GrantG

Not to detract from the excellent steering in the GT4RS, but in general Porsche sports cars have had better steering feel than Ferrari sports cars for decades (may be a few exceptions - haven't tried them all).

very green R

I've only driven the 458 and F8 and the steering feel in those Ferrari's was clearly not as good as Porsche.

pfbz

I was driving a buddies Speciale the other day and had that same thought... Super engaging, high decibel (in a wonderful way), NA engine that rev's to the moon...

My 4RS is still a few months out, but if it delivers anywhere near that driving experience I will be thrilled.

matttheboatman

Agree, the steering is incredible. So, in my order of enjoyment of the car, the steering may have moved up to 1st place. With the engine sound now in 2nd place, and the engine power to 3rd place - which truly only come to life in the higher rpms, so it can't be enjoyed as much as the steering which is enjoyed at every turn. Of course, this is taking for granted all the things I love about the Cayman mid engine platform.

I think Porsche did an incredibly good job to make the car very compliant on the street. In order to get some break-in miles completed, I drove the car 300 miles to a track day event. In both day and night. The car was comfortable and I felt great upon arrival to my destination. Of course, the LWB seats do require effort to climb in and out, but that is the price to pay for a great driving experience. And, to be noted, night driving does have its challenges. Like most sports cars, you are low to the ground so SUV powerful headlights are perfectly alligned in your mirrors and cast irritating light into your eyes. And, in case you haven't noticed, there is a BIG A*S wing that takes up more than 50% of your rear view so judicious use of the side mirrors are required.

Westcoast

I found this comment the most illuminating, numbers 1 and 2 are easy to accept and are enjoyable all of the time but number 3 surprises me and maybe it shouldn't?

One of the easy distinctions for this car is that famed engine, to accept the realization that its enjoyment might be limited to (for example) above 7000 rpm is a little disappointing, on the street one would rarely get to this rpm range.

matttheboatman

Re: Sound, for sure, below say 5,000 rpms its a James Taylor concert, you hear and enjoy it, but it is definately on the mellow side.
As you get up into the 5,000 - 7,000 rpms you transition into some serious rock and roll - like when the guitar comes in half way through Lynyrd Skynrd's Freebird.
And, over 7,000, well, get ready to board Ozzy's Crazy Train.

welikethetrack

My scuds steering is astoundingly good. Ferrari has always had light steering relative to Porsche, but it also makes the car feel much lighter. My scud was the same weight basically as my 991.2 gt3rs and the gt3rs felt like it weighted 1k more pounds, probably just from the grip and aero, iono

I still know a gt4rs with a manual would 100% be my fav porsche and I would instantly buy.....but now I am in some kind of love triangle between the GT4 manual (amazing size, very good engine, manual) the gt4rs (even better engeine, but pdk ), and the 992gt3 manual (manual, same engine as gt4rs basically, but big bloated size I don't like)

Westcoast

Strictly from a personal enjoyment perspective (and we acknowledge not everyone feels the same), this is an interesting dilemma. I know that you already answered with your position on this, I too would prefer the RS with a manual so maybe the first cut is the deepest?

Westcoast

I figured that the sound would be like that, how about a perspective regarding the engine power when driven on the street?

If possible, compared to the regular 4.0l engine.

matttheboatman

The engine power is great. Like a video game. When you tell it you want a little, it gives you a little. When you want more, it gives you more.
The grip of your tires, and your steering wheel position your only limitations.
Note; this Cayman can step out on you, so be aware. I don't want anyone doing the Paul Walker thing.

very green R

Greatly appreciate all your great feedback in your posts above. It is great to find all this out before I get my GT4RS.

When you say step out does that mean understeer and you keep going straight, or does it mean oversteer and the back end swings out? Does the step out even happen with the electronic aids left in standard position, ON?

Westcoast

That's what I figured; Porsche pretty much maxed out every aspect of this model (within reason), much more than anyone would need to get the 7-11 for a quart of milk...

Well at least most people!

Patrick3000

Strictly from a personal perspective, I too am in the GT4 RS manual camp. This is the primary reason I kept my 996 GT3 size and 991.2 GT3 Touring, IMHO the manual is perfect for this car. Yet, I simply could not pass up the opportunity to own the iconic Cayman with a proper engine

IL_Pete

Wow, this basically 100% nets out my ongoing dilemma, exactly! Nice to see I am not the only one struggling with that.

I have had the 718 in a Cayman GTS 4.0 Manual, Boxster GTS 4.0 Manual (Boxster 25) and GT4 in a PDK, for a total of 30,000 miles over the last two years. I love the GT4 (much more than the GTS 4.0's!) but miss the Manual.

I had secured a GT4 RS allocation a couple of weeks ago (with a beefy $75K ADM). After sleeping on it over a weekend, I realized I really wanted a Manual. So then I secured a GT4 allocation (at a more liveable $22.5K ADM), and ordered that, and canceled the GT4 RS order with the other dealer. The GT4 Manual is just over $100K less than the GT4 RS, $157K versus $260K.

I also passed on a GT3 (Winged) allocation a few weeks ago, at a $75K ADM, so total coast would have been around $270K. I would have done a Manual for that. I know the GT3 is a big step up in engine and suspension, but I have the same opinion with regards to the bloated size, in both looks and in feel, relative to the GT4. I have driven the 992 GT3 on the track at PEC ATL, as well as a Carrera S Manual there, and a Carrera GTS (both RWD and AWD versions) on my local track. I have also driven the 992s fairly extensively on the street, including a complete weekend Turo Rental for 200 miles. I find that the 992's are fairly uninspiring relative to the 718 4.0's until you push them at higher speeds, and then they become great fun and very capable, but tough to do that on the street. The GT3 is in a completely different league as the Carreras, but still I found that to be big feeling and looking, and only very inspiring once pushed harder at higher speeds.

The 718 4.0's have been great fun for me at legalish speeds on the street, and I did 88 track sessions in the Boxster 25 and the GT4 this year, they were both fantastic on the track.

It is tough to justify a $100K premium for a GT4 RS or GT3, over a Manual GT4. at least for me.

I will do the Deman Shorter Gear Ratios immediately from delivery for my incoming GT4 Manual. I think the will make that amazing 4.0 Manuals that I have loved even more amazing!

Disclaimer: I haven't ruled out the potential of in the future of getting a GT4 RS or a GT3. (Or Spyder RS.) The above is my plan at least going into 2023.

very green R

IL- Pete
Appreciate your explanation in the differences of the models and road vs track driving for different models. Your logic and decisions are very good. Good plan going forward.

Is all your track time at Autobahn CC? Do you know off hand if there any Porsche events there coming up in 2023? Is it only at a Track Day that one can drive around the circuit? Or is there something with less time and not all out, such as parade laps that allow some higher speed on the straight but without the danger of newbies on the track hitting each other?