I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 996 TARGA. I AM CONSIDERING A 2004 GT-3 TO REPLACE THE TARGA. CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE THE RIDE AND HANDLING DIFFERENCES AND THE RIDE COMFORT DIFFERENCE. I KNOW THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GT-3 IS SUPERIOR BUT AT WHAT COST? CAN YOU DRIVE A GT-3 ON THE HIGHWAY ALL DAY WITH ANY LEVEL OF COMFORT?

 

"CAN YOU DRIVE A GT-3 ON THE HIGHWAY ALL DAY WITH ANY LEVEL OF COMFORT? "

yes. It won't be a Caddy, but I find no issues. There will be more interior noise though. Less sound proofing and louder motor. Do you plan on visiting the track ?
If so, then the GT3 is the choice, imo

 

It is a different car in many ways. If you are worrying about comfort, noise, lack of sun roof and crappy radio it may not be for you. I find that most people that ask the question are not the match for the car.
There are a lot of used GT3s on the market because people thought they wanted a sports car only to find they wanted a fast comfortable car.

I drive my car every day. 26,000 miles on it and have enjoyed every noisy radioless moment. By the way.... the clutch will remind you of an old muscle car.

 

The car is a piece of cake for everyday driving. I listen to the radio when I want (it isn't that bad) and drive for hours in my european buckets without a complaint. Three track days down so far and it is truly as fast as many (not all) dedicated race cars.

I think you have to be a bona fide "car" guy to enjoy the GT3 for everyday use. If you are, you'll never look back (I know mine's a keeper).

Cheers.

 

Amen Jim H

 

I had a 2000 C2 until getting my 2005 GT3. The cockpit is nearly identical, but you will feel as though someone turned your sportscar-GT car into a racecar-sportscar. it is comfortable on the freeway; the experience is just a lot more intense. It reacts sharply and predictably to driving inputs. It communicates the road much better. You will be able to sense the very texture of the road through the steering wheel. The engine is stunning. When you really open it up you and you passenger will not be able to hold back giggles of astonishment. In the 996, my friends said, "nice!" or sometimes, "wow!" The GT3 provokes a more religious response. They say, "Oh my God!" and "Holy f***ing crap!" It is, as you can tell, a lot of fun.

 

Highway-piece of cake for the GT3. City-if like San francisco it's a POS. On the track-pure nirvana as in your going to be hella busy with the gobs of feedback which I have to say way too much information at the beginning but with more time spent made a better driver out of me. Regards. Mike

 

Thanks for the input. The GT-3 sounds like a fine replacement.......

 

You can not compare the 2 cars. The handling, power, styling of the GT3 is fantastic... Yes a little stiffer than the plush standard 996s, but it is stiffness that gives you more feeling and confidence in the car.