Updated. post #62. Car sold and i'm looking for a GT3 now.

I know this topic has been brought up a few times but I was just wanting to here some more opinions since the 991.2 has been out for some time now. I've had my 458 over 3 year now and feel its time to try something new perhaps. The problem is that everything is going turbo and awd, and I feel like a NA high rpm motor is still the ticket to happiness. I've had a modded GTR and have driven a huracan on track and awd understeer kills it for me, the lag on the GTR is also something I didn't enjoy. The 458 has been a great car, very responsive and edgy, but there are some things that are wearing on me a bit now:


1) it gets a ton of unwanted attention. I kind of knew this going in but it gets excessive. to the point where I don't like taking it out and parking it on the street. Its an A to A car.

2) I lowered mine with novitec springs and spacers so it doesn't look like a 4x4, it does look great now but I'm limited on which backroads I can push the car down since it wants to scrape everywhere. I definitely can't take it to new unknown roads, I think the GT3 might have a bit more clearance and i'll be sure to find one with the lifter option this time. The GT3s all come with a great stance from factory with minimal wheel gap.

3) its a 10 year old Ferrari. When/if something does let go its going to be an arm and a leg to replace. The GT3 is pretty solid and brand new

4) no Ferrari dealer near me.. I have to do the takata airbag recall but the nearest dealer is 6 hours away. I have mine serviced at an indy shop 2 hours from me.

5) no manual.


Reasons why I'm hesitating on the GT3:

- basically one reason. From a lot of what I've read the GT3 is more at home on the track than the street, where the Ferrari is the opposite. I don't have any tracks near me. But I do have a lot of nice back roads where I can put the car in CT off and slide it a bit and have a little counter steer. The 458 is very playful and easy to catch.. not sure how a rear engine 911 would be or if I even want to push it to that point to find out.


Here are the current two in my stable. 2010 458 and a 2015 M3 6MT I just picked up.

 

Tough choince....having owned a 458 for 5 years it is a great car....ton of fun...that being said I would make the move because you can always go back.....ton of 458's out there.....you wouldn't get killed on driving the GT3 for a year or two and then head back to a Ferrari if you wanted.....reading through your OP my guess is you won't....

 

My GT3 drives just fine on the street...like you said newer car, worry free with warranty. Still gets looks too.

 

I haven't yet driven my GT3 on track (first track day coming up in September) but it's great on the street. It has just enough clearance that getting aggressive on most backroads is still possible, but definitely get FAL if you need to navigate in the city. 9k redline and 6MT are an amazing combination, puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

 

Rear-engine 911 is easier to slide around than a mid-engine car - it slides very progressively (mid-engine cars are more twitchy at the limit). If you never track it, you may find the Cup tires are not the best for this purpose though (limits are very high when warm and dry, so you have to go quite fast to make it playful). The GT3 will let you play a bit without having to turn off ESC and TC though which is how I'd recommend you drive it.

 

IMO the GT3 is a lot less exciting and less of an occasion to drive than a 458. I own a GT3M now and had a 458 for 3 years (488) now. If nothing else the sound. It will be more expensive to fix if it breaks. If the sports seat are comfortable to you I would get and RS.

 

great point. However the 2010 458 may be taking less depreciation now than a 2018 GT3 , but its not a huge amount either way. with the GT3 at least I don't have to worry about something breaking and costing a small fortune to repair.

 

What? you get excessive attention with a black Ferrari.

 

I have the carbon buckets in the 458 and they are fine for me. I plan on getting them in the GT3. I do love the RS, they look spectacular especially a .1 in ultraviolet. But given the choice of a GT3 in manual vs a GT3RS in dct... i'd take the manual option

 

Agreed. having a german built car with a warranty would give me a lot more piece of mind.

good to know. I've only had experience with 1 Porsche and it was a 991.1 gt3 in vegas on a track. I need to go again, I was too nervous learning the track rather than enjoying the car. The car was very planted though and didn't do anything unexpected at pace.

lol yeah I guess I under estimated how bad it would be. luckily I didn't get yellow or red

 

And to reiterate carcommander....although I said to make the switch the GT3 will be much less exciting than the Ferrari.....their is nothing like a mid engine NA V8 right behind you....

 

Yep, time to jump before the Ferrari heavy maintenance costs hit.

You need a Touring

 

I own both a 991.2GT3 PDK and 458 Italia..My GT3 is for sale at my OPC as i have a .2 GT3 RS WP arriving in September..I'm lucky as i have a perfect spec(for me) 458 with all the Carbon inside and outside in my favourite colour which is GS and Nero roof..I will never sell my 458 due to its perfect spec as its much more special then any GT3 to own and drive..The GT3 needs a track to shine and is frustrating to drive on public roads but the 458 is special at all speeds and all types of roads.

 

I just took my .2 GT3 Manual on a 530 mile round trip and I am one of the few that complain about harsh ride in sports cars. However the .2 GT3 is soft and is sprung to be driven on roads and on the track. It rides better than my previous 991.2 C2S with sport suspension.

That being said its going to be hard to beat your current combo with a 458 + m3 Manual. If you only had one car I would say a GT3 would fit you super well. However in this situation I would keep the 458 and the m3 manual, what a superb combo..

 

I will keep Ferrari.
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