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This thread is amusing...

In my opinion, if you're going for marquis, the only people that can recognize the difference between a used $30k base C2, and a new $200k GT2 are enthusiasts or Porsche owners (and apparently, this thread is proof that not even they know the difference all of the time).

I'd recommend trying out the Turbo before settling on a GT2. I believe it might give you more feel, while keeping your drive civil and confident, even in inclement weather. And also, you might want to check out the new PDK version (unless you can't stand not rowing through the gears all of the time).

 

Hell, if I lived in Georgia, I would get a Cayenne Turbo S with a 4" suspension lift and 32" Super Swampers. Show those Chevy, Ford and Dodge guys what's up!

 

Sorry to amuse y'all with my enthusiasm... at mid 40's, how many "firsts" do you ever get to experience in life anymore?

Yeah, I am VERY enthused with my first Porsche, I've never driven anything like it before... this is like falling in love with my wife all over again. Sorry if I've asked stupid questions and made equally stupid statements, but I'm trying to learn here... I'm just telling you guys how I feel about Porsche.... and mine is just a plain-Jane 997.2 with PDK and I think it's spectacular which is why I can only imagine how moving up (in my perspective anyways) to a GT3/2/Turbo must be.

Go ahead, pick on the new guy... I can take it.

 

If your gona be spending as much money as you are...why not go somewhere to test drive the cars your looking at.

 

Mark,

It sounds like image is as important as your perceived quality of Porsche. I agree with others that you should skip GT3, GT3RS, GT2, GT2RS, CGT, and get a 2010-11 Turbo or Turbo S and have fun with options. Remember carbon-ceramic brakes are ~$8,000. So budget a little more for goodies.

Agree with other poster that only enthusiasts really know the differences. I had a guy at a traffic light say "....nice car, is that the new Camaro?...." Really.

IMO, you're going to punish yourself with any of the GT's, considering you've come from and M6, etc. Spec out a Turbo, you'll have true 4-season driveability with all-wheel drive, incredible power and speed, more than enough luxury and comfort, enough glitz to stand out when you want it to and just enough stealth to not say "who's the tool in the Lambo going to Target? And if you wanted to track it (which doesn't sound like you do) you could.

Keep in mind, all of the GT's are not particularly weather-friendly. They come with aggressive tires, suspension, etc that only the balanced dynamics of the 911 chassis compensate for should you attempt make them more weather-friendly.

Save the GT's for the track guys. No shame in adoring a garage queen.

Or if 2012 is your target date, and you like bling, flash, panache, the new 911's will be arriving.

I vote, 2011 Turbo highly specc'd to your liking. It's a brilliant car

 

If you still haven't test driven any of these cars mark, I'm sorry but get off the forums, go to Hennesey or Jim Ellis Porsche in North Atlanta..tell them what you want to do. Go from there. I only wish I was in your shoes, I walk the Jim Ellis lot almost every time they get a new shipment of 911's in. The white 997.2 turbo cab they have in the showroom right now is sick.

 

Only trying to add some humor into the dialogue Mark! Nothing personal. I am originally from TN and when I was a kid all the good o'le boys would dream of owning a lawn mowing business so they can pull all there mowers behind a new full-size Chevy z71 with lift kit and huge tires.

Actually, I am stoked you are stoked and "found" Porsche. Most P-car lovers have a passion for driving. And it shows at tracks and on back-roads all around the country.. and the world. Lamob and Ferrari guys are the opposite.... more show and less go... there are exceptions to all rules though.

I suggest making a weekend trip to Atlanta and hitting the larger dealer there. I am sure they have a Turbo, GT3 and possible an RS. They may have a used GT2 as well. Give them a thorough looking. Maybe even take them all for a test drive.

GT3's don't really have that road-car, drag-racer type of speed in a straight line like a Turbo or GT2. It's more of a handling car. Since you don't plan on driving on a track, I would suggest a Turbo, Turbo S or GT2. These are rockets in a straight line and can handle the street with confidence. I prefer RWD cars, but the extra stability AWD offers in the Turbo might be handy for you down windy country roads. Just beware. All these cars are very fast and controllable to a certain point. Once that point is crossed, you need to know what you're doing to control it. The handling characteristics are different than other sports cars. And most agree, the street is not the best place to learn car control in a 911.

Good luck!

 

The thing about that is, there are only 2 big Porsche dealerships around Atlanta. Jim Ellis, and Hennesey. I have only been to Jim Ellis recently, sales manager is a buddy of mine, nothing in the "GT" category used lately. I haven't seen any new GT2/3/RS models there. I would highly suggest calling before driving out to Alpharetta area from where your're at. They can always point you in the right direction to find something, trust me, they want your $$. Good luck!

 

Mark.

Here's 2 more cents from me.

Looks like there are more people here who like the turbo more, which is fine. It really is an all weather daily use supercar.

However, do yourself a flavor and go for some test drives. DO NOT order a new 911 turbo without a test drive!

As far as I'm concerned, the 993 turbo is more exciting to drive than the 996 or 997 turbo in stock form.

As fast as the current gen 997 turbo is, it does not give me the thrill of driving a sport car. It is way too soft and too comfortable in stock form. Give me a GT3 any day as a sport car.

If you really want the straight line acceleration of the turbo, then be prepare to spend some money on its suspension, etc.

 

The GT3 is considered the best drivers car. The GT2 is considered the fastest in raw terms. And the 911 turbo is more 'luxury sports' than 'pure sports'. The 911 turbo will give you all-weather capability and more comfort, but its softer suspension detracts from the sporting feel of the car. The GT3 is normally aspirated, so has better throttle response, and is almost as fast because it is lighter, but it's not as comfortable. The GT2 is the fastest, but because its heavier and turbo'd, you lose a bit of the purity and responsiveness of the experience from the GT3. And its quite a bit more expensive. If most people were asked to choose a car for the winding road or track, they would take the GT3 (RS) over the other two.

And your Z06 was not significantly, if at all, heavier than these cars. The Z06 is quite light, actually.

 

buy a preowned 06 997 turbo and then pick up a sick audi r8

 

There's no such thing as an 06 997 Turbo.

You have to drive them IMO. If you dont want to go to the track a GT variant may be too "harsh" for you. I picked between a 997.1 GT3 and a 997.2 C2S. Picked the latter as i have no time for the track right now. Some people get into my 997.2S with Sports PASM and think its harsh (everyone has their own definition). The 997.2 GT3 is very nice but may be tough to live with day to day. A 997.2 TT may be a better option for a DD w PDK.

Good luck.

 

Hehe. Well honestly I'm on some other forums where you'd take MUCH more crap for those questions. People are super-nice here in comparison. Anyway, I agree with those saying to go with a 911 turbo. Sounds like you're into modding from your first post. I'd pick a turbo as a DD - AWD, comfort, fast, rear seats, aggressive styling, tons of aftermarket bits, and you can mod the hell out of the thing. There's something intoxicating about turbos at max boost.

 

I don't have a Porsche, nor will I be in a position to buy one for a very long time, but from my understanding of the models, all that I've read, it seems to me like the turbo or turbo s would fit your needs best. With your budget, you would definitely be able to get all the options you'd want with enough left over to do a good bit of suspension and power mods to close the gap between the GT2, while maintaining the AWD and also adding the option of the PDK if you're so inclined.

I think the GT3 would be the first to ruled out if you're not going to track it and if it's going to be your DD, although GA doesn't have the harshest climate it still does occasionally get rain/ice and the Turbo would be a lot better in inclement weather.