GT3 Test drive....first impressions
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The GT3 just doesn't have the low speed get-you-going power of the Turbo, most noticeable in second gear, IMO. However, I feel the GT3's part throttle (2/3 - 3/4) acceleration is much more satisfying than the Turbo's because as the rpms increase, the pull is continuously increasing.
The Turbo jumps down low at part throttle, but after that it kinda falls flat. The GT3 acceleration feels more natural (no pun) even though it's not as G-producing down low.
The Turbo jumps down low at part throttle, but after that it kinda falls flat. The GT3 acceleration feels more natural (no pun) even though it's not as G-producing down low.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Philadelphia, PA
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Ritesh, I thought about a GT2, but the GT3 is about 1/2 the price, as much fun probably, but slightly slower which we all know. I tend to flip my cars within a short period, and I really don't want to take a big drop in residual value after 1 year on the GT2, since I think the GT3 will hold its value more.
that was a VERY accurate description from fcracer...
if you want that feeling in the GT3... you must keep it high in the revs.. i recently had a student out at Miller here in SLC with one.. around 2500miles on the clock..
i learned i could hotlap the west track in 3rd gear and only click into 4th once.. if i wanted to.. other than that, keep it in third between 5-8k to really get the performance you wanted along with some quick visits to 2nd..
i dont think this car can fully be appreciated until it is experienced on a roadcourse or in a canyon..
the balance, feel and precision of this car even in stock form is very impressive.. i must have logged a minimum of 25laps in it that day from the drivers seat.. i can imagine that with some c/o's, sways and even stickier rubber it would be even more respectable.
*my sti is still a bit quicker around the track.. but it has work done on both suspension and motor..
depending on your driving skills, the gt3 may be better for you on the track as it will allow you to extract more of your skills and... create new ones.
the gt2 can and will obviously do this too.. just possibly at a slower and a bit more scary rate of time.
it seems you have a good resume of vehicles under your belt.. i just dont know if those are city cruisers or if they were used...
good luck with your choice..
if you want that feeling in the GT3... you must keep it high in the revs.. i recently had a student out at Miller here in SLC with one.. around 2500miles on the clock..
i learned i could hotlap the west track in 3rd gear and only click into 4th once.. if i wanted to.. other than that, keep it in third between 5-8k to really get the performance you wanted along with some quick visits to 2nd..
i dont think this car can fully be appreciated until it is experienced on a roadcourse or in a canyon..
the balance, feel and precision of this car even in stock form is very impressive.. i must have logged a minimum of 25laps in it that day from the drivers seat.. i can imagine that with some c/o's, sways and even stickier rubber it would be even more respectable.
*my sti is still a bit quicker around the track.. but it has work done on both suspension and motor..
depending on your driving skills, the gt3 may be better for you on the track as it will allow you to extract more of your skills and... create new ones.
the gt2 can and will obviously do this too.. just possibly at a slower and a bit more scary rate of time.
it seems you have a good resume of vehicles under your belt.. i just dont know if those are city cruisers or if they were used...
good luck with your choice..
Hiper, there are a few factors at play that may give the impression of it being slower than other supercars:
1. The gearing is frustrating for street driving and reduces the impact of the acceleration. The gears are so tall that 2nd goes beyond 125km/h and third is well beyond 175km/h. This frustration should turn into elation once on the track as my short geared twin turbo was always between gears on most tracks I visited.
2. The powerband is way up top, from 5,000rpm and above. It astonishes me that Porsche was able to produce as much torque below 5k that the engine does, given the storming top end push and small motor capacity. Think about what it takes for Ferrari, GM, Lambo, etc. to produce 415hp.
3. Having come from a turbo, it takes time to get used to pushing the engine up to 8,000rpm+. I still find myself short-shifting at a mere 6,500
There is a surge at 5k rpm and another at 7.5k rpm that just pulls like a train.
4. The car is so stable, the acceleration feels easy to manage. There is no doubt this is a fast car, anything that does 115+mph in the 1/4 mile is a quick car, but many times I've looked down at the speedo in shock at the speeds I was up to without even realizing it. I think the tall gears also play into this impression, the car just shouldn't be going that fast in 3rd gear.
5. The engine may not be broken in yet. There is a huge difference in my car from when I picked it up to now (1,500km) and I hope the progress continues. The engine is loosening up and the gearbox is getting much better.
All in all, this is not a torque motor so you can't expect twin turbo torque, but I'm impressed with the low rpm pull around the city and I feel almost guilty indulging in the second half of the rev band from time to time.
Like most tall geared cars, it's 3rd and 4th gear that become monumental where you can destroy a ribbon of ashpalt with those two devestating gears. Cruise down the highway in 3rd gear at 4,500rpm and nail it; that's when the GT3 comes into its own.
The acceleration, richness of sound and sheer excitement represent a car that should cost much, much more. As you can tell, I'm very happy with this car and my concern of a lack of torque coming from a turbo has been a non-issue.
1. The gearing is frustrating for street driving and reduces the impact of the acceleration. The gears are so tall that 2nd goes beyond 125km/h and third is well beyond 175km/h. This frustration should turn into elation once on the track as my short geared twin turbo was always between gears on most tracks I visited.
