Porsche 997 911 GT3: The Manual Gearbox's Last Gasp

The 997 GT3 was a tour de force of driving brilliance, treading the balance between comfort and hardcore thrills rather finely. It's also the last GT3 that'll ever have a manual gearbox, and that's a great shame.

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[benst]

here i am in 2019.. happy to see the GT3 in manual again

[mro]

The Mk2 997 GT3 ... perfection. Future classic !

[behemothokun]

If this madness will continue there will be a supercar in the future that just drives itself, "because it's faster and better than the human". . . and I think that will be the point where most people will hopefully realize that driving isn't always about doing things faster or smarter but about the connection between the driver and the car.

[benschrader]

It’s fun coming back to this video now that the 991.2 GT3 offers a manual again.

[gavdav]

The year is 2019.... still manual GT3’s 😁

[rawlax]

This is great XCAR with the flood of 991 gt3 videos this is a refreshing change to the good (not so)old days

[kraenk]

Great writing. XCar is becoming one of my favourite car shows. Keep up the great work

[fxst]

Porsche listened to purist! 4.0 gt3 available with a third pedal:) Thanks for sharing.

[v_alexiadis]

Great video Alex! And I absolutely agree! If I was shopping for a new 911 I'd definitely choose the manual despite all its shortcomings. And it's the first ever 7-speed manual gearbox!

[TheBisMan]

this GT3, the 997 gen 2 3.8 (and 4.0 if you can get you hands on one) will go down as one the all time great Porsches.  It is that rare car that is absolutely timeless and will only increase in it desirability as it gets older.

[RudyP]

So glad Porsche came to their senses and is still offering manuals (at least for now) - owner of a 991.2 GT3 Touring (manual) who just bought this week a 2010 997.2 GT3RS (manual) because it's not just the transmission but also the rest of the analog, more rear weight bias, smaller size, less tech that makes the 997 generation still cool in 2024!

[Pandamasque]

The problem is that supercars are more often than not bought not by driving enthusiasts but rather by enthusiasts of making money, while we, driving enthusiasts for the most part can only... well, enthuse in the Youtube comments and therefore our opinions are largely irrelevant to Porsche.

[Phillguy]

Porsche need to get the 996's wing back.

[ZondaF]

Both the 997 and 991 GT3s' are extremely involving. If anyone argues that point they are ignorant and havent been in either. The only argument that can be made is which gen is more PURE in the way it delivers. Their are two schools of thought and both are perfectly represented in each of these generations of GT3. So it really boils doen to personal preference.New or Old, PDK or Manual, Challenge or Precision? They both deliver amazing driving experience and I hold them highly in their own regard

[DalaniVo]

Sad day. Every true driver loves a manual

[killa]

For me, this was the last Porsche. Organic driving experience. They can keep their 7 speed manual gearbox. Why innovate such a gearbox that you wouldn't even use in the new turbo or gt3? Dual clutches are a novelty. Manual gearbox till they chop my left leg off...

[charlesjones]

he makes a good point when he says that if people dont buy them then why should companies make a manual box, but having used PDK and DSG boxes, and they are brilliant btw, i still prefer 3 pedals and a stick, its just more fun, such a shame there are so many lazy people out there buying these cars who dont fully understand the thrill of driving and only care about straight line speed and showing off their cars spec to their friends. they are responsable for the demise of the proper drivers car

[seipai]

It's not just a shame that the 991 does not have a manual gearbox it's a disaster and a terrible mistake! 😡

[abdjr.]

Hello, I am from the future, the new GT3 has a manual! Don't worry folks, the manual shall live on!

[akent]

Thumbs up for manufacturers to keep a stick shift option!