One can not be compared to the other.

They are totally different cars.

You either want a track car that is street-legal that gets you to and from where ever you want to go or you want a fast street car that will not do too terribly on the track.

With the GT3 on a CA highway you better concentrate on what you are doing. No phone, water, candy, etc. If you do 120 through a dip you better wear a five point harness. Ask me how I kow.

Same speed in a Turbo and you can be on the phone negotiate a merger, drink your hot coffee, and yes, eat breakfast too.

 

Oh, one more thing. The GT3 does not show its true caracter unless driven hard on the edge and above 7,000 RPM.

If you just putt around under 70 and never get over 6,000 RPMs you wont know the difference to any other 997.

 

GT3 is the best 911 because its the most involving and "fun to drive" car in the 911 lineup. 997TT may be faster, but it won't give you the same excitement as GT3.

 

It depends on what you are looking for.

RWD and a consistent NA power band are made for the track or fair-weather street drives.

AWD, as much power as you can afford, year-round, all weather.

The power and control of the tt is really made for the NW. Either way you can’t go wrong. It’s all about finding the car to match your preference. The fun factor of the 3 can easily turn into your worst nightmare if you get it wrong and the *** end slips out. Which I have heard is not uncommon considering how numb all the computer management has made it. From a purest standpoint, the 996 GT3 is the way to go if you want a track car for the street. Just remember that without the turbo, you’re not going to be modding for more power anytime soon.

 

Perhaps I am overly sensitive, but I can tell my GT3 is special and different from other porsche non-GT cars from the minute I start the car and leave my driveway. Everything in the car is more direct and responsive even at less than 70 MPH in tight corners. The only way to tell for yourself is by driving the cars back to back.

Before I placed my order for my GT3, I contemplated purchasing a Carrera GT but in the end I opted for the GT3 because I just didn't like the look of the Carrera GT. I was also offered an RS but still chose the regular GT3 because it appealed more to my conservative sense of esthetics.

So in the end, purchase the car that makes you happiest when you drive it, look at it and even just sit in it while in the garage. Use all your senses in making the final decision and disregard what anyone else thinks or says about it. Good luck and happy driving your new car.

 

19000 RPM is right about mods... any signigicant power mods for a 996 or 997 GT3 are big $$$ per HP gained... nothing like modding a Turbo (which you know about) -- my thought it that you will really enjoy the track and the GT3 -- and the mods are more of the "track oriented" variety -- seats, harnesses, suspension, wheels, etc...

You are welcome to take my 996 GT3 for a spin the next time we see each other... it will give you an idea... the 997 is like the 996... only a nicer interior, different/better looking exterior, and a bit more power... also sunroofs and electronic aids etc.. but the DNA is still the same.

If you were into saving a bit of money -- I believe (flame suit on) that the 996 is a much better buy as the price gap is far greater than the performance gap...

I will lay down some money that if you drive one... you will buy it

lastly, if lig is putting in his order for white on cocoa leather... for the record, I like meteor gray on black with euro clubsport package and steel brakes, or red looks great on a 997-3 as well -- carbon fiber interior options and deviated stitching through out on a red one.

 

this would work well Todd

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...d.php?t=121403

 

I'm more partial to the GT3 myself. The tt is a better all rounder and will get you more looks I think, but the GT3 just feels so much better around the track. I've never driven the 997 TT mind you, just the 996, but I've driven the *** off a 997 GT3 and it wasn't without sheer enjoyment.

 

thanks everyone. i appreciate all the good input. I have driven a 997GT3 (Vincent's), but it was a short drive. I loved the exhaust note, high rev's and the suspension was great for a stock car. I think that's why i'm leaning towards GT3. I've had lots of high horsepower cars, but i don't care so much about straight line acceleration anymore. I want something new that looks, sounds and drives amazing right out of the box. I've enjoyed modding my turbo, but not so interested in doing that again. I need something exciting to drive, even though the M6 is a great daily driver....its really too heavy, too much body roll....you get the picture.

 

I just went through this decision - not easy because it's not too easy to find both cars to drive at the moment. I chose the GT3 for pure driving fun, tighter handling and road feel, and the occasional track day. Drove the 997TT first and liked it - very nice with full leather but it really wasn't the 911 I wanted most at this time - which is what matters in this price range! Now if the turbo had a sportier feel...

What other say in this thread is true, though - a nice C2s - particularly the new DFI models - is more than enough power and far better compromise for daily street use.

 

I think you just about answered your own question by the comment "...I don't care so much about straight line acceleration anymore." No one will deny when the turbos spool up the acceleration is a rush and addictive; however, one also cannot deny that being able to push a car to the limits in a corner and by judicious use of the brakes, throttle and steering get it through, is also a blast. I have not driven a 997TT, but I have driven a C2, a C4S (my old car) and a Cayenne TT (my current TRUCK). At first I liked the "planted feel" of the C4S, but having driven C2's I now prefer the lighter, more "tossable" feeling of the 2 wheel drive variant; therefore my decision to get a 997 GT3 over a 997TT. My Cayenne TT is blast in a straight line when the turbos spool up, and it is addictive (I can only imagine a 997TT is even more so), but the "on-off" character of the turbos in terms of power can be a handful in the twisties, so I am looking forward to driving my Cayenne GTS when it arrives (even though many have flamed the whole principle of why even a Cayenne GTS should exist at all).

Many have argued that a 997TT can be modded to get better feedback and sensibility from the drivetrain, steering, etc, but one cannot deny that the weight and technology can detract from the more "raw" feeling of driving the GT3. Do you want "the car to drive you" or do "you want to drive the car"?

The "driving experience" really cannot be explained nor argued as there are many pros and cons of either. Take one for a spin and see if you like it...bottom line.

 

Todd, as you know I have a 997TT which I think is a very capable car out of the box but it felt a bit "soft" to me. This was especially obvious after I had a chance to try Vincent's GT3 out. After that drive, I knew that I had to do something about my suspension so I ended up installing coilovers, sways and droplinks. You know what? It comes close to making my Turbo feel like a GT3 but it's not quite all the way. The GT3 is perfect in my opinion right out of the box. Adding mods to that car is only adding sugar to the icing. Bottom line is for me is that I wanted a year round Porsche that had all the comforts of a GT but yet the performance or close to it of a full-on race car. It's nowhere as raw as a GT3 but I still love it. But in terms of overall driving feel, the GT3 is the perfect driver's car. You'll love it, that's what I say.

 

Todd,
Sounds like you can get into a 7GT3 in some of the best color combinations and if you find that another direction is better, can easily sell to Lig, PJ, PJ-S or me in the end. Can't go wrong, just make mine white.

 

I hear the white over cocoa leather only comes in tiptronic

 

the best????
that is a bold statement... as in the 997 gt3?

i would beg the differ .. i would think the 996gt3 rs,,, 73 rs,, the 993 gt2, 959 just to list few