Want GT3 but would Turbo S be better - Page 3 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

I have a base 992.1 and as 992.2 GT3 is meant to be more useable on normal roads was thinking about buying one. There isn’t much premium on high spec nearly new cars maybe upto £5k but those with a lower spec seem to be at a premium of £20-£25k. Issue is I don’t want bucket seats or roll bar as only plan to use on road and perhaps odd road trip and almost all now have bucket seats. Looks like will have to focus on Touring when really wanted Wing. Then watched a few YouTube clips and coming to the conclusion that with fidgety steering, cabin noise, limited performance below 5,000 rpm that a Turbo S is probably better especially if will do say 5000 miles a year inc. on motorway. The problem is I much prefer the idea of a naturally aspirated engine! Did think about an F8 but mindful of running costs once maintenance package expires and depreciation per mile used is much higher. Any thoughts on likely premiums on new Turbo S? Think deliveries start in May. Interested in others experience between Carrera / GT3 / Turbo S

If you get a Turbo you’ll always longingly look at a GT and think maybe… Car buying has a lot to do with how we feel, a decision made with emotion if you like. Get the GT, wait for the right one and you’ll be happy. Choose the Turbo and you’ll still hanker after a GT.

I’d like a 992 or a low miles 991/.2Prices are really varied. It seems most buy from dealers. Seen a lovely, highly specced 991.2 T with ceramics and low miles but the seller wants £80k. CAP is £58k. 992 has similarly massive spread with everyone asking way beyond trade values, even in private sales. Must be tough for dealers to buy stock in. I’m in the classifieds twice a day looking for, ideally, a low owner car with low miles. Priced a bit over trade. Unlike seemingly everyone else, I don’t want a GT car. Nor a Turbo. Nor a GTS. Just a Carrera Coupe or Cab. The only cars I can see available are mega money, mostly at dealers.

I don’t think anyone is selling a car just over trade unless there’s a need to get shot for other factors, personal or otherwise. We’re just entering spring, prices will solidify, maybe rise a little. The dealers have costs, there’s always going to be a strong margin there. To the OP’s question, go drive them, that’s the only way you’ll find out. They have materially different characters.

Could you make an RS Spyder work? I test drove one and it was significantly more comfortable than my 992.1 GTS. That way you get the epic engine but without the track-biased nature of the GT3? Plus the roof comes off!

Only person that can really answer it OP is you…you’d probably know within 15 minutes of driving each car. A lot depends on how you use it. Some people get bored of a Turbo S (too powerful/too clinical/too capable)…some people find a GT3 too much. I’d say you have to respect a GT3 more especially if it’s cold/wet. I wouldn’t discount a 992.1 GT3…well set up suspension can make a big difference.

I've never driven either yet, but there was a short run of comments telling me I'd be better off with a used Turbo S than the GT3 Touring I'm expecting in May. (All from the same person, I hasten to add. But he did make some good points. They turned out not to be that relevant to me.) Naturally aspirated can't compete with turbo for low-mid engine speed torque, but then it more than makes up for it with crisp response with a few revs on. The question for me is whether I want something a bit more track oriented, a bit bumpier, a bit more raw. Or do I want a ridiculously competent and quick "executive express" with 4WD, and ludicrous grip in almost all conditions. I'm very much a 3-pedal kind of person, and I don't mind the occasional excuse to press the clutch pedal and stir the gear lever on the motorway. It sounds like we'll be doing similar mileage, and probably not dissimilar use. I'll be daily in mine whenever I can. I just can't imagine a Turbo S in my workshop or parking spot at work. So I'm very firmly set on a GT3 Touring, as I don't want another car with a wing. It will likely be a lot less noisy on the motorway than my GT4 RS at least. I'll be changing it over to more road oriented tyres, and possibly softer springs, so I get a better daily driving experience in general road and weather conditions. I might track it occasionally, but that's not going to be its main purpose. I just want a car that will put a smile on my face going to work on a sunny morning. Best for that so far was my old 981 GT4. I think it could also be a 992.2 GT3 Touring. My gut feel is that if you're asking the question, it might be wing and PDK for you, but you may well come to the same conclusion. Liam

