The connection of my Dension Gateway 500 iPod adapter to the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) optical bus proved more difficult than expected, requiring a firmware upgrade of the Dension unit and a lengthy visit at the dealer to convince the head unit to recognize a CD changer on the fiber optic loop. This car is equipped with the base CDR24 radio (no Porsche Communication Module), and Dension has designed a ridiculously unintuitive user interface, impractical and borderline dangerous to operate on the road.

After 6 months, my very yellow GT3 passed the track exam with flying colors. I can’t quite say the same of myself, as the car really requires sharp skills to become an ally and overcome stubborn understeer. The reward definitely seems to be worth the effort though, and paying a visit to the fabled Nordschleife is now an attractive prospect …

Porsche 997 GT3 Long term test: 18’000 miles / 30’000 km

Thirty thousand kilometers on road and track. Nearly as much on the ocean, after an epic journey to ship the car back from California to Switzerland through Long Beach, then an unexpected detour in Shekou, China.From one vessel to the next, onto Singapore,the Suez Canal before hitting dutch shores in Rotterdam. The experience cost me a few grey hairs and a new battery, drained by such a long stay in a container. After nine months in northern California, my GT3 got the chance to play in its natural habitat: European race tracks.

I only use this car to travel to French or german tracks, most favorably the Nürburgring Nordschleife. If open road cruises have lost most of their appeal with modern GTs, the 997 GT3 furthers that sensation. With stiff suspension, the car tends to loose composure on bad pavement. On smooth asphalt, only ferocious speeds will feel gratifying, while socially responsible cruises remain robustly dull. The stiffness of the chassis, the immediacy of the controls and steering inputs are always an experience, but for road use, I would take a Carrera S any day. Not as sharp, but with a torquier engine and a chassis tuned for a greater variety of pavements.