AWW100

Since childhood I always wanted to own a 935 Turbo. I am wondering if anyone of you have driven both cars and can tell me if the 991 GT3 is any different than the 700hp race car from yesterday.

neuroguru

Nice choice. I understand the debate of rockin' vintage racecar vs. modern, safe road/track car.

You may want to talk to Bruce Canepa. He always seems to have a couple for sale:

http://www.canepacollection.com/deta...-13025660.html

His museum / store is 60 miles south of SFO on the way to Santa Cruz.

seapar

They are likely very different especially in the turbo lag in the 930s as compared to more modern TTs. According to a Sunday morning breakfast buddy you really had to plan ahead for when the turbo comes on because when it does it comes on like a tornado( sanitizing his words). This is how non experienced drivers get in trouble. He would know as he is a former race car driver/ owner now in his mid 70s. Still has quite a collection including some 962s, 935, 997.2 gt3 RS with barely 1K miles with special chip
The NA GT3 have a more linear power band without the rush that the turbos give imo.

Porsche-Suchtig

In terms of the driving experience, they are more different than chocolate and chili. The differences are too many to note.

Other aspects of ownership where there is a big difference:

1. The 935 costs 10x more to purchase and 20x more to maintain.

2. The 935 should only be driven by someone with considerable racing experience. Very tricky to drive. The 991 GT3 is a piece of cake to drive.

3. At Laguna Seca, a reasonably representative U.S. track, the 935 is 2-3 seconds faster than a stock 991 GT3 in the hands of a competent driver. Canepa's time in a 935 at the 2013 Monterey Historics was about the same as my time this year in a 2006 Cup. (Bruce was 3 seconds a lap faster than the next 935 in that same race.) I believe Randy Pobst did a 1:35 in a 991 GT3? Add slicks, and the 991 GT3 will be within striking distance when the 935 breaks or spins off.

P.S. The 935 will almost certainly appreciate more than the 991 GT3. So, it has an edge there. It also shoots really cool flames.

Hothonda

Road & Track, June 1978:

"We feel the Turbo's handling is something few drivers will ever master."

"In driving the Turbo, we found the expected transition from under - to oversteer and vice
versa is always there ready to catch the unwary driver who backs off the throttle in a tight
corner or applies a heavy foot to the throttle and brings on the boost."

AWW100

These are amazing comments.

chuckbdc

You got THE WORD!

Tacet-Conundrum

That and if One was to buy an 935 for track days, might as well start working out that left leg to strengthen up the pressing down the clutch. And we all know trying to drive an 935 even at 7/10 without proper training and instruction is Tomfoolery. Certain that car is more than happy to switch directions, 180°, without too much tickling coming out of a turn under a good amount of boost! But to master driving it on the other hand at 9/10 surely would be a rewarding experience.

tcsracing1

totally different planets...

RUF RS

I own a '89 930S Turbo, modified to 600+ HP by Mitch Holcombe. When I got the GT3, I sold it. Too much turbo lag, and just not enough technology to master that much power. Don't get me wrong. The car was amazing. But progress CANNOT be denied. The GT3 has completely changed my opinion on fast cars....

FastLaneTurbo

I've driven several 935s. Bob Akin's Description of his 935 certainly fit. He called it a "Very Fast Pig"
It required a very firm but very light touch. you either had Too much Power or Too little power and the difference between violent understeer and violent oversteer was in a few millimeters of throttle pressure.
It was similar to the 1979 930 Turbo I owned for many years, but on steroids. After nearly half of the early 930s had spun and crashed Rear End first, Porsche made some serious suspension changes. The later
1987 930s that I raced in PCA were very different cars, understeering rather than violently oversteering,
far easier to drive. By 1995, the 993 GT2, Porsche's last Twin Turbo Race Car, had extremely benign handling after some major Wing and Splitter improvements, were light years away from the 935 and competitive in PCA racing through 2005. Both cars are extremely expensive to use on the Track with only
25-50 hours before requiring 6-figure major rebuilding of Engine and Transmission, easily 10X our GT3 Costs, and our 991 Chassis handling is far superior to either Car.

A good friend has been restoring a 935 (an original Porsche Factory Car, not one of the more common
Tube-Frame Silhouette Car 935s) for several years, and I can tell you that getting parts these days requires VERY deep pockets and great Patience. Many of the early craftsmen that built the unique 935 components are now gone or retired, and more modern car's components have little or no similarity.
My friend's Red 935 will be displayed at the Amelia Island Concours in March, very much as it came off the original Porsche Assembly line in Germany 40 years ago. Sourcing parts from remote shops worldwide
has taken incredible efforts. Driving or Restoring a 935 is not for the Faint-Hearted.

K964

Race car does not compare to street car.

AWW100

Sure but both offer their drivers or owners an "experience" or "memory". That's what it counts at the end.