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As anyone with more than a few weeks here on RL knows I'm brutally opinionated and have been very outspoken against the marketing of Porsche and the labeling of "drivers cars" being the branding badge of a marketing strategy to force a rush on a car that's truly not worth the label bestowed.
The GT4RS to me is the biggest one on that list and I put 2600 hard miles on mine and time after time I found myself wishing it could do more than what it offered. Not quite a street car, not quit a race car. An awkwardly place "because we can" car with RS badges slapped on it. It was slow, excessively bumpy, lacking stability or real control and was very easy to throw the rear on and would likely be a great drift car if one chose which oddly neglected the premise of mid-engine design. The interior was crude and while the use of Alcantara attempted to mask its dated nature, it still felt archaic and somewhat just thrown together rather than fully thought out.
Then there's the sound, oh my god the sound. It's NOT called an "experience" when internal decibel levels can easily achieve 80-90Db in just the cab. It's stupid, simply put. Radio and Bluetooth should've been a box to check on the build to be removed for a savings as it's unequivocally pointless having them in it. The cars internally so loud we tested high caliber rifle percussion deadening ear buds while driving and they triggered on due to the frequency and pitch. No Bueno.
Now I traded my 22 992 Turbo S and GT4RS in towards the 3RS. The Turbo S is truly a phenomenal piece and I'll definitely miss that car(at least I thought I would have... keep reading) and being it literally had 9902 miles on the clock it was time to turn it in before the 5 digit ding on the value. I got what I wanted on the trade and let's just say it's more than what this car with 2200miles went for( https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2022-porsche-911-turbo-s-coupe-49/) and on top of that I got MSRP for the GT4RS(which was an 18way car which is actually the most desired upgrade for the majority that regret LWB). The GT3RS was sold to me at sticker(341k spec) and we immediately PPFd the car and installed free flow cats and Valvetronics Titanium exhaust and remote valved system. So never once drove the car in it's full factory form. Dropped about 50lbs and gained about 40hp. This Will mark the best decision I ever did. Thanks to the team at my dealership that let my take part in the installation as I'm not someone who can just watch. Instead I'll take control of the tool box and go to town on wrenching as that's a past time that never gets old.
Delivery just so happened to be during Fridays rush our traffic. Meet customers and grab their insurance checks then head to the dealership and pick up the car.... which just so happened to be during rush our traffic. Had my buddy tail me in one of my trucks which still had the factory exhaust just chilling in the bed. So from the Houston med center, through Galleria 610 5pm traffic, bumper to bumper the entire way to the good ole suburban utopia while escaping the concrete hell hole of the city. This is where my first feedback takes place, thank God for 18ways in the 3rs! Absolutely a must and more than enough bolster in the seat. If anyone says otherwise, get to the gym and build your legs and a V taper and a good core strength routine and embrace the comfort seats! I'm 6'5" 230lbs and this car feels so much more comfortable than the GT4RS by a long shot.
By the time I got home there was 52miles on the clock and the car remained parked til this evening. with many and I mean many excuses to go out and tinker.
So fire up the engine and hear that exhaust roar... press the remote for the valve to close and quieter than stock I kid you not. The remote valve control is critical as the oem setup keeps the valves closed under 1600rpm regardless of setting on car. The sound is absolutely perfect and I haven't even seen high rpms yet.
The interior is perfect and brings the comforts of the 992 gen with a performance interface. I have a very heavy interior spec and this was important for me as this car will be driven alot and likely a keeper.
The steering, suspension, and transmission settings that are preset in the Track setting is absolutely perfect.
Throttle response, steering input, and over all balance of the car absolutely destroys anything the GT4RS wishes it could be.
The PDK and paddle setup is absolutely magical in the 3rs. The setup in the 4rs was good, but the car itself felt slow regardless of the transmission position. Off the line the GT4RS always seemed sluggish, and had a mid range bog. That's non existent in the 3RS.
