Took the leap, 997 GT3 it is! (with pics)
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Took the leap, 997 GT3 it is! (with pics)
I really enjoyed how the S drives with its rev-happy engine and agility. It fits like a glove and delivers with precision. However, I was also tempted by newer models like Caymans/911s, Exiges/Evoras, GTRs, R8, etc, and was itching to find my S a worthy company, an upgrade, in an never-ending quest for performance.
After months of searching, I eliminated a number of choices. The first to go was Turbo/Supercharged cars. I wanted to continue to have a linear NA engine, preferably It's more of a pet peeve than anything else because I like the F20C. Lotus is the next to go because the logical part of my brain failed to justify paying more than $30k to get a 2ZZ/GR engine used in Corolla and Camry. This is a debatable miss on Lotus' part. V8 and V10 are also out because I'm not ready for the weight and low mileage. I know I'm missing out on a lot by making these decisions, it's unfortunate, but at the same time it landed me squarely on a number of Porsches, which makes the decision simpler and led me to the GT3.
The next decision is a difficult one: FR, MR or RR? Certainly no AWD and FF for me. I always wanted a mid-engine, the NSX to be specific. I was planning to wait for the next-gen NSX until Honda decided to can that idea for a Production car and went the Tatare route (Nano small & efficient). Boxster is out because it's too close to the S. The Cayman S is a likely candidates. So are the C2, C2S, GT3, GT3/RS from a performance standpoint.
Among these choices, the GT3 really jumped out because of its true dry-sump, high-rev race-derived M97.76 engine. Along with the stiff floor pan, the short-throw gearbox, track-worthy handling, and sunroof... sounded just like the S's bigger cousin to me. Nice. The overall the package of the GT3 put it a league above the other Porsche. The only problem I have is the RR setup but it'd be stupid of me to take the Cayman S over the GT3.
I wasn't ready to pay $100k+ for a new GT3 given the reserve I have about RR and never owning a Porsche before. Thus, I did some heavy shopping nation-wide and found myself a Porsche-certified 2007 GT3. It took a bit of work to get it delivered but I have it now. I took it out for a few moderately spirited driving and it already delivered so much more performance than anything I've driven. I hope I made the right decision. Still too early to tell. What would you have chosen?
It has been raining like dogs and cats here lately so I didn't manage to take too many pics yet but here're a few that I managed to squeeze in.
After months of searching, I eliminated a number of choices. The first to go was Turbo/Supercharged cars. I wanted to continue to have a linear NA engine, preferably It's more of a pet peeve than anything else because I like the F20C. Lotus is the next to go because the logical part of my brain failed to justify paying more than $30k to get a 2ZZ/GR engine used in Corolla and Camry. This is a debatable miss on Lotus' part. V8 and V10 are also out because I'm not ready for the weight and low mileage. I know I'm missing out on a lot by making these decisions, it's unfortunate, but at the same time it landed me squarely on a number of Porsches, which makes the decision simpler and led me to the GT3.
The next decision is a difficult one: FR, MR or RR? Certainly no AWD and FF for me. I always wanted a mid-engine, the NSX to be specific. I was planning to wait for the next-gen NSX until Honda decided to can that idea for a Production car and went the Tatare route (Nano small & efficient). Boxster is out because it's too close to the S. The Cayman S is a likely candidates. So are the C2, C2S, GT3, GT3/RS from a performance standpoint.
Among these choices, the GT3 really jumped out because of its true dry-sump, high-rev race-derived M97.76 engine. Along with the stiff floor pan, the short-throw gearbox, track-worthy handling, and sunroof... sounded just like the S's bigger cousin to me. Nice. The overall the package of the GT3 put it a league above the other Porsche. The only problem I have is the RR setup but it'd be stupid of me to take the Cayman S over the GT3.
I wasn't ready to pay $100k+ for a new GT3 given the reserve I have about RR and never owning a Porsche before. Thus, I did some heavy shopping nation-wide and found myself a Porsche-certified 2007 GT3. It took a bit of work to get it delivered but I have it now. I took it out for a few moderately spirited driving and it already delivered so much more performance than anything I've driven. I hope I made the right decision. Still too early to tell. What would you have chosen?
It has been raining like dogs and cats here lately so I didn't manage to take too many pics yet but here're a few that I managed to squeeze in.
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Atlanta, GA
Do want.
I think its going to be an awesome car and compliments your S2000 nicely. Since you asked, I would have been looking at an 05 NSX, not because its better than the GT3, but from a financial perspective I think its as close to an 'investment' as you're going to find in a usable/fun package, not to mention the leftover $$ to play with.
Sweet GT3 though - definitely on the list of "must drives" before I die.
I think its going to be an awesome car and compliments your S2000 nicely. Since you asked, I would have been looking at an 05 NSX, not because its better than the GT3, but from a financial perspective I think its as close to an 'investment' as you're going to find in a usable/fun package, not to mention the leftover $$ to play with.
Sweet GT3 though - definitely on the list of "must drives" before I die.
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From: Scatterbrainia
Thanks for the background story and info.
I for one definitely appreciate hearing the insight and rationale that went into a decision like this rather than just looking at photos.
The car is beautiful, enjoy it in good health. Did you keep the S2000? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about the S after driving the GT3 for a while.
I for one definitely appreciate hearing the insight and rationale that went into a decision like this rather than just looking at photos.
The car is beautiful, enjoy it in good health. Did you keep the S2000? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about the S after driving the GT3 for a while.