Porsche 911 GT3 (997) vs. 911 Carrera S (992) | PistonHeads

Little separates 997 GT3 and 992 Carrera S on paper: just 35hp difference in their flat-sixes means they're within a tenth of each other to 62mph, and one mph at top speed. They both have manual gearboxes, too...
So what separates them as driving experiences? A decade and a half has now passed since the first 997 GT3 was launched, and plenty has changed in that time. Has the 911 benefitted from another 15 years of evolution? Or has some of the magic been lost along the way? Over to Dan to find out!
Read the story here: www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-f...
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[@x8dudtrackdaytoy]

997 all day everyday. Prefer the interior as well without all the fancy screens and needless tech

[@aurorajones8481]

So buy and oldie. Not sure if they could sell a "club sport" dash where all you get are real gauges and no screens. Worth a look for a product planner actually now that i say it. Charge a grand more and get less. Is a manufacturers dream. ;)

[@schmuck6]

Just bought a GT3 997.1 in white...had it a month, wow....what an event when you drive it. Reminds me what driving is about. Great video.

[@jimfray4266]

Why only a month?

[@ACKWV]

I was looking at one, white too, lovely car, hope you enjoy it!

[@matthewgriffith5876]

I picked up mine a month ago! It is hard to describe how perfect these cars are. The sweet spot for sure. Mine has 3k miles on it!! I'm about to change that..

[@dln.sweeney]

I love the look of the 997.1. Much cleaner than the .2 to my eyes.

[@animalcol1]

Agree. Most beautiful 911 for me

[@umhewwo8006]

I agree too, I think the gt3 is the best looking if all of them.

[@robocop3059]

@@umhewwo8006 Agree three. timeless machine. Perfect between the old and the new!

[@guycha0s380]

Agree

[@myou6675]

The 997 is definitely a high point in 911 design and driving involvement.

[@darrenwaller2067]

Ivw had my 997.1 GT3 for 9 years now.There is Nothing i want to replace it. A proper drivers car.Great video

[@engared]

So lucky to have one (3.6 GT3). Spectacular. Drove the new one (991.2 GT3) and though I would also get one, would never, ever sell the 3.6 to get it. Ever. It is one of the best cars ever made.

[@lomnt3402]

same car - same opinion :)

[@DIRBert]

997 GT3 and RS variants is where it’s at. Forget 991/992.

[@DJintenseMusic]

Nothing beats the 997 gt3 redline Metzger sound of 8400 RPM.

[@dexski66]

I've owned 997.1 GT3 for 6 years now and I have been contemplating selling it every spring for 3 years now. I am extremely happy I never did. What really made me change my mind was biggest Tire shop in Toronto said. " I work on a 991 GT3 once a week. I work on 997 GT3 2-3 times a year" That made me realize how special that car actually is.

[@yoyoman9747]

@@brianhimmelman420 what he meant is that the 991 is a lot more common than the 997, which is true. Tire shops just change the tires, nothing to do with reliability

[@someoneyoudontknowtrades]

This "specialness" quirk some people have is so weird, do you need to feel so different that you'd drive a worst car just because it's not as special.

[@marcducati]

997.1 Gt3 all day every day. Just bought an orange 997.1 GT3 RS and I love it so much.

[@charliegrech5598]

997 GT vehicles. there really is no substitute.

[@zakimarzuki8227]

Porsche 997 will always be my favourite water-cooled 911.

[@dra911]

I drove a 997 GT3 back in 2011, in white, exactly as pictured here. I had it for 24 hours - I took it up to the mountains and in the back-roads of Victoria, Australia. It doesn't need more power! The chassis was sublime ... Yeah, the game has "moved on" but this iteration of the GT3 ticked all the right boxes for driver involvement and enjoyment.

[@nicholasevennett8231]

Sublime automotive journalism - Prosser has just elevated himself

[@olivergirakhou]

997.1 GT3 will go down as one of the greatest drivers cars in history. Nothing comes close to it

[@brianhimmelman420]

ditto … pure 911 ethos road and track

[@Basil_Kehoe]

997 was the last of the good 911’s to me. It still wasn’t that big compared to the 991 and 992. I would love to have a 997 GT3 some day.

[@paulmichael3844]

Brilliant review this guy uses words I didn’t think existed in the dictionary lol

[@Johnacles]

No one knew they needed this comparison, but we all did! Thanks Dan & PH!

[@R8andGT3Fan]

I've always loved the shape of the 997.1 GT3 wing! It's still my favourite 911! Great video!

[@platnumn4]

That's funny, when I first got my 997.1 I was actually looking at swapping the wing for a .2. But it keeps growing on me. From the rear it looks so cool.

