Is it Really a Widowmaker? 997 GT2 -- ISSIMI Drives
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
- Widowmaker is the word most commonly associated with rear wheel drive, turbocharged 911s, and the 997 GT2 is no exception. But, is the reputation warranted? Ride along with Lorenzo as he pushes a 997 GT2 to find out if this turbocharged 911 is only purchased by those with a death wish, or the ultimate backroads bomber.
The introduction of the 993 Turbo in 1995 was the dawn of a new era for the Porsche 911. Gone was the single-turbo, rear wheel drive excitement of the 930 and 964 Turbo, and in its place, smooth twin-turbocharged power and planted, confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive. These were all pluses from a usability standpoint, but the car left something to be desired for the driving purist. During the 993 generation, Porsche debuted a new model- the GT2- which combined all of the speed and power of a 993 Turbo with reduced weight and rear wheel drive for the ultimate air-cooled thrill ride. The GT2 was initially produced as a homologation car, but starting with the 996, it became more of a “full production” 911- albeit always in extremely small numbers. With the introduction of the 997 in 2005, the GT2 variant was shown two years later at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
This 997.1 GT2 is available now for hybrid auction on ISSIMI's website: www.issimi.com...
I’ve only ever associated the term “widowmaker” with the 930, on period-correct tires.
Same here. And maybe the Carrera gt. I've never driven either, but Walter said the gt was scary, so I'll take his word.
@@johnchristopher3032yeah the 1st 911(930)was the widowwmaker bcz of the hanging engine without any counter weight like the rest model after 930
@@shiraishi1 What counter weight?
The changes from the earlier cars aren't from a counterweight. They have more to do with wheelbase, geometry, More advanced rear suspension designs, etc.
The 930 Also had massive turbo lag which contributed to the issue.
Ya, I drove a 930 in Singapore & wasn't expecting the turbo lag 1st time I gunned it. Luckily the road was straight & not wet because when it kicked, it f*n KICKED!! lol. B
@@shiraishi1 It was the turbo lag from the 930 that would kill you.
I don’t care some of these videos are effectively commercials for auction cars on the site bc the rest of us not buying them get entertainment and education on the cars or a different perspective and the production is unreal and all the presenters not only Mr. Hyphen Scott are great
Hyphen has left ISSIMI though, but Lorenzo has been doing a good job taking his place on ISSIMI Drives. Hope Hyphen also does the old BTS with DTS at his new venture.
Welcome to the modern world, everything is a plug or a commercial/ad.
@@thatcopenguythey have xool cars so no need promotion to us car guy
Man sh up.
What bugs me about this host is that odd thing where he wears a (apparently) very expensive watch on his right wrist. It's either a "look at me" flex, or a paid product placement.
I personally always associate the Widowmaker tag with the 996 GT2. Supposedly the scariest of the bunch
That is very true, and it can be pretty difficult to find a 996 GT2 without any repaired body damage as a result.
No it's tye 930 911 the blacbird 🖤
996 100%
@@nismostrada9433 no
you would be personally wrong. And its not a matter of opinion, the 930 turbo was the widowmaker due to all the crashes and deaths that occured in those cars, and not in others.
Such an insanely good looking car.
Fact check, the 997 GT2 variant wasn't a Widowmaker. That was the 930 turbo because it had a short wheelbase and rear-end weight bias. The early version had a single turbo which caused turbo lag and without the aid of traction control. It can be twitchy when you are not careful. The 997 had PSM and Porsche adjusted for rear-end weight bias. I have never had any issues with 997.
I think it was the rear suspension that causes all the problems. Something about deflection under hard braking. Something about unwanted changes to the toe and camber in the rear end. I've never driven them, so I don't really know.
This video just made me want a GT2 for no reason.
Idk about you but I have lots of reasons why I want a gt2 lol
I love how the Mezger’s sound like a can of marbles @ idle. Whenever I fire mine up my neighbors question whether it’s broken.
The 9A1 sounds like an old, used-up engine on fire up too... but mine makes about 700hp with the stock turbos and 93+ octane fuel. It has 100 cell cats & a Kline 7670 exhaust as well.
As a Subaru boxer owner, I was mildly terrified when I heard the start up.
I think it's more like ~230 units for all of North America, not just the USA. Owners often refer to roughly 194 for USA, with the rest sold in Canada. More than a few have criss-crossed the border, including my own. I do of course realize that getting accurate sales numbers can be nearly impossible though.
I have owned my 997.1 GT2 for just over 5 years and it is indeed a very well rounded car. They are still tremendously underrated in my opinion (relative to GT3s), but this has been part of the 996/997 GT2 legacy all along for right or wrong. Mine is modified and approximates a GT2 RS for power/torque, but that hasn't ruined its character for driving it at slower speeds and in a variety of conditions.
