GT3 RS Test Drive

The test drive was scheduled for Thursday morning but I needed more details about the options loaded on the GT3 RS. Therefore I decided to go today (Wednesday) morning to get the info I need and see if I could test drive it. For the readers who don't know how come I could afford a GT3 RS all of a sudden, please check this thread first where I was actually shopping for the Panamera 4S Exclusive Edition :taunt: http://www.planet-9.com/middle-east...um/53612-porsche-announces-panamera-4s-exclusive-middle-east-edition-qatar.html Anyway, they were more than pleased to see me for the third day in a row. Within fifteen minutes the car was out from the back of the showroom. During these fifteen minutes I was truly nervous looking at the beast in front of me with its wing like a scorpio raising its tail to attack. They removed the front lip aerodynamics spoiler to prevent it from getting scratched down the ramp. Then they handed me the key as the CPO Sales In-charge sat next to me. I removed my wallet and cell phone out of my pockets and kept them in the glove compartment. I heard a lot about the Lightweight bucket seats being uncomfortable but truly they are comfortable after a while and you forget about them once you shift to 1st gear. I used the regular seatbelt keeping the racing belt knob dangling between my legs. The feeling of Alcantara on the steering, stick-shift and the armrest is amazing. Fixed the side mirrors and as I looked in the rearview mirror, the cage was there to remind me that this is hardcore. Behind it was the rear wing arrogantly boosting my spirit, for this could be as close as a man like me could get from a racing trophy. The GT3 RS was extracting its own pheromone; the leather smell. "This bad girl wants me as bad as I want her", I said to myself with a grin as I drove away. I drove the car analyzing all what I heard before about the GT3 RS. All said the clutch is too tough, true but you get used to it within few minutes. I heard about the brakes being hard, true but you get used to it almost instantly. I heard the car is too rigid for a daily drive, with all respect I totally disagree. The car is more rigid than a Cayman but still very comfortable on the road and I'd use for a daily drive if I'd buy one. I heard the gear shift is so clunky, and yes after 45 minutes of test driving the car, I still couldn't get used to it. And with my driving habits, that could be too risky. Anyway, after five minutes I forgot what I have been fed all these years about the RS and began to enjoy the ride. The salesman was kind enough to comfort me to drive the way I like. Hearing that instantly got me to trigger the Sport button as I drove away from the traffic towards deserted roads. I'll be bluntly honest, only an idiot would say no to a GT3 RS -offered at 335,000 SR (88.8K USD) with only 14,000 km (8700 mile)- to buy a brand new Cayman S. Forty five out of this world minutes of pure pleasure! The car embraces its lover firmly but comfortably winning his confidence. It responds instantly loud under your command. And steers beautifully, I truly never felt threatened from it. I even got used to the car as if it was mine, and yes I madly fell in love with it. The orange color kept flaming my desires to accelerate and go fast. The rearview mirror had limited visibility only because of my growing ego derived from that hung wing! I was afraid to turn off the traction control before getting used to the car... but she was triggering it already from time to time just like a captivated cougar shouting to be released out of its cage. I drove for forty minutes with the Sport button on but the traction control stayed on :crazy: all this time, until I had the courage to switch it off. I was five minutes away from the showroom and we were already in the bad traffic area. But I had to do it to satisfy my animal instinct. I can't claim I utilized it except for childish burnouts accelerating between 1st and 2nd gear. I parked the car and truly walked away without looking back... it haunted every single drop of blood in my veins. This car would be an absolute pleasure to be driven as a daily drive... it is an offense to compare it to any Boxster/Cayman or Carrera. Is a brand new GT3 RS worth double the price of a 987? I can't say so. But a CPO GT3 RS is worth any 987. It is pure muscle... and I LOVE IT! The car's features were: GT3 RS Orange Exterior Black Club sport package Interior Alcantara Steering, stick-shift and restarm. Lightweight Bucket Seats Catalytic converter deactivated Spare Tire Ceramic Brakes PCCB Rod Antenna Tire pressure monitoring system Sports Chrono package Floor mats PCM with navigation Bi-Xenon Lights Rear Center console in exterior color Seat belts in Guards Red Foot rest in sports look Took these pictures as they were preparing the car for me:

Great pics! What a beaut!!!

Of course now you understand why I stated in the other post that if the RS is what you want then that's all there is to it. Nothing else Porsche offers, including the Turbo, compares. I agree that the RS can be driven daily but not for a family man who expects to carry the kids from time to time or go to the grocery store on an errand. I'm also not sure I'd want my co-workers to see me drive up in an RS either!

I understood nothing my friend. There is nothing that communicates to the brain... you just feel it. The car becomes part of your body once you buckle up the seatbelt. I owe my friend in the US who triggered this whole experience to buy him the Panamera... none of us got either of the cars, but I enjoyed a unique experience. Honestly, I never rode the back of that monster. But I am sure it is a different phenomena as the acceleration kicks the butt one second faster from 0-60. You only get to think of that once you step out of the car and look away with your eyes from the car. But when you are in the saddle, you go against reason defying physics. The only disturbing science you don't dare to challenge is finance! :wall:

Why was the catalytic converter "de-activated?" What differences are there between on and off with it? Great write up. BUY THE DAMN CAR, Hassaan!