BlueFog said: Interested in others experience between Carrera / GT3 / Turbo S Not quite what you re looking at, but I had a 981 GT4 clubsport (buckets, harnesses, half cage) and then a 991.1 turbo S. The GT4 was fun. For a while. It s a track car adapted for the road. Long term: the road noise, engine noise, gearbox and suspension, all of which make it seem epic on first acquaintance, become quite wearing. No one in the family liked being a passenger in it and it was very much a car for me to drive on fast A and B roads and not much else. I ve had a 996 turbo and expected the 991 turbo S to be a bit dull. I ended up concluding it s the most complete car I ve ever owned. It s grown up, composed, refined, and blistering quick. I ran it alongside a V12VS, and whilst they are both very quick cars, the turbo S is noticeably quicker and A to B is just unfeasibly fast. I struggle to conceive of how a 992 could be materially better but I m sure it is. If you need to scratch the GT itch, then that s just something you have to deal with one way or another. But my experience left me not remotely hankering to find out what a GT3 would be like. (I only sold the turbo S because I wasn t using both it and the V12VS enough to justify keeping both, and the Porsche was easier to shift). Edited by BlackTails on Sunday 1st March 23:01

Are you using it mainly in 20 zones and/or potholed roads? If so, I wouldn't go near a GT3, as much as I want one for redlining whenever I leave a Fairmile meet.

I just traded in a 992.1 Turbo S after a year for a 992.2 GT3 Touring. I knew within minutes it was the right choice for me. It’s loud - sounds like everything is broken(!), I love the heavier steering; it’s all just far more intense. I’m genuinely excited thinking about the next drive. Turbo S was incredible and I liked it a lot but it felt like a very fast Tesla in comparison to the GT3. This sounds negative - it’s not, it was brilliant at what it does but in comparison to the GT3 (for me anyway) it wasn’t as exciting and I never once really wanted to go out just for a drive. I got the Turbo thinking I’d use it frequently. But for me it turned out that I didn’t want to take it out in bad weather or when I needed to use car parks as it was so expensive and I feared dings etc. I’m not worried about the depreciation per se, I just didn’t think it was a sensible daily. Since it wasn’t exciting (the fast Tesla analogy) I didn’t really use it as much as I’d hoped and therefore I changed to GT3. So far, the GT3 is so different and so much more of an event. I think you could daily it if you were so inclined but I wouldn’t (I’ve gone old and wouldn’t fancy cold dark mornings on greasy roads and I think the noise would grate on hour long commutes) but I do think I’ll take out for early morning blasts. If you try both, I’d recommend you drive the Turbo first. Edited by Abtj on Sunday 1st March 23:59

I have a 992.1 Turbos. I have never driven a gt3 Personally I would not really want a 992.2 turbo s. Hybrid has gone down badly with Ferrari and Lamborghini as people just don't want them. The 911 is a mild hybrid but ... Electric turbos on rennlist have given issues. You have a load of Nannie's that are staggeringly irritating ( any hire car I have spends it life beeping ). The 992.1 performance is so staggering I think we we now beyond more power having any noticeable difference. I have had the turbo and turbo s on track and you really can't tell the apart. Another few bhp when you have 650 of them in the first place is not really any practical use. The gt3 seem to be being dummed down in th 992.2 world which is a shame but it is basically a track car. The turbo s is comfortable for long euro trips and now mine has been soundproofed and new tyres pretty quiet as well .

