997.2 GT3 for street and track? Or does it have to be an RS? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

I can buy a used 997 MK2 GT3 (clubsport) for around €80.000 / 64.000 GBP in my country. A good 997 MK2 GT3 RS is a lot more expensive (+ €40.000 / 32.000 GBP)...and at first sight it looks a little to expensive for what it offers. But maybe I don't know the wonders and true secrets of the RS version? Can a normal 997 MK2 GT3 clubsport with Pagid pads and CUP 2 tyres fulfill the following needs? A second car (NOT a daily driver) that is fun on the street and is also perfectly capable of doing a monthly intense trackday (Nurburgring, Spa)... Okay maybe for the monthly trackdays the suspension could be upgraded to a KW, Bilstein or a trip to Manthey if those options are better then the standard GT3 suspension... But besides that; is there a big enough reason to spent a lot more money and get the RS version? Is it that much better (on track) and does it also mean that a normal GT3 is not that good on track and more orientated as a street car? Edited by Franzino on Sunday 10th August 15:07

I think a regular GT3 would be perfect for what you describe. The RS is a bit lighter and a bit more powerful but there's not much in it. An RS costs more but in my opinion you are likely to get more of it back than a regular GT3 Problem is, if you are "settling" for a GT3, you might regret it and end up with an RS at the second attempt. If you think you are going to want an RS every time you see one at the track when you are in your regular GT3, you know what to do....

DT398 said: I think a regular GT3 would be perfect for what you describe. The RS is a bit lighter and a bit more powerful but there's not much in it. An RS costs more but in my opinion you are likely to get more of it back than a regular GT3 Indeed an RS will hold it's value better then a normal GT3, but this is only the case when you sell the car again. There is also the possibility that you crash the car or it's get stollen and then there is no car to sell anymore. Resale value of a car is something I never considered important... Houses are way better investments then cars. You want to have the highest resale value on a GT3, then I should have bought a 4.0RS and never driven it...and keep it as a garage queen. For me the main purpose of car is that it needs to be driven and in case of a GT3, RS it needs to be driven hard DT398 said: Problem is, if you are "settling" for a GT3, you might regret it and end up with an RS at the second attempt. If you think you are going to want an RS every time you see one at the track when you are in your regular GT3, you know what to do.... I drive at the Nurburgring almost every month. Each time I come there I see a lot of GT3 and RS cars. A GT3 RS does not get me more exited then a normal GT3. When seeing both cars; I always ask myself the question...why pay a lot more for a RS? This is purely based on seeing the car and reading reviews, I have not yet driven a GT3 or GT3 RS. On the other hand there will always be a faster or better car then the one you are driving...even if you are driving a GT3 RS. And if it's not the car...then it's the driver....look at me chasing a GT3 RS with my less powerful Z4M roadster Z4M roadster chasing a GT3 RS @ Nurburgring 2014

Yes that's definitely the driver. The other RS just drove off into the distance. I think you know the answer to your question and the GT3 will tick all the boxes for you.

DT398 said: Yes that's definitely the driver. The other RS just drove off into the distance. I think you know the answer to your question and the GT3 will tick all the boxes for you. The other RS was a full striped race prepared RS... The only question remains is a RS that much better on track then a normal GT3...?

If your main intention is an all round usable GT3 for both road and track and you wish not to be too precious about it, then a non RS GT3 could work very well. The speed difference between a stock GT3 and stock RS is not a lot...and by the time you make some mods - brakes, suspension, diff, geo, etc - the modified GT3 can be a fairly faster proposition than a stock RS. Yes, if you want to treat it with cotton wool and be more worried about future value, then the RS could be better. Ultimately, I think stock GT3s will always track the price points of the average RS as the cheaper alternative (leaving aside the very few highly collectable low mileage garage queens RS that has never been driven)

If your main intention is an all round usable GT3 for both road and track and you wish not to be too precious about it, then a non RS GT3 could work very well. The speed difference between a stock GT3 and stock RS is not a lot...and by the time you make some mods - brakes, suspension, diff, geo, etc - the modified GT3 can be a fairly faster proposition than a stock RS. Yes, if you want to treat it with cotton wool and be more worried about future value, then the RS could be better. Ultimately, I think stock GT3s will always track the price points of the average RS as the cheaper alternative (leaving aside the very few highly collectable low mileage garage queens RS that has never been driven)

LaSource said: If your main intention is an all round usable GT3 for both road and track and you wish not to be too precious about it, then a non RS GT3 could work very well. The speed difference between a stock GT3 and stock RS is not a lot...and by the time you make some mods - brakes, suspension, diff, geo, etc - the modified GT3 can be a fairly faster proposition than a stock RS. Strange that the RS is a more hardcore version for more intense track work, but for some people the RS is something to be more precious about and handle it really gentle. I don't see the point in a car that hardly gets driving...even if you are a collector. Car's their main purpose is driving....if you don't drive the car to keep the milage low and the condition great for potential future value... In my opinion you never enjoyed that car and are better of investing your money in something else that has higher profit rates then cars. Speed difference aside...maybe a GT3 RS drives way better then a GT3? I mean driving feel....not speed. Is there a difference between the brakes of a normal GT3 and a RS (997 MK2)? I always thought that the steel Porsche GT3 brakes are some of the best out there. I have a full AP racing brake kit on my Z4M...I would find it strange if they would be that superior then a standard GT3 brake kit.

97% of the mechanical drivetrain is usually similar in a GT3/RS....especially so in the 996 and 997.1 cars. The 997.2 has different gearing. The RS can have a slightly more focused driving experience...plus the packaging adds to the 'experience' This thing is although a stock GT3/RS is good enough for basic track use, once you start to go faster and more regularly, you will start to tinker with the mechanicals. For example, although a stock brake is 'ok' an uprated brake package (GiroDisc, Alcon, Brembo, etc, etc) is even better. A faster/regular driver will start to crack the stock front brake discs after only a couple of days. The usage of a GT3/RS on track is just down to individual affordability - i.e. is a £100k+ (£10k excess on track plus damage impact) too much exposed risk? not for some, but will be for others. Plus as the RS get rarer, every owner can start to feel 'guilty' about using it too aggressively.

Franzino said: The only question remains is a RS that much better on track then a normal GT3...? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYLWm3biBA

I find the looks of the gt3 much easier on the eye than the RS with its humongous wing and plastic rear window. I would think the .2 GT3 is an excellent proposition and even without mods should perform very decently for what you describe. Gearing would only be the thing I would change but I believe you can get that sorted too.. I made the mistake of not buying one 2years ago and have regretted it ever since.

keep it lit said: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYLWm3biBA Wow that video is just stunning to watch.

keep it lit said: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYLWm3biBA WOW 😳 They are going for it and really using the cars...

rosino said: I find the looks of the gt3 much easier on the eye than the RS with its humongous wing and plastic rear window +1

keep it lit said: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYLWm3biBA WOW They are going for it and really using the cars... Edited by Franzino on Monday 11th August 00:19