NJ991

Friend of mine picked up a GT4. Went by to check it out and went for a spin. First, the interior is great. The leather and suede, with colored stitching was beautiful. Anyways, the shifter in that car is very mechanical and very precise. The throws are pretty damn short. Also, the acceleration is very similar to my 991.1 S. I know, it’s the same engine, slightly detuned. I think what got me, was the weight distribution and the agility. It was sublime. I absolutely loved driving that car, but the rear kind of kills it for me. The 911 rear is a classic and what made me love the Porsche brand. But man, that GT4 is nice. Has anyone moved from a 911 to GT4? I’m sure they have, just curios how they feel after a while of ownership. I haven’t searched yet, but I’m going to.

koven

The new 718 gt4 looks really great

NJ991

It does. I like the upgraded tails on the 718.

Bob Z.

Check the 718 forum since I doubt anyone here is going to make that swap, maybe add it to the stable but not as a replacement.

NJ991

You’re right Bob. I added it to the Cayman section. Thinking about it too, I couldn’t replace the 911, adding it would be icing on the cake. Time will tell.

LexVan

The exceptional Cayman/GT4 platform is very inviting and allows an unfamiliar driver to become very comfortable, to drive fast, in a short amount of seat time.

Guaji

I wouldn’t mind adding a 718 Cayman GTS ( back ) to my garage. Something about that car that I miss, but no exactly the sound. I love the sound of the 911 flat 6, can’t say that about the flat 4. In hindsight I think part of the problem was the fake sound amplification in the cabin.

raidersfan

My wife owned a GT4 for a bit; we also had a 997.2 manual C2S at the time.

Count us as a couple that would be all over that trade if we didn't need back seats. I can't believe that people are paying $100k used for a Carrera T with buckets (which deletes rear seats) when a GT4 can be had for $15k less; it just isn't the same driver's experience.

As far as a "driver" vs a Carrera (any 997/991/991.2 I have been in; owned them all!), the GT4 is a better car in every way from a driving perspective. It feels more "alive", more "natural", more "visceral", more "raw", more "connected". Throw whatever you want adjective-wise toward the car: it simply is a more pure machine than the 911.

It is a shame that it didn't get the motorsports engine.

I would say that in terms of driving involvement, the Spyder/GT4 are the best I have been in. The 997 platform comes in a smidge above the 991 (talking carrera here: GT3 is a step up over the GT4). I found the sport suspension better on the 991.2 vs the 991.1, but the 997 with Ohlins sounds like is the real ticket from an involvement perspective. Still though, the GT4 just has suspension that isn't available on any carrera from the factory, and it shows.

I agree with you: coming from a 997 or 991, the GT4 will blow you away; it doesn't do anything wrong, except not have rear seats (if you need them) or say 911 on the car (which is important to some, not sure why).

If the GT4 is out of your price range, I hear the Cayman R is pretty epic

NJ991

Lex, that’s exactly how I felt.

NJ991

This is what I thought lol. Thanks for that. A used GT4 is at the perfect price range right now. Car was just fun, no other way to explain it. Like go cart fun. I guess I was shocked more than anything. It made me research the car a bit and see exactly what it offers. I do plan to get rid of my Hellcat soon, and my wife thinks we are getting a 718 Cayman or Boxster, she prefers the later. But, with the release of the 718 GT4 around the corner, I’m hoping the prices of the current model maybe drops a bit more. Then my choice would be easy. But like Bob said, I would have an impossible time replacing my 911, even if it is for a GT4. The 911 means so much to me. Childhood hero of mine.

raidersfan

I wish they offered GT3 suspension on a Carrera. It would be more apples to apples then. The carrera is just more of a cruiser than the GT4 and isn't as involving. No way around it. Still very involving, but they are trying to please a whole swath of people on the 997/991. The GT4 is more focused and how many of us view a sportscar should feel; I don't know why they can't offer a Carrera Sport edition with the upgraded GT3 setup. I would gladly pay an extra $5k for it on the used market, vs the apples to apples (year and mileage) $35k that a typical GT3 brings as a premium.

I didn't grow up dreaming of X car or Y car: I didn't grow up in a car family. If I had a budget of $55k and didn't need rear seats, I would rather own a Cayman R over a nice 997.2 C2S; again, I love the involvement. It is the same reason I owned a BMW 135is and thought it was the best BMW I have driven that was made after 2006 (until I drove a 1M). People thought it was ugly and weird: who cares! It was a total driver's car. I will say that a GT4 gets more compliments than a plane-jane color 911, if you are into getting noticed. Most non-car people have a very vague idea what a 911/Cayman/Boxster/GT car is, but they all know Porsche and the cars mean business. My buddy had a bargain-basement 928 for awhile and got nothing but compliments.

NJ991

I had a 135i as well, with a Cobb tune. Certainly was one of the best BMWs I have owned. The 1M is special and in my eyes, beautiful.

erko1905

I agree Caymans are a bit easier to drive fast - they rotate very easily so if you over/undercook things you can make adjustments mid corner and everything will be ok, I feel like w the 911 I have to think pretty hard and strategize carefully and commit to that strategy through the corner - if it doesn't work, options are a bit limited.

I'd suggest waiting for the 781 GT4s to hit the showrooms, at that point 981 GT4 might become the best bang for buck, driving engagement / track performance wise.

koala

If I didn't need the back seats I would have gladly gone with a GT4.

Bob Z.

I would love to have a new 4.0 Spyder, if there was not a 911 drop top as an alternative. And since I have a bike to ride, which is actually more fun the 911 in some ways, I might like to have one as well; all my wife and I need are the Targa, my bike and her SUV - looking a '19 G-Wagon now (not her choice but I am working on her).