Took delivery of an Arctic Grey 4RS in January and now have 1600 miles of street driving + 2 day DE at Road America. Moved to the 4RS after cycling through an R8 V10+ and 3 991.2 GT’s (pdk and manual). Some thoughts and a question-

1) 4RS is otherworldly at the track. Massively stable, tactile and confidence-inspiring at speed, a clear step up from the .2 GT3’s. The manual Evora GT is just as fun but in a very different way with lower limits but enjoys being pushed and in some ways is more communicative than the 4RS.

2) After owning 4 cars with the GT3 engine- 2 manual, 2 stick, i’ve always had a nagging feeling that something about these cars was not ideal for the street- and why I reach for the Lotus keys 9 mornings out of 10 for my 18 mile commute.

Perhaps this may be due to the relative lack of low end torque and the need to wind the revs to really appreciate the car; the same attributes which allow the 4RS to excel on the track make for a somewhat herky-jerky experience in suburban Chicagoland driving.

Which comes to the question- would a 992 Carrera T / GTS (manual) make for a “better” commuter? I have the opportunity to order a T but there are none locally to sample. I love what the GT3/3RS/4RS represent- engineering, design, heritage but given that i only “track” once or twice a year, am not using it as intended and perhaps something “softer” may be more enjoyable day to day as a partner to the Lotus-

 

The reason Lotus are entertaining at low speeds is because they are giving more steering feedback and connection to the chassis even when going slow. No modern Porsche will do that to the same degree. That said with a T you can wind the engine without going as insane speed. Lower limits might also yield more drama without having to do something dangerous during a commute.

GTS is too capable a car for what you are looking for. You almost want something simple. More GT86 than 911 Turbo if that makes sense.

GT cars are just not for commutes IMO. As you found out.

 

Had a 991.2 T and it is the Droid you are looking for. Fun to drive and held up well to occasional track duty with camber plates. The 992.1 is bloated by comparison.

Peter

 

Emira… if they ever make it stateside

 

You are causing me to want to try an Evora! What you describe resonates with me across the board: modern p-gt’s, nimble things with feel and commuters.

 

992.1 GTS is the goldilock
it can be said for any 991 GTS though

 

Just to throw an another idea into the mix. Did you ever drive a Cayman/Boxster GTS (2018-19) with the 2.5T ? Lots of bottom end torque that I enjoy for street driving. These are great cars at very good prices right now. If you haven’t driven one, it can’t hurt to try. Some people complain about the engine not sounding like a six cylinder car but it sounds good to me. Just a thought…..

 

I’m so lusting after a 2018 Boxster GTS without any GPF’s. It would be a lovely companion to the GT4RS, which btw is the best Porsche of all time.

I had a 991.2 CT and loved it and drove the hell out of it both on track, street and winter roads with studded tires. Loved it. But the problem with the 3.0T motors are the f-ing turbos blowing their oil return seals and needing to replace turbos and catalysts all the time. I suspect the 992’s will follow suit. There’s always a caveat with every Porsche model. Wonder what will be the Achilles heel of the GT4RS..

 

We have a 2018 Boxster GTS. Have a simple off the shelf Cobb tune (400hp and flat 350ftlb), and 295 rears, and that's it. It's a fantastic car. Around town it's as quick as the 4rs, smoother ride. Top down joys. Feels smaller than the 4rs. It's my wife's car, and I don't say that as a demeaning fact, I try to drive it whenever I can, when going around town with her.


​I think the 2.5 engines are severely underrated and underappreciated. This will be blasphemy around most parts so read into as you will...I passed on a 4.0 GTS because the engine was just...ok. The low end torque of the 2.5 or the 3.0 in the 991.2, I prefer over the 'base' 4.0. Noise-wise, I have received a few compliments, from non-Porsche owners. They usually think it has an aftermarket exhaust (nope) and like the rough bark it has. It doesn't scream, it barks and rumbles

Motorsport based 4.0, whole different ballgame!

 

I like your pairing

 

Thanks for the ideas. Yes,i’ve been looking at 991.2 T’s but there are very few available to choose from. Agree that the 2.5 turbo 718 GTS’s are criminally underrated and would be a consideration but after further thought now leaning toward the 911 platform. Second the concerns about the 3.0 TT turbo’s causing trouble down the road as this willl hopefully be a “keeper”. Also considered the 991.1 NA GTS but now getting a bit longer in the tooth. At this point- will likely order a 992 T and live with it and the 4RS for a few months before making a decision-

 

My gateway drug was a 991.1 GTS and then 991.2 T (test drives and borrowing only), before chosing the higher HP 3.0L turbo offerings. At the risk of jinxing myself, I really haven't read or heard much about turbo issues on 991.2. Same with cats. I'm at 23k miles, Cobb tuned, headers, high flow cats, making around 525hp, on a 2017 4S with GTS X51 turbos, manual. Very trouble free. I don't drive it in the winter to avoid salt. At 2 or 3x the cost of a 718 2.5 GTS, it's hard to say it's 3x the experience, but it gets the most comments when driving around, makes for a great highway cruiser, and it's my wife's preferred car when going out. Although she did request the 4rs last weekend!
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Some say these are redundant. But isn't redundancy a good thing sometimes!

 

I'd disagree. I've driven the Emira and Evora GT back to back, and 99% they are the same car dynamically. The Emira interior feels much more premium than the Evora which kind of feels like a kit car inside. If OP wants to add to his stable, an Emira is too similar to an Evora GT. If he didn't have an Evora GT, then absolutely Emira would be a great addition!

 

Haven't driven a T, driven plenty of base 991.2 Carrera's, several S's, GTS's, etc.

What makes those a "better" street car is the torque. Just squirt everywhere. But you won't have the steering feel of the GT cars, which is already lacking compared to the Lotus. The 9x1+ non-GT cars are really numb feeling.

 

Add a yellow and you have a full bag of Skittles.