GT3 or Turbo S
11-23-2014, 04:48 PM
#16
If I compare the TT-S to my 991 C4S I would say it does feel a lot more sterile. I felt the C4S was a bit more "raw". That is what I am missing in the TT-S but it makes up for it in soooo many other ways. What bugs me as much as the power issue is how the GT3 performs at 2000-5000 rpm. This is where I believe the TT-S is has the upper hand, it is amazing in the lower rpm ranges. As a racing driver I know how important weight to power ratio is, the GT3 is 170kg lighter and I would expect that would compensate to a degree for the less power. I recently drove an Audi R8 V10 Plus. When I accelerated with it I was like wow there is something very wrong here. Problem with the Audi is that it is even heavier that the TT-S. To be honest I don't care much for the missing Bose Sound or rear seats or roof (never use mine). The GT3 is spec with LWBS, NAV, Full Leather with Red Stitching, Sport Package Plus, Mobile Prep, Axle Lift so some of the creature comforts of the TT-S are there.
BTW I truly appreciate the response from you guys, it's obvious how much the people on this forum care for this brand and how passionate you guys all are.
BTW I truly appreciate the response from you guys, it's obvious how much the people on this forum care for this brand and how passionate you guys all are.
11-23-2014, 05:09 PM
#17
Racer
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11-23-2014, 06:08 PM
#18
Intermediate
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At the altitudes you drive the power disadvantage of GT3 vs TTS will be much, much more pronounced then in lower altitudes.
Your question would make a lot of sense if you lived in LA or Miami but not in the Rockies.
You deal with more inclement weather too, TTS is a real year round driver and GT3 is not as good without AWD.
Your question would make a lot of sense if you lived in LA or Miami but not in the Rockies.
You deal with more inclement weather too, TTS is a real year round driver and GT3 is not as good without AWD.
11-23-2014, 06:26 PM
#19
Also this is the GT3 forum. A post on the Turbo forum would have different answers.
11-23-2014, 08:02 PM
#20
Pro
Gerald,
I have a vacation home at 7800 feet in Estes Park, CO, but still am based in Iowa. I had been asking myself the same question your post does.
Until about 2 months ago I had a GT3 on allocation for a January 15 build but canceled it due to concerns about performance at altitude, lack of AWD and low ground clearance. I did get a chance to drive a GT3 and was frankly a little underwhelmed with it's acceleration performance on the flat streets in the Midwest unless one is willing to take it to very high rev's. The sound when one does is nothing short of a racing soundtrack. Steep driveways were also a clearance problem and the optional axle lift, which is expensive, is probably in order if the car is a daily driver.
In early November I back to back test drove a 430hsp 2014 C4S (with power kit option for the extra 30 hsp - just 45 hsp short of GT3) against a 2014 Turbo. I did it in Colorado Springs starting at 6000 feet of elevation at the dealership. I drove both cars going west up HWY 24, a very winding steep highway with two lanes in both directions. In just a few miles it climbs to about 7500 feet. Frankly the C4S was disappointing with clearly less acceleration at 7500 feet than my 2009 C2S (385 hsp) has at 1000 feet in Iowa. It was literally out of breath going up the pass at that elevation. The Turbo literally vaulted up the mountain pass with seemingly no limits to it's capabilities. It even handled better despite not having PDCC like the C4S did. Perhaps it was the Turbo's rear wheel steering. I did not want this outcome preferring to stay with a lower cost naturally aspirated motor in the C4S.
Between the much higher level of acceleration, AWD for winter weather and considerably more ground clearance I had to go Turbo. I already have a 2015 on order.
I have a vacation home at 7800 feet in Estes Park, CO, but still am based in Iowa. I had been asking myself the same question your post does.
Until about 2 months ago I had a GT3 on allocation for a January 15 build but canceled it due to concerns about performance at altitude, lack of AWD and low ground clearance. I did get a chance to drive a GT3 and was frankly a little underwhelmed with it's acceleration performance on the flat streets in the Midwest unless one is willing to take it to very high rev's. The sound when one does is nothing short of a racing soundtrack. Steep driveways were also a clearance problem and the optional axle lift, which is expensive, is probably in order if the car is a daily driver.
In early November I back to back test drove a 430hsp 2014 C4S (with power kit option for the extra 30 hsp - just 45 hsp short of GT3) against a 2014 Turbo. I did it in Colorado Springs starting at 6000 feet of elevation at the dealership. I drove both cars going west up HWY 24, a very winding steep highway with two lanes in both directions. In just a few miles it climbs to about 7500 feet. Frankly the C4S was disappointing with clearly less acceleration at 7500 feet than my 2009 C2S (385 hsp) has at 1000 feet in Iowa. It was literally out of breath going up the pass at that elevation. The Turbo literally vaulted up the mountain pass with seemingly no limits to it's capabilities. It even handled better despite not having PDCC like the C4S did. Perhaps it was the Turbo's rear wheel steering. I did not want this outcome preferring to stay with a lower cost naturally aspirated motor in the C4S.
