PWRS (NZ) + switch 997 Turbo ---> 997 GT3 (my reasons)
Porsche World Road Show (NZ)
I attended the show a few weeks ago and it was a real credit to Porsche how every single invitee was so absolutely impressed. Here's a few brief comments.
The drivers: Factory / Carrera Cup / Other pro's - they were all amazing. We had a wet track. Some of these factory guys got themselves into perfectly controlled drifts at 140km/h and exiting the corner at close to 100k - a bit like they were on a Sunday afternoon drive. They also did this in a power upgraded Cayenne Turbo. (4 people in the car and having it going sideways at over 100k).
The cars: A good variety (no 997 Turbo / GT3 / CGT) - but everything else was there. The power upgraded C2 was an amazing drive; around the same power as a 996 GT3 (~380bhp) and it really put a smile on everyone's face.
PSM: with the car in sport mode I was impressed at the amount of 'play' it gave you, especially on power oversteer when compared to 996 PSM.
PCCB: 2 track cars had these on. Both cars only have several thousand k's on them yet the PCCB's sounded dreadful (Cayman and Carrera). It was like they had sand grinding in them. To save ?20kg of un-sprung weight & with that noise and cost - no thanks!
Why I'm going to change to a 997 GT3 instead of a 997 Turbo:
Background: I've been waiting at the top of the dealer list for a 997 Turbo and my two requirements when placing the order over two years ago was that it had ~500 bhp and a PDK/DSG box. Naturally the car is perfect in almost every respect except for old technology gear box options. IMO tip is old (and will be imminently superseded), and manual is dead. I don't like the non-ROW ride height (this is purely stationary aesthetics and obviously PASM created). It just seems to lose some of its aggressive stance - although I agree this is a minor point.
997 GT3, with its power/weight (or engine litre) ratio is amazing. Every 996 GT3 ride / drive I've had has left more of a smile on my face than the TT. Combine that with GT3's TC, PASM, and a car that is more 'pure' than a TT, plus the fact I don't need a daily driver, all leads to GT3. There were quite a few discussions on the "future direction" of Porsche, and I have to say that Porsche is clever in expanding its client base. It creates a GT3 and a Turbo that both appeal to a wider audience. I find myself slipping into what is the now wider GT3 clientele section.
I believe in a little patience. We (P clients) are dealing with what is primarily a Corporate. I believe they will have PDK ready for the GT3 in no time at all and any release delay (for GT3) must only be posturing. My money's on waiting for a 997 PDK GT3. If I was going to drive the car every day I would probably wait for a PDK Turbo (or get a 997 GT3 and pick up an old boxster for a runabout).
For anyone not yet done a PWRS it is a must!
I attended the show a few weeks ago and it was a real credit to Porsche how every single invitee was so absolutely impressed. Here's a few brief comments.
The drivers: Factory / Carrera Cup / Other pro's - they were all amazing. We had a wet track. Some of these factory guys got themselves into perfectly controlled drifts at 140km/h and exiting the corner at close to 100k - a bit like they were on a Sunday afternoon drive. They also did this in a power upgraded Cayenne Turbo. (4 people in the car and having it going sideways at over 100k).
The cars: A good variety (no 997 Turbo / GT3 / CGT) - but everything else was there. The power upgraded C2 was an amazing drive; around the same power as a 996 GT3 (~380bhp) and it really put a smile on everyone's face.
PSM: with the car in sport mode I was impressed at the amount of 'play' it gave you, especially on power oversteer when compared to 996 PSM.
PCCB: 2 track cars had these on. Both cars only have several thousand k's on them yet the PCCB's sounded dreadful (Cayman and Carrera). It was like they had sand grinding in them. To save ?20kg of un-sprung weight & with that noise and cost - no thanks!
Why I'm going to change to a 997 GT3 instead of a 997 Turbo:
Background: I've been waiting at the top of the dealer list for a 997 Turbo and my two requirements when placing the order over two years ago was that it had ~500 bhp and a PDK/DSG box. Naturally the car is perfect in almost every respect except for old technology gear box options. IMO tip is old (and will be imminently superseded), and manual is dead. I don't like the non-ROW ride height (this is purely stationary aesthetics and obviously PASM created). It just seems to lose some of its aggressive stance - although I agree this is a minor point.
997 GT3, with its power/weight (or engine litre) ratio is amazing. Every 996 GT3 ride / drive I've had has left more of a smile on my face than the TT. Combine that with GT3's TC, PASM, and a car that is more 'pure' than a TT, plus the fact I don't need a daily driver, all leads to GT3. There were quite a few discussions on the "future direction" of Porsche, and I have to say that Porsche is clever in expanding its client base. It creates a GT3 and a Turbo that both appeal to a wider audience. I find myself slipping into what is the now wider GT3 clientele section.
I believe in a little patience. We (P clients) are dealing with what is primarily a Corporate. I believe they will have PDK ready for the GT3 in no time at all and any release delay (for GT3) must only be posturing. My money's on waiting for a 997 PDK GT3. If I was going to drive the car every day I would probably wait for a PDK Turbo (or get a 997 GT3 and pick up an old boxster for a runabout).
For anyone not yet done a PWRS it is a must!
...so it could be my daily driver!!!!!
Not worth it. For some track fun and some weekend fun driving, the GT3 is surely the way to go but only for drivers who know what they're doing. Maybe I'm just getting old but I love the "comforting" thought of PSM and AWD in my car. 
