May 23, 2022 7:31:29 AM
Porker:Very nice Grant!
Can I read your impressions somewhere vs the 991.2 GT3?
Thanks guys for the nice comments.
The difference to the 991.2 is that the 992 is now a more complete and enjoyable track car, but maybe a less enjoyable car for the road (unless you live in a place with very good quality and smooth tarmac).
The new front suspension is really fun on track - it really digs into the corners and prevents understeer in a way that the 991 never could. The steering rack is much faster near the center position as well. It gives a feeling of incredible directness and you better not sneeze at high speed or you may change 2 lanes
My cynical side thinks they made the steering rack so fast, so that drivers will immediately notice the difference (and not wonder where all the development effort went when driving on the street). I think otherwise it might have been difficult to notice the difference, unless one was really pushing hard on the track.
The suspension spring rates are roughly twice as stiff as in 991.2 GT3. So, the 992 GT3 now has performance of the 991.2 GT3 RS (but it is now a more compromised car for the street, as was the last RS - but the 992 GT3 is a little better able to hide unnoticed in traffic, in the more subdued colors). And, you get the option of the Manual gearbox (which I am not yet prepared to surrender) and the price is lower than the old RS.
Overall, I am very pleased with the car. But my primary use is track driving, commuting to the track, and occasional mountain driving. I currently have 6,500 miles (10,500 km) and I only have a few months of driving.
There is a new law in California that requires the removal of Copper from the brake pads, so the stock pads (in the US) are worse on the 992 than 991 (not sure if this applies to Euro cars). I have replaced them with the excellent Race Technologies RE-10 pads and Endless fluid - same combo I used in GT4 and 991.2 GT3 and they are great with extremely long life for pads and rotors - but not great for a car than doesn't get track time where they would get noisy eventually and probably begin to wear the rotors faster. This is only solved by repeating the bedding process or completing a few laps).
They also changed something to improve tire wear on the track. On the 991.2, I was always wearing the rear tires' outer shoulders to the cords very fast. Some people said the rear axle steering was to blame (as I had plenty of camber). For whatever reason, this problem appears to be gone with the 992...
The newly added downforce is noticeable as well at higher speeds and has been entertaining to learn how to exploit (though my local track is really too slow to make full use of its benefits). It took 3 days at the local track before I was faster in the 992 (it is slower in a straight line, due to the additional drag of the downforce), but now I am continuing to improve my best lap by a tiny amount each time I go - slowly learning to trust the newly higher grip in the faster corners...
--
22 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 18 GT3 Manual, 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
May 24, 2022 1:01:43 AM
Grant, perfect color for the 992 GT3. Also, I appreciate your honesty in comparing the 991 to the 992. No doubt the 992 is a better car but for those that paid ADM of at least high five tor six figures ( I know you did not) they will rue their financial irresponsibility.
The purpose of life is to enjoy the moment.
Grant:Porker:Very nice Grant!
Can I read your impressions somewhere vs the 991.2 GT3?
Thanks guys for the nice comments.
The difference to the 991.2 is that the 992 is now a more complete and enjoyable track car, but maybe a less enjoyable car for the road (unless you live in a place with very good quality and smooth tarmac).
The new front suspension is really fun on track - it really digs into the corners and prevents understeer in a way that the 991 never could. The steering rack is much faster near the center position as well. It gives a feeling of incredible directness and you better not sneeze at high speed or you may change 2 lanes
My cynical side thinks they made the steering rack so fast, so that drivers will immediately notice the difference (and not wonder where all the development effort went when driving on the street). I think otherwise it might have been difficult to notice the difference, unless one was really pushing hard on the track.
The suspension spring rates are roughly twice as stiff as in 991.2 GT3. So, the 992 GT3 now has performance of the 991.2 GT3 RS (but it is now a more compromised car for the street, as was the last RS - but the 992 GT3 is a little better able to hide unnoticed in traffic, in the more subdued colors). And, you get the option of the Manual gearbox (which I am not yet prepared to surrender) and the price is lower than the old RS.
Overall, I am very pleased with the car. But my primary use is track driving, commuting to the track, and occasional mountain driving. I currently have 6,500 miles (10,500 km) and I only have a few months of driving.
There is a new law in California that requires the removal of Copper from the brake pads, so the stock pads (in the US) are worse on the 992 than 991 (not sure if this applies to Euro cars). I have replaced them with the excellent Race Technologies RE-10 pads and Endless fluid - same combo I used in GT4 and 991.2 GT3 and they are great with extremely long life for pads and rotors - but not great for a car than doesn't get track time where they would get noisy eventually and probably begin to wear the rotors faster. This is only solved by repeating the bedding process or completing a few laps).
They also changed something to improve tire wear on the track. On the 991.2, I was always wearing the rear tires' outer shoulders to the cords very fast. Some people said the rear axle steering was to blame (as I had plenty of camber). For whatever reason, this problem appears to be gone with the 992...
