992 GT3 vs. FL5 Type R

This is a post to just show how amazed I am with the type R compared to a car that is over 3X as expensive, and often regarded as the bench mark of good handling cars.

I had some recurring issues with my 2025 Type R, so Honda America actually bought it back from me and reimbursed me even down to the markup I paid. As I began looking at the market for cars, I was able to drive a 992 GT3 on a track for an hour. I had never driven any porsche 911 before and I was always hestitant because I can't afford a GT3 really and I was afraid it would ruin my impression of everything else I could afford.

The Gt3 was not a manual, but what I really wanted to see was how did the thing feel handling wise compared to the type R. After finishing driving the GT3 I got back into my lemon type R ( even after agreeing to buy it back, it took weeks for honda to physically take the car and pay me). I couldn't believe how good the type R still was compared to the gt3. Steering feel wise, in a turn, I can honestly say the type R feels just as good if not better. There's so much information you can feel in the type R and the GT3's steering to me, felt easier than I prefer, it turns incredibly quick and with less effort than the type R. Is that adjustable? maybe, but the raw information , the feel of the road, the overall feel of the car as you are in a turn, was not that much more fun than the type R.

Clearly The Gt3 is just a different league though, that vicious NA engine , and however they setup the suspension is just amazing, I can't believe the car can handle so much in a turn despite being rwd and rear engined. I had an instructor with me that pressed me to push the car to the max the whole time so
I definitely learned the limits of the car as we almost crashed into a barrier once, which was my fault, before he grabbed the wheel and corrected my nonsense.

But I walked away incredibly happy, I couldn't believe it, the GT3 was the best handling car I'd driven , no doubt, not the fastest, but incredibly fun. But the Type R still felt almost just as fun handling wise. I couldnt believe it. And then you can't help but factor in , we are talking about a $50k car.. and it feels almost as fun, if not as fun as a Gt3? I still can't believe it. these things are such bargains for what they give you. I hate FWD but in the type R, somehow it doesn't even matter, Ive learned to love it. I am going to purchase another type r. but lets be real, id get the damn gt3 if i could afford it, that engine is just something else. hah! but still. The handling we enjoy is just right there with the gt3, still can't beileve it. and when I say handling I really mean, how does it feel, how fun does it feel to turn in and move in the car, not necessarily what's better, bc the damn gt3 would lap the fl5 in that same time period i had with it, but still.

At Sebring Racway last week, my group consisted of a CT4-V Blackwing, new M2, M3, 5.0 Dark Horse Mustang, Lexus RCF and a Covette Grand Sport with full bolt ons.

All of the drivers had multiple days of track experience and it was my first track day ever. Yet the only car that was slightly faster then me and passed me was the Corvette.

Those are all $70k + automatic cars with V8s and 6 cylinder turbos vs our little 2.0 turbo manual civics lol. The looks on their faces after each session were priceless

I did the driving experience at COTA at the beginning of the month. For context, I’ve never been on track before. This was my first time. I did it in the GT4 RS, an amazing car to say the least. It was fast, but I didn’t feel it was faster than the Type R, probably because when I watch the video on the back straight, I hit 140 or 145, but I feel the Type R could be up there. This doesn’t take into account the fact that if I can afford one, I’ll definitely buy one. But now I’m happy with the Type R and the flaws that it has. In my opinion, Porsche is the best supercar out there. Sure, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and all that are a nice flex, but Porsche is the top of the mountain for supercars. I will keep my Type R and enjoy it, but hopefully, one day I can do at least one lap at COTA in the Type R. That is the other part of my dream. For now, I’m happy to say that the GT4 RS PDK was amazing and felt really good on track.

I think the true magic of this platform lies in how easily approachable its limits are. And the limits are shockingly high.

But it does have limits compared to the GT3. It's tough when people try to compare it to cars far above its class, because I fully agree that I have just as much - I'd even argue more - fun in my DE5 than any other car I've had on a track. But there very much is a staggering difference in overall capability that would become painfully obvious if you were out there in your FL5 with an experienced driver in the GT3.

