Sold the GT4. Got a worthy replacement!
08-01-2016, 12:28 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Sold the GT4. Got a worthy replacement!
And it’s…another GT4!
That’s right, riding on GT4 #2 as several others have done here, for much the same reason.
Long story short, my first one (SBM) was purchased brand new (at MSRP), however it had been a customer car and spec’ed minimally (hence sans buckets). It was a case of ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ as I had to make it to the dealer in 45 mins upon initial notice to claim it, as-is, where is, or it was a goner.
Since then a search for LWBS ensued, but it quickly became apparent such will be quite painful. Chances of securing these through a totaled car, or a swap with a fellow member (at a ‘reasonable’ premium) would be remote. Tried other creative options (offering healthy rewards for customers with open orders that wanted to sofas to switch to LWBSs and then swap), but that too proved tricky to execute. Having been through a similar experience with my RS 4 (sourcing genuine ROW Factory Recaro buckets from abroad) which lasted 4 years and loads of trepidation - I was determined to not go through such agony again.
As luck would have it, a brand new GR GT4 became available with all the options I wanted (LWBS, SC, full leather, deviated stitching) and none that I didn’t (roof zit, leather fuse box…you get the idea). With a trade-in and seamless transaction, it was a no brainer. Can’t be any happier!
Several observations:
1) The GT 4 market remains healthy. Got full MSRP as trade-in (and beneficial tax effect). Funnily enough, in the spirit of being a good RLer, I looked up several WTB threads and PM’ed a bunch of folks that had posted, offering the car at the same terms. Seems people wanted too good of a deal (well below MSRP)…
2) If one was really serious about getting a GT 4 (and didn’t live under a rock), they would have secured one by now (case in point – I had no allocations prior, yet sourced 2). Yes we’ve seen a lot of WTB threads, but as my experience has showcased, a lot of that interest quickly fades when push comes to shove. Which explains all the available ‘customer’ cars that now dealers happily sell for healthy premiums.
3) LWBS – not going to start another heated discussion, but to me at least they are worth the ‘hype’ and every penny. I love the glove-like snug feel and completes the GT4 experience. Yes, they can be a PITA for ingress/egress, but willing to live with that as pros outweigh the sole con. It literally gave me a further appreciation for the car and the experience was transformative (I don’t want to say the sofas were quite like “throwing a hot dog down a hallway”, but let’s just say with the buckets it's now a case of “toight, toight like a toiger”).
4) Have the Michelins on the GR and Dunlops prior on the SBM. Call me crazy, but I find the former more compliant and comfortable for every-day use. Haven’t tracked either so cant opine how each do when pushed to the limit, but despite the buckets I find the ride actually more ‘supple’ (relatively speaking) with the Michelins. Perhaps something wasn’t quite right on the blue car as on occasion I would top out on road undulations, but not the case now.
Don’t have many pics yet of the new stallion, but here is one of the ‘swap’ circa 1AM at a desolate gas station. Off to a good home she goes! And off to another break-in and test of self-restraint for me!
That’s right, riding on GT4 #2 as several others have done here, for much the same reason.
Long story short, my first one (SBM) was purchased brand new (at MSRP), however it had been a customer car and spec’ed minimally (hence sans buckets). It was a case of ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ as I had to make it to the dealer in 45 mins upon initial notice to claim it, as-is, where is, or it was a goner. Since then a search for LWBS ensued, but it quickly became apparent such will be quite painful. Chances of securing these through a totaled car, or a swap with a fellow member (at a ‘reasonable’ premium) would be remote. Tried other creative options (offering healthy rewards for customers with open orders that wanted to sofas to switch to LWBSs and then swap), but that too proved tricky to execute. Having been through a similar experience with my RS 4 (sourcing genuine ROW Factory Recaro buckets from abroad) which lasted 4 years and loads of trepidation - I was determined to not go through such agony again.
As luck would have it, a brand new GR GT4 became available with all the options I wanted (LWBS, SC, full leather, deviated stitching) and none that I didn’t (roof zit, leather fuse box…you get the idea). With a trade-in and seamless transaction, it was a no brainer. Can’t be any happier!
Several observations:
1) The GT 4 market remains healthy. Got full MSRP as trade-in (and beneficial tax effect). Funnily enough, in the spirit of being a good RLer, I looked up several WTB threads and PM’ed a bunch of folks that had posted, offering the car at the same terms. Seems people wanted too good of a deal (well below MSRP)…
2) If one was really serious about getting a GT 4 (and didn’t live under a rock), they would have secured one by now (case in point – I had no allocations prior, yet sourced 2). Yes we’ve seen a lot of WTB threads, but as my experience has showcased, a lot of that interest quickly fades when push comes to shove. Which explains all the available ‘customer’ cars that now dealers happily sell for healthy premiums.
3) LWBS – not going to start another heated discussion, but to me at least they are worth the ‘hype’ and every penny. I love the glove-like snug feel and completes the GT4 experience. Yes, they can be a PITA for ingress/egress, but willing to live with that as pros outweigh the sole con. It literally gave me a further appreciation for the car and the experience was transformative (I don’t want to say the sofas were quite like “throwing a hot dog down a hallway”, but let’s just say with the buckets it's now a case of “toight, toight like a toiger”).
4) Have the Michelins on the GR and Dunlops prior on the SBM. Call me crazy, but I find the former more compliant and comfortable for every-day use. Haven’t tracked either so cant opine how each do when pushed to the limit, but despite the buckets I find the ride actually more ‘supple’ (relatively speaking) with the Michelins. Perhaps something wasn’t quite right on the blue car as on occasion I would top out on road undulations, but not the case now.
Don’t have many pics yet of the new stallion, but here is one of the ‘swap’ circa 1AM at a desolate gas station. Off to a good home she goes! And off to another break-in and test of self-restraint for me!
08-01-2016, 12:59 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Plus, as much as I liked the SBM, 3 of the other stablemates are blue and was a case of too many shades of blue under one roof
08-01-2016, 01:21 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Nice looking car with a good option list. Enjoy!
08-01-2016, 01:46 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats!
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
Trending Topics
08-01-2016, 03:40 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Appreciate the kind words!
Thx!
Yeah, seems the Canadian market is even fiercer. Perhaps worth exploring getting a US car and importing it, though the FX rate is tough from a CAD standpoint. Perseverance and patience is key - hallmark in both my searches!
Yup. I see how everyone wants a great deal, but one also has to be realistic. At $89K MSRP (then just adding tax) and getting a $3K value in Suntek PPF + tint as part of the deal is beyond reasonable IMO. The dealer easily agreed
Just past break in, 1,2xx. I hadn't even come close to red line!
Thx!
Congrats!
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
Yup. I see how everyone wants a great deal, but one also has to be realistic. At $89K MSRP (then just adding tax) and getting a $3K value in Suntek PPF + tint as part of the deal is beyond reasonable IMO. The dealer easily agreed
Just past break in, 1,2xx. I hadn't even come close to red line!
08-01-2016, 05:17 PM
#11
No they're selling for $150k. Man, I'd be tempted if someone came at me with a wad of $160 for a straight switch to a 991.2 gt3.
Congrats!
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
I was just posting in 993 forum trying to fulfill my dream of getting my first new Porsche.
$100k GT4s in Canada are all listing as CPO at $150k+ with no wiggle room. Too heavy premium for me. Not sure if people are actually paying this though. Maybe I'm not asking them hard enough.
If you have tips, please help a newbie