The newly added downforce is noticeable as well at higher speeds and has been entertaining to learn how to exploit (though my local track is really too slow to make full use of its benefits). It took 3 days at the local track before I was faster in the 992 (it is slower in a straight line, due to the additional drag of the downforce), but now I am continuing to improve my best lap by a tiny amount each time I go - slowly learning to trust the newly higher grip in the faster corners...
--
22 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 18 GT3 Manual, 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Great write up, seems in line with the reviews in EVO.
1988 Peugeot 205 Rallye / 2004 Porsche 996 GT3 RS / 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S / 2020 Ferrari 812SF
Judging from Grant's meaningful commentary above, there is a gap in Porsche's range of 911s in that there is no model in the character of the 996-997-991 GT3 anymore. This is a pity because many customers want a very focused 911 which can be enjoyed mostly on the road without compromises rather than on the circuit.
Porsche may probably want to direct old GT3 customers to the new GTS, but that is an upgraded Carrera S really.
BTW Grant's GT3 looks great in the GT Silver, my favourite colour and very much in the Porsche tradition.
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"
Interesting point, Reginos. My new GTS (in GT Silver/Bordeaux Black) should arrive in August and I can give you some impressions at least comparing it to my recent Carrera 4S.
I will say that two of my friends who owned older GT3s turned them back in because they were generally uncomfortable for overall road and track use. Very difficult for Porsche to build a car that is perfectly suitable for those two very different conditions.
I am sure your driving impressions will be very valid. Also you chose the right colour
A sportscar should not ride like a limousine of course, but a comfortable, compliant ride is still a welcome attribute for a sportscar. Most roads are not totally smooth and a harsh and juddering ride is irritating and ultimately restricts speed.
I remember when I was driving a 986S I had a lower and harder sports suspension installed (pre-PASM era). On less than perfect stretches of the road the experience was disappointing so much that I had to restrict speed, so I switched back to the original.
--
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"
watt:Porker:Very nice Grant!
Can I read your impressions somewhere vs the 991.2 GT3?
Yes Please Grant expatiate on road behaviour - you implied above -- less than satisfactory? Thanks.
It is very dependent on road condition. With nice roads, it’s great (and bad roads are difficult to tolerate at speed).
22 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 18 GT3 Manual, 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Grant:It is very dependent on road condition. With nice roads, it’s great (and bad roads are difficult to tolerate at speed).
Porsche should have made the suspension of the GT3 Touring variant more pliable and have a rear seats option for that model. A focused sportscar with emphasis on the road with everyday utility for those who like N/A engines and prefer a manual option.
In this way orders of the GT3 platform models would be doubled.
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"
reginos:BTW Grant's GT3 looks great in the GT Silver, my favourite colour and very much in the Porsche tradition.
Grant, you car looks amazing! Over the years Porsche introduced a few amazing colors (Chalk, Gentian Blue, Aventurine Green,...), yet GT Silver, a shade over 20 years old, remains my favorite and I even think it may be the best color for the 992.
May 26, 2022 9:59:37 PM
Wonderbar:Interesting point, Reginos. My new GTS (in GT Silver/Bordeaux Black) should arrive in August and I can give you some impressions at least comparing it to my recent Carrera 4S.
I will say that two of my friends who owned older GT3s turned them back in because they were generally uncomfortable for overall road and track use. Very difficult for Porsche to build a car that is perfectly suitable for those two very different conditions.
Did you order the high gloss black package? It looks really nice .
Gnil:reginos:In this way orders of the GT3 platform models would be doubled.
Probably not what Porsche wants. For each GT3 they sell they need to sell 2 Taycan to compensate for the co2.
OTOH I presume the profit margin on the EVs is not as huge as on the GT3s
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"
May 27, 2022 9:11:24 AM
reginos:Gnil:reginos:In this way orders of the GT3 platform models would be doubled.
Probably not what Porsche wants. For each GT3 they sell they need to sell 2 Taycan to compensate for the co2.
OTOH I presume the profit margin on the EVs is not as huge as on the GT3s
It would take some years for the investment to be profitable regarding EVs. It would be interesting to make the gt3 owners buy the two Tacans required. I wonder how that would go?
May 27, 2022 9:30:27 AM
Leawood911:It would take some years for the investment to be profitable regarding EVs. It would be interesting to make the gt3 owners buy the two Tacans required. I wonder how that would go?
Some dot it partially. When you want to order a GT3 RS, they ask you to also order a Taycan .
Actually Porsche asks the dealer to buy the 2 Taycans when they get a GT3/ RS. Then up to them to find a way to sell them. No wonder some dealers don't want to have too many GT3/RS
This could be only valid in Europe, at least in Switzerland it is. Maybe not in the US ?
If you think about it you can get 3 Porsches for the price of 1 Ferrari, that you would use very rarely.
A top sportscar (GT3) a RWD Taycan for daily use and a Cross Turismo Taycan for mild SUV duties.
If I had €350.000 to spend on cars I would accept Porsche's Dilemma.
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"