i am thinking of trading my 355 for either a 996 gt2, 996 gt3, or a 997 gt3. i have never driven any of the gt's. i owned a turbo and wasnt a fan of the all wheel drive and lack of audible exhaust note. coming from a 355, i like loud cars, can i get the gt2 to sound descent, or should i stick with the gt3's. also which do you guys prefer handling wise, big issue for myself as well. thanks.

 

Will be hard to beat the sound of a gt3.

 

the sound of a GT3, especially with a GMG or sharkwerks exhaust bypass is one of the most awesome car sounds anywhere!

 

I was about to purchase a GT2 and have a Carrera GT I did alot of searching and asking on the forums.

The GT3RS is the way is the way go. The drive is much closer to driving a Carrera GT - you get to feel the car!

 

Get a 997 GT3, or better a GT3RS if you can.

 

want to try to keep purchase price at 110k or lower. have a stradale, so that is my rs!

 

In terms of handling, stock for stock... 7 GT3 > 6 GT3 > 6 GT2... But they are all extremely close.

In terms of sound, the 7 GT3 will be the easiest to get loud harmonics. That being said, keep in mind both the 6 GT2 and 6 GT3's engines were derived from the GT1 race block and can be made to sound just as good. You'll however need roughly 5-6k in exhaust components to do so where as in the 7 GT3 you'll only need roughly 2k for a muffler by pass system.

And much of your choice will depends on your driving experience and what you want to do with the car... And how much you want to spend... Each has their own strengths and weakness in different areas.

For a novice driver the power band (and power period) of the 6 GT2 can make the car a real handful on and off the track, but in the hands of a proper driver the car (with a couple mods) will turn laps times close to that of a Cup car! And most will agree the stock suspension is too soft, even for the street...

For a pure track car most will agree the 6 GT3 can't be beat, especially for the money (60% of a new one)! High reving N/A race derived motor, excellent stock suspension and beautiful exhaust note, do a couple necessary mods (euro seats, harness, bar, and toe links) and most will agree the driving experience on track can't be beat! But again, the downside is it it will take an additional 5-6k to make the car sound any where near as good as a 7 GT3 with muffler by-pass pipes. And most will agree that the 997 series cars look much better.

If you're looking for something to do a couple DE's a year in but mainly to be used on the street, with the added creature comforts (sunroof, better seats, nicer interior, etc...) the 7 GT3 can't be beat. And the added traction control helps a lot if you dont have a lot of track experience. The downside... most track junkies will agree the 7 GT3 has become softer...with things like the added sunroof, traction control, etc... its become less raw, steadily losing the ideal (track cars that can be driven on the street) that first drove the GT series cars into production... That all being said, stock for stock the 7 GT3 will be faster in the hands of equal drivers against its predecessor. Good luck!

 

And honestly, aside from the obvious aesthetics, unless you're an extremely good driver, you wont notice much of a difference in lap times on track. You made a good choice keep the CS!

 

very informative!

 

Happy to help! Good luck! Either way you can't go wrong!

 

There is nothing you can do to a 996 GT2 to get it to sound as good as a great GT3 exhaust. You can get it loud, but never the same engine note. When is comes to exhaust in this case NA > FI. The GT2 sound will always be muffled by turbos at high rpm. You get a great whooshing sound while cruising though, so it's a matter of opinion. But the WOT wail belongs to the GT3 hands down.

Overall speed, the GT2 is the fastest, but the scariest too. Unless you are tracking that is irrelevant, but in terms of being a pure monster, the GT2 is the one.

As for the driveability, the 997 GT3 is the best, though it's much softer and less hardcore than the 996's. A great blend of race car luxury if there is such a thing.

If you have a CS, get the GT2 or the 7 GT3, the 996 GT3 is too close to the CS.

 

Excellent information!

 

That's a really good point. Unless you're looking for something "cheaper" to track.

Again, kind of all depends what you want. If you like a little of both worlds (boosted and N/A) get the GT2 and you'll truly have the best of both. But like heavy said, the GT2 is a monster and will be a potential handful at the track and on the street if you're not careful. If you want something more of a DD that you can track every once in a while the 7 GT3 is second to none. Good luck!

 

I used to own a 355 (Tubi exhaust, hyper-flow cats, and Tubi headers) and recently purchased a '04 GT3 (stock exhaust system). I can tell you that the car is every bit of fun that the 355 was and it sounds great from the factory. I started to lose faith in many of the modern Porsches before this car and now I'm on the list for the upcoming GT3RS. I tried to drive my 355 daily but the car would not let me (blew the headers, check engine lights, etc). The GT3 is as visceral as an F car only I can easily drive this car daily--as a matter of fact, I do! Good luck--I made the transition and I am very happy with my decision.

 

Hi Gang!
While I think the GT3's are great and would really like to own the NA 997RS I still would not trade my 03 GT2.

That said GMG has turned this car into a great street and track car
..........and you want sound! I have their WC-GT2 exhaust system and I love the sound. Every time I am at the track people comment on how good it sounds.

The car is not difficult to drive on the street or at the track. The suspension has been upgraded and GMG has the patent on setting up the GT2's as they also own one.
Yes you have to get use to passing GT3's and closing on CUP cars but it just comes with the 550+HP that the GIAC softwear and other really minor mods GMG has made to the car. GMG does a great job of setting up the GT2's. They are really not that difficult to drive quick.

One word of caution: At California Speedway don't try and follow that CUP CAR you have been closing on into turn one or the ROVAL. I weights a few hundred pounds less.

Have fun! Steve