that's a luxury gt or street cruiser. you want a sportscar, then try removing some of that heavy weight options and driver aids. my definition of a sportscar is more like the lotus elise or 911 gt3 which are "minimalist" in options and are tuned for performance and handling as opposed to comfort.

me thinks ... NOT! lap times are a function of average speed, which includes speed carried into and exiting corners, not just top speed. as proof of this, my little underpowered 220hp typeR racecar, runs with pca class D 993 on tight tracks.

your sl55 or 65 is a wallowing pig that would have trouble keeping up with a low tech, common mustang gt on the track.

 

You asked me what I think is a true sportscar... I described your 997TT... and now you're all annoyed? I thought you would agree 100% with my post...

Please enlighten me. You say your 997TT is a great sportscar, yet you scoff at my list of requirements for a sportscar, all of which are descriptions of the 997TT? So, which of those traits that I listed are inaccurate?

 

Something I don't understand.

964 and the Brit here don't own a TT. I don't even see where they have driven one very much.

Why are these fellows post their pseudo-knowledge for those of us who do own/drive them? For that matter, and I cannot speak for everyone here, what do I (we) care?

Fellas, don't you have something to do that would show off your, ah, intellectual talents a little better than to be posting upon issues which you are, by definition, ignorant? I mean, it is very nice that you have an opinion and all, but it is hardly relevant what you happen to think about a car I happen to like. No more important say, than an opinion from anyone of hundreds of others I pass along the way to work.

Go buy the "sportscar" that makes you happy. If you already have your sportscar, so much the better. But I see no reason why mature adults (maybe I misjudge you?) would devote time to argueing with serious enthuasts about something they enjoy and of which you have little to no knowledge.

 

Don't try to weasel out of this. You stated your opinion that the 997TT is not a sportscar. I asked for your honest criteria for what qualifies as a sportscar and you gave us your sarcasm. Now you still tap dance around so you don't have to make a stand. I challenge you to answer the question still. I bet you aren't capable.

 

Folks-

FWIW (probably nothing). I agree with allegretto. Let's put this thread to bed. Whatever floats your boat. They are all great cars. I would say that the Austin-Healey Sprite is a sportscar but the Bugatti Veryon (sp?) is not. It is all opinion. Let's do something more substantial with our porsce TT addiction.

 

I agree and I really wish someone can start an owner-only forum so we can learn from each other instead of listening to opinions based on what non-owners read somewhere and that applies to all the current 997TT forums.
if anyone knows of an owner-only forum please let me know because since I don't give opinions on cars I don't own or drive, I don't want to hear them either from other people.

 

Unfortunately since most of us have been non-owners until very recently, the activity level might be pretty low in an owner-only forum. Personally, I am happy to read what anyone has to say as long as they have some rationale or logic for their argument. Arbitrary statements are utterly useless.

pcar will never be able to demarcate his criteria because it is impossible. If 3500lbs is too heavy, what about 3400? What about 3250? What about 3100? My 944 turbo is 2600 lbs. I could draw the line at 2650 and call his 993 a bloated GT with such unnecessary luxuries as a/c, electric seats, remote door locks and power steering. The brits will tell you that a proper sportcar has to be a drop top 2 seater. GT3 junkies will tell you they don't want it if it has a sunroof, let alone a convertible top.

 

It would be an interseting conversation to have about what is a sports car, without the jabs and insults.

I can see where some purists can take issue with the TT as being too heavy, not "engaging", etc. The one part that I don't understand (and I've read it a lot) is the complaint that the TT is "to easy to drive fast, safely". What the hell does that mean? It's bad that a car is driven fast, safely? It's called advancement. You think Kimi or Alonzo's cars are safer and easier to drive fast than F1 cars from only a few years ago?

Life is about compromise and every car comes with them. find the one that has the least number of compromises for your intended use and buy it.

 

Please don't leave me out in the cold. I hope to drive a turbo in the future and want to learn as much as I can before I buy. Forums like this are the perfect place to learn even if you are not an owner.

 

So, you have to own a car before you can criticize it? That's beyond ridiculous.

 

Can anyone give the specs on the engine of the GT3 RSR?

 

No , but at least several hundred miles of seat time, not just driving it around the block . A opinion means jack sh*t if you don't have the necessary experience to back it up......

 

I don't think you have to be an owner at all to make criticisms. Just have a basis for your criticisms. Even better to make points from your own experiences - i.e. driving experience in the actual car. If you have no basis for your arguments - engineering flaws or limitations, poor performance envelope, etc what can you say meaningfully besides not liking the styling or colors perhaps?

Do I think the 997TT is the end all? Of course not. It doesn't have the "feel" of my old E36M3 or 944 turbo. It is certainly the best new sports car available at the present time for my purposes. I do expect that something better may come along in the next 18-24 months.

BTW you still have not answered my question. Are you not answering because you are worried about being criticized for owning a "sportscar" with ABS, cruise control, a sunroof, and other useless "Nancy-boy" luxuries? Do you still use sissy 3pt belts in your car? How about that fattening sound deadening and carpet? Stripped it out yet? How much performance did you gain from your Techart exhaust tips BTW?

 

FYI,

Sport Auto Ring lap times :

SL 55 8.06
993 (varioram/post 95) 8.28
993 tt 8.12

For comparison two F cars

360 8.09
575M F1 8.05

The Sl is at a disadvantage at a go kart course but where it can stretch its legs it is definitly a contender.......the biggest drawback is not the ESP , it is the lack of a limited slip which severly hampers its performance .

 

You are severly mistaken, a SL55 on a big track would devour a N/A 993 or a Mustang GT.