The active Aero and DRS system is incredibly great and to those that say you won't feel the difference unless going 120-150mph.... OK. You quickly feeling the relief of pressure the moment you activate it open and then the drag hit when it closes. In addition the free flowing exhaust was also noticeably robbing power when closing the valves and then opening. Major differences for both on the butt dyno. Kept the RPMs below 6-7k with the quickest momentary burst to 122mph the back down to floating and holding 100mph/4k-ish rpm non stop as I cruised with ease.
I found myself just driving, tapping away, and lost in the exhaust tone, the way one should feel when it's just you and the road. I left the house at 7:45 with 52 miles on the clock and returned home with 144 miles showing all In 1hr 07mins. The smiles never left my face and I've had the chance to drive truly amazing and very very fast cars. The 992 GT3RS is truly a masterpiece and the pdk setup in this car essentially renders the MT pointless as this cars so engaging you don't want to remove both hands from the paddles.
Having the MT touring set to arrive in a few weeks I look forward to having that here as a run around car, but the 3RS is just so far beyond what most will ever comprehend and it's a feeling to truly appreciate all Porsche put into this car.
In the end the GT4RS is a good car for what they intended it to be. A street 718 with a backwards GT3 motor that's been tuned down with no real aero and some RS stickers.
The GT3RS is the golden standard and my god I hope for a 992hp GT2RS as that would.be an absolutely epic way to send off the legacy of the 992 gen.
As a side note there were 2 of the tribute cars at the dealership getting serviced and one of them was a VIPS car who has a very extensive collection and he himself has 4k miles on his tribute which speaks to the desirable nature to just daily this glorious machine!
Last edited by Justaroofer; 06-09-2024 at 02:12 AM.
I think like some are inadvertently pointing out- the onion slices are thin but the jump in price is big. MSRP to MSRP- there is 100k+ between the GT4RS and the GT3RS. There is some variety when you factor a GT3 manual vs a GT4RS or a Touring vs an RS but these are all pretty much menu items at the same venue. It's not like we're comparing the STO to the GT3RS.
We use OEM laptimes as objective gauges to determine the $ per slice depth. I think it's rational but only tells the index story, not the sensation. The GT4RS sounds way better with a helmet on, under WOT at a race track than a GT3 does. It also dances more, which can be more fun. It is more fun for me, as I enjoy the challenge of it a bit more. Personally if I show up to the track in a 992 GT3RS I'm there to humiliate (pass) as many other track day participants as possible. I'm there to shoot for a lap record, the same way I rolled up when I had my ACR-X. Only lap times matter, like a race car. I do think the GT4RS is more 'lets play all day' mode- more like a roided out GT4 (which we can all acknowledge is more fun than it is serious in terms of lap times)
not sure who posted it- but the RS cars really are track cars and not since the 997.2 have the 3RS been 'great road cars' as much as they have been pushing an ultimate performance envelope that is still...skill based in difficulty terms.
You have to be a good or great or professional driver to get near the edge of the performance envelope for any of the GT3, GT4RS, GT3RS type cars on the track- and you're straight to jail trying to find the limits on the road. That's why we do track days.
If you're doing sub 1:28's at Laguna in your GT3RS, you can probably get under 1:30 in a GT4RS because it's just an objective skill set as a driver at that point. You can set the bogey times at COTA or wherever you want and the same driver will be within 1 second or 1.5 seconds in most of these compared cars. The spread is condition dependent or traffic dependent at the fastest edge- and you can lose 1-2 seconds through the day because of tire life, temps, traffic etc.
What is NOT quantifiable (much like Thai spicy vs Gringo Spicy) is how much fun you're having. Who knows, some dude might be doing 2:22's at COTA in his GT3RS and having the time of his life. Then someone else passes them on the outside of T2 in a lesser car because they're a better driver.
I cannot tell you if that 1 second or 1.5 seconds or even 2 seconds is worth the 100-200k in price gap. That's for you to decide.
