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Hi all, I positively LOVE my 911 and have no plans to get rid of it, but sometimes a voice inside me says "trade it in for a GT4! 2 seater, lighter, and naturally aspirated 4L". I know it has less HP but I bet it's still quite fast, and it looks really fun in the reviews I've watched.
I also know that there is 1 forumer here who wants to trade for a GT4, and another one who already did and doesn't want to "come back".
A GT3 as currently priced (if you can even get one, they have ridiculous mark ups so they are out of my price range) is not an option.
Anybody want to share thoughts about latest gen GT4 versus our current 992?
It really comes down to “What do you use your car for?”
Do you ever put kids, grandkids or dogs in the back seat of the 911?
Do you like to load up the car and go on long road trips?
Will you miss that flexibility that you had in the 911?
If any of the above give you pause, a friendly reminder that it’s going to be especially expensive to get back into a 992.
Other musings
They are very different experiences. The turbocharged C2S will feel considerably more stout than the NA GT4. I said “feel”, because the experience is more dramatic than the numbers would suggest.
The Cayman interior is considerably lower rent than a 911, even with the GT4 trimmings.
GT4 insurance costs surprise some owners — they can be quite high. You might want to investigate that.
The EV Cayman replacement is right around the corner. The GT4RS is, for practical purposes, the swan song. There’s some value in getting one of the last gas powered cars.
Hi all, I positively LOVE my 911 and have no plans to get rid of it, but sometimes a voice inside me says "trade it in for a GT4! 2 seater, lighter, and naturally aspirated 4L". I know it has less HP but I bet it's still quite fast, and it looks really fun in the reviews I've watched.
I also know that there is 1 forumer here who wants to trade for a GT4, and another one who already did and doesn't want to "come back".
A GT3 as currently priced (if you can even get one, they have ridiculous mark ups so they are out of my price range) is not an option.
Anybody want to share thoughts about latest gen GT4 versus our current 992?
I see your dilemma and I also share it. For the past couple of years I have wanted a GT4. However, the availability has always been the issue. If I knew there was a new GT4 out there that I could trade my car in for, I would likely do that today.
They are completely different vehicles. As a fun sports car, the GT4/Spyder wins easily for me. I’ve driven a 992S4 several times, but don’t own one so perhaps it’s not fair for me to say. I have a 992 GTS on order, so we’ll see if my opinion changes when that arrives. However, my Spyder certainly isn’t a car that I’d take on trips, nor would I use it as a year-round DD. The 992 would be much more suited for that. But for a car that I just want to get into and drive with no destination in mind, I think the Spyder will win every time. Regarding the interiors, I much prefer the interior of my Spyder to the interior of the 992. The Spyder/GT4 is “old school” but better in (literally) every way as far as I’m concerned. I love the simplicity. I’m still worried that the interior of the 992 will bother me. I’m sure the rest of the car will be so great that Ill ignore the needless complexity of the interior. I think the biggest “downside” to the GT4 is that it doesn’t carry nearly the same snob appeal as the 911 and many will never consider anything other than a 911 to be a real Porsche, if such things matter to you. Again, ask me in 5 months when I have both, and we’ll see if my opinion changes.
992 has way more grunt and easily feels alot more powerful when driving on the street. The GT4 feels flat out slow in comparison.
Steering/handling on the GT4 is more immediate.Directional changes felt sharper and harder in my recollection. The car rotates more from the center, which makes sense.
Braking in the GT4 was interesting. It seemed to squat down with hard braking. Maybe the mid-engine thing?
I did not care for the GT4 interior. Cheaper quality and the design is more basic and lower tier, IMO.
The sound of the GT4 (gen 1 at least) was absolutely glorious. Just a beautiful sounding car. The 992 doesn't stand a chance here.
My GT4 had LWBs and the overall experience was definitely more full of sensation - the LWB and harder, stiffer suspension setup provides another layer of feedback you don't get with the 992.
NA engine has an immediacy and sharpness in throttle response that no FI engine can compete with. Even my ancient 993 blows any modern FI out of the water when it comes to that.
I've never driven a 992 7 speed, but the GT4 manual is incredible.
The GT4 gets LOTS of attention. People assume it's way more expensive than it is. Lots of presence and it looks exotic.
If you don't track, it would be a shame to never take advantage of the GT4. Driving that car, as good as it is, was frustrating on the street. You can't wind it out easily, it has lower torque down low and it's geared tall which limits shifts. In that kind of setting, the car feels slow. Conversely, the 992 has power on tap that is MUCH easier to access. The 992 interior is better and the it's way more practical as a DD.
Bottom line: weekend toy for open roads or a regular diet of track? The GT4 is going to be the better car - excellent manual transmission, sharp steering, beautiful sounding and immediate feeling NA motor. In real world driving, however, the 992 might be the better choice. Not that you asked, but the 992 TTS takes everything up a notch in the 992 to where I'd choose it over the GT4 in any situation (granted it's twice the money).
Weekend car - GT4. Used more often, specifically as a daily driver - 992. Both are great.
992 is definitely more advanced in regards to the interior, but the GT4 has a simplicity to it that I appreciate. Also with Apple CarPlay, I really don't think you need much else. While the GT4 has a more motorsport sound, it still needs an exhaust. If you option each with or without full leather, they feel similar enough.
