Steve Theodore

I thought it might be fun to attempt this, since I get asked this question rather frequently about my 997.1 GT2 to my 997.2 GT3 RS.

To be clear, I DO NOT expect my own experiences to be definitive, just that they are my own thoughts on the matter. I hope and expect for many others to add their experiences so that together we can create a thread that could be considered definitive. One thread for future aspiring Porsche 911 GT owners to visit and read through who are considering one or the other.

So, on that note...what are my own credentials? I have owned and driven Porsche 911s since 2009, own a specialty car dealership, and have owned my 997.2 GT3 RS for nearly 11 years and roughly 10k miles (including limited track work). I have owned and driven my own 997.1 GT2 for just over 5 years and roughly 10k miles, and have driven it in many conditions including track work. My GT2 is currently tuned with exhaust, clutch, RS flywheel, and Numeric Racing shifter, but I drove the car for about half the time I've owned it in near-stock configuration. My GT2 also has aftermarket sway-bars installed. My GT3 RS has a SharkWerks muffler bypass as its only modification. I have considered the differences between the two cars many times over the past five years and given it plenty of thought to pass along to anyone who would ask.

So, let's do this!

997.2 GT3 RS

PROS
- Engine/exhaust sound, which cannot be beat and is a hugely polarizing part of the driving and ownership experience
- Linearity of power-band, meaning no huge torque spikes allowing you to drive with gusto in most conditions.
- High revs, also related to sound, leads to a great overall feeling when driving hard

CONS
- Requires higher revs to drive fast, which I realize is obvious but a huge distinction to make between these two cars
- Rear wing blocks your rearward vision badly with stock risers (which I have)

997.1 GT2

PROS
- Torque, torque, torque! You can drive much lazier and still make big moves in the GT2 due to the turbocharged Mezger engine's power-band.
- Big league horsepower, which stays largely relevant even today due to the light weight nature of the car.
- Friendlier than you'd think on track. With all the talk of it being a modern day 930-like 'widow maker' I can tell you the car is downright playful when driven to my limits on track
- Such a rare and special machine. The fastest Porsche 911 sold in model year 2008-2009 and one of only 1242 made worldwide. You rarely see yourself anywhere in a GT2!

CONS
- Engine sound is not great, even compared to other turbocharged vehicles
- Harder to drive at the limit, due to the propensity to bang the rev limiter (made worse by my light flywheel)
- Less linearity of the power-band due to turbocharging and lower compression, but this isn't as bad as it could be due to the excellent traction that the car gets under load
- Harder to shift smoothly, but this is almost certainly an issue for me with my Numeric Racing shifter (and thus wouldn't affect stock versus stock comparisons)
- Almost no one knows what it is, which was one of the reasons I chose to wrap my GT2 in bright colors this year as it deserves to be seen. Many non-Porsche people also assume GT3 is better/faster as the number is higher. This always gets a laugh out of me, as logically the GT4 RS must be the best-of-the-best in these terms of thinking!

SUMMARY

I drive my GT2 more regularly and reserve my GT3 RS as more of a special event type of car. This has much to do with the tires on each one as I have yet to ditch the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 1s on the GT3 RS (and need to), but also somewhat because I prize the GT3 RS experience more and reserve it for nicer days and more special events. Meaning, I have semi-arbitrary feelings about the usage of them that may not apply to others. What I can tell you is the answer to the inevitable question of "If you could only keep one, which would it be?" is always GT3 RS. Although slower in many circumstances, the car is more visceral and playful...and completely dominated by that magnificent NA Mezger engine that gives you chills every time you take it over 8000 RPM. The 997.2 GT3 RS remains my dream car, and it is such a joy to own! The day I bought it felt like winning a Powerball jackpot, and I still love it just as much, if not more, after 11 years of happy ownership. It is the one car I will not sell, unless absolutely forced to.

Lest anyone think that it means I don't care much for my GT2, that is also not true. They are both absolutely extraordinary Porsches, and literally the pinnacle of 997 engineering (except for the limited RS 4.0 and 997.2 GT2 RS of course) and I consider myself blessed to have each one. I truly do love them both, and feel that the 997 platform may never be topped for guys like me.


