Mk1 GT3 test drive - impression
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 5
From: Leeds, where I have run into this many lamp
Mk1 GT3 test drive - impression
Fantastic.
Surprisingly, after all the reports of how loud the engine/transmission is, how firm the suspension is etc etc, I was really surprised. It was MUCH quieter than my 964. Transmission noise was nothing to mention, neither was the LSD noise intrusive. The one interior rattle was more annoying. Exhaust note was sweet under power, not obtrusive at the 1000 rpm idle speed. Ride was softer, steering much lighter. It was not exactly twitchy at speed, but VERY sensitive to the slightest steering input. Bump steer was not as bad as I had read. However, I have never driven a 'standard' 996, so maybe the GT£ is loud & harsch in comparison to one of those.
Power delivery was fantastic. Obviously noticeable compares to 250 HP tiptronic, but not 'outrageous, I could kill myself if I go too silly' power. Brakes didn't 'bite' noticeably more than mine, but I have no doubt that they would resist fade more.
Clutch was much heavier than mine
Overall, it would easily be a daily driver (its trip computer was showing 26 MPG for god's sake!!!), but I need to think long & hard about the safety implications of adding rear seats/seatbelts for the school run.
Oh, and it was Speed Yellow.
Overall, a pretty friendly drive, and I could sense that it would be pretty descent on a track.
Surprisingly, after all the reports of how loud the engine/transmission is, how firm the suspension is etc etc, I was really surprised. It was MUCH quieter than my 964. Transmission noise was nothing to mention, neither was the LSD noise intrusive. The one interior rattle was more annoying. Exhaust note was sweet under power, not obtrusive at the 1000 rpm idle speed. Ride was softer, steering much lighter. It was not exactly twitchy at speed, but VERY sensitive to the slightest steering input. Bump steer was not as bad as I had read. However, I have never driven a 'standard' 996, so maybe the GT£ is loud & harsch in comparison to one of those.
Power delivery was fantastic. Obviously noticeable compares to 250 HP tiptronic, but not 'outrageous, I could kill myself if I go too silly' power. Brakes didn't 'bite' noticeably more than mine, but I have no doubt that they would resist fade more.
Clutch was much heavier than mine
Overall, it would easily be a daily driver (its trip computer was showing 26 MPG for god's sake!!!), but I need to think long & hard about the safety implications of adding rear seats/seatbelts for the school run.
Oh, and it was Speed Yellow.
Overall, a pretty friendly drive, and I could sense that it would be pretty descent on a track.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
What fun John, obviously you must buy it!
Not that it would bother me but if seats are fixed back buckets I think it's illegal to have rear seats.
Speed Yellow is a great colour for any lightweight/RS Porsche! Remember you can always say to people 'I had no choice on colour they are really rare these cars, you choose the car not the colour'
Not that it would bother me but if seats are fixed back buckets I think it's illegal to have rear seats.
Speed Yellow is a great colour for any lightweight/RS Porsche! Remember you can always say to people 'I had no choice on colour they are really rare these cars, you choose the car not the colour'
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: WhippetWorld, .........is it really only this many
IMHo GT3`s ( and 993RS`s) look best in Speed yellow and since they are pretty lairy looking anyway you can`t seriously turn it down on the colour
Was "GT£" a Freudian slip ?
You can argue the relative merits 0f 993/964`s and their RS deriratives but theres clear blue water between their abilities and a GT3. If I could afford one I could justify the cost.
Was "GT£" a Freudian slip ?
You can argue the relative merits 0f 993/964`s and their RS deriratives but theres clear blue water between their abilities and a GT3. If I could afford one I could justify the cost.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,689
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From: Leeds, where I have run into this many lamp
Piers
the rear seat/fixed front seats is a worry. Plenty of room past them for kids to get in/out, BUT you have to allow for the unthinkable I suppose. Jury still out!
Christer
front spoiler didn't seem too bad. Honestly, th eride was Bentley like compared to my C2 (well, not quite, but it was softer)
TOny, the £ and the 3 are on the same key. It was a slip - but very relevant at the same time.
JCT are ringing me today with their no doubt derisory offer for my car. If its not too insulting, I will have the chat about RV and monthly payments, warranty etc and then try to resist.
Bloody nice car though - AND 26 mpg!!!
the rear seat/fixed front seats is a worry. Plenty of room past them for kids to get in/out, BUT you have to allow for the unthinkable I suppose. Jury still out!
Christer
front spoiler didn't seem too bad. Honestly, th eride was Bentley like compared to my C2 (well, not quite, but it was softer)
TOny, the £ and the 3 are on the same key. It was a slip - but very relevant at the same time.
