Test Drove a 718 GT4
04-10-2021, 05:31 PM
#61
Racer
Going from a GT4 to a GT3, the one thing I find that I miss more than I ever thought I would was the rear trunk. The storage space on the Cayman models is just awesome!
04-10-2021, 07:21 PM
#62
Rennlist Member
04-10-2021, 09:28 PM
#63
Rennlist Member
I was more surprised at how much I missed being able to toss stuff in the back seat of my 981 compared to other 2+2 coupes.
The Cayman is really a great car and I still do miss mine.
I think the problem is that it’s hard to not compare the car to a GT3 but they are different animals.
I saw someone rocking a base 981 Boxster with stick and a sports exhaust the other day. It looked clean, simple, and sporty and also well loved with stone chips and door dings. And to be honest, given I no longer drive my Porsche’s every day, a part of me was jealous.
04-10-2021, 10:40 PM
#64
I sold my PDK 991.2 GT3 and have taken delivery of a new PDK 718 GT4; plus with the left over have ordered a Yaris GR. Still running in the GT4 but it is a great fast road car (which is what I bought it for as having a couple of race cars as well). Abundant torque between 4-5000, handles at least as good as the GT3 and has a wonderful closeting cabin. The slightly lower PDK gearing comapared with the manual is a bonus too and the PDK is certainly as good as the GT3 unit and has similar programing.
Last edited by Warwick Morris; 04-11-2021 at 07:31 PM.
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04-10-2021, 10:56 PM
#65
^^^The PDK will make the GT4 a much better car - hope you didn't take a bath on the trade - although the second hand market in oz is nuts.
04-10-2021, 11:12 PM
#66
No bath. Got a good price for the '17 GT3 but sold it on consignment which is how a lot of more high-end cars are sold in Aust. So got a new PDK GT4 PLUS a new Toyota Yaris GR Rallye (an in-demand 4wd rally homolgation car not sold in the US) for the GT3 money which works for me.
Last edited by Warwick Morris; 04-10-2021 at 11:13 PM.
04-11-2021, 02:49 AM
#67
If you're looking for a fun daily driver with a manual transmission, the GT4 is a good possibility, especially if you don't want to spend $180-200k+ on a 991.2 GT3/Touring. I had an E90 M3 for three years and loved it (especially with the Dinan midpipe and tune) and now have had a GT4 for 5 years, along with an M2 Comp for the last couple of years. The GT4 feels much smaller, lighter and more nimble than the E90/2 M3, because it is. It's a much more connected car to the road. And the manual trans in the GT4 is simply amazing. Direct, mechanical, confident. The manual in my M2 Comp feels like a Playskool toy in comparison. A shift kit and clutch pedal change have helped the M2, but the GT4's transmission is still orders of magnitude better. The one thing I miss about my E90 M3 is the engine--that high-revving NA V8 was a thing of wonder, but I wasn't looking forward to paying for any potential issues out of warranty. And the downside of the GT4 being so small and low to the ground is you do feel a bit vulnerable in traffic, especially in dense suburban areas with the crowds of clueless and/or aggressive SUV drivers. A bright color helps to make you feel seen so you don't get run over.
But a 991.2 RS with its power and PDK for the track, and a manual transmission GT4 for the street may be an ideal combo...
But a 991.2 RS with its power and PDK for the track, and a manual transmission GT4 for the street may be an ideal combo...
Last edited by Thinker23; 04-11-2021 at 11:10 AM.
04-11-2021, 02:55 AM
#68
04-11-2021, 05:34 AM
#69
^^^ Jason Plato, good driver - BTCC competitor. Surprised the wobble bucket was that close to the Cayman.
Last edited by groundhog; 04-11-2021 at 05:41 AM.
04-11-2021, 12:04 PM
#70
Disagree. I found the GT4 suspension too firm and non-compliant on the local roads here in Boston. Highway it's great. Or if roads are well kept. I purposely avoided using it to drive to work and much preferred my VW GTI.
