Porsche GT3

[RacinM3]

I drove one of 'em yesterday. Guards Red with a black interior, if that matters.

Started it up and heard a growl behind me unlike anything I've ever heard. Low and gutteral. Took off, and was immediately reminded of BiF's 'coiled snake' saying. That's what it felt like. Tipping into the throttle only a 1/4" or so caused the car to give you the impression that it just wanted to launch. Drove the mile or so to the 210 freeway in Pasadena. Very light mid-day Easter Sunday traffic, so I unleashed it a little more than I would have if there was more traffic. The entrance to the Freeway off California is a pretty fast downhill left, not like a cloverleaf. We took it at about 90 mph. The back of the car felt a little light and I was reminded about how you could hurt yourself in it if you weren't careful.

Once on the freeway, the first thing I saw was a CHP cruiser pulled off to the side. I took it down to about 70. The brakes are remarkable, and it's very easy to get into the ABS due to the light weight of the car, especially over bumpy surfaces. Once safely past the CHP car, we were in 3rd gear, at about 70. I floored it and went to fourth, and what seemed like 2 seconds later we were passing 125. What a car! After that, we took some twisties in it, where again I was reminded how fast one could get into trouble if they didn't know what they were doing. The limits are so high, that when s**** happens, it's gonna be at a high rate of speed.

On the way back, I just tooled along in 6th, at 75-80 mph. The car was content to do that, if restless.

They've done an amazing job with it. It feels and handles like the race cars I've driven, but the ride doesn't punish. Amazing.

I've seen it written that it may be the only car that's actually a bargain at $120k. I would have to agree, and wish I was in a position to make a deal!

It's a rare car that talks to you. The last thing it said to me as we finished my drive was "is that all ya got?".

[RichK]

RacinM3, if you are keeping count: I HATE YOU +1.

:D :cry:

Cool review! Was this a friend's car or did you stop by a dealer?

[Warlock!]

Not quite as unique a chance as you had, I also had a little speed treat on Easter Sunday.

Went to the inlaws for supper after being at my parents' place for lunch. I walk in the door and the step-pop-in-law says, "Mike just called, and you're s'posed to take his motorcycle out for a ride." Mike is the wife's bro, doin' Air Force time in Japan. I forgot he left his bike here for me to play with. He told me to get it out as much as I wanted... he didn't want it to just sit the whole time (2 years!) he would be gone. The cool part about it? It's a Yammy R1, one year old. I smiled as I headed back out the door. "I'll be back in a bit..."

I took off the cover and slid it out of the corner of the garage... this bike can't weigh 400 lbs... it feels like I'm walking a dirt bike. It starts right up, so I put on the shades and creep to the end of the driveway. I rap the throttle a couple times and ease it out onto the somewhat twisty, deserted state highway in front of their house. I cruised for 7 or 8 miles under 70 mph, letting it wake up a bit before I beat on it at all. Then I turn around and stop on the road.

I know this bike would quite easily flip out from underneath me, so I gently let out the clutch to get some speed before I nail it. Once I hit 30 mph, I get a bit more agressive with the throttle... the front wheel comes off the ground about 12"... not a good idea. I let it drop and shift into second, getting it up to about 45mph before I try to nail it again. Even with my big @ss laying on the gas tank, the front wheel comes up again like I weigh 135 lbs. But I don't. I'm closer to double that weight. I ease the wheel down and put it into third and get back on it. 65 mph and climbing... I look up to see a straight road in front of me, and I shift into 4th. Just that quick, I look down at the speedo again. Literally three seconds ago it read 65 mph and it now is climbing in 5 mph increments, 100 - 105 - 110... I duck behind the windscreen, slightly frightened, but keep the power on and soon shift to 5th. Another 3 seconds go by and it's still accellerating full strength... 141 - 145 - 148.

Now I'm really scared, since the straight road now begins to curve. I shift into 6th and coast back down to a "reasonable" 100 mph. Before I know it I'm back at the inlaws, cold and timid, shaking like a cat pooping razor blades. The bike had so much more, but thank God I was too scared to go for it. Once the weather warms a bit more, I may have to "start" it up for him a little more often. :cool:

All that aside, I'd still trade it for the GT3 ride in a second... :jealousy: :thumbup:

Warlock!

[racer2c]

Traction control off? I drove a 2002 non turbo 911 last summer and I couldn't invoke the mid-corner throttle lift scare of yesteryear 911's at all. It was so planted with TC on and off, it wasn't funny. I'm sure the gobs of more brute horsepower makes a huge difference.

I used to have a thoroughbred who came from the track that would laugh at me with his eyes after I rode him, as if saying "nice pony ride".

[racer2c]

Not quite as unique a chance as you had, I also had a little speed treat on Easter Sunday.

Went to the inlaws for supper after being at my parents' place for lunch. I walk in the door and the step-pop-in-law says, "Mike just called, and you're s'posed to take his motorcycle out for a ride." Mike is the wife's bro, doin' Air Force time in Japan. I forgot he left his bike here for me to play with. He told me to get it out as much as I wanted... he didn't want it to just sit the whole time (2 years!) he would be gone. The cool part about it? It's a Yammy R1, one year old. I smiled as I headed back out the door. "I'll be back in a bit..."

