Hello all, I have read many helpful and informative posts here so figured some of you would be able and willing to give me some insights.

I am currently driving and tracking (hence the want for 'more' car) a modded Audi S5. great car but could stand quite a bit more power.

As far as I can tell, the 2 cars that would be most fitting for me are the turbo and gt2. This will be my only car, but not a DD per say, since the business i own is a block from my house. i put about 5,000 miles per year- maybe less, on my current DD. I am divorced, have two dogs, and obviously arent too worried about passengers as even the turbo's rear seats look pretty brutal. I actually really like the rear of the GT2 for the dogs, no worries about wrecking the carpet.

I recently test drove a GT2 and was thoroughly impressed, and after that, i really started thinking about it being the one to get from both the performance and pragmatic factors.

So, here are the real questions:
Turbo, and maybe mod it a little
or
GT2?

I realize they employ different drivetrains, and i feel i am Ok with either.

I live less than an hour away from Sharkwerks who seem to have a very good reputation here so it would be easy to have them do any modding to the regular turbo cars.

If i were to up the power via a tune and exhaust on a turbo for instance, and add the PCCB, how much of the GT2 would i be relatively missing?

Are the seats in the turbo's like the adaptive sport seats in the GT2? And do any come with Alcantara inserts? I really want that.

Do the newer turbo's have marked improvement over the GT2 and what years?
Bluetooth/Ipod/Navi interface? the GT2's seemed kinda weak.
or anything else that the people here think is a very nice improvement/addition?

I am not scared to mod or spend the money. On the other hand, I wouldnt want to spent X amount of dollars to make a turbo perform near what I experienced in the GT2 and come to find it was more than what i would have spent on a GT2 plus the time and possible headaches involved with modding. not to mention kissing warranties goodbye.

I hope i have given a decently clear parameter of questions that arent too ambiguous.

any insight is much appreciated,
B.A.

 

The most important question is how much are you going to track? Also, I really wouldn't suggest a GT2 as an only car, even if you live a block from your workplace. Most likely you will end up putting a roll cage, bucket seats, harness, etc. in it and there will be no way to DD it at that point, w/ dogs, luggage, etc.

 

Hmmm, I really don't know the answer to that but I can't imagine it to be more than 6 times a year, more likely 2-4. And I'm not so hardcore that i would turn it into a straight track car. at most a bolt in roll cage for it.

 

Tough one to answer but since you drove the GT2 I'd also drive a PDK 2010 .2 turbo as well just to get the two opposite sides of the spectrum. No doubt in the city the PDK turbo would be an absolute breeze to drive. It's very quick out of the hole and easier to drive fast. However the TT would need a bit of help in the suspension department to be more fun at the track....

The GT2 on the other hand is now priced much more reasonably and being 2WD is more fun and has better suspension geometry. You won't need to do much more than get a good alignment as far as that's concerned. With software/headers etc.. they're in the 600hp range and even more quick. It does have a stiffer clutch pedal and being 6speed won't be as fun up and down the hills of SF but only you can decide on that score...

GT2=fun
TT=easier daily d

 

Shark,

I have a 6 sp. man. now and actually enjoy rowing for the most part even in the city- with the hills. I just think I will become bored after what i perceive as the novelty of the PDK wears off. But I will do as suggested- makes sense.

And that clutch was stiff- haha.
Thanks for the input, I am getting very excited about driving one of these cars as my own.

 

Hi Dan, roger that... I'm with you on the 6speed stuff. PDK can get a bit too easy/boring if you're into rowing through the gears but darned is it fast!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSuUNWs6yE

 

A man after my own heart. The novelty of the PDK will wear off if you are describing your predisposition towards rowing gears, so make sure you are honest with yourself if you drive a PDK car.

I have driven a lot of pretty fantastic exotics in my day and the GT2 has to be one of the most underrated and unspoken sports cars on the market. I am truly in awe at the balance and character of such a capable car. The GT2 is a tough sell for daily driving but honestly it is no worse than a Z06 for instance which people have no problem putting 10k miles or more a year. I owned a C6 Z06 and I think the GT2 is much more daily-drivable than a Z06. I think for what the car is performance wise, it is very tolerable to rack miles up on. It actually has a nicer riding suspension than my SL on 20" wheels, believe it or not.

-m

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I am gonna try both the PDK and a regular turbo, maybe with some slight mods i'll get what i want out of it and have a smoother DD- with added traction... but thats half the fun of the GT2- rear wheel oversteer!

Shark- i think i may just drive down one day, maybe next week or the week after when i have a little more time, and chat you up and get some better insights, opinions, etc. Would that be kosher? i'm sure whatever i choose, you'll be seeing me sooner or later anyway.... modding is a disease. ha.

 

Drove a 2011 Turbo S PDK today... it took the sport plus mode to get close to the same feeling i had driving the GT2, and the PDK isn't for me.

A question:
How is the feel of the hydraulic clutch of the 997 Turbo cars vs. the GT2's wire? I didnt drive one because they didn't have any but just sitting in the Carrera flooring it was a little bit strange- seems like it will be a disconnect from the feel of whats going on with engagement of the clutch.

also, how archaic is the center stack in daily life? i.e; Bluetooth, iPod, etc?

 

I drove an 08 turbo with manual. Have not driven the GT2, however standard was easier to drive than almost any other manual I have driven. Clutch take up is a dream and load is easy on my bad knee.

I am still ??? the PDK thing though. My biggest thrill I get out of a manual comes form being able to hold a gear in and out of turns for weight transfer with throttle input. I wonder how a PDK does at this?

I am personally thinking turbo S.

 

hhhhmmm, Thanks for the info. after this busy week i will certainly find one to drive then, just to see. that GT2 clutch was no joke to use.

In fairness to the PDK, I haev only driven it once, and certainly didnt get acquainted with it like I would be with more seat time. But it just seemed to take a bit of pleasure out for me.

Not sure if you know- the Turbo S is is only available with the PDK

 

6 speed turbo .....way too much fun ....

 

Yes and thanks. I am ok with manual, able to do reasonable job of heal toe, however other than being able to skip gears I find the biggest pleasure is the connection to the drive train. I had a DB9 and found he engine and slush box was just too soft for me.

My present RS 60 is just a real pleasure due to that connection to the engine. Just got back from Mendocino by way of 1 though Bodega. What a joy. Only problem is the driving aids in the right seat activate too soon.

Hope someone understands what I mean. Not the clutch action, but the direct coupling to the drive train. ? is does, the PDK offer this without the clutch action?

 

There have been several posts where someone is trying to decide between PDK and manual. Almost always the replying posts are strongly advocating the manual. I think that the opposite is actually true and if you are asking the question then most likely the PDK is for you.<O</O
<O</O

When PDK is in manual mode only difference is no clutch. You can still “row” through the gears same as manual only have complete control. Lets face it manual transmissions have a period where there is no gear engaged and that can’t be good. The thing about friction point and transitioning between gears being something “special” is total bullsitt!<O</O
<O</O

As far as holding gear in corners or slowing down to a stop light, I don’t know how it knows to hold the gear but it does like magic. Also, automatic downshifts in spot plus with rev and braking matching are totally awesome.<O</O

 

Thanks. Kind of what I was thinking. I drove one for short distance once but never took it out of auto or went to sport mode so I was not impressed. I think this is not a fair assessment.