GT3 does not equal DD
02-04-2015, 10:35 PM
#46
I have a Cayman GTS and am probably going to "trade up" to the just announced GT4. Although this isn't a 911, the reality is the questions I have are best answered by GT3 owners, hence why I'm posting here. I will have to DD the GT4 for probably 6 to 7 years. Not much (I mostly rely on mass transit and remote work), but when the need arises it is the car I own. Afterwards it should be relegated to strictly a toy that I keep until I'm dead.
With that out of the way...
1. For those without a front-axle lift, how has that experience been?
My Cayman GTS (with the Sport Suspension) is 10mm higher than the GT4. The GT4 seems on par with 997 and 991 GT3s in terms of ground clearance. I've not had any issues scraping the front of the GTS, though I do hear the spoilers in front of the front wheels barely scrape as they deflect a wee bit. I realize that 10mm is going to matter in these scenarios and will have to adjust my habits accordingly. As a result, how has it been, both typically, and in your worst case? Are we looking at exhaust scraping, and constant destruction of brake cooling ducts? Will keeping thick, heavy duty rubber mats in the frunk "just in case" be as prudent a move as I expect it to be?
I hear that the OEM front splitters are cheap from Porsche (~100-$150), and that aftermarket splitters can be both more durable and cheaper. I'm considering them to be a "wear part" and expect to replace it often enough (probably annually). Does this reconcile with your experience?
2. Suspension wear. What have you been changing, at what intervals, and what costs?
There's a lot more metal on metal, and bits are going to be pricier. I'm aware of this, so my maintenance budget needs to increase accordingly. I'm fine with this, as long-term maintenance of the 3.8L in the GT4 shouldn't be anything exceptional (should be in-line with the Carrera S). Yet, what can I expect (specifics would be much appreciated)? Big thanks in advance for the responses.
3. For those that DD, how has comfort been?
This is my least concern. My Cayman GTS with the Sport Suspension is far and away the most comfortable car I've owned. I have no issues with it. Many years ago I owned and daily drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR when it wasn't at the track. It is probably without question the least comfortable car I've owned, but I never had an issue with it. I thought it was just fine.
I realize there's a lot more metal-on-metal in the GT3 and GT4. Porsche's suspension tuning also tends to be some of the best. Am I horribly wrong and will my world end, or will I be fine as I think I will? I'm still very much on the young side, and I don't expect the carbon fiber buckets to be a problem either.
Again, big thanks in advance for all the replies. It's very much appreciated as I'm probably getting my deposit in this weekend.
With that out of the way...
1. For those without a front-axle lift, how has that experience been?
My Cayman GTS (with the Sport Suspension) is 10mm higher than the GT4. The GT4 seems on par with 997 and 991 GT3s in terms of ground clearance. I've not had any issues scraping the front of the GTS, though I do hear the spoilers in front of the front wheels barely scrape as they deflect a wee bit. I realize that 10mm is going to matter in these scenarios and will have to adjust my habits accordingly. As a result, how has it been, both typically, and in your worst case? Are we looking at exhaust scraping, and constant destruction of brake cooling ducts? Will keeping thick, heavy duty rubber mats in the frunk "just in case" be as prudent a move as I expect it to be?
I hear that the OEM front splitters are cheap from Porsche (~100-$150), and that aftermarket splitters can be both more durable and cheaper. I'm considering them to be a "wear part" and expect to replace it often enough (probably annually). Does this reconcile with your experience?
2. Suspension wear. What have you been changing, at what intervals, and what costs?
There's a lot more metal on metal, and bits are going to be pricier. I'm aware of this, so my maintenance budget needs to increase accordingly. I'm fine with this, as long-term maintenance of the 3.8L in the GT4 shouldn't be anything exceptional (should be in-line with the Carrera S). Yet, what can I expect (specifics would be much appreciated)? Big thanks in advance for the responses.
3. For those that DD, how has comfort been?
This is my least concern. My Cayman GTS with the Sport Suspension is far and away the most comfortable car I've owned. I have no issues with it. Many years ago I owned and daily drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR when it wasn't at the track. It is probably without question the least comfortable car I've owned, but I never had an issue with it. I thought it was just fine.
I realize there's a lot more metal-on-metal in the GT3 and GT4. Porsche's suspension tuning also tends to be some of the best. Am I horribly wrong and will my world end, or will I be fine as I think I will? I'm still very much on the young side, and I don't expect the carbon fiber buckets to be a problem either.
