Carol's new Porsche - A few more pics

Well you do have to be careful with GT3's but if you buy from an OPC you'll be on pretty safe ground with them because they will have done a lot of checks on it to offer the warranty. But remember the engine is virtually the same engine as the GT3 Cup-series car so it is used to being used on track and raced. They are pretty bomb-proof, no engine horror stories with the GT3, or Turbo either for that matter. They tend to be used very sparingly and it is pretty usual to see 5 year old cars with 10k miles or less. So they generally are a second and third car. The main thing to check is for signs of accident damage.

The Turbo is an everyday luxury sports car. It costs a heck of a lot new and they get used everyday so you see many more higher mileage examples. They are more common, more practical for everyday use (the 4WD for example) and they are easy to drive insanely fast. But they aren't really special like the GT cars are. If you look over on PH Porsche board at how many GT threads there are you'll see why they hold their value. They are the best handling, best driving 911's Porsche make and they seem to be the car that everyone aspires to own. The RS versions are on another level still and are holding their value incredibly well (virtually zero depreciation on a 997.1 version and 996 version probably now appreciating) but they are a little more hardcore. For example they have the roll cage as standard, the race seats & harnesses etc. If you wanted a weekend toy a GT3 with Comfort Spec would be ideal for you.

EDIT: I should say the 996/997 GT3 has the same engine as the Cup car. The 991 GT3 has a heavily revised version of the Carrera S engine but it sounds incredible at 9,000rpm.
 
I can't compare my Boxster with an ///M, 35is or any bigger engined zed as I've never driven one. Obviously it's a different class altogether than my 2.0, no comparison there.
I'm hoping I will at some point even if its a test drive from a stealer.
Be interesting for me to make a proper comparison.

Tom, I agree. The engine noise is just enough to make you aware but not overpowering in the cabin. Spot on.
 
The GT3 isn't a great road car tho, brilliant if you want to use it as a track car but the standard 911 is a better overall car and the turbo is a good compromise in that respect. For a point a-b car there isn't much on the road that comes close to it. The GT3 is too concentrated whereas the turbo is everything the 911 is but faster albeit not NA.

Thats where my dad is atm, went to test drive a beautiful turbo S and the thing is like a rocket, the power is just immense, never ending. He's always wanted a GT3 too but more for what it stands for than what it does and what he could use it for. We tried a GT3 and although visual porn and worth every penny with everything they represent they are a poor road car because they weren't designed to be and if to be used as a road car… how much will you actually appreciate all the mechanical genius? and how comfortable will you be? They are hard as a rock and those seats although hug you in all the right places they aren't comfortable seats that you would enjoy sitting in for a 200+ mile journey. You also need the axel lifter in town too of that bumper won't last long...

So for someone like my dad who loves the mark, uses it as a weekend car, likes a bit of a hoon but does a fair amount of long journeys, the turbo is a better car. Buying a GT3 its just too hardcore and I suspect it would sit in the garage, although not a bad investment.

The Turbo/S is for the guy who wants a car that will rival and destroy a GT car in a straight line but in complete comfort, a car you can take on track and be a complete hooligan, and not feel any issue with a jaunt through Europe, get it out the garage, running it everyday 20k a year. The GT3 is for the guy that wants the best porsche can offer, a track car for the road, who is serious about track days, or buys it for what it represents rather than what they can do with it.

I disagree that the Turbos aren't special cars. The statistics of the Turbo S are mind blowing.

560HP 750lbs torque 0-60 - 3.1s 0-100 - 6.8s 50-75 - 1.8s Top speed - 197mph Combined MPG - 29.1mpg

It is a discrete (almost) super car, in person they have so much presence and I can't help but be impressed with it. Seen as tho it is the pinnacle of Porsche road cars. GT3s are a different matter, small numbers, different pedigree, everyone who has a porsche has aspirations of owning one. The comparison isn't really relevant because they are very different cars.

I think if you had a go in one you would change your opinion. They sounds great IMO, much more raunchy than the 911 with the sports exhaust and certainly a lot louder than the M. Although the turbo does reduce the scream, it still sounds impressive. The new one especially, Chris Harris recently reviewed it and was pretty impressed with it. It is one of those marmite cars like M cars with purist views of what a 'Porsche' should be. You can't not be impressed with it, and I'm one of those said to dad no chance you want a Turbo, GT3 all the way, and well… I was wrong. They have managed to integrate just enough essence into it that it looses the one trick card its been tied too.

But completely understand the thinking, I'm very much in the same, rarity, heritage, performance, the reason i guess we both ended up with Z4M coupes, but theres no chance of me probably ever owning a GT3.

I remember seeing a RS4.0 driving down Regent Street, revving and screaming between the lights the non comfort pack, full roll cage, all the livery and the big wing and thinking… why… What a waste of a brilliant car.
 
I would love a 997 GT3 & its possibly my favourite but I do agree with Tom as the Turbo would be a far better allrounder I would imagine.
 
[youtube]JyPLNtdqpJ8&feature=sharenoembed&list=PL239B84BD346EEEFA&index=4[/youtube]

Seriously impressive tho…

[youtube]KVdme4ISq8Y[/youtube]
 
We need to clarify which derivative of 911 we are talking about really. I was talking about 997. Some of the points will be applicable to both though. The 991 Turbo will depreciate even quicker than the old one did. £140k for the Turbo S before extras?!! Nah, no thanks.

