As a long-term GT4 owner who has driven a GT3 (non-T), I love the go-cart feel of the Cayman platform and because it's got less power than any GT3 more of it is accessible on the street. They are both great cars. There's a lot of personal preference here.

Since you have this real quandary, invest less than two grand to visit a PEC--ATL or LA--and sign up to drive both back to back.

 

Loved my 981 GT4 for 7 months & 10k miles.
Until one day a random 7.2 GT3 whizzed by me on a scenic drive.

Listed the car for sale 3 days later and bought a 7.2 GT3 a few weeks after that. 2+ years & 30k miles on and never once have I missed the GT4.

Very different driving experience. The .1 did feel a bit dated for me in the interior after the GT4, but the .2 doesn’t feel that way in my opinion.

 

I don’t see such a difference between the interior of a .1 and .2 aside for the PCM and maybe the steering wheeI. I had both and they look almost identical.

 

i had a 996 GT3 for 8 years
I had a 981 GT4 for less than 8 months
feel free to draw your own conclusions :-)

 

Not if you're talking about the 997 GT3/RS IMO.

 

I don't think it's fair to answer your question in absolute terms. There are so many variables to consider around your use case and preferences.

It's definitely an alternative, but it's just subjectively so different that a comparison is almost meaningless unless you start talking about specific uses. On track, it's absolutely an excellent alternative. Objectively better chassis / platform, and will be faster than 997GT on a circuit in the same hands unless the latter is super built.

In every other respect of ownership, I think most will say it doesn't compare. You can nitpick individual components, but engine, steering, and overall feel are a far cry from 7.x GT. The sum of the experience is just not as "special." GT4 is almost sterile by comparison. It's more livable around town, and certainly easier to drive at the limits, but it's just not peak Porsche . . .

 

And let’s not forget nearly 1/2 the price is still 1/2 the price.

I live in a whats mine is yours house, so it was a lot easier for me to buy my first $100k GT3 because my wifes SUV was about the same… (I tricked my way into the RS)

So Id rather see a guy buy a $90k GT4 and drive it like he stole it than stretch for $180k… only to have his wife complain, worry about door dings, never go to the track, and flat out never enjoy it for what it is.

The 997 is awesome but the Snaveed hype created a vortex where the new owners spent more time in the for sale section than anywhere else(guilty). Just look at the number of people in here that used to track them that are now restoring them… in just 3 short years they went from being a tool to a relic

 

Bad choice.
had a 991.2 gt3 (tracked) sold it while waiting for the 992, bought a 718 Spyder, had it 4 days… 300 miles 125 on track.
recently borrowed a buddies 981 gt4 for smokies…. Never again. I should have just shipped my 997.2rs. Drove my buddies 4rs…. For the money I’d grab a 991.2 gt3 rs hands down.

im keeping my 7.2rs looking at adding a 991.2 rs as I tracked one many times and it was that much better than my non 991.2 rs.

 

I did a side by side 997.2 RS vs 991.2 RS. Same road, back to back. I would love to hear your feedback - sounds like you have seat time in both as well.

 

I love the 997, always have from my first 09’ turbo. But if I could have a second car, it will be a 991.2rs. I think it’s by far the best porsche for everything.

however, I won’t sell the 997. The 997’s I feel is the best porsche driving car chassis. I love my air cooled cars but I’d take a 997 over them all.
however if I could have a second 250k dollar car it would be a 991.2rs and I would most likely drive it all the time everyday, with 18 ways. And for the 8 weekends of tracking throw a bucket in it and live with the airbag light until I get home. The pdk is amazing, yeah I love the manual….

 

Thanks - it reflects my views of the 991.2 RS as well.
FrenchieMom is eyeing one since it is much easier and more comfortable to drive. It is a very, very nice car.

I would not give up the 997.2 RS for it, it would be addition to.

 

FWIW I went from a 991.2 3rs I ordered new to a 718 GT4 also ordered new and I think it’s way the hell better. I just couldn’t do PDK anymore after driving it most days for 3 years, so I got rid of it and started looking at manuals, knowing gt3 has at least 6-7 more years to go in manual, I wanted to try the last of the gt4 before they discounted them about a year ago after hearing Doug demuro talk about how it’s one of the best sports cars he’s ever driven it sounded compelling but I didn’t believe him really ….figured I’d keep the car a year tops and throw the keys back and get something else. I’m keeping mine for probably a long time

if you are the cars and coffee type….you’ll hate the gt4. They don’t have near the presence of a gt3rs, they’re super small inside, feels like 200 less hp, not 100. 99.9% of people that have never owned either, will tell you the gt3rs is way better and they’ll look at you like your crazy for going from a gt3/rs to a gt4

BUT if you absolutely love driving and fast, on and off track and prefer manual…you’ll ENJOY the gt4 more imo if you get over the ego has to be 911 thing. It feels 1k pounds lighter, half the size and is just shockingly fun to drive fast, the agility and nimbleness of it is just wild

This part I’ll proly get crucified for especially being the 997 section, but to put it in better perspective…. I think it’s just a modern version of the 997, it’s within 1 inch of the width height and length of a 997 gt3 and they weigh the same. I was in high school when my dad got his 997 gt3 brand new and I drove that extensively on and off track for something like 7-8 years. The gt4 is just a newer, more tossable, more go kart feeling 997 gt3. And the front grip is much much higher.

If you love the racetrack or driving fast around hills or canyons, you’ll love the gt4.

 

I totally get what you are saying about the GT4 basically being a modern 997, as I have mentioned that to friends before. But that comparison was only in dimensions of the car.

In terms of how both drive, they are worlds apart. Not even in the same galaxy. 997 is the last true rear engine layout. Requires trail braking and throttle steer. GT4 is mid engine with better turn in.

 

I'll add to it that the GT3/RS engine is quicker revving and much more exciting. GT4 is a great car with go-cart lightning reactive responses. If you sneeze while driving it down the road you'll end up two lanes over. It just doesn't tingle the senses as well as a GT3/RS car.

 

I am so glad you wrote this and shared your thoughts and experiences. Of course, the GT4 is awesome on the track, but likely not as awesome as the GT3 RS. But for driving on the street, I simply do not understand the GT3 RS because so little of its capability is accessible (if you want to stay out of jail). Whereas the GT4, is for sure less power, but so much more accessible. Both great cars, of course, and really built for different use-cases, IMO.