I have tracked my car and it behaved like a puppy, nothing like the Widowmaker moniker that is so often suggested. One of the things I enjoyed most on-track was that it allowed me to slide the car just a bit with PSM active, which is a real revelation if you're used to other marques that literally shut everything down as soon as slip is detected. Porsche knows how to build proper motorsports based road cars, and the mighty 997.1 GT2 is no exception.
I plan to hold onto mine for a while yet, and really appreciate your great review. Best wishes on the auction too!
1242 were made globally
@@hmk911 - that figure was published by Porsche (1242) and is not an unknown. It is interestingly around 30 fewer than the total amount of Carrera GTs manufactured
This channel is truly unbelievable
Unbelievably bad since Derek left.
Sat mesmerized for the entire 13:34. Incredible videography and narration. Car is beautiful as well.
Porsche makes a plug and play PCCM replacement for the version that shipped with the car, and it includes CarPlay! I grabbed one for my GT2 and it really adds to the daily drivability. (unfortunately it's wired CarPlay - otherwise it's perfect)
Also, 100% agree on the noise. For 10 years I've been saying I need to get a custom exhaust. Maybe one of these days...
9:39 😮 someone had a bad day!!
Really loved that film.
The whole way it was shot, the driving, the scenery the knowledge and the backstory and of course....
the mighty GT2 playing the starring role 😎
Any real Porsche enthusiasts knows, the only widow maker that was dubbed the “wide maker” was the 930 turbo! Especially the earlier ones, because they were quick & when down shifting from high speeds preferably into corners, the rear wheels would lock up & with all the weight in the rear, it’d spin out! This GT2 is a finely tuned machine 🔥
So happy to see someone filming on Skyline Blvd like this. Great work!
That 997 is beautiful.
man I'm so glad that Car Tales got his chance on this channel, it makes me so happy. I knew I recognized the style in the videos! Remember finding him early on, and then losing track of him. Super happy
Coincidentally when I made a video about the GT2 vs GT3 (996) I came to the same conclusion, using the same background music (in the conclusion) too lol.
Love the intro of this video, beautifully made
Lorenzo does it again! I learned a lot here, great production
Congrats @Issimi, very nice video! I love the GT2!
gotta love that broken engine sound from a mezger, keeps me always second guessing mine...but they are always pretty much ok! you guys do great videos!
so soothing to hear someone pronounce "porsche" correctly! as a native german speakers most videos are really tough to watch ;)
Beautiful car, looks great in black too!
997 - last of the small body 911s - great cars. 😊
as a 997 Turbo S owner, I’d love to drive this car. My turbo was….twitchy. Rear suspension did spooky things when encountering a bump under load. Never caught me out, but did not inspire confidence.
But with the suspension tuning on this car, I’d really love to see what it feels like.
do you recall what needed to be done to fade that unruliness?
I had that same twitchiness on mine. Called mid corner bump oversteer or something like that. It doesn't actually oversteer, at least hasn't happened to me, but it feels like you're losing the rear end. Perhaps a set of stiffer sway bars will clean that up? At the expense of a more comfortable ride.. your choice.
Those skid marks at 9:39 )))
Saw that too 😮
Just incredible content - well done! Huge fan of the 997 GT2 but it is crazy how quiet the exhaust was on them for this generation. When I buy one, an aftermarket exhaust will be my first mod!
the 996/997 Mezger GT cars truly are the end of an era
Now I want a 997. Yellow please.
Hey you're not DTS! But you still did a great job!
That was such a satisfying and extreamly well narrated video. Subscribed!
3:12 There’s your WIDOWMAKER! L👀k at those tires!!! Dammmmn!
roll cage saved my life in my 997 GT2, amazing car, but most definitely can bite hard if you are stupid with it.
I just sold my 997 GT2 because of how tame it was... wasnt wild like my 996 RUF R-GT2 , I had suspension upgrades tune headers intercoolers lightweight flywheel and the car honestly felt like modded 997 turbo... it wasnt very emotional or edgy
Can confirm daily driving a GT2 IS absurd!
DSC module will fix that road handling 👌🏾
I've only driven this car once, its a scary car but probably the best I've ever driven
In Europe it’s the 996 GT2 that has the name of “ Widowmaker”.
Yep only the 996 GT2 and 930 carried that nickname. The 996 GT2 didn't have traction control, even on the later 483hp version ... in 2004 !
Superb video review! Thank you! 😎
Paul 😎
Nice job on this💪😎
Happy to not see 'DTM was the best, you are sh*t' comments👏
Haha say it one more time for the people in the back!!!!
930 is the only "WIDOWMAKER" . Still one of the most beautiful looking cars.
I had a 930, the true widow maker.
Loved this video - well done!
this is rad
my heart beats fast everytime I see these cars my all time dream car
First thought... Expensive.
What a good film. Bravo 👌👏
Love these videos
favourite porsche chassis of al time.... the 997
Same! Just spectacular cars. They are even beginning to look like classic cars too.
Y'all fact checking them just watch the video. He mentions the 930. He mentions that its not specific to the 997 gt2
Say it again for the people in the back!