LRDefender said: If you get a Turbo you ll always longingly look at a GT and think maybe Car buying has a lot to do with how we feel, a decision made with emotion if you like. Get the GT, wait for the right one and you ll be happy. Choose the Turbo and you ll still hanker after a GT. that is my view as well. Also, if the GT car does not work you can probably sell it with a less painful loss than a Turbo S and switch . Edit to add: And I do think an F8 would likely feel more special than either of those cars, esp. if the GT is not a manual Edited by MDL111 on Monday 2nd March 07:46

The timing of JayEmm's video on the 992 GT3 was timely the other day, where he talks about the pros and cons (link below). I'm in the position where I currently own a 992.1 GTS, one which I specced from new and have owned now for 3 years. It has a very sporty spec, almost GT3 like spec: Aerokit, Lightweight package, Rear Axle Steering, Front Axle lift, lots of carbon, and so on... Last week I was randomly contacted by my Porsche dealer asking me if I'd like to sell my car to them as there is demand, and to potentially part exchange for a 992 GT3, they have a 5 months old 992.2 GT3 and a 2 year old 992.1 GT3, both with decent specs. I love my 992 GTS, it's PDK 2WD and very very fast indeed, max torque comes in at circa 1800 rpm and revs out like a N/A car. It just seems perfect. Porsche quote 480bhp, but most cars tested on dynos have shown it is circa 500bhp plus. So in the real world, point to point it is faster than a GT3, apart from on track where the GT3 would shine. My dilemma is, if I swapped to a GT3, would I regret it for a few reasons, namely: 1) Would I miss the low down torque and acceleration of the GTS which is a 3.0 Twin Turbo? The GT3 as Jay said needs properly revving out to get it going. 2) Would I find the GT3 too stiff for our roads? My GTS is already stiff enough as it has the same suspension setup as a 992.1 Turbo S with the helper springs at the rear. 3) Interior is exactly the same, I have the GTS Interior Carbon Pack, so lots of Alcantara/Race-Tex, so would it even feel like an upgrade? 4) For the extra out-lay, I'm talking at least an extra £60k, would it be worth to change the car? I think I know the answers deep down if I think about it sensibly, and Jay's review here seems very honest and what I've always kind of felt in my mind already. In my GTS, I do at least one Euro trip a year including the Ring, and one or two UK track days per year, and the car always performs well, it does everything so brilliantly. It is my special car and not my daily (981 Cayman is my daily), mainly used for nice drive outs on the weekend and road trips wherever possible, Wales, Peaks District, Scotland etc.. Like the OP, thoughts and feedback will be appreciated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNe-1l0T_A4&t=... Edited by Schuey_911 on Monday 2nd March 09:44

I think only you know if you prefer torque vs needing to rev the engine. I only have experience of 997 generation C2S vs RS and to me it made a huge difference in terms of how the car feels [but a lot of that is probably the bucket seats and cage plus the much better sound, pure performance less relevant on the road]. 60k is clearly a lot, but I'd more look at total ownership cost - I am not sure the GT3 will lose more money in absolute terms than the GTS in terms of depreciation from today forward (obviously depends a bit on how good the deal to trade is)

Schuey_911 said: Like the OP, thoughts and feedback will be appreciated. In your shoes, I would 1. Assume cynically that they have a buyer lined up already for your GTS, and know that their two GT3s may take some time to shift off their forecourt - ie they are acting in their interests and not primarily doing you a favour. 2. Assume that they would not do you a good deal on the trade in of your GTS. 3. If you're OK with points 1 and 2 though ask them to lend you whichever of the GT3s you prefer for an extended weekend test drive, and work out for yourself whether the change is to your taste. And if they won't oblige, that would make me pass on their overture. From what you've said though, your GTS is "just so" and it strikes me as unusual to swap a just so car for an unknown aspirational car at a cost of >£60k.

I think the GT3 Touring is the sweetspot for those who don't want an all out track-focused car, but want more of a visceral experience that what the Turbo provides. Reckon residuals will hold up better than a Turbo as well.

BlackTails said: In your shoes, I would 1. Assume cynically that they have a buyer lined up already for your GTS, and know that their two GT3s may take some time to shift off their forecourt - ie they are acting in their interests and not primarily doing you a favour. 2. Assume that they would not do you a good deal on the trade in of your GTS. 3. If you're OK with points 1 and 2 though ask them to lend you whichever of the GT3s you prefer for an extended weekend test drive, and work out for yourself whether the change is to your taste. And if they won't oblige, that would make me pass on their overture. From what you've said though, your GTS is "just so" and it strikes me as unusual to swap a just so car for an unknown aspirational car at a cost of >£60k. This is very helpful and something to factor into consideration. I think you have helped answer my questions and I'm better off keeping what I have. I'll wait till they get back to me with what they have to offer, as I certainly won't be chasing them. Thanks.

