Drove a GT4 today- pretty cool
12-21-2015, 09:55 PM
#61
Rennlist Member
With the aim of adding to any confusion or indecision you still have (
), I'll note that the Cayman R has considerably more of the go-kart feeling than the GT4, in my and my wife's opinion. The Cayman R feels smaller, lower, lighter, more agile, more mid-engine, and more lively in the steering wheel. The GT4 has a larger, more luxurious and refined feel, though it also feels (and is) more capable, and the smaller steering wheel is a win for the GT4. If you often have to drive on subpar roads, the Cayman R may beat you up too much, but otherwise the Cayman R is a real contender to the GT4 as a fun driver's road car.
I quickly bonded with the GT4, but my wife - who has done lots of track days and may start instructing next year - hasn't yet bonded to it the way she has with the Cayman R.
), I'll note that the Cayman R has considerably more of the go-kart feeling than the GT4, in my and my wife's opinion. The Cayman R feels smaller, lower, lighter, more agile, more mid-engine, and more lively in the steering wheel. The GT4 has a larger, more luxurious and refined feel, though it also feels (and is) more capable, and the smaller steering wheel is a win for the GT4. If you often have to drive on subpar roads, the Cayman R may beat you up too much, but otherwise the Cayman R is a real contender to the GT4 as a fun driver's road car.I quickly bonded with the GT4, but my wife - who has done lots of track days and may start instructing next year - hasn't yet bonded to it the way she has with the Cayman R.
I'd be tempted to buy a base manual Cayman 987.2 with the X73 sport suspension and do the full BGB motor swap with the 997.2 X51 engine with 408 HP.
That would be a sweet car to drive with more power, more lively steering, and lower gearing (base Cayman has lower gears) than the GT4!
And you'd save enough money compared to a new GT4, to fix anything you needed from your track work.
Last edited by Drifting; 12-22-2015 at 01:31 AM.
12-21-2015, 10:45 PM
#62
Race Director
I hope nobody interpreted my thread to suggest I thought the GT4 was better than the GT3. Neither car is better on the streets. On the track we know the outcome. The GT3 is a beast and has mind blowing speed and acceleration with the roar of thunder coming from the exhaust. The GT4 is that small little rocket, with a Manual, that has this go-cart like feeling and the steering helps with this sensation. I am not some one that has learned to master the nuances of the rear wheel drive (911) and I am sure with practice and lessons one could learn that it is equal in handling compared to the GT4. But when one does not have this experience and you jump in the GT4 you notice right away that this car is a canyon carver and you do not necessarily need to learn how She will behave - for less experienced drivers I think the mid-engine platform is more confidence inspiring. Remember - I am not a track guy nor a Jedi Knight of Porsche driving that is why I prefaced my experience.
12-21-2015, 10:52 PM
#63
Race Director
Thread Starter
^ I am trying to pull the old "Honey, I want to buy this car for you" bit. Lets see if it works. She knows all my angles so will require some serious set up and deception 
12-21-2015, 11:12 PM
#64
Race Director
my storyline was:
"honey, you don't need your car, it just sits there depreciating.. in a few weeks it will be one year older and the value will keep going down as it wastes away in your garage, you uber to work, and I can buy a car for you for emergency needs".
I think what put her over the edge was when i came up with:
"do you know that rubber seals dry out if a car sits idle for too long.. your mercedes may need major repair work with as little as you use it"...
... well, I got my nice garage access now.
in some weird way I'm actually looking forward to seeing her in a nice sports car.. maybe I'm weird but that supersedes my concern about something happening to the spyder. guess that means i love her, not sure.
12-21-2015, 11:35 PM
#65
Nordschleife Master
LOL.. so i'm not the only one? Due to my well-known garage issue, I got the girlfriend to sell her car so i can pull into her flat one in case I ever need to give the neighbor's spot back.
my storyline was:
"honey, you don't need your car, it just sits there depreciating.. in a few weeks it will be one year older and the value will keep going down as it wastes away in your garage, you uber to work, and I can buy a car for you for emergency needs".
