Anyone move from a stock GT3 to a 458?

Appreciate your thoughts, not about performance, but insight of any adjustments, whether positive or negative.

 

I went from a 2008 GT3RS to a 458 Italia... The main reason being the seven speed DTC on the 458. I never mastered the gearbox on the GT3 had a tough time enjoying shifting that car.

As far as handling, they are night and day. 458 turns in super fast and is very sensitive to driver inputs, you drive the car with the front in mind. Put the front where you want it with a slight flick of your wrist and the rest of the turn is just getting back on the gas. The 458 does a lot for you (almost video game like) The GT3 is a more driver involved/demanding car and a higher skill level is required to drive the car fast. With a bit of practice, you could get the back end to drift out just perfectly and there was little drama if you over-correcting etc. The GT3 steering is as precise as the 458 but less sensitive to inputs and the better the driver you were/become the more fun you can have. I would say the opposite is true with the 458, it's very easy to drive fast anywhere and everywhere but it instantly feels almost too good. Like you owned the car in another lifetime. Very intuitive.

One other thing I might add is that at very high speeds above 150mph the GT3 gets light and the car can lose it's planted feel and wants to drift, never in the 458, it always feels glued at any speed. I love the way both cars handle as much as they are different. There is nothing like the character of a well sorted 911 GT3(RS) and the 458 is magical. With the F458 it's never what it doesn't do right, it's for some drivers what it doesn't do wrong. Now with the 2014 GT3RS w/PDK that would be a harder decision for me.

If you are a real driver with the skill set it takes to drive a GT3 fast, you may be disappointed with the 458 as it really makes you feel like a pro, which I'm not so overall I like the 458 better. But I know in a few years I'll want a GT3RS with advanced PDK. My post didn't help at all did it?