The 997 GT3 is the car I've been searching for my whole life
03-18-2015, 04:45 PM
#1
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The 997 GT3 is the car I've been searching for my whole life [NOW WITH NEW VIDEO]
EDIT!!! I've just completed a video review.
I finally own my dream car, a 997.1 GT3 and I've had it for about a week.
I am in love. Truly madly deeply. Despite the epic internet hype the 997 GT3 is the first car I've owned where the driving experience not only lives up to its lofty expectations but actually surpasses them. The clutch is herculean and the shifter is stiff and soon my left leg and right arm will be disproportionate in sizes. But I don't care. This car is uncompromising, unapologetic and most importantly, prioritizes feel above all else. The steering sends so much information through my arms they are practically hardwired to the front axle. This is exactly the kind of hyper-alive old school steering feel that has become lost with modern electric power steering (991 included). The chassis communicates in a way that not only embraces the classic and flawed 911 sense of balance, but also allows me to minutely adjust its cornering attitude by pressing on or lifting off the throttle. I can rail corners while keeping the horizon completely level but unlike modern high performance cars that are at least equally proficient, the GT3 keeps me deeply involved in its conversation and is happy to steer with the throttle. The 3.6L mezger engine is not only a tool to motivate and balance the chassis, but a musical instrument to delight my soul. Under every overpass and inside every tunnel, the need to blip two downshifts and mash the throttle is instinctive and impossible to overcome. In those fine moments where the chassis is loaded up, the steering is alive and I'm dancing on the throttle and brakes and clutch the way a soccer player dances with a ball, I am utterly lost in its driving experience. If there ever was enlightenment in the automotive world, then the GT3 is it. This is the car I've been searching for my entire life.
FYI: Previous P-cars: 987 Cayman S, 996.1 Cabrio, 997.1 C4S, all manual transmissions. In the pictures the black wheels/PCCB car is mine, the silver wheels car belongs to my best buddy. He got his about a year ago and I've been searching for one ever since. After years of driving similar enthusiast cars at different times, we finally have matching rides!
FYI 2: Somewhat related, I drove some 991s a couple years ago and made a video. If you're interested here it is below. I think I prefer the 997 GT3 over any 991 thus far. However, I haven't driven the 991 GT3 but I will get to soon. Will report back when I have some seat time with the 991 GT3 and how it compares.
I finally own my dream car, a 997.1 GT3 and I've had it for about a week.
I am in love. Truly madly deeply. Despite the epic internet hype the 997 GT3 is the first car I've owned where the driving experience not only lives up to its lofty expectations but actually surpasses them. The clutch is herculean and the shifter is stiff and soon my left leg and right arm will be disproportionate in sizes. But I don't care. This car is uncompromising, unapologetic and most importantly, prioritizes feel above all else. The steering sends so much information through my arms they are practically hardwired to the front axle. This is exactly the kind of hyper-alive old school steering feel that has become lost with modern electric power steering (991 included). The chassis communicates in a way that not only embraces the classic and flawed 911 sense of balance, but also allows me to minutely adjust its cornering attitude by pressing on or lifting off the throttle. I can rail corners while keeping the horizon completely level but unlike modern high performance cars that are at least equally proficient, the GT3 keeps me deeply involved in its conversation and is happy to steer with the throttle. The 3.6L mezger engine is not only a tool to motivate and balance the chassis, but a musical instrument to delight my soul. Under every overpass and inside every tunnel, the need to blip two downshifts and mash the throttle is instinctive and impossible to overcome. In those fine moments where the chassis is loaded up, the steering is alive and I'm dancing on the throttle and brakes and clutch the way a soccer player dances with a ball, I am utterly lost in its driving experience. If there ever was enlightenment in the automotive world, then the GT3 is it. This is the car I've been searching for my entire life.
FYI: Previous P-cars: 987 Cayman S, 996.1 Cabrio, 997.1 C4S, all manual transmissions. In the pictures the black wheels/PCCB car is mine, the silver wheels car belongs to my best buddy. He got his about a year ago and I've been searching for one ever since. After years of driving similar enthusiast cars at different times, we finally have matching rides!
FYI 2: Somewhat related, I drove some 991s a couple years ago and made a video. If you're interested here it is below. I think I prefer the 997 GT3 over any 991 thus far. However, I haven't driven the 991 GT3 but I will get to soon. Will report back when I have some seat time with the 991 GT3 and how it compares.
Last edited by driveopolis; 04-07-2015 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Edited.
03-18-2015, 07:15 PM
#4
Great write up!
03-18-2015, 08:37 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Congrats...what are your plans for it?
03-18-2015, 08:40 PM
#7
Congrats! I have the twin to your car and feel the same way. I came from a 930 turbo w/o a modern P car for comparison, but feel I too found an automotive sweet spot. I have car ADD but with the 7GT3 have stopped looking.
Last edited by /five; 03-18-2015 at 08:44 PM. Reason: Pic
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03-18-2015, 08:54 PM
#8
Congrats, nice vid & pix...
03-19-2015, 03:47 AM
#13
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I agree 100%
The car checks all boxes for me and is my dream car too.
I just love the 997 series. My GT3s and my turbo. All fantastic.
Please tell me you have a sharkwerks on the car....
I picked up a white 997.1GT3 last year just before folks realized how good they were and prices started climbing.
The white GT3 is a classic.
The steering feel, the sound and the driving dynamics of the GT3 make it one of the best 911 experiences out there new or old.
Looks like you are in the pacific north west. I will give you the porsche wave if i ever see you on the road
The car checks all boxes for me and is my dream car too.
I just love the 997 series. My GT3s and my turbo. All fantastic.
Please tell me you have a sharkwerks on the car....
I picked up a white 997.1GT3 last year just before folks realized how good they were and prices started climbing.
The white GT3 is a classic.
The steering feel, the sound and the driving dynamics of the GT3 make it one of the best 911 experiences out there new or old.
Looks like you are in the pacific north west. I will give you the porsche wave if i ever see you on the road
03-19-2015, 10:11 AM
#14
Drifting
I like the GT3 but certainly not anywhere near as much as the OP does apparently. This may be blasphemy and reading posts like this on the board probably puts me in the minority but how can you say it's the best when the nature of the car (when driven at the limit on track) is turn in understeer followed by a good bit of oversteer? To me that's not the ideal balance for a sports/track/race car.
Although the overall performance wasn't nearly as high I much preferred the balance of my Cayman S or supercharged Elise.
Although the overall performance wasn't nearly as high I much preferred the balance of my Cayman S or supercharged Elise.
03-19-2015, 10:33 AM
#15
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OP-
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations.
__________________
PCA National Instructor
TPC Racing stats:
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup Am Champion
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge GT4 Pro-Am Team Champion
2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup & 991 Cup Champion
2020 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2018 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2016 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2013 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2006 Rolex-24 @ Daytona GT Champion
2004 Grand-Am SGS Class Champion
PCA National Instructor
TPC Racing stats:
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup Am Champion
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge GT4 Pro-Am Team Champion
2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup & 991 Cup Champion
2020 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2018 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2016 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2013 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2006 Rolex-24 @ Daytona GT Champion
2004 Grand-Am SGS Class Champion