I'll clarrify --

1) The 07 Gt3 can not step up to the level of the current car . the improvements are significant enough to make the old model dated.

2) The 07 Gt3 can not even step up to the 997S PDK cars . With DFI and PDK as well as an upgraded suspension the "S" models can beat the Gt3 AND have street comfort at a great price .

3) The 07 Turbo IS a DIFFERENT car . It can however step up to the 997.2tt . It may take some modifications but Unlike the 07 Gt3 the 07 Turbo still holds itself well in its class even in current times.

My comparison of the 07 Gt3 to the 07 Turbo is ONLY to point at how well the car holds up the current best of the car. In fact .. even the 996tt can be modified to compete with current Turbo cars .. but it will lack the luxury . The 07 Gt3 can not.

Even worse is that back in 07 the Gt3 was sold at premium prices so the owners hope to recover that and in that process price the used car in a range which (in my opinion) is not the best choice of of those dollars in a Porsche . Since the OP is new and was thinking which car to get .. my posts have pointed towards his description of what he likes in driving in line with pricing. The 07 Gt3 would fail -- and no it's not a bad car --it's just not the best car he could buy in todays Porsche market.

 

Well, I appreciate everyone's effort on sharing their knowledge/ opinions on the matter I asked about....Tonight was the first time ever riding, getting into and driving a Porsche...let alone a GT3 or Turbo...all I can say is....Why did I wait this long??...

My wife couldn't stop laughing at me because of how I was at the dealership! She likened it to a little kid being told by his parents that he was allowed to buy anything he wanted while inside Toys 'R' US! hahaha

I came away very impressed. As someone mentioned to switch salesman, I did. The salesman I dealt with was around my age (30's but a little older) and I was able to relate to him alot better. He even had the idea of starting our test drives by driving off in a "regular" 996 C4S for the first car!! what a good idea that was as I got to see the differences from the different platforms of all 3 cars....

I felt bad that I was not able to commit tonight (i wanted to think things over and just keep snooping around for a few more weekends for the "perfect deal").

after the drive....i must say the GT3 is something else! the turbo is a beast in its own way but it felt strange driving a car with so much power and acceleration but yet so smooth- it was as if I couldnt make any sense of it....

The GT3 was the complete opposite...I could feel every little thing I did in the car...accelerate, brake, get the car ready for a turn or look for an apex...it was so responsive as some of you have mentioned....

the Gt3 is my pick. right now, I'm looking at a '07 GT Silver metallic with 7XXX miles, priced at $87,988. these are the following options on it are as follows including the code...

639 - Chrono Package
XSC - Porsche Crest in Headrest
P12 - Self-Dim Mirrors & Rain Sensor
CLE - Trim Strip Swtch Pnl Alcantara
XXZ - Foot Rest Aluminum
XMZ - Rear Center Console - Leather
P01 - Adaptive Sport Seats
509 - Fire Extinguisher
490 - Sound Package Plus
342 - Heated Front Seats
P74 - Bi-Xenon Headlamp Package
810 - Floor Mats - Interior Color

I kinda wish it had a GPS Nav system inside though considering the price...the only reason why I keep thinking about the 07 Turbo are the more "luxurious" options it had including NAv!...hahaha...all kidding aside- the GT3 is my pick.

I figure I can always go the boost route with my E46 M3 as their are solid companies that I can go that route with. IF I want to turbo the M3, their is always HPF and If I supercharge the M3, I'll go with Active Autowerke...

thanks once again to everyone who gave me a heads up on what to expect and what to look for...

btw while I was typing this up- the salesman texted me and said via his text..."don't worry about that initial price. Let's meet again & I can work that price for you!" I've never had a salesman do that to reel me back in to the dealership! He's good! lol.

Everyone enjoy the weekend!

 

1. Gotta drive them both for yourself to see how what strikes a chord with you

2. Honestly, the ride on the GT3 is not bad, especially coming from an e46 M3

3. The gearbox and clutch in the GT3 >>>>>>>> Turbo. Not even close.

4. GT3s hold their value best, offer the most driving excitement and are the truest expression of what Porsche is all about. It's the obvious choice for me (and the road I went down myself)

 

i own both an 07 turbo and a 2010 gt3. no comparison, the gt3 out WOW's the turbo in every respect. as background, i also owned an 03 turbo and thought they were unbeatable, until i drove the gt3.

the turbo lag is just kills it for me. sure it has torque but me driving my gt3 and my son driving my turbo through the canyons, he can't catch me, even when we hit straights. at autoclub speedway in fontana, when we hit the nascar oval, he could only keep up, not catch or pass me (and the turbo has a giac ecu upgrade and more).

if you are a "DRIVER", it can only be the gt3.

 

My first Porsche was the 996 GT3...loved it ...after abt 2 years I traded it in for the 997 turbo with the assumption that all Porsches handle liked a GT3... Boy was I wrong after about 2days later I regretted trading the GT3 in.