But that doesn't change the fact that you can drive this car to the track, have a transcendently good time, and drive it home. Over and over again. And carry a full set of spare wheels and tires and pretty much all the gear you need along with you. For $50k.

As others have pointed out, it's also good at making other drivers wonder why they spent as much as they did on their cars. Like for like, I can assure you that any modern Porsche or BMW M car is definitely capable of significantly faster lap times than an FL5... but for some reason most (even experienced) drivers can't seem to extract that.

Another thing you may start to notice is that just because people go to the track often doesn't necessarily mean they're fast drivers...

Wait til you drive an Elantra N and stays with the Type R or even passes it. Not trolling, I have seen it haha.

TypeRVA said:

Wait til you drive an Elantra N and stays with the Type R or even passes it. Not trolling, I have seen it haha.

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I was in between that and the Type R end it on the R and don’t regret it that one is really nice too but to me the only one to be on the same room with the Type R is the Elantra N TCR edition. Don’t know how many were gone to be available or nothing but that will be the perfect competitor.

While being both a Porsche and Honda CTR owner, I do agree with some of the statements above with some additional considerations that should be considered. Porsche developed the GT3, GT4, GT3 RS, and GT4 RS with use at track in mind. When you purchase such a car, please understand that there are OEM additions to that platform that make it more reliable, adaptable, and tuneable for track conditions, and use. Examples include but are not limited too:

1. Full adjustable suspension, and components, while both use a multi- link design. The biggest difference lies in the front. Fl5 having the dual-axis MacPherson strut system and the Porsche having the unequal-length double wishbone (A-arm) configuration. Dont forget ride height, camber, toe, caster, anti roll-bars, and dampers. Dont get me wrong. Both are good. Just different levels of good.
2. Cooling overkill (fl5 Achilles heal)
3. Braking overkill (burnt dust boots anyone)
4. Dry sump oiling system (fl5 experiencing slight oil pressure drop in high G corners, none baffled wet sump)
5. Wider wheels/tires OEM
6. More linear power in a non forced induction engine. Smoother transition on throttle for traction.
Etc....All OEM, and engineered to work under track usage. (To an extent) More so on RS variants.

While most of these issues can be corrected with the FL5 in the aftermarket. It adds up rapidly in cost for modifications and maintanence. Of course not to mention the constant clash of aftermarket components and oem components. Push the platform and the pursuit will continue, on and on.

Ok. Now that has all been said. I agree that the price of the 911/Cayman in any regard has gone beyond reasonable. Porsche has lost their way making their cars not appraochable to poeple who actually drive them. Instead, only a select group of people spec them, order them, horde them, and then sell them at inflated prices. With acceptions of course.

Even if I had the money to purchase a new GT3, GT4 RS or GT3 RS, I would second guess going to the track based on the wear experienced, even on the most of the laid back of track days. Which to me, makes the FL5 BETTER. And if tinkering is enjoyable to you. EVEN BETTER!

Just my .02 cents guys.

As someone that has owned many cars including GT and exotics. I will say just because you spend more money doesn’t mean you are going to have any more fun. The more that I have had I’ve come to realize that less really is typically better.

I will second that Porsche has lost their mind with pricing as of late. None of their vehicles are worth it to me at their current prices.

TypeRVA said:

Wait til you drive an Elantra N and stays with the Type R or even passes it. Not trolling, I have seen it haha.

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For every Porsche, BMW MX, Cadillac CTSV-X, ZL1, GT500, etc. I pass...

There's an S2000, Miata, BRZ, WRX, etc. that's passed me.

There will be fewer of the latter as I become a faster driver, but let's not get in the habit of considering the FL5 a GT3/GT4RS competitor. Enjoy the wins but let's not lose the plot.

