Porsche 997.1 v 997.2 GT3 RS road test review

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The 997 GT3 RS in both 3.6 and 3.8-litre specifications are outstanding Porsche 911s… but are they underrated in the world of Rennsports? Lee Sibley drives the 997.1 and 997.2 GT3 RS back-to-back to see why they're both so good, and how they improve the 911's performance over their 997 GT3 counterparts.
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[@benkrapf]

I dunno about anyone else, but "underrated" is the last thing I'd call the .2 RS. It's a legend.

[@mattyp3119]

People don't have basic understanding of this word lately

[@jonathankenny4443]

I have a 997 3.8 Gt3 RS 10 years now and its still the greatest car i have ever driven. There is no better 911 for engagement on road or track than it. And there never will be. We will never see the likes of cars like these again so enjoy them while you can.

[@sarmand70]

Agreed

[@PRS-dk4mz]

I'm glad that these cars are considered to be underrated. 😊 I've had my 997.2 RS since new in 2011. While I've owned both 991.1 GT3 RS and GT2 RS, I’ve sold both but kept the 997. It is one that I will never sell and is a part of my permanent collection.

[@StinkyT0fu]

997 GT3 and GT3RS values are probably the most stable of all the GT cars. These were actually pretty rare cars compared to the 991 and 992 versions. Thanks for the review! Which one is ur pick between the 7.1 and 7.2?

[@christophercatto7184]

Very good video. I can assure anyone who doesn't not own a GT3 that the 'vanilla' 997.1 GT3 is plenty good. Of course it doesn't reach 'peak' 911 like a .2 3.8L or the 4.0L, but it's very good. I think also the 996.2 GT3 makes a fantastic car.

[@yourid6463]

agreed, 997.1 GT3 is the best bang for buck GT3 available. Price delta between the 997.1 GT3 and the 997.1 RS is much higher than it should be.

[@mikelyon5595]

Prices in America are through the roof! They do sound special!

[@jameshewitt8828]

These are my favourite 911s by far, love the purity and analogue nature of them plus perfect power to weight ratio imo

[@craigwinter9539]

Good film Lee, one thing needs to said re values, the 3.8 RS is so close to the 4.0 RS give or take a few special parts for half the price!

[@Vision_3030]

Even though I'd go for the .2 as an overall package, the .1 has one of the best stances of any 911 ever.

[@SF_Native]

I have a 997.1 RS and have been offered 993 turbos and 964 turbos for it and I passed on all of them. There's no other car that gives you this kind of driving experience and I've owned many, many different sports cars.

[@SF_Native]

Also, for the record, any Porsche fan knows the 997 RS may be the greatest RS of them all due to its Mezger engine and smaller, lightweight body compared to its successors. I’ve driven almost all RSs, and the 997 is different experience. Raw. Visceral.

[@antoniodelgad68]

Agreed. I think all the 996 and 997 GT3 cars are special especially with the size creep

[@marklawrence6433]

As usual, a nice informative piece ! 👏

[@TobyD]

Another great and very informative video Lee. Love this channel. Keep them coming 😊

[@9WERKSTV]

Thank you Toby, that really does mean a lot, my friend.

[@Pyotr_Velikiy]

Great video! If I could own only one Porsche, it would be the 997 GT3 RS.

[@9WERKSTV]

Me too!

[@GrahamPatterson-w4j]

Thanks Lee great video. As a 997.1 4s owner I would one day like to take a step up to a GT car, maybe a remorgage would suffice?

[@911aircooled5]

damn you Lee. jokingly. Been pondering a 4.0RS, but the price is a killer, maybe I should look to a .2 I just don't drive my 992GT3 much as it's lost it's soul and pure driving sensation legally on my hills roads (sure on a track it is incredible).

[@markdance574]

I absolutely love the these cars - my only niggle with the Gen2 version is that steering wheel . I do think Porsche could have done a better job . One day I aspire to own a gr3 or gr3 RS is one form . Keep up the great videos ❤

[@joaolameiras6170]

Gen 2 best looking stearing

[@dreadhavoc]

Love the 997.2. Maybe its just my grave nostalgia for it, but I just happen to love it way more than the 997.1. Especially in that blue color it comes in. Has to be one of Porsche’s best blues.

[@joetacchino4470]

Maybe they are overlooked in the UK, but they sure as hell aren’t in the US every time I check pricing!

