My First Drive in the 911 GT3 in a While

The other day, I drove the Porsche 911 GT3 for the first time in a while. I hadn’t driven since late last year due to morning sickness, and even after feeling better, I hadn’t gotten behind the wheel—so it was probably about six months since my last drive.

In the past, just the thought of the GT3 intimidated me, and I couldn’t drive it properly. Its power, its razor-sharp handling, and the delicate clutch control required at low speeds… so many aspects are completely different from a regular Porsche model, and I never felt like I could master it. I was just overwhelmed every time.

But time has passed, and I can now drive the 981 Boxster GTS (MT) comfortably, and I drive my BMW 320i (MT) daily, so I wanted to believe that my manual driving skills have improved compared to before. With the kids looked after by my husband, I decided to take the GT3 out solo for the first time in a while.

Compared to the 981 Boxster GTS, the clutch on the late-model 911 GT3 is lighter. So I thought it would be easier to operate, but starting off, especially on hills, requires much more care than the Boxster. My husband said:

“The GT3 has a racing engine, so it probably lacks low-end torque. It’s not that it’s hard to start, but compared to the Boxster, you need very delicate throttle and clutch control at low speeds.”

And that’s exactly right.

With the Boxster, the clutch engages quickly when starting, but if you try the same with the GT3, it almost stalls. You have to treat the clutch a bit more delicately, holding the bite point a moment longer.

So I thought city driving would require some care. I used to be nervous, but once you get the feel, there’s really nothing to fear. This time, I didn’t stall even once. (Not that that’s something to brag about though, haha.)

Shifting Up in the GT3

Since I had the chance, I decided to take the GT3 to the Royu Driveway. With the new coronavirus preventing hanami outings, I wanted to at least enjoy the cherry blossoms from inside the car. Following the correct manual driving method for the late 991 GT3 my husband taught me,

if you keep the throttle lightly pressed while shifting, it shifts up with a “Bashun!” just like a PDK.

I set out to practice and get the feel on Royu.

Manual driving really is all about getting used to it. I used to be so intimidated by the GT3, but this time I was able to drive it calmly. The Royu Driveway up to the Ashiya toll gate has narrow, tight curves, but why is the GT3’s handling so precise?

It still turns, and turns aggressively.

Of course, the Boxster, Panamera, Cayman, and even the 911 GTS I recently drove all handle well and impress me every time, but the GT3 is on a whole other level—so precise, it never drifts wide, and carves into corners aggressively. My husband often says, “The GT3 is telling you, ‘You can still go further,’” and that’s exactly how it feels. Every corner feels like the car is saying,

“This isn’t all you’ve got, you can still push harder! (Why in Kansai dialect though?)”

It’s a mysterious sense of unity with the car. Also, remembering what I learned at Porsche’s driving school,

“When cornering, brace your left foot on the footrest, press your back into the seat, and turn the steering wheel by pushing with your arms,”

helped me corner even more smoothly and precisely.

I’m usually not good at cornering and often think, “Ah, I drifted wide again…” but even I found myself wishing, “I wish these curves would just go on forever!” because it felt so good.

After passing the Ashiya toll gate, the road opens up with gentler straights and curves, so I tried the GT3’s lightning-fast shifts. Keeping the throttle pressed normally (without lifting during shifts) and focusing on quick clutch work, I heard a “Bashun!!!” sound as it shifted up like a PDK paddle shift…

Amazing!!!

I couldn’t help but grin. I rolled down the window to feel the engine sound on my skin and tried it several times. Each time, the “Bashun!!! Bashun!!!” shift sounds reminded me of the Porsches I heard in the PCCJ races.

After that, I just couldn’t stop smiling. I’m sure drivers in oncoming cars were thinking, “What’s with that person grinning like crazy?” but it was just so fun and exciting.

Differences from the 981 Boxster

I love the 981 Boxster GTS too and often drive it on Royu, but I realized the Boxster and GT3 offer completely different kinds of enjoyment.

The Boxster is a convertible with a naturally aspirated engine and an amazing exhaust note, so it’s a car that lets you enjoy driving with all your senses—wind, sound, and scenery. Its handling is precise and rhythmic, making every drive a happy experience.

The GT3, on the other hand, being a racing car, feels like a car that pursues the pure joy of driving itself. Its performance is almost intimidating, and you can feel the passion of Porsche’s engineers. You have to face it seriously and hone your skills to truly enjoy driving the GT3.

This time, I finally felt the joy of driving the GT3, but I know this is just the beginning. I’m sure there’s an even more exciting world waiting as I keep exploring.

Since it was a weekday, traffic was light, but when I saw cars ahead, I slowed down and kept a good distance. I don’t like being tailgated, so I try not to make others feel that way.

But with the GT3’s aggressive front end and intense presence, every car I passed gave way with their hazard lights on. I felt grateful and a bit sorry for making them go out of their way, and thanked them with my own hazard lights as I drove by.

After some driving and taking photos at my usual rest spot, I decided to head home early. I’m pregnant, after all, and with everything going on, I wanted to go straight back. But on the way home, I glanced at the Higashi Rokko Observatory. The air was clear, the view was stunning, and traffic was light, so I stopped by for a bit.

(I could even clearly see Abeno Harukas)

When I parked, two young guys quickly came over and said,

“Is that a GT3?! It looks so cool! And it’s a left-hand drive manual?! Did you just get it? That color is awesome!”

Their way of speaking was so youthful… it was heartwarming, haha.

We chatted briefly, and I realized the 911 GT3 is truly a dream car among young car enthusiasts. I feel so lucky to be able to drive such a car. I need to thank my husband even more.

Since I couldn’t stay long, I said goodbye to the young guys and headed home.

Descending the hill, I lifted the front carefully to avoid scraping and drove cautiously. As I got closer to residential areas, traffic increased and there were more traffic lights, making driving the GT3 a bit more demanding.

I thought, “If only I could take the GT3 on the highway and drive through Tohoku or Koshinetsu… It’s impossible for now, but once things settle down, I definitely want to make that happen.”

Back home, I excitedly told my husband, “Wow! The GT3 is amazing! I finally enjoyed driving it!!! It really is in a league of its own. No wonder it costs so much…” He replied,

“Right? (laughs) You finally get it! It’s a bit challenging to master because it’s a manual, but the thrill when the GT3 opens its heart to you is incredible. The PDK version might be easier, but the GT3 Touring, which only comes in manual, is a hardcore Porsche that pursues pure driving pleasure, not lap times. The joy of mastering it is on another level. Also, since I understood how amazing this GT3 is, I lost interest in high-power or top-tier models. If you want overall speed, this is enough, and this car is all I need.”

Porsche models each have their own unique charm, and every one offers a different thrill. It’s truly deep. If I were to buy a Porsche myself, I’d love to try a 911T… though I guess there’s no manual option for that… just daydreaming these days.