These low profile Porsche sports cars are very variable on the road based on the tire psi. None of these reviewers mention tire psi - but porsche always offers a comfort setting and a full load setting psi - and you a select these in the display so it calculates the variance correctly. Even my Panamera came from the dealer set at the high psi and felt rough on the road. Dropping the psi down to the comfort settings and it rides much softer. Same for the GT3…. The psi settings on the door frame are the “full” load setting and will make any Porsche feel rough riding on the road.
This thing looks fantastic in Shark Blue. But I do feel like the 991.2 GT3, Touring or not, is the peak GT3 for me. Everything about that car is just perfect. Except for the price, maybe.
It's an interesting review for sure and as mentioned Jay bases it on feel and quite right too but the important factor here is that everyone feels and wants to fee a car in a different way! In other words it's subjective which is why we have such a variety out there. I had a 991.2 GTS rear wheel drive for 3 years an put a good amount of miles on it. I now have a 991.2 GT3 and I absolutely love it, it has less comfort features than the GTS which was fully loaded but I enjoy the drive so much more, every time I get out of the GT3 I feel exhilarated and in a good mood and when I look back on my GTS which is a very capable car it feels so soft. I am looking at a 992 GT3 now because I prefer the looks, I prefer the cabin and I want those evolutionary improvements it delivers. I have to say I find I can enjoy my GT3 on UK roads with no problem at all even if I decide to commute to work in it. For every day driving I have a 2017 Audi S3 sportback and at the moment there is a 987.2 Cayman S in the garage alongside the GT3 but that will go soon. I'm not a millionaire at all but cars have always been a passion, I know that I am incredibly lucky and I pinch myself everyday... I also grab every opportunity to let those less fortunate the chance to experience the Porsches For me the moral of the story is that there is no right or wrong, these cars should not be logical decisions they should be heart led buy what makes you feel good, the looks, the feel, the way it drives but please as Jay says get out there and drive them. Create those precious memories when you can ... thank you for reading this comment
One of the best GT3 reviews I have seen personally! Really gives a great overview for a normal everyday person as well as a car enthusiast. The effort into this and your conclusion is so refreshing to see! Well said and thank you for sharing 👏
This is literally the first time I’ve ever heard *anyone* mention the bizarre lag in the paddles on the base/S/Turbo 992. I felt like I was taking crazy pills at first, but having now owned both an S and a Turbo S, there’s absolutely a noticeable delay between pulling the paddle and the transmission executing the shift (though the shift itself is still lightning quick). The 992 paddles also have a noticeably mushier action/feel compared to the 991.2 paddles.
Agreed - I’ve not driven the S or TTS but have driven the 992 GTS and own a 991.2 GTS and there is absolutely a noticeable difference in the PDK shift times. Specially on the downshifts I’d say.
I have a 991.2 gt3 and feel it’s the best compromise as a fast road and track car, stunning and best 911 I’ve ever owned. Great real world review of the 992 gt3 rather than most of the jornos track focused reviews
@@JayEmmOnCars I really appreciate this review. Most journalists just overly praise the newest cars, and don't focus as much on critical reviews of the cars themselves - both the pros and cons. It's refreshing to get an objective real world review, thank you.
have a 991.2 GT3 Touring modified-110 lbs and Dundon street exhaust … incredible driving experience … also a 997.1 RS with same mods … both are so different but equally pure
Great watch and some interesting points made! I have driven 3 GT3s and look forward to trying the 992 for myself, but in the meantime this was an enjoyable and insightful watch Jay, thanks!
“Jimmy’s hitlist” That’s your best one yet chief. I hope you read my comment, your videos always put a smile on my face, so I’m sure if u have read this you’ll be smiling too. ❤️
Finally a real world review, emission restrictions aside these cars are more track oriented than ever, trying to market them as daily drivers is a myth (that’s if you are lucky enough to qualify for one!) your comments on buying a second hand one are most prudent, I can see folk losing tens of thousands on them, a most refreshing stance and a nicely balanced approach to what the car actually is 👍
Ah I don’t think Porsche has ever claimed to market these as daily drivers it’s always been purpose built car that you can use on the track or the Sunday morning Targa anyone I know that’s bought a GT3 as daily driver sells them within a short period of time that’s 996.1 to 991.2 GT3 this will be no different
@@SS-oj4en agree. I only know one person who has a gt3 (991.2) and it is only used for those enthusiastic, special days out, not daily driving. I'd be surprised to see many daily mileage motors. If you are lucky enough to afford one of these, you will likely have at least one other car that is much more suited to being a daily.