[@R8andGT3Fan]

@@platnumn4 Yes, it's super cool! 😍😍

[@pavelzhogin4825]

So 997 gt3 - raw, true. 992 s - usable, friendly sportscar.

[@LitleBear]

Great comparison tbh. In a similar ethos, you should do a GTS 4.0 Cayman manual with an exhaust vs any 911 not a GT3/RS to see how far up in the range or how back in time you need to go to beat and or match it. I am convinced, on paper at least, the GTS 4.0 is the best car Porsche makes when it comes to road use, practicality, looks, and noise.

[@clu4u]

I love my 981 Spyder, it rocks!

[@brianhimmelman420]

My daughter has one … she loves it … pure road car

[@jessesmith7939]

add the Cayman R in there

[@AlexSami-qw4qu]

You guys need 1M subscribers. Awesome review from an awesome automotive journalist. Have been really enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@stoss-11]

The production on this video is proper af. All i care about doing before I die is taking a 997 Gt3 down this exact road, and you've done it mate....well done

[@kevind2760]

I traded in my 997 C4S manual and got a 991 GTS PDK. On my way home from the dealer, I realized it was a mistake. I keep the 991 but had to get a 997 as a driver's car. The 997 will eclipse the 993 in desirability and at the moment I own two 997.2 GT3's. Love that car. @ShakeyBurne has a point about the Cayman 4.0 GTS.

[@nightnomad635]

Oh the 997.1 GT3 is my dream car 😍😍😍

[@melondoc]

I thought the 'honest' answer would be as a good excuse as any to drive and enjoy the 997 GT3 :)

[@user-dm7vp8ow7w]

I bought a 992 this year and mantioned it is not still a thrilling drive experience that you expect from 911. I push it to the limit with no drama at all. And thank you for the video, now I am totally aware that oldies are much better. But we have no choice these days.

[@gixxr88]

Although I love all Porshes, there is something about a 997 that just does it for me

[@magnustan841]

It's nostalgia-driven love. It's the same for everyone else commenting "997 all-day". Like I know the 992 GT3 is ever so slightly improved over the 991 GT3, but because I grew up with the 991, I will always prefer it.

[@gixxr88]

@@magnustan841 Yes 100% I get that, like what's happening with the JDM market currently, all nostalgia, but in terms of styling I just find 997 very appealing, but then I look at the 991 and that is also beatiful

[@jasonshipley5702]

Great video Dan - thank you. Really enjoyed watching this video with an early morning brew 🙂. Unless you’ve driven one of these, you can’t appreciate how visceral and involving these 997’s are. The 997 GT3 is a superb drivers’ car.

[@mikesperrey]

great journalism, and BEAUTIFULLY shot - love the way we never see another camera (like in 'standard' KZbinr videos) - quality!

[@haleonwheels4576]

Dan, you were born to be an automotive journalist. Fantastic description of the two 911s. The commentary is spot on. Great video.

[@wilsonng911]

Clutch heavy analogue driving experience. I still love my 997.1 GT3.

[@kalaish6424]

Great video, thoroughly enjoyed it and you really communicated the feeling of driving those cars 👍

[@porscheG56]

Greatest reviews I’ve seen since the old Chris Harris days. Clear cut to the point and made me feel like I was feeling the cars with your words. Right on. I loved the comparison

[@maxtorque2277]

I drove a 997 GT3 soon after their release, and it was ime, the first car that your nan could literally drive to the shops nae bother, but then could also turn up at any race track and put in an incredible lap time as well. The bandwidth of the suspension and dynamics was simply incredible at the time, and to a large degree, ti still feels that way today ;-)

[@davidmoran1162]

Thanks for the video Dan. Underscores everything I love about my 997.1 GT3 which I was lucky enough to find a year ago with only 10k miles on the clock and in mint condition. A car I will never part with, it makes my heart sing when I find some open road with flowing bends. Thank you Porsche!

[@thedrivebygg]

Great video Dan, really good comparison.

[@JS-te2vj]

996.2 GT3 owner here. Was thinking of retiring to the 991.1 Carrera S, so this video, although one step up in budget, was very informative! You have a new subscriber from Japan! Great channel guys, thank you for the content

[@keruamg]

997.1 GT3 prices are increasing rapidly...

[@BL-zt4es]

One of my favorite automobile presenters/ journalists today. keep it up!

[@patrickanderson4360]

VERY good car journalism. Well done!

