I was one of the traditional 911 owners who banged on, online, that the GT3 must have a manual box. I now realise that you simply cannot change gear fast enough, timing wise, to enjoy the cars ultimate capability. Well maybe not every time, plus there’s the spectre of what happens if you get a downshift wrong and force an over rev.……I do get that’s the challenge and satisfaction though. I own a original AC Cobra 7 litre and that car has taught me how hard it is to get its 0-60 time under four seconds. I’m now looking at a 991 GT3 next and am thinking, the pdk might be the right choice. Porsche was right all along, but credit to them for listening to their customers and now offering both.
Greetings from new Zealand James.. fantastic review as always mate, i got the chance to drive a 97 993 turbo last week it was pretty awesome so I can imagine these new ones are insane to pilot ..cheers mate keep up the great work
Just bought the same car! I love it. Sad to say but I sold my lotus exige s260 for this beast. The lotus was just too track focused. I wanted something more practical.
Do you still have it? What’s your overall opinion on it? Are there ever times where you find it boring? Aside from being in traffic. I think I want one but I’m undecided.
I have a 991.2 GT3 that I track and it is substantially faster with the PDK. Certainly for amateur drivers it's much easier on the track to knock down some fantastic times.
i'm really looking into getting one of these, thanks for a great review you touched on many points i was looking for: how does it perform as a daily. to your point: you can push it on the track and B roads and then get on the highway and have a phone call. great content
All concerned 991.1 GT3 cars were recalled by Porsche, owners were told to stop using them. OPC's were not allowed to 'fix' the engine, instead Porsche sent fresh complete engines on exchange & new 991.1 GT3 production stopped until the factory built replacement engines. All this took time & GT3 owners complained that they couldn't use a car they'd paid for / financed / expected to flip for more money. So depending on the market, Porsche gave them a loan car, cash compensation & extended warranty. But this varied a lot - ironically small market Gulf customers got the most, large market UK customers got almost nothing. All car documentation had to be re-worked for the new engine number. Checking Porsche forums, some customers are still not happy with the replacement engine & have had more than one installed. And the returned engines, re-worked & put into new build cars, to catch-up with supply backlogs ???? Once 991.1 GT3s are out of warranty, you're on your own. If that complete mess happened to another brand, it would never be swept under the carpet with 'Oh that was all sorted years ago'
+Sean Cain Sean I have not heard of a 991 GT3 catching fire recently? I recall the debacle when it happened. Porsche have a history of engine problems in modern 911s. I employ a policy of "Lotus owners in glass houses"
That's interesting, but I am not sure it's something to be massively concerned about seeing as nearly all of these cars are still under factory warranty.
Sean is referring to claims made in 2015. Porsche has handled it and cases of engine failures are not being hidden from the public eye. I think they have handled the situation well. PAG stepped up to the plate is covering all the 991.1 GT3's with 10 Year/100k mile Warranties. Not many other brands would do that for a high strung 9k revving performance car.
Porsche did have to recall/replace engines for the first batch of 991.1 GT3s. Once the problem was figured out, the remaining production GT3s did not have engine problems (I think I have read only 1 GT3 produced in 2015 had some engine trouble on the forum). Some people were trying to stay away from the 2014 production GT3s because of this recall. But Porsche has stepped up and stand behind their GT3s and extended all 991.1 GT3s ever made with a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the engine. That is how solid this company is. They want the owners to have no fear when they flog their GT3s around the race track. You know how many 991.1 GT3s are ran hard around the tracks every week here in Atlanta? I know a few sports car makers would just void warranty on the entire car if you raced it around circuit, launched it too many times, or even drag raced their cars.
Do I sense EVORA buyer’s remorse? Oh yeah...you can see it in your face! I was going to get an Evora, then saw the light. Not much more expensive; but a level above in every sense.
JayEmm on Cars perhaps with UK pricing. Here in Canada, an Evora 400 is about $130K, although there is no supply (yet cars are sitting on the lot in the US, go figure...). GT3 is $160K, CAD funds. That’s a difference of only 18K £
not sure if you guys gives a shit but if you guys are bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on Instaflixxer. I've been watching with my brother during the lockdown :)
Great review Jay... your production quality it getting better & better . But (you knew something was coming :-))... come on, you can't gloss-over the 991.1 GT3 engine issues like that. I know James & the local OPC are all mates, but the engine 'issue' is a big enough problem that Porsche have used a completely fresh design for the 991.2 GT3 cars.
+nfsdanz They are quite different cars. The GT3 has a much better engine but the Lotus is a sweeter handling car, even if the GT3 is ultimately quicker.
