If you are talking about a track car, then the difference between the 996 and 997 might make a difference, but I doubt that it would really be significant. As some of the prior posts have noted, when the vehicle performance is close the driver plays a much larger role in the results. A car cuts you off, a lapse in attention, a missed brake point all are present in each lap of a track event. A skilled driver who knows his vehicle will routinely overcome the incremental disadvantage that a 996, of any state of tune, may suffer when compared to the 997.

On the street, the difference does not really mean much, too many more variables and restrictions.

 

Agreed! Basically the 997 makes a better dual purpose car than the 996. The bottom line is their both fun!

 

it seems that the 997 gt3 is better marketed! but maybe that is just me!

 

Just like any other new car, the aftermarket swarms all over them!

 

For those looking to get into a GT3, my .02 is this. Drive a 6GT3, take it around a track if you can, if having a track capable street car is what you are after, you will be thrilled to own a 6GT3, it is a GT car after all, not just any car. IMHO, it is a large step up from almost any car.

 

6 GT3 will take longer to master. If you are fortunate enough to get enough seat time in a 6 with Motons, and slicks, there are very few "if any" 7's that will turn better times.

Body differences are in the eye of the beholder. Ride quality on the street is night and day difference with the oscar going to the 6 for harshest ride.

 

Which car has better steering feel?

 

One day in the track I made several laps with an 996RS and my 7RS was a little bit faster and a little bit more stable in the turns but for the price diff the difference is nothing,but the look of a 7 is 100% better but performance is almoust the same.

 

It is odd...I used to think the 6GT3 was very bland (like the entire 996 model line), and the 7GT3 was hot hot hot. But I shopped for a good while, and largely because of cost, I ended up with a 6GT3. And to be honest...it is odd, but my perceptions have changed. The 6GT3 now appears like a clean and classic design and the 7GT3 feels very busy and overdone with slots and vents. And it isn't just my subconscious trying to justify the choice, because I am VERY prone to be overly critical of purchases after the fact and to suffer buyer's remorse.

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for my 2 cents, the 6GT3 now wins that battle easily. And that conclusion surprises the heck out of me; go figure. I actually catch myself looking back at my 6GT3 when I walk away...and I am very jaded as far as automobile appearances go.

 

IMO, the 996 GT3 defintely isnt better in the looks category. But I sure loved the feel of it better. The 997 feels softer and less connected to the road, but more connected to the driver. It's an odd feeling. The 997 is more precise and the chassis feels more stable, but it just feels less raw to me.

And the 6 gt3 is definitely lighter.

 

Excellence actually claimed the 7 was lighter if you figured in the weight of the (non-standard on US cars) air conditioning unit. Were they mistaken, or does it just FEEL heavier?

 

Aircon was an option in the States.

As Heavy said, the 7 feels much more planted and stable.

 

I dont know what they had going on but if you look around there are lots of track guys here who corner weight their cars and the 997 GT3's have been well over 3200 lbs while the 996 GT3's have been 3100 or less without the driver.


The magazine could have tested a PPCB, Euro GT3 Seats 997 vs sport seat, steel brake 996 and it could skew the numbers, but I have no idea how they came to that conclusion. The 996 GT3 is not 3200 +lbs, and the 997 GT3 is easily over 3200 lbs.

 

i have 6gt3 on motons, and 7gt3 as well as 7rs. over 5000 track miles on each chassis.
the 7 is faster than 6gt3, not much, but faster.

look is a personal thing. take the one you like.

lap time is objective. given equal car and equal mod/set up, 7 will be faster.

also 7 is definitely heavier than 6 by roughly 100# at the minimum.

7 is more stable, however, if what you did spun a 6, you would have spun the 7 also.

 

I want Mooty's garage! A 6, a 7 , and a 7RS? That's insane! lol