I took off the cover and slid it out of the corner of the garage... this bike can't weigh 400 lbs... it feels like I'm walking a dirt bike. It starts right up, so I put on the shades and creep to the end of the driveway. I rap the throttle a couple times and ease it out onto the somewhat twisty, deserted state highway in front of their house. I cruised for 7 or 8 miles under 70 mph, letting it wake up a bit before I beat on it at all. Then I turn around and stop on the road.

I know this bike would quite easily flip out from underneath me, so I gently let out the clutch to get some speed before I nail it. Once I hit 30 mph, I get a bit more agressive with the throttle... the front wheel comes off the ground about 12"... not a good idea. I let it drop and shift into second, getting it up to about 45mph before I try to nail it again. Even with my big @ss laying on the gas tank, the front wheel comes up again like I weigh 135 lbs. But I don't. I'm closer to double that weight. I ease the wheel down and put it into third and get back on it. 65 mph and climbing... I look up to see a straight road in front of me, and I shift into 4th. Just that quick, I look down at the speedo again. Literally three seconds ago it read 65 mph and it now is climbing in 5 mph increments, 100 - 105 - 110... I duck behind the windscreen, slightly frightened, but keep the power on and soon shift to 5th. Another 3 seconds go by and it's still accellerating full strength... 141 - 145 - 148.

Now I'm really scared, since the straight road now begins to curve. I shift into 6th and coast back down to a "reasonable" 100 mph. Before I know it I'm back at the inlaws, cold and timid, shaking like a cat pooping razor blades. The bike had so much more, but thank God I was too scared to go for it. Once the weather warms a bit more, I may have to "start" it up for him a little more often. :cool:

All that aside, I'd still trade it for the GT3 ride in a second... :jealousy: :thumbup:

Warlock!

Cool. I was with ya when I wasreading that, lock!
I broke out my bike on Saturday. But my stupid bike is twice the weight of an R1 and three times goofier! I still had a nice ride though.
I almost have the missus talked into a sport bike. I want one bad!
"Honey, I don't need the GSX-R. I'd be perfectly happy with the plain old GSX." :)

[mapguy]

You guys want to talk about speed. I should regale you with some of my experiences bombing around Lake George in my Escort.

[Hardpoint]

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/500/04R1_blu_5c_1734.jpg

My health insurance isn't nearly good enough to even think about one of these things.

http://www2.us.porsche.com/english/usa/911/gt3/experience/desktop/bilder/icon3_384x280.jpg

This on the other hand. :D

[rabbit]

You guys want to talk about speed. I should regale you with some of my experiences bombing around Lake George in my Escort.Hey, I got a ticket for 74 in a 55 in my 1998 Mercury Tracer (rebadged Escort) last week! :cry: :cool:

[RacinM3]

RichK - It's a family member's car. Luckily, I'll have more access to it in the future....I'm signing him up for a driver's school at CA Speedway..I can't wait to get it out there. The dealers that happen to have one allow you to test drive it after you've written a big fat chaeck to buy it. He ordered the car in Jan 04 and it only just arrived.

As far as traction control goes - you can't turn it off. It doesn't have it. The only driver aid on the car is ABS. The car doesn't have more HP than a 911 Turbo, in fact it has 35 fewer horses. The edge the GT3 has is that it's two-wheel drive, and weighs 500 lbs. less. It's got power ON oversteer, rather than power OFF oversteel, like the old 911's.

Warlock!, you're a braver man than I. I don't mind going a buck fifty, but I'd rather have a car around me! :thumbup:

[Hard Driver]

Well.. I drooled on a GT2 once.

[nz_climber]

Well.. I drooled on a GT2 once.

They wouldn't even let me that close :shakehead

They had a series down here with GT3 cup cars (race editions) they were damm quick and put on some really fun and close racing :thumbup:

They pulling times not far off the v8 supercars, quicker than the nz v8s

There was also a GT2 in the GT class pulling times as quick as the v8supercars :D

[chop456]

Not quite as unique a chance as you had, I also had a little speed treat on Easter Sunday.

Went to the inlaws for supper after being at my parents' place for lunch. I walk in the door and the step-pop-in-law says, "Mike just called, and you're s'posed to take his motorcycle out for a ride." Mike is the wife's bro, doin' Air Force time in Japan. I forgot he left his bike here for me to play with. He told me to get it out as much as I wanted... he didn't want it to just sit the whole time (2 years!) he would be gone. The cool part about it? It's a Yammy R1, one year old. I smiled as I headed back out the door. "I'll be back in a bit..."

I took off the cover and slid it out of the corner of the garage... this bike can't weigh 400 lbs... it feels like I'm walking a dirt bike. It starts right up, so I put on the shades and creep to the end of the driveway. I rap the throttle a couple times and ease it out onto the somewhat twisty, deserted state highway in front of their house. I cruised for 7 or 8 miles under 70 mph, letting it wake up a bit before I beat on it at all. Then I turn around and stop on the road.

