Although it's probably not fair to compare a cooking GT with a (red-striped) QP Sport GT, I really felt the QP had the edge on the fun factor. The steering wheel felt smaller and the steering more direct. Although the QP is a huge car, it actually felt like a 2 seater to drive. The ride was far better than I expected, too. I was struck by the quality of the interior and (sadly) by how quiet it is with the windows up (!)
The GT is also huge and, when I parked the GS and the GT side by side, the size difference was stark. Despite the size of the car, the cabin felt quite small. I think this is because the dashboard is so high and the interior was black. The steering was not as direct, and it just didn't SEEM as sporty as the QP, although I drove the cars 7 days apart.
Both cars had the ZF box and this is where the fun factor is lost when compared with the GS. Although you can change gear with the paddles, the car doesn't give complete control and will shift even if you don't want it to. It was quieter in the cabin than a GS, too.
Having driven all three, there's no doubt at all that the GS is the sportiest and most fun of all. And to my mind, still a lovely looking car. It's not without its flaws, of course, but I will miss those sport mode downshifts.
Each car offers something different. The GS is meant to be a racer; the GT isn't. The GT is more refined, has more toys, and is not a bone shaker. The QP is all about performance in luxury. They're all amazing in their own right.
I can well understand the constant itch that comes with wondering whether to 'progress' to a newer model; I'm about to scratch mine and hope I'm doing the right thing. I don't think I'll regret it once I get used to living with an automatic and the different driving style. The trouble is that, no matter what I buy, the grass will always be greener elsewhere and, no doubt, I'll soon be trawling the net dreaming about "the next one" that I can't yet afford!
Froddy