[@000GunterGabriel000]

As an owner of a 997.2 RS i agree with all you said, except the gearing. At least in my RS the gearshifts are very notchy to the point that they ruin the experience a little bit. In terms of being underrated, both 997 RS have things that keep them down in the perception a little bit: the 997.1 RS has often the complaint that it's not different to a 997.1 GT3 enough. The 997.2 RS has very often the comparison with the 4.0 which is seen by many as the greatest RS of all time.

[@hadrienlf23]

I have a 3.8RS also and i am 100% agree with you. The shift is shit, and i drove most mezger water-cooled cars, mostly same. But you can only know that if you have owned other brands of sportscars or are not porsche biased. Only improvement is switching to a Tilton clutch and putting a 996 Cup shifter which lengthen the throw to 996 gt3 spec but with metal bushing instead of the bad plastic ones on the 997.

[@000GunterGabriel000]

@@hadrienlf23 Thx! Will take a note. Have you experience with a 996.1 or 996.2 GT3? Are they better?

[@npappas2]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@000GunterGabriel000 Please keep in mind cup car cables will increase noise and vibration exponentially in the cabin. So if the car is more of a street car, it can get old fast. As for your notchiness, a culprit could be an adjustment of the existing oem cables. Porsche sells a simple tool bracket that locks into place, and tells you where the cable adjustment should be. Search for a thread on rennlist. Also Flat 6 sells a metal bushing kit for the 997 shift module. Smooths out worn out plastic and makes shifts more direct. I would say a 20% difference. Nothing crazy but enough. I believe with the cables adjustment and a Flat 6 kit, your notchiness will be resolved.

[@hadrienlf23]

@@000GunterGabriel000 I have driven and experienced about everything in those cars. Cup cables in metal had a bit more noise if you have the LWFW but still nothing extreme either. For the feel much more direct and solid. 996.2 gt3 is about the best road experience you can have, 996.1 GT3 is just meh. The difference is huge comparing to what people say especially .1 owners, yes it is the OG but it isn't up to par with the later cars.

[@nls8520]

Underrated, by who? The values are sky high.

[@Andy5c]

My thoughts as well 140k for the orange and 210k for the white how is that under rated 😢

[@stu4181]

I agree these values, (even if they are at the cheaper end of the RS family) are hard to comprehend , especially when you look at what other machinery 140k can get you. The other issue is you’d never dare drive them as you’d be worried about how much value you are losing.

[@nls8520]

@9WERKSTV Yes. In the real world, a 250k-350k USD for 997 GT3RS is sky high. Head does not need any wobbling.

[@SF_Native]

@@9WERKSTVBaT says otherwise. Sure it’s not going for the same as a new Heritage edition 992 RS, but plenty of 997 RSs have gone for upwards near and over 300k.

[@dreadhavoc]

Underrated as in, it’s not really seen as much as the 991.1/991.2/992.1 GT3/GT3RS models. It’s kind of on the short end of the stick - nowadays, when you think GT3RS or even GT2RS for that matter, you typically think of those generations. They’re the most recent, objectively the faster and more updated models of course, and yk, everything else. The 997.2 GT3RS kinda gets the short end of the stick. As expensive as they get, they really don’t get as much attention as the other GT3RS models. I see more people talk about the 997.1 GT3RS, matter if fact.

[@royd72]

Best shape 911 ever, rear end is 😮‍💨

[@aynakotalaga]

I bought a 997.1 GT3 RS in July this year. I feel that they are criminally undervalued when compared to the .2 which is typically £60-80k more! It's hands down the best car that I have ever driven. I bought it as an investment as I believe that they will be £250k cars within the next ten years however, I can't see myself ever selling it,

[@antoniodelgad68]

Agreed I am looking as well for the 997.1 RS

[@ast7500]

I was going to buy 997.2GT3RS but got 997.1GT3RS instead. Because it is a Kermit , pristine condition with only 23,000km/ no over-revs / all panels are original paints, PCCB and leather interior .I might be fool to pass 997.2 RS but could not say NO to this Kermit, haha

[@SF_Native]

I prefer the styling of the 997.1 RS personally and can’t go wrong with a Kermit! Cheers

[@ast7500]

Love both 997.1 and 997.2 GT3RS. My decision was largely based on the color factor with the condition, I have zero regret to acquire this RS Green GT3RS and love this Kermit RS so much now. Price wasn’t that crazy at that time with sub 140k Euro.

