If you're looking at the GT3 because you want a status symbol then you'll be frustrated driving it as a daily driver. However, if you're a driver it's an absolute joy and you'll never regret the purchase- Only that there's not more time to drive it. Unfortunately it seems as though most purchase the GT3 because they want to be "seen" and couldn't drive their way out of a cul de sac if they had to.

 

What do you guys think of a well optioned (PCCB, PASM, chrono ) 997S? I know it's a little slower, but still a quick car, and very nice interior compare to the GT3. I'm currently in the talks with another member on the board to do a swap. I need to swing by the dealer to "test drive" a 997S to see how i like it and he's gonna swing by a dealer to test drive an M5. I guess if all goes well, this might go through.

Anyone with a GT3 drive the 997S before? How is it performance wise, what about interior, options, etc etc

 

Sure the 997 S is nice. The interior is "updated" compared to the 996. I think it will be a good fit for what you want to do Kevin.

 

Kevin,
Given what your requirements are, you are pointing in the direction of a 997S. Especially, if this will be your "main" vehicle to drive as a DD. To answer your question, own a 996 GT3 and have driven a 997S (Lig's car). You might be overall happier with a 997S, good on demand torque down low and good power. Quieter and more refined. Good exhaust note too.
Now, if the GT3 is to be a 2nd. vehicle I would go for it.

 

I've driven 997S. Yes, it is a lot more refined than GT3. Clutch is light. Ride is soft. Sunroof, leather seats with memory settings, fancy navigation and better sound system. Cabin is very quite too. Actually, everything suited for daily driving. I also like the sport button (which kinda like a M3/M5 but not only it adjust the throttle sensitivity, it also make the suspension firmer). But, of course it's little bit heavier and less powerful so not as fun to drive as a GT3. For a ***** out driving experience, it's kinda hard to beat the 996 GT3. Even 997 GT3 (not sure about RS version) seems a bit less hardcore compare to 996 series. My 2 cents.

 

Hey Kevin, if you can swing it I'd keep the M5, it's a great DD with room and it does have great power and comfortable, and go with a 996 GT3 as your fun car. I love my M5 as a DD.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

GT3 Ranger - won't have the $ to swing two cars for another few years until I gradute law school

Datax - I think I'd have to agree. It might be a case where if I have to choose between the 996GT3 and a 997S as a daily driver, I'm starting to lean towards the 997.

thanks for all the inputs. Can anyone chime in having driven a 997S vs a 996GT3, is there a big difference in performance ? obviously in suspension and handling, but what about the daily drive in terms of highway pull and basic handling? Also, I noticed that the 997S is only 85 lbs heavier than the 996GT3, is that something I can simple lose by PCCB, lightweight wheels and a CF roof, and just add a "powerkit" of some sort to hit the 380hp mark.

let me clarify that I'm NOT trying to make a 997S "better" than a 996GT3. In my opinion there is NO WAY that it can be done. But I want to know if a 997S with some tweaks can be equivalent in the GT3 in some of the performance aspects, while retaining better than average creature comfort.

 

I've driven all three, and on the street/highway, I prefer the 997S. My 996GT3 is the rawest of the three, and is very frustrating to drive anywhere but on the track. There's no way one can sanely (or legally) enjoy the scream of the engine, or use its handling capabilities on the street/highway. It begs for the track.

The 997GT3 is quite a car, but not as raw (if that term can even be applied to it) as the 996GT3. The 997S has plenty of street power, handling, and comfort.

IMO, of course.

 

When my car was stock, I did many pulls with a buddy with a modded 997S. I beat him pretty bad from a dig and from a roll. He had a Giac flash, Evo V Flow, Fabspeed headers, mufflers and high flow cats. The gearing in the GT3 is way different, the GT3 revs higher and is more than 85lbs lighter. No matter what you do to a 997S (Short of a supercharger) it will not compare with the 996 GT3 performance wise. You have to remember that the 380hp quoted by Porsche on the 996 GT3 is very conservative and most dyno around 400hp stock. The 355 on the 997S is pretty dead on as is the 380 on the X51 package. I have raced an X51 997S and beat it as well. If you want a 997S to feel close to a GT3 on the track, you have to put it on a diet, do some Hp mods and spend some bigh bucks on suspension. I am not saying it can't be done but you might as well buy a 997 GT3 for the trouble you will go trough.

 

Finally our vegas crew GT3 guy decides to chime in (Luis) = ) BY the way, thanks for the stickers.

anyways, I know you can't make a non-GT3 into a GT3. To me, even a supercharger will never make a non-GT3 anything close to the GT3. Unfortunately, to buy a used 996GT3 right now would not be what I'm looking for unless it's a 2005 w/ CPO, in which case, it would be out of my price range. A 997GT3 is the same.

What I'm looking for is still the performance of an M5, but in a smaller, more toss-able package. I understand that the suspension on the 997S is what makes it a "street" car, versus the GT3, but I'm not looking for "track star" performance. I'm curious if it would be possible to make a 997S still pull hard on the streets/highway, at least somewhat close to a 996GT3 without going s/c.

IMO, Luis, you prolly rocked your friend cuz you can drive better lol... i would think that with the mods you listed for that 997S, it shouldn't have been that bad of an *** whooping. My guess is driver skill played a big part in your win. Perhaps you can elaborate?

 

My buddy knew how to drive his car, I have driven his car many times and have instructed him in the track with it (along with several other 997S's). The 996 GT3 is noticeably faster. My point in outlining the mods is that there is not much you can do to one to gain a considerable amount of performance, short of supercharging it. The 997S is a great car and it is fast. For what you are planning to do it seems like a perfect fit.
Just don't line up against any 996 GT3's.

 

Thanks for the great feedback Luis. Looking forward to the next time we meet. I'll be sure to line up with you at the next Vegas meet = )

by the way, having driven both the GT3 and the 997S(modded), whats' your opinion on the durability of the cars? I know the GT3 has a bulletproof dry-sump block and built for the track transmission. Is it obvious that the 997S do not live up to the same quality? What I'm concerned about is whether or not they built the GT cars to last because they're flag ships, hence the RMS failures in the non-GT 996's

what's your take on that?

 

daily driver here.... no regrets