[@mr.revmatch]

Really good review, subscribed right away! I am selling my 981GTS with a manual gearbox, to be able to obtain a 997RS, I love my 981GTS and i think its something in between the newer porsches and the older gt-models. It still small, sounds amazing, but once you have driven that metzger powered machine you just can't stop thinking about it! Thanks for making my decision more easy! ;)

[@stefanschopf8408]

Great review. I fully support the passion for the old school GT3

[@Inazuma68]

Totally agree. I love every single second, driving my 996.2 GT3 CS. That engine is a dream

[@RobinSingh-lf3iq]

A very fun and informative comparison indeed. Loving my 992 c2s.

[@drivingnirvana5164]

Thank you for this great video,very interesting comparing new with old. - please do more like this. Review of old cars with new eyes is highly interesting.👍

[@SafetyinthePass]

After 20+ years with my 993 C4S, I am looking to part ways with it so I can get a 997.1 GT3. I know the wait will be worth it!

[@TheArfdog]

As good as Porsches are.... I give this guy Dan so much credit as an auto journalist. The other comparison of 3 flavors of 911 was also a cracking video. The new Chris Harris since he lost his balls over at TG?

[@clownworld-honk410]

Sounds like you need both cars depending on the journey.(Taking money out of the equation!).

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

I prefer the 5 lug nut set up. When these cars get too exotic with race inspired equipment, it becomes less desirable to want to live with. I feel 997 was the best

[@augustortiz]

997 every damn time

[@SterlingMess]

Thanks for talking up the 997 GT3 CS, Dan! I would sell my identical 57-plate, white CS if I could find a good CSL to swap to. Your point about the firm suspension is true. However, the only non-standard item on my car is the DSC Sport module for the PASM. In Normal mode, I have set all the dampers as soft as possible, and I swear it is less bumpy than my wife's MINI Cooper. In Sport mode, it uses DSC's settings for the track, which dials out the dive under hard braking and also the nose lift under hard acceleration. It's a worthwhile upgrade to any 997 PASM car.

[@achintyaaatreya]

That Metszcer ( wrong spelling for sure) engine is just superb. I would trade in usability for the soul.....use my mom's GTI.

[@brunodrawings5022]

Gt3 without hesitation. And in my country price difference is sometimes more than double

[@JasonWaterfalls13]

I'd pick the GT3 every single time without hesitation. Also, where were filming this? It's gorgeous!!

[@dougdaniels2851]

Great vid!

[@manualmedicinebjornhermans3542]

Best motor jurnalist!

[@porscheguy5848]

Amazing video!! Pls do one on my dream car (991.2 GT3)

[@sarmand70]

Fortunate to be able to drive a 997.2 GT3 RS. It is a mechanical, brutish bit of driving joy that leaves me awestruck ever time i climb in.

[@user-ns4ot5ro6i]

I enjoyed living through you on your drive. One problem, am I the ony one who doesn't know which model year(s) you're driving in this video?

[@danielpan5147]

Superb video...

[@johnmcreynolds5299]

Great review Dan! I’d take the white one……👍🏼😎

[@BritAcrossThePond]

Love the GT3

[@gam88a]

Another great video by the team and well presented by Dan! Glad you mentioned the gearing on the GT4 that everyone harps on about in a way that nobody has ever done in the 997 GT3, because it really is just a non-issue. Something for people to focus on as the car is just so good. My 997 GT3 does everything I want from a performance sports car and will always remain in my garage. Still does 205 mph too. Here’s some 997 GT3 doing what it does best. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH3LaICNoLRpr9k

[@heimlichvonbladderburst8348]

992 (with paddles ideally) for me simply because with the state and congestion of UK roads, I would use the 992 more and enjoy it more.

[@user-xg9jn4my1u]

This presenter really know what his doing.

[@Carrera-gp9od]

That 997 is utterly gorgeous if I had a spare £80 grand , I know where my cash would be going 👍🏻

[@obinna12]

The carrera s’ 0-60 is NOT just over 4 seconds

[@sSW-nu1lb]

Couldn't agree more.

[@jameshoward9700]

The 997 GT3 is one of the very best Porsches. But they are so rare! Very hard to find a low-miler. Gen 1 good, but Gen 2, 3.8 is truly something else (and more reliable). A hard, hard, serious thing, but the ultimate road-going blend of usability and manual, analogue feel in a 911 or indeed any sports car (except some Lotus). The 991s are completely different - much more civilised and normal (un-911). The 992 takes the ease further and is just too big - great car, but more of a comfy, smart everyday GT.

[@DailyisRaceCar]

Both are as reliable as each other. It’s essentially the same engine bored out to 3.8. The GT3 in all 997 guises is rock solid from a reliability perspective

[@brianhimmelman420]

more reliable .2 ?? are u high?

[@iain2030]

Great video, the 997 gt3 for me.....modern cars are just getting to big.

