Clutch required replacement within the first 1,000 miles due to bad driving habits.
I am lucky enough to have a half relative who owns this incredible example of Porsche fury. He bought the car for 660,000 dollars. (includes dealer mark up).
The first time I saw the GT I was blown away. This thing was literally a masterpiece of engineering. I knew the car would be stunning, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The body is sculpted in a beautiful manner; the car itself is a work of art. The Carrera GT is definitely the embodyment of all Porsche knows about going fast. But enough about looks, I know you want to hear about the driving.
I was fortunate enough to get to ride in and drive the car. Let me start off by saying that this car is LOUD. When the engine starts up you will find yourself wondering if you're listning to a Le Mans racer or a street legal car. It's loud just idleing. Once you drive the car past 3,000 rpm, be prepared to cover your ears. The beast howls like a demon outa hell. Full throttle 0-60 launches are a revalation unless you have a JATO rocket strapped to the back of your car. You are thrown back into your seat, left with only the aluminum door handle to hang on to. I wouldn't dispute Porsche's claim of a 3.8 second 0-60.
This car can be thrown into hairpins at 90 miles per hour and not complain one bit. However, do this and you'll find your passenger curled up in a ball scared out of their mind.
The clutch, despite rants, is actually not that bad to operate. Just let it out really really carefully though, because otherwise you'll stall the car.
Dip into the throttle and you'll find a frightning reserve of rev happy Porsche power, accompanied by a menacing snarl from the rear. Need to get away from that pesky sportbike in the rearview? Simply nail the throttle and he'll find himself wondering what the silver mass was that just disappeared into the next turn at 100 MPH. Hit the massive ceramic brakes going into the next turn and you'll find yourself choked by the seatbelt holding you in as your speedo sweeps counter clockwise.
Nothing I say illustrates the incredible rush I get when I see and hear the car in motion. Automotive refinery at its best. Porsche Carrera GT. There is No Substitute.
If we were talking about figures, you would be wrong. Auto week came up with a 0-60 of 3.5 seconds, 0-100 in 7.6 and a quarter time of 11.35 seconds at 129.5 mph. Road and Track also found similar results, starting with a 0-60 of 3.6. I personally would trust Porsche's instruments over any magazines, so I went with thier figures. And on your comment about whether I've driven it, the awnser is, yes. if this site could post pictures, I would have posted them. otherwise, gimme your e-mail and i'll show u. Just for reference, the clutch replacement was 15,000 dollars.
From what I've read in the motoring press, everything you said about the performance is spot on. It's possibly the best car ever made, in terms of getting from point A to point B quickly.
I'll disagree with you on the styling though. Our local Porsche dealership has a Carrera GT in the window, and I go past it every day on the way to work. For UK £330,000 (about US $600,000) I'd expect the car to look a lot better than it does, or at least, not so much like a Boxster with a slightly lengthened chassis. Put it this way - if it were a Ferrari Enzo, people would be pulling over to have a look, and that simply doesn't happen with the Carrera GT. I literally have to point the car out to people before they notice it.
In Porsche's defence, this thing was originally designed as a GT / Le Mans racer, where looks are not so important. A rule change (something about maximum engine capacity) forced its premature retirement as a racer, so Porsche decided to modify it for road use, probably just to show the engineers behind the Mercedes-Maclaren SLR how to build a proper electronically-enhanced supercar.
You're completely correct about the noise it makes. Jeremy Clarkson (famous UK car journalist) said it's indistinguishable from the kind of note an F1 car makes. And why not - they're basically using the same kind of engine (naturally aspirated 5.7 litre V10.)
The Porsche Carrera GT is a far superior car to the Enzo. The Enzo is an OTT car built for America, The Carrera GT is one of the worlds best car manufacturers showing off. Next time you drive past the dealership have a closer look. There is more carbon fibre than an F1 car, It also sounds the same as an F1 car as opposed to the Ferrari which is supposed to be an F1 car and fails for being an over styled, over priced car for the mid life crises. If you want a Ferrari for that sort of money get an F40.
I think the Enzo is ugly, the Carrera GT is a work of art, I saw it at a motor show and loved it. Ferrari are nothing compared to Porsche.
The only car produced in the last few years that can make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck just by the noise it makes. Stunning machine. Porsche finally proving they can still do "soul" as well as technical excellence.
I'm actually into Japanese cars and never really liked German cars until I paid a real interest towards Porsche. I'll tell you one thing, If there's one company who knows sports car engineering to the limit it is of course Porsche. All their cars are track breed and fit for the road too! I am so impressed by their engineering that I would consider owning one sometime soon. This Review was very helpful and all you said cannot be disagreed with, its supposed to be the ultimate super car and it definitely is. Just one question though, Give me one reason (not price!) you would not buy one. Thanks.