Again, big thanks in advance for all the replies. It's very much appreciated as I'm probably getting my deposit in this weekend.
02-04-2015, 10:40 PM
#47
02-04-2015, 10:49 PM
#48
I could easily manage my 997.1 GT3 as a DD, and although I haven't yet taken delivery of my 991 GT3, I cannot imagine why it would not be at least as good.
NO car is fun to drive stop-and-go, so that's irrelevant to the 991 GT3.
NO car is fun to drive stop-and-go, so that's irrelevant to the 991 GT3.
02-04-2015, 10:49 PM
#49
02-04-2015, 11:00 PM
#50
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I thoroughly enjoy this car.
And enjoy every single moment I am in it. Be it carving up twisties, exceeding the speed limit on a back country straighaway, or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic stuck behind some cement truck.
It's all good. Just being in this car makes me feel a little bit more special.
I simply cannot imagine owning this car and driving something else, knowing that this -- this GT3 of all things -- is sitting in the garage. Idle.
But, again, that's just me. YMMV.
And enjoy every single moment I am in it. Be it carving up twisties, exceeding the speed limit on a back country straighaway, or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic stuck behind some cement truck.
It's all good. Just being in this car makes me feel a little bit more special.
I simply cannot imagine owning this car and driving something else, knowing that this -- this GT3 of all things -- is sitting in the garage. Idle.
But, again, that's just me. YMMV.
02-04-2015, 11:52 PM
#51
Ref 2. Nothing changed and I would expect that any 991 GT3 owners will be in the same bucket. If you're asking about prior generations, just keep in mind that the suspension will be very different...
Ref 3. Comfort is great. Much superior to my 997. It's firm but not harsh and in fact, it soaks-up bumps smoother than my 5er. It feels more progressive on impact and more controlled on rebound and it rarely bottoms out.
Moreover, the car is such a delight to drive. For me, this is a significant part of 'comfort'. Call it mental comfort if you will...
02-05-2015, 02:11 AM
#52
Nordschleife Master
I thoroughly enjoy this car.
And enjoy every single moment I am in it. Be it carving up twisties, exceeding the speed limit on a back country straighaway, or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic stuck behind some cement truck.
It's all good. Just being in this car makes me feel a little bit more special.
I simply cannot imagine owning this car and driving something else, knowing that this -- this GT3 of all things -- is sitting in the garage. Idle.
But, again, that's just me. YMMV.
And enjoy every single moment I am in it. Be it carving up twisties, exceeding the speed limit on a back country straighaway, or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic stuck behind some cement truck.
It's all good. Just being in this car makes me feel a little bit more special.
I simply cannot imagine owning this car and driving something else, knowing that this -- this GT3 of all things -- is sitting in the garage. Idle.
But, again, that's just me. YMMV.
02-05-2015, 12:48 PM
#55
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
People will disagree about this, but for me, even sitting in traffic is enjoyable in this car. At least vis-a-vis the alternative, such as driving another car like a Toyota Camry or something, or even something a bit more engaging like an M4 or a 981.
Carpe Diem, I say. But, again, that's just me.
No right or wrong about this.
02-05-2015, 01:11 PM
#56
Three Wheelin'
I have a Cayman GTS and am probably going to "trade up" to the just announced GT4. Although this isn't a 911, the reality is the questions I have are best answered by GT3 owners, hence why I'm posting here. I will have to DD the GT4 for probably 6 to 7 years. Not much (I mostly rely on mass transit and remote work), but when the need arises it is the car I own. Afterwards it should be relegated to strictly a toy that I keep until I'm dead.
With that out of the way...
1. For those without a front-axle lift, how has that experience been?
My Cayman GTS (with the Sport Suspension) is 10mm higher than the GT4. The GT4 seems on par with 997 and 991 GT3s in terms of ground clearance. I've not had any issues scraping the front of the GTS, though I do hear the spoilers in front of the front wheels barely scrape as they deflect a wee bit. I realize that 10mm is going to matter in these scenarios and will have to adjust my habits accordingly. As a result, how has it been, both typically, and in your worst case? Are we looking at exhaust scraping, and constant destruction of brake cooling ducts? Will keeping thick, heavy duty rubber mats in the frunk "just in case" be as prudent a move as I expect it to be?
I hear that the OEM front splitters are cheap from Porsche (~100-$150), and that aftermarket splitters can be both more durable and cheaper. I'm considering them to be a "wear part" and expect to replace it often enough (probably annually). Does this reconcile with your experience?
