Chris Harris Review
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From: great white north
I personally think the tall gearing is a non-issue. It's been shown that the "tall" gearing of the 997.1 GT3RS was actually more flexible for a wide variety of tracks, and allowed real use of 2nd gear out of 3rd gear corners, where the .2RS had to use 3rd, and was basically a wash in terms of corner exit speed.
Outside of track pads, and 18" wheels, this car should be ready to go. I'm sure we'll see similar stiffer spring "upgrades" to make it more track oriented, along with factory go-fast bits from the race car.
This compared to a GT3 is so different, the comparison is pointless. Cayman lovers need to accept the fact that it will never be the top dog in the lineup, and 911 owners need to accept that it's a totally different car, which slots into a lower category for both street and upcoming race cars, and not get defensive about the Cayman's performance.
Outside of track pads, and 18" wheels, this car should be ready to go. I'm sure we'll see similar stiffer spring "upgrades" to make it more track oriented, along with factory go-fast bits from the race car.
This compared to a GT3 is so different, the comparison is pointless. Cayman lovers need to accept the fact that it will never be the top dog in the lineup, and 911 owners need to accept that it's a totally different car, which slots into a lower category for both street and upcoming race cars, and not get defensive about the Cayman's performance.
I agree, I would love to see a review with the 997.1 RS as a comparison. I believe it would be a much better review and tighter competitor.
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From: Denver
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I personally think the tall gearing is a non-issue. It's been shown that the "tall" gearing of the 997.1 GT3RS was actually more flexible for a wide variety of tracks, and allowed real use of 2nd gear out of 3rd gear corners, where the .2RS had to use 3rd, and was basically a wash in terms of corner exit speed.
Do not expect 18s to fit.
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I personally think the tall gearing is a non-issue. It's been shown that the "tall" gearing of the 997.1 GT3RS was actually more flexible for a wide variety of tracks, and allowed real use of 2nd gear out of 3rd gear corners, where the .2RS had to use 3rd, and was basically a wash in terms of corner exit speed.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Vancouver, WA
Reading that gears are too long even for the track is troubling. To have a fun little car wth a manual that barely needs to go into third gear on the road seems like a really silly thing. I'm happy CH is the credible journalist we crave, but his review leaves me wondering... Does a 997.2 GT3 just make more sense at exactly the same money?
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Indeed the gearing is a little troubling but as mentioned in his review the sweet spot happens at much lower point than red line, so you would need to shift sooner, and it will take a little adjustment to get used to it, but I am still happy we have the manual. However I think one of the issues for Chris which by the way he is regarded very highly by me, is the fact the car does not drift as much as a GT3. The back is too planted, and feels less lively and it does not really wants to step out as much. I have noticed the same thing when I decieded to increase the tire sizes 2 months ago in my 981 Boxster to 245/35 F & 285/30 rear and with much stickier tire, and I rememeber really hating the new feel for the car for at least couple of weeks, as it took a way from loose playful nature of this car, and just felt a little boring, but then I went and played with tires pressures and negative camber and dialed back sightly this too planted secure feeling, and the car came alive and I now absolutely love it. I honestly think this too planted feel catches you off guard and I personally did not think I would hate it but I did. Despite all of this, the car is an amazing handler. it just take a little time to get used to this new feel and it just needed a little adjustment to get back into the rhythm. Time will tell what others think, and hopefully other reviews can give us more insight into this new machine. Mark
The whole appeal of this GT4 is the low weight mid engine platform and the manual shifter. It SHOULD BE less tail happy than a rear engine car, it SHOULD BE more neutral. You can change suspension settings and rubber for more or less bite and stick. To me, this is THE POINT OF THIS CAR. Of course 911 drivers need to recalibrate.
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However I think one of the issues for Chris which by the way he is regarded very highly by me, is the fact the car does not drift as much as a GT3. The back is too planted, and feels less lively and it does not really wants to step out as much. I have noticed the same thing when I decieded to increase the tire sizes 2 months ago in my 981 Boxster to 245/35 F & 285/30 rear and with much stickier tire, and I rememeber really hating the new feel for the car for at least couple of weeks, as it took a way from loose playful nature of this car, and just felt a little boring, but then I went and played with tires pressures and negative camber and dialed back sightly this too planted secure feeling, and the car came alive and I now absolutely love it. I honestly think this too planted feel catches you off guard and I personally did not think I would hate it but I did. Despite all of this, the car is an amazing handler. it just take a little time to get used to this new feel and it just needed a little adjustment to get back into the rhythm. Time will tell what others think, and hopefully other reviews can give us more insight into this new machine. Mark
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Well said. Whenever I see someone describe a car handling like it's on rails, my first reaction is always that the guy is driving it too slowly 
That being said, mid engines cars behave differently at the limit from a 911. Hoping CH's video gives us some visual evidence for what it's like past grip limits (as they always do).
