I am looking for your own personal experience with driving these cars. I know a few guys here have both GT2s and GT3s. What are they like to drive? I want to hear about any huge moments you've had or spins. What happened, what you learned, how you need to adjust your driving to suit the cars. Especially in the trackday setting. On the street as well, and in the rain if you have done it. I have been on track with numerous GT3's some well driven, some not, but never with a GT2. I have a feeling they are fairly ballistic but are they hard to drive to the limit? On streets or R compounds, stock or modded feel free to chime in.

Most I've read give rave reviews to the GT3 although you have to respect it, and the GT2 is well loved also. I recall that they updated the suspension on the GT2 in '04 , what did they change exactly? I have read they need an alignment before hitting the track.
I met one guy who took off the PCCB and replaced them with steel brakes because they are so expensive on his GT2. But when he bought the GT3 he sold his GT2 because in his estimation it was so much better on the track!

This is the reading I have found on the net going back to the intro:

http://www.caranddriver.com/previews...e-911-gt2.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...arrera-rs.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews...e-911-gt3.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...megastars.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...gt2/index.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=100
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=175
http://www.porsche964.nl/reviews/964-2001.php page 3rd from last is 996 GT2

Most of my trackday friends like to boast that they have never met a 911 they can't pass on the track (non Cup cars). I would like to be able to say, 'then you've never met a GT2, sir' .

 

Lots of postings on the "other" list. Do a search under "GT-2 vs. GT-3 (If I Could Only Have One!); lots of insightful commentary.

From my standpoint, key difference is all about judicious use of the throttle at the apex and track out. GT-2 can be very unforgiving (snap oversteer) if not approached correctly. Otherwise, extremely fun and challenging to drive. I had the privilege and enjoyment of letting Craig Stanton drive my 2 and 3 back to back; in the hands of a pro, it is truly hard to beat the 2! Hard to beat power and torque.

 

I have a GT3 and can say that the GT2 is naturally a step up in overall performance. With that being said, the GT3 is not an easy car to be fast in. Yes most people can go out and drive 6/10th and be quick in a HPDE setting because the car is quick(the same goes for a GT2). However, to be very fast in either car takes a lot of care and a very smooth driver. The GT3 and 2 are both very sensitive to alignment(the gt3 i know first hand, and have heard the same about the 2). You have to make sure someone sets it up right or else you will get yourself into a lot of trouble.

Naturally a turbocharger makes things a little more difficult because boost is not very linear and can make your throttle application a little more tricky when cornering. I tracked a 944 turbo S for a long time and although the car was VERY well balanced, I know how a turbo can be upsetting to handling characteristics at times.

If you are buying a 996version of either car go for the steel brakes because the ceramics were not that great and vert expensive to replace. I had the privledge of instructing side by side with the Porsche Driving Experience instructors at a recent event and they said the new Generaton(gen 2) ceramics for the 997/cayman/carerra GT cars are amazing. Their school cars have cermics and over 15k hard track miles with no brake fade. With the 996 cars, however, go with the steel.

What kind of track experience do you have? I would suggest being cautious about either of these cars if you have no track experience because they can get you in a lot of trouble. They reward smoothness but will take even a good driver and make them feel bad for the time being. I love that about the car though because it forces me to become a better driver. The harder I push and the closer I get to the limits I need to be that much smoother and that much more skillfull. I would say if you have not tracked a 911 before than go with the GT3, it is more than enough to satisfy your track needs. You will save 40k and have a car that if driven right is not that much slower than the 2. The Gt2 is more power, more of everything, but also more cost. The Gt3 is NA(better for the track) and gives you almost all the thrills.

BTW...tell your friends that they have obviously never come across a well driven 911 Send them out to the midwest and I can introduce them to several of us who they will have a hard time passing

 

I have 37 trackdays under my belt if you count Sat & Sun as one each. 6 days at VIR and 6 days at Road America, 8 days at Tremblant, 2 days at Road Atlanta and many at Mosport, my home track. Both front and rear drive but not 911s. Thanks for the comments and I found a big discussion on the 'other' board.

 

Well at that is plenty of track time, so I am sure you have pretty good car control and track decisions making skills(which I believe are one of the most important tools in racing). If you can make a decision about how to "run off" and how to react in a hairy situation that means a lot. I would suggest going with a GT3if you are going to decide between the two. Save yourself the 40k

 

Uncle Fred,

Judicious is the word, eh??? GT2 requires profound respect, but much more amusing.

he's right search here and rennlist. we discuussed at length

 

Wow, that is an IMPRESSIVE stable of cars you have there! Is that a C5 or C6 Z06? I highly admire you for having a 500E, as this is one of my favorite 'quietly known' tasteful vehicles.

 

'06 Z06. 500E is the "mutt" of Porsche and MB origin. Great fun car, even in today's hi-tech, F1 inspired world.