996 vs 997 GT3
07-09-2007, 10:05 PM
#31
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well Guys, decision time for me and 997 GT3 is for me. Just starting to get into tracking so the easier handling car will definately be a plus in my track education. To me the 997 has the better looks and lines and the more comfort in the street ride makes the attraction even stronger. Can you tell me the pro's and Con's of the steel rotors vs the ceramics as to track usage?
Cosmo
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07-10-2007, 01:47 AM
#33
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Money not an issue: 997 GT3.
My choice (even if ugly): 996 GT3. How can I go wrong with a car $40k cheaper with some of the track modifications already done? Lots of GT3 out there for sale with race seats, extra wheels, improved suspension, extra tires, $40k +$10k on mods, those $50k buy a spare track car: Exige, Z06, Cayman, M3.
My choice (even if ugly): 996 GT3. How can I go wrong with a car $40k cheaper with some of the track modifications already done? Lots of GT3 out there for sale with race seats, extra wheels, improved suspension, extra tires, $40k +$10k on mods, those $50k buy a spare track car: Exige, Z06, Cayman, M3.
07-10-2007, 11:42 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by NJ-GT
Money not an issue: 997 GT3.
My choice (even if ugly): 996 GT3. How can I go wrong with a car $40k cheaper with some of the track modifications already done? Lots of GT3 out there for sale with race seats, extra wheels, improved suspension, extra tires, $40k +$10k on mods, those $50k buy a spare track car: Exige, Z06, Cayman, M3.
My choice (even if ugly): 996 GT3. How can I go wrong with a car $40k cheaper with some of the track modifications already done? Lots of GT3 out there for sale with race seats, extra wheels, improved suspension, extra tires, $40k +$10k on mods, those $50k buy a spare track car: Exige, Z06, Cayman, M3.
Peter
07-10-2007, 12:11 PM
#35
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Everyone arrives at their balance of cars a bit differently. . . to me having a fully prepped track car and a 996 GT3 are too close in purpose. The 996 GT3 sucks on the street and makes a great full on track car that sees limited time on the street.
For me, I went with a 997 GT3 mostly in stock form for street use and occasional track use, and a fully prepped E36 M3 ltw with a euro motor + motons + safety gear for track abuse.
Nice having a car that you aren't terribly paranoid about damaging, has saftey gear, and that you can share with other people. Makes track driving much less dramatic, stress free.
For me, I went with a 997 GT3 mostly in stock form for street use and occasional track use, and a fully prepped E36 M3 ltw with a euro motor + motons + safety gear for track abuse.
Nice having a car that you aren't terribly paranoid about damaging, has saftey gear, and that you can share with other people. Makes track driving much less dramatic, stress free.
07-12-2007, 05:26 PM
#36
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Last edited by zed996tt; 07-12-2007 at 06:51 PM.
07-12-2007, 06:44 PM
#37
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I recently moved from PS2s to Cups on my 996 GT3. The performance gains from an R-rated tire are quite noticeable. I will never go back to the PS2 except for street driving or rain driving on the track. Equiping your GT3 with cups or other R-rated tires will decrease the performance gap. IMHO, their is a performance gap but it can easily be bridged by the ability of the driver. Comparing apples to apples, the 997 will post better track times on the same tires, though only by a few percentage points...
-B
-B
07-12-2007, 07:49 PM
#38
Originally Posted by Racerron
996: Street 8/10 track 9.9/10
997: Street 9/10 track 4/10
997: Street 9/10 track 4/10
Should read......................
996: Street 5.5/10 track 8/10
997: Street 8/10 track 8.5/10
If you are buying a Gt3 just for track, save a boat load & get a 996!
But..... then again buy a Caterham, Lotus, Radical or similar for far less that will be even faster!
For the road the new 997 is "streets" ahead (excuse the pun!)!
The step forward with the new model is it is far better as a daily road car, but only marginally faster on track! So you pay your money & take your choice.
I want to enjoy driving my GT3 every day so the 997 was a no brainer decision, it is vastly better on road, a fabulous car, but if I was only using it on track I'd save some dosh & enjoy the 996........ or Lotus etc!!!!
07-12-2007, 08:01 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by porkernut
If you are buying a Gt3 just for track, save a boat load & get a 996!
Interesting food for thought... Let's let LVDell chime in as he moved last winter from a 996 track car to a 996 GT3...
-B
07-12-2007, 09:08 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by porkernut
I want to enjoy driving my GT3 every day so the 997 was a no brainer decision, it is vastly better on road, a fabulous car, but if I was only using it on track I'd save some dosh & enjoy the 996........ or Lotus etc!!!!
It was no big thing, other than that my lower lip spoiler is even more thrashed than before.
I don't get why you need to soften up a perfect platform. They already have the softie special, it's called, the wet sump 997's.
07-13-2007, 08:30 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by porkernut
I want to enjoy driving my GT3 every day so the 997 was a no brainer decision, it is vastly better on road, a fabulous car, but if I was only using it on track I'd save some dosh & enjoy the 996........ or Lotus etc!!!!