2. Suspension wear. What have you been changing, at what intervals, and what costs?
There's a lot more metal on metal, and bits are going to be pricier. I'm aware of this, so my maintenance budget needs to increase accordingly. I'm fine with this, as long-term maintenance of the 3.8L in the GT4 shouldn't be anything exceptional (should be in-line with the Carrera S). Yet, what can I expect (specifics would be much appreciated)? Big thanks in advance for the responses.
3. For those that DD, how has comfort been?
This is my least concern. My Cayman GTS with the Sport Suspension is far and away the most comfortable car I've owned. I have no issues with it. Many years ago I owned and daily drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR when it wasn't at the track. It is probably without question the least comfortable car I've owned, but I never had an issue with it. I thought it was just fine.
I realize there's a lot more metal-on-metal in the GT3 and GT4. Porsche's suspension tuning also tends to be some of the best. Am I horribly wrong and will my world end, or will I be fine as I think I will? I'm still very much on the young side, and I don't expect the carbon fiber buckets to be a problem either.
Again, big thanks in advance for all the replies. It's very much appreciated as I'm probably getting my deposit in this weekend.
With that out of the way...
1. For those without a front-axle lift, how has that experience been?
My Cayman GTS (with the Sport Suspension) is 10mm higher than the GT4. The GT4 seems on par with 997 and 991 GT3s in terms of ground clearance. I've not had any issues scraping the front of the GTS, though I do hear the spoilers in front of the front wheels barely scrape as they deflect a wee bit. I realize that 10mm is going to matter in these scenarios and will have to adjust my habits accordingly. As a result, how has it been, both typically, and in your worst case? Are we looking at exhaust scraping, and constant destruction of brake cooling ducts? Will keeping thick, heavy duty rubber mats in the frunk "just in case" be as prudent a move as I expect it to be?
I hear that the OEM front splitters are cheap from Porsche (~100-$150), and that aftermarket splitters can be both more durable and cheaper. I'm considering them to be a "wear part" and expect to replace it often enough (probably annually). Does this reconcile with your experience?
2. Suspension wear. What have you been changing, at what intervals, and what costs?
There's a lot more metal on metal, and bits are going to be pricier. I'm aware of this, so my maintenance budget needs to increase accordingly. I'm fine with this, as long-term maintenance of the 3.8L in the GT4 shouldn't be anything exceptional (should be in-line with the Carrera S). Yet, what can I expect (specifics would be much appreciated)? Big thanks in advance for the responses.
3. For those that DD, how has comfort been?
This is my least concern. My Cayman GTS with the Sport Suspension is far and away the most comfortable car I've owned. I have no issues with it. Many years ago I owned and daily drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR when it wasn't at the track. It is probably without question the least comfortable car I've owned, but I never had an issue with it. I thought it was just fine.
I realize there's a lot more metal-on-metal in the GT3 and GT4. Porsche's suspension tuning also tends to be some of the best. Am I horribly wrong and will my world end, or will I be fine as I think I will? I'm still very much on the young side, and I don't expect the carbon fiber buckets to be a problem either.
Again, big thanks in advance for all the replies. It's very much appreciated as I'm probably getting my deposit in this weekend.
Anyone replacing suspension on a 2014 or 2015 GT3 is probably doing it because their tracking. And, I don't think there are many options due to the car being unavailable for so long during the stop sale. I'll probably never mess with the set up with the possible exception of Camber.
It's a fine daily driver, more comfortable than what I've been used to except it has no sound deadening in the wheel wells so expect to hear the pebbles and rocks clanging against the metal. That's easily resolved if it bothers you and you don't mind adding weight. I'll leave it as is. I'm going to add on the Sharkwerks exhaust next year that will make everything louder anyways so noise isn't really an issue. The GT4 will likely be the same.
Welcome and good luck.
Dan (finds your avatar amusing)
02-05-2015, 02:29 PM
#58
02-05-2015, 03:17 PM
#59
Three Wheelin'
I daily drive mine in downtown Seattle. I don't travel far which is a detriment to the car. For me it is s blend of my 09 c4s with pdk and my 07 gt3. Terrible gridlock yesterday. Stop n go on a hill.
Drive 90% manual
5% PdK sport on and off ramps on fwys
Rest pdk auto cruising on fwys or gridlock traffic.
That's just me.
Drive 90% manual
5% PdK sport on and off ramps on fwys
Rest pdk auto cruising on fwys or gridlock traffic.
That's just me.