Thank you for that review, I enjoyed it immensely. For that price and for an RS with ceramics, it would be really, really hard to turn down. But alas it always comes down to money, that pesky little thing...

Hassaan, It looks like a fine car and interestingly enough whomever spec'd it out went guards red seatbelts instead of the optional orange that were offered. I also don't get the rod antenna, never seen one on a GT3RS before, but heck that makes it unique right! The fact that it has the clubsport option from the factory and isn't a retrofit makes it more valueable as well and I "think" it probably has the Lexan rear window too, again making it a more valuable specimen to a collector. It's a shame that it doesn't have orange stitching as I've seen an orange GT3RS with it before and it looks great, but you can't have everything I guess. I can tell you if I were looking at this car vs. say a new Cayman R at about the same price point then getting the GT3 RS would be a no-brainer. See if they have this car for awhile, maybe they'll drop the price further and you can trade your car in when it gets back, afterall your car is the only Turbo Cayman in the area, maybe they'll give you extra $$$ on your trade in for it!

I dont know why people compare an RS to a 987.. that's just illegal..lol!! glad you enjoyed it..... my 996 turbo have the gt2 clutch and it was hard for daily driving..

Hassaan, What I meant was that it is rare to see a rod antenna on these cars, yes I can see it in the pictures, but what I meant was that it isn't very common. You also have the advantage of being able to order the clubsport package from the factory which could not be done in the US. Barring any problems with this car I think it's a great deal and if I had the $ and the means to import it, I would!

I hope Ken or any with knowledge can answer that. Would a silver/orange Cayman be of any interest to you? My apologizes, for the pictures' quality are no match to yours. Not due to lack of talent though, but due to hurrying up when taking them... I hated to look like a trespassing peasant I'd rather hear it got sold tomorrow for I'd go crazy knowing such gem is lingering within reach yet far away. Probably for someone living in London, NYC or Cairo it would be difficult because of the continuos stop and go. But during changing gears the clutch felt ok to me. Work on the $ and leave the means to me

Beat ya!!! :taunt:

If I had the money, that car (or one like it) would be in my garage. I love it. It's raw. It's nasty. It's flashy. It's aggressive. And it pulls it all off so well!

I was lucky enough to drive a customer's GT3RS on the track last summer at one of our events..... still saving to buy one. What a fantastic car! Did I mention I am still saving?.... We do have a couple of specials on right now... Cheers

So I'm not crazy?!! You have felt it too, right? Just imagine if you drove that beast on the road... raced the wind between the woods, or flirted with its tail on a corniche. No other Porsche would look the same to you any more; i.e. the curse of the GT3 RS :crazy:

See if they want to trade even up for a one of a kind speed yellow Cayman that is world famous.

Interestingly, I know quite a few Porsche owners that dislike the wing because it cheapens the look of the car; they use the term "ricer look"... It looks grea as a track/race car; a bit wild as a daily driver. Not that a regular GT3 looks much more tame.

Cheating on your girlfriend while she's out of the country. That's cold.

The GT3RS really is a fantastic car, if I had the money, I would own one, period. I could sell the other Porsches we have but then I would be single again..... I am not a fan of the wing from a styling point of view, but understand it's function. It looks pretty similar to the wing on the Cup Car we run. I have ownded a lot of fun cars, still have a couple, and get to drive lots of interesting stuff. The GT3RS beats everything else for grin factor for me. I was smiling ear to ear while driving it on the track, and for quite some time afterwards......

Yes, interestingly the GT3RS is definitely not tame. Although, as you know, it is not supposed to be. The GT3RS is developed in Porsche Motorsport not in the normal series 911 division. It sounds like they don't quite understand what the car is and why it was built this way if they dislike the wing because they feel it cheapens the look of the car. As you know, the wing actually serves a very important purpose on these cars. The car is a street-legal race car and has so much power from its rear based engine that the wing is necessary. It is as close as you can get to a real Cup car. It would not handle as well as it does without the additional downforce created from the wing and other aerodynamics. As you know, the techology is incredible and is there for a reason. I'm sure Porsche Motorsport would find it amusing or interesting knowing that some felt it cheapened the look of the car! There are some good video clips on You Tube that may help them understand the car. You may have already seen this and sent it to the owners you mentioned but this one by head of Porsche Motorsport Andreas Preuninger is very informative. You can also hear the engine sound really well. YouTube - 2010 Porsche GT3 RS Autobahn Shakedown and Overview I suppose the GT3RS would be a bit wild for some as a daily driver. I guess it depends on what your opinion is and what you want to drive. To each his own. It's a shame they use the term "Ricer Look" and it is used here. I know it is not a good term but I assume that's the point of saying it. Maybe because of my race I find the term harsh. At any rate, I don't think seasoned Porsche owners would consider a GT3RS to look like a car developed in Asia. It's the Asian car companies that have tried to copy Porsche. All of our extraordinary Porsche models are so great because Porsche Motorsport has always led the way not followed.

