[jackb911]

Originally Posted by Mike964_61

So you have been in a GT3 since 2013? Do you have an aircooled car on the side? Or have owned once since you went GT3?


See I feel the exact opposite if I had a GT3 on track. I think I would trust the car more. Also, you are correct building a hot rod will cost GT3 money.

Jackb911 your enthusiasm for the GT3 is not uncommon. I generally get the same response from those owners. Can I ask you how you use your GT3? I ask because I don't plan on tracking it if I get it. But I will definitely put through its paces on the street when I can. I would use it for spirited driving with friends and cars and coffee and PCA events. Any chance you are doing that with yours? If so is the ride manageable for street use? I hear both schools of thought on this, some say its fine, others say its terrible. My current 964 setup is very aggressive and setup for the track but I only use it on the street. So it is really rough ride. I can handle it. I just want to hear your prospective.

Nope, I've never tracked it. Years ago I used to autocross 911's and ended up with a vintage Formula Vee track car but I eventually had my fill of competitive events, not to mention the cost factor. And no air-cooled Porsches since the GT3 arrived. Just a '69 Camaro SS street machine that looks stock but isn't. It reminds me of my misspent youth.

Unless in Sport mode, the ride of an unmodified GT3 is good for street driving as long as potholes and rough spots are avoided. However, the GT3 ride height is very low and you have to be very careful entering and exiting some driveways and parking lots in order to preserve the rubber front spoiler lip. I had mine raised 20mm for that reason but it is still very low as shown in the photo.

There are some really great curvy "spirited driving" roads with elevation changes not too far from where I live. I am not a very aggressive driver these days so a GT3 is probably an overkill car. However, driving in stop-and-go Atlanta traffic is not the car's strong suit as the clutch is pretty heavy and the shifter reminds me of the bolt action on a WWII German Mauser K98 rifle - VERY direct, zero slop, requires a firm hand. GT3's were meant for the track and are a very different driving experience than a regular 997 Carrera/Carrera S.

I am retired so I have never used the GT3 as a daily driver. It is the most expensive car I've ever owned so I am extremely careful when and where I drive it. The routine maintenance is very straightforward and since I was an aircraft mechanic in my Army days in the '70's, 90% of the work that has been done during my ownership has been in my garage. I recently did a 40K mile full maintenance that included changing all the fluids and replacing the original brake rotors and pads with new ones. Pretty easy, no problems.

The analogy I like to use with the 997 GT3 is that it is to a standard 997 Carrera/Carrera S what a 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 is to a 1973 911S. It is a different animal and is a very special car that just might be destined for future collectability as the later 991 versions do not have the race-based Mezger engine or Getrag G50-derived gearbox and the 997 GT3 arguably is the "right size". Park a 997 beside a 991 and you will see what I mean.

Just drive one. Then you will probably understand.