MDL111 said: I think only you know if you prefer torque vs needing to rev the engine. I only have experience of 997 generation C2S vs RS and to me it made a huge difference in terms of how the car feels [but a lot of that is probably the bucket seats and cage plus the much better sound, pure performance less relevant on the road]. 60k is clearly a lot, but I'd more look at total ownership cost - I am not sure the GT3 will lose more money in absolute terms than the GTS in terms of depreciation from today forward (obviously depends a bit on how good the deal to trade is) Thanks, again some valid points.

I have ran a few 911 Turbo s and GT3s as daily's over the years.They both go about things in different ways no one is the wrong one, it depends on its use case. With this new 992GT3 Tour and 992.2 ttts its a bit different, in so much as the new Turbo S is Hybrid and based on the past 15k miles i have done in a GTS Hybrids it puts right a few of the things i was not so keen on with the 992.1s one, the lack of lagg for one and sharper steering along with more the damping having a bigger range in comfort and sport. Not driven the new 992.2 tts but told its very good and a good step up over GTS Hybrid. This new 992.2 GT3 Tour is really very good, the steering and suspension as far as road 911s go is the best i have ever driven. If i had to pick one it would be the 992.2 GT3 but it have to have Bucket seats you feel so much more, and would have another set of wheels with Winters on..

I think your particular use cases and other vehicles you have access to are critical factors. I have a 992.1 Turbo S Cab, and a SRS. I like my NA engines, and also have an R8 v10+. The SRS with its GT3 engine is by far the most visceral and exciting of the three. Conditions permitting, if wanting to go for a spirited drive there is no competition, SRS all the way. The "drive a GT3 and you will know within 15 minutes" comment is true, but only as an answer to this use case. The engine thrives on revs, its noisy and compared to the other cars tiring on long journeys; driving London to Scotland and it would be last choice (until I got to the highlands to find the weather was glorious!) Perhaps there are 2 cars that would fit the bill better than one? I have an M3 Comp Touring as my daily, and if I had to distill the fleet down to just 2 vehicles, it is this and the SRS which would stay.

Interesting question OP, to give my thoughts and address a few of the points raised here, including the Jayemm vid, I'll give my two penneth below. I have a 991.2 GT3 I've done 5k miles since owning it in just over a year. Like you I didn't want the buckets or cage, so mine is 18 ways no cage, PDK. I find the seats to be up there with the best car seats I've experienced. Zero discomfort even on long days at the wheel. General comfort and useability. Possibly the only area I think a non GT3 e.g. Turbo or GTS may be better, is the gearing when you are on a motorway haul, not that I do many such drives. I was only thinking yesterday I wish it had an 'overdrive' style 8th gear for when I do though. The only time I've ever thought it would benefit from more punch, is on big circuits such as silverstone, where you can get out dragged by a Turbo S, on the straights. I have never thought it lacked punch on the road, and if you want to get a move on, accessing the power is an event, not a chore. I've had quite a few turbo charged cars and I did wonder about going NA, but I now rate this engine hugely, such character and a lot of engagement and enjoyment. RE the 991 / 992. Its a personal choice and depends how old you want to go, but when I've been in 992's, to me (IMHO !) they feel more generic and some parts of a lower quality than the 991.2. I personally think it's a sweet spot, but there again I would do, as I chose to buy one ! Overall, happy Porsche hunting, neither would be a bad choice.