Between the much higher level of acceleration, AWD for winter weather and considerably more ground clearance I had to go Turbo. I already have a 2015 on order.
11-23-2014, 08:24 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
I own both. My comments are based on street use. Both GT's really. GT3 is about 25 percent stiffer, has a little heavier stearing and louder. Doesn't have the low end torque of the turbo. Both very comfortable, both very fast. Either makes a great DD if you don't need the Turbo's back seat. Ultimately the difference in performance is not that much on the street. They are both great sports cars. Drive a GT3 before you make a decision. If you like 911's you can be happy with either. It depends on which one I am driving as to which one I would choose if I could only have one. The Turbo's power is addictive, the GT3 noise and sound is addictive.
I get the descriptions, the daily driver comfort vs the visceral noise of a gt3 but are they at opposite ends of the spectrum that it's justifying two depreciating assets?
I would really love to keep my TTS cab (in guards red) and I have a yellow GT3 I'm about to put a deposit on.
Jeff
11-23-2014, 08:39 PM
#22
I live at average elevations and for me, when I was ordering, I felt the GT3 fit the bill on almost every level......except I really wished it had the low end torque of the turbo. Coming from a vette, I was and am kind of concerned about this issue but have resolved to just rev the heck out of it.
11-23-2014, 08:47 PM
#23
I am seriously debating the same thing, are they different enough that you really feel like you have two different cars even though they look the same?
I get the descriptions, the daily driver comfort vs the visceral noise of a gt3 but are they at opposite ends of the spectrum that it's justifying two depreciating assets?
I would really love to keep my TTS cab (in guards red) and I have a yellow GT3 I'm about to put a deposit on.
Jeff
I get the descriptions, the daily driver comfort vs the visceral noise of a gt3 but are they at opposite ends of the spectrum that it's justifying two depreciating assets?
I would really love to keep my TTS cab (in guards red) and I have a yellow GT3 I'm about to put a deposit on.
Jeff
I don't think you ever justify an expensive car. It's just something you do if you can and want to. I kept my Turbo. Turbo 911's are great cars.
11-23-2014, 08:58 PM
#25
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
11-23-2014, 09:15 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
I have been watching over a 991 TTS for the past month and its great car, if I owned it currently and I was only concerned about DD I would not have ordered a GT3. I track quite a bit and the GT3 works much better for my chosen assignment. I must say that with all due respect to the discussion about high altitude driving of a TTS vs C4S, yes of course a TTS feels way better than a C4S with 430 HP?? You can't escape the huge disparity in HP no mater what altitude?
Last edited by sccchiii; 11-23-2014 at 09:47 PM.
11-23-2014, 09:39 PM
#27
Pro
I've always felt my 385 hsp 2009 C2S 997.2 911 was adequate, but just, for daily driving at low/normal elevations. On the track it clearly is underpowered.
If I had to guess what the subjective loss of horsepower was at 7500 feet on the 430 hsp 2014 C4S with power kit was, I would say 20-25%. So in effect it had around 325-350 hsp and not enough acceleration for me at altitude.
Yes the Turbo will always be faster, but if I was not living at altitude, I would have been fine with the power that the above C4S or the new GTS4 has.
If I had to guess what the subjective loss of horsepower was at 7500 feet on the 430 hsp 2014 C4S with power kit was, I would say 20-25%. So in effect it had around 325-350 hsp and not enough acceleration for me at altitude.
Yes the Turbo will always be faster, but if I was not living at altitude, I would have been fine with the power that the above C4S or the new GTS4 has.
11-23-2014, 10:08 PM
#28
I was all set to get the Turbo (which I have driven a lot), until having the chance to spend extended time driving a friend's GT3. I made the switch soon thereafter and have a GT3 on the way. Also, with the 911s apparently going turbocharged soon, it made the GT3 even more appealing to me. I didn't want to look back and regret not getting a GT3 because I'm just not sure how much longer an N/A car of this performance level will be available.
11-23-2014, 10:32 PM
#30
Instructor
A Turbo S over a GT3? Statements from the Porsche 911 chief engineer August Achleitner: http://blogs.motortrend.com/1411_for...g_kiinote.html
Last edited by MJM911; 11-23-2014 at 10:48 PM.