cvinson

So, I was set on a GT4 as a perfect, but expensive, track car. I'm looking for a 100% track car to replace my daily driver Golf R for HPDE and lapping days (~40 per season).

My HPDE instructor was quite negative about GT4s, saying that they have expensive consumables on the track (even without PCCB), and often needed to be serviced at the dealer (he drives a E36). I couldn't verify this in forums versus a standard 981 Cayman S.

I've also had advice to to get a 3.4L 987 and build a track car out of it. At $40k for a low mileage version, this is a fraction of the cost of a GT4. But I worry that one-off improvements will never match the cohesive performance of the GT4, even with this savings.

So, assuming a GT4 costs around $120k now, is it a better overall as a track car versus what you could build from a 987 or 981 base platform for that budget? 981 Cayman S in my area (Montreal) are selling for 90k, 987 Cayman S are 50k so there is a $30k or $70k margin for track enhancements.

Note that I don't have a tow vehicle so my track car needs to be street legal for now.

thanks for your help!

HelpMeHelpU

I have a GT4 and a 981 CS and both are great cars, on and off the track.

If I were in your shoes, and planning on ~40 track days a year, I would try to find a street-legal Cayman that already has proper safety gear installed (at a minimum roll/harness bar and good belts but don’t stop there if you can avoid it). I deliberately didn’t suggest a 981 or 987. To me, that comes down to your budget and your ability to find the right car.

It really depends upon how much you want to spend, both for the car and maintaining it. The GT4 is somewhat more expensive to maintain with heavy track use. Neither will be cheap at 40 days a year.

Enjoy the search ... and the ride.

Bill Lehman

I tracked a 987.1 for 7 years and just completed my second year in a GT4. Consumables are slightly higher for the GT4 because the brakes and tires are larger. There is no truth for the need for dealer service for either car. In the U.S. you can probably find a lightly optioned GT4 for $100K. There are many 987.1 for sale with some degree of track prep in the $25-35K range. The 987.1 has oiling and rod bolt failure issues but properly modded and driven lasts. A 987.2 does not have the engine issues and I would recommend trying to find one of those for a track car build. The GT4 makes a great street/track car. Add safety and rear toe links, track alignment , and you're ready to go.

Neb

I did a 987.1 built last year as my track/DE car. It is still street legal. it really comes down to your budget. The 987.2 is a better platform to build on if you can find one at the right price. I find the 981 are still too expensive and doesn't offer much more than a 987.2. But either one you choose, you will have to set aside about 10-15k for seats/roll bar/ harness/ wheels/tires/ suspension bits.

lcrain

If you have the means, and are comfortable pushing a 100k car at the track, then get the gt4. Nothing can replace the 3.8 in the gt4, and out of the box it is capable and fast. You would still need to drop probably 5-10k to make it safe and properly setup for 40+ track days a year (seats, harnesses, harness bar, suspension bits for alignment optimization, maybe a second set of wheels, etc.) unless you can find one that already has those items. For me and my wallet, the gt4 is too much money for a pure track toy, but that is a personal decision.

If it is initially a stretch and the notion of balling up a 100k car worries you, then I would look at other options.

I think a well setup 987.2 would give you 90% of the fun for 40% of the cost. Hard to make up for that 3.8 power, but you will learn to maximize corners more effectively in a slower car. There is a very nice 987.2 s in the classifieds that has everything you would want/need for a street legal track focused cayman. I would buy that, enjoy it and if a year down the road you want a GT4, you can buy one for probably 80% of what they cost today.

Here is the car I am referring to:

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...-prepared.html

cvinson

Thanks for all the advice. It has helped me make up my mind to go for the GT4.

Being in Montreal, I don't have access to a lot of cars like what LCRAIN posted, otherwise this would be a harder decision. I'd have to start with a stock Cayman and modify it.

I've put $10k into my Golf R to improve the track ability, but I feel that the performance isn't as cohesive as it would be if it came from the factory as a track car. I don't want to go down that road right now with the Cayman (though it would be a great learning experience in future).

It is scary to potentially trash a $100k+ car on the track. I've reconciled with that possibility, and balanced that with the awesomeness of the GT4. If the worst happens it would definitely suck but it won't put me off going for one.

thanks again.

xcoldricex

there's a car that fits in the middle that would be worth considering!
987.2 3.8 swap with some track prep already...

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...8l-cayman.html

987part

I have a salvage cayman S 2010 with very small damages

Would make a perfect track car/race car

Im in montreal

Contact me at sales@987part.com

Seb

User 52121

Definitely can't fault you for choosing the GT4 - it's a killer car. Tho I'd imagine with some work you could likely make a 987.2 just as fast (headers/exhaust/tune/IPD + GT3 arms, some Tarett bits, good set of coilovers) plus still have a LOT of money left over for trackdays.

rm21

I have a heavily modded Cayman S that would be perfect for your situation. I just decided to sell it to move to a Cup car. I run times comparable to the best times in the GT4 track times database. I have well over 150k into the car. It has the GT4 bodywork so you can’t tell it from a GT4 other than the fact that it has a PDK!

If you buy a GT4, you’ll need to factor in the mods to get it ready for serious track duty. I just had a brake failure so I’m going to be replacing all the uprights and adding caliper studs but the car should be as good as new in a few weeks.

Here is a list of the mods:
Full Stealth Wrap
HRE RC100 wheels/new Michelin Pilot Sport 4s
HRE RC100 wheels/new Hoosier R7
Porsche Sport Exhaust
Cargraphic Race Headers
991S front calipers
IPD plenum/GT3 TB
GT4 front bumper, side scoops, rear valence
GT4 wing/ducktail
GT3 sway bars front and rear,
Tarret drop links, solid bearings
DSC controller
DSC tractive coilovers
OMP race seats and GMG seat base
BBI half cage
Custom Cobb engine and PDK tunes
All OEM parts included as well. The car has 40k miles.

I can share all the invoices if you are interested in purchasing it. The car is yours for 85k.

User 52121

Wow... nice build!

sdm100

I'm a big fan of my 2009 Cayman S. Have about 15K into the car ( purchased for 34K) and it is a great track car. Chipped all safety doen (seats harness) and lightweight body additions. It can keep up with the GT4's for the most part for a lot less

A/S

For reliability and peace of mind, the 2009-2012 987.2 with the 9A1 engine, PDK (the manual transmission is not track reliable), is hard to beat. Strong engine and transmission, no overheating PS pump like 987.1, low price for consumables (rotors, pads).

Find one with a rollbar, 5-6 point harnesses, fire extinguisher, possible some bushings and track alignment parts installed, 3 sets of wheels.

I drove my 987.1S for 5 years, street/track and to its last day it was fun, miss it.

JCviggen

I considered trading my 981 GTS PDK for a GT4 briefly a few months ago but the sheer amount of gearbox failures made me reconsider. The guys in our local club are going through them at a rate of two replacements in a season. Adding to that the 50 or 60 failures documented on this board I figured I'll wait and see if a naturally aspirated 982 GT4 ever materializes.

Meanwhile some slight mods to my GTS have it very close to GT4 performance anyway.

User 52121

Manual transmission failures?

Interesting. Will have to search. Any links to big threads handy?

I'd have expected the PDK to be the problematic one - based on all the PDK track cars I've seen running into overheating or overall general malfunctioning issues.