I've been through this cycle a few times , though with different cars. Its the age old everyday practically vs fun factor - they never perfectly match unfortunately as; what is visceral and fun, is tiring also. As others have mentioned it depends what other cars you have and 100% the usage. I work from home, but still do around 10K a year daily type stuff. I ran a GT4 as such for a couple of years, but I never liked parking it everyday places, and I didn't like the the attention when I wasn't in the mood (it also got vandalised). I also didn't run it about in the grot of winter as it made me wince. I eventually got a 991 Turbo S as the daily and have been running that all year round, park it everyhere, and don't feel like its getting too much attention aside from folk who appreciate them. Whilst its not as much full on fun as the GT4 (or balanced for that matter!) its still hugly fun, surprisely adept, and of course massive everyday acceleration punch from low down. The GT4 is better balance, better soundtrack (981 variant) and better steering, and more fun. But the Turbo S is so accomplished and fun at 90% of the GT4 and just brilliant pootling about when traffic is bad, picking kids up, going to shops etc. In the end I found it hard to justify keeping hold of the GT4 so sold it , and got something more raw (and cheaper) for the weekends (Lotus Exige 350) which is crazy fun. So in summary I always think its better to have a full on weekend car (GT3/4, RS, SRS, Lotus, Caterham, etc) and then a non GT 911 for the daily of whichever flavour you like (cab, T, Turbo).

Jeremy-75qq8 said: The turbo s is comfortable for long euro trips and now mine has been soundproofed and new tyres pretty quiet as well What do you mean sound proofed?

I have had a few 911’s. Last one was a 2022 Targa 4 GTS that I had for 2.5 years, I have had my GT3 Touring for nearly 2 years. My question is this, what do these influencers know. They drive a car for a couple of miles and they are experts - don’t think so. They wants clicks as clicks equal money. Drive both yourself and make your own decision. I wish I could have kept both but that’s another story. I was seriously considering a Turbo S until my mate bought one. He ended up rejecting it, it was that troublesome. What I didn’t know and was told, was that they have common issues. Google front and rear spoiler issues, also have a look at batteries as well. Don’t get me wrong, they’re epic cars and fast as hell. They just seem to have issues. As one dealer said, get a good one and you will probably be ok but get a bad one and you will know about it. My opinion, Turbo better cruiser, safer in wet as 4WD and FAST. GT3 bit harder on the road, revs higher at cruising speed but the noise, its very addictive. Not too shabby on speed either. I have 18 ways so more comfy than buckets IMO. I don’t intend to track my car so not bothered about weight. Some are obsessed but if I was interested in losing a few grams, I would go to the toilet.

I know they are both 911's but they may as well be different cars. I'd never buy a turbo s but a gt3 would certainly be on the list if i had the means. A friend has a 992.1 touring with MR suspension, wheels and brake pads, it has comfort seats and i've driven it on a 6 hour journey before and it was nothing but awesome. I dont really get people saying a 992 gt3 is too much for the road in terms of harshness. nvh etc. this was the case with a 996/997 but from 991 onwards i think they are more geared towards being a road car that can do really well on track, rather than the other way around.

Re the Gt3/ Turbo choice; I was in a similar dilemma, Ended up with a 997 GT2. For me its the best of both worlds. Obviously best to test drive, within a very short time frame if possible to let your heart/ mind decide. Cheers

I don't mind JayEmm but I think he's got it all wrong in that video. Saying the GT3 is too hard and that you have to rev it out to access the power is like saying lions are too aggressive. The GT3 SHOULD be compromised towards track use. IT SHOULD have a high revving engine that you need to push to drive hard. Thats the point of the model so we can all play race driver! If you want something more road based, theres Carrera, GTS and Turbo! Buy the model that suits you and your usage. Preuninger knows what hes doing.

mollytherocker said: Buy the model that suits you and your usage. I think this sums it up nicely. And it’s why there is no answer of universal application.

Googlin said: Another thing about the GT3 is that even with revised softer Touring spec suspension, you can't really actually use the engine properly on road, at least if you have any qualms about safety. And at modest speeds, I find it worse than a regular one. Unless I was interested primarily in track use, I'd buy a regular 911 or maybe a turbo (but again I fail to see how/ where you could ever use that performance on road for more than a fraction of a second.) This is true , I had my gt3 for 5 years which is at least 3 years more than I kept any fun car for , but if you use the engine as intended on the road you will be driving far too fast , but on the other hand just pressing the accelerator on on the turbo makes you too fast for the road , I remember thinking my 997 turbo was too fast and that’s lethargic compared to the current cars .

