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Which is the best 911 RS?
- Thread starter Roro
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Roro
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Nope. Best is not all about speed! Needs to be quick, but that's not the be all and end all. It's about the way the car drives and feels, and the way it makes you feel when you drive it. The clear winner is obviously therefore the 997.2 RS, and it's also the best looking to boot
Cunno
Singapore
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Strong words by someone who admits to never driving one?
For the record, once you realise that being the fastest on a TD isn’t everything then the plain Jane GT3 is always the better choice . Think about it more piratical, basically same engine and drive train more discrete
For the record, once you realise that being the fastest on a TD isn’t everything then the plain Jane GT3 is always the better choice . Think about it more piratical, basically same engine and drive train more discrete
Roro
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Dude, I was bored
LaSource
Montreal
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A very subjective question as it depends on your criteria of ‘greatness’. So no right answers for everyone.
Some people like the ownership proposition of an RS and mainly just go to car meets. In which case the best is one that gets the most ‘likes’. Skewed towards the latest cars or rarest.
Some want to ‘win’ the trackday and to them the best RS will be the fastest (ie latest).
I like to use them on track else you just cannot experience what they are designed to do on a public road. I also like analogue, manual interaction, greater driver control of weight management. So for me the mezger cars peak here.
The collage above is interesting in that yes the 4.0rs is the ‘best’ iteration of the manual mezger RS. However if you really want to max it on circuit with abandon (and have an eye on finances) then the 3.8rs gives 95% of the same experience at some 50% of the price. So really is the best 997.2 iteration.
However those that do like max driver interaction and are more skewed to track than road use, then the 996 RS is by far the purer car - and very fast with a few choice mods. Not far off the 997.2rs I’d say and even quicker on occasion - mainly because the 997.2rs does not lend itself to mods as it is too much of a collectible to mod it for most.
Now the 996rs itself has become a collectible and is not campaigned much on circuits. Plus if you are really going to mod it (suspension, brakes, gearing, etc) then might as well start with the 996.2 gt3 clubsport as it is nigh on the same performance as a 996rs without the stickers, 99% of the same experience at 50% of the price.
….so my favourite ‘RS’ is the 996.2gt3 which I am precious about but nowhere near the same as I’d be with a collectible RS. Still a platform that homologated bits for the cup car. Race car with plates. I also use it with road tyres, slicks (where it is as quick as a 991rs depending on circuit), or wets. You don’t get the same flexibility with 991s.
Just came back from the ring
Some people like the ownership proposition of an RS and mainly just go to car meets. In which case the best is one that gets the most ‘likes’. Skewed towards the latest cars or rarest.
Some want to ‘win’ the trackday and to them the best RS will be the fastest (ie latest).
I like to use them on track else you just cannot experience what they are designed to do on a public road. I also like analogue, manual interaction, greater driver control of weight management. So for me the mezger cars peak here.
The collage above is interesting in that yes the 4.0rs is the ‘best’ iteration of the manual mezger RS. However if you really want to max it on circuit with abandon (and have an eye on finances) then the 3.8rs gives 95% of the same experience at some 50% of the price. So really is the best 997.2 iteration.
However those that do like max driver interaction and are more skewed to track than road use, then the 996 RS is by far the purer car - and very fast with a few choice mods. Not far off the 997.2rs I’d say and even quicker on occasion - mainly because the 997.2rs does not lend itself to mods as it is too much of a collectible to mod it for most.
Now the 996rs itself has become a collectible and is not campaigned much on circuits. Plus if you are really going to mod it (suspension, brakes, gearing, etc) then might as well start with the 996.2 gt3 clubsport as it is nigh on the same performance as a 996rs without the stickers, 99% of the same experience at 50% of the price.
….so my favourite ‘RS’ is the 996.2gt3 which I am precious about but nowhere near the same as I’d be with a collectible RS. Still a platform that homologated bits for the cup car. Race car with plates. I also use it with road tyres, slicks (where it is as quick as a 991rs depending on circuit), or wets. You don’t get the same flexibility with 991s.
Just came back from the ring
Roro
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Great to hear from an owner with real world insights into RS ownership! It's always fascinating to hear how these cars perform outside of spec sheets and track reviews. Every RS seems to have its own unique personality on the road, so it's nice to get a glimpse into realities from actual owners
That said… you’re still completely wrong! The 997.2 RS is, without a doubt, still the best RS ever made—no debate needed
There’s something about (what I imagine) that car's perfect balance between raw driving feel, basic tech, size, weight, sounds, looks, that makes it unbeatable in my book. It's the sweet spot where Porsche just got everything right. I do like the 996.2 RS too, but.. those headlamps just don't do it any favours. I know looks are a bit of a silly subjective thing, but I wouldn't want an RS that I didn't fully love the look of
But I’ll admit, the argument that the best "RS" isn’t an RS at all but the GT3 below it does stir things up a little, it's not something I'd thought about. The GT3 really does hit that pure, naturally aspirated driving experience we as owners chase, be interesting to hear more from others who feel that way. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise though I suppose, as the RS over the generations has always been the trophy / pedestal / halo car with all the good and bad that entails
That said… you’re still completely wrong! The 997.2 RS is, without a doubt, still the best RS ever made—no debate needed
There’s something about (what I imagine) that car's perfect balance between raw driving feel, basic tech, size, weight, sounds, looks, that makes it unbeatable in my book. It's the sweet spot where Porsche just got everything right. I do like the 996.2 RS too, but.. those headlamps just don't do it any favours. I know looks are a bit of a silly subjective thing, but I wouldn't want an RS that I didn't fully love the look of
But I’ll admit, the argument that the best "RS" isn’t an RS at all but the GT3 below it does stir things up a little, it's not something I'd thought about. The GT3 really does hit that pure, naturally aspirated driving experience we as owners chase, be interesting to hear more from others who feel that way. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise though I suppose, as the RS over the generations has always been the trophy / pedestal / halo car with all the good and bad that entails
LaSource
Montreal
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This is all a bit biased/self serving too based on what we can afford or get our hands on.
