Opinions about 718 GT4 / Spyder (from GT3 / RS owners)
04-22-2020, 10:37 AM
#16
Quite easily - the GT4 has track pretensions and yet the 718 GT4 is a very trivial upgrade from the 2015 981 GT4 - peak torque is the same, so the peak HP number is actually a smallish upgrade to what is in effect a "headline" number. I suspect it will only be marginally quicker round a track than the outgoing model and after 5 years that is a disappointment to many. I'm not knocking it - just pointing out the obvious. It didn't move the game on and the track rats will probably be better off getting a 981 adding the rear suspension fix and upgrading the engine for both torque and HP - this is all doable now 
In contrast the Spyder has no track pretensions and has been given the front end from the GT dept. (which it lacked before - so it is a full GT car minus the engine) plus a 45 PS increase in HP (the 981 Spyder had fewer ponies than the 981 GT4) - so its game has moved on quite a bit from where it was in 981 guise. Plus it is a lovely design, in many respects unique and you can take the lid off. Thus you have a completely fit for purpose NA, short throw six speed manual, light-weight road going corner carver that is a standout looker too. A true sports car in every respect.
Go and drive one..........you'll get it. Those that are saying it doesn't have a GT engine and therefore its non-starter are missing the point of this car - the 4l engine is nice and responsive, revs out to 7800, its right sized for this car and 420Nm/425 HP is plenty of mumbo for a road car whose focus is handling - the real world agility and balance is excellent and its paired with an engine you have to work to get the rewards. However, and in the case of the GT4, 420Nm and 425 HP is not enough for a track car (given the weight of current Porsche sports cars) - you'll simply be making up the numbers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHb3-aNuZzQ
This review is good for context.
In contrast the Spyder has no track pretensions and has been given the front end from the GT dept. (which it lacked before - so it is a full GT car minus the engine) plus a 45 PS increase in HP (the 981 Spyder had fewer ponies than the 981 GT4) - so its game has moved on quite a bit from where it was in 981 guise. Plus it is a lovely design, in many respects unique and you can take the lid off. Thus you have a completely fit for purpose NA, short throw six speed manual, light-weight road going corner carver that is a standout looker too. A true sports car in every respect.
Go and drive one..........you'll get it. Those that are saying it doesn't have a GT engine and therefore its non-starter are missing the point of this car - the 4l engine is nice and responsive, revs out to 7800, its right sized for this car and 420Nm/425 HP is plenty of mumbo for a road car whose focus is handling - the real world agility and balance is excellent and its paired with an engine you have to work to get the rewards. However, and in the case of the GT4, 420Nm and 425 HP is not enough for a track car (given the weight of current Porsche sports cars) - you'll simply be making up the numbers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHb3-aNuZzQ
This review is good for context.
04-22-2020, 11:02 AM
#17
Rennlist Member
So up front disclosure. I don't currently own a GT3 but have had seat time 991.2 manual cars and 997.2 RS cars (family members). I also owned a well specced 981 CS. I now own a Carrera T.
With the above said, when I was last in the market for a car I spent a few hours test driving a CPO 981 GT4. I found it to be underwhelming for street duty. It was a bit faster than my 981 but nothing even close to any GT3 variant I have driven. It lacked excitement. The gearing was just as long and boring as my 981 CS. GT3's are a whole different animal. The new GT4 I hear is less visceral than the original and has the same gearing. Based on that I am already out.
The spyder, as a pure street cruiser, is very interesting but I think I would much rather have a 718 GTS 4.0. My main reason is the roof. The spyder is cool but if I am going to drive a vert on the street all summer I want to be able to pull over on the side of the road and put the top up without killing myself.
With the above said, when I was last in the market for a car I spent a few hours test driving a CPO 981 GT4. I found it to be underwhelming for street duty. It was a bit faster than my 981 but nothing even close to any GT3 variant I have driven. It lacked excitement. The gearing was just as long and boring as my 981 CS. GT3's are a whole different animal. The new GT4 I hear is less visceral than the original and has the same gearing. Based on that I am already out.
The spyder, as a pure street cruiser, is very interesting but I think I would much rather have a 718 GTS 4.0. My main reason is the roof. The spyder is cool but if I am going to drive a vert on the street all summer I want to be able to pull over on the side of the road and put the top up without killing myself.
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-eztrader- (04-24-2020)
04-22-2020, 11:06 AM
#18
04-22-2020, 12:58 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Really looking forward to the Spyder now...
As an aside, I really enjoy Catchpole’s reviews- can listen to him all day long. Why is it the european reviewers seem more articulate, insightful AND charismatic?
As an aside, I really enjoy Catchpole’s reviews- can listen to him all day long. Why is it the european reviewers seem more articulate, insightful AND charismatic?
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Fang911 (04-22-2020)
04-22-2020, 03:15 PM
#21
I'm sure the new flat 6 in the Spyder/GT4 will sound pretty good (especially with some aftermarket pipes) but still not as special as the GT3 engine. It's just so special. If they had a proper GT motor in the Cayman/Boxster chassis, I'd seriously consider swapping cars.
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-eztrader- (04-24-2020)