Yea, I know they're vastly different cars, even different concepts! But I've only got 1 garage slot, so I've gotta pick. I love 'em both. I'd appreciate any opinions re: the 2...how many folks own both? thanks, bma2

 

I have both and they are such different cars I would be hard pressed to choose one. I have a 2004 GT-3 and a 2007 GT-3. The Ford is an early 2006 model. I put more miles on the GT-3s, they are easier to use, get into, visability, etc. Quite often I will drive one of the GT-3s to work during the week. I pretty much never drive the Ford to work. Visibility from the Ford is pretty bad and getting in and out of it has to be planned in advance so that you can swing the door wide to clear the cut-out. The Ford gets alot more attention and I would say that it is the best for the weekend special drive type thing. The Ford is very well balanced and a real kick in the pants to drive but the GT-3s seem a lot more polished and civilized. I can drive the GT-3s faster through my favorite bits of road but the Ford on the same drive really stirs the soul and gets the adrenaline pumping.

I could not choose between them right now. I could let either one of the GT-3s go if I kept the ford and one of the 3s but to have just one would be a real tough choice. Space is also an issue for me so I rent additional storage space for the cars. On the collectability standpoint I would probably keep the Ford, I do not see as many of them available as GT-3s and they will not be building a new model. They also seem to be holding their value very well, better then the GT-3s have or have been expected to do.

My suggestion would be to get both, a Ford GT and maybe a 2004 or 2005 GT-3. Spend some time in the GT-3 before you rate it. The more time I spend driving the GT-3 the better it gets, with the Ford it is what it is, a big fast brute that is a kick in the pants to drive.

 

Apples and oranges... You did ask at a Porsche forum, so expect plenty of endorsements of the Porsche. 996 and 997 GT3s are very different animals. Granted I have much more seat time in the 997 than the 996, but I've had a fair amount of time in each.

The 997 GT3 continues to impress me as a street car that's exceptional on the track and / or a track car that's exceptional on the street. Great road manners, but can also perform. Totally Reliable - 10k miles and not one issue on this car...

I'd think your comparison is more 997 GT2 or Ford GT...

 

I've had the opportunity to drive several p-cars, and they are always wonderful. I guess I'm just enamored of th N/A brutishness of the
GT3. Yes its refined Teutonic Maximus vs the lazy overwhelming torque of an American V8. But there ain't gonna be any more FGT's and they are going into hands of those that intend to hold them. Don't mean to be mean-spirited, but in a year, there will be even more GT3's around. But your right, running a GT3 hard is a thrill. bma2

 

It is lighter and tighter!

 

I have a 996 GT3 Cup, but have always loved the GT40 growing up. Thought about getting one but the wacky price wars when first launched kept me away.

Now looking for a more 'civilized' street car (I think it would be anticlimactic having a GT3 for the street), hearing that you find the GT more brutish confirmed my preconceptions, the GT40 was certainly a brute, not exactly a finely tuned refined machine at any time :-)

 

There are a lot of factors involved. You probably won't drive it as often but when you do, wow. check out this video.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GERzNQGmxEQ

 

I've owned both, a 996 GT3 for 4 years since November of 2003 and an '06 FGT since March of '06. I still have the FGT which I'll probably never sell, but the GT3 has since been long gone. I loved my GT3 and I drive it to work at least 2 or 3 times a week, tracked it, autocrossed it, went to Vegas in it, etc. etc. but it ain't no FGT which I have never taken it to work, fearing of all the attention, have never gone crazy on a track with it - fearing of damaging it, have never taken it to overnight trips as there's no room in the car for even a 20" carry-on suitcase. I had to lower the seat cushion because I didn't have enough headroom. The car really isn't that good right out of the box but it is so mod friendly, the exact opposite of the GT3 that for about $10K, you can swap in a larger supercharger and be putting out 850+HP. Throw in a set of Motons or Penskes and a good exhaust, and you have a great track weapon. BTW, in one episode of Supercar Exposed, the best a Carrera GT could do at the end of the Texas mile was 186 MPH while a Whippled GT did 204 and change. I lost about $50K when I sold my GT3 while the GT has gone up about $50K since 2006. Get a FGT while you can, while the price is still reasonable, while everyone knows about this car.

 

I've sat in neither. As I am not in denial about being a torque-pig, I lust the Ford GT and would vote that way. Simple mods will take it to a whole other level. I need to get one.

 

There is a local Ford Dealer that a buddy of mine works at that has a new 06 in there show room. They are motivated to sell it, and with the recent massive swing of the canadian dollar to the US dollar, it should go quickly.

BTW, I have seen a Ford GT at WOT and it is fricken awesome.

I would buy a GT3 hands down.

 

Ford GT's are also very competitive in road racing. Even across the pond in the FIA GT3 championship this year.

http://www.fiagt3.com/newsitem.php?key=277

The GT's are currently way ahead in the point standing and maybe one race to go (not too sure).

http://www.fiagt3.com/points.php?sea...e=team&event=1

And that's against Gallardo's, F430 GT's, GT3 Cups, Aston Martins and the like.

 

to fish dave---I happen to be looking at an '04 GT3--would you keep you '04 over your '07??? In some respects the '04 is more of a sleeper, which I like. I'll eventually bump the torque/hp anyway, so the power disparity isn't that big a deal to me. Which of your children do you love the most?

 

to RonCT; A GT2 isn't an option--want to stay N/A in p-car. So which is better, the 996 or 997 GT3. And yes, I know, 'well that depends...' but I like your thoughts.

 

to bli8; so how tall are you? you mentioned seat lowering---all cars? I'm 6'4'' and I've ruled out the ACR because I just can't get comfortable---not my width---I'm 218lbs (which for all you smartasses is mildly undernorm) and the Viper coupe is just too confining for long drives. Let me hear your take on inside FGT. thanks, bma2

 

to NorthVan; ford dealer's phone number please. thanks bma2