I know this bike would quite easily flip out from underneath me, so I gently let out the clutch to get some speed before I nail it. Once I hit 30 mph, I get a bit more agressive with the throttle... the front wheel comes off the ground about 12"... not a good idea. I let it drop and shift into second, getting it up to about 45mph before I try to nail it again. Even with my big @ss laying on the gas tank, the front wheel comes up again like I weigh 135 lbs. But I don't. I'm closer to double that weight. I ease the wheel down and put it into third and get back on it. 65 mph and climbing... I look up to see a straight road in front of me, and I shift into 4th. Just that quick, I look down at the speedo again. Literally three seconds ago it read 65 mph and it now is climbing in 5 mph increments, 100 - 105 - 110... I duck behind the windscreen, slightly frightened, but keep the power on and soon shift to 5th. Another 3 seconds go by and it's still accellerating full strength... 141 - 145 - 148.

Now I'm really scared, since the straight road now begins to curve. I shift into 6th and coast back down to a "reasonable" 100 mph. Before I know it I'm back at the inlaws, cold and timid, shaking like a cat pooping razor blades. The bike had so much more, but thank God I was too scared to go for it. Once the weather warms a bit more, I may have to "start" it up for him a little more often. :cool:

All that aside, I'd still trade it for the GT3 ride in a second... :jealousy: :thumbup:

Warlock!


By "shades", you meant "tinted helmet visor", right? ;)

[Warlock!]

By "shades", you meant "tinted helmet visor", right? ;)No (once again showing my glaring stupidity). Since I wasn't expecting to ride his little crotch rocket, I didn't come to Easter dinner with helmet in hand. And since my head is roughly double the size of a human head, Mike's cranial protection device wouldn't have fit me at'all. I did have my OSU skull cap on tho... :gomer:

For future, premeditated rides, the helmet will definitely be a prerequisite.

Warlock!

[turn1]

Hey, I got a ticket for 74 in a 55 in my 1998 Mercury Tracer (rebadged Escort) last week! :cry: :cool:

Rabbit you are lucky the CPD helo didnt come looking for you in Cleveland several years ago. That Honda engine was screaming!

[turn1]

I drove one of 'em yesterday. Guards Red with a black interior, if that matters.

Started it up and heard a growl behind me unlike anything I've ever heard. Low and gutteral. Took off, and was immediately reminded of BiF's 'coiled snake' saying. That's what it felt like. Tipping into the throttle only a 1/4" or so caused the car to give you the impression that it just wanted to launch. Drove the mile or so to the 210 freeway in Pasadena. Very light mid-day Easter Sunday traffic, so I unleashed it a little more than I would have if there was more traffic. The entrance to the Freeway off California is a pretty fast downhill left, not like a cloverleaf. We took it at about 90 mph. The back of the car felt a little light and I was reminded about how you could hurt yourself in it if you weren't careful.

Once on the freeway, the first thing I saw was a CHP cruiser pulled off to the side. I took it down to about 70. The brakes are remarkable, and it's very easy to get into the ABS due to the light weight of the car, especially over bumpy surfaces. Once safely past the CHP car, we were in 3rd gear, at about 70. I floored it and went to fourth, and what seemed like 2 seconds later we were passing 125. What a car! After that, we took some twisties in it, where again I was reminded how fast one could get into trouble if they didn't know what they were doing. The limits are so high, that when s**** happens, it's gonna be at a high rate of speed.

On the way back, I just tooled along in 6th, at 75-80 mph. The car was content to do that, if restless.

They've done an amazing job with it. It feels and handles like the race cars I've driven, but the ride doesn't punish. Amazing.

I've seen it written that it may be the only car that's actually a bargain at $120k. I would have to agree, and wish I was in a position to make a deal!

It's a rare car that talks to you. The last thing it said to me as we finished my drive was "is that all ya got?".

Dude you just simply suck!

:)

[RichK]

Warlock!, that must've been quite a ride. I recently bought a VFR800, you may remember, and I can't imagine having 60 MORE horsepower and 100 pounds less weight on a bike. Scary, but fun, I'm sure!

[rabbit]

Rabbit you are lucky the CPD helo didnt come looking for you in Cleveland several years ago. That Honda engine was screaming!Hehe, that wasn't the engine. That was toymaker. :gomer: ;)

[ChampcarShark]

Well, I do not want to be left out on this.

I have a cousin in Albuquerque who works for an import body shop, porshe, alfa romeo, and some others. It sure is nice to drive one of those babys, even if just around the block to get lunch.

A few weeks ago, I was driving around in my old beat up 4 cyl 98 cavalier, and decided to pass a nicely painted, racing look alike tires, souped out engine chevelle on the freeway. He decided not to let me pass him and once the little needle hit 100 MPH the chevelle's driver just backed up, my son was having a blast since we beat a nicely dressed car (driven by a chicken I say).

We only got to 110 when I arrived at my exit and had to slow down. It was a quick rush.

[turn1]

Hehe, that wasn't the engine. That was toymaker. :gomer: ;)

I will miss some of those fun times on the track!