the bat.

#2 A Supra Turbo as a first car??? VERY cool.

#3 Good luck on your GT-R in the future. May be worth it to look at the NISMO (bringing back a lot of why the NISMO name became so known decades ago).
Cool. Yeah, once someone wants to spend some time on a track, a trans cooler just makes sense (as does non-cross drilled rotors, and track pads).

 

Good morning,
I am new to this forum and I am in the same boat. I was pretty much focused on a 2011-2012 911 Turbo, (rarely buy new cars) but as I've been reading all I can to gather valuable information, I ran across the GT-R and Audi R8. GT-R is quite a bit cheaper. I also read there have been considerable improvements in the 2012 or newer GT-R, so that would make it a close battle. Bottom line is driving them both,then decide. I read the GT-R is noisy. Not really crazy about the interior pics I've seen. I'm still leaning towards the Porsche. The test drive will tell. Good luck.

 

When I was shopping for 997.1 i considered a gtr for about 45 minutes lol true story. IMHO, you either want a 911 or you dont but no half wants
Peace

 

GTR can't be beat for the money, but seriously, it takes more skill to drive a manual than tiptronic, especially on the track, which is what makes the 997 turbo appealing. You don't even have to test drive anything to realize that. I currently drive an ISF which is 8speed auto with direct-shift and full manual paddle shifting. Yeah it's fun, and the upshifts are insanely fast, but there's something about rowing through gears that can't be replaced. At the same time, I deal with a lot of traffic so manual would be grueling. This is the sole reason I've been flip flopping between the GTR, 997TT and even a Viper for my next car. I don't really care about being the fastest on the road...

 

Stingray?