This month's issue of MT had a huge, 30-page comparison article on America's best handling car.

They tested the following characteristics:

-Ultimate grip and cornering power.
-Transitional behaviour.
-Path accuracy ad directional stability.
-Steering and brake feel.
-Chassis composure and brake feel.
-Cockpit ergonomics.

Cars included in the test were:

-335i
-Z06
-Civic Si
-S2000
-Exige S
-Mazdaspeed 3 GT-Mini Cooper JC Works GP
-EVO IX MR
-997 GT3
-Cayman S

The GT3 got first place by a "clear" margin, EVO got 2nd, Exige got 3rd, and the Cayman S got 4th.

They did recognize the innate advantage that the GT3 had with it's MPSC tires, but also stated that they doubt the GT3 would been lowered to 2nd place if it had regular summer tires installed...and that none of the other cars would have beaten the GT3 even if they had MPSCs installed.

So much for the Cayman being the "better" platform.

 

I saw that and was very proud of the GT3. But you have to admit, the Cayman S really held its own. And the MT guys really praised it, especially for only costing around $60K. IIRC, they posed the question of what if the GT3 engine was put in the Cayman S (or something like that)? Either way, congrats to Porsche and the amazing GT3.

Btw, haven't seen you on M3forum.com for a while now that you've stepped it up with the Porsche.

 

I'm still there...still a Mod....but that forum has changed quite a bit over the last 2 years. Vastly different membership maturity level, IMO.

 

I saw that article and was also proud that the GT3 pulled out the win.

 

The EVO mr,a 4-door 5-seat car,with only 280hp,can alway do amazing in every test!It beats the CaymanS(mid-engine, Porsche-made,well know as nimble handling)
Evo really a incredible car!
The only weakness is topspeed.

 

Thanks for sharing Scott, I have not seen this article yet. I'm not surprised though and makes me even more excited for my nice test drive

 

And horrific looks.

 

Great post.. I will need to pick that up.

 

driver, condition, philosophy, personal bias, weight assigned to each category being evaluate all have bearings on the outcome.

i have 996gt3 with moton, 997gt3rs, cayman s with moton, exige with nitron, it would be overly simplified to state that 997gt3 is the best handling car. put it this way, after 1000 miles on the RS, i have even more respect on my exige.

 

So Mooty, how would you rate the past and current cars in your stable?

I have to admit that I thought the Exige would come out on top of that group with the CaymanS giving the Gt3 a run for its money.

Second, how does the RS feel vs. the 996gt3 with motons?

 

They tore apart the Z06.

 

You need to read the article.

 

...............

 

The result would have been different if there was a GT3 RS...I don't think the standard GT3 is better...