brake dust

Interesting EVO article Bill_C4S. It will be interesting to see if the preference for the "analog" feel continues to grows with time or goes away.

az audi

Here comes the opinion arguments.....

Sorry, I have to disagree. Yes, the picture above of the black GT3 is great, but the 458 is a much better model for looking at. It's not even close. The Italians have the curves figured out. There is only one sexier car than than 458, and that's the F12.

That said, I was considering a 458, but was disappointed with the car and have zero interest in owning one after spending some time with it. You will not find any other posts about me liking 458s, but just because I have (or will have) a GT3, does not make it better looking. Yes, I chose the GT3, but not for it's modeling ability.

Jimmy-D

The 458 is gorgeous as I previously posted. The F12 does not do it for me. Not ugly by any means but not up there in my top (5) today in that $0 to $400,000 range

eilig

Can anyone who has driven both please comment on ride quality/comparison? I've driven the 458 but have not yet been able to drive the GT3. I found the 458 ride to be quite comfortable, even on poor roads. And I've heard the GT3 rides rock hard.

I'm all ears for anyone's comparison of ride between these two cars!!

Thanks!

race7117

I would say that in regular chassis mode the GT3 is very compliant on the road, very comfortable even, much more so than the previous 997.2 GT3. I drove a 458 a short bit and it is very compliant as well. My GT3 with Chassis in sport mode it is very hard very comparable to the 997.2. I also find that the front spoiler scrapes freq. on regular roads, really glad I went with the axle lift. Didn't find that on the 458, never felt the front touch when I drove but again limited experience.

bradb1us

458 feels softer, but the GT3 is not overly harsh. I could drive it to work everyday without a problem.

The GT3 sits lower than the 458, but with the front axle lift, I've yet to scrape.

Teamtrench

I am lucky enough to own a new GT3 and a 458 Spider. The cars could not be anymore different. The Spider is like riding around with a celebrity. I can't go anywhere without getting a thumbs up or someone behind me at a light is taking a picture. I love in Michigan, so super cars are rare. The car drives a bit nervous. The front end feels light and I don't love the steering. The sound the engine makes is amazing. None of the ergonomics in the car make sense.

The GT3 just does everything right, except the engine noise. I owned a 997 GT3 mark 2. That engine sounded amazing. The new DI motor just does not have that raw sound that it did in the last generation. The gear box is so much better than the Ferrari that I have to leave the Ferrari in auto mode drive at low speeds around town. Otherwise it just jerks. The car wants to go fast all of the time.

Which do I like better? If I want attention, the Ferrari. If I was out for a long drive and just want to be by myself, the GT3.

CAlexio

There you have it folks.. Buy the 458 for others, but the gt3 for yourself.

Drifting

Nice summary alex.

Trench, just pick up a sharkwerks exhaust, and your GT3 will be perfect.

race7117

Totally agree about the engine noise, not like the old mezger. But in PDK-S and Sport exhaust on I just love the engine noise as it shifts. I roll my windows down just so I can hear it go. Yes it doesn't have the chunder and rattles of the old engine but still very intoxicating. Everyone hears this thing coming and looks to see what the hell kind of alien space ship it is, no it isn't the Italia but still some attention!

markow

ergonomics are a matter of taste. i like 'everything on the wheel' and get annoyed driving cars with wiper stalks etc. to each his/her own.
i have never experienced any front-end lightness in the F458 (i own the coupe but there should not be a lot of difference). i took the car up to 315km/h and it felt super planted. on the contrary, m 997 C4S had that issue seriously. wind from the side made the front of the car wobble, the F458 could not care less.
i hear that porsche has addressed this issue in the 991 GT3 though through its longer wheelbase etc.
peter

Macca

Try the sharkwerks bypass with the vaccum line plugged (see zero cost mod written up by Mike in CA) and I think you will find the car makes at least as much exotic racket as the 7.2 GT3...

bradb1us

The 991 chassis is miles ahead. I hear you on the front end wobble or lightness in the 997 version. However, the new gt3 feels even more planted than the 458 at speed.

Johns930

GT3, 458 is not the question, this is the question :

markow

then there is no more question left...except maybe the money.....
peter