Test Driven: Porsche 911 GT3 991 Late Model

Recently, thanks to the kindness of a blog reader, I had the opportunity to test drive a Porsche 911 GT3 (991 late model) Club Sport Package with a manual transmission. Regarding the 991 GT3, until recently we had the 991 late model GT3 Touring (MT) at home, and I have also test driven the 991 early model (PDK) and 991 late model (PDK). Each time, I realize just how different the same model can feel depending on options, specifications, and mileage.

Among them, the 911 GT3 Club Sport Package MT I recently drove featured standard brakes and a roll cage. Aside from the transmission difference compared to the 991 late model (PDK) I drove before, I’d like to share our impressions as a couple.

Impressions from Driving the 911 GT3

Ride Comfort of the GT3

The GT3 I test drove this time felt milder at low speeds compared to our GT3 Touring. I initially sat in the passenger seat, and right after we started driving, my spouse and I both said, “This is so much smoother!”

Our GT3 transmits more of the road’s bumps and knocks, but this one felt softened, somewhat closer to the raw ride quality of the 992. Regarding this, my husband said:

I guess it’s because it doesn’t have PCCB. But at higher speeds, I think PCCB brakes give a stronger feeling of sticking to the road. So for highway comfort, PCCB is probably better. Recently, after comparing PCCB and regular cast-iron brakes more closely, I’ve come to understand the differences better. To put it simply, PCCB feels like tires with higher air pressure, while regular brakes feel like tires with lower air pressure. That’s the best way to describe it. PCCB is nimble but can feel a bit choppy at very low speeds, yet it’s incredibly stable and comfortable at speed. Regular brakes feel smoother and softer at low speeds.

He said.

How Comfortable Are the GT3’s Sports Bucket Seats?

When I sat in the sports bucket seat this time, I found it had great support and was very comfortable. The sports bucket seats use glass fiber reinforced plastic and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP/CFRP) for the seat shells, providing excellent lateral support, which I definitely felt.

I previously wrote an article about how seats affect ride comfort, so perhaps the good low-speed comfort is partly due to the seat.

While the sports bucket seat is comfortable and stylish, unfortunately, it wasn’t suitable for me as a woman. When I sat in the driver’s seat and tried to adjust it, I couldn’t raise or lower the seat, and even with the seat pushed all the way forward, I couldn’t fully depress the clutch pedal.

Maybe it’s just that my legs are short… (I’m just under 160 cm tall). So I couldn’t drive it with the same feeling as our GT3.

My husband said:

For sports bucket seats, women might want some cushioning to drive comfortably. It might not be as necessary with PDK, but if you need to fully depress the clutch with an MT, it’s definitely essential. By the way, the similarly named and shaped ‘Full Bucket Seat’ (commonly called the 918 seat) allows height adjustment, so shorter drivers might prefer the full bucket seat.

He added.

Also, because this seat is deeply contoured, it can be quite difficult for women wearing skirts to get in and out, so it might not be ideal for dates (laughs).

Body Rigidity

This GT3 was equipped with a roll cage, and my husband said, “It definitely feels more solid!” I also felt it was more stable when cornering.

Engine and Engine Sound

With only 2,000 km on the odometer, the exhaust hasn’t fully broken in yet, so our GT3 seemed to have a more powerful engine sound. Normally, the 991 late model GT3’s valves only open above 4,000 rpm, but this car was equipped with a remote switch that allowed the valves to stay open from the start.

So hearing that iconic GT3 racing engine sound even at low speeds and low revs was really enjoyable.

By the way, my husband said after riding in this GT3:

Compared to the GT3 Touring, maybe due to individual differences, this car felt quieter overall, including mechanical noise. Also, the exhaust note, especially above 4,000 rpm, felt a bit more subdued. Perhaps the presence or absence of the roll cage in the Touring Package vs. Club Sport Package affects how sound enters the cabin. And of course, the GT3’s engine is amazing — it’s mesmerizing how it revs. Honestly, I doubt many people worldwide have driven so many different spec versions of the GT3 (laughs). After all this driving, if I were to buy another GT3, I’d probably choose the Club Sport Package with PCCB and PDK. Though it depends on how you plan to use it.

He said.

Differences Between the GT3 PDK and MT

Driving the MT GT3 this time, I thought, “It’s really fun to control the car myself with a manual transmission.”

When driving the PDK, I say, “The high-performance GT3 is better with PDK!” and when driving the MT, I say, “Manual is definitely more fun!” — my opinions flip 180 degrees every time.

But that just shows how each has its own unique appeal, and both are wonderful and enjoyable, which I’ve come to appreciate even more.

The owner is soon parting with this GT3, so I’m grateful to have had the chance to drive it one last time. Thank you so much for letting me experience your precious car!

I’d be thrilled to drive your next car when it arrives (laughs).