Hello.. from Porsche!

[Dan.G]

 

Due to an astonishing amount of requests (one person) I thought id go balls deep on a whip update.

Some of you may remember, last year's toy was a gorgeous 380 sport. To this day I do miss that car but didnt tick all my boxes, so, I moved on. I know the new owner is present on TLF so I wont mention the time when the wife interfered with my pants on a run out in the 380.. one thing led to another... and....

Following the 380, I test drove many many cars, exige cup 430, Ferrari, McLaren's, Porsches, the lot. Porsche did stand out, so, one morning while driving to a meeting, KennyN (and the blame fully sits with him) literally said 'this is a nice GT3' described it down the phone and about a week or 2 later it was in my garage.

The 380 vs the GT3, well, they are 2 completely different cars, one is a hammer, one is a scalpel.The Lotus is definitely more raw, harder work but rewarding, perhaps more exciting on the edge, louder, more of a head turner. Many things going for it for sure and probably the better weekend blast kind of car.

I can confidently say that the GT3 is by far the best in terms of handling out of all the cars that I tested and does have a much better feel over the Lotus. Less skitty, a confidence builder that enables you to push harder over the lotus. You can literally turn 90 degrees at speed and it will go.

I have to say that the GT3 doesnt feel that fast, but then it doesnt have the horse power of some of the cars I tried. The Mclarens felt the fastest. The Lotus kicks you in the back, as youd expect from an ultra light supercharged car. Whereas as the GT3 is more linear, you dont feel like you are moving, then you look down at the speedo and find that you actually are... its one of them. With the epic rev range and PDK (yes I went auto, they are just faster) it is seemless power and speed.

It has to be said, the build quality and in car entertainment is obviously a huge jump from the Lotus. Yes yes, thats not why many buy the Lotus but it is nice to have decent music when you want it. The GT3 has a completely different feel over the Lotus, its 'just right'.

I havnt had the GT3 out much as yet so this will be ongoing commentary, however, current highlights (over the Lotus) are as follows;

Pros

Precision handing and feel, the Lotus is good, the GT3 is better.

9k RPM, 6 ish in the Lotus just wasnt enough and the GT3 sound when you're pushing is simply musical. Seriously.

Quality of build. Simply better than them all.

Cons

Cost. They are stupid money, and still way over RRP. The tyres, fuel etc is next level. Probably going to lose more in depreciation.

Fear of people going anywhere near it.

Looks, I love its curvy backside and silly wing but its still a 911, with the standard 911 looks. Its not a shouty car if thats what you are after.

 

Its a hard one to sum up, there is nothing special about the GT3, and yet, you cant help but be amazed by the thing. In a nutshell, the GT3 is the one that sits quietly in the background and then says or does something that makes everyone shut up and listen.

Its good, really good.

 

 

 

 

[C8RKH]

Congrats, lovely looking caR @Dan.G and if I was being really picky (which I am) the red seat stripe and the brake calipers would have to be the same colour for me.

The GT3 is a good looking car and looks purposeful. I do find it disappointing when people compare interiors of say the Exige to a 911 - it's a bit like getting into a race car and complaining there is no carpet! The Exige is a track car for the road in its plushest form, whereas as the 911 starts out as a Dentists sitting room and morphs, as the GT3, into a serious performance vehicle. I don't really think you can compare the interiors at all.

Love the colour of your GT3 and I wish you all the best with it. I'm not a Porsche fan at all, however, I respect their "focused" cars like the GT3's etc and they are seriously capable and seriously desirable and have a lot of motorsport heritage in them (something Lotus does not seem to value any more!). 

Out of interest, what discounted the McLaren's for you and which ones did you look at? I'm looking at a lovely 570s and seriously considering going for it, not least because there is no service and warranty support from Lotus in Scotland currently!

All the best, have fun and enjoy the car. It's looks a cracker.

 

[philcool]

Fair enough honest opinions always welcome 

Will be haveing a go in the new Cayman GT4 this weekend so that should be interesting 

[Dan.G]

I have to agree, not quite apples for apples, and as I mentioned, its not really the first thing the lotus buyer is looking for, twas worth a mention though.