2. The powerband is way up top, from 5,000rpm and above. It astonishes me that Porsche was able to produce as much torque below 5k that the engine does, given the storming top end push and small motor capacity. Think about what it takes for Ferrari, GM, Lambo, etc. to produce 415hp.
3. Having come from a turbo, it takes time to get used to pushing the engine up to 8,000rpm+. I still find myself short-shifting at a mere 6,500
There is a surge at 5k rpm and another at 7.5k rpm that just pulls like a train.4. The car is so stable, the acceleration feels easy to manage. There is no doubt this is a fast car, anything that does 115+mph in the 1/4 mile is a quick car, but many times I've looked down at the speedo in shock at the speeds I was up to without even realizing it. I think the tall gears also play into this impression, the car just shouldn't be going that fast in 3rd gear.
5. The engine may not be broken in yet. There is a huge difference in my car from when I picked it up to now (1,500km) and I hope the progress continues. The engine is loosening up and the gearbox is getting much better.
All in all, this is not a torque motor so you can't expect twin turbo torque, but I'm impressed with the low rpm pull around the city and I feel almost guilty indulging in the second half of the rev band from time to time.
Like most tall geared cars, it's 3rd and 4th gear that become monumental where you can destroy a ribbon of ashpalt with those two devestating gears. Cruise down the highway in 3rd gear at 4,500rpm and nail it; that's when the GT3 comes into its own.
The acceleration, richness of sound and sheer excitement represent a car that should cost much, much more. As you can tell, I'm very happy with this car and my concern of a lack of torque coming from a turbo has been a non-issue.
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Embellishing a little on what fcracer said, I'll add a couple of things. The chassis is so well sorted, that it tends to mask speed a bit. Not so with the 996 GT3 where there was more 'drama'. Additionally, the feeling of pull comes from a quick rise in the tq curve. I recall that these cars have a pretty linear tq curve, but may be wrong (it's in the owners manual).
Unquestionably these cars are hp cars, not tq cars. . . that's really at the crux of the issue. Days long ago I had a Honda S2000; compared to the equally fast E36 M3 with the same power, it felt sluggish due to lack of tq. Not the same exact comparo here, but you get the picture.
The brilliance of the GT3 lies in its chassis refinement, sound and quality of feel in the controls. It takes a bit of seat time to fully appreciate what porsche brought to the table with these cars.
Unquestionably these cars are hp cars, not tq cars. . . that's really at the crux of the issue. Days long ago I had a Honda S2000; compared to the equally fast E36 M3 with the same power, it felt sluggish due to lack of tq. Not the same exact comparo here, but you get the picture.
The brilliance of the GT3 lies in its chassis refinement, sound and quality of feel in the controls. It takes a bit of seat time to fully appreciate what porsche brought to the table with these cars.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Boston - Miami
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I test drove a friend's 2007 GT3 yesterday, and although I had pretty much made up my mind on getting a GT3 before the test drive, I think I am having second thoughts now 
I've been reading about the car everywhere, and have always been under the impression that the car is very fast.....not 997TT fast, but close enough, especially after seeing so many 6speeders, owning several other supercars that are as fast or even faster than the GT3, considering the GT3 as wicked fast!
After driving the car yesterday, I seriously felt that this car is underpowered! Now I know that it might sound like a bit of an exagerration to say that the GT3 is "underpowered", but it did feel so IMO. The regular Porsche Turbo (and non-turbo) "lag" that occurs at initial WOT still exists here, although you'd only expect it on a Turbo and not a naturally aspirated engine such as the GT3. At higher RPMs the car is fine, but at lower speeds it felt a bit weak.
Now from past experience and ownership, can someone please help me out as to what exactly can be done to improve the feel and power on this car? I really love it and still want one, but only if I can seriously do some minor bolt on modifications that can dramatically increase power. Keep in mind that I will also be tracking the car every once in a while.
Thanks guys
I've been reading about the car everywhere, and have always been under the impression that the car is very fast.....not 997TT fast, but close enough, especially after seeing so many 6speeders, owning several other supercars that are as fast or even faster than the GT3, considering the GT3 as wicked fast!
After driving the car yesterday, I seriously felt that this car is underpowered! Now I know that it might sound like a bit of an exagerration to say that the GT3 is "underpowered", but it did feel so IMO. The regular Porsche Turbo (and non-turbo) "lag" that occurs at initial WOT still exists here, although you'd only expect it on a Turbo and not a naturally aspirated engine such as the GT3. At higher RPMs the car is fine, but at lower speeds it felt a bit weak.
Now from past experience and ownership, can someone please help me out as to what exactly can be done to improve the feel and power on this car? I really love it and still want one, but only if I can seriously do some minor bolt on modifications that can dramatically increase power. Keep in mind that I will also be tracking the car every once in a while.
Thanks guys
Just out of curiousity, why do you list cars in your signature that you are thinking about getting? And why do you list both options of the car you are thinking about getting? Wouldn't it make more sense to just say "2 flying spurs" instead of listing all the cars you have owned in the past and all the cars you contemplate buying in the future? Discuss.
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