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So, I think I may just have the 992 GT3 with the most miles, certainly the most miles in the first year. Anyone have me beat? Literally just back from a couple of days at Laguna Seca and figured a few thoughts on the car from someone who has driven the s**t out of it might be interesting. I wrote a long post before about my thoughts on the car after 3 months here: https://rennlist.com/forums/992-gt3-...long-post.html
Few facts: Touring, PDK, Silver on black (because I like to be low key), most other options. Over 21K miles at one year anniversary, which I just passed. LA experience delivery. Multiple track days, multiple tracks. Multiple oil changes, multiple sets of tires. Already a few warranty issues including replaced rear drive shaft due to torn CV boot, and replaced multiple cracked windows. Only a few minor “modifications:” Ferordo 3.12 pads and SRF fluid, a little bit of insulation/sound deadening, PPF, MusicCar tweeters, and AWE wind deflectors.
This car is my daily. And, other than occasionally driving my wife’s Tesla, is the only car I drive. It’s my third 911. I’m well over 100K miles between those three cars. I enjoy really getting to know my cars by driving them a lot. Which I believe takes time. This GT3 has seen almost every possible kind of driving save snow you could imagine: fast to stop and go freeway, several advanced group track days, pouring rain, school drop off, Costco runs, aggressive backroad canyon runs . . . you name it.
So, how much do I like this car after 1 year? Has my love grown or faded a little? Are my eyes wandering just a little for the next cool car? My baby has nothing to worry about! Her garage spot is secure. While the honeymoon phase may be over, in most ways I like this car even more now. I know it better so I can drive it harder and better.
I’ve said it before – and I’m not the only one - this car is magic. It drips precision and engagement. If I had to pick one thing – and there is a long list to choose from – to top the list of why it is so good it would be that this car is so rewarding – so fun, so thrilling, so confidence inspiring - to drive when really pushing it. And not just at 10/10ths, but from 7/10ths all the way to the limit. On the flip side it’s totally fine as a grocery hauler. Using any sports car as a daily driver is going to bring compromises, and the GT3 is no different. But especially because of the dampening engineering Porsche seems so good at I rarely wish I had a second daily driver car. Sure, the steering can be a little more alive than I want all the time, and the suspension can feel a little harsh very occasionally. But those “negatives” vanish when you start pushing, where they become integral parts of why this car feels so special to drive.
Few other thoughts:
I’ve done several track days and 4 LA experience center GT3 sessions, including the 4 hour Accelerated in the 992 GT3. And every time, I’m still finding more roll speed in this thing that I didn’t think was there. The turn in and cornering ability is insane. Still playing with how aggressive to trail brake. Tossing it around more than I should for great lap times. Net, still lots to dial in and learn. I don't mess with the suspension or alignment for the track. I know the car is built to make it relatively easy to adjust and it would certainly make it faster on track. But I don't think I track enough any more for that. Keep it "tuned" for the street. Even put a tiny bit of toe in. I’m pretty fast, but no doubt my car is still very much driver limited!
Any “concern” with the alive frontend/steering and ride “harshness” that I noticed when I first got the car just casually driving around has faded to basically an insignificant niggle after a year and 20K+ miles.
Flame me if you want, but I put sound deadening in. NO regrets. Good engine sound is always welcome. Drone is not. It was a 30lb hit max for the weight police out there. When I want to hear the engine I roll the windows down, which is the way I usually drive. Personally, I don’t think the removal of sound deadening and “lightweight” glass is worth the tradeoffs (on my fourth broken window). I want a lighter car as much as the next guy but to me those two are more Porsche marketing than substance.
It may sound like I need to make my mind up, but I was thinking about removing the OPF. From what I can tell that is more of a “better” sound vs “more” sound mod. And I have the sound deadening. Then I blew sound at Laguna Seca. They said 106db. Which I still think is ridiculous. No way that car can do 106db with a stock exhaust. Told the folks there that too. Pretty sure it was some sort of mistake (instrument calibration or something). Only happened once. And I wasn’t ever lifting after 5. But it has given me pause about removing the OPF.
I have Nick’s MusicCar (Morel) tweeter upgrade added to my Bose. Highly recommend it. Removes a good chunk of the harshness. I thought I might do the upgraded mids and add the Amp too, but honestly the system sounds pretty darn good now (for a car stereo in a sports car). My opinion? any more investment in audio in a GT3 will be hard to appreciate. Carrera, different story.