Amazing insight to the infamous GT3. Video stopped at end suddenly; could have been better with a drive by shot. What is it like compared to the Evora?
JayEmm on Cars - would you say a GT3 is a logical step up from the evora or are they totally different propositions? Which handles better? After driving the GT3 do you feel that the evora could do with more power or are you still happy with it? Sorry for all the questions. :)
They are both cars that Iam considering to buy. For now the 997.2 GT3 (RS) has the edge, because I think the 997 GT3 is the more involving experience. But I would love to see you review a 997.2 GT3 (RS)!
Manual doesn't suit the 991 gt3 high reving engine. Manual shifting upsets the suspension due to torque and power curves. This is something the so-called TH-cam purists will always fail to understand .
JayEmm on Cars The SMG on the e60 had a mind of its own. I just find the PDK and Ferrari tranny keep the cars so balanced on the high sweeper and banked turn . A place most 911s really shine. I might be one of the few that wished the gt4 had a pdk.
yeah the 911R was a nightmare am sure this is horrid in a 6 speed too. damn porsche, trying to stick a manual tranny in a 911. bet that Carrera GT sucked too with a stick heh! busting yer balls, funny comment. i have a 991.2 GT3 with a manual trust me when i say its a joy to drive. had a few PDKs, get real dull real fast in day to day use. i really think most folks buying a Porsche, any Porsche, like to hit the track here and there but its not where they spend the majority of their time so fixating on track agility is missing the point. the GT3s latest manual with copper bushings is fantastic, and shifting is an event.
YOU have fell into the Porsche Automation trap , PTV, RWS, Automatic gear box, e-diff, engaging over a GT4 it's not sorry to say. That's what happens with small test drives. If we went back 5 years we would all be slagging it off like we did on the GTR, but Porsche now make a full auto do every thing car which is skill less to drive. It's skill less driving sorry to say and NOT in any way engaging. What it does do is allow poor drivers to go faster and those sort of people love it and call it "engaging" as it's the 1st time they have been able to get to this level of performance with no skill. PS I have ordered my New GT3 as a manual with a real diff, it's the only choice, you can do a review on it ;-) and use the word "engaging" then.
Yes,I don't really get the car, it's not for me, the GT4 is more engaging , go try a 458 that's how ratio's should be in automatics, the 991.1 GT3 offers nothing imo. ALso the sus and steering in the GT4 are way better. I think you have been wowed by the PDK-S tech and if you lived with the GT3 for a month you would find it dull. That's the thing with test drives every thing feels good for a day or 2 ;-)
If I was ordering a new GT3, I would definitely spec it with a manual gearbox. It makes the car more engaging to drive, more fun, gives the driver more control, it's not so reliant on technology and it will hold its value better. The manual makes the GT3 a more complete car. Yes PDK is faster but lap times are completely meaningless in the real world. Unless you're a professional race driver, you'll never achieve those numbers on track. So don't bother. Get a manual and have fun!
to much car for the public roads obviously - it's a race car/ track car...... i don't know why peps have them as DD's - sure it's fun - but it's wasted on the public road - better to have a slow car and drive it fast than a fast car you drive slow. :)
yer missing the point. its a daily driver that can do double duty as a track car. dual personality. some of us need a track car we can use, not just sit in a garage waiting for that track day.
JayEmm on Cars Yes from 60 on is ballistic. Around 7.5 to 100 vs 9.2-9.5 for Evora. The new 991.2 GT3 with a manual does a nearly identical 0-60 to the 400 but 100 in 8. With a pdk it does 3.3 to sixty and 7 to 100. Shows the advantage of dual clutch!
A manual makes the GT3 more complete. It makes it a proper drivers car. Half of all customers who've ordered the new GT3 have specced it with a manual.
+W-James I have previously driven several 996 GT3s and would never want one of those with a PDK style box. In this car things come at such a pace the manual I think might be more of an interruption. The PDK still feels pleasantly mechanical
JayEmm on Cars- The problem with PDK is that you can only properly enjoy the car at high speeds. Manuals, you can enjoy them while potholing along at 30mph. The head of Porsche GT cars has said they set up the car to be able to support both gearboxes. Why do you think they spent all that money developing the R if they were only going to make 911 of them? The manual makes the car so much more rewarding to drive and thats what you want in a sports car. Yes the PDK is faster but lap times are completely meaningless in the real world. Only the best race drivers can make the car reach those numbers. And yes, the PDK is easier to live with but if that's your top priority than get a VW Golf.
+W-James I would say in a regular 911 a manual definitely adds to the enjoyment, but for me this GT3 has a lot going on already. It's a great driver's car in either case.
