Re: Recent delivery; quick pic of the new ride
It's funny, how an avatar can shape people's perceptions. Everyone knows I'm not Nolte, but I'm sure you can't help thinking that I'm a rough looking drunk. LOL.
So far, I've found that the GT3 is the perfect synthesis of the best attributes fo the prior GT3 and the current 997S, with a few extras thrown into the mix.
I'm a sucker for a great chassis, I find I'm drawn to a car with stellar chassis dynamics and communication and grip rather than power. However, I've gotten spoiled with high power cars which is why I passed on the Cayman. This car does not dissapoint. The overwhelming feeling is of grip and flawless engineering. Everything about the car gives the impression that it was built to a level of precision that no other company, including Ferrari, can match. It's hard to explain. Part of the precision is the car's path accuracy. You can set it in a corner and let it follow its intended arc w/o all the corrections you have to attend to the the Ferrari and the prior GT3 (but not in the 997S which is also quite precise). The steering is both that precise and full of information.
And the way the car takes a set and holds cornering is fantastic. Again, hard to articulate, but it's like you feel like it's your car and are almost instantly familiar with it after a few hours of driving. . . inviting a feeling of invincibleness. In contrast the prior gt3 I always left a lot on the table b/c I could never really trust it. Same with the Ferrari, which was less trustworthy than the GT3. A twitchy bastard at the limit.
The engine note and responsiveness of the motor were a huge surprise though. I expected a mildly better motor than what's in the 996 GT3, but it's a pretty big step up in terms of low end tq and sound.
The shifter is rifle bolt precise.
The clutch is stiff, but not really burdensome.
As folks know, the PCCBs are other worldly.
I can post more details later, but the car just carves effortlessly but still retains the rear engine charisma that keep 911 buyers coming back for more and more. It wiggles and jiggles, always telling you what is happening out back. The same cannot be said of the Fcar. The combination of organic feel and otherworldly balance and grip w/o all the unwanted handling drama (quirks) is what separates this car the rest.
The motor is icing on the cake!
I'll also add a comment on styling. Of course this is quite personal. I think that the Modena 360 in its proper hardtop form is more beautiful than both the GT3 and its replacement the F430. The F430 is overstyled and too Enzo like while the 360 has a cohesive design. The GT3 is busy and doesn't have the 'rolling artwork' presence.
What the GT3 does have is pure, unfettered, naked aggression. It looks mean. It sounds angry. The Ferrari made me want to wax it. The GT3 demands that you drive the schit out of it and put it away wet, and if you don't cord a tire in next track event, it'll secretly call you a pussy under its breath. B/c of the aggressive nature of the car, I give it far more respect and ultimately, I'm sure I'll obsess over it more than any car I've owned.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Porsche is for drivers.