I absolutely love this very in-depth review at the GT3, I ABSOLUTELY ADORE how you talk about what it is like to drive at low speeds which is, you know, where most of us would drive it most of the time, you're amazing James!
Video: This is my 1000th. video Me: Deep sigh and bows my head in shame of how unproductive I am. congrats on the 1000th. You are the best conveyor of what a car feels like to drive. In the world.
Great review - amazing that the Turbo S is not far off the GT3 on lap time using tyres which will allow you to also be uncatchable on wet B roads - that’s the daddy for me.
I don't post much, and this will be a long post, because Jay trashed this car and deserves praise for bravery. Are reviewers afraid to trash current products because companies may throttle back their access? Could be. Props to Jay. My perspective is as an original owner of 2 highly modified 993s (and currently a first gen Boxster Spyder and Macan with performance package). The 991.2 GT3 slowly captured my interest. A perfect (for me) spec car popped onto the flipper market with only 1000 miles, so I grabbed it. It's a classy, well-built car. Big....but that engine! For me, PDK. That's a long discussion. A nice local dealer, knowing I was looking for a GT3 called, offering a 992 slot with no mark up. Shout out to Bellingham: if you live in Puget Sound, that's where you buy your Porsche (hint: sales taxes). My gut feeling right from the start: too much race car. So many reviews since that time have hinted the same. The bump in race track times is all about aero, tires and front suspension - none of which helps (or arguably hurts) the every day driving experience. Now, after Jay's comments, I'm even wondering about the engine changes (individual throttle bodies) - are these designed for operation near the redline, with a slightly muted mid-range consequence (at least as experienced by the user, during normal road behavior)? I love Porsche. I love that they push the envelope. Look at the new RS, again with the aero taking center stage. But the GT products have evolved away from the street, perhaps too far. Aero you will never (or almost never) use? Tires that burn up in a few laps (and are VERY expensive). A hole is opening in the product line. There is a demand for racy engines in cars not intended to break 100 mph. Lightness. Driver involvement, at low speeds. A small company may not possess bandwidth to develop in this direction. Look at all the Singer-like companies. There IS a market, but it may be inaccessible, from a practical production standpoint, for a modern company, building a modern car. So what are we left with? Old 911s are still good. Jay is honest. Porsche is probably listening, but perhaps can't respond. And the 991, years from now, will be special, in ways the 992 will never touch.
This car has sold its soul for a few extra seconds on the nurburgring. Such a fantastic review, thank you for approaching it like a regular driver instead of a motoring journalist.
Jay, I look forward to your very detailed and honest driving reviews. Learned so much more about the 992 GT3. I appreciate your steering feel comments and comparison to other Porsches. I hope you can drive the GT4RS soon and tell us how its electric steering compares to old Porsches with hydraulic steering, such as the 987.2 Cayman R you drove, for your viewers who drive for fun on twisty mountain roads. Keep up these great videos. Thank you
I put 2000mi on my GT3 since delivery, and I agree with your review for the most part, how ever for true enthusiasts key point is transmission. After driving it I told that 992 GT3 is a 991.2 RS with manual transmission option. Again it’s my personal opinion based on ownership. 992 is huge step from 991 and any progress comes with gains and losses. I absolutely love it
The one I've been looking forward to most. I'm leaving a like while starting it because your opinion is always grounded and real world like. Thanks again!
Well done james for addressing the elephant in the room Allocation! Where others fail to mention!👏👏👏 I truly believe 90% who buy a gt3 buy. The wrong 911 Great down to earth review i think your last white gt3 review is a all time classic ! Well done on the ferrari stable well deserved 👍
As always, appreciate the time and effort that goes into your reviews/editing :) But probably not the best idea to drive a Turbo S before a gt3 on the road. It was always going to feel anemic! If you’d stepped out of your s2000, you surely would have had a different conclusion… congrats on your 1000th video, the channel is going from strength to strength :)
You are the first reviewer to mention that this GT3 992 version does not have that much joy at low speeds, which confirms the remarks of a few other unsponsored reviewers... the 991.2 GT3 and for sure the manual is more fun on the road... and still a beast on the track, which I can confirm!