I haven't even got to track it yet. When did you drive one on the track? You are way ahead of me! I can't wait to get mine out. You are right it's a fantastic car and the wing is there for a very good reason.

Jamcay, I drove one at one of our events last summer, it was a brand new 2010. Here we are heading out onto the track...

So did they want to swap or not? You never said.

I did, and they were very kind to me... they handed me this: and they said since I wasted their time for the Panamera and took them for a ride with the GT3 RS, I qualify for a free gift: How about a group buy for the above?

That is a fantastic photograph! Just brilliant! You must have had a blast on the track. How do you personally rate its handling on the track?

I did not drive the car all that hard, as it was not mine However, I thought the car turned in very crisply, had plenty of grip and put power down well on exit. I know, pretty blanket statements, but I did not want to even begin to see what another person's car could do if I drove it like my own. The track we were on, our local one, does not have any really high speed corners, lots of second gear ones and one third gear... I was no where near the limit (ok my limit )so I can't say how it would behave at that stage. Brakes were great with a very nice firm pedal, slightly heavy clutch that was not noticable once on the track. The throttle response was excellent as well. I think we did about 8 laps mostly just showing the line and how to deal with traffic at a DE. But, what was interesting is that when I got out and thought more about the car it became aparant that it is already set up the way most people attempt to modify a Carrera (or Carrera S) to behave. Except it had far more power, clearly, then one would get out of their Carrera . Makes the thought of buying a 997 S and putting suspension, seats, tires , headers, mufflers, software, sway bars brakes etc on it seem, welll, strange, when this car is available right out of the box. Sure, big price jump, but once all the parts are factored in, future value etc, it may make sense for someone who's plan was to buy a 997.2 S and "build" a DE or dual purpose toy.... Of course if the funds are available, this car is a no-brainer! I have not had the pleasure of driving a 997.2 GT3 yet but suspect it would provide all of the same thrills and smiles. Cheers

The aesthetics of the wing are a very subjective thing. Personally I think it totally transforms the look of the car, in a positive way. I know it may be over the top for some people, but it sends a clear message that the GT3 is a very serious, high performance vehicle. There's nothing cheap looking about it.

I drove a friend's GT3RS at Portland International Raceway last fall. It is a fabulous car; it reminds me of a Lotus Elise with a lot of power. Meaning, it is very tactile, responsive, lively, stuck to the ground and very fast! I wanted one instantly; I said some choice explicatives of joy when exited the car! It was a great opportunity to compare some awesome cars: the GT3RS, another friend's E92 M3 (dual clutch and heavilly modified for track use), and my own 993 Turbo which is a serious track toy (solid bushings, 550HP, etc). I was as fast in the GT3RS as I am in my Turbo (which has +100 HP but the gearing on the GT3RS creates astounding acceleration).

I didn't want to make the Lotus Elise comparo (one of my favourite cars) as they are so different in power, but you are right. They both come from the factory in same sort of tune that people constantly try to upgrade other cars/models to with aftermarket parts. Your 993TT is an expample and our 84 911 race car is another.... The GT3RS likley was faster on our track then our 84 which had a 325hp NA motor with lightning throttle response, complete heim jointed suspension and weighed only 2150lbs..... Cheers

It sounds like you really enjoyed it. I know what you mean about pushing another person's car. I drove a GT3 on the track but did not drive it hard. Just was not comfortable doing that unless it is my own car. You have given a great description. From my experiences on driving it in the hills and mountains near me, you are spot on. The grip, the power down on exit simply Incredible. You make a great point about modifying a Carrera . unfortunately, I made a mistake with some modifcations on my Carrera . Shouldn't have bothered. Not sure if you managed to read Evo Magazine's review of the GT3RS. Called it Car of the Year. Good article.

That is an awesome looking GT3 . It sends clear message for sure that it's a race car! I really like the color too. Fantastic looking car! Definitely nothing cheap looking about it.

I went through all the posts but I missed the one that says you bought it! Love the colour - I might pick green but is nitpicking! Beautiful. Love the slippers by the way!

I have not seen the article, but car of the year I would agree with, although I don't sample anywhere near the cars a magazine does, not even close.... Like I said, the GT3RS for me was all about the experience of driving, not lap times. It sounded right, went well and felt great. What I always loved about our 84 racecar is how it felt.... Let me explain. It had the exact right steering feel and weight, its pedals were weighted correctly and the throttle response was exact. Plus, most importantly, it spoke to you through your rear end. Your but in the seat gave more feedback to you as a driver than anything else I had experienced. That made the car easier to drive fast/closer to the limit. That same feeling is something I sensed right away in the GT3RS. It is not something felt in very many vehicles, let alone stock ones. The Elise is another one, although it is ultimately a lot slower than either of the cars mentioned above. But, being able to communicate with your sports car through your eyes, ears, hands, feet and rear end makes a car immensley enjoyable at any speed. For us, that is the magic, that is what we try to make for customers who want to modify their cars. Hard to improve on a GT3RS in that regard. Yep, you can make it faster, make it flashier but can you make it more fun to drive?? Maybe, maybe not..... And you can get it new, with a warranty. Cheers