[zylent]

The benefits are primarily from the better weight distribution and engine location in relation to the rear diff. The myth of fwd having superior driveability due to better traction is only real when comparing front engine to front engine, like a civic vs a mustang. With the weight in the rear, it’s the same thing in reverse. Oversteer is far more easy to correct but rwd is uncommon so the average joe may be unfamiliar.

WRT Porsche toning things down, a modern 911 turbo S is WAY faster than the Carrera GT was, and the GT3 / GT3-RS models are literally street legal road cars with minimal assists.

[AmericanChopper]

It’s not about how fast they are, it’s about how easy the car is to drive. A GT3 is a road car made with road car parts and road car features (even if you buy the ‘track’ add ons, or whatever they call them). It has ‘Porsche Stability Management’, a powerful driver assist, which among other things, is especially good at controlling oversteer. The Carrera GT doesn’t have that, so controlling oversteer is completely up to the driver. It also had the first production ceramic clutch, which was notoriously difficult to use. The tires and breaks of a Carrera GT also really needed to be at proper temperature to work properly.

I’ve driven both, on the street and around a track. I’m not exaggerating to say the average stick driver would struggle to start a Carrera GT and driver it a hundred feet without making the clutch scream. If you try drive fast in one, whether you drive into a tree or not is completely up to you. In a GR3 however, it’s gonna do a significant amount of that work for you.