That being said, mid engines cars behave differently at the limit from a 911. Hoping CH's video gives us some visual evidence for what it's like past grip limits (as they always do).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Vancouver, WA
Mark, you make fair points but this is all hardly any surprise.
The whole appeal of this GT4 is the low weight mid engine platform and the manual shifter. It SHOULD BE less tail happy than a rear engine car, it SHOULD BE more neutral. You can change suspension settings and rubber for more or less bite and stick. To me, this is THE POINT OF THIS CAR. Of course 911 drivers need to recalibrate.
The whole appeal of this GT4 is the low weight mid engine platform and the manual shifter. It SHOULD BE less tail happy than a rear engine car, it SHOULD BE more neutral. You can change suspension settings and rubber for more or less bite and stick. To me, this is THE POINT OF THIS CAR. Of course 911 drivers need to recalibrate.
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I think the tall gearing is likely optimal on the autobahn or 'Ring. On US road or at many US events, however, I see it as a real issue. A 111 mph 3rd gear effectively gives you one fewer shifts to enjoy on the street when you're going for it. Meanwhile an 80 mph 2nd is crippling at the autocross, insuring the car won't be competitive against a GT3 at a venue where it otherwise would be. On fast tracks it might make little difference, but as an overall package it's a serious flaw in my book.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Vancouver, WA
From my experience, no car is "too planted" on its own. It's only too planted for the pace you're driving it. Sure, my 987 Boxster S felt planted the first time I replaced the street tires with Nitto NT-01s but when I was sliding (throttle-driving) it with abandon by the end of the second track day it felt as planted as before, just at a much faster pace -- just like what you experienced. Same thing when I switched from the Boxster to the 6gt3. If a car feels too planted, it's probably asking you to pick up the pace.
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Yes, I saw some of that. It's just crazy to me that some GT3 owners would have felt threatened by the GT4. Just as crazy is that one would need this Chris Harris review to feel relieved. The review read just as I think most people expected it to.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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The gearing talk is kind of funny. On one hand, people want more shifts because it is enjoyable and on the other hand they want faster times. Let's presume changing gears and rev matching takes extra time, and that you don't shift perfectly on every shift (cause rev matching is a sin against enthusiasts) - slower lap times would be a realistic possibility. Unless, the gearing change was such that it placed the car at the right RPM range for all tracks world wide, where any of these shortfalls would be overcome by the power band.
Of course the car will be slower than a 991 GT3, I don't think anyone expected otherwise. Looking at the major differences, you have a 90hp advantage, RWS, PDK-S and about 15ft-lbs. No, it won't have the same ability to burn through the same grippy tires, which is unsurprising because it is down on power. But, if that is your goal, put on some normal street tires on a GT4 and have at it at a much cheaper price.
What is surprising is that a pro driver going for an entertaining lap with a passenger whips up a 2:02.5 on Portimao:
While Chris, a very good driver (maybe semi-pro as he races?) gets a 2:03.02 on his first serious test and later a 2:02.05 with Pirelli Watching.
upload image free
Keeping in mind this is all said and with an extra $40-50k in your pocket, an archaic manual trasmission with crappy gearing and a slow revving 3.8L parts bin engine.
Of course the car will be slower than a 991 GT3, I don't think anyone expected otherwise. Looking at the major differences, you have a 90hp advantage, RWS, PDK-S and about 15ft-lbs. No, it won't have the same ability to burn through the same grippy tires, which is unsurprising because it is down on power. But, if that is your goal, put on some normal street tires on a GT4 and have at it at a much cheaper price.
What is surprising is that a pro driver going for an entertaining lap with a passenger whips up a 2:02.5 on Portimao:
While Chris, a very good driver (maybe semi-pro as he races?) gets a 2:03.02 on his first serious test and later a 2:02.05 with Pirelli Watching.
upload image free
Keeping in mind this is all said and with an extra $40-50k in your pocket, an archaic manual trasmission with crappy gearing and a slow revving 3.8L parts bin engine.