I Reviewed EVERY GT3 Car in iRacing… Here’s How They Feel to Drive

Overview

PitLanePete compares every iRacing GT3 car by its handling, steering feedback, stability, and driving feel, with an emphasis on finding a car that suits your style. His main tip is to try cars in Demo Drive before buying, since a car’s feel—and whether it’s fun for you—matters as much as its pace.

Car-by-car impressions

• Acura GT3: Nimble and capable in fast corners, but it tends to understeer on entry and can feel less direct, especially during the first laps on cold tires. Turbo lag can make corner exits feel slow. Pete finds it less inspiring than other mid-engine choices.
• Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo: Stable at high speed, with good front-tire feedback and useful rotation from trail braking. It needs momentum through slow corners and can oversteer if you brake too much. Move brake bias forward if that becomes an issue, and be measured with the throttle when traction is low.
• Audi R8 LMS Evo 2: Predictable, enjoyable, and responsive to weight transfer, with stable braking and good lift-off rotation. However, Pete notes that its future series availability is uncertain, so he doesn’t recommend buying it right now.
• BMW M4 GT3: A forgiving, stable option for beginners. It handles curbs well and rarely snaps into oversteer, though its entry understeer and slightly muted steering feel can make it less exciting. Add a few traction-control clicks if you struggle with corner-exit slides.
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Its naturally aspirated engine makes throttle delivery smooth and predictable. It rewards smooth inputs, early throttle, and precise corner entry, but can be tricky under braking and with low-downforce setups. Be careful with weight transfer and curbs; it’s a more challenging choice for newcomers.
• Ferrari 296 GT3: Approachable, stable, and confidence-inspiring, including in wet conditions. It has strong feedback and is forgiving on the throttle, though fixed setups can feel understeery. Pete considers it a good option for both new and experienced drivers.
• Ford Mustang GT3: Offers direct, raw steering feedback and a powerful engine that lets drivers help steer the car with the throttle. It can slide if you apply power too aggressively, and its limited cockpit visibility makes precise positioning harder. Expect to need seat time to adapt.
• Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo: Direct and lively, yet controllable, with stable braking, useful feedback, and smooth throttle behavior. It remains manageable even with lower traction control. Pete recommends it as a responsive mid-engine option, while noting that a successor is coming.
• McLaren 720S GT3 Evo: Has very direct steering feedback and excellent visibility. It’s balanced over curbs but requires smooth throttle application, since low traction control can make it spin. Pete describes it as moderately challenging and livelier than the Ferrari 296.
• Mercedes-AMG GT3: A stable, enjoyable front-engine car with strong force feedback and good rotation under braking. Tires take longer to warm up, so the first laps may feel less grippy. Its in-car traction-control setting works in reverse: a lower setting provides more assistance.
• Porsche 911 GT3: Distinctive and lively, with strong feedback once the tires are warm. It responds sharply to the throttle, but abrupt lifts can cause oversteer. Its lighter initial steering feel and softer, more body-roll-prone front end may take adjustment. Pete recommends it for drivers seeking something different.

Key advice

• Test a car in Demo Drive before purchasing.
• Match the car to your preferred handling and feedback, not just its pace.
• Be especially smooth with the throttle in cars prone to power-on slides, and manage braking and weight transfer carefully in more demanding cars.
• Account for cold-tire behavior: some cars feel notably different during the opening laps.

Featured gamer and source

PitLanePete — video creator and reviewer