Yes the turbo makes a better daily driver with its comfort and power but if u are like me and love the noise, can tolerate the harshness, love driving a stick and taking it round corners..go with the Gt3..this is what Porsche is all about a pure driver's car! Turbos are really quick in a straight line but put both on the track and the GT3 will be in front

Today I'm back in a mk.2 gt3 RS...and will never make the same mistake again. I will only consider trading this fellow in for the next gen GT3


Had the E46 M3 as well in imola red. Love the titanium eisenmann exhaust on it

 

Wow, this is some statement!! A PDK 997s besting an 07 GT3 I'll add to this, I have driven my GT3, when it was bone stock and SW Tadpole 997s PDK, which wasn't, back to back on the same roads and I will have to say that statement is not true, by a long shot! You can't make a chicken salad out of chicken sh%t, it's that simple!! Now to take this one step further read the April Excellence cover story "Hello 8800 RPM".

If you ever make it to the west coast look me up and I'll show you the proof!! 07 GT3 with SW 3.9 rocks!!!

 

GT3 for sure..( I went the RS route..though kept my M6)......

 

This statement is not true. For 997.2, No changes to suspension. Only minor increase in displacement (500 more RPMs) and cosmetics (LEDs, center-lock wheels, etc.). Otherwise, same car handling wise. The .1 can be bored up to 4.0 liters with higher rev limit (BBI has 4.0 and Sharkwerks has 3.9 conversions). One can get a .1 GT3 and with the $50K in savings have a significantly better car than a stock .2. I have a modded .1 RS that will out-handle (turn faster laps) then any stock .2 GT3 and RS. And with the proper ECU tune and exhaust (30+ HP to wheels) can hold its own in a straight line vs. .2 as well (vs. stock).

.1 vs. .2 GT3 changes are minor. Now .1 vs. .2 RS, that is more of a genuine change/improvement. In this case, a modded .1 can beat (on a track) a stock .2 RS. However, in both cases (regular GT3 and RS), an equally modded .2 will definitely beat a .1 (basically due to higher baseline/starting HP). If you want pure straight line speed, get a turbo or GT2. GT3 as track/handling cars.

Now I am not suggesting you get a .1 and mod it. Since you are new to Porsche and if you have the $ and want a GT3, then you should snag a .2. If $ is an issue, a .1 is more than a fine intro into P-cars. And honestly, most here don't or won't push their cars enough to even know the true limits of the GT3/RS (and I don't mean in a straight line.. anyone can go straight). So if this is you, a .1 is more than enough car, even stock. And if you push your driving to levels that require more power and better handling for a few seconds off your lap time, both cars (.1 or .2) offer plenty of room for improvement.

As for Turbo. That is a better daily driver and offer more straight line speed. It will do track duty and be fast. However, it lacks a pure connection with the driver and thus is not as exciting to drive.. even on the street. But really, only you can decide what is best for you. Either way, both car are excellent for their purpose.

 

been an interesting read so far both from the op and everyones opinions....to the op, any updates?

 

Congrats to the OP on making the right choice. The turbo is a lovely GT, but if you even think you may go to the track once, then the GT3 will absolutely outshine the Turbo.

 

Absolutely spot on...

 

I'm also a owner of E90 M3 and 997.1 GT3
to be frank, i find both cars are so excited to drive. M3's highway mid range is amazing but when it comes to corner; the GT3 wins that for sure. Side G is just way better than ///M (well, personally i think M3 got a better drift performance)
However, if you gonna track your car.... GT3 it is !!!

 

I love the number plates!!!!

 

Wow on the thread revive!

Update for me now is I'm so torn between the 2007 GT3(the model I described in my past post) and between a 2010 GT3 that just arrived on the dealer lot as a pre-owned vehicle with only 1500 miles! funny how I went back to the dealer to talk numbers for the .1 GT3 then the salesman shows me the 2010 Gt3 that they literally just received prior to me arriving on the lot as a lease trade in from a retired dentist whose wife disliked the car. He swapped out for a Panarema Turbo...

This is where I'm at due to a "slight" pricing issue- if you could call it that..

the .1 Gt3 w/ 7xxx miles is priced at $87K. .The 2Gt3 w/ only 1500 miles was at $125K (well optioned minus the front end/ride height lift system). that' s a price difference of at least $38K depending on the "final numbers"...

It's funny because I then read Laguna Dudes post.....

Laguna Dude- thank you very much for your post b/c it came at the right time & sorta answered some lingering doubts/confusion that I had. I do know that I would like to make a move on either car soon. I just have to decide which one. I will probably not mod the car (maybe a SW bypass/exhaust system-lol) but I figure I can get by modding the M3.

I'm Currently searching the internet at least 2 hours a day and even contemplated doing the European delivery route if I wanted to go all out on a purchase. Not to mention I even contacted Porsche of the Main Line dealer in Pennsylvania from a thread they posted a couple weeks back here on 6Speed about an allotment they had for a 2011 model that the pricing was for straight MSRP. I figure if i do that- why not look into Euro delivery & enjoy the whole process of buying my first Porsche, right?

I've made up my mind that I'm going the GT3 route- now I just have to decide which exact car to buy and where (preowned/new here in the States or go all out and do euro delivery?)

I appreciate everyone's input and replies! If my wife and I go the European delivery route- you guys can bet that I will be having a complete thread with pictures!

 

hey Snowboarder, I'm not sure if u remember but I PM'ed you when I first became a member here on 6speed after I saw your FS thread of your .1 GT3. It's good to know you kept the car but as you can see- I am still on a search for that "perfect" one.