Porsche GT3

[e93_ed]

Not meant as another M3 vs thread, but was wondering how many of the E9x M3 owners made the switch to GT3, in particular 996. Just wondering what you like about GT3 an what you miss about the M3. And yes, I understand that M3 is a better dd than the Porsche.

[CPB]

Have not made the switch, but I do have both, although mine is a 997. Not a lot of help here, but I could very easily DD the 997 GT3. I understand the 996 version is not quite as comfortable, and makes it harder to be a DD.

You'd miss the comfort and convenience your M3 provides, but of course you'd be trading on more performance.

Was just driving the GT3 yesterday and it always impresses. When I'm in it, I just want to keep on driving.

[stefan]

Downtown here, I see plenty of 996's being driven along with the odd GT3. I probably see just as many 996 (non-GT3) as I do M3's being daily driven. It's really interesting. I actually have seen more 996, 997s this winter than M3s (even in some serious snow). Leads me to believe it is a perfectly decent daily driver if you don't mind the lack of utility.

[LehmanZ06]

Have a 997.2 GT3 and a 6mt 08 M3.

M3 blows the GT3 away as a comfortable daily driver.
Do not like driving the GT3 on the highway at 70mph....too loud it blows.

Would think that the 996 GT3 would also not be a good daily driver.

The inside of the 997.2 GT3 blows the M3 away. Handling and performance no comparison.......GT3 is like a plush race like car for the street, M3 is a cushy sedan.

[Slapshot9]

I've driven my buddys GT3 and it's a Fast as Hell luxurious race car. M3 is the ultimate DD. Drive the M3 to work and keep the GT3 for track duty and to wake up the neighborhood at 6am Sunday morning.

[DARK_M3]

The current GT3 RS is my favorite car on the planet. I would DD the hell out of it. I've driven an older GT3 and it was a rough ride but no worse than my 370z with coilovers, sways etc. set to all the tightest settings. You sort of just get used to that.

[Straight Dave]

Maybe it's just me but comfortable cars are overrated. The car is a machine, a hunk of metal supposed to make you feel alive, not comfortable.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by Straight Dave

Maybe it's just me but comfortable cars are overrated. The car is a machine, a hunk of metal supposed to make you feel alive, not comfortable.

lol seriously..
Bunch of babies always complaining about daily driving.

I want something to rip my spine out when driving to/from the grocery store.

[devo]

Originally Posted by IFX

lol seriously..
Bunch of babies always complaining about daily driving.

I want something to rip my spine out when driving to/from the grocery store.

Love it!

[elh0102]

I had a 996 GT3, as well as an E92 M3, with both street and track experience with both. I'm not sure what your goal is, but these are just two very different cars, and hardly worth comparing. The M3 is one of the best sport sedans around, capable of comfortable daily driving as well as some sporty back road driving, and casual track use. The 996 GT3 may be the best value around in a real sports car, especially if you have some track use in mind. As a 911 platform car, it has handling characteristics that require some dilligence to master. But, if you put the time in, it is one of the most satisfying cars on the planet to drive. But, it is a car to be enjoyed by driving, as an experience, not as an exercise in transportation. As a daily driver, I would not consider it. As a second car to be enjoyed on track or a favorite country road, it is wonderful.

[Pauldramos]

I own an M3 and have driven a GT2 and a GT3. All three are awesome in their own right. I'd say you can't go wrong anyway with these BUT the DD aspect. Porsche 911 and BMW M3 are my two favorite cars...

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by Straight Dave

Maybe it's just me but comfortable cars are overrated. The car is a machine, a hunk of metal supposed to make you feel alive, not comfortable.

I drive a F250 diesel daily. I am sure this is a rougher ride then a GT3 or the like. A lot of people daily drive big ass trucks, so to me the GT3 would probably be comfy.. NO?>

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by buschy

I drive a F250 diesel daily. I am sure this is a rougher ride then a GT3 or the like. A lot of people daily drive big ass trucks, so to me the GT3 would probably be comfy.. NO?>

you also need to figure in seating position not just roughness in that equation as well as getting in and out. the thing i dont like about true sports car as a daily is sitting on the ground feeling with your legs straight out.

[graider]

Originally Posted by Straight Dave

Maybe it's just me but comfortable cars are overrated. The car is a machine, a hunk of metal supposed to make you feel alive, not comfortable.

sound familliar. I was saying the same thing 2-3 years ago. but after DD my e46 m3 for 2 years, I regret what I said.

Trust me, ride comfort is very important in any car. once you DD them for a long time, your back gave up, your ears gone deaf, and you couldn't put up with all the cons of DD driving a sport car, you will have a different view.

I don't miss the low profile tires everytime there is pot holes, noisy exaust, harsh ride, rev constantly to speed up, special attention needed when parking in mall, etc.....

The perfect DD for me is a mid size SUV with enough ground clearance, dual clutch, meaty tires (atleast 55 thick), ride comfort and quiet like an S class, 0-60 4 seconds, handle like a GTR. that doesn't exist yet, but the cayenne turbo come close with about 30k of factory extra options and some aftermarket tuning.

everything else GTR, GT3RS, M3, C63 AMG, etc.....I consider them weekend car. Don't have patience to deal with all the headache mentioned above.

[Nine]

Originally Posted by buschy

I drive a F250 diesel daily. I am sure this is a rougher ride then a GT3 or the like. A lot of people daily drive big ass trucks, so to me the GT3 would probably be comfy.. NO?>

This post really confuses me, your F250 truck has a rougher ride than a GT3........can you define 'rough ride'. Are you driving gravel roads all day, and what profile tires are on your truck, no rebound in your suspension???

Every truck I've been in has had an excellent ride.

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by Nine

This post really confuses me, your F250 truck has a rougher ride than a GT3........can you define 'rough ride'. Are you driving gravel roads all day, and what profile tires are on your truck, no rebound in your suspension???

Every truck I've been in has had an excellent ride.

Iim assuming as I dont have nor have I driven a GT3. My truck is pretty rough, as are most big trucks. Not sure why you think trucks are excellent. My Tundra and GMC 1500 drove smoother.
My truck is rough: bumpy, jaring, loose steering, swervy, loud.

[Brucewonder]

If you can keep a GT3 as a track toy and have a m3 as a DD. you got it twisted. Must be nice risking a uber $exy car on the track vs a dated m3 =/

[e93_ed]

Thanks for all the feedback! After a couple of butchered deals of getting a 996 GT3, looks like I finally landed one. Unfortunately, it would not be practical for me to keep both the M3 and the GT3, so looks like M3 will have to go... M3 really is one of the most versatile car out there, good for DD, and great on the track!

In terms for DD, I guess it will be a Toyota Highlander.

[dawgdog]

I have driven a 992.2 GT3 but not hard on the track. I have been a passenger in GT3s with talented instructors and they are an amazing car. That said a well set up M3 is surprising competitive at the track. At my last PCA event I ended up passing a lot of GT3s in the A group. The cars that I couldn't keep up with were a couple of well set up 996 turbos.

[graider]

if you are in it for the driving experience, the 996 gt3 is great.

but personally i wouldn't consider the 996 gt3 an upgrade from the m3. it is too dated looking inside/out compare to the e9x m3. 997.1 gt3 then that is a different story.

[enycerz]

GT3 is such a nice car to drive if you love true driving.

[py0413]

Very different cars. I would only the the GT3 if that's my 2nd car or track use. A M3 is perfect for DD purpose and it performs pretty well on track use too. For me if M3 does everything well enough if that's the only car I am keeping in my garage.