Im not saying the PDK is not involving. But it's not as involving as the manual. i think cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and even the new GT2 RS should have a duel clutch because they're too fast and powerful for a manual. But a regular 500hp GT3 suits a manual just fine. Iv just found this video which you may find interesting…th-cam.com/video/awWxmDyNR8U/w-d-xo.html
![Is The 911 GT3 A Supercar? [VLOG]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vYv3frSKxUA/mqdefault.jpg)
I was one of the traditional 911 owners who banged on, online, that the GT3 must have a manual box. I now realise that you simply cannot change gear fast enough, timing wise, to enjoy the cars ultimate capability. Well maybe not every time, plus there’s the spectre of what happens if you get a downshift wrong and force an over rev.……I do get that’s the challenge and satisfaction though. I own a original AC Cobra 7 litre and that car has taught me how hard it is to get its 0-60 time under four seconds. I’m now looking at a 991 GT3 next and am thinking, the pdk might be the right choice. Porsche was right all along, but credit to them for listening to their customers and now offering both.
I have a few manual cars, but the PDK in my 991.2 GT3 suits it perfectly. A manual would be slightly odd in my opinion.
Crazy this video only has 10k views! Shows the momentum you have built over the last three years !
And yes, if working 100% & under Porsche warranty, the 991.1 GT3 is a great, great car - theres no question about that :-)
Greetings from new Zealand James.. fantastic review as always mate, i got the chance to drive a 97 993 turbo last week it was pretty awesome so I can imagine these new ones are insane to pilot ..cheers mate keep up the great work
Just bought the same car! I love it. Sad to say but I sold my lotus exige s260 for this beast. The lotus was just too track focused. I wanted something more practical.
Do you still have it? What’s your overall opinion on it? Are there ever times where you find it boring? Aside from being in traffic. I think I want one but I’m undecided.
awesome video man! ya drive the brand new manual yet???! its fantastic fun! 911R gearbox with a few improvements.
Would love to but it would be hard getting a go in one
I have a 991.2 GT3 that I track and it is substantially faster with the PDK. Certainly for amateur drivers it's much easier on the track to knock down some fantastic times.
i'm really looking into getting one of these, thanks for a great review you touched on many points i was looking for: how does it perform as a daily. to your point: you can push it on the track and B roads and then get on the highway and have a phone call. great content
All concerned 991.1 GT3 cars were recalled by Porsche, owners were told to stop using them. OPC's were not allowed to 'fix' the engine, instead Porsche sent fresh complete engines on exchange & new 991.1 GT3 production stopped until the factory built replacement engines. All this took time & GT3 owners complained that they couldn't use a car they'd paid for / financed / expected to flip for more money. So depending on the market, Porsche gave them a loan car, cash compensation & extended warranty. But this varied a lot - ironically small market Gulf customers got the most, large market UK customers got almost nothing. All car documentation had to be re-worked for the new engine number. Checking Porsche forums, some customers are still not happy with the replacement engine & have had more than one installed. And the returned engines, re-worked & put into new build cars, to catch-up with supply backlogs ???? Once 991.1 GT3s are out of warranty, you're on your own. If that complete mess happened to another brand, it would never be swept under the carpet with 'Oh that was all sorted years ago'
+Sean Cain Sean I have not heard of a 991 GT3 catching fire recently? I recall the debacle when it happened.
Porsche have a history of engine problems in modern 911s.
I employ a policy of "Lotus owners in glass houses"
That's interesting, but I am not sure it's something to be massively concerned about seeing as nearly all of these cars are still under factory warranty.
Sean is referring to claims made in 2015. Porsche has handled it and cases of engine failures are not being hidden from the public eye. I think they have handled the situation well. PAG stepped up to the plate is covering all the 991.1 GT3's with 10 Year/100k mile Warranties. Not many other brands would do that for a high strung 9k revving performance car.
Porsche did have to recall/replace engines for the first batch of 991.1 GT3s. Once the problem was figured out, the remaining production GT3s did not have engine problems (I think I have read only 1 GT3 produced in 2015 had some engine trouble on the forum). Some people were trying to stay away from the 2014 production GT3s because of this recall. But Porsche has stepped up and stand behind their GT3s and extended all 991.1 GT3s ever made with a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the engine. That is how solid this company is. They want the owners to have no fear when they flog their GT3s around the race track.
You know how many 991.1 GT3s are ran hard around the tracks every week here in Atlanta? I know a few sports car makers would just void warranty on the entire car if you raced it around circuit, launched it too many times, or even drag raced their cars.
