718 Cayman GT4 is here – at long last.!
- Thread starter Motorhead
- Start date
Twinfan said:
Quite rightly too Dave, and I think you said you've still got until early December to finalise your spec. We can all sometimes sound a bit judgmental about other peoples' choices, intentionally or not, but we have to respect that choice.
I have to say that I find the GT4 colour choices a bit limited and disappointing, especially since more colours are available for the non-GT cars and the bodies all go through the same paint shop as far as I'm aware. I always favour blues and reds and thought the 981 GT4 looked very good in Sapphire Blue and Carmine Red, but we'll have to wait and see how the choice pans out later on.
Jeff
Yep, I do wonder if they'll add more colours although on the 981 they reduced them by removing Dark Blue Metallic.
It's more of a selfish reason for keeping schtum about my spec. I don't want other folks to see it, decide they like, and spec something up similarly! I'm hoping it'll be a little different to most but time will tell I guess [
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It's more of a selfish reason for keeping schtum about my spec. I don't want other folks to see it, decide they like, and spec something up similarly! I'm hoping it'll be a little different to most but time will tell I guess [
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Good for you Dave.
The PTS option on the 981 GT4 gave buyers more choice, albeit at a heavy price, and I don't think it was available at launch. Despite the limited body colour options, at least the addition of Aurium wheels has spiced-up the colour mix a bit.!
Jeff
The PTS option on the 981 GT4 gave buyers more choice, albeit at a heavy price, and I don't think it was available at launch. Despite the limited body colour options, at least the addition of Aurium wheels has spiced-up the colour mix a bit.!
Jeff
With the exception of the Clubsport stuff, body colour choice and a few other minor things, that very much mirrors my own 'wishlist' Dave. What more could you need...?
I'm sure that the LED PDLS+ auto features are very nice but probably I'd settle for the basic PDLS which I find more than adequate on my 987.2, and I'm sure that things have moved on significantly in the last 10-years. Similarly, although a rear-facing camera would be very much appreciated mine wouldn't be a daily drive, so regular reversing and parking wouldn't really a primary consideration, but rear parking sensors would come in handy.
I know the Germans love them but I find black interiors all rather depressing (and I hate black!), so I'm quite happy with the brighter aluminium trim finish, although many, like yourself, favour the carbon trim (yet more black!). My CS has a blue leather interior which I think goes well with the Arctic Silver.
Just a personal thing but although I like auto lights and mirror dimming, I'm not totally sold on auto wipers. I don't have the feature on my Cayman but my ancient Mk5 Golf GTi does and I find its operation a bit hit-and-miss on occasions; and you still have to select one of three sensitivity levels as you do on the Cayman's manual system. Hopefully things have moved on in that respect.
Jeff
I'm sure that the LED PDLS+ auto features are very nice but probably I'd settle for the basic PDLS which I find more than adequate on my 987.2, and I'm sure that things have moved on significantly in the last 10-years. Similarly, although a rear-facing camera would be very much appreciated mine wouldn't be a daily drive, so regular reversing and parking wouldn't really a primary consideration, but rear parking sensors would come in handy.
I know the Germans love them but I find black interiors all rather depressing (and I hate black!), so I'm quite happy with the brighter aluminium trim finish, although many, like yourself, favour the carbon trim (yet more black!). My CS has a blue leather interior which I think goes well with the Arctic Silver.
Just a personal thing but although I like auto lights and mirror dimming, I'm not totally sold on auto wipers. I don't have the feature on my Cayman but my ancient Mk5 Golf GTi does and I find its operation a bit hit-and-miss on occasions; and you still have to select one of three sensitivity levels as you do on the Cayman's manual system. Hopefully things have moved on in that respect.
Jeff
Yes, I'd forgotten that the Full Buckets are CFRP - yet more black..! []
I wonder if Porsche will make the Sport Buckets available on the GT4 as they do on the Spyder, which seems rather odd? Presumably there's no reason why not. I seem to recall that they had problems with the supply of Sport Buckets on the 981 GT4 which led to on-off availability.