I think what put her over the edge was when i came up with:
"do you know that rubber seals dry out if a car sits idle for too long.. your mercedes may need major repair work with as little as you use it"...
... well, I got my nice garage access now. in some weird way I'm actually looking forward to seeing her in a nice sports car.. maybe I'm weird but that supersedes my concern about something happening to the spyder. guess that means i love her, not sure.
my storyline was:
"honey, you don't need your car, it just sits there depreciating.. in a few weeks it will be one year older and the value will keep going down as it wastes away in your garage, you uber to work, and I can buy a car for you for emergency needs".
I think what put her over the edge was when i came up with:
"do you know that rubber seals dry out if a car sits idle for too long.. your mercedes may need major repair work with as little as you use it"...
... well, I got my nice garage access now.
in some weird way I'm actually looking forward to seeing her in a nice sports car.. maybe I'm weird but that supersedes my concern about something happening to the spyder. guess that means i love her, not sure.
12-22-2015, 12:52 AM
#66
Rennlist Member
Guys. If yu want a GT4 try a 993.
Heres a wee outake from one of my regular New Zealand weekend drives. We have 1000km of roads like this if you know where to go.
This is abut as much fun as you can have in a manual. The car is somewhere between RS & Cup spec on the suspension front.
Yu get to see sme nice scenery too. P.S. This 993 is quicker than EVERY car we have had on those roads in the last few years (regulars include my 991 GT3, Cayman R, 2 x 997 TT, 997C4S, RS60 boxster. Just alot of fun.
We usually go ut for 2hours solid driving like this. Never above 100mph on the straights but we live fr the uphill and downhill twisties... From 1.23s gets twisty... If you have a GT3 and thinking to add a GT4 get a nicely breathed on 964/993 with real steering and no drivers aids...
This is a little uphill bit. Sorry quality is rubbish and doesnt seem very quick in video. Better maybe just to see the roads we drive here...
Heres a wee outake from one of my regular New Zealand weekend drives. We have 1000km of roads like this if you know where to go.
This is abut as much fun as you can have in a manual. The car is somewhere between RS & Cup spec on the suspension front.
Yu get to see sme nice scenery too. P.S. This 993 is quicker than EVERY car we have had on those roads in the last few years (regulars include my 991 GT3, Cayman R, 2 x 997 TT, 997C4S, RS60 boxster. Just alot of fun.
We usually go ut for 2hours solid driving like this. Never above 100mph on the straights but we live fr the uphill and downhill twisties... From 1.23s gets twisty... If you have a GT3 and thinking to add a GT4 get a nicely breathed on 964/993 with real steering and no drivers aids...
This is a little uphill bit. Sorry quality is rubbish and doesnt seem very quick in video. Better maybe just to see the roads we drive here...
Last edited by Macca; 12-22-2015 at 02:43 PM.
12-22-2015, 01:22 AM
#68
Rennlist Member
Fantastic driving roads you have down there in NZ!
For a while, I've been considering a trip to NZ during our winter here in the states, and your summer. All the photos I've seen of the scenery in NZ have been spectacular.
It would be fun to catch a brief ride in your 993 sometime.
For a while, I've been considering a trip to NZ during our winter here in the states, and your summer. All the photos I've seen of the scenery in NZ have been spectacular.
It would be fun to catch a brief ride in your 993 sometime.
12-22-2015, 01:26 AM
#69
Race Director
north island right? looks like there are some nice blind/technical turns.. mini-nurburgring. very cool.
one of my favorite roads in south island was from Wanaka down to Queenstown if I remember correctly, and then roads down in Fjordland.. my god that is some beautiful country... only issue I would encounter was all the damn local people kept driving head on towards me in my lane and I had to constantly swerve to avoid them.. suicidal maniacs all of them!
one of my favorite roads in south island was from Wanaka down to Queenstown if I remember correctly, and then roads down in Fjordland.. my god that is some beautiful country... only issue I would encounter was all the damn local people kept driving head on towards me in my lane and I had to constantly swerve to avoid them.. suicidal maniacs all of them!
