M3 as DD: 2008 997.1 GT3 or 2012 GTR for Weekend Car

[CSanto]

Given roughly 80-90k to be spent on a car. Where would your money go?

To me it's between these two cars.

The GTR will destroy the GT3 in every sense of the word, but I like the way the Porsche looks, I like the idea of the 6 speed transmission, and the naturally aspirated motor of the GT3.

Discuss.

[991GT3]

They're both winners but the GT3 isn't as good in DD dept. and the GTR doesn't have the quality of the Porsche.
Can you buy a 997 GT3 for that money?


D'oh. I should have read the title of the tread. Buy a 2012 GTR

The new GTR will land between a 997.2 Turbo and Turbo S performance wise and have better suspension and handling characteristics than the previous GTR.

[alpinem353]

Originally Posted by 997GT3

They're both winners but the GT3 isn't as good in DD dept. and the GTR doesn't have the quality of the Porsche.

He is using the M3 as the DD i believe so this is as a weekend car.

[991GT3]

Originally Posted by alpinem353

He is using the M3 as the DD i believe so this is as a weekend car.

If he could get a 997.2 GT3 I would lean toward the Porsche but with the performance upgrade of the new GTR I'd opt for that over a 997.1 GT3.

[CSanto]

Yeah, I'm thinking it'll cost about 110 to get a 2010 GT3.

89 for the 2012 GTR...I just dont know..

[008]

You could replace the M3 with the GTR, it has close to the same practicality. For a weekend only car get the GT3.

[Salespunk]

GT3 is going to give you more of a driving experience. The GTR is going to be faster on a track.

I would go for the GT3. It is a drivers car and is going to reward good driving and punish poor driving. The GTR is going to cover your mistakes and will not allow you to progress as much in skill. The GTR is definitely faster, but nothing replaces an 8K+ RPM redline and the feedback that a Porsche has. Add to that the sound with a bypass exhaust is why we were given ears and it becomes a no brainer for me.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Salespunk

GT3 is going to give you more of a driving experience. The GTR is going to be faster on a track.

I would go for the GT3. It is a drivers car and is going to reward good driving and punish poor driving. The GTR is going to cover your mistakes and will not allow you to progress as much in skill. The GTR is definitely faster, but nothing replaces an 8K+ RPM redline and the feedback that a Porsche has. Add to that the sound with a bypass exhaust is why we were given ears and it becomes a no brainer for me.

+1.

I drove a friend's GT-R and would simply never consider owning one for myself - especially for a weekend car. The GT-R is fast, the suspension is very good, but the engine is characterless, has turbo lag and sounds like crap. It's simply not as thrilling, involving or tactile as a GT3.

These are the very qualities that make a good weekend/track car, right?

[Gearhead999s]

GT3 all the way!

[phusion974]

I would get the GT-R in a heart beat.

[SUB-ZERO]

The GTR is a great car but the GT3 is where its at.

The GTR felt big to me but had no space on the inside..very weird.

The GT3 is small but has enough legroom for a 6ft person to fit and drive comfortably.

The GTR is very fast but you barely feel it because of the disconnect between driver and car. However, it handles great, although you wouldn't think so from looking at the size of it.

If I had my choice between a GTR and a GT3, I would go GT3. However, I wouldn't mind having both.

The Perfect garage= 1 M3 and 1 GT3 and maybe an X5 with sports package.

-SZ

[FStop7]

GT3 hands down if it's weekend car. The GT3 is incredible to drive and is so much more engaging than the GTR.

The GTR is stupid fast, faster than the GT3. It makes for a pretty great mixed DD/fun car, but if you want something for pure enjoyment then the GT3 is absolutely the way to go. For what it's worth I've driven both of them hard, I'm not just talking based on video games and magazine reviews.

[Martin_D]

gt2

we don't want any of those electronic gizmos - they are for drivers that have no balls

[skim]

don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to put down the mighty gtr but m3 and gtr in the same garage isn't too much of a DD and wknd toy. they are very similar to me.
a wknd car is something i just drool over, something special, something brutal, something addicting and makes you sweat when driving it and when you turn off the engine, you say wow.. that was one hell of a ride.. and to me that's the gt3/rs
this is a no brainer to me as well

[lambobambo]

Gt3 For Sure!!! A Stunning Machine, Gt-r Has No Drama.

[Martin_D]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Unless you mean the 996 GT2 you are not correct. The 997 GT2 HAS traction/stability control/PSM.

exactly what i meant

btw i have a gt3

[spearfisher]

it's your decision, your $$

but
GT3 vs GTR
08 vs 12
older vs new
looks vs tech
rewarding drive, but harder to drive fast vs number feel, grandma can drive fast
no room to go faster vs easy to mod to 600 hp

jarring ride vs more compliant ride


for me I'd choose the GTR

[elh0102]

I had a 996 GT3, probably the best car I’ve ever owned, and I miss it every day. I do very little track stuff anymore, so I didn’t think it made a lot of sense to keep it. I have never driven a 997 GT3, but I’ve been on track with a lot of them, and I know it is a marvelous driver’s car. I don’t want to be critical of the GTR, because I have a lot of respect for its technology and performance. I just much prefer the more engaging and communicative nature of the GT3. But I think the decision totally depends on your personal values when it comes to driving. The cars are so different, I can’t imagine it being a close decision after driving them. You will have a preference.

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by spearfisher

jarring ride vs more compliant ride

09 GTR is at least as jarring as 07 GT3, if not more.

[ajvee]

I guess there is a strong case for the GT3 for regular tracking, but if you aren't going to track the car much, then the ballistic, straight line thrust of the GTR (especially with a tune) might be nice and could be enjoyed more often.

The GTR would add a new dimension to what you have. Namely, a turbocharged, torque machine.

The GT3 will give you more of what you already have: Naturally aspirated screamer.

I really love that my M3 is naturally aspirated, but if I were to get a second car, I would get a ballistic, straight line machine. GTR would fit the bill nicely or a C63 for that matter.

Either way not an unpleasant choice to make

[Crazy Bimmer]

M3 as a DD then i would get something like a Ferrari 360 for a weekend car.

GT3 is too much of a car for me to blast around on a track. I havent even taken my M3 to the limits yet.

[330CIZHP]

GT3 all the way over GTR

GT3 is just too much fun and the visceral driving experience (sound, response, direct communication) just dominates the GTR. The high-strung screaming sound alone of the GT3 is worth the premium over the GTR.

GTR has a very low retention rate where most owners end up getting rid of it within 2 years. Funny thing is, the top choice for GTR owners to trade in their GTR is the Porsche 911 GT3.