Spent 2 1/2 hrs in a GT3RS yesterday. Impressions
06-21-2009, 06:30 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Spent 2 1/2 hrs in a GT3RS yesterday. Impressions
I had the pleasure to drive a GT3RS for about 2.5 hrs on the highway just outside of Shanghai, China. It has 4400 km on the clock and barely broken in.
Comparisons:
My current mods:
B&M short shift
PSS9
Fabspeed headers, exhaust
EVO intake
Chip
GT3 sways set to 1 hole back from firmest.
GT3RS -
It is optioned nicely for someone who wants to drive 80% track and 20% street. Its got AC, a CD player, no sunroof and a half cage. I went out to the outskirts of Shanghai to get out of the traffic and rain so its legs can be stretched a bit.
I really like the seats. It wraps around you nicely and you don't slide around at all. I just wore the seatbelt, although the 6 point harness is available.
It had a LWFW and the chatter reminded me of having a semi next to you at a stoplight. You can only hear it during idle in neutral. Once engaged, its gone. I would consider this mod but would have to retime my heel toe as the RPM drops very fast compared to stock dual mass FW.
Porsche sports short sfift feels great. Its an excellent alternative to B&M if you want to spend the money. The throw feels perhaps 1/4" longer than B&M. I missed a down shift or two in the beginning because I was used to my B&M throws. The gearbox was notchy compared to mine. I attribute this to having around 2,000 miles on the clock compared to my 84K miles.
The power is very strong throughout the powerband up to 8k plus RPM redline. There is no hint of lag or feel Vario kicking in. Its just there all the time when you want it.
1st gear runs through quickly but you can floor the go pedal through 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear watching the RPM sweep towards the redline..
The acceleration is just stronger than my current car. My car feels similar but the sweep is not as quick through the gears.
The suspension is firm but not as stiff as my PSS9 set a 4F 3R. Handling is tight and accurate. I spent most of the driving time on the highway making highway speed runs and not twisties so my impressions are mostly high speed stability. It is more stable tham my C2 once you get past 120MPH. I was only able to get it up to 156MPH or 250KM/hr due to traffic so the top speed runs will have to wait until next time. It was very easy to drive even at 156MPH and inspired confidence to go faster still.
The stock sound is intoxicating. Its not as loud as my intake, headers and exhaust setup but its deeper. I like the aftermarket exhaust popping during downshifts it makes but the cabin engine sound is better than mine.
Given this car is still practically new, it would pull stronger once it has more than 10K miles on the clock and the engine is completely broken in. I would love to own one but would I spend an additional $80K for the upgrade in the performace value sense? Probably not after my mods. However, if I had the cash blow on a toy like this? Hell! yes!!
Some pics..
Comparisons:
My current mods:
B&M short shift
PSS9
Fabspeed headers, exhaust
EVO intake
Chip
GT3 sways set to 1 hole back from firmest.
GT3RS -
It is optioned nicely for someone who wants to drive 80% track and 20% street. Its got AC, a CD player, no sunroof and a half cage. I went out to the outskirts of Shanghai to get out of the traffic and rain so its legs can be stretched a bit.
I really like the seats. It wraps around you nicely and you don't slide around at all. I just wore the seatbelt, although the 6 point harness is available.
It had a LWFW and the chatter reminded me of having a semi next to you at a stoplight. You can only hear it during idle in neutral. Once engaged, its gone. I would consider this mod but would have to retime my heel toe as the RPM drops very fast compared to stock dual mass FW.
Porsche sports short sfift feels great. Its an excellent alternative to B&M if you want to spend the money. The throw feels perhaps 1/4" longer than B&M. I missed a down shift or two in the beginning because I was used to my B&M throws. The gearbox was notchy compared to mine. I attribute this to having around 2,000 miles on the clock compared to my 84K miles.
The power is very strong throughout the powerband up to 8k plus RPM redline. There is no hint of lag or feel Vario kicking in. Its just there all the time when you want it.
1st gear runs through quickly but you can floor the go pedal through 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear watching the RPM sweep towards the redline..
The acceleration is just stronger than my current car. My car feels similar but the sweep is not as quick through the gears. The suspension is firm but not as stiff as my PSS9 set a 4F 3R. Handling is tight and accurate. I spent most of the driving time on the highway making highway speed runs and not twisties so my impressions are mostly high speed stability. It is more stable tham my C2 once you get past 120MPH. I was only able to get it up to 156MPH or 250KM/hr due to traffic so the top speed runs will have to wait until next time. It was very easy to drive even at 156MPH and inspired confidence to go faster still.
The stock sound is intoxicating. Its not as loud as my intake, headers and exhaust setup but its deeper. I like the aftermarket exhaust popping during downshifts it makes but the cabin engine sound is better than mine.
