986 vs. 997.2 - a review after a few months of ownership

[Perfectlap]

Does the 997 AWD shift power from the rear end to the front if the rear end starts to slide like the 996 C4/S/Turbo? That was a disappointment in the 996 AWD for me. Well I just wasn't expecting that level of understeer. But since the C4S I was on the fence for (guards red/black cherry from AZ) would only have been used during winter it wasn't really an issue but it pretty much meant I would have to keep the Boxster S. The C4S could be an addition but not a replacement for the Boxster S.

These days I think 996 GT3 is the best deal going. You get a Porsche race engine and not a street engine (already have one of those), far fewer nannies, at the highest bang for the buck ratio. That engine could probably do 300K street miles without a hiccup. But then I'm stuck with another 3 season car...

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

These days I think 996 GT3 is the best deal going. You get a Porsche race engine and not a street engine (already have one of those), far fewer nannies, at the highest bang for the buck ratio. That engine could probably do 300K street miles without a hiccup. But then I'm stuck with another 3 season car...

Not exactly. The 996 GT3 has it's own engine-killing issue similar to the IMS in a 986. The solution requires pulling the motor and welding/reworking all of the coolant connections. Oops! At least it is fixable.
Just when you thought it was safe... another coolant leak concern on GT3/GT3RS - Rennlist Discussion Forums


Nice update on your car Chris. Looking forward to a ride.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Does the 997 AWD shift power from the rear end to the front if the rear end starts to slide like the 996 C4/S/Turbo?

It does it differently. The 996 Turbo only allowed up to 30% of traction to go to the front. The 997.2 C4S allows up to 100%

But honestly, I never drove a 997 before, I never drove a Porsche with a limited slip before, I never drove a 4WD on the racetrack before. So I am totally in the learning phase. Ask me at the end of the season and I might know what I am doing....