[@Askgeez]

Making me all nostalgic for my 997.2 gt3 😢. Please can you make a video on the 991.1 RS to make me feel better 😂

[@npappas2]

Nah, I have a 997.2 and am biased but you cannot pass up a mint Kermit. No way. That color and the stance, exterior look is perfect.

[@peterh225]

Best ever made😊

[@exc911ence_channel]

Underrated? By whom?

[@SF_Native]

Literally no one 😂

[@maceyj2]

I see UK 997.1 GT3 RS asking prices have remained stable at approx £130k for the last 4 years. Does anyone have any real world sold price info other than those sold on collecting cars?

[@kevind2760]

Does this guy know anything about the GT3RS models? Overlooked? Underrated?

[@maceyj2]

UK 997.2 GT3 RS asking prices have rocketed from circa £170k to £200k+ in the last few months. Anyone know why?

[@overbuiltlimited]

Well according to this yahoo, it’s because they’re underrated…

[@danjo911]

There aren’t shorter gear ratios on the 997.1RS by the way 👍🏼. I really don’t think these are overlooked tbh. And the steering better than 996! is plain misleading😂. Just isn’t. The 997 were variable ratio racks and its quite noticeable and misses the directness of the 996. Newer and younger people coming into the GT market generally want a newer and more modern car. Until they develop their tastes 😂

[@VK6AB-]

Both are fantastic and great drives. Out of all RS, the 997.2 GT3 RS and 991.2 GT3 RS are the all time greats.

[@kcw9313]

Dot one RS looks much better without the dot teo’sHome Depot rear wing.

[@flat6croc]

80lbs at 186mph is not a remotely meaningful amount of downforce. Downforce increases at the square of speed. That means that at half that speed, in other words 93mph, the 997.1 RS is making about 20lb or less than 10kg of downforce. The only 911 to make truly meaningful downforce is the latest 992.1 RS.

[@I999-g2s]

“Overlooked”? Values say the opposite - a 997 GT3 is worth the same as a 991.2. 997 RS is worth more than a 991.2 RS. Why? Scarcity and the last of the truly analog RS’s.

[@lawrencejones5353]

Yeh sorry mate, it’s a great video as always but at what point have these been undervalued still such an un obtainable platform for most people 😢

[@schmuck6]

Great reviews but the gearbox and ratios are identical in the 997.1 Gt3 and GT3RS. It’s just the lightweight flywheel. Also the difference in driving experience between the two is tiny if you have a LWF fitted in standard 997.1 GT3. Save yourself a huge amount of cash and get a non RS 997.1 GT3, you really wont be missing out on anything, other than they do look cooler! E

[@9WERKSTV]

This is why I did this video: the 997.1 GT3 v RS are two different cars, the only issue beingGT3 owners can’t accept it. RS is far more than the sum of its parts, as is typical of Porsche. Fully expecting hate from this statement but facts are facts.

[@schmuck6]

No need to be so sensitive……No hate here….just making the point that as a driving experience they are extremely similar, especially on the road. As an investment proposition that’s a different answer matter

[@jakescherer41]

bcvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

[@mattyp3119]

Ill take a gt4 over either of those. Thats called overlooked.

[@PerryRijnbeek]

I might agree, next question is which one (981 or 982?)

[@pixel8pictures74]

Underrated by whom?

[@simongibbs3936]

I’m more of a fan of the Cayman T you drove recently.

[@geoffreybean8691]

Undervalued = same price or more than a 991 rs and 992 gt3 🤣🤣🤣.

[@Pikes67]

The exact Number of worldwide produced 997.1 RS is 1909; and for the 997.2 RS 1619

[@Pikes67]

@@midmodman3291 these figs are wrong

[@midmodman3291]

I’ve never seen any other different production figures? Can you let me know where you got those numbers?

[@Pikes67]

Porsche internal data

[@Pikes67]

@@midmodman3291if you are interested as well in GT3 numbers, mk1 3.6l are 3‘329 and mk2 3.8l are 2‘256 ;-)

[@midmodman3291]

@@Pikes67 I was looking to purchase a 997 RS .1 or .2 and happy to have recently acquired a 997.1 and couldn’t be more pleased with it. Do you happily own a Porsche yourself and which model?