Considering the Purchase of a Porsche 911 GT3

I often receive messages on my blog and Twitter asking for advice about buying cars, and recently, my husband got a similar inquiry on his personal SNS.

・Currently driving a 718 Cayman GTS
・Thinking about switching to a GT3 soon
・Would like to hear the pros and cons of the GT3

That was the message.

Every time I get such inquiries, I think, “Everyone really wants to hear honest opinions from actual owners.” Of course, reviews by automotive journalists are helpful, but there are things you can only understand by owning and using the car daily—how it really feels, what issues might arise. I believe many want to know those details. (We want to know too, of course.)

I think one big reason my husband frequents the Royu Driveway almost every week is because he can hear straightforward opinions and impressions from fellow owners. Just recently, he said, “It was fascinating to hear directly from an owner who has experienced both the 992 base and S models about how these two really differ.”

Is the GT3 a Good Buy?

So, I’d like to briefly share how my husband responded to the question we received at the beginning.

A Completely Different Animal from Regular Models

First of all, what I think about the GT3 is that it’s quite a different beast compared to regular models like the Cayman. It’s not impossible to use it daily (commuting, shopping, etc.), so it might seem fine at first, but eventually, you’ll get tired and start missing the Cayman.

This “tiredness” isn’t just about rough ride comfort—it comes from constantly being forced to drive in battle mode, hearing all kinds of gear and engine noises.

The manual gear ratios aren’t really suited for city driving compared to the Boxster, and the PDK lacks creep, so stop-and-go traffic requires extra care.

Actually, I’ve been driving the GT3 a lot lately, and just the other day, I happened to drive the Boxster for the first time in a month. The Boxster felt incredibly mild, the power delivery was just right, and I enjoyed driving it with a relaxed feeling.

Winding Roads and Circuits Are the Best

On the other hand, winding roads, circuits, and smooth-flowing rural roads are absolutely fantastic. It’s on a whole different level compared to regular models.

The pinpoint-accurate handling, seemingly limitless turn-in response, and incredible engine responsiveness make you think, “This is definitely the GT3!”

So, if you’re thinking about driving a GT3 normally in Japan, it might not be fun on 80% of roads and environments. But on the remaining 20%, you’ll experience the best. If you value those moments, I definitely recommend it.

If I Had to Keep Only One, It Would Be the Boxster

By the way, if I had to keep just one car, I think I’d keep the Boxster. The GT3 is undeniably amazing, but I feel it’s a car for special occasions (winding roads and circuits). (It’s like eating premium marbled steak every day—it gets exhausting.)

That’s what he said.

Additional Thoughts on the GT3

In addition to the above, my husband said this:

The 911 is a sports car that can be used both daily and on the circuit, so if you’re thinking of buying a GT3 as a high-end, high-power model that’s just an extension of that, I think you should pause and think carefully. That’s how strongly I want to advise people because it really has a different character.

AMG models for Mercedes and M models for BMW also have very different performance from their regular models, but they still maintain a certain level of luxury and comfort, so I feel they exist as an extension of daily use.

But Porsche’s GT line (excluding GTS) is not like that at all. At first, I thought the difference was about that much, but I was surprised to find it’s not. It’s a car much closer to a racing machine.

So, if you try to cover everything with just one GT3, there will come a time when you miss the regular models. That’s exactly how I feel—I sometimes want to drive my 964 or Boxster.

But after a while, I crave the addictive feeling of the GT3 and end up driving it again. So, ideally, the GT3 is best as a second car alongside a regular model.

If you want to tame a GT3, I think considering these points before purchasing will help you avoid regrets later.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

If you have any questions or consultations like this, please feel free to send a message on the blog. Thank you very much for your continued support of the blog “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.”