Ed, you're way too kind. I'm smooth because I'm so slow.

A GT3 in the rain can be very intimidating. Living in Vancouver I know the rain all too well. Tell your buddy to go do some autox in the rain and even though the seat time is short, every second will be at a level where he can be on the edge in a safe environment and he will learn a ton in the rain. I use the rain as a magnifying glass to show me where I'm screwing up and losing traction since every small error you make will usually result in some sliding. Then when I go to the track I'll have a better idea of how progressive I need to be with my hands and feet so I can keep the shiny side up.

 

Doing the same with a 7.1. Go GT3, you won't regret it.

 

Spent 30 minutes with it and knew it would be a disaster as a commuter car here in the NYC area where I live. Between the noise, the stiff clutch, the ride, I personally was much happier in a 997turbo. But actually my current 997.2 C2S makes me the happiest because it's probably does everything as well as a 997.1 GT3 as a sports car, but without the "punishment".

 

I went to a local dealer today and took a 30 minute test drive in a GT3.....my impressions

The engine is awesome, night and day to my C4S

Clutch is stiffer and not as long of pedal travel. I can deal with it on a dailey basis

The ride is not all that harsh

I think the bug has bitten, I now need to find teh correct car

 

The 7GT3 was designed primarily a street car that can be tracked occasionally. Anyone who thinks a 7GT3 is harsh and uncomfortable either has never really driven one, belongs in a Mercedes, or is 65+.

 

If I could get a GT3 when I bought my car, I would! It is such a different and unique experience... I love my car, but a GT3 is another monster

I think you should get the new GT3 all the reviews say that the 997.2 GT3 is much better. They claim that it is much more refined, especially the Suspension. They say that the front nose sticks to the ground much more than the previous. Plus the new ones are 3.8... You are only going to get one GT3, I think you should make it worth the wait. You can use your Carrera for another 6 months or a year and then get a used 997.2 GT3

 

If you put a full exhaust system (headers, cats, mufflers), Intake Plenum, Intake, ECU, Racing seats, Suspension, Brakes, LSD, and a nice Clutch w/LWFW I think you will have a really nice car...

Of course all these that I have mentioned will set you back $20K - $25K, which is actually about the price difference that you have to pay to get a 997.1 GT3...

 

I agree 100%. I've spent lots of time behind the wheel of a yellow 7.1 GT3 and if you are a driver, like I am, I could drive that thing all day long with no regrets. It's everything I wished my X51 was and more.

Side note: My buddy's yellow 997.1 GT3 was stolen from the Red Rock Casino parking lot in Vegas on August 7 and found the next day, TORCHED

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a 7.1GT3 in normal mode similar in ride stiffness to a 997S.1 in sport mode? I would hate to drive mine with SPASM in sport mode all day on the crappy streets of NorCal.

 

If I were you and I was looking to switch/upgrade, I would keep the 997.1 and wait until the 998 comes out. It's going to be costly to switch up to the 998 again once that comes out...