Hi All,

I came across a white 15' GT3 that's almost how I would've spec'ed it. It has PCCB, LWB, FAL, Extended fuel tank, etc.. The only downside I see of this is the PDK while my T is a manual. Need some opinion if this is the right move? Mainly, I am afraid I will regret later for giving up a manual for a PDK just because it's a GT3 with NA motor. I've listed out the pros/cons on how I see it.

Moving to a GT3 PRO

• NA motor screams at 9k RPM
• White, perfectly spec'ed
• 12k miles

Moving to a GT3 CONS

• Additional costs (and potentially future maintenance with PDK)
• PDK
• I don't own the car from the beginning (On the T I do)

Keeping the T PRO

• I own the car from the beginning. Taken care of it since 16 miles on the meter
• Manual!
• I spec'ed a backseat. While I have almost 0 use but in the future perhaps it would come in handy
• No additional costs

Keeping the T CONs

• Not a NA motor (not that the Base Carrera engine is bad)
• Missing few specs I wish I had spec'ed it, but not a big deal

Trying to keep this short and simple. I'm curious if anyone here have done similar switch from a manual to a PDK and wished they had kept a manual. Or should I just save up and wait for the 18'-19' GT3 price drop to get a manual GT3. Thanks in advance

 

I have a manual and would not buy a Porsche if I had to settle for a PDK...sounds like you might be in the same camp. There are more GT3s on the market now than ever before so you may be happier waiting for one that has a manual!

 

Has the GT3 had its motor replaced under the extended warranty? How many miles? If not, just something to keep in mind with that gen car and how long you plan to keep it. Might affect resale too...

Personally, for me, I'd not do it. But depends on what you want it for. A PDK for me would ruin the enjoyment, even on a track.

Good luck!

ẞ

 

Going from Manual to PDK it is my main concern that my enjoyment would be deprived greatly. It's just the GT3 with NA motors have always been on my mind that I am striving to get one day.

The GT3 has 12k miles. I don't believe it had motor replaced but appreciated for the heads up so I can try to find that out. Same as above, I want the NA motors but afraid giving up the manual for PDK just for the NA motors might be too much.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

The GT3 has a 120K Mile, 10 year warranty now. Like the IMS - if it goes (and the car is driven....) it will go in that time.

 

I drove a T and thought it was too slow. I drove a GT3 and loved it on the track but didn't like it on the street. You have to keep the revs up high to get what I wanted out of it. And a few of my GT3 friends all say " I wish I had torque for the street" a lot when I run into them.

I would either keep the T or get an S or GTS if I where you. The GT3 is way cool. But unless this is a weekends only car that you track. I wouldn't bother with one myself. But thats just me... I look at this as somewhat lateral move. I know the GT3 is the GT3, but that one is older and I would feel like I downgraded myself. But thats just ME. Who cares what I think. Whatever makes you happy!

Also, I am a DIE HARD manual guy. But PDK is much better IMO. Sure I miss rowing my gears. But I live in socal. So stop and go 24/7 in a manual gets old. The performance increase is rather huge too. I enjoy PDK. And while I love manual. I dont think I will ever get one in a 100K+ car again. At that point I want every performance increase my money can buy. And I dont feel disconnected from my car. My left foot does, but the rest of me loves every blip of them toggles I give them!

 

I notice the PDK shows up in 2 of 3 cons. That's telling.

Unless you are tracking regularly, keep the T. It's a great car. GT3 really comes alive on track and can barely scratch the surface on the street.

 

Have u driven the GT3 yet that might make the decision easier.
I test drove an 18 GT3 PDK before I bought my GTS manual and on the track only I would prefer the GT3 but I am so glad I passed on the GT3 and purchased my GTs 7 speed. Plus I really appreciate the low rpm torque i get in the turbo when street driving

 

The thing that is making me tell you to keep the Carrera T is the fact that you spec'd it yourself and you know how it was driven from day 1. That can be hard to find with a used car unless you know the previous owners. Also, you do have the 10 year engine warranty on the GT3, so you don't have to be as concerned with that. If this was a 991.2 GT3 with a 6 speed, I would tell you to trade your car for the GT3. But since you are going from a manual Carrera T to a PDK GT3, I would say keep the Carrera T and then consider the 991.2 GT3 at a later time. It is a really great car with a special engine..