Great video. Superb thoughts on the reality at the end. Your understanding of that reality and more importantly ability to communicate it well are unmatched. I have been subscribed since about 2k subscribers....been fun to watch you grow. Keep it up sier. You expanded upon Harry of Harry's Garage who said it well too...too rough...if they softened the suspension....touring....sure. And made it so a normal person can go in, order one for 100k USD..not GBP, and get one in 3 or 10 weeks. Now it is just for the connected. Elitism will kill the brand. Is killing the brand. People want giant killers...not giant monthly payments.
Thanks for the review. I currently own a 992 TTS and have a 992 GT3 Touring 6MT with LWBs on the way. My original thought was to trade the TTS for the Touring but the more I think about it, they really are at two different ends of the spectrum. I think having the GT3 for early morning, twisty road drives and occasional track days is the perfect use case. The Turbo handles everything else (although the 992 TTS handling is fantastic as compared to previous Turbos) with ease.
I saw this car on your driveway last week. My reaction was that looks like a Porsche press car, James has done well. I was glad to see it, 1000 videos, 200k + subscribers takes a lot of hard work. Have a virtual pat on the back.
The notion of a track-focussed car not being the best road car is oddly lost on many buyers, and the idea of "results may vary" comes to mind when thinking about the difference in road quality in some locations compared to others. Cue your review of the 992 GTS... In its element, those few who will enjoy this car will indeed have something truly special, but again, how many will, and how many are buying the car to say they had one then attempting to use it as an investment? Part of the mystique of the 911, however, is that unlike a Ferrari, or a McLaren, someday, an everyperson will be able to own and somewhat maintain a 911. There are clubs around the world that attest to that. An even thicker wallet and an intimate relationship with a service department manager is needed for many of your highlighted Italian and British competitors. In a world where the ICE will soon be on life support, and manufacturers are in a frenzy to create their parting shot to this era, this new GT3 and those before it will remain as stalwart ambassadors to just how great a car could be (even if not on your roads or mine).
Depends what you want and expect your car to do. Personally I see these as pointless as anything other than a toy, and they aren't necessarily the best toy as too serious.
@@cafe405 Exactly. Best on the market for what? They're not daily drivers. The Turbo S or GTS is better for that. I never really even see these types on backroads. I see them at every Cars and Coffee though.
@@cafe405 for everything. It sounds, handles, drives, looks amazing. The available manual, the 9000rpm redline, the N/A Flat 6 sound and responsiveness, the high quality interior. The car is perfect
Congrats on your 1000th video James, wishing you even more success going forward! I speak for many when I say because of your age, knowledge and passion for cars, we have someone to look forward to for many years down the road❗️
Love how they used a lever instead of the nub because they didn't like it. Reminds me of a story I heard of GM-era Saab; they developed an all-new infotainment system because "they didn't like the one GM used". Not sure how true that is, but you should never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
The lever/nub retelling isn't fully right. The gearbox in the 992 GT3 is roughly the same as the 991's and requires a physical mechanism to select gears, whereas the 992's 8-speed PDK is fully electronic for gear engagement.
When I saw the thumbnail appear in my videos to watch, I got really excited and decided to start watching with a meantime pale ale pint in my hand. Great open and honest review, good and bad points discussed,. Loving the video footage from the outside coupled with the exhaust noise, and off course the drive by shots. When it’s a 911 everyone keeps quite about the lag, in a boxster/cayman 4 cylinder every pipes up. When I first saw this version of the GT3 against the cayman I couldn’t believe how big it was in comparison, come on Porsche make the GT3 smaller and lighter. I’m sure it’s awesome on a track, give me a 981 spyder or cayman r please.
Thank you for explaining in very blunt terms the difference between how some in the "motoring press" review cars. After a lifetime of reading reviews I've come to that same conclusion. That's why I read multiple reviews to get different perspectives.