Given this car is still practically new, it would pull stronger once it has more than 10K miles on the clock and the engine is completely broken in. I would love to own one but would I spend an additional $80K for the upgrade in the performace value sense? Probably not after my mods. However, if I had the cash blow on a toy like this? Hell! yes!!
Some pics..
06-21-2009, 06:45 AM
#2
Nordschleife Master
fun - good for you. how did you get the chance? I have a friend that works for Porsche in Shanghai.
06-21-2009, 10:25 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Thanks for the review! While not in the market, I have noticed how GT3s (not necessarily the RS version, of course) and Turbos of a given year are almost identical in price. Wonder what would be more fun? Of course I have not driven either . . .
06-21-2009, 10:38 AM
#4
Addict
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Great write up.
06-21-2009, 11:57 AM
#6
Parts Specialist
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Rennlist Member
Wow, nice - even if you never own one or really drive it in a track setting, to have driven one... and for more than "around the parking lot" must be a great thrill
thanks for sharing
thanks for sharing
06-21-2009, 09:39 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
The car was purchased with 2000km on the clock from the dealer whose previous owner traded up to a CGT. He told me that there is only 2 CGTs in China; one in Beijing and one in Shanghai. The one in Shanghai did not pass emissions so it is stored at the F1 track for track duty only.
If I had this cash, it would depend on how you would use the car. It you are keeping your C4S, then adding a GT3RS would be the choice for sure. If you can have only one Pcar, then I would get the turbo for more street friendly use. The seats were comfortable enough for the duration of the drive. Its the in and out of those seats that would limit the milk runs to the local grocery store..
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06-22-2009, 02:33 AM
#10
GT3 player par excellence
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06-22-2009, 04:12 AM
#11
Three Wheelin'
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Sounds like fun, cool to hear your story and about your friend.
How were you able to get up to those speeds?
Well outside the city I guess, but risking some jail time maybe, ha?
(note to self: drop in on Club Muse if ever in Shanghai.)
Well, I've been to Beijing a few times and road manners are, shall we say, relative....
Red lights and green lights kind of blur together with cross traffic and bikes continue to push through.
There are some nice new highways but I never saw anyone speeding, and cops have radar there too.....
Maybe Shanghai is different as I know it's much more international and a lot of Germans there, ha.
How were you able to get up to those speeds?
Well outside the city I guess, but risking some jail time maybe, ha?
(note to self: drop in on Club Muse if ever in Shanghai.)
Red lights and green lights kind of blur together with cross traffic and bikes continue to push through.
There are some nice new highways but I never saw anyone speeding, and cops have radar there too.....
Maybe Shanghai is different as I know it's much more international and a lot of Germans there, ha.
06-22-2009, 09:54 AM
#12
Nordschleife Master
There are only 8 GT3RSs in China and 2 in Shanghai and additional can no longer be imported due to emmissions. The Shanghai RSs are both the same Orange/Black color combo. One is fully tracked prepped and the other one is the one I drove. This car belongs to the owner of the night clubs; Muse, Muse 2 and 97. He is a friend and was really generous with it.
The car was purchased with 2000km on the clock from the dealer whose previous owner traded up to a CGT. He told me that there is only 2 CGTs in China; one in Beijing and one in Shanghai. The one in Shanghai did not pass emissions so it is stored at the F1 track for track duty only.
If I had this cash, it would depend on how you would use the car. It you are keeping your C4S, then adding a GT3RS would be the choice for sure. If you can have only one Pcar, then I would get the turbo for more street friendly use. The seats were comfortable enough for the duration of the drive. Its the in and out of those seats that would limit the milk runs to the local grocery store..
The car was purchased with 2000km on the clock from the dealer whose previous owner traded up to a CGT. He told me that there is only 2 CGTs in China; one in Beijing and one in Shanghai. The one in Shanghai did not pass emissions so it is stored at the F1 track for track duty only.
If I had this cash, it would depend on how you would use the car. It you are keeping your C4S, then adding a GT3RS would be the choice for sure. If you can have only one Pcar, then I would get the turbo for more street friendly use. The seats were comfortable enough for the duration of the drive. Its the in and out of those seats that would limit the milk runs to the local grocery store..
06-22-2009, 12:07 PM
#13
Drifting
first of all, I am not used to the traffic condition, second, if anything happened when driving those expensive cars, the internet publicity is overwhelming. Mooty, even heard the word “human meat” ?
chao, nice write up, maybe you should try it out on sky-house track in shanghai.
06-23-2009, 01:03 AM
#15
GT3 player par excellence
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well, if you do run over someone.... the rule of thumb is you make sure your run them OVER GOOD. then call the right ppl, the owners know the drill or else they would have never made it to the position of owning those cars ;-)
the rest is probably not ideal to disclose publicly
