He gang. I love my 11' XKR and I do believe it is the ultimate GT save the SLS. But I find myself missing rowing my own gears, go-kart like reflexes etc. So I'm thinking of the next toy... That being said I'm heading to Miami next week for the R Experience where I get to drive these 510hp beasts on a track for a day with pros! Perhaps this will change my thoughts as I've heard the XKR is very strong on a track with brakes that don't fade and surprising balance - but I digress.

Anyhow, for some context on my taste in the past 10 years I've had 3 NSX, 993, Viper GTS, Z4 M Coupe, S2000, Evo, Lotus Elise, 944 Turbo, S2 to name just a few.

I loved the NSX as evidenced by having 3 of them. Great feel, sound with headers and exhaust, presence and virtually no maintenance. Frankly it is one of the best looking cars of all time - particularly lowered on wheels. They are dumpy stock. But when you see a sorted one... It has that elongated F1 sort of feel. The Viper was a sledghammer compared to the scalpel like feel of the NSX. Loved the torque but the build quality was irritating. The 993 was great from rear angles, felt tight yet supple ride on my coil-overs. It lacked power and sat so upright it didn't exactly feel special - like a purpose built race car. Z4 M was lots of fun. XKR is a beast when I need it to be and yet just a quiet GT when I want to chill.

I had concluded my next stop should be a Gallardo since I have not owned Italian yet. With Gallardo I have the 500hp, the low go-kart like turn-in and the sound and presence of a mid-engined toy. I arrived at Gallardo because the 360 just never did it for me. Seemed to blobby if you will. I drove one back when I had the yellow NSX and got back in my car thinking "why would I ever spend more $ for that thing!" The 355 is gorgeous but I worry its money pit.

GT3 is just a stellar car to drive and is super durable. In fact, I do believe it is may be more fun to drive then the 1st Gen Gallardo's I've driven. My only issue was that they aren't as exotic as a Gallardo or even 360. I told myself I wouldn't buy an Italian until I was over 30. Well I'm now 36 so wondering if I need to jump in now!

BUT... All of this was before last night when I stumbled upon a Graphite GT3RS on the Tollway. It was lowered on some matching red center wheels with polished lip. Wow, it definitely looked and sounded exotic! Got me thinking... maybe I can enjoy the practicality, durability and great drive of the GT3 and still get my exotic. The practical side means I get an 11 for the price of an 04 Gallardo!

So here are my questions...

1) What else did you look at? What else have you owned and how does the GT3 Compare?

2) Is the GT3 RS worth springing for? Or am I better off getting an 07 or so and doing $10k worth mods? I'm doing wheels on both anyhow.

3) How reliable are they? I assume like my other P cars there are no crazy high major service bills?

4) Do you have any regrets?

 

Did I say something wrong? Or is this board just a quiet bunch?

 

If u want a car that u can drive, and drive hard.. Get a RS...
People are star struck at exotics...if u need attention get an R8 or Ferrari ...
The RS attracts people kuz they don't see it often as well, but there's a different attention with lambos and the others ...
I personally don't like the attention.. I hav enough probelms with my wife n daughter n carry several guns at any given time ...
U need to drive a RS with an aftermarket exhaust.. Sharkwerks or GMG...
Roll down the windows n forgot about the radio you'll never be able to hear it!! EVEERRR! By the time u hit 3rd gear.. You'll know if ur buyin it or pullin over to check if u sharted yourself...

 

I think its because you drive a Jaguar - you are being shunned.

haha, jk jk (kinda) but this is a GT3 forum so you'll likely get one answer...

Me, personally, Id take a GT3 then a Gallardo then the Viper. I'm really not a Lambo person and I loath american cars and will never own one unless its a huge truck to tow my yacht.... and I dont own a yacht. I have a ford Taurus for a company car and Id rather drive it off of a cliff than spend any time in the drivers seat.

the used market for the 997.2 GT3 is pretty solid right now. I just sold mine simply because the market is right.

I had it for 3 years and the only issue I had was a clutch sensor issue that was replaced under warranty. repairs can get expensive if you have to come out of pocket, but overall these cars are very reliable with proper maintenance.

 

What's a jaguar!!

 

I don't think there is much wrong with f360 except that it isn't a torquey gt nor is it reliable. Aside from that, it is a sexy car that sounds great with a tubi.

Gallardo doesn't drive like a go kart. It is heavier than f360 and the awd makes the car feel planted but heavier.