On 997's specifically I don't agree with a lot of your opinions on the two Tom. I've driven a GT3 and a Turbo. Both are exceptionally good cars. But I still don't think the Turbo is a particularly exciting car once you've got used to the insane acceleration and traction from the 4WD. The engine and exhaust note is dire in comparison to a GT3/3RS. The 991 Turbo S got a so-so rating from the Autocar road test. Amazingly quick but a bit like - what's the point. It's way too quick to enjoy. You'll never use all that horsepower unless you want to go to jail.

Anyone who uses a ZM as a daily would have no problem using a GT3 as a daily. They ARE a road-car designed to be able to go on track, NOT the other way around. The RS is getting towards the edge of what is tolerable for a road car but the normal GT3 is fine. If you want comfortable seats spec the comfort pack. Simple. The front-lifting axle is desirable (unfortunately Gen 2 997 onwards) but not essential unless you live in a property with a steep gradient to the entrance/exit. I cannot see why anyone, who wanted a weekend toy, would choose a Turbo over a GT3. If the extra power was important then get a GT2 instead, but 0-100 in the mid 8's for a 997 GT3 and mid-7's for the new 991 is hardly a slouch is it?

Lastly, look at the prices of 997 Turbos. Look how many are below £50k, when it cost over £100k when new. Now look at 997 GT3's and try and find a half decent 997 for less than £55k (it cost about £78-80k new). When I'm putting a lot of money in a car you can't ignore that. If I chose a GT3 over a Turbo twice in succession the money I'd save in depreciation over 6 or 7 years would probably buy me a new Zed outright. Edit: I've just checked PH classifieds and there are pages of 997 Turbos (141 of them in fact) with loads between £30-40k for 2006/7 cars with 40k ish miles. The cheapest 997 GT3 on there (29 of them supposedly but the first few are just Carreras with GT3 appendages) is £60k. This for a 2007 car with 28k from an OPC. That car would've cost £80k new. So theoretically, the guy spending 100k on the Turbo, keeping it for 6 years and getting around £35k (losing £65k) versus the GT3 costing £80k and getting around £60k (losing £20k). One's a no-brainer and it ain't the Turbo.

The Turbo is a nice car but its more for the Exec who uses it everyday not the weekend toy.
 
but it's still a pretty good read, Original Guv seems to be quite in the know and I am absorbing all this knowledge with great interest. :thumbsup:


* I don't have $200 grand lying around for a Turbo
* Would lose license in first week of ownership of said Turbo (or GT2RS /GT3)

hence more sedate C2S in the garage, but it is fun reading ..... :driving:
 
Sorry Carol!! :thumbsup:

I'll get it back on to your beautiful Boxster after one last comment or two!!

These quotes are not mine, they are from the Autocar road test of the 997.1 GT3 back in February 2007, when the car cost £79,540 new.

"5 stars not enough"

"the ride is adequately comfortable for commuting"

"the bottom line is this: the GT3 is a car that will lap the Nurburgring all day long at fantastic speeds and then provide you with an air-conditioned, CD-fed cruise home in relative comfort. And yes, you could use it every day"

"whether you drive it flat out or slowly, it's full of drama, character and involvement, and it's the most enjoyable all-round performance car currently on sale"

I rest my case M'lord. :D

More Boxster chat now please. I loved my ride in the 981 today. Brilliant car and looks fantastic.
 
mcbeee said:
but it's still a pretty good read, Original Guv seems to be quite in the know and I am absorbing all this knowledge with great interest. :thumbsup:


* I don't have $200 grand lying around for a Turbo
* Would lose license in first week of ownership of said Turbo (or GT2RS /GT3)

hence more sedate C2S in the garage, but it is fun reading ..... :driving:
Click to expand...

Mmm C2S - they sound so raw, lovely car! My mate had one, I'd love one. My chip in to the above hi-jack - I've driven the GT3 and I didn't find the ride all that bad. The seats were firm but comfortable although I am a slim short arse. I can see the power being easy to use on the road though, there seemed to be so much low down torque and then the obvious when you scream the revs. I can't say I've driven a turbo - but for the new price of rather buy something else.... And have some change.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
-Tom- said:
Mmm C2S - they sound so raw, lovely car!
Click to expand...

:rofl:
Try starting it in a cold Canadian garage...sounds like like someone beating the crap out of all the pots in the kitchen, :o

then it warms up a bit and gets a bit of a grumble on.... :thumbsup:
 
mcbeee said:
-Tom- said:
Mmm C2S - they sound so raw, lovely car!
Click to expand...

:rofl:
Try starting it in a cold Canadian garage...sounds like like someone beating the crap out of all the pots in the kitchen, :o

then it warms up a bit and gets a bit of a grumble on.... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

This was a cold start up in a garage over in England - albeit a bit warmer than out there! It sounded like it would eat somebody if you weren't looking! Bloody quick too :-)

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
Just checking in and it seems I've accidentally logged in to the Porsche forum by mistake :D

Love it when OG gets going, life's to short honey just go and get a GT3 before it's to late :thumbsup:

I'm trying to figure out how I can afford to buy a 991 Targa S in 4 years time, it's sooooo lush
 
That new Targa is pretty sweet, or a Cabriolet C4S, yummy :)
In 4 yrs it'll be half the price and almost affordable... :thumbsup:
 
make sure you can get in to rads to clean them (behind the grills), I have to go from behind (that sounds kinky, hmmm?)
 
That's why I'm getting the grilles. I'll clean them out thoroughly first then put the grilles on.

These are them, in black...

http://www.zunsport.com/porsche-boxster-9872-manual--front-grille-set-p370
 
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