So, it was in fact the 570s that I was looking at too. It was the fastest car that I tested. They are mega. I still love the looks and would argue that they are nicer to look at over the GT3.

Why didnt I pull the trigger on one, well, I did, twice, but couldn't go through with it for these key reasons;

Depreciation, its real and heavy on these cars. I was looking at a 30k loss in a very short space of time. I know all cars depreciate but with a McLaren its huge sums and just not reasonable.

Reliability, they are poor. Each one that I looked at had an issue, seriously. One of which had faulty mirrors, peeling carbon and had only done about 2k miles. There are many other horror stories out there.

The dealerships, just not really there, happy to take your money and then argue with you thereafter.

In a nutshell, great cars, they really are, i love them but i just couldnt, you know.. if money isnt something you like to have then get a mclaren, if you have the patience of a saint, get a McLaren, they have epic performance.

1 minute ago, philcool said:

Fair enough honest opinions always welcome 

Will be haveing a go in the new Cayman GT4 this weekend so that should be interesting 

Add your thoughts to this thread if you like mate

[Edinburgh 111s]

Good write up @Dan.G

It is interesting to compare. And whilst it’s not apples for apples, I think we all Acknowledge  that whilst the interior is not the most important part of a lotus, in this day in age it should be much better. It could still be purposeful and have modern features. As a few have mentioned, including yourself, the brand support has steadily declined. No dealer in Scotland or approved service centre is beyond a joke. 
 

Glad you are enjoying your car though. It does look great. 
 

[mdavies]

No worthwhile basis for a Porsche comparison myself, but I'm looking forward to how the forthcoming Lotus will play into it. Dare I hope it will take the best attributes of each with the performance aspects taken a notch above both by whatever hybrid system when power peaks required?

Edited March 7, 2020 by mdavies

[Barrykearley]

I’m pretty sure that’s the colour @C8RKH is about to order 

[jep]

Nice write up and good to read. Personally, 911 don't float my boat. 

I would think Evora more a comparable car to GT3 than Exige. 

McLaren are as close to Lotus as you can get as an alternative to Hethel. But faster. 12c is a bargain, still available from McLaren dealers with warranty. McLaren Birmingham are an ace service agent and now Bell Colvill fettle them too. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself.

Justin 

[C8RKH]

I still prefer the 12c shape and those exhausts out the rear, yum yum...

[Dan.G]

Hopefully someone can translate that one for me.

Visually, the Porsche product is the one thats lacking vs its rivals in the price range, I have to agree. I wouldnt say the GT3 is comparable to the evora though. A cooking model 911 maybe, but the GT3 is a more track focused car, as is the exige. That said, having owned both, the write up was based on a personal comparison.

I agree, I saw many similarities in the McLaren to the lotus. Some good, some not so. Theres no doubt that great deals can be had with Mclaren, mainly because they need to shift them ready for next weeks model!

[Dan.G]

2 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

I still prefer the 12c shape and those exhausts out the rear, yum yum...

Hmmm, in a classic grand tour tone, youre wrong.. the lines across the exhaust section just looks like the designer gave up. 'I dont know how to fill this gap, i know, useless lines' which will say vents unwanted heat.

 

[C8RKH]

I thought they were reminiscent of older gen Ferraris to be honest. See what you mean though. Still like the 12c design, it's very much like the S1 Evora, clean and unfussy.

[Dan.G]

If we are rolling with the topic, the 600LT gets best McLaren design for me.

In total contrast to my comments previously, the 600LT is one where id happliy cope with dealerships, reliability and depreciation. I love them.

 

[jep]

LT a bit fussy for my taste but I see the appeal. Aggressive look is vogue at the moment, the wheel will turn.

LT range is popular new but I am not so sure in the real world if you actually want to tour in a McLaren, that they are the right choice. Standard car in track mode is lairy enough. 

If you just use it for hooning, fair enough; but that is a lot of dough for a hoon and for most mortals, the lower Mc's can do 99% that a LT does. Some will insist on the fine margins but in reality you are dancing on the head of a pin.

