You know you can't compare MSRP across the board saying "the car costs 30K more so I should have X amount more of performance". Doesn't work that way. Look at the STi from Subie for $30K and realize that you are trying an apples to oranges comparison. 300hp, 4WD and with a few thousand bucks in mods and it can hang with the likes of the beasts.

And the Elise isn't even in the same category as the Z06 and the GT3. Those 2 are track beasts and the Exige is a go-kart on crack.

 

My 996GT3 RS *is* MUCH faster than my Exige 240R. Fact.
Hasn't the Exige S got 23hp less than a 240R?
If you're referring to Lotus' claimed figures then I wouldn't get too exited, they are reknowned for "polishing" them whereas Porsche are as well known for doing the exact opposite.

 

On the contrary, I think I can. It's called bang for the buck.

Exactly. It's called performance value. That's what makes the Subie so great. Bang for the buck. Compared to the Subie, the Z06 and the Exige S are lesser values, but still great drives. Compared again to the Subie, the 911 GT3 is an even lesser value, although still a great drive. Each one offers a slightly different driving experience and the buyer has to decide what they're looking for and what they're willing to spend for that.

Same category how? Number of seats? Luggage capacity? Driving experience? Lap times? Gas mileage? Please qualify your statement.

 

Please qualify that statement. Much faster how? 0-60? Top speed? Lap times? If lap times please explain which tracks and testing conditions.

On the contrary, I've found Lotus' numbers to often be conservative. But I assume you'll just dismiss my experiences anyway.

 

TC and PASM standard on the 997 GT3. It is now on the porsche website.

http://www.porsche.com/all/originmotorsport/uk.aspx
__________________

 

Check out the UK official site:
http://www.porsche.com/all/originmotorsport/uk.aspx

 

What I don't like on the 997 GT3:

- PASM standard
- variable steering standard
- Big TV screen standard
- TC standard
- 19" standard
- happy face with an open mouth (the front end looks like smiley) standard
- The rear wing
- the rear bumper
- the steering wheel


What I like on the 997 GT3:

- The 8400rpm redline
- Another 35Hp
- The muffler is finally located where it belongs, behind the engine, away from the fuel lines, away from the coolant expansion tank, opening space to cool down the engine heads.
- The GT3RS lightweight hubs with optimized geometry to reduce bump steer.

 

Are you sure it has the RS geometry setup for low ride heights? All 997s have the lightweight hubs as standard, just not sure they will have made optimised low ride ones for the standard GT3. I don't think they are interchangeable with the 996 RSs...

 

I was hoping the new GT3 would push the old GT3 prices down... From what I can see, owners will be more inclined to hold on to their old GT3s, and might even push prices UP!

 

i will keep mine. If i did not have one I would get the 997.

 

Hey, I don't think we should knock the Traction Control until we know how it works.

If it is a sophisticated electronic rear differential as in an F1 car, I am for it.

If it is an electronic throttle management, I am against it.

 

Silverstone GP Circuit, same day, me driving both cars, almost 1.5 seconds/lap.
This was only the second time I'd driven the RS on track, so far from really in tune with it.

Bedford Autodrome (4.2 miles), different days but very similar conditions/temperatures, 2.5 seconds or thereabouts.
First time in the RS on track.

Now I've driven many Lotus' for many years and know them pretty well, however I feel I am far from getting the best (in my hands) out of the RS.

I do not know of a magazine/test that has varified/matched/bettered the 240R's claimed figures.

This however happens on a regular basis with tests of Porsches.

One can always argue the different driver in different car etc etc thing but these are *my* two cars with *me* driving.



All my opinions and you are of course welcome to yours and no, I will not "dismiss" them at all.

 

Just to back Alan up further, and possibly upset him at the same time There is some suspicion as to lotus' performance figures for the 240R as they were a fair bit better than for the later 240 cup despite being very similar cars. Seems very much like a climbdown on the claims with the newest iteration, and 9.9 to 100 is a very convenient benchmark to break...

On a british tv program, a 240R on R tyres was slower around a race circuit than a 997S on road tyres. Ok she didn't get the most out of the 240R, but I doubt she got it all out the Porsche either. (She is a racer, but frankly not too good).

Alan has done the lotus thing for ages, way before I had mine so I think one can at least assume his opinion is based on experience. On track, the RS monsters most things.

 

whoops reading the thread in reverse here, hence replying to Alan's post first.

You are out of your mind here. An RS, in fact any GT3 will DESTROY an Exige S on track given equal wheelsmanship. I've owned and driven plenty of Elises, I've also overtaken a tonne and they look like they are in reverse (unless they have an engine transplant). You are deluded.

The GT3 is also a much more rewarding drive imho, and doesn't have the snappy limit handling of all Elise derivatives.

Sure it is diminishing returns on expenditure, but to suggest it isn't noticeably able to humble any Elise model is ridiculous. If you were right, trust me, I wouldn't have spent 2.5x as much on getting the RS.

A Boxster S is quicker around the track than a 111R. Do you think 30 more bhp and a silly bodykit will make the Exige S hang with a GT3 lol?

 

Just to put things in context - Allan drives as well as most professionals, whoops, Allen is a skilful professional. he can make a monkey go fast round a track.
Do not assume that you can extrapolate from his experience. Nothing like watching an expert get rid of understeer.
R+C