Do I sense EVORA buyer’s remorse? Oh yeah...you can see it in your face!
I was going to get an Evora, then saw the light. Not much more expensive; but a level above in every sense.
+Fluterra Considering this car is about £50k more than my Evora was, it's not much of a direct comparison
JayEmm on Cars perhaps with UK pricing. Here in Canada, an Evora 400 is about $130K, although there is no supply (yet cars are sitting on the lot in the US, go figure...). GT3 is $160K, CAD funds. That’s a difference of only 18K £
are you saying you can pick up 991 gt3s for MSRP in canada? on my way....
of course. I have one on order. no dealer sells over list in Canada. Oh, and price is lower than the US price ;)
This thing sounds absolutely fantastic when extended to the upper RPM limits
not sure if you guys gives a shit but if you guys are bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on Instaflixxer. I've been watching with my brother during the lockdown :)
@Elon Kamden Yea, have been using Instaflixxer for years myself :D
Great review Jay... your production quality it getting better & better . But (you knew something was coming :-))... come on, you can't gloss-over the 991.1 GT3 engine issues like that. I know James & the local OPC are all mates, but the engine 'issue' is a big enough problem that Porsche have used a completely fresh design for the 991.2 GT3 cars.
What's better as a daily, 991.1 GT3 PDK or 991.2 GT3 Manual? Throw the 991.1 GTS Manual in there too or the 991.2 GTS Manual.
Wicked car, I too like the colour, but I'll have mine in Monaco blue.
Great review!
Hi Jay, where do you rate the Exige / Evora in relation to the GT3? Interested to hear your opinion.
+nfsdanz They are quite different cars. The GT3 has a much better engine but the Lotus is a sweeter handling car, even if the GT3 is ultimately quicker.
Amazing insight to the infamous GT3. Video stopped at end suddenly; could have been better with a drive by shot. What is it like compared to the Evora?
+DauntingGecko Quite different to the Evora, much harder and tauter - a lot faster
JayEmm on Cars - would you say a GT3 is a logical step up from the evora or are they totally different propositions? Which handles better? After driving the GT3 do you feel that the evora could do with more power or are you still happy with it?
Sorry for all the questions. :)
+DauntingGecko I always want more power in the Evora, the chassis was built for 500bhp.
A GT3 would make a great step up
good stuff as always, would also be good to get a walk round of the car and some of the details.....another vid maybe?
Great video and good short intro
James! Still proudly wearing a Lotus shirt in a Pcar review hah...i predict a Porsche following the Evora :)
+Spencer Wong Been there, done that
Do a Porsche 997.2 GT3(RS) Review please!
+Sander De If I get the chance I will!
They are both cars that Iam considering to buy. For now the 997.2 GT3 (RS) has the edge, because I think the 997 GT3 is the more involving experience. But I would love to see you review a 997.2 GT3 (RS)!
Great video! Who is sitting next to you?
+21 Fun Street The car's owner
Manual doesn't suit the 991 gt3 high reving engine. Manual shifting upsets the suspension due to torque and power curves. This is something the so-called TH-cam purists will always fail to understand .
+Drone Surfer To be fair it is possible to get things wrong in a dual clutch box. BMW did
JayEmm on Cars The SMG on the e60 had a mind of its own. I just find the PDK and Ferrari tranny keep the cars so balanced on the high sweeper and banked turn . A place most 911s really shine. I might be one of the few that wished the gt4 had a pdk.
+Drone Surfer I was out in this car on track yesterday, the PDK was perfect and did not upset the car at all
yeah the 911R was a nightmare am sure this is horrid in a 6 speed too. damn porsche, trying to stick a manual tranny in a 911. bet that Carrera GT sucked too with a stick heh! busting yer balls, funny comment. i have a 991.2 GT3 with a manual trust me when i say its a joy to drive. had a few PDKs, get real dull real fast in day to day use. i really think most folks buying a Porsche, any Porsche, like to hit the track here and there but its not where they spend the majority of their time so fixating on track agility is missing the point. the GT3s latest manual with copper bushings is fantastic, and shifting is an event.
to be fair, my 911 Carrera S would nearly stall in sport plus at red lights on occasion. something wasnt quite right with it.
For some reason the GT3 RS's engine causes this painful resonance in my right ear.
I want a 991.2 PDK :D
I wish the Evora 400 had a dual clutch trans 😞
no...
I wish it had a 4.0 500bhp NA engine.
What's wrong with a 3.5 Supercharged engine??
Mike Vincent normally aspirated is always better. As would an actual Lotus engine. Not a Toyota unit.
what about reliability and maintenance cost of a Lotus engine?
