TRAKCAR

997.1GT3 997.1RS drives the same virtually, minimal difference, just more tire and aero.
997.2 GT3 is a step up in dynamics and HP and the dynamic engine mounts, very similar with the 997.2 GT3RS, minimal difference just more tire, aero and LWFW.

997.2 GT3RS VS 4.0. Lighter CF hood and front fenders (Couldn't feel back to back with 3.8RS), theoretical different suspension but the 3.8RS actually handled better at Sebring with minimal upgrades that come on the 4.0 (Fixed, pucks, diff and stuff).
But the 4.0 motor was worth the $50K upgrade at the time, more torque, much more linear powerband and willing to rev. no hiccup like the 3.8RS. This was the only improvement to the 4.0 in my eyes.
The 4.0 motor pulls very similar to the current 9914.0, almost as good as the new one.

Jrtaylor9

^^^3.8rs had shorter gearing than 3.8-Gt3. Small bump in hp. But gearing and lwfw seemed more noticeable than hp bump.

GrantG

Here is one guy's opinion about the GT3 range (including owning a 997 RS4.0) and what he decided to do:

Nizer

No. 997 wins on steering feel, lack of back up camera, and for me shifter. 991 wins on virtually every other metric. Faster, easier to drive, and more comfortable on both street and track. No question 997.2 RS 4.0 is a great car and the pinnacle of its generation but the 991.2 has moved the game on significantly. As for pricing on the 997 RS 4.0, put it down to scarcity, nostalgia, and the "it" factor.

RSSmike

cobrien

I wouldn't have done exactly what he did, but I agree 100% with the premise. Good power, reduce weight, 3 pedals, no ABS, no TC, no SC. Keep it simple and raw and go drive.

Mr. Adair

Exactly right and well done on your decision to get in on the 4.0 early! I didn't even know what a 4.0 was when it came out! I could probably find a way to stretch and leverage to buy one but I always come back to what kind of stress kitten I would be dealing with the mileage and rarity of the car. Hell, I already have that in my PTS 3.8! You did it right my friend, you got both of the grail cars. Well done. Do your daughters know what's sitting in the garage?

Mr. Adair

Thanks for posting this video. Wow, talk about a great guy and car! That's how you do it...

Mr. Adair

Get it done now while the market is still a little soft!

mooty

if just one, 997 4.0
otherwise, you need 996 997 and 991 RS

usctrojanGT3

What about a CGT?

C.J. Ichiban

You have to put the CGT in a different category -
It's the best and most exciting Porsche ever. But they made a lot (over 1200) and are easy to find. Just expensive. 150% or more the cost of a 997 4.0RS. Lots of good low miles (under 10,000) examples. Consumable / Service super expensive compared to a 991/911 but won't brick itself, it's simple concept technology (CF Monocoque, manual, pccb, mid engine, hydraulic steering) but executed as a blend of art and science (pedals, interior waterfall, open the engine bay, look at inside of trans, etc)

The 997.2 RS is / will be the last 'amazing' RS out of the box with a simpler and lighter platform and the 'original concept' (964-GT1 lineage) engine. That being said - making 450-500hp out of the 3.8RS / 4.0RS is expensive- very complicated stuff from the 997.2 RSR engine parts to make more mid range torque (997 4.0 has more torque vs 991.1RS)

The 9A1 derived engine has had a lot more teething issues but is a newer development, with more upside. More HP now, more in future. More revs also. How high will it go before hybrid boost? 520? 540? 580? In about 5 years we will really know what Porsche can do in an RS engine.

The 997 4.0 is lighter, has more torque, has the hydraulic steering, no active rear steering, and has some really exotic claims (rsr crank, intake, CF fenders, trunk etc) that eventually got baked into the 2016-2019 RS's years later. In regards to water cooled 911's- the 997 4.0 is the top car. AND- it demands more of the driver: heavy pedals and my favorite gearbox. It has weird tire sizes that will be hard to source in the future and compared to now- the nav, nose lift, etc are all antiquated. But it's the last analog car they made.

They (GT3RS's) all sound amazing. Some just have more shrill or bass. A matter of taste. The new 991.2 GT3RS is the most capable RS, with the most carbon fiber, most HP, most dynamic ability, most aero, most grip, most revs, but the equivalent car to the 997 4.0 in today's terms would have to be closer to the RSR...which is to say mid engined, crazy diffuser, etc.

The link from the 997RSR to the 997 4.0 was to me pretty direct. It was a homologation requirement to run the 4L in LM24 to make the required number of cars. Roughly 150 came to north america, and a few of us have touched more than 10 of them. Very rare compared to the 918 even (~320 came to north america) or CGT (~500). Or 991.1+991.2RS's (2500+)

Best post-356 porsches to own/drive/ collect in no order- we're all winners in this category. I know my pics if possible...

CGT
'67 911R
993GT2
964 RS 3.8
964 RS 3.6
997 4L
997 3.8
997 3.6
996RS
993RS
73RS
2.8 RSR
3.0RSR
918
GT2RS
911R
Turbo S exclusive
993 turbo S
964 3.6 turbo s funky nose/lightweight/etc
991.2GT3RS
997 GT2/RS
Boxster Spyder
Speedster (pick one)

Mr. Adair

That my friends was a free education and required reading. I think it should be a sticky so we can send newcomers straight to it.

Thank Cj-

Steven_H

CJ - you missed one of the homologation / RS's - the 84 SCRS.

cajerseyboy

Out of all the cars CJ listed the 997.2 3.8L is the one that's high on the list and that I could $$ get into.