Very surprising on what I experienced with driving the new GT3. Apparently Porsche offered their customers that bought the first 991 GT3s an option for swapping their original cars for a new upgraded GT3 so they would not have to keep the engine swapped car. My local dealer got one of these "new' swapped GT3s in yesterday. Well, I went to drive it because I thought I wanted one instead of my Turbo. First they made me, what I considered, a really fair/good deal on the swap if I were to do it.
So it was time to drive the GT3. It had 300 miles on the car so it was really just like a new car with a 'new' engine. Porsche applied a 5 year 100000 mile warranty to the car - awesome - I think.
The car was pretty basic but had nav and the sport mode and exhaust. Starting the car produced a nice rumble and race car feel in the car. You can definitely feel the lack of insulation from the engine and transmission. Starting off I was alarmed at how loud the transmission sounds and the clattering noises it makes while driving in traffic. Put the car in sport mode and hit the gas and you don't here the transmission clanging around. The sound is great but the acceleration was, IMO, not what I thought it should be. I also felt that the transmission didn't respond like I was under the impression it should.....not the right gear at the right time. Granted it was short drive but through some turns and fun spots. The car handles just like I thought it would and the input is immediate and gratifying.
The part of driving that I like, in my Turbo, is the acceleration and feel of the car. I love when the turbos spool, I don't love the understeer if I autocross my car. On the road, I don't notice the understeer, because of how I drive, but on the track I do.
I love the idea of the PDK and think that I would probably drive my car more if it was an auto - I know, please no bashing me for saying that - lol! Anyway I was surprised that I felt like something was lacking in the GT3. Maybe if I shifted the PDK manually that would change that - I don't know.
My conclusion was that I like the Torque of my Turbo. The raw feeling of being pushed back in my seat! The GT3 just did not do it for me - even with a full on sport shift from 2nd to 3rd. I also like my 6speed!
The new GT3 is one of the best looking Porsches I have seen and this one was black on black with black center locks which I think looked great! I really liked the center console and the interior as well.
So when it came time to make a decision, keep in mind I was really happy with the trade difference, I kept my Turbo.

 

what does he want for it ? I am on the fence about my 07 TT

 

Call Chris Shore at Harpers in Knoxville TN. He can give you the low down!

 

Listed at 142k on autotrader

 

I saw a white GT3 at local dealer, she looks spectacular from the outside. I didn't want to test drive mostly because I afraid I might like it too much. However, I am extremely happy with 997 TT.

 

Thanks for sharing. As good as the reviews are on the GT3, I continue to keep my eyes open for a 997tt. This comparison confirms what my gut has been telling me all this time: turbos and their torque are on a whole other level.

 

I drove the new GT3 and really they are just very different cars. Obviously felt slow compared to my Turbo S (most cars will), but felt more track-focused. The Turbo feels more like a cruiser. I liked the GT3, just not enough to buy one though.

 

I did like the GT3, but as you said not enough to buy one. Well, in place of my turbo I should say. Now maybe when the time is right both would fit the ticket!

 

The GT3 is for sure not as fast as a turbo, but what RPM did you shift at? If you actually took it to 9k, I'm surprised the accleration felt slow. The power delivery is very different between the 2 cars. The turbos power surge comes on much earlier and the GT3 power really doesn't shine until you get to the 6500-9000 rpm range. Also, the driving experience with the PDK is MUCH better in manual mode. IMHO.

 

The problem with our turbo porsches with all that torque is that NA cars feels anemic after. Thats a wrong comparison because mostly they are loved for the high rev , sound ,look and low weight mostly .

 

Thanks for sharing. I think one needs to warm up a GT3 and stay above 6k rpms in manual mode to feel its intended use. I can't see a GT3 ever replacing the purpose of a Turbo but I can imagine adding one for the purpose of track use only.

 

I have exactly the same set up on my 997t

 

Words of wisdom :-). This is exactly my experience with BMW M3 and 997 GT3. They feel better and better as the RPM climbs. Not much below then at 5000-6000 RPM you think OMG this thing might kill me if I don't let go.

Interesting that you mentioned that about GT3 PDK. Same for the PDK M3 - manual mode is much better, also IMHO.

Anyway Matt/OP (and everyone) is right - essentially GT3 and Turbo are 2 entirely different cars; one does not "replace" the other, you just have to own both if you are curious, which some of us like my friend Gotboost manage to do (good for you!). I am "cheaper" so I could only do Turbo + M3 V8 PDK :-), a combination of manual turbo car and PDK naturally aspirated car that I very highly recommend. The only thing I would like to add for Matt is that if this is your first time of driving PDK, that could have been a negative factor. I still prefer manual but PDK gets better as you become more familiar with the car.

 

Thanks for the replies. I think that having both would be the ideal circumstance! Have to wait on that though. I only buy what I can pay cash for and not put myself out. LOL. I am lucky enough to have my turbo! I did run the GT3 pretty hard as I wanted to know how if felt. It sounded great! The feeling not so much, but I don't track the car, with the occasional autocross my turbo does great. I know they are two different cars but with the advances in technology and the better numbers shown about the new GT3 I thought that it may have bridged the gap. Someday I will have a GT3, but with my Turbo...

 

I am fortunate to have both a turbo and a GT3RS. I had a Gen 1 turbo and sold it to get the 2010 turbo. I love the blistering immediate speed of my turbo and the incredible Woosh it makes but it doesn't match the intensity and the engine sound as well as the driving experience of my GT3RS.


The GT3RS gets driven as much as my turbo and both are so enjoyable in their own distinctive way. I am often asked to compare the two but you can't. They are like apples and oranges. I got to drive the 991 GT3 for a few days and that car is very special even though I thought I would not like it with PDK. It doesn't match my GT3RS for being a "Driver's car" so to speak but in every area the 991 GT3 hits the mark from the clatter to the scream it makes when pushing it to the redline. I won't sell my turbo as I love it so much or of course my GT3RS but I would love to add the new GT3 but that won't go over well with my wife! Here are my two German girls together and my turbo at the beach in San Diego