Like a lot of folks, I was initially disappointed that I didn’t get the Michelins on my car. Got the Goodyears. But couldn’t be more impressed. Their combination of capability (track and street) and longevity is impressive. Just put my third set on. That said, I do think they are not the best track tire among the OEM options. Like almost every “street” tire, they don’t like much more than 15 minutes of hard track driving before they start to fade, and my strong suspicion is I’d be faster on the Cup2s on track (not even talking about the Rs). But the Goodyears are pretty good.
For those feeling the car is too harsh, please do yourself a favor and set the tires to the Performance pressures – 28, 30. Yes, even for driving around town. Makes a big difference. Less harsh AND more grip.
Glass: Uggg. My windshield cracked for the second time. Had both the door and rear windows crack too. This is the 3rd cracked glass for me in about a year where the crack happened while the car was just sitting in a parking lot, or my garage. Pretty frustrating.
In case you're wondering I'm going to try to not put another 20K miles on the car this year. As much as I love to drive the car, that was probably too many : )
Infotainment – Net, it’s great. I’m a Carplay guy. Basically seamless. I just got the update and it looks good and improves a few things. By the way, set the instrument cluster to Track screen. All the time. Much cleaner and usable.
Where is comfort access? Why did that get cut on this car? Yes, I’m a spoiled brat, but I miss that, and don’t get it.
This car truly is the sum of its parts. An engineering marvel. But that engine. My god. And I’m talking about more than just the sound. It’s the benchmark for responsive and linear power delivery. And I hear people knock the lack of torque in this car. Huh? Come drive around with me and tell me I need more torque. You could argue there are situations and examples where a turbo is “better.” But none I care about.
My son has become a bit of a car guy (shocking!). More than once he’s asked me what car I’d trade my GT3 in for. Money no object. If I could only drive one car – any car - what else would be? And I tell him. For what I use the car for, nothing else. Are there faster cars? More “special” or exotic or rare? Of course. A McLaren 750S looks to be a bad *** car. Certainly faster (and lighter) than a GT3. But I don’t need that flash. I also can’t see putting 21K miles in a year on a McLaren (or any other exotic car). And again, turbo. New Corvette, 900HP Turbo/hybrid Ferrari, flashy Lambo. Nah. Say what you will, but the mundane stuff like an accessible dealer network, lack of flash (no, hey give me a ticket!), reliability, and ergonomics matter. I don’t need more than 500 HP. I really don’t. In fact I had tons of fun in my 400HP 991.1 S and never really longed for more HP. It’s about engagement, usability, and precision (ok, fast is important too!). Right now, Porsche is on top of the world when it comes to making cars that crush those factors. And the 992 GT3 is their most impressive example. Ever.
I’m blessed. And lucky. And thankful. Even with the engine in the wrong place, I love this car.
Great write up I enjoyed reading it. I really like the fact you are driving and enjoying these cars as intended. A person like you should get every GT allocation at MSRP from Porsche. Way too many flippers and C&C people getting these beauty’s.
Amazing, I enjoyed reading that… thanks for sharing! I plan to daily drive mine as well and your comments about the suspension is a relief. First thing I’ll do when I get the car is check the tire pressures.
Wonderful write up. So nice to see a well loved and well used GT3. Good insight on the Goodyears - I was thinking about switching to PSC2s for better street/cold/wet performance, but you've dissuaded me.
Were any of your cracked windshields covered by the warranty? I had a cracked windshield too - the lightweight glass is so weak on these things. They should offer normal glass as an option (....and comfort access!).
More post like this please! Awesome to hear she’s a keeper and daily!
Question, ever bored with PDK and wish you gone manual? No regrets, no FOMO?
You're going to get me "manual flamed" but basically no. Not at all. I made the switch to dual clutch and never looked back. Like many folks on this forum, I grew up driving manuals. All i had for my first 10 years of driving. Had a manual Volkswagen, Mazda, 5.0 Mustang, Corvette, M3, etc. Because manuals were more performance oriented. Slush boxes were slow shifting, power sucking, junk. Then SMG and PDK and others came along, and all of sudden - despite some notable flaws - they were more performance oriented. It didn't happen quite overnight, but almost. To be clear, there are still times and situations where I would say a manual is "better," but at least for me those times are dwarfed by the times it isn't. Most notably, track days and stop and go traffic. But there are others. Ever done a money shift? I have. No fun. And not possible with PDK. When I'm driving hard (and just between us I do that more than just on the track) I like to focus on things like braking, turn in, slightly earlier apexes, slightly earlier throttle, being smoother, whatever. I don't need an extra thing to work on. Maybe if I was a better driver? This isn't meant to hate, but when I hear folks say they get a manual so they can have more "engagement" with their GT3, I kinda scratch my head. Again, I could see some different fun I could have with a manual on an early Sunday drive. I do. And this car is my daily so there is that. And maybe it comes down to how you drive. But come drive with me and tell me I'm not engaged with my PDK GT3. All the way.