@@ianjenkins4641 I guess everyone is different. Would I take the recommendation of a “professional” restaurant critic over a thousand unpaid Trip Advisor reviews? Equally, would I take the recommendation of a “professional” motoring journalist on a paid junket by the manufacturer or someone like Jay who gives the perspective of someone who is a car enthusiast looking for a real world review of everyday ownership? By all means carry on reading whatever car magazine you like but have some class and leave the insults out (there’s enough toxicity on RU-vid).
Thanks for your entertaining and honest reviews. Newer and better is not always more fun. I’m gonna stick with my bone stock 996 3.6 C2 manual, albeit with new Ohlins r/t coilovers . Amazing car , fast enough and a fantastic blend between analouge and modern sportscar. Can’t ask for more 😊
i really like the longer mechanical action on the 991.1 generation's shift paddles....so i was somewhat disapointed to find that they changed it to the button action in the 991.2 gt3. But i suspect its an all too easy way to get a even faster shifting time out of the already exellent pdk.
Great review. A dream car for me. Congratulations on 1000th video. I just took a look back at your video catalogue trying to figure out which one of your videos introduced me to your channel. I scrolled down for a very long time but I found it! "Buying an MR2 for £600 on ebay and driving 300 miles home"
Great video and review. I have a 991.2 GT3 and driven the new 992 GT3. Your points about both cars are spot on - the new car is better and worst at the same time. Be interesting to see how "hardcore" the 992 GT3RS will be!
Very big congratulations are in order. I discovered your channel a short while ago and I’ve been privy to watching your videos whenever they’ve appeared in my feed. Bravo
You need to drive a 992 GT3 manual to do a useful comparison to the 991.2 GT3 and please don’t confuse the GT3 with being a daily driver they never have been.
Fair point. I’ve just traded my GT3 991.2 manual for a 992 manual so will be interesting to see. The comment about low (below3k) performance is true but I found this very evident in my 991.2 …so I can’t imagine the 992 is any different in that respect. It is essentially the same engine after all. The GT3 only wakes up at 5K …and then you seriously get it !! It’s quick, planted and simply outstanding. So if it’s 0-60 ultimate torque you’re looking for… go electric ⚡️
Expecting an over bore 9k rpm engine to have low down torque is daft. The GT 3 is what it is designed to be, a high revving road legal track car. Not a daily driver. There are other better cars for that. 😂
Nice review Jay and always refreshing to see a real world chat rather than the usual main RU-vidr BS of track times and it’s the best car ever. Yes at full chatter is brilliant but hardly any will see a racetrack and the prices are stupid. Think I’ll drive my new Vorsprung RS3 8Y hard and enjoy the daily element as well👍
Just for the record: A 720S is faster in the straight line but roughly 15 seconds slower on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That with roughly 210 hp and 300 Nm of Torque more available thanks to the Turbos attached. So 720S is not really the choice over GT3 for track use in most of the cases (maybe better on F1 Tracks like Silverstone or some tracks with long straights). Especially when you figure in the running costs when used on track. - I also don`t see the point to criticize the value of the car based on used car prices. They are offered for that price from factory for a reason. Seemingly there are people willing to pay that prices (which I would not do personally, not even for a PS5), but that is their own decision. - Beside of that point I really liked the review. Very detailed and well explained. Lovely.
Stick some Cup 2 Rs on a 720S, give it the same support Porsche gave the GT3 and I think it might do rather well. A McLaren makes an excellent track car. If you want to drive THAT quick, nothing is going to be cheap to run
Nobody seems to mention the fact that some people could not afford a 991.2 when it launched; but can now afford a 992. For those that want to spec their own car. Buying a .2 second hand is not an option. Believe me. I’ve tried. You’ll never find ‘the perfect spec’.
A real world review of how this & the other 95% of them will be driven everyday on everyday roads. The last few will be track days weapons and driven at 9 to 10 10th's all the time. Very honest review overall.
I have owned my GT3 for 6 months and disagree with every complaint you have. Many of your complaints are the difference between the PDK and a manual trans.
I also have owned a 992 GT3 for several months (and done over 8,000 miles) and I also disagree with pretty much all your critiques. Again, mine is a manual so perhaps that's part of it.
This seems a 'race car for the road' step to far then James, as their other cars cover the bases? Great on track though no doubt. Congrats on 1000th video, I've been watching/subscribing since your early Evora days. Wishing you all the best!