992 has way more grunt and easily feels alot more powerful when driving on the street. The GT4 feels flat out slow in comparison.
Steering/handling on the GT4 is more immediate.Directional changes felt sharper and harder in my recollection. The car rotates more from the center, which makes sense.
Braking in the GT4 was interesting. It seemed to squat down with hard braking. Maybe the mid-engine thing?
I did not care for the GT4 interior. Cheaper quality and the design is more basic and lower tier, IMO.
The sound of the GT4 (gen 1 at least) was absolutely glorious. Just a beautiful sounding car. The 992 doesn't stand a chance here.
My GT4 had LWBs and the overall experience was definitely more full of sensation - the LWB and harder, stiffer suspension setup provides another layer of feedback you don't get with the 992.
NA engine has an immediacy and sharpness in throttle response that no FI engine can compete with. Even my ancient 993 blows any modern FI out of the water when it comes to that.
I've never driven a 992 7 speed, but the GT4 manual is incredible.
The GT4 gets LOTS of attention. People assume it's way more expensive than it is. Lots of presence and it looks exotic.
If you don't track, it would be a shame to never take advantage of the GT4. Driving that car, as good as it is, was frustrating on the street. You can't wind it out easily, it has lower torque down low and it's geared tall which limits shifts. In that kind of setting, the car feels slow. Conversely, the 992 has power on tap that is MUCH easier to access. The 992 interior is better and the it's way more practical as a DD.
Bottom line: weekend toy for open roads or a regular diet of track? The GT4 is going to be the better car - excellent manual transmission, sharp steering, beautiful sounding and immediate feeling NA motor. In real world driving, however, the 992 might be the better choice. Not that you asked, but the 992 TTS takes everything up a notch in the 992 to where I'd choose it over the GT4 in any situation (granted it's twice the money).
What rk-d said. I own both. They are sufficiently different driving experiences to keep them both. The 911 is a much better highway cruiser and daily. The turbos give it a lot more shove at street speeds. It’s friendlier on passengers too. The gt4 is a lot more visceral. The steering is a lot sharper and the chassis more nimble. The sound is a lot better.
The headroom for tuning the 911 swayed me into the 911 vs finding a GT4 allocation. Coming from a GT350, I wanted more torque around town...so turbos for me.
I currently own both - GT4 and 992CS.. Well I have the GT4 and wife has 992. Two very different cars and you could easily own both and not feel like you have two of the same thing. After a tune and exhaust my PDK GT4 is almost as quick and sounds better. It has gone to the track and I run it in the canyons several times per week (not gonna do that in the 992) - its way way more fun. You can drive the GT4 like a bit of a hooligan and get away with it because people kinda dont associate it with 911 and the incumbent baggage - people come up and actually talk to you in the GT4 since its very approachable. The 992 is the better overall car, can take it for long weekends and cruises on the highway like nobodies business, is very quiet and comfy. So there is no winner or loser here. The one thing that was most surprising to us was the usefulness and convenience of the Cayman. The hatch and the frunk combine to give us easier access to the spaces that we need... tennis bags in the back, groceries/take out in the front (I have even stuffed 8 2l bags of soil from Armstrongs in the GT4) - its super easy. The 911 is a PITA because you have to slide the front seats forward, the doors are larger/heavy, pull the seat latch (which dont work so well) and then stack things in the back seat area and it all flies around so my wife just piles stuff on the passenger side and its a mess... so not sure that the 911 is the more practical car. Anyway, hope this helps...
The only time I wish I had a GT4 is when I’m on a track. I’m on a track .0001% of the time I’m in a Porsche. I really enjoyed my time in a GT4 and in a Spyder, but I’m not regretting my decision to get a 992 Carrera S manual coupe instead. Its a much better all-around car for my needs.
Last edited by ryandarr1979; 01-08-2022 at 11:18 PM.
Not a Cayman guy, just can't see it. I've driven them at Barber and lap times are close but it doesn't feel the same.
Well... ahem... I drive both all the time, the Cayman is way way more fun (its not even close) and feels like what the older 911s felt like and thats a good thing. The 992s (in non GT form) are now just a grand tourer - too big, too comfy, to "organized". The 992 is a very nearly 'perfect car' but that comes with compromises. The Cayman brings back the pure enjoyment of driving for drivings sake. I suggest owning both!
Well... ahem... I drive both all the time, the Cayman is way way more fun (its not even close) and feels like what the older 911s felt like and thats a good thing. The 992s (in non GT form) are now just a grand tourer - too big, too comfy, to "organized". The 992 is a very nearly 'perfect car' but that comes with compromises. The Cayman brings back the pure enjoyment of driving for drivings sake. I suggest owning both!
The Cayman feels nothing like an older Porsche. Steering is *way* better in the old cars and the hard rear engine bias has a very different pendulum sensation compared to the Cayman.
The Cayman feels nothing like an older Porsche. Steering is *way* better in the old cars and the hard rear engine bias has a very different pendulum sensation compared to the Cayman.
Hardly... you obviously havent driven many of the older models... The 718 GT4 is throwback or modern Porsche classic - the mid engine mounting is just one aspect.
01-08-2022, 10:47 AM
992 C2S vs. GT4?