Reminds me of the car I drove in high school: Datsun 310 Hatchback with a stick 😊
The car that I will never get 😂❤
1:07! Lezzz go! We're making it out of child support with this one !!
The word "Widowmaker" can only make me think of the McLaren P1 with the license plate "P1 OOV".
Loved it.
Well done
nice to see local roads, Skyline 35.
This car can't kill you if you are single.
The last Modern Classic 911. The 997 is just analog enough with modern comforts and upgradability
The cameraman did an insane job! What kind of gear does he use?
Let’s go for the 997 GT3 RS 3.8 mk2😅
Hey, it’s auf wiedersehen!
Yes the GT2 has the turbo's motor but is the 997 generation considered a widowmaker? Surely their suspension and any stability systems have improved since 993, let alone the 930-964 with turbocharged motors.
Someone’s had a scary moment at 9:40 🙀🙀
0:50 nope. That word i do think of with the first Turbos so way older than the 997.
When the 997 came out journalists already said it was easier to control than all the previous generations.
So, no. Not a term i think of with any 997. The 997, even the GT2 has stability control and traction control.
The ones where the name widowmaker was coined (at least in my knowledge) had none of that. Not even ABS.
interesting comparison of this at 3,170 lbs, while my 1970 911S weighs in at 2,210 lbs
The problem I had year after year with my GT2 was how the front end would get so hot from atmospheric drag that the bras would start to smolder.
Motor sounds hurt
I was thinking the same. I definitely heard some rod knock.
Brilliant
Pensees for the song intro !
If you could only illustrate that snap oversteer (maybe in a controlled environment) :)
Correction the 996/997 were never termed “Widow Maker”. The term belonged to the 930 with their snap over steer in a corner due to mad turbo lag on the earlier 260 bhp cars or later on 993GT2 that could lift slightly the front 2 wheels at very high speed meaning driving from the rear wheels which was scary. The watercooled cars were very defined and civilised.
The widowmaker is the 997 GT2RS
930 only, GT2RS / GT2 has way too much tech
nope
997 GT2 RS definitely would have been the widow maker if they weren't unobtainable. But to your point I think some celebrity did die driving one, if I remember correctly.
"in front of that slow nissan altima" ... it's always a damn altima isn't it!?
Not with modern tires.
Jason Camisa... Bring back Jason Camisa
Any rear wheel drive turbo car is a “Widowmaker” the boost lag can unsettle the car in corners, you need to be a bit careful with the throttle, more so than with a NA versions. Of course newer versions starting with the 997 had some basic traction control, more advanced systems of course in the 991 gt2rs
nah it's also that these were rear engined and had very odd handling characteristics (much more so for the 930 than modern 997). Combining that with big turbo lag and old tires resulted in widowmaker
997 No not a widow maker, thats was the 930 ,993 Gt, 996 Gt2. This and 997 Gt2RS fun cars😂
930 is the widowmaker. Very odd handling characteristics with those old P cars, combined with huge turbo lag.
This is much faster but also a lot more manageable
0:37 "hang on"
or more precisley the Cup 1 tyres can bite hard, especially when it is cold and/or wet ....
I'm laughing in 1500whp zl1 with all of this Widowmaker talk 🤷🏾♂️
It's pretty much impossible to use that much power outside of a roll race on an airfield. The real sketchy cars are those you can drive fast on the road, and in a split second you're wrapped around a tree.
if by any chance you are looking for an Italian guy who is passionate about cars, here I am ready to move in...I'm making "the garzone" if you want!🤣
Nice spec,although the euro versions look miles better...Silly US bumpers etc...Ha!
Can't be a widow maker if you are not married 😏
100%
The widowmaker is the 930 turbo. Why should a 997 gt2 be a widowmaker. I’ve owned one and never felt that it had too much power or was uncontrollable and it’s actually not as exiting as most of the people think. A 997 turbo it’s pretty comparable. Not a huge difference. Wouldn’t recommend to pay the extra
Sorry, but there’s a huge difference between Turbo and GT2. It’s more than 100kg lighter and turns in almost like a GT3. Feels way more than +50hp.
That’s why you barely see them on the road.. they not for play
the 997 widowmaker isn´t the the gt2 rs???? at least thats what i thought
It was called like that in 2008... not 2024 😵💫
Yet another auction site video intended for speculators and not car enthusiasts.
Well nahh widowmakerb would br 1974 porsche 930 turbo thats a real killer
Isn't the 997 gt2 RS labelled widowmaker?
Mans car. Nice watch what is it?
Omega / Swatch Speedmaster.
Where’s the black guy…?🎉
What’s the classical tune playing in the background?
May I inquire what kind of watch are you wearing? Help from anyone appreciated, cheers!
Mission on Earth: Polar Lights
@@TheSpeedyGuidy Thank you!
9:39 i Hope he/she came out …
The Countach was the OG widowmaker. A set of Ohlins would do wonders for the driveability of the GT2.
nope it was the 930
Whats that watch ?