I'm surprised you didn't touch on another point - I dislike the gaping plastic front end on the 992 (even when it's painted on the Touring). The 991.2 front end is one of the greatest.
Enjoyed the review James. I guess that most dealers only have a tiny allocation of this model and most will pre-register them and sell on themselves over list.... hence the relatively simple specs....
I've only driven the gen 1 997 GT3 and it was pretty much perfection.... you can make it faster, you can make it wider, lower etc but you can't improve on perfection.
Jepp, i owned/own a 991.2 Touring / 997.2 RS / 992 4S and 981 Spyder and the 997 is the pinnacle. The 997.1 GT3 most likely even more so as it has just the right amount of power and size for the road. Love it! Especially in white.
I own a 996.2 GT3 Clubsport. On our twisty Swiss mountain roads it‘s just perfect. You don‘t want a wide car on narrow roads. And it is fast enough anyway….
Really good and informative review. Many thanks. Just been informed by my dealer Porsche Swindon I'm allowed to spec a GT3. Need to decide on manual or PDK.
It seems like the gt3 touring is much more than just a wing-delete version, but with the regular gt3 now being so track focussed you have to wonder where the RS comes in other than bragging rights.
I think I agree that the Touring variant is a better choice for the GT3 unless you will be seriously tracking the car. And for what you get, the list price isn't out of line if only you could buy one at list without a dealer markup above list as on all GT series. When they released the 718 GT4 RS, I wondered if they would add the wishbone front suspension but that could have made it faster than the GT3 halo car. Like you, I am not a fan of the 992 interior. The digital gauges and the shaver style shifter were not to my liking so I bought one of the last 991.2 Carreras.
Great honest review. I can’t comment on the new GT3 because I’ve never driven one. I have owned a few Porsches but never loved them. I keep going on the Porsche website to choose the car I want but there isn’t a perfect model for me which is strange because they have so many variables of different models.
The reason nobody complains too hard about the engine at (very) low revs is that it's a banal point. The powerband is huge, and you can use all of it if you're not insisting on manually keeping it at stupid low RPMs. I do agree that the 991.2 GT3 was a more exciting car to drive in most cases, the better 992 front suspension doesn't make up for other deficits vs the old car. RE: the McLarens.... it's not like they are cheaper and less wanted in the market for no reason.
I took it to mean that it felt flatter in comparison with the last GT3 down in the lower reaches, not that it didn’t have a great power band if it was on song. Since when was 3,000rpm stupidly low in a road car? If you drive on the road all day in Sport+, I suppose you won’t notice but who does that, especially in town? It is a valid point that unless you use launch control, it’s going to be a bit lacking off the line as the revs need to build pretty high before you get into the power...
@@JayEmmOnCars A good 4K is enough on that engine. Then you still have 5000 to go until redline. Below 3, sure, not much happens but neither does a McLaren have any pull very low down before the turbos wake up. People buying a high revving NA and then complaining about lack of pull at low revs would be.... weird.
@@edtheduck6219 I've driven all of them and I don't agree that the engine is worse low down than previous gen, I can't tell the difference. I do agree that the PDK has gotten worse on the 992, it's too smooth and efficient.
@@JCviggen1 it's always possible that the manual gearbox, different sound etc.. made it feel different - hence I pointed out the numbers arent different but the feel is. It's still an incredible engine but making "swift" progress did require 1500-2000rpm more than I would expect
The problem with the GT3, is they are all spec'd to be resold, as good luck ordering one from a dealer, they are always scalped, Porsche needs to try and restrict sales to allow people to actually order one.
This will appreciate if it will be "the last of" something. The last manual. The last NA? The last non-hybrid? And it is a good chance 992 will be the last in at least one of those categories.
i sometimes have this fantasy of going back to the 60s with a new 911, taking out all the badges and puting it in front of the Porsche Factory to see how he would react
I trust your view like few others James you drive cars in the same way I do. I'm slower and less adept for sure but Im not interested in sideways or drag starts like so many journos. I can drift a car but want to know how cars behave differently n normal driving, keep doing these, you are in a league with Metcalfe, Vivian and tomallan IMHO
