ForeverCar

I’d like to share my perspective with the community and hope some of you will find this helpful. If I’m not like you or my point of view is not to your liking, I’d appreciate your understanding. I think diverse perspectives are great.

Background: I own both cars and plan on putting as many miles as I can on both and keeping them “forever”. The R has LWFW, LWB, A/C & radio delete, extended tank. Full tank of gas, the R weighs 3147 lbs. The GT3T has 18-way, extended tank, more leather, FAL. Both have PCCB. I’ll weigh the GT3T next time it goes in for an oil change and will update. I’ve driven ~2600 miles on the R and ~5500 miles on the GT3T. My track days are over and driving enjoyment on weekend mornings is my priority.

GT3T: The engine is the highlight! The 9,000 rpm rush is fantastic and it’s strange to say “I don’t wish for more revs”. With the options, it can be my only car. To me, the GT3T is the perfect car. Of course, options can make a difference and I specified the GT3T this way as I think it fits best.

R: I do wish for a little more revs. However, everything else is a bit more special and the lower max rev is soon forgotten. I hear the LWFW and the transmission. I feel the engine vibration and road more. The steering and throttle feels sharper. The green lit gauges and the 9_1_1_R adds to the specialness. The option package is a bit on the extreme side but I think it suits the R. Being in the PNW, no A/C is not a concern for my use (my fun drives are usually done by 7am). I also like the less angular front end more. To me, the R is the perfect special car. I’d need different options for it to be my only car.

Overall, super fortunate to have both. If I have to pick one, it’d depend on the day. On my more rational days, I’d pick the GT3T. On my more emotional days, it’s the R. For now, I’ll enjoy them for what they offer! If I can’t enjoy either, it’s not the car (something else is “wrong”).

Porsche911GTS'16

That's awesome. Congrats to you for having one of each. It sounds like they are different enough to merit keeping both for the long term. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on the differences between the two going forward.

bluehorseshoe

Excellent write up, thanks for sharing. As another lucky owner of both, I agree with everything you’ve shared. When I get into my Touring, I can’t believe how comfortable and quiet it seems relative to my R (both have buckets). Recently did a full day and a few hundred miles in the R. It was getting a bit tiring toward the end of my journey due to noise and traffic. I have full Akra exhaust and Numeric short shifter which don’t exactly help matters, although both add to the character of the R. On longer trips you appreciate how well insulated the Touring is versus the R. Never really get tired of driving my Touring.

Touring feels more smooth and planted, and the R more squirrelly.

I would add the no-lift shift on the .2 GT3 is truly an exceptional feature.

Based on my experience, I’d say the Touring is the better all-around sports car, but the R is my driver’s car of choice.

Perimeter

The 911R has a louder cockpit, did I hear that correctly?

I couldn't imagine any interior would be louder that the Touring but I have no 911R baseline...

tstafford

Question: What about low end torque? Guessing (I had a .1RS and now .2GT3) that the GT3T is a little easier to drive on the street because of the torque curve. Yes/no?

Also: Congrats. Two of my all time favorites. The GT3T seems like an almost perfect street car. I say almost because it has a water pump .

Porsch

Thanks for the write-up, OP. These GT3 Touring/911R comparison threads just make me want a Touring even more! Enjoy your cars!

bluehorseshoe

Yes, sir. It's all very strange. I had a winged 991.2 GT3 and felt it was very quiet in the cabin, especially after driving in a friend's 2018 GT3 Touring. I found the Touring to be very loud, bordering obnoxious. We even busted out dB meter to prove it was louder. Interestingly enough, after a good amount of time in both cars, they measure roughly the same on the meter. We concluded that there was a great difference in tone but not decibels. And the Touring has a drone about it that didn't exist in my winged GT3.

Fast forward about a year. I get my 2019 Touring and I find it to be exactly the same as my winged GT3 when it comes to noise level in the cockpit. I can easily carry on conversations with either passengers or on the phone at just about any reasonable speed. And zero drone. After these experiences and talking to other owners who feel like you about Touring noise levels, it's my conclusion that Porsche hasn't been consistent applying insulation. (If you're around NY, lets drive them back to back for the hell of it.)

The R has far less sound deadening than my Touring. Also, the clatter from the SMFW is another layer of noise that doesn't exist in the Touring.

sechsgang

Ive never thought I more low end would make my 911r drive any easier relatively speaking, but the .2 GT3 motor is a honey.

bluehorseshoe

^^^For me, the more responsive throttle in the R just about makes up for the lower torque around town.

Berjar

Which front bumper design do you prefer?

cscrogham

Can I get an amen.

uniqueMR

Excellent...

sechsgang

Definitely revs up quicker down there without a doubt.

fxz

Guys just put a Titanium exhaust and less restrictive catalazyers on the Touring and voilà , you have an R revving till 9k rpms

jamesinger

In for PICS!!