Caterham Seven 620 would be fun

 

You asked the question perfectly. Because to get the best answer here, it is going to require a owner who has owned & driven BOTH back to back for long periods of time.

I would care to guess that just about 100% of youtube videos and car reviewers will all say that the 997 GT3 will always give that feeling of going fast, even when you're going slow, whereas almost all the reviews of the newer 991 GT3's say that it requires pushing it soooo much more to really gain that exhilarating feeling. They are so good that when you're going slow, they're boring (which of course is a GOOD thing when you're just running errands & DD'ing a car). So YMMV.

That's why I was suggesting you look into a Spyder. For less than $100k, you can even go back to the 981 Spyder (which a lot of people say has a better exhaust note than the 718 with particulate filter). Then jump to $140k and you can get the more powerful 4.0 718 Spyder motor (that's where my extra $40k would go,... & then I'd ditch the oem particulate filter & really juice up the exhaust note).

I gotta say here, that the body shape of the 718 Spyder really does it for me. I love it. Well balanced. Good racy lines,... and yet subtle enough that many people on the road won't even know its not a regular boxster (so it flys a bit under the "look at me" radar)

@Raghu Raghu would be a good guy to chime in here

 

As an owner of a 981 Spyder, I can’t disagree with that suggestion. I could go on and on about how many ways this car checks all the boxes. I love it. Having said that, another car that comes to mind is the Shelby GT350.

 

Love these comments! Will look at the 981. I’ve also looked at the gt350 and they are beautiful cars and sound great. Fairly capable on the track as well but don’t see myself doing much track time these days. Have scratched that itch.

I’ve also been thinking about something more vintage as well. The older variants are just beautiful but I worry that I will feel slow in it.

‘’keep the comments coming!

 

Agree 100% with assessment.
If you want the DD + manual tranny + sound = 981 Spyder. These are up right at $100K. I have seen some guys track these also. Mark Dreyer is right about the 981.
If you want the DD + manual tranny + 4.0L GT experience = 718 Spyder. A used 718 would push you back at least $140K but if you get lucky with an allocation a stripper could be right at $100K. I DD mine and also long distance (put 11K miles). After owning two 981 Spyder's, I long to own one again. The 718, you would have to pry it out of my dead hands. It is the perfect counterpoint to the GT3.
Having said all that, there is nothing quite like the 997 GT3 experience. Nothing else (water-cooled) will give you that analog driving experience, the beautiful transmission/gearing, the clutch and the amazing steering column. Nor will anything give that visceral orchestra you get when you open her up. I have yet to take mine to the track but I have driven it to work and on weekend spirited drives. If that was the only car I had, I would DD it. It is a fast car (experientially, not mathematically) and at times quite scary until you realize it is planted like a tree. By then, your heart is already racing from the 'what could have happened if I lost traction' thought.
One might get lucky picking up a good GT3 for $165-185K today (I agree with another Rennlister that too many GT3's with blemishes are being bought in this frenzied market today).
One could argue going back even to the 987 Spyder or GTS with manual tranny or the 987 Cayman R or S. They all make sense and deliver a thrill/satisfaction that is better than anything else at their price point. They are not anywhere close to the power and handling of the 718 or 981 and just not as raw as the GT3. They can all provide the enjoyment and buy you some time to pick up the right GT3.
I enjoyed my 991.1 RS, especially the rapid take off and the deafening sound but eventually got bored of the PDK. It stopped being there for me in about 6 months unlike the 7.2RS and 718 Spyder. Almost 3 years of ownership of the 7.2RS and 2 years of the 718 Spyder and I am still discovering new experiences from both of them. Never boring or mundane. The 718 soundtrack has actually gotten louder after I hit about 5000 miles and the particulate filter doesn't bother me now. The 2nd gear is not too long either if you take the 1st gear up past 5000 RPM at take off.
I agree with @bweSteve on all counts. The 718 Spyder could be the best of both worlds.

 

981 Spyder + send to Deman for the 4.5L for 35k.

 

I went the other way. Antiques. Stupid built hot rods. my 71 is 300hp 8k rpm 185 section tires 2200 lbs. shirt stack gearbox lsd setup suspension you want visceral?

 

definitely compelling! I’m going to check those guys out. This is the kind of stuff I like to read. YouTube and car reviews are good to a point but after a while, they sound like advertisements for the manufacturers. One of the things I love about RL and some of the other quality forums is the incredible knowledge that members have to offer based on their experience and voted for by their pocketbooks!

 

Nothing like a manual 997 GT3!

 

Some people might say I’m all over the place, and they may not be wrong at all. I have a love for the old 911 and seeing some of the ads for the vintage cars and even not so vintage, is an eye opener!

Visceral is compelling. Your car seems like it would be a blast to drive and I could imagine cruising through the mountains above Malibu in it! How did you get started on your journey?

 

And herein lies the problem. I’ve got faster, flashier, “better” cars but nothing drives like it. But I’m not ready to sell everything else and give up buying cars, so the search goes on.

 

My daily is a C6 Z06. I love the combination of manual transmission and large displacement naturally aspirated engine presented in a comfortable and low effort driving experience. It looks pretty handsome to my eyes and makes very nice V8 noises.

It can also get down and boogie when you're in the mood. My car has a mild cam and ported heads and makes 524hp to the wheels. Cornering is taken care of by 285 front tires and 335 rear tires. Driven smoothly, it's a monster on the track. It would really take a decent driver in a GT3 to stay in front.

The Z06 is not as precise a driving tool as my GT3, but it's a very different experience with its own virtues.

 

For a song compared to what you’d spend on some of the others you could buy a 2012/13 Boss 302.

Drive one. You’ll be impressed. Fun factor = or > GT350. It will hold its value to.

It’s the sleeper in the room.

 

Hmmm, all of those sound delicious too. I'm not in the BMW camp myself,... but all the suggestions of GT350R, Shelby GT350, Boss302 (all in manual) sound like fun, even for the street. I still own my 1968 & '69 Camaro RS/SS 396/375's, so at least I get to scratch the ol skool itch all the time too.

but then the suggestions of the 981 Spyder, 718 Spyder, or even a Cayman GTS 4.0 in manual would be fun too. Except for me, since I also still own my 1991 964 Turbo, I am leaning towards a top-down variant (hence the Spyder), since that would be a cool compliment to my stable. 1st world problems dreaming about that next car....

Good thing for you Turbo Racer, is that you are KEEPING your 997.2 GT3RS. THAT car is the foundation of your entire drivers collection. I only really drive the back roads too (few AutoX & DE thrown in)

 

entry was a 3.2 carrera then a 964 and a 71. You need to decide if you are an old car person have the patience and mentality and a good shop.

best way is buy a “done done” car and bring an open wallet.