 

Have you driven a GT3? As in without restriction? It's an absolute beast. GT3 is worth owning if it's PDK, a manual, or Flintstone style bird changing gears for you when you pull its tail, doesn't matter. It's just that good.

 

GT3 is an awesome car. Per BIGWORM above, define your use. If you don’t track and use your car often, stay with the T.

1. The GT3 sits lower than our T but you can adjust the coilovers and raise the car. I’m talking about preventing bottom out during driving due to poor roads
2. In normal driving, 2500 to 5000 rpm the T will have more torque and more hp, GT3 you need 4K rpm for it to come alive, and above 5-6k it is an animal but now you are already going above the speed limit
3. With GT3 pdk get use to shift manually, in normal, it shift too early too save fuel and respond is terrible while in sport it is very aggressive and always ready to go. Not relaxing nor comfortable
4. Tune your T and it will be a hell of an animal too and still very comfortable too drive.
5. Center locks are a pain. Maintenance is more frequent and more $$$$

Ask to borrow a GT3 for a day. Should be able too since they are very used now.

 

It depends what you're after. I owned a 15, 16, and 18 GT3, and I have a Carrera T now. If you want to do track days the 15 GT3 would be worth checking out. If you drive on the street mostly the PDK is not as fun as the manual T, even in GT form. By a lot.

I had the 991.1 E series and G series engines and I will say they are a little suspect compared to the 4.0. You can sense the engine does not love 8800-9000 RPM. Whereas the new car is so strong up top. It's actually pretty amazing how different the two engines are, 3.8 versus 4.0.

You will 100% have issues with wear on the 3.8 at whatever point. The extended warranty is awesome but time is marching on. What will it mean when the warranty is over. Those are expensive engines. Hopefully the aftermarket will offer a solution, which seemed to be in the works prior to Porsche extending the warranties. Until the warranty is over it's pretty much like having your own race crew. Track the heck out of the car and have Porsche repair or replace the engine each time there is finger follower wear and timing misfires. At 100-110k a 991.1 GT3 is a lot of car for the money. Ideally I'd want a 2016 for the later G engine, but there are not many 2016's, most were RS'. And that G engine will also suffer from those issues.

There are other elements that make daily driving a GT3 harder, centerlocks (I like to carry a spare), ride height, rear seats, etc. I get the appeal of the GT cars. They're special cars. You gotta do what your car heart tells you.

 

I'm not knocking the GT cars but for a daily driver, a T hands down.

As it is, you can hardly use what you have, much less a GT3.

But you have to be happy.

Sure, a Turbo or Turbo S tempts me but then I drive mine and it's plenty.

 

Not sure I would buy a Porsche...at all.. with PDK.

I have driven them and I don’t find them appealing. For me I would keep the T or get a 991.2 manual Gt3.

 

Pdk vs manual is a very tough decision. I struggled with it myself for weeks.
Pdk in gt3 pros:
If you ever have “spirited” drives, you can focus more attention on driving rather than shifting, esp in the twisties.
If you live in a area with a lot of stop and go traffic, the pdk is a lot easier to deal with
as others have said, you get the most performance from the pdk. But getting the most performance is not the priority for everyone.
Off the line, the fast “bang bang bang” shifts sound fantastic. They are so quick, and a real marvel to behold.

You should definitely try to test drive a .2 gt3 manual before committing. The shifter is notchy, sort of like an old tractor and the clutch is very long. I test drove in stop and go traffic, the worst possible scenario for such a test drive, so I came away still having no idea if a manual was what I wanted.

I noticed on auto trader there are around 50 pdk .2 gt3’s for sale, and maybe 72 manuals. No idea if this is any kind of indication of whether owners like manuals or pdk better, but it did catch my attention.

What I concluded is that the only way to know for sure if you prefer a manual or pdk gt3, or whatever model, is to spend a few days with each. Problem is for most people that is not possible. In the end I just had to choose. I picked up a .2 gt3 and went with pdk, mostly because there is a lot of stop and go traffic where I live. If I was going to be on deserted wide open back roads all of the time I may have gotten a manual. I will say I’m loving the pdk so far, and currently have no regrets that I did not get a manual.