Dude. You're my hero. I'm 17k miles behind you but trying to catch you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for driving your car. I've inspired a few people in the last 16 months to drive their cars more since I drive mine daily. These things are too good not to drive.
You're going to get me "manual flamed" but basically no. Not at all. I made the switch to dual clutch and never looked back. Like many folks on this forum, I grew up driving manuals. All i had for my first 10 years of driving. Had a manual Volkswagen, Mazda, 5.0 Mustang, Corvette, M3, etc. Because manuals were more performance oriented. Slush boxes were slow shifting, power sucking, junk. Then SMG and PDK and others came along, and all of sudden - despite some notable flaws - they were more performance oriented. It didn't happen quite overnight, but almost. To be clear, there are still times and situations where I would say a manual is "better," but at least for me those times are dwarfed by the times it isn't. Most notably, track days and stop and go traffic. But there are others. Ever done a money shift? I have. No fun. And not possible with PDK. When I'm driving hard (and just between us I do that more than just on the track) I like to focus on things like braking, turn in, slightly earlier apexes, slightly earlier throttle, being smoother, whatever. I don't need an extra thing to work on. Maybe if I was a better driver? This isn't meant to hate, but when I hear folks say they get a manual so they can have more "engagement" with their GT3, I kinda scratch my head. Again, I could see some different fun I could have with a manual on an early Sunday drive. I do. And this car is my daily so there is that. And maybe it comes down to how you drive. But come drive with me and tell me I'm not engaged with my PDK GT3. All the way.
Thank you for responding! Great insights. I’m approaching 9k miles on mine. Let’s drive these things!
The first windshield was a rock, so not that one, but this second one better be. Happened sitting in a parking lot couple days ago. Definitely no rock. I'll know more soon. Totally agree on the lightweight glass (ESPECIALLY the windshield) not being remotely close to worth the delicateness. What is it, literally a pound or two in savings? I asked for normal glass for all the windows that cracked. Was told Porsche says no.
I have 18 ways. Been in the buckets several times (LA Expereince center). They're nice. Once you're in them. More tied in. Lower. More feel. But don't think they're the option for 20K of getting in and out miles. My strong suspicion is that would get old quickly. And the 18 ways aren't too shabby.
Great write up. Love the weight savings too but the glass is ridiculous. Three days into my ownership, I woke up to a cracked windshield, apparently for no reason. Requested normal glass also. Was told no also.
I share your observations on the seats and the Goodyears.
08-08-2023, 02:40 PM
One year old GT3. 23K miles. Still Amazing.
but basically no. Not at all. I made the switch to dual clutch and never looked back. Like many folks on this forum, I grew up driving manuals. All i had for my first 10 years of driving. Had a manual Volkswagen, Mazda, 5.0 Mustang, Corvette, M3, etc. Because manuals were more performance oriented. Slush boxes were slow shifting, power sucking, junk. Then SMG and PDK and others came along, and all of sudden - despite some notable flaws - they were more performance oriented. It didn't happen quite overnight, but almost. To be clear, there are still times and situations where I would say a manual is "better," but at least for me those times are dwarfed by the times it isn't. Most notably, track days and stop and go traffic. But there are others. Ever done a money shift? I have. No fun. And not possible with PDK. When I'm driving hard (and just between us I do that more than just on the track) I like to focus on things like braking, turn in, slightly earlier apexes, slightly earlier throttle, being smoother, whatever. I don't need an extra thing to work on. Maybe if I was a better driver? This isn't meant to hate, but when I hear folks say they get a manual so they can have more "engagement" with their GT3, I kinda scratch my head. Again, I could see some different fun I could have with a manual on an early Sunday drive. I do. And this car is my daily so there is that. And maybe it comes down to how you drive. But come drive with me and tell me I'm not engaged with my PDK GT3. All the way.