[@QuizzyV]

1:30 the dashboard could be configured with leather but comes standard with soft plastic. Same as the 992.

[@sutats]

Today that GT3's steering wheel reminded me of the wide and slim 1950s steering wheels.

[@nickg3999]

Bit of a stretch to compare the two given their different target markets and objectives but interesting nevertheless. As an owner of a 992 C4S I would agree that it doesn’t feel as obviously rear-engined as previous models but there is still no mistaking where the engine is. The front still goes light under heavy acceleration and you can still boot it hard and early out of corners.

[@lukl8381]

gutes Video, schöne Grüße aus Stuttgart 👍

[@thesolojourney8955]

997 over 996 and 992 over 991 but 964 turbo is my dream !!!

[@IrishManJT]

Fantastic.

[@harbeenguerrero5157]

0:07 EXACTLY 😂🙌

[@philippebeinaerts]

Why put these two together in one video? Simple: because you can and because both are superb, ultra-desirable cars (special mention to THAT Gentian Blue paint on the 992)

[@markdavis911time]

Part of the enduring beauty of the 911, is it's usability. No doubt the GT3 is a 'purer' driver's car, with a great sense of theatre and down a good road, on a nice day it would be memorable but unless you have good roads locally (who does), spend lots of time on the track, or it's a weekend toy, I'd still go for a Carrera. Each to their own but even a normal Carrera is such a great car that for me, spending more time in my car means more smiles, over more miles and at the end of a B-road blast, I step out fresh and without the need to call a chiropractor.

[@guss2099]

997's and the 987's Boxster S's are the last real sport cars for driver enthusiasts. All the new ones are for people with money to show their mates they have a Porsche.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

As a 997.1 owner (Brother has 991.2 GTS and dad has 991.2 C2S). Those cars are great in daily traffic and long drives but the 997 steering is so incredible. Add a Numeric shifter to that 997 to make the shifting even better that it already is. Not much else needs to be done.

[@brianhimmelman420]

numeric great for base Carrera but doesn’t improve the perfect notchy GT3 shifter

[@aurorajones8481]

These two are not at all the same. They cater to an entirely different buyer. Sure they both buy into the brand but one is a road race car and the other is a true public version of that. Just not the same at all other than in name and brand.

[@wunghugh633]

997 gt3 is at least 150 grand now in my area

[@guycha0s380]

300k usd in sri lanka

[@frankly5171]

992 is an overachiever and the greatest leap in performance, comfort, interior design and infotainment...ever. It is now truly the ultimate daily plus a supercar slayer in the Turbo models. 👍👍

[@arr0gant1]

Nah, the biggest leap was the 991 in 2012.

[@gam88a]

The 997.2 Turbo S were independently clocked running 0-100 already around 2.7 when released, so already were the ultimate daily at the time.

[@NISSANSKYLINEGTRBNR]

2:47 - 2:49 wallpaper proper

[@WP0EU]

What happened to the logo?

[@AntonDAuria]

Lost me on roll “cage” in the back

[@daytona765]

992 for sure! not that i have money for either.

[@99superbun]

Ideally trail-brake into the corner to keep transferring the weight forward whilst turning - it’s an analogue 911 🤓

[@rioharyadi7265]

Wow...

[@stu4181]

I currently have a Cayman R which is sublime The dilema is keep the R and spend 40k on other fun things Trade it in for a 2007 GT3 for about 80k Surely the GT3 can’t be twice as good?

[@davem7798]

Anyone else finding themselves admiring the tramlines in the farmers field after watching Clarkson's Farm?

[@naserali4971]

997 احلى شيء 911 موتر استعمال يومي وروعة وسرعة كافية للاستمتاع .

[@robertquinn4514]

What is “gravely quality”?

[@quantaccount4337]

Rev matching doesn’t aid gear (downshift) syncronisation w/o double clutching... Still, great video

[@JoeJacksonGT3]

Completely unrelated, but how often are deer, raccoons, or other animals hit on those roads? Also, why doesn't anyone mow the side of the roads so there are so many blind corners?

[@Cool12354]

Wrong 0-60…..easy 3.2. In 992 S…….seems like just wanted to say they both are as fast as the other……wrong .

[@senorduc5944]

997 GT3 raw, but 992 GT3 is too raw? Has this changed your impressions of the 992 GT3 now? GT3’s don’t need to be daily comfortable but can still be usable.

[@sanglee5100]

I would keep a normal & affordable all-season daily driver and buy the GT3 for the fun weekend/track toy. Because if the weather is shitty or there is snow and salt on the roads idgaf I wouldn’t drive even a awd 911 on the roads due to my sheer paranoia of road salt rust, potholes and shitty winter drivers.