I used to have a
Cayman S
and spent a lot of time on here. Left the
Porsche
fold but now I'm back with a 997.1 GT3. I made a video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je1D4ktPNKc
I am in love with the GT3. Truly madly deeply. Despite the epic internet hype the 997 GT3 is the first car I've owned where the driving experience not only lives up to its lofty expectations but actually surpasses them. The clutch is herculean and the shifter is stiff and soon my left leg and right arm will be disproportionate in sizes. But I don't care. This car is uncompromising, unapologetic and most importantly, prioritizes feel above all else. The steering sends so much information through my arms they are practically hardwired to the front axle. This is exactly the kind of hyper-alive old school steering feel that has become lost with modern electric power steering (991 included). The chassis communicates in a way that not only embraces the classic and flawed 911 sense of balance, but also allows me to minutely adjust its cornering attitude by pressing on or lifting off the throttle. I can rail corners while keeping the horizon completely level but unlike modern high performance cars that are at least equally proficient, the GT3 keeps me deeply involved in its conversation and is happy to steer with the throttle. The 3.6L mezger engine is not only a tool to motivate and balance the chassis, but a musical instrument to delight my soul. Under every overpass and inside every tunnel, the need to blip two downshifts and mash the throttle is instinctive and impossible to overcome. In those fine moments where the chassis is loaded up, the steering is alive and I'm dancing on the throttle and brakes and clutch the way a soccer player dances with a ball, I am utterly lost in its driving experience. If there ever was enlightenment in the automotive world, then the GT3 is it. This is the car I've been searching for my entire life.
Check it out! If you can't get a GT4 allocation right now, it's well worth considering a 997 GT3. After all, it's still a 911.
Congrats and welcome back! Nice vid, very professional...
It does sound like what I like, but I've been a mid engine freak forever. I know the new
911s
and especially the GT3s are better. And I do love to hit it under every bridge I pass under. My CS
PSE
is a lot of the musical symphony u talk about. If I can't get a
GT4
within 2 years I will certainly consider a GT3. Had a shot at an extremely nice low-mileage and nicely optioned 475 hp 2014 GT3 for $125k recently! but passed it up because I'm not sure I want
PDK
. Do yall think I need to own a
PDK
first, to know for sure if that could work for me? Or should I just stick with the manual tranny I'm so used to? $100k for a
GT4
or $125k for a GT3 (and should I want an older GT3 6 spd or newer GT3
PDK
?)? Those are some questions I'm facing in the
next
2 years...
Oh, and I just watched your video. I endorse what you say about the
Porsche
Club 100%. There is nothing else like it. What year is your GT3? It is a gorgeous car! It's obvious why you are in love with it. What's not to like? Also, there is still that
PDK
thing with the newer ones. Watching your video makes me regret not moving on that GT3 for $125k - but it was a
PDK
...
Congrats!!! I had thought about getting a GT3 before I got my C4S but I didn't think I could live with the hard clutch driving it 3 times a week to work. I take my two boys to school sometimes so I wanted back seats and I only track a couple of times a year, not enough to truly enjoy a GT3. Glad you are happy with it. It would had been a great investment if I got one, value on the GT3 has gone up.
Thank you! It's a 2008. Yes, I think you made a wise decision... in the end perhaps what you really want is a manual
GT4
!
Thanks! I agree with you that given that you need rear seats, the C4S is the next best thing. Also the C4S clutch is so much easier to live with.
Thanks again for watching my little vid, guys. Makes all the time spent making it worthwhile.