I think in the main Porsche always make every car better than the last. Therefore the gen2 of each generation is better then the gen1.
I do love the look of a 991.2RS and do think they are also pretty awesome and great value.
I also love the 992rs' twiddling knobs on the steering wheel which is a pretty awesome evolution...beats trying to get under the car to adjust your suspension!
If affordability and storage allowed it, I'd have one of each 'gen2' of each iteration...996.2rs, 997.2rs, 991.2rs, and the 992.2rs (which will finally fix the understeer issue of each preceeding 911 ad infinitum!
)
Just pick one...and use it as you intend.
I think in the main Porsche always make every car better than the last. Therefore the gen2 of each generation is better then the gen1.
I do love the look of a 991.2RS and do think they are also pretty awesome and great value.
I also love the 992rs' twiddling knobs on the steering wheel which is a pretty awesome evolution...beats trying to get under the car to adjust your suspension!
If affordability and storage allowed it, I'd have one of each 'gen2' of each iteration...996.2rs, 997.2rs, 991.2rs, and the 992.2rs (which will finally fix the understeer issue of each preceeding 911 ad infinitum!
)Just pick one...and use it as you intend.
TurboSandGT4
Suzuka
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plavix
Magny-Cours
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As @LaSource says, the 996 GT3 is as much of the GT3 RS that you will ever need. Does that not realistically make the RS variants a little redundant? You can buy two 997.2 GT3 Cup cars for the cost of one 997.2 GT3 RS; that leaves a lot left over for a trailer, tyres, and a lot of track days. Perhaps Porsche now realise this, which is why the current 992 GT3 RS is so compromised as a road car; no boot space, not terribly comfortable, and the aero is so extreme it looks more like a Gran Turismo render, than a car for the road?
LaSource
Montreal
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Ok - to add a bit of 'data' to this. I've pulled together a synched clip of a lap of portimao where I've driven a few GT products mentioned above - basically 996.2 gt3 (on slicks), 997.2rs, 991.2 gt3 (with a manthey geo and upgraded spoiler). Interesting to see that the 996 gt3 and 991 gt3 were in a dead heat with the different tyres.
I've also included a BAC Mono and KTM XBow though they are not really in scope.
It is a bit indicative but not exact. I synched the laps to the start/finish gantry for a visual. Probably needs liberal use of the pause button before your eyes go gaga trying to look at 5 streams
I've also included a BAC Mono and KTM XBow though they are not really in scope.
It is a bit indicative but not exact. I synched the laps to the start/finish gantry for a visual. Probably needs liberal use of the pause button before your eyes go gaga trying to look at 5 streams
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I have only driven a 996 GT3 RS once and currently have a 996 GT3 but either way it has to be something involving. So not a 991/992 and all their automatic rubbish. Any old fool can drive a paddle shift 'auto' plus the 991/992 iterations are far too big. Fine on a GP track maybe but British country roads......NO, no , no !! irrespective of the few inches they are bigger than 'whatever' they are massive.
991/992 like most modern cars, very little is left to the driver and as for leather seats - WTF it's all gone south. Old people like auto paddles as they find it easier (ooh the heavy clutch....they are from the dark ages blah, blah) but if you want a challenge it has to be a proper driver's car - a manual or Manuel if you prefer (PH reference).
If you want raw and a fight on your hands, a challenge and something to test yourself you need Raquel Welch/ Ursula Andress/ Honor Blackman and not Megan Fox/ Emma Watson / Natalie Portman ...even if you think they look better.
Unfortunately most people want results with the easiest option these days hence the modern GT3 RS.
The End.
Pip
991/992 like most modern cars, very little is left to the driver and as for leather seats - WTF it's all gone south. Old people like auto paddles as they find it easier (ooh the heavy clutch....they are from the dark ages blah, blah) but if you want a challenge it has to be a proper driver's car - a manual or Manuel if you prefer (PH reference).
If you want raw and a fight on your hands, a challenge and something to test yourself you need Raquel Welch/ Ursula Andress/ Honor Blackman and not Megan Fox/ Emma Watson / Natalie Portman ...even if you think they look better.
Unfortunately most people want results with the easiest option these days hence the modern GT3 RS.
The End.
Pip
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Roro
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Good question. As an expert having driven zero RS models
, I'd have to say possibly not. From what I've read 997.2 RS onward are geared differently for a more exciting drive, which is one thing that would be an improvement over the regular GT3. The 992 RS is supposed to be a brilliant road car too (I think it won Evo COTY?), in contrast to the regular 992 GT3 which seems to have got a drubbing for its overly firm suspension in a number of reviews. Bit ironic that the RS models supposedly made for track are better on road than the GT3s supposedly intended for road (…and track)
Roro
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LaSource
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We are going to need a bigger readership for that!I can almost sense a “What’s the best Cup car?” thread around the corner
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