TT Surgeon

I'll be the lone voice of desent here, keep the 997s, here's why;
The 997S is a great daily driver and a track star.
The GT3 ain't great for a daily driver.
You already have a dedicated track car.
It runs the ring nearly as fast as the GT3.
There is a lot of room on the 3.8 motor for 25-50hp gains without a ton of work.
The back seat comes in handy with kids!
The new 997 GT3 will have the same 3.8 motor tweeked to 380 hp or so.
RMS is a mute point, they all can get it!
just my .02

GT3BB

$77,500.

frayed

While the surgeon brings up some good points, the driving feel b/t the 997S and GT3 is quite different. In the end, u gotta buy what moves you.

WULF

Agree entirely.They are different animals.The 997S you buy with your brain. The GT3 you buy because after driving one for the first time you can't sleep at nights lusting after it.

fahren affair

why don't you track your 997? ....i too am on the fence. at the end of the day, the gt3 and 997 are still street cars w/ compromises. i prefer the build, design and looks of the 997, but the gt3 feels more familiar to me ...i'm still vacillating...

frayed

Like you I had an 00 C2.

Like you I vacillated b/t the 997S and GT3.

In the end, I found the GT3 much more engaging. It also has rarity, aggressive look, functional aero, and a to-die-for powertrain. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned on the boards, is the lack of LSD in 997S. This only comes with the -20 sport chassis option, which is not available in the US. I even wrote a letter to the pres of PCNA asking about availability, but got no response.

Having had two PSM cars with active braking differential, I *much* prefer the feel of a mechanical diff than the electronics slowing down the spinning wheel. It also makes it easier to drive tail out with tractability if you are feeling like a juvenile.

Edit: to clarify, if I could have gotten a -20 chassis 997S (without PASM and with a LSD) the choice would have been quite a bit more difficult.

NJ-GT

Rick.

I told him to get the GT3, and exchange the 996 40th Ann for a 993TT.

bora

The basic turnoff for me for the 997S is the active suspension.
I hear now that you can possibly order one without it, but really
GT3 and the 997S are not even in the same zipcode. Yeah
maybe they lap the Ring in similar times, but the sound,
the feel, the feedback of the GT3 is hard to be topped by any other
car from Porsche. If the 360 CS came with a regular 6 speed,
I would consider that.

TT Surgeon

Just get a GT2 and be done with it!

Jerseybean

I put a deposit down for a 997 GT3, I think the dealer said it'll be in next year. This way I wont get into so much trouble at home and she'll have about 1 year to use to the idea of yet another new porsche. Im still ont the fence. I want I want I want, I feel like a 4 year old.

PogueMoHone

There ain't no NA 997 GT3..yet! And maybe never (IMO)

TT Surgeon

Colm, there will be a 997 GT3, this year. It will have the current 3.8 m97 engine upped to 381hp and will be offered with a few more creature comforts to appeal to a wider market. There will also be a RS version more akin to the current track oriented GT3.
Might be money ahead just getting a stripped down S with an aerokit, sounds like that is all the 997GT3 will be.
JMO
Chris

Ran

Jerseybean, waiting is probably a good decision especially at this point in the game since the 997 GT3 may not be that far away. I purchased my 996GT3 at the end February 2005 after testing several 996 variants as well as 997 ones several times over and, in the end, could not resist the 996GT3 but then again I did not have to agonise over any recently purchased 997S. I certainly would have liked to be as satisfied by the 997S. But if I had gone for the S for whatever reason (not likely given my test drives), I probably would try really hard not to look back considering its own advantages as a better all-rounder. The 996GT3 is no slouch in the all round game though. If ever you see my car in NJ, you will see what I mean ) (baby seat, airbag disable, etc.). I simply love this GT3. If you had gone for the trade in, I suspect that you would not do that badly given the scarcity of the 997S versus the availability and limited market of the GT3. Of course availability is a relative term for the GT3. The dealer may give you a fair enough deal since it can be a win-win for all. Good luck with the 997S and perhaps this decision to wait will help you get into the seat of a 997GT3 that much sooner. With or without dry sump, I suspect that it will be raise the bar even higher in the fun factor area. And if for some reason it does not arrive, all the better; go for a Ferrari CS. Good luck.

mooty

chris,

if you are right, then the 997gt3 isn't really a gt3 then ;-(
in that case, i hope the RS will get here this time.

TT Surgeon

John, I hope I'm not right, that's just the sum of all I've gleaned over the last few months on the internet.
Keep your real GT3.
Chris