Drew22

I've been saving up for a weekend car for quite a while. Looking for something NA, light, high-revving, manual, and preferably mid or rear engined.


I set my sights on the 991.2 GT3 as it seemed to tick all the boxes... I really wanted a Ferrari, but the gated F430s were far more expensive than the GT3 while being older and less reliable. Seemed like an easy decision. Then I found out there is an F430 manual swap for ~15K. That puts it at ~120K (F430 with swap) vs 150K for the GT3.


I drove the F430 F1 and loved the car but hated the transmission. Never driven a 991.2 GT3. Those who have driven both - what would you choose as a weekend car (no track)?

catdog2

The F430 manual is amazing... look up videos by Harry Metcalfe (Harry's garage) and Marchettino etc...

You have to be committed to also budget more funds to repair replace a bunch of things on a 12-15 year old F430, including engine/transmission mounts and bushings/rubber on the rollbars/suspension arms/shocks, and possible headers which can crack...

I haven't driven manual GT3 but nothing compares to the engine / transmission / gated shifter on the F430; it may be slower and less efficient than a modern GT3/Touring etc. but the sensory feedback and exciting throttle response and light weight flywheel coupled with super rev-happy flat-plane crank not to mention the crazy engine scream is unbeatable...

Realize that conversion of F1 to manual costs 20-$30k when you factor labor and also waiting time (European Auto Group / San Antonio being leader).

If you have the funds and are comfortable with the above vs. turnkey GT3 with active warranty then the rewards are on another level, and I own both an RS and manual F430... provided you value experience and sensory feedback and involvement over raw numbers. If not then go with GT3

Finally, you can blend in much easier with a GT3 even with its wing in traffic and in town vs. a Ferrari, even a 15 year-old one.. that can be a positive but also a HUGE negative if you just want to enjoy your car and not be part of the scene and have to answer everyone's question at gas station etc. and if you mind getting recorded by every other cell phone...

tqevo

F430 gated no question if you're just taking it out for weekend drives

parkerfe

As the owner of 6 Ferrari's over the last three decades, go with the GT3. While a Ferrari does provide more of an "event" to drive, the GT3 is a far superior car.

carcommander

GT3 unless you have a great independent. I have a owned bunch of Ferrari’s currently a 488. The only thing more expensive than a Ferrari out of warranty is a divorce.

catdog2

It depends on how you define superior...
GT3 may be a better one car solution but not as much exciting and fun as an event and in many ways, isn't that what you look for in a weekend car? A manual F430 strikes good balance with reliability, cost of ownership etc.

maspirito

The 430 feels inferior compared to the GT3 chassis. Maybe more raw etc but not near the solid substantial feeling of the GT3.

Maverick787

GT3 can be a DD, and only car and Ferrari is 2nd or 3rd so which do you fit as I would look at it? All’s be ok with dropping 10k on something and that wouldn’t happen with a GT3.

Drew22

Thanks for the responses. You guys are going to think I'm crazy. My closest F-car dealer or independent is ~9 hours away. Porsche dealer is 3 hours away.

That said, I am fairly mechanically inclined, and after doing my research I'm pretty confident "most" of the common problems can be fixed DIY. Just not sure I want the headache if I can get a similar level of fun out of the GT3.

tstafford

My Ferrari ownership experiences were much more “involved” than any of the GT3’s I’ve owned. The cars require a lot of work and the 430 is no exception. If you’re up for that, then great. It’s sort of unreasonable to compare a 15 year old Ferrari to a nearly new Porsche. I couldn’t own another Ferrari but I’m glad I did so in the past.

Jrtaylor9

^^^I agree. You gotta at LEAST get it out of your system. They are fun machines. I don’t own any anymore, but w/out owning at least 1-2, how are you going to really know? I don’t think you can develop an opinion based on RL feedback; because we all have different things we like/dislike. Go ask f-chat and they will tell you to own a 430. As RL and, well, you know the answer. For me, if I had to choose between those two, yeah, 997. But, again, I’m glad I’ve experienced both.


edit: my god, I realize I am answering a 430 vs 991 thread!!! As others have said, comparing a 15year old car to a fairly current one is just purely apples-and-oranges. It’s a real comparison/discussion against a 996/997. Vs a 991, might as well compare it to Moody’s pink bike

ipse dixit

A 430 is a girl you date.

A GT3 is a girl you marry.

Pick your poison.

Jerrym

I just read this to my wife. We’re both dying.

Jerrym

what about the mistress? ( Lambo? )

GT3 KSA

RS is the mistress?