The key issue "I cannot find anywhere to stretch it legs" should have kept that GT4.
+Mrdfastcars This is so much more engaging than the GT4. Also, there are places to do it.... just legally is the issue
YOU have fell into the Porsche Automation trap , PTV, RWS, Automatic gear box, e-diff, engaging over a GT4 it's not sorry to say. That's what happens with small test drives. If we went back 5 years we would all be slagging it off like we did on the GTR, but Porsche now make a full auto do every thing car which is skill less to drive. It's skill less driving sorry to say and NOT in any way engaging. What it does do is allow poor drivers to go faster and those sort of people love it and call it "engaging" as it's the 1st time they have been able to get to this level of performance with no skill. PS I have ordered my New GT3 as a manual with a real diff, it's the only choice, you can do a review on it ;-) and use the word "engaging" then.
+Mrdfastcars Have you driven one?
For reference, the GT4 is much better with a manual - a PDK box would not suit that car
Yes,I don't really get the car, it's not for me, the GT4 is more engaging , go try a 458 that's how ratio's should be in automatics, the 991.1 GT3 offers nothing imo. ALso the sus and steering in the GT4 are way better. I think you have been wowed by the PDK-S tech and if you lived with the GT3 for a month you would find it dull. That's the thing with test drives every thing feels good for a day or 2 ;-)
+Mrdfastcars The suspension in the GT4 is stolen from the GT3? The GT3's gear ratios are also totally different to the regular 911.
If I was ordering a new GT3, I would definitely spec it with a manual gearbox. It makes the car more engaging to drive, more fun, gives the driver more control, it's not so reliant on technology and it will hold its value better. The manual makes the GT3 a more complete car. Yes PDK is faster but lap times are completely meaningless in the real world. Unless you're a professional race driver, you'll never achieve those numbers on track. So don't bother. Get a manual and have fun!
Man he looked so young 3 years ago
I felt young too
@@JayEmmOnCars
Avoid Sugar and everything made from White Flour and you'll look 10 years younger in around 2 years 👍
to much car for the public roads obviously - it's a race car/ track car...... i don't know why peps have them as DD's - sure it's fun - but it's wasted on the public road - better to have a slow car and drive it fast than a fast car you drive slow. :)
Sadly a description for most cars on sale now over 50k
yer missing the point. its a daily driver that can do double duty as a track car. dual personality. some of us need a track car we can use, not just sit in a garage waiting for that track day.
Daily drive my GT3, no point in preserving it for the next person. They're more usable than people think
So similar to Evora 400 - lots but not absurd amounts of torque.
+Adam Petten Yes, but definitely feels more rapid and a really manic top end
JayEmm on Cars Yes from 60 on is ballistic. Around 7.5 to 100 vs 9.2-9.5 for Evora. The new 991.2 GT3 with a manual does a nearly identical 0-60 to the 400 but 100 in 8. With a pdk it does 3.3 to sixty and 7 to 100. Shows the advantage of dual clutch!
Totally in agreeance, no need for a manual in that kind of car. A manual would almost ruin it :P come at me haters :D
A manual makes the GT3 more complete. It makes it a proper drivers car. Half of all customers who've ordered the new GT3 have specced it with a manual.
+W-James I have previously driven several 996 GT3s and would never want one of those with a PDK style box. In this car things come at such a pace the manual I think might be more of an interruption. The PDK still feels pleasantly mechanical
JayEmm on Cars- The problem with PDK is that you can only properly enjoy the car at high speeds. Manuals, you can enjoy them while potholing along at 30mph. The head of Porsche GT cars has said they set up the car to be able to support both gearboxes. Why do you think they spent all that money developing the R if they were only going to make 911 of them? The manual makes the car so much more rewarding to drive and thats what you want in a sports car. Yes the PDK is faster but lap times are completely meaningless in the real world. Only the best race drivers can make the car reach those numbers. And yes, the PDK is easier to live with but if that's your top priority than get a VW Golf.
+W-James I would say in a regular 911 a manual definitely adds to the enjoyment, but for me this GT3 has a lot going on already. It's a great driver's car in either case.
Im not saying the PDK is not involving. But it's not as involving as the manual. i think cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and even the new GT2 RS should have a duel clutch because they're too fast and powerful for a manual. But a regular 500hp GT3 suits a manual just fine. Iv just found this video which you may find interesting…th-cam.com/video/awWxmDyNR8U/w-d-xo.html
Have you lost weight? you look well.
+Gee G Thanks, not that I know! The camera is a cruel mistress
lol, only girls upshift at 6k rpm!