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964 is by far the best road car. It’s just perfect for spirited street driving. Perfect amount of power for the road. And all inputs are rewarded in a very good way. “ They need some mods” to get to RS spec.
993tt is IMO the best looking car, but the “lack of” sound and 4wd does hurt the driving impression.
The 997rs4.0 is amazing in every possible way. 500hp on the road is getting you in trouble before it really starts to get fun. So it basically only comes out on private track days with really close friends.
Let me preface this by saying that I don't track my GT3, so my comments are strictly related to my use case, which is 100% back country mountain roads. For this, I prefer the base GT3 for it's heavier flywheel which eliminates the clutch chatter, regular glass windows which do a better job of insulating some NVH, ability's to have the adaptive seats (I don't like buckets off track), and for it's more subtle looks. The car is just the perfect blend of rawness and civility. I never tire of driving it.
There is no doubt the RS offers some advantages over the base, however, I would never be able to tap into any of them on the street. So for me, I would have to live with its downsides without benefitting from its upsides.
Makes total sense and with the solid color of the regular gt3, you can kind of fly under the radar…until you see the wing, which indicates this is a very special car! I would love to try the adaptive seats because I agree, off track, they are not really needed. Thanks for responding here!
Each has it's purpose. When I go for a spirited drive in the mountains it's the GT3RS. When I drove from Colorado to Monterey, Calif for the last Rennsport it was in the Turbo. I love them both!
. That is exactly how I see it too. The 997 turbo is a beautiful machine and really fun for long trips or short ones, it does everything so well.
For the poll, I voted the 997 3/RS ... but only because the NB non-RS was not on the list.
To be honest & fair, I would not really know whether the RS would be more fun for my use-case (Mtn backroads),.. but I'm very happy with my choice of narrow body .2 GT3, PCCB, 18-way, DMFW, thick glass,... and when exploring new routes my wife & I very much appreciate having the NAV screen so I can glance down & forecast the twisties coming up (we also use a Scenic App on my phone to pre-build the route in conjunction with Google Maps AHEAD of leaving the driveway. Often we build new routes we've never driven before, such as heading into the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia where there are a vast array of loop options, etc. And by using this App, the route gets vocalized to me over my upgraded sound system, so I can hear it over the engine. My wife has to do nothing when it comes to being my navigator,... she just gets to hold on & eyes up front. Me too if she is driving. This is SUCH a blessing when exploring as a couple. We do long weekend routes & stay at B&B's, and eat in nice places. It's a spice of life for the two of us "car-guys"). ... Plus the Aqua Blue paint is delicious to look at too (but of course you can get the RS in that color too).
My .02 - since we are touring folks....
Hey Steve, that sounds like a total blast! I would love to see a picture of the aqua blue.
964 is by far the best road car. It’s just perfect for spirited street driving. Perfect amount of power for the road. And all inputs are rewarded in a very good way. “ They need some mods” to get to RS spec.
993tt is IMO the best looking car, but the “lack of” sound and 4wd does hurt the driving impression.
The 997rs4.0 is amazing in every possible way. 500hp on the road is getting you in trouble before it really starts to get fun. So it basically only comes out on private track days with really close friends.
@997rs4.0 great feedback! Can you tell me about your experiences with the 996gt3rs? That is a rare car over here in the USA. I believe a few guys here have imported them under a show and tell license. I actually wanted to add that car to the list but basically, it’s rarity and the need to import under special circumstances, makes it hard to realistically consider it as an option. That said, I wonder how a 996 gt3 would stack up,against a sorted 964 at or near rs specs?
I agree about the beauty of the 993. It is old enough for my eye to see that it has moved solidly into classic mode and I can easily overlook its lack of tech. I feel almost the same about the 996 variants.
Gaaahhhh, I almost bought the Blue 964RS, pictured above, many years ago when he had it up for sale, and before it went to Road Scholars. Can't believe I passed on it. It had been Federalized and was legally a US car at that time too.
If you've ever driven a 964 RS, you'll know what an incredible drivers car it is. This is my vote
I totally love my 997.1 RS, and it's an amazing drivers car too, way more power, poise, build quality, etc...but, the 964RS is just so special and air cooled to boot
Looking at that pic more closely, I now see that car was in Germany at the Ring, so not likely the RS I turned down here in the US, but certainly it's twin brother...
Yes this was obviously my vote. And remains one of my most favorite motor cars. It is at the ‘Ring, I took this picture in 2000 at the BMW Club Europe annual ‘Ring school event.
@997rs4.0 great feedback! Can you tell me about your experiences with the 996gt3rs? That is a rare car over here in the USA. I believe a few guys here have imported them under a show and tell license. I actually wanted to add that car to the list but basically, it’s rarity and the need to import under special circumstances, makes it hard to realistically consider it as an option. That said, I wonder how a 996 gt3 would stack up,against a sorted 964 at or near rs specs?
I agree about the beauty of the 993. It is old enough for my eye to see that it has moved solidly into classic mode and I can easily overlook its lack of tech. I feel almost the same about the 996 variants.
So hard to put emotions/feel into words, Something about the 964 and it’s interior/size that makes you feel more a part of the car. Like it wraps around you. I don’t get the same feeling in the 996/997/991/992.
I drive 85Gold (rennlisters) old 996gt3 as my track car. It’s fully caged and highly modified. Still has a license plate that is a huge advantage over here in Europe. Especially at the Nurburgring.
