baege

As I already posted, I've got the 991.2 GT3 bug, specifically a touring.

Will cost me about 160k cdn to make the move from my Cayman GTS 4.0.

The "reasonable" (aka boring) part of me is speaking into one ear and saying I would be almost as happy in a manual 991.1 GTS rwd coupe (preferably with the buckets and rear seat delete and the short shift kit). And that would only cost me about 60K cdn to make the move. I wouldn't have the worry of so much money invested in a car. I could drive it with less worry about something happening.

The other part of me talking into the other ear, says life is short and the GT3 touring is my pinnacle car (and based on the other thread seems like it is for a lot of those on here) and I am no spring chicken and so what I am waiting for.

Anyone been down this path? I guess it's clear where you landed if you are on this forum.

Ideally I would drive both back to back, but that's about as likely as a pig flying.

this would be for a pure pleasure drive road car, don't intend to track

rk-d

If the cost is prohibitive, then there is no argument to be made in favor of the GT3T. It's not fun to worry about affording things.

Honestly, I'd just look at a winged GT3 in that event.

GTS is not a replacement on the GT3

CubsFan1

Many people have been down this road, whether it be with the two you’re considering or any other pair for that matter. Will spending an extra 100k = more driving pleasure and is it worth it. And btw, it isn’t boring to consider the financial impact before making this type of purchase.

IMHO, I would purchase the car (any car) that will give you peace of mind financially. No sports car is worth the stress or anxiety. Totally defeats the purpose of making a purchase that really isn’t necessary but sure feels good (hopefully).

One approach you might take is buying the 991 GTS now and continuing to save for the GT3T down the line. Heck, you might find you’re content in the GTS and don’t need to swap it.

The pinnacle car isn’t something YT or forums decide,

Good luck!

GT325

Have had both. While the 991.1 GTS is a phenomenal car, and very special the 991.2 GT3 is in a totally different league. If you can swing it skip the 991.1 and go for the 991.2 gt3 wing or touring. In my opinion the gearbox is one of the biggest advantages in the 991.2 gt3 over the 991.1. Obviously engine suspension brakes and steering are also superior on the gt3 the 991.1 7 speed manual was the only thing I didn't love about the 991.1 GTS. I am not sure a shortshift kit like numeric will really close the gap on the 991.2 6 speed box. Flat/no lift shift is also not available on the 991.1. I am not aware of the specifics of the 991.1 GTS for Canada, but in the US buckets were NOT available but I believe they were in the EU. Also in the US the powerkit was standard in the 991.1 GTS, the 3.8 powerkit engine is really REALLY good but the 4.0 in the GT3 is a masterpiece. Good luck in your search. As a note I am not so sure you will appreciate a huge upgrade from the 718 4.0 going to the 991.1 GTS but you WILL appreciate a major upgrade going from the 718 4.0 to the 991.2 GT3. It may seem trivial but the lack of carplay in the 991.1 PCM was really annoying to me as well especially if you drive your car a lot. 991.2 GT3 with a wing is probably your sweet spot, no need to spend the extra money on the touring which is essentially the same car aside from cosmetics.

baege

I am probably wrong about the buckets being available in a Cdn spec GTS, I just saw a youtube of a Brit going over his perfectly specced GTS and it had the buckets and assumed it could be speccd that way anywhere

I do appreciate that I might not find a huge difference in the driving experience with a 991.1 GTS over the GTS 4.0 (although I have no doubt it will sound better) but it's also a bit of an intangible thing to finally have a 911 after lusting after them for decades, the 991.1 will at least scratch that itch and I am partial to the no wing look

but the heart wants the GT3 coz race car and I find the touring so beautiful!

ninefiveone

Buy whichever model is most comfortable financially now. If a gt3 is a stretch now but won’t be later, there’s no need to rush and all the reasons in the world to enjoy a GTS in the meantime.

I skipped to the gt3 and while I’m happy I did, ironically I’m now pondering getting a GTS as well to be a daily. I’ll drive the gt3 almost anywhere. It’s gone on Home Depot runs, school pickups, etc but a GTS would be easier and more fun in its own way for those day-to-day tasks.

Larry Cable

GTS != GT3 nuff' said!