12-22-2015, 01:46 AM
#70
Rennlist Member
Drove a GT4 a couple of times for over 75 miles. Not pooing on any ones parade. I thought the car was pretty meh. It didn't appeal to me like my 997.2 GT3 or my 991GT3. It handles great, shifter is great, but engine/gearing frankly seemed slower than a Cayman GTS owner i had for a week. There really isn't anything special about the car besides the manual if you own a 997 or 991 GT3. Both of these cars had an engine that gives the car so much character. Now, i understand the price proposition is pretty strong for a 90k GT4 but it really is very lacking in the powertrain which really detracts from the soul of the car IMHO.
As an owner of a 997.1 RS and a 991 GT3, I agree that there is no comparison between either of these cars with EACH other or with the GT4. The 991 GT3 is a rocket..crazy fast and so stable and SO confidence inspiring. On public roads, it is possible to push the car to its enjoyment zone in very short spurts as you enter the "go straight to jail" category pretty quickly- at least where I live.
The GT4 is noticeably less powerful but equally confidence inspiring. In my hands the car feels at least as stable as the GT3, and honestly more fun to drive. It gives credibility to the old expression "more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow." I believe this is a huge part of the visceral appeal of this car. You feel like you can push it…..drive it hard and have fun on public roads.
12-22-2015, 03:39 AM
#71
Race Car
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Location: The way to hell is paved by good intentions “Wenn ich Purist höre...entsichere ich meinen Browning” "Myths are fuel for marketing (and nowadays for flippers too,,,)" time to time is not sufficient to be a saint, you must be also an Hero
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The GT4 or any 981 is more easy for street fun driving
whenever no cops around you can push on the car limit for an easy smiling
regular 981 was only missing the sufficient power to do that and GT4 filled
the gap
718 S also will fill the regular 981 gap...
The 991 GT3 / RS is totally different story compared to 981 GT4
it s the zenith of 911 in performance
she s so seriously refined that pushing the limits
on street to have some fun shoots you to the
hyperspace
not easy to manage it while cops traffic ppl are still on earth
To enjoy the better than GT4 performances you need luckily a not too far track plus
a not too far canyons or in
my case Alps
Only then you ll smile more in a GT3 /RS than in a GT4
whenever no cops around you can push on the car limit for an easy smiling
regular 981 was only missing the sufficient power to do that and GT4 filled
the gap
718 S also will fill the regular 981 gap...
The 991 GT3 / RS is totally different story compared to 981 GT4
it s the zenith of 911 in performance
she s so seriously refined that pushing the limits
on street to have some fun shoots you to the
hyperspace
not easy to manage it while cops traffic ppl are still on earth
To enjoy the better than GT4 performances you need luckily a not too far track plus
a not too far canyons or in
my case Alps
Only then you ll smile more in a GT3 /RS than in a GT4
Last edited by fxz; 12-22-2015 at 04:56 AM.
12-22-2015, 09:18 AM
#72
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mid-Atlantic (on land, not in the middle of the ocean)
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2,436 Posts
Interesting to read the comments on this thread. As far as performance goes, it must have been an unusual GT4 to feel slower than a cayman gts (PDK or no PDK) A car that is lighter, has 50 more Hp and a torquier motor….not to mention Porsche's own performance figures that show significant separation between the two. I have driven a cayman gts, and while I really liked the car, in my hands it felt noticeably slower than my gt4.
(Disclosure: We have a 991 GT3, GT4, Cayman R, 997.1 C2S, and a couple other more practical cars.)
LOL, when hammering the GT3 on the road, I've often thought to myself "holy ****, this thing's going to fly off the road and go into orbit!"