There is a reason why GT cars tend to have had more owners

DMC2 said: There is a reason why GT cars tend to have had more owners Agree, many people like the idea of a GT3 but then find that the reality is too extreme for them and what they really want is a Turbo.

I didn’t find the 992.1 GT3 too harsh for the road, but the limits of the chassis can’t really be explored on the road and that is the frustration. It’s still ok to drive though and perhaps there will be the occassion to let loose. The engine is as similar story to the chassis in that you don’t really get to enjoy it all on the road. I think JayEmm was wrong about the mid range torque though. It’s still enough for the vast majority of driving scenarios, just not as much as the 3.0 twin turbo cars. If you’re in gear in your carrera turbo and put your foot down there is a noticeable lag before the big power kicks in. This lag isn’t as apparent when going through the gears, but is certainly there when choosing up accelerate from a steady speed. The GT3 will not have this lag. I’m wondering if the 997 GT3 is the sweet spot, with the chassis set up to the drivers taste.

Grantstown said: I didn t find the 992.1 GT3 too harsh for the road, but the limits of the chassis can t really be explored on the road and that is the frustration. It s still ok to drive though and perhaps there will be the occassion to let loose. The engine is as similar story to the chassis in that you don t really get to enjoy it all on the road. I think JayEmm was wrong about the mid range torque though. It s still enough for the vast majority of driving scenarios, just not as much as the 3.0 twin turbo cars. If you re in gear in your carrera turbo and put your foot down there is a noticeable lag before the big power kicks in. This lag isn t as apparent when going through the gears, but is certainly there when choosing up accelerate from a steady speed. The GT3 will not have this lag. I m wondering if the 997 GT3 is the sweet spot, with the chassis set up to the drivers taste. This goes to the less is more argument which we all get to eventually! The truth is that most true enthusiastic drivers would enjoy something like a Clio Cup on a UK B road more than a high powered supercar! They're a hoot.

mollytherocker said: This goes to the less is more argument which we all get to eventually! The truth is that most true enthusiastic drivers would enjoy something like a Clio Cup on a UK B road more than a high powered supercar! They're a hoot. I often enjoy my Fiesta ST over the Turbo/Exige in the dead of winter down the back roads. Huge fun and gives me a grin every time.

turbo s is the perfect road car imo f8 would be vastly more exciting though but it will attract a ton of attention

Grantstown said: I didn t find the 992.1 GT3 too harsh for the road, but the limits of the chassis can t really be explored on the road and that is the frustration. It s still ok to drive though and perhaps there will be the occasion to let loose. The engine is as similar story to the chassis in that you don t really get to enjoy it all on the road. I think JayEmm was wrong about the mid range torque though. It s still enough for the vast majority of driving scenarios, just not as much as the 3.0 twin turbo cars. If you re in gear in your carrera turbo and put your foot down there is a noticeable lag before the big power kicks in. This lag isn t as apparent when going through the gears, but is certainly there when choosing up accelerate from a steady speed. The GT3 will not have this lag. I m wondering if the 997 GT3 is the sweet spot, with the chassis set up to the drivers taste. The age old question, Turbo or GT3. As others have mentioned, there is no right or wrong answer here, it depends how you will use it and what your tolerance is for ride/noise/Cup tyres etc. In terms of 997 GT3 as asked above, I ran a 997 GT3 for 8 years so I know a bit about them. You cannot compare a 997 GT3 or 996 GT3 (all variants) to more modern models 991 and above. The 997 GT3 is a proper raw track car for the road, the 996 GT3 is even more raw! The feeling you get from driving a 997 GT3 is immense, but - the ride is hard, the front splitter scrapes everything, the clutch is very hard and the technology in them is getting old now in terms of auido/nav etc if that's of any importance to you. I ran mine in London for 3-4 years and it's the worst car you could want to drive around a city center. It's the best car for a track or open road in the countryside, although a bit sketchy on single lane B roads, the gearing is still quite long. When coming to Turbo inc Turbo S models, I have a 991.1 Turbo S now, and some posters comparing them to Tesla's or fast soulless cruisers, sorry but you are very wrong there. It's probably the way some owners use them if they feel like that, if you keep them in the normal plodding mode and let the pdk shift for you then yeah I get it they aren't that exciting changing up at 1500-2000rpm. Use the sport settings and change gear yourself and they open right up. The ride is really good to use on poor roads, they handle speed bumps, they are a very usable car all-round. When you want to have fun they aren't going to engage you like a GT3 especially 997 and earlier, but they still do engage and the rate of knots they put on is exciting. My 991.1 is standard but I even like the sound, but if you want it more fruity lots of options are there. What I've come to realise is the utility in these cars is in how and how often you use them. A GT3 gives you a great buzz, but you only want to use them at the opportune time. A Turbo S can do every day duties and also put a smile on your face when the time arrives, but you can use it more of the time. Some people like to use a special car less as it keeps it less familiar and feels more of an event that way. Some want to use their special car more or daily one. I would say the 991 Turbo/S (.1 or .2) range is a good compromise between crossing the analogue/digital bridge of the 911 model phases. 997 goes more analogue, 992 goes more digital. If you want something in between then a 991 Turbo S may be more to your taste. Problem is they aren't new - but you can still buy them from OPC and warranty them to 15 years old.

