I'm in the market for 997.1 GT3 (I can't live without a sunroof), to use as an everything minus commuting car. I live in the SF Bay Area and take public transit to work so I use my cars mostly for fun. I often take day trips around the area as well as weekend trips to LA, San Diego, and Seattle and I wanted to hear some owner opinions on whether or not they would use their GT3 for similar duty and things like weekend trips.

I recognize that something like a Turbo or an R8 would be better suited for light touring duty, but the GT3 is my dream car and really the only thing that gets my blood moving. I know there's some Rennlist-ers that use their GT3's as a DD, so please share your experiences and any reasons why you would/wouldn't take your GT3 on a trip.

 

I just drove from Vancouver, BC to Big Sur, CA. Enjoyed a few days. Then did 2 track days at Laguna Seca. Drove north to Napa for a day. Now in Sonoma. Will be doing 2 track days at Sonoma/Infineon 7/1 and 7/2,... my GT3 has been to Whistler, Seattle, and Kelowna often.

With the old 7.2 RS, took a trip from West Palm, FL to Miami to the Keys and sprinkled in trackdays at Sebring, PBIR, and Homestead.

DO take your GT3 on any trip you desire. They are bullet proof and tons of fun.

Btw - I am on Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Great all round tire for wear, rain, and light track duty.

 

100% agree!

 

997 gt3 fine as dd but heavy clutch really not ideal for stop n go urban traffic

for a long drive road trip open roads it would be just fine... definitely firm ride and it will hammer you over potholes and bad roads if you are prepared for that and don't have back issues then all good

other than that no worries - if the car is well maintained they are rock solid and reliable like any other modern porsche

 

Just what I want to hear



I'm prepared for a heavy clutch and firm ride as long as its not going to make me feel like I need vertebrae replacement surgery. I'm still convinced there isn't anything out there that rides as poorly as our first generation Cooper S.

 

997.1 is super comfortable in soft mode. I almost fell asleep driving my friend's 7.1 to the track. Mike

 

I just got back from a 3000 mile journey from London to Le Mans to Cannes (via Route Napoleon) to Monaco and all the way back to Aberdeen. During our week long stay outside Cannes I averaged 80 miles per day of Route Napoleon runs. My car now has 33k miles and I guess is worthless, so might as well keep going.

Only issue of note during the whole trip was that the Cups2 tires were a bit tricky going down hill at motorway speeds in a downpour.

I would never DD a GT3 because of the clutch and ground clearance issues. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it on this recent adventure. Even caught a nap on the eurotunnel crossing in my CGT bucket. Must be said thought that the clubsport cage is a bitch to pack around.

 

GT3 makes the trip all the better.... forget about luxo boats. GT3 is the way to see the country!

 

Drove mine on the day of purchase Florida to home 1441 miles away and enjoyed every minute of it. and would do it again in a heartbeat

 

But what about destroying value by adding miles?


Just playing- took mine on a big road trip the moment I got it. Added 7k miles during the first 12 months of ownership.

 

Just did 1000 miles from Monaco to Malaga in 997.2 GT3. With the adaptive sport seats, couldn't have been more comfortable. Tire noise on rough roads is annoying. I don't find the clutch particularly heavy, but I've had Vipers and other cars with clutches similar to leg press machines. I have the front lift which works great, but I'd be annoyed if I had to use it constantly. Great in the rain with normal high performance, rather than quasi-track tires.

 

simple answer is yes- better question are you??

 

Surely if one can't afford to use it they can't afford to own it!

Buy it, drive it, love it and live it.

 

Drove my GT2 All over Germany , then to Paris - Geneva - French Rivera - Barcelona - Marbella - Barcelona - Geneva - Dusseldorf and a few fun days at the ring back in 2010 , enjoyed every bit of it and covered more than 15,000 km that summer..

 

I love taking long uninterrupted trips in my gt3

Do it