Test-Driving the Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2)

The other day, a blog reader kindly let me take their Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2) with the Club Sport Package and manual transmission for a drive. We recently had a 991.2 GT3 Touring with a manual transmission at home, and I’ve also had the chance to drive a 991.1 with PDK and a 991.2 with PDK. Each time, I’m reminded just how different the same model can feel depending on its options, specification, mileage, and more.

This GT3 had standard steel brakes and a roll cage, so compared with the 991.2 PDK I’d driven shortly before, the transmission was the only major difference. Here are my husband’s and my impressions.

Our Porsche 911 GT3 Test-Drive Impressions

GT3 Ride Comfort

At low speeds, this GT3 felt more comfortable than our GT3 Touring. I started out in the passenger seat, and we both commented, “This is surprisingly supple!” almost as soon as we set off.

In our GT3, you feel more of the little bumps and imperfections in the road. Here, the ride felt softer, almost a little closer to the standard 992’s ride comfort. My husband put it this way:

Maybe it’s because this car doesn’t have PCCB. But at speed, I think the PCCB-equipped car feels more planted, as if it’s drawn to the road. So for high-speed comfort, I’d probably choose PCCB.
I’ve been comparing PCCB with standard steel brakes lately, and I think I understand the difference better now. The best way I can describe it is that PCCB feels like driving on tires with higher pressure, while standard brakes feel more like tires with lower pressure. That’s the comparison that makes the most sense to me.
PCCB feels light and agile, with some firmness over bumps at very low speeds, but it’s incredibly stable and comfortable once you’re moving quickly. Standard brakes, by contrast, feel supple and smooth at low speeds.

he said.

How Comfortable Are the GT3’s Sport Bucket Seats?

I had a chance to sit in the sport bucket seats, and they offered excellent support and were very comfortable. The seat shells are made from glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP/CFRP), and are designed to provide outstanding lateral support. I could definitely feel that for myself.

I previously wrote about how seats can affect ride comfort, and I wonder if the seats also contributed to this car’s comfortable low-speed ride.

The sport bucket seats look great and feel comfortable, but unfortunately, they weren’t a good fit for me as a woman. I got into the driver’s seat and tried to adjust it, but there was no height adjustment. Even with the seat all the way forward, I couldn’t press the clutch fully to the floor.

Maybe my legs are simply too short (I’m just under 160 cm tall), but I couldn’t drive this car the way I’m used to driving our GT3.

My husband said:

With sport bucket seats, women might need a cushion to drive comfortably. It might not matter as much with PDK, but if you’re driving a manual and need to press the clutch all the way down, a cushion is essential.
By the way, the similarly named and shaped full bucket seats (often called 918 seats) can be adjusted for height, so I think they’re a better choice for shorter drivers.

he said.

The seats are also quite deeply sculpted, which makes getting in and out tricky. If you’re giving a woman in a skirt a ride, for example, it could be quite awkward—so these seats might not be ideal for a date! (laughs)

Chassis Rigidity

This GT3 was equipped with a roll cage, and my husband immediately noticed how solid it felt. “You can really feel the extra rigidity!” he said. I also felt that the car cornered with even greater stability.

The Engine and Its Sound

With only 2,000 km on the odometer, the exhaust hadn’t had much chance to break in, which may be why our GT3 sounded more dramatic. Ordinarily, the valves on the 991.2 GT3 don’t open until the engine reaches 4,000 rpm, but this car had been modified so they could be opened from the start with the press of a remote-control button.

That meant we could hear the GT3’s unmistakable racing-engine sound even at low speeds and revs, which was a real treat.

After driving this GT3, my husband said:

Compared with our GT3 Touring, this car felt quieter overall—including the mechanical noises, though that could just be down to differences between individual cars. The exhaust note also seemed a little more restrained, especially above 4,000 rpm. Maybe the Touring and Club Sport packages sound different inside because of the roll cage—or lack of one. And, of course, the GT3 engine is incredible. The way it revs is just beautiful.
I wonder how many people in the world have driven this many different GT3 specifications back to back! (laughs)
After trying them all, if I were to buy another GT3, for now I’d go for the Club Sport Package with PCCB and PDK. Of course, it would also depend on how I planned to use the car.

he said.

GT3 PDK vs. Manual: What’s the Difference?

Driving a manual GT3 reminded me that there’s nothing quite like the fun of being in control yourself.

When I drive a PDK, I say, “A high-performance GT3 is best with PDK!” Then I drive a manual and say, “A manual is so much fun!” My opinion seems to swing 180 degrees every time…

But that just goes to show how much each transmission has its own appeal. They’re both fantastic, and both make the GT3 a joy to drive.

The owner will soon be saying goodbye to this GT3, so I’m grateful I had the chance to drive it before it goes. Thank you so much for letting us experience your treasured car!

I’d love to drive your next car when it arrives, too! (laughs)