I went for a 991.2 Turbo S! I wanted space for kids (it s my daily and I drop and pick up kids daily) and all weather ability. Touring was very high on my list, but I think they are too expensive compared to Turbos and still a bit compromised as a daily. My mate has 992 Turbo and I have driven it back to back with the 991.2. Frankly I prefer the 991.2, it s smaller, lighter, has less plastic, less screens/tech and overall feels much sportier and compact on the road. On a cross continent trip I d take the 992, but for having a fun daily on British a/b roads I find the older car much more exciting to drive. To add to that - I ve just watched a autotop video of the new 992.2 TS and it leaves me cold! I think all of my special cars from now on have already been built - rows of screens/hybrids doesn t do it for me. Plus the last thing a 991/992 Turbo needs is extra performance - getting daft. If you haven’t been out in a 991.2 Turbo S, I recommend it. Very different to 992 variants and still quite analogue. Edited by russy01 on Wednesday 4th March 20:39

Another 991.2 Turbo S owner here, albeit a cab. Ferociously fast and very planted, yet compliant on our crappy roads and I can still pootle to pick my granddaughters up from school. This may sound shallow, but whilst I appreciate GT3’s are brilliant cars, a simply couldn’t live with driving around in something with a big Halfordesque wing on the back. Just my twopennorth… https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That’s why there’s a touring, you can have the experience whilst being visually subtle.

acwh said: That s why there s a touring, you can have the experience whilst being visually subtle. And presumably make my grandkids walk home as there’s no back seats in the GT3 Touring?

I think from all the comments above, to me it seems that the GTS up to and including the 992.1 (non Hybrid) are the sweet spots. They can do a bit of everything, bit of GT3 driver dynamics if specced in a certain way (2WD), yet nearly Turbo levels of performance, especially in the 992.1 GTS. Think I've decided to stick with what I have, and now the sun has finally started to shine can hopefully start enjoying the car more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYBF35D1gLo Edited by Schuey_911 on Thursday 5th March 10:03

I cant comment on ether car but reading the comments echo a similar experience I have had. I had a stage 2 Manual BMW M2 which I loved and said I would never sell but I did and bought a F Type R 575 (the facelift one). It was a lovely place to sit, sounded great and was fast as feck but it left me cold for what I used it for. I used it once or twice a week and for work, car meets & weekend blasts. It was just too much of a GT far and TBH just too fast to enjoy. So, last summer I sold it and got a 981 GT4 with buckets and PCCBs. It is everything I want from a second / fun car and feels special every time I drive it and it doesnt matter how fast or slow I drive I can still enjoy it (the manual helps loads). Based on this I would drive both but if you are going to be doing more miles and long trips perhaps a Turbo would be better. However, I Would love a GT3 and TBH I would says balls to a little more comfort and bin the Turbo. Having had the Jag and now the GT4 has made me realise that outright speeds and big BHP really do not matter. Good shout on the SRS though, could be worth a shout too.

