Long time reader, first time poster. Hopefully you GT3 guys can give me some insight
An opportunity has presented itself that I can acquire a 997.2 GT3 (not the RS).
The exige has been used mostly street and maybe about 5 track sessions(not days)totalling about 10 hrs at most. However, having said that, the 2 years I've owned this car, I've only driven about 3k KM(About 1900 miles)
If I do acquire the Porsche, it would be driven the same amount with the same amount of track time.
I still love how the exige looks and feels every time I drive it. The reactions and interactions on the street are great(most of the time, except when im in a rush) However since I don't have time to take it on the track as often as I like, I feel like I'm wasting all that track potential. Let's face it, as much as I love to drive the exige, driving on the street, and to and from the track can be arduous sometimes.
So for the GT3, as far as I can tell, is almost as track oriented as the exige, but with a little more creature comforts making street driving and treks to and from the track a little more comfortable. However, To the general public they're just all 911's. Look wise the exige wins hands down IMO.
Finally, as with most car guys, there's that itch of a new car after owning something for a few years. Can't decide if I should scratch that itch!?
Talk me into or out of it! I need some major car therapy

 

I think you will find that the GT3 beats the Exige in every single aspect of driving, both street and track.

 

+1, as well I think it is a nicer looking car

 

All I can tell you is the GT3 (I drive a 6GT3 version) is a far better daily driver. It is far more civil than you could imagine and I wouldn't think about going back...

 

best solution, keep the Exige, and still get the GT3

 

GT3 all the way.

 

+1 on this

 

Much more capable street car, fantastic exhaust signature, more usable tq. Lots of fun on the street and fantastic on the track.

 

...but the lotus is light

 

the exige is a fantastic, fun, light car. It's great around the track, but it's so under-powered relative to the chassis that you can't really get yourself in trouble.

You can get in trouble in a GT3 (big trouble). It's just dramatically faster everywhere (like 7 to 10 seconds on a 2 min track).

However, I wouldn't say it's much more comfortable on the street. It's still a "track car" with minimal street accoutrements. You aren't going to see a dramatic change from the exige in that respect.

 

Imagine that: overwhelming consensus on the GT3 forum is to get the GT3! Wonder what the Lotus guys are saying.

In all seriousness, both are fantastic cars but I agree that the GT3 is a much better street car than the Exige. Can't say enough good things about it. There's a reason why the cult of owners is so rabid.

 

Many times I'm wondering why more folks don't track a sweet handling car like the Lotus Exige S, I bet most would turn better lap times than driving WFO on the straights then parking in front of me in the turns [like most I see in GT3's/RS's...]
I feel I'm just in the 10% ability for driving an Exige S at it's edge. My GT3RS is way more car than I'll ever use (correctly) on a racetrack and more car than 95% of the guys/gals will ever come close to using/needing that write on this forum.

 

It depends on the drivers ability - I've been smoked by guys in far less powered cars in my much faster car. With GT3's (to me) its more about hard braking and back on the gas as soon as possible (point and shoot) The Lotus is all about less braking and more momentum. To say 7-10 seconds on a 2 min track is somewhat incorrect, since the lap times are quite subjective to the driver and driving style required per car to turn fast lap times.

 

Same reason most don't track other seriously capable cars. The front and rear Clamshell on the Exige is expensive to replace if you have an off, which can happen in a hurry in these cars, especially since they have many of the snap oversteer issues the GT3 has. Also, the aluminum chassis is a serious risk if you do have a "big" off...

Great cars, and I seriously considered one back in the spring before buying my GT3. The reason I say GT3 is simple. It does everything so much better with so much less "extra" required in the form of "upgraded parts". It's Porsches signature racecar for the street, and quite honestly the benchmark all others seem to target.

Mike

 

Also agree. I think you'll find the GT3 is much more car, including more comfortable and driver friendly. That said, it doesn't matter what I, or anyone else thinks, drive the car you want and decide which one works best for you. Driving less than 2,000 miles a year, it might not make any difference - or you may find, like the rest of us, that the Porsche is as addictive as heroin.