Not sure what price range or car you are looking for. But if you want something light and nimble, gt3, f430 are great choices. Gallardo is heavier but more power.

 

Not sure what a Jag is... But an XKR is about the most bang for buck in GT category. 510hp uber flexible supercharged V8 with 460lb-ft, long wheelbase DB9 platform. So you get full leather, sensuous muscular lines, more power, more warranty (5yrs vs 3yrs) plus all maintenance for 5 full years yet at half the price!

So when I was ready to try a GT it came down to M6 and XKR. Love the M6 V10 but it looks like crap. XKR is one of if not the best looking front engine design cars imho with a stonking motor and it is ultra rare to boot.

This is why I still love the XKR as a GT. I just missing shifting, having more connection etc. All the things a GT isn't - but this is no fault of the XKR.

I think I may swing back to the GT3. I have been having a hard time imagining the obnoxiousness of owning a Lambo. I don't want to be perceived as a condescending rich guy - especially people you already know that may look at you differently. Not that I care THAT much what people think. If the Gallardo was the best feeling car to me I would just enjoy it. But considering I think I enjoy the GT3 more and I shed the other perception issues that isn't a bad thing!

 

I'm not a Lambo or Viper fan at all. Go with the GT3 and call it a day, awesome car all around and it's a drivers car for sure. I find the GT3 is a lot more rare then Lambo's & Vipers. GT3 will get it's fair share of attention if not more then the other two mentioned above.

Oh yeah the GT3 needs exhaust, then it will be music to your ears! What radio?

 

One tip to remember is if you buy the RS you will most likely get back most if not all of the price difference in resale. Just a tip.
I would take the RS over a 1st gen Galardo. If it was a newer one or and SL thats a different story. I would also consider an early f430 with a manual if it is in your range.

 

Personal preference.

I'd recommend the new Viper, simply because it is new, and obviously rare - because they aren't sold yet, right?

 

I agree with pretty much everything said here... I owned a Gallardo myself and definitely doesn't have go kart like handling and drives a lot heavier than it looks like it would or you'd expect it to. Look into a 1 gen SL if you want a sportier/more raw Gallardo with better handling and lighter feel. From everything you've said though it looks as if the GT3 is the way to go.

As far as the new Viper is concerned I'd wait on that until you can drive one yourself. All the reviews I've read have been fantastic in all aspects, especially it being a DD compared to the old Vipers were(better interior, quieter, more driver aides, etc etc etc). The V10s are pretty bulletproof in the vipers also, so as far as modding is concerned you shouldn't have much of a problem extracting power out of it.

 

well.. last year i did the sports experience at vegas..
i did 12 laps in each: a gallardo, a f430, and a R8.. i really wanted to like the r8, but i liked it the least... the ferrari seemed out of control.. it was a lot of power.. i now understand why alot of GUYS crash them... they have no experience..
but when i got done with 12 laps of the gallardo.. i was in awe of the car...
i was actually faster in it.. dont know why dont care... and im like im not a lambo guy..
i have nothing against the car.. its the attention that i dont like...
but after tracking it.. would i buy one to track.. yes... and yes as much as i dont like the attention... i dont care what people think...lol... it is what it is... what are you gonna do....
forgot to toss this in... on the way back to bellegio's ... i apparently drank way too much the night before.. jet lag.. etc... i threw up as soon as i got out of the limo something fierce... man that was nasty... that was a good 40th birthday present...
note to self... no more driving event in vegas...

 

I did the same on track experience with the Lambo Superlegerra in Vegas and of all the cars, I liked it the best. I did not run home and sell my GT3 though.

 

GT3. There is no substitute. End of story.

 

So have you made a decision yet?

I looked long and hard at a Gallardo before buying a GT3. Actually if I'm honest the Gallardo started out as the clear favorite for me. I'd still love to get one at some point (and probably will) but for the moment what changed it for me was the feel of the GT3, it felt more like a "go-cart", something I could "throw around" and be challenged by. The price difference (at least here in Europe) also came into the equation, but was not the key factor. The clicher for me was that the Porsche just felt more raw, more demanding, and that's what I was looking for.

To answer some of your other questions:
- My only regret is I didn't get a GT3 earlier
- Maintenance, make sure you get the Porsche extended warranty, someone else in the US should be able to tell you the stateside price for that. You might also want to check out the latest on the CL topic that has come up for the GT3 (not the RS), don't let it put you off, but better to go into this with eyes wide open

Let us know what you decide...