JCT are ringing me today with their no doubt derisory offer for my car. If its not too insulting, I will have the chat about RV and monthly payments, warranty etc and then try to resist.
Bloody nice car though - AND 26 mpg!!!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Originally posted by tonytaylor
You can argue the relative merits 0f 993/964`s and their RS deriratives but theres clear blue water between their abilities and a GT3.
You can argue the relative merits 0f 993/964`s and their RS deriratives but theres clear blue water between their abilities and a GT3.
Obviously I'm biased but according to the Autocars Nordschleife RS test issue there is very little round a track between a 993RS and a MK2 GT3.
I'm sure, in fact I hope, the GT3 is better than 993RS for all round use, but 'clear blue water' is an exageration, 'marginaly better' is closer to the mark. I'm ignoring 964RS as it is really a track car only.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,689
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From: Leeds, where I have run into this many lamp
Piers
no need to get touchy - you own an 993RS and, frankly, they (RSs, GT3s) are all great cars. I think at that level its all down to driver - I know W Rorhl would outlap me if he was in my old volvo!!
PS I am warming to SPeed Yellow - after all, you hardly see any of it while in the car - the view from the wing mirrors is pretty awesome!
no need to get touchy - you own an 993RS and, frankly, they (RSs, GT3s) are all great cars. I think at that level its all down to driver - I know W Rorhl would outlap me if he was in my old volvo!!
PS I am warming to SPeed Yellow - after all, you hardly see any of it while in the car - the view from the wing mirrors is pretty awesome!
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From: Bologna, Italy
John,
The GT3 in many ways is an outrageous car, so why not have in a colour that fits? Makes it stand out a little more than the regular 996.
If you like the car, then go for it! I agree with Pier's in that it's a rare car & the colour shouldn't matter too much! Have you considered going LHD? That would give you more choices regarding the colour.
Andy
The GT3 in many ways is an outrageous car, so why not have in a colour that fits? Makes it stand out a little more than the regular 996.
If you like the car, then go for it! I agree with Pier's in that it's a rare car & the colour shouldn't matter too much! Have you considered going LHD? That would give you more choices regarding the colour.
Andy
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From: Bologna, Italy
John,
I know how you feel! I too thought the same, but ended up buying a LHD car as that was all I could afford at the time. Never looked back though. Annoyingly though, with the amount of cash I've spent on mine in the 2 years I've had it, I could have bought a nice RHD car!! Perhaps that's one reason to buy a GT3 as it should cost you less to run!!
Good luck! I'm sure you won't regret you decision - whenever you make you mind up that is!!
Andy
PS. It's also nice to see that lots a people on this and other boards, seem to upgrade to another Porsche for their next car!! Guess Porsche must have got it right!
I know how you feel! I too thought the same, but ended up buying a LHD car as that was all I could afford at the time. Never looked back though. Annoyingly though, with the amount of cash I've spent on mine in the 2 years I've had it, I could have bought a nice RHD car!! Perhaps that's one reason to buy a GT3 as it should cost you less to run!!
Good luck! I'm sure you won't regret you decision - whenever you make you mind up that is!!
Andy
PS. It's also nice to see that lots a people on this and other boards, seem to upgrade to another Porsche for their next car!! Guess Porsche must have got it right!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 5
From: Leeds, where I have run into this many lamp
Porsche have definitely got it right. Even for a 'stripped out track beast' the GT3 could easily be driven down to Sainsbury's for the weekly shopping. I have a tough decision to make...........
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 1
From: London (England)
John,
I think speed yellow is the second nicest colour for special Porsches after the deep blues they do (like riviera blue).
Maybe you don't like the idea, but you do realise many GT£s (hehe) came with the standard sport seats which would allow access the the rear. I am sure you can buy these either from Southbound, Porsche or maybe even second hand somewhere. I know its not quite the same, but you could consider a setup where you fit the Recaros seats when you're off to the track (takes about 30 mins for an DIY aware person like you) and then keep the normal ones for the other 360 days of the year.
I think speed yellow is the second nicest colour for special Porsches after the deep blues they do (like riviera blue).
Maybe you don't like the idea, but you do realise many GT£s (hehe) came with the standard sport seats which would allow access the the rear. I am sure you can buy these either from Southbound, Porsche or maybe even second hand somewhere. I know its not quite the same, but you could consider a setup where you fit the Recaros seats when you're off to the track (takes about 30 mins for an DIY aware person like you) and then keep the normal ones for the other 360 days of the year.