brim

I'm seriously considering trading up for 3RS, but want to ask you guys if it's worth it. In terms of performance mainly. I like the widebody looks, but not so much the front fenders or rear carbon wing. My question is simply - does it drive $20k better than a GT3? The extra power would be nice, but not sure I would notice it with RSS pipe and EVOSMit on my car. The wide track would definitely come in handy.

For those of you who've really driven both (not just around the block) is the difference is performance significant enough to make you change if you were in my shoes?

brim

To clarify 997.2

tcsracing1

I cant see spending 20k to get into a wider body. Track times are not all the different.

Is the gearing the same in the RS 997.2 to non RS 997.2?
I thought 3.8L power was the same?

GrantG

RS has lower Ring and Pinion gearing and a taller 6th gear (that compensates for the lower R&P with respect to top speed and fuel efficiency). RS also has 15hp more.

CRex

I've driven both on street and track. Did about 20 laps on a .2GT3 last year while I still had my .1 3RS. Came upgrade time I proceeded with a .2 3RS.

I'd say it's a very personal choice. You won't feel the difference in engine power most of the time. But if you track more than occasionally, the RS is definitely worth the extra $20k. The R&P gets you out of corners faster and the wider track front & back gives you more grip. If you plan to DD the car however, the boy racer wing and stickers on an RS are a liability in day-to-day traffic.

Personally I get a big kick out of tracking a car that's substantially similar to a cup racer. I turn 8 year old every time I see it. Obviously YMMV

P.J.S.

>10 track days per year, worth the trade

ring and pinion, aero, lwfw, grip etc

mainly street driven not worth trading in IMHO

I think the big difference that most people feel is the 3.89 ring and pinion

TTurbine

Better response , Better turn in , more grip , better aero grip at higher speeds than the .2 GT3...

Some folks prefere the .2 3 over the .2 RS because it feels more slippery on the corners..

It all depends on your drving style..

Condor Man

[QUOTE=TTurbine;8455970]Better response , Better turn in , more grip , better aero grip at higher speeds than the .2 GT3...
QUOTE]


Less weight, more power, slightly better sound.

RS = Better re-sale as well.

TRAKCAR

I think you do get a lot for a few more RS dollars;

Wider front fenders
Wide body
std seats
std dem
wing
bigger scoops
brake light in ducktail
shorter r&p, longer 6th. bad for track, still OK for hwy cruising
titanium final exhaust
std some RS exclusivety like CF 3.8, door pulls red belts inside, std blue matellic, std gold or red, etc.
wider wheels and tires

brim

Good points everyone. I think I just need to drive one. I run fewer than 10 days at the track now, but could be doing that many in future years easily. I don't drive it as a DD, but definitely get out on some street drives with PCA and other groups.

wurlie

I have a 997.2 GT3.
I installed a Cup ring and pinion, Cup diff internals, RS 6th gear, RS decklid and wing, CUP filter housing and filter.
If I wanted, I could fit RS wheels, which are the reason for increased track.
All this cost me close to what you quote as RS premium.
The RS premium where I live is three times that, so for me, the choice was clear.
For 20k USD, I would trade up immediately.
Hope this helps, w

tcsracing1

it is worth 20k if you currently do not have a GT3 and you want the RS little extras and exclusivity. But since you already own a .2GT3, the cost associated to sell one to get the other is a little rich for the seat of the pants reward that you will gain in RS upgrade.....

But if you must have one and money is not a big deal for happiness, it is the icing on the cake

If you really do not mind parting with the money and you want maximum reward, i suggest you hold out for this "special edition" RS everybody is talking about and become king of the castle when you trade in your GT3.2.

might as well upgrade to highest level and go out with a bang.

nash

Another consideration is that if you really want bucket seats and DEM, the RS is only like $10k more than a GT3 with those options. It's a no brainer for that money.

But as far as trading an existing car up, I wouldn't do it since it sounds like you are not really enamored with the RS looks.

10 GT3

Front fenders are not wider. They just have tacked on fender flares. Anybody can order these through their Porsche Dealers parts department and put them on any 997 model.

Other changes:
- Suspension is almost the same. The only difference is the .2 RS gets split lower rear control arms while the .2 GT3 gets solid arms out back.
- RS has a different intake manifold and airbox with dual scoops, hence why it has more power above 7600 rpms.

RS is $20K more than a GT3. When you add sport buckets and PDEM to a GT3, the difference becomes $16k.

Also consider that for the US cars the weight savings is not the same as the European cars get. We don't get plexiglass rear windows or the clubsport option on our RS's. If you don't check the A/C delete box, this adds 44 lbs. Titanium muffler save 15 lbs, but if you are planning to change it out anyways then you can go even lighter. I don't know anyone with a .2 RS that hasn't gone to a centerpipe or race exhaust. People are trying to sell take off Titanium exhausts all over the place, but there is simply no market for them.

Other thing to consider is colors. A lot more options with the GT3 without having to spent a lot of money. Aqua Blue and White are the only standard colors on an RS. Gray/Black on an RS is over $3K. Paint to sample is $5500. If you want the standard colored trim painted black you will spend over $3k. If you want a black RS with black trim and black wheels, that would add almost $10k to the price for color options.

996FLT6

If u already thinking bout trading up- what u waiting for? Life is short!!! Mike