Googlin said: Mick Dastardly said: acwh said: That s why there s a touring, you can have the experience whilst being visually subtle. And presumably make my grandkids walk home as there s no back seats in the GT3 Touring? You can get rear seats in the GT3 touring now can't you? Yes you can.

I think if someone is debating GT3 or Turbo (or GTS), based on the law of averages they’re better off with something other than a GT3. A GT3 is by definition a very compromised and focussed car, so if you want one you should really, really want one, to the point that nothing else would do. An on the fence buyer will likely end up frustrated and or disappointed after a relatively short time.

acwh said: Yes you can. Cheers, I didn’t know that. The two I went to look at just had carpet instead of rear seats.

Mick Dastardly said: acwh said: Yes you can. Cheers, I didn t know that. The two I went to look at just had carpet instead of rear seats. It was only an option for 992.2, that's latest iteration delivered from 2025.

Googlin said: Mick Dastardly said: acwh said: That s why there s a touring, you can have the experience whilst being visually subtle. And presumably make my grandkids walk home as there s no back seats in the GT3 Touring? You can get rear seats in the GT3 touring now can't you? Yes my 992.2 Touring has them as an option.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to share your own thoughts and experiences. Will try and arrange test drive of GT3 Touring - probably easier said that done. If i could try a .1 and .2 that would be awesome and inform whether the latter is worth the premium for my intended use. My son’s response is GT3 everyday followed by Touring is an old man’s car….

S1MMA said: The age old question, Turbo or GT3. As others have mentioned, there is no right or wrong answer here, it depends how you will use it and what your tolerance is for ride/noise/Cup tyres etc. In terms of 997 GT3 as asked above, I ran a 997 GT3 for 8 years so I know a bit about them. You cannot compare a 997 GT3 or 996 GT3 (all variants) to more modern models 991 and above. The 997 GT3 is a proper raw track car for the road, the 996 GT3 is even more raw! The feeling you get from driving a 997 GT3 is immense, but - the ride is hard, the front splitter scrapes everything, the clutch is very hard and the technology in them is getting old now in terms of auido/nav etc if that's of any importance to you. I ran mine in London for 3-4 years and it's the worst car you could want to drive around a city center. It's the best car for a track or open road in the countryside, although a bit sketchy on single lane B roads, the gearing is still quite long. When coming to Turbo inc Turbo S models, I have a 991.1 Turbo S now, and some posters comparing them to Tesla's or fast soulless cruisers, sorry but you are very wrong there. It's probably the way some owners use them if they feel like that, if you keep them in the normal plodding mode and let the pdk shift for you then yeah I get it they aren't that exciting changing up at 1500-2000rpm. Use the sport settings and change gear yourself and they open right up. The ride is really good to use on poor roads, they handle speed bumps, they are a very usable car all-round. When you want to have fun they aren't going to engage you like a GT3 especially 997 and earlier, but they still do engage and the rate of knots they put on is exciting. My 991.1 is standard but I even like the sound, but if you want it more fruity lots of options are there. What I've come to realise is the utility in these cars is in how and how often you use them. A GT3 gives you a great buzz, but you only want to use them at the opportune time. A Turbo S can do every day duties and also put a smile on your face when the time arrives, but you can use it more of the time. Some people like to use a special car less as it keeps it less familiar and feels more of an event that way. Some want to use their special car more or daily one. I would say the 991 Turbo/S (.1 or .2) range is a good compromise between crossing the analogue/digital bridge of the 911 model phases. 997 goes more analogue, 992 goes more digital. If you want something in between then a 991 Turbo S may be more to your taste. Problem is they aren't new - but you can still buy them from OPC and warranty them to 15 years old. Thanks for that reply. Now I really want to go out and experience a 997 GT3!