Picked up my GT3, initial observations and pix
06-21-2008, 09:02 AM
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Picked up my GT3, initial observations and pix
The adventure was bitter / sweet. I was driving my beloved Cobalt Blue 997S from CT to VA to trade in on a 997 GT3 in Silver. I had great company along the way - my wonderful wife came along as navigator and we had a lot of fun. Cruising the VA Beach area in the GT3 Thursday night, a great dinner at Catch 31, and warm conversation with Rob & Ann at the table next to us. Special thanks to Capt. Scott F. who I met at Checkered Flag Porsche - he was there in his flight uniform with his new Turbo and we got to talking and the next thing I knew he was calling his brother getting us a reservation at the best table at Catch 31. The connections we make every day are amazing.
The previous owner is one of the Great Ones out there. David C., you have been fantastic! The guys at Checkered Flag Porsche also went above and beyond to pull this all together - the GM Richard H. is the finest representative of a car dealership I've experienced in 27 years of buying cars (my first being when I just got my license).
The car is actually very hard to describe at this point as I'm still on Cloud 9 and recovering from 9.5 hours on the road through unexpected Stop & Go, cloud bursts, etc. The car performed flawlessly and I must admit, I'm a little intimidated, which is a good thing to keep me out of trouble. I've seldom felt like this with any previous car and I've been comfortable at 1:02 at Lime Rock and 2:15 at Watkins Glen. But I simply did not expect the torque and power above 4k, which really starts to rip at 6k - that feeling of "Holy **** this thing is fast..." Then again, I can remember a similar feeling when I got the 997S and started to explore it's upper power band. By the numbers, there may not be huge differences between S and GT3, but once you add in the senses, there's a multiplier effect of the "feel of speed". Well, I have a real respect for the GT3 platform now and will take it easy at WGI Monday and Tuesday.
The 997S is a wonderful car, just designed for a different task. Great for cruising the highways and twisties, yet right at home on the track. The GT3 is the yang to the 997S' yin. Only adequate for the street, and surely perfect for the track (will post on Wednesday). More than ever, I cannot see any reason to own a GT3 as a street-only car when the S and Turbo are such good street machines (not inviting debate here, so please don't thread jack). The stiff clutch, amazing engine, and drivetrain / gearing feel and sound like a modified race car - I suppose that makes sense...
Here are a couple of photos at the visitor's center of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel - more to follow after Watkins Glen when I'll be able to report on the "whole package".
The previous owner is one of the Great Ones out there. David C., you have been fantastic! The guys at Checkered Flag Porsche also went above and beyond to pull this all together - the GM Richard H. is the finest representative of a car dealership I've experienced in 27 years of buying cars (my first being when I just got my license).
The car is actually very hard to describe at this point as I'm still on Cloud 9 and recovering from 9.5 hours on the road through unexpected Stop & Go, cloud bursts, etc. The car performed flawlessly and I must admit, I'm a little intimidated, which is a good thing to keep me out of trouble. I've seldom felt like this with any previous car and I've been comfortable at 1:02 at Lime Rock and 2:15 at Watkins Glen. But I simply did not expect the torque and power above 4k, which really starts to rip at 6k - that feeling of "Holy **** this thing is fast..." Then again, I can remember a similar feeling when I got the 997S and started to explore it's upper power band. By the numbers, there may not be huge differences between S and GT3, but once you add in the senses, there's a multiplier effect of the "feel of speed". Well, I have a real respect for the GT3 platform now and will take it easy at WGI Monday and Tuesday.
The 997S is a wonderful car, just designed for a different task. Great for cruising the highways and twisties, yet right at home on the track. The GT3 is the yang to the 997S' yin. Only adequate for the street, and surely perfect for the track (will post on Wednesday). More than ever, I cannot see any reason to own a GT3 as a street-only car when the S and Turbo are such good street machines (not inviting debate here, so please don't thread jack). The stiff clutch, amazing engine, and drivetrain / gearing feel and sound like a modified race car - I suppose that makes sense...
Here are a couple of photos at the visitor's center of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel - more to follow after Watkins Glen when I'll be able to report on the "whole package".
06-21-2008, 09:43 AM
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Thanks guys,
7300 miles at delivery, CPO. Options: Silver, carpet mats, clear corners - just how I would have ordered it making this an incredible find. Added ClearBra before delivery to me and put on new PS2s for street (have track wheels / tires).
7300 miles at delivery, CPO. Options: Silver, carpet mats, clear corners - just how I would have ordered it making this an incredible find. Added ClearBra before delivery to me and put on new PS2s for street (have track wheels / tires).
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06-21-2008, 10:32 AM
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Nice car Ron, you will enjoy learning all the ways it is a different from the 997S. Best of luck!
06-21-2008, 11:17 AM
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A great car and a proud owner, congratulations. Itīs great to hear a story like that, I donīt think anyone here would argue with your classification of the C2S, Turbo and GT3. Thatīs just the way it is.
06-21-2008, 12:31 PM
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Oops, forgot an option - this one was moved from the 997S to the GT3: Fire Extinguisher 
I'll have a new avatar on Wednesday once we get back from Watkins Glen
Heading out to get Ted some seat time in the new shared DE car - we'll take a drive to Lime Rock and see what's up there (1 hour away).
I'll have a new avatar on Wednesday once we get back from Watkins Glen
Heading out to get Ted some seat time in the new shared DE car - we'll take a drive to Lime Rock and see what's up there (1 hour away).