rodneyr

The bottom line is the 997 is an improved platform over the 996 and is a better driving and for street. Most likely easier to drive on the track which much improved mannors. 997 gives you the best of both worlds - a better street car and most likely a better track car. I wish I had a 997 GT3 because I like the looks and the car is easier to drive.

The only issue is you are not talking about a 25K difference you are talking about a 50K difference which is a lot of money. So, it really comes down to how you value a car. There is no right answer and just comes down to personal preference. In the end both car great cars so you can't lose.

stuka

See, here's the thing. Until I hear from a guy who's at least 6'2" with 32" inseam, I don't buy that even with that gaping hole on the roof that there is more headroom clerance.

Like you, with the euro seats in my GT2, I got less than an inch of clearance with my helmet on, and I am 6'2" with 32" inseam.

stuka

I wonder if the 997 GT3 is going to be like the E46 M3.

With electronics, and the car being easy to drive, the E46 M3 makes ham fisted drivers look like heros on the track.

Until they get so far over their heads that the electronics couldn't do jack to save them, and you have spectacular crashes.

I saw quite a few.

The 996 GT3, most people have healthy respect for it because of the lack of electronics. I wonder when we are going to see the oh noos TC didn't save me and I kissed the armoco!!!! posts.

khaug

I'm a PCA instructor (for the past 20+ years), who has 17 + years in 911s.

I've driven both 996 and 997 GT3s. The 997 (mine) is incomparably easier to drive. After driving a friend's 996 GT3 at VIR last fall and having MAJOR problems coming to grips with it, I agonized that I'd bitten off more than I could chew with the 997 GT3 I had on order. Not so! The 997 is a pussycat, all understeer (too much), and very easy to learn. One way (sway bars) or another (suspension settings), the understeer can be tamed.

My take on my friend's 996 @ VIR last fall, was that it was WAY too loose, too darty and minimally predictable. My friend, a 911 novice - 928 veteran)subsequently had a major crash at Road America over Memorial Day, sorta confirming my feelings about the car!

911nut

I agree emphatically with khaug.

This past week while at Parade, a friend and I (he with a 996 GT3 and me with a new 997 GT3) had an opportunity to drive San Diego's backroads. Going I drove my car, coming back on the same roads, drove the 996. First, both cars are great. The 996 was looser, more darty and less predictable. The 997 stuck better (tires?), much easier to predict and drive. In the hands of us amateurs, I think the 997 is a better (read safer) car for me. In the hands of a professional, they are probably more similar. My friend with the 996 would like a 997.

mooty

i had several 6gt3 and now RS.
i agree that the 7 is eaiser to drive and more stable but from the sound of it, your friend's 6 is not set up right. it pushes less than 7 for sure, but my was never lose. darty front end yes, lose rear no. and it is very predictable.

i wish i still have my 6 so i can do back to back comparisons.

icon

. . . uh, oh!
john's gonna get another 996gt3 . . .

mooty

i shall resist all the temptations my friends are giving me.

mitch236

Ron, it's unbelievable that you have had such a bad experience with your car. I don't think you are giving the chassis enough credit. Wait until we get the suspension sorted and then give an opinion. I know, you are going to discount my opinion by thinking that I must not be a good enough driver but I've come to the conclusion that PASM is a big culprit on these cars and mine is coming out as we speak. after many people here get this car sorted, there will be very few 996's that will keep up.

As for which car is better, it depends on your wallet. The 996 will be a better deal but the 997 will be a better car.

OldGuy

Mitch I agree. I greatly respect Rons opinion, however his latest posts are colored with bitterness and until he sorts through that I dont think we can discount the bias. I dont know anyone else who owns a 997 that is so unhappy except Watt and that only happened after oil leak numer 3 or 4. Bob R seems to be happy and I appreciate his opinion as much as RacerRon.

blake

Great feedback. Truth be told, I *despise* the looks of the 996 (GT3 or not) and find the 997 GT3 to be beautiful. However, driving my GT3 does it for me in every regard. I completely agree with Mitch's feeback regarding the need to figure out the suspension, so I have made my decision.... I will wait for you guys (Bob R, Mooty, OG, Mitch, Frayed) to figure out the right set-up for the 997 GT3, and once my car is out of warranty, I will move up to the newer platform. In the meantime, I will take Frayed's recommendation and mod the hell out of the 996 GT3 as my track-only car. Who knows - I might eventually build a machine capable of matching NJ-GT's 996GT3 beast and will feel compelled to keep it (highly doubtful, but a dream nonetheless)...

Stuka - I am 6'3" tall with a 32" inseam., and I wear an Arai helmet to minimize the vertical. I just pray that I will be able to fit in the 997 GT3!

Frayed - one last thing. You called the 996GT3 engine "underrated". Do you mean in horsepower, or in overall perception. As far as I know, the 997GT3 engine is the same as the 996GT3 engine except it extracts 30+ more horsepower. Is that correct?

Thanks guys. Appreciated as always. Enjoy your "7" "3s" - they are quite the lookers!
-Blake

frayed

Blake, I just meant the motor. The 996 GT3 motor dyno's quite high in real life, and from what I've seen so far, the 997 GT3 motor dyno's closer to its specs.

mooty

oh, no no... you aint gonna get me going there...
i think the the round of 997GT3's, our fearless leaders would be mitch and grussell

VERBOTN

I will leave this debate in the capable hands of all participants. I have sent up the white flag, with respect to my once "in-hand" my08 gt3 order. I will keep lurking and admiring at the track

Cheers

grussell

If you can afford and find a 997 then the answer is simple. If you cannot afford the 997 go for the 996 but you will always want the 997 and one day you will buy one.