Even though my GT2 is no longer black, I absolutely love this shot taken by my friend Adam Hyatt.


A photo taken by my friend Karl Noakes of me rolling into Exotics (car show) a few years ago

997GT

This was my sentiment as well. The way the car overrevs/overshoots on each upshift makes me feel like a novice driver. If there is a reproducible method to remedy this, a la how a GT2RS shifts, I’ll be tempted to get back in a GT2 again!

M&Abanker4life

Nice post and cars!

Metaphysician

Great post and thanks for the insights! We just need to get you in a Turbo to build out this Venn diagram I have in my head. Thoughts on handling/steering between the two? Is the GT2 a hybrid of a Turbo and GT3/GT3RS, or is it just a stripped down Turbo with a little more power and RWD?

Steve Theodore

As a specialty car dealer, I pretty much drive everything and can certainly talk about 996, 997, and 991.1 generation Turbo and Turbo S models, but that goes beyond the subject of what I'm trying to cover.

The quick answer to your question is a an old favorite quote that I didn't make up, which says "The Turbo is the cardboard box that the GT2 comes in". Meaning, the GT2 is far more focused and responsive than the Turbo and Turbo S. The Turbo is meant to be everything to everyone and does a fine job at it, whereas the GT class Porsches are catered to hardcore driving enthusiasts who prize attributes like sharper steering, less weight, and certainly more engine performance. Again, a Turbo is a great car but is compromised to do everything well, whereas the GT cars aren't as good for daily use or road trips, but are built for aggressive use, track days, and general driving enjoyment.

ChrisF

Great write up @Steve Theodore

Not much I'd add besides Pro on the 3RS of short gearing/LWFW stock. Agree on pretty much else.

Great line re the cardboard box relative to the turbo. I think it's maybe a 50/50 mix of commonalities/differences. Those differences though really create the unique experience. I think the Turbo is also a great car but you can't make it feel like the GT2.

ScottArizona

Every mezger turbo I have ever driven has done this "upshoot" when shifting at higher rpms. Does the 997 gt2rs not do it? If not, that is super interesting to me! Its basically the same motor save for some intake, exhaust, intercooler and tuning changes!

And thanks for the post Steve. This just further solidifies my desire to add a 7-2 to compliment my 996. I just need to hit the lottery or sell a house!

Steve Theodore

@ScottArizona considering that I have functionally turned my GT2 into a GT2 RS (mostly), I can say I'd be mightily surprised if the real 997.2 GT2 RS didn't do the same 'over-rev/over-shoot' behavior. However, I've never driven a real one, much less in anger.

911

Great write up, Steve!

mchrono

Steve you really hit the nail on the head with this!

Everyone seems to know what a GT3 is. Its funny its happened several times I would get asked “what is a GT2”. My answer: “a turbo GT3”. This gets followed by an immediate nod of respect from the person who asked the question.
Lots of people just don’t know what they are!

Just remember:
the Turbo is for gentlemen,
the GT3 for drivers, and
the GT2 for lunatics.

Steve Theodore

Thanks a lot @911 , and it was a pleasure to take a swing at it.

A turbocharged GT3 is indeed the most accurate answer possible, and it's funny to see how people's faces light up when they hear that. Your signature is one of my favorite on the entire forum btw, and I agree wholeheartedly with it! Proud lunatic when I'm driving my GT2, and with my personalized plate that says '1BADGT2' it often influences me to be much more of a lunatic than I should!

Full Boost

WHAT A SHOT!!!!

Love the comparison - the only car i'd sell my slightly modded TT for would be an RS, And i am a boost junkie....

TB993tt

*997 GT2 production is actually 1261 units.

911

Steve's picture of his GT2 should be framed and mounted on a wall. Amazing shot!

vma1788

Great write up. I often wondered about how these two stack up. I think engine sound and lack of revs always kept me away from the turbos. What about front end grip/response, are they fairly evenly matched? Been debating building a 997tt 6mt into a rwd/gt2/rs/hotrod type thing.

Get off those Cup1s man, they are probably hard as rocks!