04-11-2021, 01:03 PM
#71
Rennlist Member
Yep, I could see why you would find that. Although my GT4, despite being set up for track work, is still more comfortable than my M2 Comp, which is supposed to be my daily driver. The M2 has been a real disappointment in how unsettled and skittish it feels on small road imperfections--it's not confidence-inspiring at all unless the road surface is perfect.
Last edited by paradocs98; 04-11-2021 at 01:04 PM.
04-11-2021, 03:12 PM
#72
Rennlist Member
Yep, I could see why you would find that. Although my GT4, despite being set up for track work, is still more comfortable than my M2 Comp, which is supposed to be my daily driver. The M2 has been a real disappointment in how unsettled and skittish it feels on small road imperfections--it's not confidence-inspiring at all unless the road surface is perfect.
Just goes back the point. BMW held back the M2 for years by not offering the adaptive dampers, true M4 engine, etc, Then when they finally did it as a model end run they built 600 for the US and charged a ton for it.
04-11-2021, 04:07 PM
#73
Rennlist Member
Not to drive this off topic but if you have a chance to drive an M2 CS I would really take the opportunity to do so. It is remarkable what they did on the suspension. The ride quality improvement in comfort mode is very good at this point on mine.
Just goes back the point. BMW held back the M2 for years by not offering the adaptive dampers, true M4 engine, etc, Then when they finally did it as a model end run they built 600 for the US and charged a ton for it.
Just goes back the point. BMW held back the M2 for years by not offering the adaptive dampers, true M4 engine, etc, Then when they finally did it as a model end run they built 600 for the US and charged a ton for it.
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ClassJ (04-11-2021)
04-11-2021, 07:06 PM
#74
Rennlist Member
I was disappointed by the 981 GT4 and thought Porsche would make substantial improvements to the 718 GT4, better track, multilink rear suspension, shorter gears and PDK on release, more responsive engine and the dead cat didn't bounce.
The way the Cayman is currently set up (size geometry suspension) - the sweet spot is still the 981 GTS with LSD and factory lowered suspension - 3.4L sounds great and just a fun, nimble all round car with 335HP - works well. Still have one. I suspect the 718 GTS 4 is the sweet spot of 718 range too. I certainly remember lots of GT4 owners with long faces at quite a few tracks - e.g. getting pantsed by basic track set up Caymans.
I'm skeptical in regard to the GT4 RS - I suspect its going to be little more than a body kit car - who knows, would be nice if they knocked it out the park.
Certainly nowhere near the GT3/RS in performance and the handling difference between the RS and GT4, particularly at pace, is massive.
The way the Cayman is currently set up (size geometry suspension) - the sweet spot is still the 981 GTS with LSD and factory lowered suspension - 3.4L sounds great and just a fun, nimble all round car with 335HP - works well. Still have one. I suspect the 718 GTS 4 is the sweet spot of 718 range too. I certainly remember lots of GT4 owners with long faces at quite a few tracks - e.g. getting pantsed by basic track set up Caymans.
I'm skeptical in regard to the GT4 RS - I suspect its going to be little more than a body kit car - who knows, would be nice if they knocked it out the park.
Certainly nowhere near the GT3/RS in performance and the handling difference between the RS and GT4, particularly at pace, is massive.
It amazes me that even in the Porsche world there are those that 'look down' on the Cayman in all its forms. These are probably the same guys who rock up at WGI in a .2RS with tire warmers and slicks then struggle to do a 2:10 lap
04-11-2021, 07:44 PM
#75
Drifting
I have both a 991.2 3RS and a 718 GT4. I have owned insane number of Porsches, pretty much every model made over the last 10 years. The 3 RS which I picked up new on Euro Delivery in 2018 is by far in my opinion the best Porsche made of Late. It is so good on track, so emotional with the Motor spooling up, just a gem to drive. However, it wouldn’t be my first choice to run errands in. Oddly, the GT4 manual has become that car. It is so fun to drive on road, despite the longer gearing. It is not a hard or rough driver but is just the right amount of raw to have fun and feel special without being uncomfortable. Plus being smaller it’s a blast on the back roads and has just the right amount of power to have fun and not get into trouble, yet put a big smile on your face. For folks wanting a great car with a manual and NA Motor i can highly recommend it
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