I have a few questions regarding the GT3,
specifically the 2010 GT3.

In my constant quest for the perfect car (which I know is fairly impossible) I have been through so many options. After reading countless reviews and listening to my fellow 6speeders, it sounds like an awesome car.

I currently own a 09 C4S and while the numbers on the GT3 are not that much crazier, it sounds (literally) like there is quite a difference. SO...I have some questions for you current GT3 owners and those who are informed on the new GT3. I had an 08 M3 and found the shifter to be notchy. How is the shifter and clutch uptake on the GT3?

I believe the GT3 is narrow body and the GT3 RS is wide. Is that true for the 2010 GT3?

If I do not plan on tracking the car that often (2 times per year) is the GT3 a waste for me? I have a daily driver, so this would be a second car in the garage. I like to drive up the coast and also just drive for extended periods of time for no reason. I also use my current Porsche to commute (once in a great while) if I know where I am going to park ahead of time.

Haven never driven a GT3 and only watching about 200 videos on youtube, I can say that it sounds great, but how much better is it then my C4S?

Thanks in advance...sorry for so many questions.

 

fwiw...

I have a 997gt3, 2 weeks/1500 miles I cant stop driving this car...I came from a gtr, which I didnt like. Its not even my dd.

Despite what many say, I wouldnt hesitate for a second to buy a gt3 for street duty only. Mine wont see the track just because Im not into "tracking" enough to tweak my car for the little time I would actually be on the track...(pads,fluid,tire wear etc)

I was looking at turbos as well and I have to say the turbo was too refined for me...awesome no less...but too quiet? The gt3 is raw, unique, loud. Gt3 is quick. Turbo is fast. Quick is more practical for me because fast gets me arrested or killed...

Put on a sharkwerks bypass, and I guarantee you will never turn on your radio. This car sounds so good, I find myself driving in second gear just to hear it sing. Did I mention how awesome it sounds...

The clutch feel is perfect. I dont get how its described as heavy...maybe I have really strong quads...The turbo clutch is soft, to paraphrase someone here "like stepping on a blade of grass."

The gt3 shifter is notchy, but still feels good, mechanical like...connected...everything about this car is connected...did I mention how freaking awesome it sounds?

 

Thanks Lumber,
Excellent response.

 

Go test drive one - the videos, reviews, etc truly cannot convey what a fun car this is to drive.

It is a completely different animal from a Carrera or Turbo. Try it for yourself and see! Is there no dealers near you in New England who could help you arrange that?

 

Shifter is notchier than C4S. Clutch is heavier. Only a problem if sitting in traffic. Gets kinda tiring.

Is it too much for street? Only as much as a C4S is too much for street. Vast majority of my driving is on street. If the roads are smooth, it's great. Compared to a C4S, you need to be breaking the law to get a sense of what GT3 is about. You can enjoy C4S engine at lower speeds and be impressed. The GT3 is all about 5-6000 RPMs and up. Particularly in 2nd gear and higher. At that point, you're already over 70mph.

I'm convinced you can't really be impressed with the engine until you get to spend 30 mins on a track keeping the engine over 5k rpm. At that point, you simply get blown away by the power. A 0-60 burst on the street is NOTHING like accel / decel on the track.

 

thanks guys...

 

^...yes, I have to point out that I live in a rural area where 55 is the speed limit.

I might feel differently if I lived in a traffic locked city area where I couldnt stretch out my legs...the gt3 would not be fun...

 

Always fun comparisons to make. I've got an '07 targa 4S as my principal driver and an '07 GT3 RS as an occasional driver and track car. The 4S and RS split driving duties probably about 75-25.

Having just come of a couple of track days this week, I can unequivocally say that I really noticed the all around differences between the two (as you would expect) when I got back into the 4S and drove "in a spirited fashion". The 4S is slower, softer, smoother to shift, heavier, and generally feels - and sounds - less raw.

Here's the thing though: After driving the 4S for a while again and not having any track days in the RS, all of those things I noticed yesterday will disappear as they have before and the 4S will simply be a terrific car again. The same isn't nearly as noticeable in the other direction. When I jump into the RS, I don't notice the refinements as much as I notice when they're missing getting into the 4S again. Maybe it's just me, but I liken this to buying a slightly faster, more capable computer - it doesn't really "feel" that different unless you go back to your original one. Then the difference is significant.

Perhaps the moral of the story is just not to try any of the more powerful options out there and you'll always feel like you've got the best drive!

Overall though, if I didn't plan on getting much track time and didn't have relatively easy access to some long stretches of deserted roads not that far from home, the 4S would be more than enough car for me. It's a compromise car for sure, but for touring, quick driving, around town, and given the Vancouver climate, I still find it to be the perfect compromise and doesn't feel like I'm compromising at all if I didn't have such a monster so close at hand. I suppose I could go down the road of modding the 4S to make it more RS-ish, but I think it'd be a losing game - ok, maybe just sport exhaust.

Best of luck with the decision - a curse of opportunity for sure. For what it's worth, I'm not in the camp that GT3s are too uncomfortable as daily drivers - I just find my RS to be a little too attention-seeking to take everywhere.

 

Brian, the cops really like your car as well! Probably for the wrong reasons though

 

True enough, Ed. And that's definitely not the kind of attention-seeking that any of us want!

 

thanks again guys...great feedback.

 

Think about this: I have a 2005 C2S sitting in the garage which was purchased on 5 Dec 2004, it has 11,247 miles on it. I think over 9,000 of these miles were put on before the GT3 showed up. I have an 07 GT3 purchased on 20 Dec 2006, it has 32,036 miles on it. Which one do you think I enjoy driving??

 

snowboarder is my hero...

 

I would have to add that the GT3 shifter is precise, and would not describe it as "notchy". The clutch is firm. I have driven in LA bumper-to-bumper traffic for up you to 2 hours, and yes, it does get tiring, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

In all honesty, I think you will be much happier with a Turbo than a GT3.

The GT3 is a great car and we have modified well over well over 50 of these cars in some various configuration either a regular GT3 or RS.

Take a look at our website http://www.gmgracing.com/projects.shtml

There are a few cars on the website which we have done for customers take a look.


Im certainly not the authority on the GT3 but I can safely say that I have driven many of these cars in various situations from track to street and had one as a daily driver.

If you want a race car for the street great ! If you want something that is a little more tame but much faster than a Turbo is the way to go.

Just my .02