billhart

Referred to this board by a user on Funcarsonline. I have never owned a Porsche, but that may be about to change: i have gone down a mental checklist of the next car, and all signs seem to be pointing toward a GT 2.

I want the lightness, power (read:torque) and handling characteristics that the GT 2 seems to have without suffering unnecessarily from noise, vibration and harshness on the streets. Most of my driving will be "street" rather than track (although i am not opposed to the latter, already learned how bad i am at a 3 day skip barber course a few years ago), finding the backroads, and going some distance. It is not unusual for me to hop in a car at the spur of the moment and drive, say from NY to Florida, just for kicks. (Did that in a Berlinetta Boxer i owned a few years ago, which is not exactly a modern GT car, so i am not coming to this looking for Lexus-like comfort, just so you know what i mean).
The last two cars have been 550 Maranello(s), a coupe and the open version, and while i love the car in both forms, it is a heavy GT car, not a lithe curve carver on tight twisties. Did i say i liked torque? Well, for that reason, none of the 8 cyl. F-cars appeal, and i'm just not up for another 550/575. The Lambo is also too big and i'll be damned if i know where it could get serviced properly anyway in the NorthEast (I have visited Al Burtoni and if i lived near Gilroy i would more seriously consider the "other " Italian car). Anything above these (f-40;Enzo;Carrera GT, etc) is a little too much for my working stiff life. So, having said all that,

does the car strike the right balance between hardcore performance machine, and something that can actually be driven distances, as i like to do?

what options are vital?

exhaust: I quit using Tubi on the italian cars cause i found them too noisy at idle and low revs. But i like to hear the car. What say you on the "stock" exhaust as fitted to the GT 2?

What's the story with getting racing-type seats; do i have to go to an aftermarket supplier or does Porsche make a first rate seat available for
US owners?

Is the market for this car as hung up on delivery mileage as ferrari seems to be (anything over a few thousand miles gets banged on resale, and is ready for the trash heap, when we know the opposite is true. Nonetheless, i tend to put miles on these cars and get punished for it every time).

Service in the greater NY area. If i buy the car, it will be through a friend who has a dealership in another state. But i'm not going to schlepp the car down there for routine maintenance, etc. Is there anybody good near me (Westchester,Rockland area)?

OK, enough. What say you and thanks in advance....

caneaddict

I know the perfect car for you, it's called a CJV/S Car Go Porsche!

Actually for your needs a GT2 sounds like a solid choice. However you may seriously want to consider a modified Twin Turbo. Since you live in the North the lack of AWD and PSM will mean fewer days driving the beauty. Also, a modified TT can actually produce significantly more power controllably since you have the safety features. That being said, if you want the "feel" of a light sports car and don't mind not driving it on bad days, you can't go wrong with the GT2. The lack of sound insulation material and 2WD really make the GT2 special. It has a certain feel that can't be matched with any normal mods. You just have to see if you actually want that feel.

Best suggestion, test drive a GT2 as well as a very heavily modified Turbo. There are some on this board in the NE that may be willing to give you a ride. Otherwise find anyone in the country with a modded turbo and fly out to get a ride!

Redlinerobert

Bill,

After reading your post you don't strike me as the modified car type. Perhaps a 996TT with the X50 option would be better suited to your driving style. Plenty of torque, more cushy than a GT2 for those looong drives and just about as fast. You can option the hell out of the thing and end up with a wicked fast/hot car. What say you now? <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" />

PN

and the new X50 has more power than the current one as well <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

PogueMoHone

The GT2 wins hands down over the TT in any standard version. It's pretty easy to drive on long trips. (IMO)

The front spoiler (being low) is more troublesome on short trips.

The GT2 is more involving and provides greater feedback.

Try them both!

ltc

Billhart,
Based on your description, it sounds to me that you may want to consider the 2004 GT3 rather than a GT2.
Porsche is 'supposedly' going to release a 30th anniversary edition of the GT3 (lightened, painted wheels, Carrera script, special spoiler only available on this car) to commerate the 73 RS.

Steve in FL

And like the '73 RS, the GT3 RS isn't going to be offered for sale in the US. It'd never meet DOT requirements based on the description of what changes make up the RS edition. At least we get the "regular" '04 GT3.

Sun Ra

on seats: you can order correct porsche racing seats called "gt3 seats" from phil in parts at suncoast porsche, sarasota,fl for 1395 each which is good, or carbon fibre gt3 seats from carnewal.com which is very, very, very good.

996TwinT

PN,
Where do you get your info on the 2004 X50 HP? I haven't heard anything about it.

GrantG

I think if you're looking for the big torque as you say, GT2 is your choice, not GT3 (285ft-lbs of torque).

billhart

Thanks, all. I think i am going to take this car; it should arrive at my dealer early next week. He wants me to try the stock seats before i buy the GT 3 seats (i'm not that fat...) and says, apart from painting the center console body color (silver), little else needs to be done. I'm waiting to find out about the tires on the car... I have usually opted for P-Zeros on the F cars, although i am running a Goodyear "fiorano" that's a nice compromise between the stick of the P-zero and the more rigid Pilot Sport. Anything else i need to know, other than to buy a valentine 1 and don't lift off in the corners?

HBdirtbag

Also make sure to read about how much GT2's are exchanging hands for. Alot of examples are going for 150K range.

DarioTexas

YES! Make sure you are getting between $10K and $15K off of the sticker price ... the market is down and there are plenty of GT2's sitting on showroom floors with no where to go ... you are a RARE customer and since the tables have turned (as opposed to a year ago) it's the dealership's turn to wheel and deal and for you to stand your ground with a stupid grin on your face...

offroadr35

yup, buy the GT2. You can get them at great prices, they'll spank the 550 in every way imaginable, and they're definitely comfortable enough for a decent road trip. We just got one and have loved every minute of it. We're takin it to the track for the first time tomorrow to put it through its paces. It really is a pleasure to drive.

-Steve

billhart

Without driving all of you crazy (since i am now hotly anticipating this car and, as you know, friends and spouses don't necessarily get the obsession), can anybody tell me what the mph range of each gear is, once the car is broken in?

And, without digressing into heavy math over max hp v. torque and shift points, is there any general technique to shifting this car (eg the 550 tops out fast in first, second gear is largely a waste of time, and all the action is in third and up).