I bought the 996gt3rs as an investment many years ago when I saw what happened to the value of the 997gt3rs4.0. So to be honest it rarely sees the road.
The plan is however to make a few YouTube clips later this spring.
Stock 996gt3MK1 vs my 996gt3Mk2 (track car) vs 996gt3rs.
and another episode with 964 vs 964 vs 964rs. All very different setups.
Not a YouTuber so please don’t laugh to hard when we release these videos.
Why is the regular 997GT3 not listed? I feel scorned, belittled, offended, discriminated against and generally butt hurt. I think some of us prefer the base GT3 to the RS for a street oriented driver's car. I know I can't be the only one.
Agree! Only wish that the Gt3 had the shorter gearing of the RS. I think 2nd gear is too long for the street.
Best drivers 911? The one I’m driving now - 3.8 RS
every iteration I have had was great. 996 turbo, 997 turbo, 3.6 RS (sometimes I regret parting w.) and 964 C4.
I could see how a 964 would be near the top of the list …. But I didn’t keep mine for very long as it needed some sorting and I didn’t have the patience, and it felt a bit lacking I. Power Dep’t.
don’t anticipate parting w 3.8 because it is that good (if that counts for anything.)
I voted for 997 RS. The one I thought hard about was the 964 RS. Have not driven one, but I hear they are amazing and that is why I have been looking for one. In regards to GT3 vs RS for the .2, the GT3 has longer gearing than the RS and it makes it more difficult to wind it out on the street. That in combination with the SMFW (which makes a big difference for rev matching and heel toe down shifting as the engine gains and also loses revs faster) of the RS is enough for it to pip the GT3 as far as a “drivers car” for me. But I define a “drivers car” as the ultimate car for spirited drivers, but the term “drivers car” is interpreted differently depending on who you ask. I have experience with both cars as I have owned both at the same time for a couple months. Don’t get me wrong the GT3 is a great car and is a much better value given the market conditions. Plus, I think the GT3 is easier and less fatiguing for longer drives due to the longer gearing and DMFW. RS requires quicker shifts to be smooth because of the lighter flywheel (engine loses revs faster because of the flywheel) and the shorter gearing requires shifting more frequently which sometimes becomes difficult and tiring. But both are great cars and two of the best I have owned.
For the poll, I voted the 997 3/RS ... but only because the NB non-RS was not on the list.
To be honest & fair, I would not really know whether the RS would be more fun for my use-case (Mtn backroads),.. but I'm very happy with my choice of narrow body .2 GT3, PCCB, 18-way, DMFW, thick glass,... and when exploring new routes my wife & I very much appreciate having the NAV screen so I can glance down & forecast the twisties coming up (we also use a Scenic App on my phone to pre-build the route in conjunction with Google Maps AHEAD of leaving the driveway. Often we build new routes we've never driven before, such as heading into the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia where there are a vast array of loop options, etc. And by using this App, the route gets vocalized to me over my upgraded sound system, so I can hear it over the engine. My wife has to do nothing when it comes to being my navigator,... she just gets to hold on & eyes up front. Me too if she is driving. This is SUCH a blessing when exploring as a couple. We do long weekend routes & stay at B&B's, and eat in nice places. It's a spice of life for the two of us "car-guys"). ... Plus the Aqua Blue paint is delicious to look at too (but of course you can get the RS in that color too).
My .02 - since we are touring folks....
not to hijack this thread, what Scenic App do you use?
I guess it depends on where you live and drive. The goal of my 964 c2 is to make it drive similar to this 964rs. Works really well on small backroads and the Autobahn.
Perspective changes over time, if you would have asked me 15years ago and 100track days ago I would have picked a car with more hp even for street driving. A car with 300hp can still be fun to drive at 8/10 on the road. A 500hp at 8/10 on the road and you going crazy fast.
Recent stable included a 997.2 gt3, 964, and Longhood 911. Overlap between ownership was about 4 years so was fun to drive the diff generations back to back.
997 was my track car with full monoball suspension, jrz, cup steering wheel, 2 pc floating rotors 996 cup shifter etc, cup exhaust, lwfw, halo seat, etc.
964 is sorted as well with RS sway bars and engine mounts, upgraded bushings, 996 cup steering wheel, 2 way coilovers, chip, intake, exhaust blah blah
longhood 911 is hot rodded with a hot 2.7 Rs engine build, brakes from a SC 911, upgraded shifter, lsd, and fully sorted suspension. Think 964 power at 2100 pounds.
for pure street fun, I’ll take the Longhood 911. With no abs, non power assisted brakes, manual steering rack, and no driver aids, it is the purest drivers car I have experienced. The thing feels like a go kart and is so much fun to hoon around with in the canyons.
with the power to weight ratio, the car has no issues keeping up with more modern cars in the canyons albeit it takes some effort. But that’s part of the enjoyment. You’re in complete control and the majority of the performance is accessible on the street.
oh let’s not forget the sound. While the gt3 sounds amazing, there’s something about these old mag case 911 engines that make my spine tingle. The wot induction sound from the 46mm carbs and exhaust is something else.
the gt3 has recently left my garage as it was becoming more difficult to attend track days with family commitments and I found myself always reaching for the aircooled keys for weekend drives. It was replaced by a fiat though
Last edited by boostedt0y; 02-12-2022 at 12:18 PM.
02-11-2022, 06:51 PM
