2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Porsche 911 is a benchmark for all sports cars these days. Although nobody has been able to make a rear-engined sports car that worked, Porsche didn't back down from the original idea of the engine in the back. Now, these days, all super cars and many sports cars have their engine in the middle - where it should be. You would expect Porsche to inch the engine forward, but the engine is still where it technically shouldn't be.

For those of you who are not car buffs, here's a little background on the GT3. GT3 was first made in the 911 996 era, when headlights were not perfectly circular, and many manufacturers were producing track cars because track days was beginning to boom. Track days are designed for people with a regular car, and a driver's license to come, thrash their cars around, and then drive back home in the same car. Porsche GT3 is just the job.

The 911 GT3 is basically a 911 with no back seats, a roll cage, and a bunch of other lightweight materials that replaced the standard. The GT3 didn't even have an emblem! All it had on the bonnet was a sticker of the Porsche emblem! Jeremy Clarkson was right - you'd feel guilty if you drive in with your clothes on, to save as much weight as possible. And if you have a big chunky beard, or long hair, forget it! Get rid of every single gram possible, so you don't spoil the GT3! Or at least that's what Porsche would tell you. And those Germans, they won't joke around with you. They say, you do; no questions asked.

So, if the car is a race car, then why is it street legal? Well, that's just the thing, you have to be able to drive to a track day, drive around the track like your pants are on fire, and then drive back. So, if you want comfort, try the GT2. If you want luxury, try the GT2. If you want to look sophisticated, you guessed it - try the GT2. The GT3 is hardcore 911, which will deliver a racing experience like no other Porsche. It's rear-wheel drive, it's got a flat-six engine producing a lot of horsepower. The latest GT3 produces 435 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque! Now if that's not impressive, some figures for you: 0-60 is dealt with in 4.0 seconds, and at top speed, you'll be doing 194! And because the GT3 passes US emissions standards, it could be enjoyed in the States as well!

All this does come at a price though - $112,200 for a base GT3. If you want to spec it out, to $120,000+! But, why would you bother? Most of the options are just weight adders, and in a race car, that's useless!

There's only one problem with the GT3 - Ferrari. Ferrari was building the 350 Modena CS, and now they have the F420 Scuderia. Lamborghini also joined in with the Gallardo Superlegerra. So, there's a lot of options, but if you want to spend as little as possible, get the GT3. It's just as good as the other ones, maybe not exactly the best looking, but it'll still give Lamborghini and Ferrari a run for their money.

Oh, wiat - I got carried away talking about the GT3, and forgot to talk about the RS version. The problem is, that the RS version is basically the GT3, but only a bit lighter, a bit more powerful, and a bit faster. But it is a lot more expensive. And as far as I can work out, what's the use? If you want to go drive around, whether on a road trip, or the track, the GT3 will give you the same thrills as the RS! It's pointless, if I'm honest. I know Porsche tries to make give us performance with the GT3, but why don't they make the GT3 the ultimate GT3? Screw the GT3 RS, that's too big of a name, and too much badging. Porsche, give us the ultimate GT3, and fit the most power you can into a GT3. Or else soon there will be a GT3, a GT3 RS, a GT3 RS2, and so on. Just give us the race car we want, and that's that!