As some of you know, I sold my Supra and Evo and bought something cheaper to drive for a year. Currently saving up for something nice next year. As you can see in my signature, I was looking at the GTR for next year. But dealer tactics are bringing me down a little and I am keeping my options open. The Z06 is a great car and can be purchased below MSRP right now. M3's are finally selling at MSRP or maybe a little below. 997 GT3's are still exacting a premium with high asking prices for new and used vehicles. I might consider a 996 GT3 or hope that the used 997's dip below 100k by next year (cheapest I've seen so far is 108K for a 2007).
Has anyone on the forum driven a GT3? What can you tell me about the experience? I know that all the cars I have listed above are very different, but for those that have driven one or more of them, how would you compare them vs. the Evo IX and eachother in the steering/handling department. I know that the Evo equipped with the right tires will outdo all but maybe the GTR on wet roads so I am really looking for dry road comparisons. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
James

 

Ive driven a GT3 alot.. My uncle has one.. I love the think its so fun to drive and just loves goin fast thru turns... what a great car! he also has a Ford GT which has nothing on the GT3 IMO

 

Thanks for the reply
Is your uncle's GT3 a 997 or 996? Did he go for any of the options, if so, which ones were really nice/worth it? How is the car for just driving around town? Top Gear said that it doesn't really beat you up for being as track oriented as it is.
Thanks
James

 

I know you haven't considered this, but a modded 996 Turbo would destroy all of those cars performance wise, and give you the prestige/luxury of a Porsche. Their values have dropped considerably lately.

 

I actually have looked at prices for the 996 turbos. I saw a couple of 2004's priced around 70k. I just worry about that kind of power in the corners. I hear that the turbos kick in pretty damn hard. Most reviews point to the GT3 owning the turbo on a track even though the turbo puts out better numbers for 0-60 and the 1/4 mile. But I have kept the turbo in my options list.
Thanks
James

 

cool both of these cars look great

 

997 GT3 black on black! sexy as all hell

well driving in town is a pleasure in this car.. you know your in a damn (race) car but it does not feel anything like one city driving.. as soon as your on the highway YOU FEEL IT.. pure blooded racecar!

Amazing! just a awesome car.. all around!

 

jmsrx,

I was on your boots 4 months ago, I really wanted the GTR and had the means to get one but I got deeply frustrated and ofended by most of the dealers's marketing policies, basically the price was abusive.

This event drifted me to my inmediate second choice,the Z06. Unlike the GTR the Z06 have a huge disccount over the MSRP, so large that you can actually buy them for a few dollars over invoice and you know the rest (you get a lot for that price).

The GT3 was never an option for me because it slipped out my hand as far is budget, despite being one of my favorite cars of all the time (the GT3) the vette would match the performance for significantly less money.

It would be extremely hard to find a used GTR, in fact I will find hard to believe they are going to be any used GTR available because of the demand and if you find one don't be surprise if they want more that what it cost them new.

Porsche hold the value very very well and they are going to be pricy. With that being said, I highly recommend you to look at a used C6 Z06, now they can be had for low 50' and you get a real supercar with all the whistles and bells for an affordable price.

My .2c

Carlos

 

I would definetly go with gt3 , it is simply an amazing car.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have read a few posts about your experience with trying to get a GTR and I appreciated the posts you put in my original threads about selling my cars and buying a GTR. I didn't consider getting a used GTR an option for quite some time. I hope I didn't put used GTR when I meant used GT3. The Vette is looking pretty good as an option but there is just something about that inline six and the way people can coax a GT3 around a track. But, I am in no hurry. I'm still saving up for whatever car it ends up being. Hopefully I will have something new by this time next year. I respect the opinions of Evo drivers who have driven these higher dollar sports cars. The Evo is still the best handling car I have ever owned even though the RX8 is pretty darn good with the great weight distribution and the way you can swing the tail out on demand. The Evo is the benchmark that I will be comparing my future ride's handling/response to.
Thanks again
James

 

I apreciate it James... I once test drove a RX8(4 years ago) but it was in the summer, it was in Tucson, it was at 3000ft and with the A/C and two other people, but I did not go any furher because of the lack of torque , the handling wasn't bad.

The porsche sound is incredible, I had a 911(964) Carrera 4 Cabriolet and I still have that boxer sound recorded on my brain, the sound is awesome.

The secret on the GT3 is the high reving engine mate to short gearing and light weight. 380hp into a light chasi makes wonders and that is why the GT3 can keep up with more powerful cars. As much as I want to say that the GTR would be perhaps the best car for the price I am forced to say it is no longer competitive because of the ridiculous pricetag by corrupted and ilicit dealers.

There are some cool people on this forum, perhaps someone with a GT3 a GTR or a Z06 would eventually give you a ride and even allow you to go for a spin, I personally give rides so take your time and make a good decision.

You should also consider other important factors like insurance, my Z06 cost me much much less that what I used to pay for the Evos. Maintenace on the Porsche can be pricy but Porsche used to have the 5 star program for cars 5 yearls or older and the maintenance is cheaper(at least that program was in efect in Europe).

Also, consider the aftermarket availability, in this aspect the Z06 clearly takes the lead, there are S/C, single and twin turbokits plus a huge array of parts and bolt-ons available at a decent price.

As crazy as it might sound please go for a test drive on the 08 LS3 vette, it is 90% of the Z06 thrill for a fraction, in fact the 08 vette is not far behind the GT3 or the GTR performance wise. Someone already have done 125mph on a bone stock LS3. Just my thoughts.

Carlos

 

Put a pair of R comps on a stock 06-08 Z06 and no stock GT3 will stay with you on a track. Of course that is saying that both drivers are at the same skill level.

Lots of guys on the Corvetteforum own both.


Like Carlos said buy an C6 Z06 at $8-9K off MSRP and put the $8-9k back in and end up with something like this beast!

BTW turn the sound up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjYQSB3Cz30 Idle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA38acNmR5A

BTW Highway pulls were in 4th and 5th gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKn6Adtoyb8
When he shifts from 2nd he is doing 90+ mph just to give a little persception to the vid.


Or you can go a little milder for about $3-5k and still pile on 80hp to the rear wheels.

Porsches are great cars. I've owned a couple myself but the Z06 is a GREAT car for the money and can be modded for so much less than P car.


BTW Carlos I got my confirmation on the 09 GT-R.

Delivery date is set for July 11th.

 

a little off-topic but i was at royal farms looking at the mags and saw that nissan is coming out with a gtr spec-v. its carbon-fibered out (hood, lip, sideskirts...), weighs over 200lbs lighter and running more boost. pretty crazy...

 

^^ Can wait to hear about it. You must be that 0.0000001% of the lucky people that actually made it with the GTR, I acted too late or I simply haven't had a chance to fairly negotiate a GTR. Had they offer me a GTR at MSRP and I would probably had one on the way.

Can't complaint either, the Z06 delivers tons of fun as well. I am happy to know that some aftermarket stuff are also affordable like the Nitto Invos. After 3500 miles my average city MPG is 17 ish, not as bad as I thought considering the size of the engine.

Carlos

 

Yeah, we heard about it andthere is a video circulating showing a prototype. I really want to plug my hears and don't want to hear how much the dealer could/would ask for that Spec -V version. We are now at the mercy of these ilicit ,corrupted and abusive Nissan dealers. Heck of a car by the way.

Carlos