If they gave the GT4RS the same double wishbone suspension as the 992 GT3, then the 4RS would be insane. Going from 718 GT4 to 992 GT3, that was sublime for me, so just basically adding 100hp to 4RS doesn’t help. The suspension needs so much help with all that extra power.
This exactly. I already was locked for the PTS 3RS and was offered the 4rs with no strings attached and figured its an RS and little feedback qas out there and since you dont really say know to an RS when offered at a reasonable price for a buildable spot.... you just do it.
I echo what Roofer wrote. I have had my share of high-performance cars; by far, the 3RS is above all. I thought my 991.2ERS was good but Porsche has made a remarkable jump in all-around performance and comfort. The 3RS hugs the pavement like no other car. You don't have to drive fast to appreciate the car's aero enhancements.
The exhaust sound is perfect. Aggressive but not overly so. In track mode, the exhaust sound is very aggressive but not obnoxiously loud. The throttle response is quicker and livelier.
My only complaint is the PCM system is difficult to use. I need to continue to play with it but it is frustrating.
I echo what Roofer wrote. I have had my share of high-performance cars; by far, the 3RS is above all. I thought my 991.2ERS was good but Porsche has made a remarkable jump in all-around performance and comfort. The 3RS hugs the pavement like no other car. You don't have to drive fast to appreciate the car's aero enhancements.
The exhaust sound is perfect. Aggressive but not overly so. In track mode, the exhaust sound is very aggressive but not obnoxiously loud. The throttle response is quicker and livelier.
My only complaint is the PCM system is difficult to use. I need to continue to play with it but it is frustrating.
Highly recommend performance headers and exhaust. Its incredibly noticeable power/weight wise.
Last edited by Justaroofer; 06-09-2024 at 01:56 PM.
Dealer installed pieces keep it intact since its just a bolt on. ECU flashes are a different story.
Heres me working with tech and my buddy was trolling me and taking pics of me doing what I do.... lol.
I get a video loaded later and you'll be amazed with this valved setup. Goes from monster to sounding off. Literally when we were figuring out the controller we all(numerous staff stayed late to here it start after I stall) thought the car turned off. Its freaking phenomenal.
Perfectly timed thread. I was going back and forth on GT4RS or GT3RS to compliment my touring. Initially thinking the mid engined 4RS would provide a bigger different experience than the 3RS, but it sounds like many are not thrilled with the 4RS as much as the 3RS. I can only get 1 from my dealer so will let him know.
My knock against the 992 3RS and its adm is that it’s really a lot less usable on public streets than a regular gt3 and no faster. It’s a pure track and coffee car and doesn’t do anything else better. Which is fine, for a track dedicated toy, but not for me and the adm is painful to watch.
My knock against the 992 3RS and its adm is that it’s really a lot less usable on public streets than a regular gt3 and no faster. It’s a pure track and coffee car and doesn’t do anything else better. Which is fine, for a track dedicated toy, but not for me and the adm is painful to watch.
But we're comparing a GT3RS and a GT4RS.
If we're using usability on public streets, I would say the GT4RS is less usable than the GT3RS.
My knock against the 992 3RS and its adm is that it’s really a lot less usable on public streets than a regular gt3 and no faster. It’s a pure track and coffee car and doesn’t do anything else better. Which is fine, for a track dedicated toy, but not for me and the adm is painful to watch.
Have you drove one? The 3RS suspension turned down is butter and significantly smoother than the 4RS! Its a pure everyday capable car to me and anyone who complains about storage should've spec'd the 18ways..... absolutely 0 complaints and the amount of storage. It's truly more daily enjoyable than the 4RS by a long shot. Also.... it actually is significantly faster than the GT3 so not sure how you came to the above conclusion.
I would check your tune is able to adapt to the new headers and exhaust, that could be quite a bit more flow and you could be maxing out or close to maxing out your fuel trims?
Something to consider at least... typically headers and full exhaust require a tune. I get the warranty issue, but I would at least look into that.
06-09-2024 | 02:00 AM
Honest GT3RS vs GT4RS opinions