786

this

sunspot2013

I admired the GT3 Touring since 2018 but in 2020 I bought a 50th Anniversary Edition thinking that it would be the more practical, yet still very special, NA 911 that would satisfy me enough. 2.5 years later I sold it for a GT3 Touring. I don't regret buying the 50th initially because it is a very special car and I enjoyed putting 18k miles on it. In any case, if you really want a GT3, a GTS will not be a substitute but more likely just a stepping stone. You mention lack of ability to test drive the GT3. I had the same situation and did not get any extended driving time in one until I bought mine. I will say that after experiencing the GT3 after the first couple of months on extended drives I quickly recalibrated basically all my preferences and my desire for a touring over a winged car really melted away. I no longer cared about the classic 911 shape because the experience of the car is just so amazing that became really what mattered to me. That isn't to say I want to trade for a winged car, but rather, had I been able to really drive one before purchasing I would have probably just looked for a winged car and saved myself a lot of time and some cash. Just some food for thought...

Porsche911GTS'16

I own a 2016 991.1 GTS (PDK cab) with 58,000 miles. Until I got the keys to my 2019 991.2 GT3 Touring, I was completely satisfied that I had scratched my 911 itch. My Touring went into V whatever status without me even knowing how to drive a manual. Here I am, 4 years and 25,000 miles later and the Touring is now my daily driver - in LA traffic, no less. I have driven the Touring from Bandon, OR to San Diego and everywhere in-between on the Pacific coast. Just to mix things up, I have driven the GTS all week this week. It is an awesome car. It has advantages to the GT3, for sure, but on balance, the GT3 is, as others have said above, just in a different league from the GTS.

In many ways, the GTS makes a lot more sense for the vast majority of the 911 driving population. It is fun, sporty and, by sports car standards, "practical." The GT3, particularly with buckets, is less "practical." But almost everything about the GT3 driving experience is a notch or several notches above the GTS. But it is not for everyone. It seems like a subset of GT owners buy the car because it is like the hot new blonde on the block but they then realize that the car is not what they were expecting (too loud, to stiff, to impractical, whatever) and they end up selling the car. I would highly suggest taking a GT3 for a test drive at a PEC. That is what I did. To be honest, after I did so (it was a winged 991.2 GT3 with PDK), I had second thoughts about going through with my allocation. I thought the car might be more than I needed, as I do not track my cars and I was plenty happy with my GTS. I am glad that I pulled the trigger.

Take a GT3 for a test drive, see if it is what you are expecting it to be. If you connect with the car, don't settle for a GTS, keep looking. Otherwise, yes, a 991.1 manual GTS is a great option. The last and the most powerful non-GT naturally aspirated engine that Porsche ever produced in the Carrera line. Plenty fast (for my purposes). More dextrous than the GT3 (it can be docile or it can be an animal, versus the GT3 which is always an animal). And its sonorous exhaust note is a thing of beauty. A good "tough call" to have to make. Good luck in your decision.

AdamSanta85

The only non-GT 991 car that had buckets was the Carrera T; at that, only about 120 built had them with a manual transmission. It also has a few other GT car goodies such as 2RS rear lightweight glass, 3RS door pulls, GT4 shifter, PCCB (option) etc. But it has the 3.0 TT motor that some N/A purists aren't into, and requires a performance engine tune to keep up with the GT cars in HP.

GT325

For USA I do believe this is true. However in ROW buckets were available in 991.1 and 991.2 GTS I believe. They may have been the folding buckets not the LWBS. Have no idea about Canada were the OP is located it seems.

AdamSanta85

I’ve been pretty active in 991 Carrera forum for 4-5 years, and we haven’t had anyone to my knowledge, come on with that option but maybe I’m wrong.

I have definitely seen the rare 997 Carrera S with the folding buckets.

GT325

Was not available in the USA only ROW, probably not commonly selected. I wanted them but was told not available option in US when I purchased my 991.1 GTS from new.

VanMcQueen

IMO: if money is a significant factor in this decision, but you think a GT3 will be your ultimate endgame, then I would jump right to the GT3 in one step if you can swing it. You will likely lose a bit of money on each trade on the way up, so just make it one transaction. I just went from 1.2 GT3 to 1.2 RS and I should have just went to the RS to begin with. Dealers want/need to make money on trade ins, so that ends up being a cost in stepping up. If you’re in Canada, you will lose the tax you paid on your current car if you buy/sell privately. So either way, the move up costs you each time (unless you were fortunate enough to time the markets just right).