Justin 

[Dan.G]

On 07/03/2020 at 09:29, C8RKH said:

Congrats, lovely looking caR @Dan.G and if I was being really picky (which I am) the red seat stripe and the brake calipers would have to be the same colour for me

 

Just picking up on this comment,

Porsche calipers come in 2 colours, red for steel, yellow for ceramic. Its not an option to change the colour unfortunately.

KennyN will confirm that I too hated the colour combo when I first saw it in pictures. I have to say, it has completely grown on me and actually works in the flesh. I wouldnt have chosen it but I dont mind it now.

There is/was another Miami sat with Colchester Porsche, that has a Miami cage, yellow belts and silver stripes. Some may argue it blends well but i think it looks like an accident at the skittles factory

[jep]

I do love a funky interior and always seek out something different if given the choice. Ultimately, it is the car that counts and you soon forget the colour inside or out, if the car is engaging to drive and own.

I remember buying my Twingo 133, despite what I thought was a rubbish interior. Adore it now. OK, not GT3 money but you get the point.

Justin 

[philcool]

Well had a go in the new Cayman GT4 and very impressed as a note black calipers available but at £660 to have them changed from red ouch! .

Great gear change and the auto blip on down shifts superb, brand new car so diddent give it the full beans plus not mine either.

From other Porsches I've driven 7 in total the steering is a lot quicker and a tad more lock.

Nice engine note could hear the auxiliary drive belt behind the seats a bit and a nice unfussy steering wheel for once.

Very impressed 

[C8RKH]

So are you going to buy one? How does it compare to your Lotus? Etc?

[philcool]

In a word no not because of any real problem with the Porsche just the Exige S2 240 is more raw which I like and cost me £30k and plenty quick enough for me bit to quick really.

Build quality no were near that if the Porsche as expected and the money side different ball game road tax £400+ a year for the first three years and car as tested £83k.

Not had a go in the S3 Exige 380-410 etc only sat in one so really need to compare these to the Porsche to be honest but haveing a run out in my S2 always makes me smile just because it's so different from anything else Porsche included.

 

[C8RKH]

That's a lovely looking Exige. Just the looks is enough to NOT go for the GT4.

[philcool]

Thanks was lucky enough for it to be featured in Car magazine so went for a photo shoot at bicestor heritage for the day a while ago was in a group test and they let me keep the photos.

Cracking day 

[Dan.G]

On 09/03/2020 at 20:53, philcool said:

Well had a go in the new Cayman GT4 and very impressed as a note black calipers available but at £660 to have them changed from red ouch! .

Great gear change and the auto blip on down shifts superb, brand new car so diddent give it the full beans plus not mine either.

From other Porsches I've driven 7 in total the steering is a lot quicker and a tad more lock.

Nice engine note could hear the auxiliary drive belt behind the seats a bit and a nice unfussy steering wheel for once.

Very impressed 

I didnt know the calipers could be painted, ive learned something new!

I do actually think the GT4 is one of the prettiest cars in the range.

I have heard the gt4 is the better handing car in the GT range.

Are you going to buy it? Having tried 7 porsches, clearly you have an itch that needs scratching..

[Dan.G]

On 09/03/2020 at 21:19, philcool said:

In a word no not because of any real problem with the Porsche just the Exige S2 240 is more raw which I like and cost me £30k and plenty quick enough for me bit to quick really.

Build quality no were near that if the Porsche as expected and the money side different ball game road tax £400+ a year for the first three years and car as tested £83k.

Not had a go in the S3 Exige 380-410 etc only sat in one so really need to compare these to the Porsche to be honest but haveing a run out in my S2 always makes me smile just because it's so different from anything else Porsche included.

 

I can see sense in comments here, i wouldnt mind a lotus sat next to the gt3 in the garage. A fancy race car and a raw car, totally different experiences

[C8RKH]

2 minutes ago, Dan.G said:

Having tried 7 porsches, clearly you have an itch that needs scratching..

This should cure that 😆😆😆

[Dan.G]

I got some of that free from Porsche..

Because the are well aware they are bending you over on their over RRP prices!