Visceral

I see a ton of shade thrown to folks who order the 18-ways. They're not "hardcore" or "purists" or they don't pass some Porsche test. As a bucket owner and future orderer, I think it should be said that LWB seats are NOT perfect, and often leave 95% of us wondering if sofas would have been easier.

You pull into a tight parking spot, the door only opens a foot or two. How the %^$# are you going to get out?
It's been a good day. Your leg workout went well, but now you're sore. Time to get into our buckets. Do we just fall into the seat?
I've just bought a new car and within 400 miles I've noticed that I'm absolutely beating the hell out of the outside bolster getting in and out. I need to spend another $625 to make these seats work long term?

Oh, buckets. I love them but I'm honestly 51% bucket, 49% 18-ways.

enduro

Nope.

JCviggen

I can see the argument for the regular 2-way sports seats instead of buckets, for me the 18-ways have always been worse. Basically the same seat shape but with a ton of added weight and I could never find a combination of settings that didn't make me uncomfortable after a while. The 2-ways look the same and feel very similar but don't give me the back pain.

AtoB

nope... I used to think I wound never buy a car with them.. ended up doing so, and absolutely love them!

Xxyion

Honestly I think a lot of this is really just dependent on how often and where you drive your car. The GT4 for me will be primarily a weekend /track car. Just like my S2000 was and those had Recaro buckets. The performance gain for the buckets for me far outweighs the "annoyance" of getting in and out of them. For me, the lack of function in the sofa seats outweighs the minor comfort increase.

As far as protecting it. You don't NEED to spend 600+$ on the crazy Ed's bolster guards. There are plenty of other options they just won't look as OEM or as nice.

Visceral

(Tumbles out of the car onto the pavement) "I'M FINE. THIS IS HOW I LIKE IT."

BlazinPond

I've driven more than 10k miles in the mountains and/or track....any downside of buckets becomes minor IMO.

Visceral

I'm not the only one speaking sacrilege!

UncleDude

LOL, I appreciate your sense of humour.

I had the 2 ways and now 18 way. I have to say the 18 ways surprised me in their adjustability, and being on the taller side that was an unexpected bonus. On a new order though, I think it would be buckets despite agreeing with the logic in the OP. They fit me pretty good and look the business and I would argue connect you to the car a bit better. I like the 18 way seats though, and don't really care if they're heavier than the alternatives.

DP8

If the GT4/Spyder was your only car, you don't fit in the buckets or they cause you pain then totally don't get them. My garage is pretty narrow and I can't open my door all the way so it is challenging to get in and out, however once you are in the buckets and driving they are sublime! Makes me want to put Recaros in my M3 to be honest. I wouldn't want to have any other seats. Sometimes my exits out of the car are not very graceful but who cares lol.

KelvinC

Ya lost me here.

rcfun33

This. I am quite certain I would not have spec'ed a car with the LWBS, if I had ordered a car. We happened to find a car available, that we liked, but it had buckets. After a test drive, we decided we could live with them. Now, after owning the car for a while, my wife wants a second car and the LWBS are on the must-have list.

I generally never park next to somebody, except in our garage, where I will admit they do add to the challenge. Worst case, I can move the other vehicle to make entry/exit easy. Yes, that is a little inconvenient, but the car lives on a lift and getting it down or putting it up already involves moving vehicles.

Dave

jbatchelor

Surely, a GT4 should have buckets - but a Spyder is equally at home with 18-ways?

Just reflecting the different use-cases of the two different car types.

James

Half Apple

It's worth it though IMO. They are easy to install and look fantastic.

juanpablo046

I have no problem getting in and out, you learn how to do it easily with some practice. I'm putting over 1000 miles per month on my full buckets.

I do have a problem with the suport the 18 ways give, you end up bouncing inside the car each time you want to have some fun with the car.

But still, very personal decision...