I also agree that Porsche has absolutely lost the plot. $150k is basically the floor for the only new 911 I could afford and actually want, the 911T. And that's ridiculous; I'd rather spend 2/3 that and get an Emira.

Or 1/3 that for a DC2 Type R.

$300k for a GT3 is a fuck you to the enthusiast buyer. I don't know who their customers are these days. YouTubers, probably.

optronix said:

For every Porsche, BMW MX, Cadillac CTSV-X, ZL1, GT500, etc. I pass...

There's an S2000, Miata, BRZ, WRX, etc. that's passed me.

There will be fewer of the latter as I become a faster driver, but let's not get in the habit of considering the FL5 a GT3/GT4RS competitor. Enjoy the wins but let's not lose the plot.

I also agree that Porsche has absolutely lost the plot. $150k is basically the floor for the only new 911 I could afford and actually want, the 911T. And that's ridiculous; I'd rather spend 2/3 that and get an Emira.

Or 1/3 that for a DC2 Type R.

$300k for a GT3 is a fuck you to the enthusiast buyer. I don't know who their customers are these days. YouTubers, probably.

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Saw an Emira in person at VIR the other week and that car is gorgeous in person and so much smaller than the FL5.

All of the above is why I’m putting my GT4 up for sale.

I had a passionate conversation recently with a friend about this very thing. Porsche used to be the attainable dream car. You worked really hard, went to college, worked your way into middle management, senior management maybe, and now you can treat yourself to a Porsche. No chance that's a given today. Now your dream car is priced like a luxury artifact. An entry-level 911 starts deep into six figures, and once you add the enthusiast essentials: proper seats, wheels, Front Axle Lift System, Sport Chrono, you’re staring at a number that feels more like a down payment on a house.

The brand has shifted from “driver’s cars for enthusiasts” to “luxury goods for high-net-worth clients.” I attend the events on occassion and the environment speaks to how they're positioned in the market and it's palpable. And don't get me started on the new clientele. I can't go 5-minutes without running into PE Guy and his buddies.

SUVs bankroll everything, so Porsche can price sports cars however it wants. And the options? A masterclass in monetizing desire. Paint, seats, trim—everything that makes a Porsche special costs thousands…each. Then add the scarcity play. GT cars are basically auction items the moment they're allocated to dealerships, and even used models have inflated beyond reason. The cars are still phenomenal no doubt, maybe the best in the world, but they’ve been financially engineered into collectibles instead of attainable passions.

Bottom line: Enthusiasts didn’t walk away from Porsche. Porsche climbed a ladder and pulled it up behind them.

Honestly hate the gt3 comparison. They are nothing like each other in no aspects but the fact that they both have wings. I also don't understand why people get so caught up on such thing. The FL5 is a great car and does what it does well for the price. The porsche gt3 or gt4 or whatever gt you want is a different beast on track, it literally does everything better but yes the price is astronomical.

edit- I do think both fl5 and gt porches have in common the fact that they are both very buttoned up, auto journalists call them steril which I can agree on

Nikw91 said:

At Sebring Racway last week, my group consisted of a CT4-V Blackwing, new M2, M3, 5.0 Dark Horse Mustang, Lexus RCF and a Covette Grand Sport with full bolt ons.

All of the drivers had multiple days of track experience and it was my first track day ever. Yet the only car that was slightly faster then me and passed me was the Corvette.

Those are all $70k + automatic cars with V8s and 6 cylinder turbos vs our little 2.0 turbo manual civics lol. The looks on their faces after each session were priceless

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I mean you know that you were just the better driver, most of those cars when driven properly will smoke the type R

MooMoo said:

I mean you know that you were just the better driver, most of those cars when driven properly will smoke the type R

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Stock for stock yes.

But I do have full bolt ons and most were stock besides the corvette and M3.

I will say, the FL5 is VERY forgiving in comparison to a lot of other cars.

There were a few times I pushed to hard and I would slid for a half a second before the car regained grip and I was back in it like nothing ever happened.