ccibo72

Had a 981 GT4 for two years and moved to a 991.2 GT3 two years ago. Agree with the OP. While the car is fun to drive, it lacks the "emotion" that the 3 brings with it in any situation, track to street driving. Great entry to the Porsche GT sport cars for those coming from say, a M3/4/5.

Archimedes

OP, you're surprised that a car costing 50% more offers a better driving experience?

ipse dixit

While I generally agree with this, I think one has to define "driving experience."

I will, admittedly, say a Miata in many ways offers a better "driving experience" than a 991 GT3.

But going back to the OP, the problem with the GT4 is that the GT3 exists. If you've driven a GT3, and then hop into a GT4, your brain invariably says to itself, "gosh this could be so much better, wait, it in fact should be better ... it's called a GT3."

itsagoose

Good point, but a lot of journalists have said the GT4 is their favorite Porsche. I figured a car for 50k less would be maybe 20% less fun. It was closer to half a GT3 IMO. Perhaps those journalists are just trying to get attention with their reviews...

Archimedes

I don't disagree, which is why I own a 718 GT4. I've driven GT3's and I prefer the GT4 as a street car for a number of reasons, the least of which is the cost difference. I'd love to have a .1 RS as a third car if I had space, but I wouldn't give up the GT4 for the RS. It's all about personal preference.

Archimedes

I think the reason is that journalists (and a lot of owners) aren't so concerned about the power difference, and feel that 414 hp is enough for a sports car. Also, most journos don't have the same opinions regarding sound that the average Rennlister enthusiast. If you set those two things aside, the GT4 compares very favorably in terms of the driving experience, i.e., the feeling it gives you behind the wheel. For me, the GT4 just feels smaller, lighter and more quick footed. Again, it may be none of those, but that's the feel it gives the driver IMO. It's all what you want. I have a 650hp M5 as well, so I get the lure of power, but I've always felt that 400hp was the point of diminishing returns in a street car.

But my point is just that it's a different car than the GT3 and shouldn't be viewed through the same lens.

Bill Lehman

I agree that a GT3 is a little faster then a GT4 but not by much.

mithiral67

Owned a pdk cgts for 5 years, test drove a couple 981 Gt4, and have a 991.2 gt3 now for 6 months. The gt4 felt 10% more than my gts. Could never justify its price per experience bump already being and owner. The longer gear is definitely a thing and I love rowing as much as possible. If would be great to add to your chart a 3rd column for speed, gt3 shifting at 8k rpms.

The gts was very competent and very well balanced on the street and track, I could push its limits, it was amazing at tell me its limits, and it was so controlled when you went over. The gt4 felt like it had that plut 10-20% extra but nothing crazy. On the street (still havent done a track day as just broke 2k mile) running my same spirited driving routes, the gt3 is a whole other level. At the pace that would push my cgts limits the gt3 feels held back and I am still learning to trust the car. I didnt think there could be just a gulf between them.

xstnte

Journalists should rarely be taken seriously. They are automotive fanboys who fell into a cool job. Pre-covid they're flown around in business/first class for free and drive cars for free.

Aside from the fact that they can't afford most of the cars they drive, they don't have very good perspective on what those of us buying the cars want. Their reviews, videos and opinions are written for aspirational enthusiasts instead of real-world buyers. Yeah, a lot of them can drive ok, but so can most of you.

Archimedes

But this was the crux of the issue for me. Which is more fun, driving the slower car near its limits or driving the faster car at a pace that's well below its limits? That's really the question I think one needs to ask themselves if you're talking about a street car. Track is obviously another story.

Again, the answer to that question is all about personal preference and how you personally define a 'great driving experience'. I don't think there's a wrong answer.

Archimedes

I dunno, I don't think guys like Andy Pilgrim and Randy Pobst are fanboys, and they both love the new GT4.

xstnte

Ha, you're using ex-racecar drivers as examples of automotive journalists? Exception, not the rule.

Archimedes

They're two of the most watched and respected YouTube reviewers out there and their comments on the GT4 are probably the most discussed by that owner group. So yeah, if you consider reviewing and reporting on automobiles using that thing called YouTube on their private channels and, in Randy's case, also being on the payroll of probably the largest print and Internet automotive journal in the US, Motor Trend, then I guess I do.

xstnte

If more "journalists" were like these two then, yes, they could and should be taken more seriously. Most who don't have the background like Randy and Andy probably shouldn't.

FYI, I'm not arguing pro/con the GT4 vs RS, I have both--they're both awesome for different reasons. This is more a point about a previous comment regarding automotive "journalists". Most of them are entertainment writers, that's all.

itsagoose

Completely agree, people are unique in how they define a great driving experience.
I found the GT3 to be fun on the street AND on the track, just in different ways. I prefer a car with limits beyond what the street can provide because I dont want to be driving at the limit on the streets. I owned an M4 for a while and would often reach its limits (especially regarding rear traction) with spirited driving.