Kevin in Scottsdale

Strange question, but it's a thing for me. Looking at purchasing this car but I have not driven one. I've had cars in the past that have soul and some that don't. My first car that had soul was a 1972 Fiat Spider. It vibrated, gauges were jumpy, raspy exhaust, smelled like burning oil and cracked leather (actually did not break down that much haha), but man did it have soul. You just felt alive in that car. It communicated and you felt like you were apart of it. I had an '87 Carrera - that car had soul. I had a BMW M4, that thing was a rocket and made you feel alive driving it to the limits. I currently have a 2015 GTS. Drive it like it's meant to be, a few autocrosses, couple of track days. However, not much soul for me. I don't know what it is, it just feels . . . ok. In case someone chimes in about PDK v. Manual, the GTS is PDK but my M4 was dual clutch also. What I really liked about the M4 was instant torque and power. The wind up of rpm's in the GTS sounds great, but you're traveling pretty fast to get there. Am I spoiled with the rush of instant torque in a dual turbo M4? Not sure. It's also not about speed, I also have a Range Rover Sport with the supercharged V8 - that boat definitely has soul - just makes you smile and sounds like a muscle car.

The point of this post is that the GT3 is a big step up financially. Is it really that good? That much better than a GTS? Does it just make you grin ear to ear when you drive it? Does it have soul or do we just say it does because there is a little group think here and we want to have affirmation of our purchase?

Thanks for comments.

robmypro

Jpacione

djcxxx

Drifting

disden

GT cars have soul, but can only be appreciated at speeds which are highly illegal and dangerous on public roads. Drive them on the track and they are pure magic and soul stirring; around town, meh...not so much, no different then any other NA Porsche, except more uncomfortable!

Dr. Z

Dr. Z

Chris88

Absolutely. Like you, I don't think a car needs to be fast to have soul. My first car was a '73 VW Fastback and it had soul in it's simplicity.

Here's a few reasons the GT3 has soul for me:

- the way the engine changes it's sound as it climbs thru the incredible rev range
- how perfectly the clutch/throttle/shifter work together. I've never driven one, but I'm sure the PDK has it's own soul.
- how the steering perfectly communicates very move
- how I know exactly where every tire patch is on the road
- the way the back end steps out with a bit too much throttle
- how you can catch the rear end when it steps out
- the way the engine sound like an air cooled 911 more than any other water cooled 911 I've driven
- the way I always look forward to getting behind the wheel of the car

I'm sure many can ad to this list...

wishman44

I had a '15 GTS as well. Just sold that and I've been in a '18 GT3 for about a month. Also have a '17 M3 so probably can give you a good comparison.

The GTS is a great all around car. The main issue I had is I think yours as well. Just not any low end grunt and engine didn't really rev very easily (compared to my 997.2 GTS which had less power but seemed like a more free rev'ing car). Once you get the 991.1 GTS above 4K it's wonderful. It was a great track car, and if you are doing some spirited driving where you are keeping it higher in the revs, it will be a fantastic drive. But more of a bore around town, and I enjoyed driving the M3 around town more than the GTS. While the GT3 isn't as practical as a daily driver as an M3 or GTS (firmer ride, less visibility, no back seats, etc), it really is leaps ahead of both the M3 the GTS. The GT3 Engine is amazing the way it revs. I think its a great drive around town as you have plenty of power down low, but then once you rev it up, it becomes and intoxicating experience. Steering and chassis is also significantly better in the GT3.

Go to exotics racing in Vegas or PECLA and drive the GT3. I think in 15 minutes of a spirited drive (even with their short tracks), you'll make the same decision I did to upgrade the GTS to a GT3.

disden

Cars don't need to be fast to have soul, I have owned several and currently have a few I enjoy that put a smile on my face at slow speeds, but I can say personally for me what makes an RS or GT3 shine is how the engine wails...how that car grips on tight turns at speeds...the raw noises and sensations its transmits through the steering, through to seat of my pants... none of this can be achieved legally or safely around town. The magic happens at higher speeds when the rpms are over 6k. GT cars are absolutely soul stirring, everyone should have one if they love cars.

bigskyGT3

Datsun 240Z had soul. I was 17 though walking around with a permanent woody, so a bowl of Lucky Charms had soul...

Nissan 4x4 pickup truck (4 cylinder) had soul. It got me through college and many years of slog/training, etc. Many stories in that truck.

Porsche 993 had soul. That was a great car to just drive around in at regular speeds.

991.2 GT3 has soul. Very intense car, probably the best/most capable car I'll ever own. I would agree that I may not fully realize the full extent of this thing until I take it to a track.

-eztrader-

If you think an m3/m4 has soul - the GT3 will blow you away.

Since 2010 I've had several GT cars. When the new M3 came out with the turbo, I tried to "be smart" and bought it for a daily driver.

It lasted 2.5 weeks. Coming from just about any GT car - M3 feels heavy, sounds terrible, has turbo lag, never gets emotions running. Instantly got rid of it, and daily drove a 16 GT3 instead. The last good M car was E46 M3 in my opinion.

I would recommend a 997.2 GT3 for you. Plenty of performance, best drivetrain ever made, and tons of soul.

Kevin in Scottsdale

Great response with my comparison cars too! Is your GT3 manual or PDK? Is the low end torque comparable to the power delivered by the M3? I definitely will find an opportunity to drive one before I make the final commitment. Thanks for the comments. Very helpful.

-eztrader-

Low end torque is not the the GT3 strong point. If that is a 'must have' perhaps this isn't a good match