Just drove a GT3 RS.

[beepbeep]

I took friends brand-new GT3 RS for a spin. Before that I test-drove his 996TT. I also drove his (sold) 996 C2 a while ago (yes, he has deep pockets) so I have pretty good opportunity to compare 996 types.

Entering the car, I found GT3 doors suspiciously light. There is no rewarding "thumph" when you close them. It sounds more like "clonk". Clutch is heavy(er) than 996TT and feels almost cable-operated clutch. Hydraulic "light-operated-dunno-where-engaging-point-is" feel is absent. I could move off the line easier in GT3 than turbo, which i stalled due to it's "too light" clutch.

Cabin is cramped and there is lot's of wind- and tyre noise. Recaro bucket-seats are very tight fit and you feel really pinned down with 6-point belts. There is smallish CD radio and AC. Rear compartment looks the bussines:
http://project911.luminasweden.com/temp/121_2176.JPG
Interior feels somewhat plastic, shifter knob is made of some lightweight plastic meterial too:
http://project911.luminasweden.com/temp/121_2178.JPG
but shifts good. Car is still new so shifter felt a bit stiff but I'm sure it will loosen up later on.

GT3 engine has less torque in lower revs than TT one and it feels. It's actually quite pleasent around town as you don't find yourself bolting off at insane speeds at trafic lights just so you can avoid umbarassing stall. Above 2500 RPM, torque is quite good for such highly tuned N/A engine. Keep it nailed and it will keep pushing up to 7500-8000 revs. There is no "kick in the back" at 5500 like many papers repported,engine note just hardens and it keeps delivering where other would run out of breath. Idle is rackety and hunting.

Brakes are as good as 996TT if not better. No fade at all (I did quite a lot of braking). They do squeel when braking to full stop. Factory brake pads were bright yellow, whatever it means:
http://project911.luminasweden.com/temp/121_2182.JPG
Calipers are of 6-piston type and rotors vere steel ones (996TT has 4-pistons calipers).

Subjectivly, car feels more like old-style aircooled 911. Engine "whines" when revved just like fan-equipped one and there is lot's of road- and engine noise in the compartment. Roadholding is twitchy at low speeds (lot's of trambling due to more aggressive suspension angles) but straightens up when going faster. You get the same sort of "sweaty palms" -syndrom afterwards as when driving 930 in anger, something that didn't hapend in 996TT.

On the minus side: when revved, engine revs drop-off slowly so it doesn't feel so responsive (which it is). This is probably funtion of trottle-damper which is there to reduce emissions and backfire when throttle is abruptly released.

In the end, it's exhilarating car but when I think about it, in given "untrained" state I would probably cover given strech of road faster in 996TT than in a GT3, but with less involvement.

Here is a little 2.5MB video clip of me doing my usual loop on broken pavement: (DivX encoded):

http://project911.luminasweden.com/temp/GT3.avi

All in all, nice car indeed. Now I only have to get hold to GT2 to complete my impression of waterpumper P-cars

My current feeling is: If I had the means I would go for 996TT. Less fuss, same speed. But those who believe 996 car are too polished should certainly test this one.

It sounds as if you're driving with the windows open? If not then you're right about wind noise

Thanks for the report. You're a lucky bastard to get to drive such cars I guess I'd prefer the car that is more fuss and less speed. I like fuss, that's why I drive a 911 and not a Mercedes

[beepbeep]

Windows were closed. It's a noisy car and road was quite patchy. I drove around 170km/h at certain segments and it really makes lot's of noise.

Wow then it must really be noisy!? I haven't experienced a 911 with that much wind noise except for a 76 Targa.

[RoninLB]

nice thread