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2010 Porsche 911 GT3
Monday, October 11, 2010
I’m not sure this is the
This car is not very happy putzing along. At low speeds, idle and stop and go, the engine sounds raspy and unhappy, the brakes squeak and the stiffly sprung clutch action could send you happily into the arms of a PDK in no time. But get some open road--even an eighth- or quarter-mile--and cut this car loose to behold its true beauty, one that begins at about 4,000 rpm and builds from there to redline.
Not enough? Punch the Sport button and the accelerator, but make sure you’re strapped in and hanging on. When the gap closes, the brakes are strong enough to stop on a dime and give you about nine cents in change. It’s probably Porsches like this--and people who drive them to their limits--that make people hate Porsches. To heck with ’em. What a hoot.
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: At the risk of getting flack from Porsche nerds, I think the 911 Turbo is a better car. Now, I predict people who regularly track their cars will declare the GT3 is better and that “real enthusiasts” should like this car better. And on the track, that might all be true. But for the street and for everyday use, the Turbo, in my opinion, is the king.
Don’t get me wrong, the GT3 was a hoot to drive. There are gobs of power, of course, and I dearly love the rich, deep bellow from the boxer six-cylinder. It’s truly an awesome engine, especially considering it’s normally aspirated. Blasting along, it feels stable and calm, not nearly as nervous and darty as I thought it might be. I love the steering in all 911s, and this car is no exception.
So, why do I like the Turbo better? It’s faster, rides a lot better and to my eye it looks better. For track days, the GT3 is probably the better car overall, but for everyday use, I know where I’d spend my money.
2010 Porsche 911 GT3
Base Price: $114,450
As-Tested Price: $130,610
Drivetrain: 3.8-liter H6; RWD, six-speed manual
Output: 435 hp @ 7,600 rpm, 317 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,075 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 16/15.8 mpg
Options: Front-axle lifting system ($3,490); PCM 3.0 with extended navigation ($3,110); adaptive sport seats ($2,295); dynamic engine mounts ($1,300); XM satellite radio ($750); meteor-gray metallic paint ($710); sound package plus ($700); Bluetooth phone interface ($695); dynamic cornering lights ($690); sport chrono package plus ($690); self-dim mirrors and rain sensor ($690); heated front seats ($510); universal audio controls ($440); floor mats ($90)
Don’t get me wrong, the GT3 was a hoot to drive. There are gobs of power, of course, and I dearly love the rich, deep bellow from the boxer six-cylinder. It’s truly an awesome engine, especially considering it’s normally aspirated. Blasting along, it feels stable and calm, not nearly as nervous and darty as I thought it might be. I love the steering in all 911s, and this car is no exception.
So, why do I like the Turbo better? It’s faster, rides a lot better and to my eye it looks better. For track days, the GT3 is probably the better car overall, but for everyday use, I know where I’d spend my money.
2010 Porsche 911 GT3
Base Price: $114,450
As-Tested Price: $130,610
Drivetrain: 3.8-liter H6; RWD, six-speed manual
Output: 435 hp @ 7,600 rpm, 317 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,075 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 16/15.8 mpg
Options: Front-axle lifting system ($3,490); PCM 3.0 with extended navigation ($3,110); adaptive sport seats ($2,295); dynamic engine mounts ($1,300); XM satellite radio ($750); meteor-gray metallic paint ($710); sound package plus ($700); Bluetooth phone interface ($695); dynamic cornering lights ($690); sport chrono package plus ($690); self-dim mirrors and rain sensor ($690); heated front seats ($510); universal audio controls ($440); floor mats ($90)
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