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Thank you to everyone for their feedback. I drove a 991.1 Turbo S as well as the 911.1 GT3--absolutely love both cars. For what its worth, both cars were agate gray, 2015s, and respectively well loaded. The Turbo S was immediately torquey, had a gorgeous interior, parking sensors, back up camera and better radio...all in all the perfect car to daily drive...but it didn't have that "wow factor." The 991.1 was noisy, stiffer, and made me smile. The PDK in the GT3, for better or worse, nostalgically reminded me a lot of the e46 SMG in a few of its characteristics (literally in neutral when car is stopped, lurches / pounces in stop and go, harder shifts...etc) compared to the more refined PDK in the Turbo that was synonymous to the 981 (I also didn't realize if you pull both paddles in the GT3 then it doesn't drop into neutral?). Again, I don't think the aforementioned are overly concerning to me and I was able to adapt to the driving characteristics of the GT3 during the test drive. The cabin is livable albeit you can hear random motor noises along with the tune of the motor, but I didn't get intrusive drone. I agree with a few of the commentators that the GT3 begs to live in the >5k range and the sound at higher RPMS is addicting. I don't think it would be a problem to listen to music or talk on the bluetooth even at highway speeds. The ride also seemed livable and fortunately roads down here aren't too bad.
Overall, the GT3 was an event to drive and it probably is too much drama for a daily driver--but after thinking about it for the last few weeks and finally driving it, I think I'm becoming more sold on the idea--at least from a romantic point of view. I love the thought of daily driving a GT car, but it feels like a bad idea. I'm going to mull this over a bit more although I'm leaning towards making the move. Decisions, decisions. Thereafter, the challenge will be figuring out how to break the news to my wife...
More feedback is always welcome!
Different strokes for different folks, what is a "DD" for one person will be different to another, also depends on quality of roads, climate, etc etc...
At the end of the day, I consider anyone lucky who is able to have any 911 variant in the garage. You are in the GT3 subforum so of course there will be a bias towards the car, but go with what your gut is telling you! If you think you won't be satisfied unless you have the GT3 in the garage, there is your answer. But if you'll stress over it or feel like you won't get enjoyment out of daily-ing it/would enjoy the Turbo or another 911 better, no shame in that.
The 991 GT3 is a daily driver for me. I've put well over 3k miles since getting her in November, and I don't plan on driving less than 10k miles or so a year.
Sure, there are caveats like a chatty engine at low speeds (<5mph), no cameras or sensors, etc. but the 911 GT3 is able to get decent gas mileage, the front axle lift is extremely quick for those pesky speed humps, has great visibility, is easy to maneuver around town because it isn't insanely wide, performs well in the winter with winter wheels, and so forth.
Being a married guy with no kids means my shopping is limited to minimal groceries, and no need for back seats.
All i can say is that this car can handle north eastern German winter weather just fine. Snow & ice?.. no problem, weight of the motor provides a slow pendulum effect which is easily catchable... nice controllable drifts from the alps all the way back to Leipzig. just pop some M+S tires on it and you're good.
SANDIEGO, what part of town do you live in? I'm in Cardiff and have a .2 arriving on March 28th...
I live in Encinitas literally right next door. I would be happy to show you my car before yours gets here or we can meet after the 28th. All I can say is you will not be disappointed in your new car. Perhaps you can send me a PM.
I drove my 991.1 GT3 nearly daily and put 16416 miles on it in 2.5 years. I currently drive my manual GT3 nearly daily starting last week. 300 miles on it so far. My work is only 7.5 miles from my home.
The GT3 is the few cars that make me wish my commute was longer....
I met this fellow Bill awhile back while I was at Fabspeed. He has a 997.2 GT3RS, and as I was moving the car I looked at the dash and if memory serves me right it had something along the lines of 113k miles on it. He daily drives the car, the only exception being snow, and says it's the best car he has every owned. He has even driven the car across the country PA to CA and back a couple times. I would suggest getting the GT3 and not thinking twice about it, especially as the 991 is several times more comfortable and easygoing on the street than a 997 haha. Bill is a badass...be like Bill haha.
03-16-2018, 11:10 PM