12-22-2015, 10:11 AM
#73
Rennlist Member
Guys. If yu want a GT4 try a GT3.
Heres a wee outake from one of my regular New Zealand weekend drives. We have 1000km of roads like this if you know where to go. This is abut as much fun as you can have in a manual. The car is somewhere between RS & Cup spec on the suspension front.
Yu get to see sme nice scenery too.
P.S. This 993 is quicker than EVERY car we have had on those roads in the last few years (regulars include my 991 GT3, Cayman R, 2 x 997 TT, 997C4S, RS60 boxster.
Just alot of fun. We usually go ut for 2hours solid driving like this. Never above 100mph on the straights but we live fr the uphill and downhill twisties...
From 1.23s gets twisty...
If you have a GT3 and thinking to add a GT4 get a nicely breathed on 964/993 with real steering and no drivers aids...
Northland Run Sept 2015 with Jake in tow 1994 993 - YouTube
This is a little uphill bit.
Sorry quality is rubbish and doesnt seem very quick in video. Bette rmaybe just to see the roads we drive here...
Northland Sept 2015 Out take Porsche 993 - YouTube
Heres a wee outake from one of my regular New Zealand weekend drives. We have 1000km of roads like this if you know where to go. This is abut as much fun as you can have in a manual. The car is somewhere between RS & Cup spec on the suspension front.
Yu get to see sme nice scenery too.
P.S. This 993 is quicker than EVERY car we have had on those roads in the last few years (regulars include my 991 GT3, Cayman R, 2 x 997 TT, 997C4S, RS60 boxster.
Just alot of fun. We usually go ut for 2hours solid driving like this. Never above 100mph on the straights but we live fr the uphill and downhill twisties...
From 1.23s gets twisty...
If you have a GT3 and thinking to add a GT4 get a nicely breathed on 964/993 with real steering and no drivers aids...
Northland Run Sept 2015 with Jake in tow 1994 993 - YouTube
This is a little uphill bit.
Sorry quality is rubbish and doesnt seem very quick in video. Bette rmaybe just to see the roads we drive here...
Northland Sept 2015 Out take Porsche 993 - YouTube
12-22-2015, 11:08 AM
#74
Three Wheelin'
Agreed that, on paper, the GT4 should feel plenty muscular, but somehow it falls a bit short of that. I think it has to do with the shape of the torque/hp curve and how that works with the gearing. The car doesn't feel weak, just weaker than one might expect given the specs and its being a Porsche GT car. It's not a dealbreaker, it's still a great car.
12-22-2015, 12:52 PM
#75
Rennlist Member
With the aim of adding to any confusion or indecision you still have (), I'll note that the Cayman R has considerably more of the go-kart feeling than the GT4, in my and my wife's opinion. The Cayman R feels smaller, lower, lighter, more agile, more mid-engine, and more lively in the steering wheel. The GT4 has a larger, more luxurious and refined feel, though it also feels (and is) more capable, and the smaller steering wheel is a win for the GT4. If you often have to drive on subpar roads, the Cayman R may beat you up too much, but otherwise the Cayman R is a real contender to the GT4 as a fun driver's road car.
I quickly bonded with the GT4, but my wife - who has done lots of track days and may start instructing next year - hasn't yet bonded to it the way she has with the Cayman R.
), I'll note that the Cayman R has considerably more of the go-kart feeling than the GT4, in my and my wife's opinion. The Cayman R feels smaller, lower, lighter, more agile, more mid-engine, and more lively in the steering wheel. The GT4 has a larger, more luxurious and refined feel, though it also feels (and is) more capable, and the smaller steering wheel is a win for the GT4. If you often have to drive on subpar roads, the Cayman R may beat you up too much, but otherwise the Cayman R is a real contender to the GT4 as a fun driver's road car.I quickly bonded with the GT4, but my wife - who has done lots of track days and may start instructing next year - hasn't yet bonded to it the way she has with the Cayman R.