goretexpretzels

After getting my dream Spyder, I felt it was way too fast/easy for driving around town. So I got an air cooled.

What it did was enhance both the Spyder and air cooled - the contrast between driving each of them just makes each car feel that much more special. In this way, I never felt bored with the Spyder the way I did before getting the 911.

But then life brought some surprises, both bad and good, and this summer I'll find myself with 2 718 4.0s (1 PDK 1 manual) and the air cooled... I'm done now, I swear

theEnd

I think the only way to improve on the raw, tactile performance of the Spyder is to get a T33.

Alas, that's already sold out, way over my budget, and it unfortunately has a fixed roof.

Jeff Jones

Buying an air cooled project car has allowed me to fully enjoy my Spyder without feeling like I need to replace it. I love the research…the hunt. Now I pour that energy into trying to find impossible to source parts and restoring the Turbo. It makes me appreciate how nice and modern the Spyder is even more 😄

sin911

There are basically no cars that would be in the same price range with NA engine and Manual Transmission being built out of factories these days that would be considered an upgrade over the 718 GTS 4.0. You either need to let go of NA or MT unfortunately. Which is quite shocking but these are the times we're living in. If you want to go with something older perhaps a 997.2 GTS would be different yet fun. The suspension technology will feel old compared to a 718. It will feel more organic and analogue due to hydraulic steering. Or maybe you can go with an older R8 V10 with MT but not sure if it will feel as 'nimble'. The engine roars wonderfully for sure. The only upgrade to a GTS 4.0 (except a GT4) would be a 991.2 or 992 GT3 in terms of handling, engine, transmission and everything, for which you will have to shell out quite more money.

The chase is always fun, but we also have to be realistic. Times are changing and so are the manufacturers. Most brands have ditched MT a while ago.

sanderabernathy

I went down this rabbit hole once and can't recommend it enough. It's not a forever thing but it's definitely a thing.

That's a link by the way even it it doesn't look like one.

Montaver

I have sold my GT4 and am in the same boat. There is nothing really in the $100k range that ticks all the boxes the GT4 does. The e9x M3 is fantastic and has the perfect mix of everything, however I already owned one for two years and 20k miles with a ton of track days so it doesn't excite like something totally new would.. I had a 981 GT4 so I could get a 718, but I spent enough time in the 718 it doesn't really offer enough (although the engine power delivery is markedly better). The way I see it there are only two real options for a one size fits all sports car from here, a 991.2 GT3 manual or an R8 V10 manual. Alternatively get a proper race car, such as a fully built E46 M3 and add something for the street (e9x M3, 996 GT3, S2000, DC2 Integra etc.).

It also highlights the problem with most new interesting cars that they are completely unobtanium. For example I would happily track the snot out of the new Z06 and forgo a manual trans for a year but you cant get them. Similarly it would be fun to own the new Type-R, M3 CS, Emira etc. but you have to absolutely commit due to the over MSRP rubbish. The macro environment played its part in prices getting crazy, but I also think Bring a Trailer has a lot to answer for in terms of market stupidity.

Reedy

There are only 3 cars in the world that I really want to own.

1. A fun and practical hot hatch. I have mine, it's a Mazda3 MPS that I have owned for 13 years and love
2. Cayman GT4
3. If I came to my senses and wanted an economical track day car that is 90% of the fun of a GT4, that would be a GR86.

GainesvilleGT4

Suh-weet!

rohitgarewal

What about a Mclaren Mp4-12C? You can get them for $100k-$125K (2012/2013). If you can stomach the maintenance bill, its clear step up in street presence, power, looks, etc...

Zhao

It was a strong consideration for me, but it's not so much the $$$ for maintenance if it made sense but that you are buying an unreliable car and they are gouging the crap out of you on purpose on items almost guaranteed to fail. Like why is a module to control a common function 10g? clearly they just stole the part from another manufacturer rather then reinvent the wheel since they're operating out of a shed. Makes me wonder if they purposely sabotaged the car just to sell parts for at 10000% markup. That and it's not really a car you'd want to drive to work and get lunch in. Very fast cars though for the price on the used market.

I would say Porsche is the peak of sports cars you can use every day. Beyond that is mostly cars that are not built or engineered very well in a lot of respects

baege

I like newer cars both for reliability reasons and how they feel crisp and tight
if I was to go older, I would go an R8 v10 manual, that v10 is epic
I seriously debated GTS 4.0 vs R8 v10 manual, but in the end the smaller size, greater practicality and newness (warranty, tightness) of the GTS won out