Jeff
]I wonder if Porsche will make the Sport Buckets available on the GT4 as they do on the Spyder, which seems rather odd? Presumably there's no reason why not. I seem to recall that they had problems with the supply of Sport Buckets on the 981 GT4 which led to on-off availability.
Jeff
I'm sure that there are pluses and minuses with both seats Dave. Very much a case of 'try before you buy' for either seat I would think?
I see that the LWBs have height adjustment whereas the Sport Buckets don't, although the latter's backrest folds - I'm not sure what benefit that has for the mid-engined cars rather than for the 911s where rear access is required.
As you say, the Sport Buckets are an old design and probably predate introduction on the Cayman by some margin. I can't recall them being available when I spec'd my CS but they were available for the CR.
Jeff
I see that the LWBs have height adjustment whereas the Sport Buckets don't, although the latter's backrest folds - I'm not sure what benefit that has for the mid-engined cars rather than for the 911s where rear access is required.
As you say, the Sport Buckets are an old design and probably predate introduction on the Cayman by some margin. I can't recall them being available when I spec'd my CS but they were available for the CR.
Jeff
Having modified my 981 GT4 to make it what I want ... I'm sorry or pleased to say that for new cars I am stepping outside of the Porsche family.
As most know 18 months ago I bought a Toyota Yaris GRMN which is exceeding my expectations ... and I've just changed my four year old Mazda MX5 Sport Nav for a 30th Anniversary which is fantastic.
A perfect counterpoise to my GT4 experience and beautifully trimmed ... with so many extras that P fleece you for, built into the specification. And plenty fast enough for normal roads ...
I am starting to despair of what Porsche are becoming and no longer identify myself with their "here to be fleeced" mentality.
When the World needs to downsize itself, none of the supercar manufacturers is the way to go.
My GT4 has done 22,000 miles ... I see myself using it now for it's purpose rather than as a road car for which I have my mini collection and they each call to be driven Just drive for the day ...
There is in my view no need to spend or consume what Porsche costs ... they have in my opinion, become a fat brand.
As most know 18 months ago I bought a Toyota Yaris GRMN which is exceeding my expectations ... and I've just changed my four year old Mazda MX5 Sport Nav for a 30th Anniversary which is fantastic.
A perfect counterpoise to my GT4 experience and beautifully trimmed ... with so many extras that P fleece you for, built into the specification. And plenty fast enough for normal roads ...
I am starting to despair of what Porsche are becoming and no longer identify myself with their "here to be fleeced" mentality.
When the World needs to downsize itself, none of the supercar manufacturers is the way to go.
My GT4 has done 22,000 miles ... I see myself using it now for it's purpose rather than as a road car for which I have my mini collection and they each call to be driven
Just drive for the day ...There is in my view no need to spend or consume what Porsche costs ... they have in my opinion, become a fat brand.
Sadly Chris, your comments strike a cord with me too. The gap between the so-called premier makes and the rest in terms of performance, ride and handling and equipment has shrunk to a point where you have to question the real benefits of owning such a vehicle, nice though it is to still have the choice of course.
The capabilities of the latest hot-hatches are second to none - as you've found with your Yaris GRMN - and if I was looking for a rag-top the MX5 would be top of my list, despite the undoubted attributes of the 718 Boxster. I'm sure that Toyota's GT86 would be a more than adequate alternative for a 718 Cayman as well.
I think you've honed your GT4 to a stage where you can just enjoy it for purpose ... on the track.
Jeff
The capabilities of the latest hot-hatches are second to none - as you've found with your Yaris GRMN - and if I was looking for a rag-top the MX5 would be top of my list, despite the undoubted attributes of the 718 Boxster. I'm sure that Toyota's GT86 would be a more than adequate alternative for a 718 Cayman as well.
I think you've honed your GT4 to a stage where you can just enjoy it for purpose ... on the track.
Jeff
Thanks, I expected to get flamed for this but I don't know how else to get Porsche to take notice.
Maybe, just maybe they are right and will pick up Ferrari / McLaren / Lamborghini etc customers on their way down the market, ... which is where environmental and financial concerns (in the UK) may take us.
But America and China are busy taking chunks out of each other, greener means choosing carefully and making quality last longer, Japan is coming up and Korea with Hyundai are doing amazing things.
The heritage and inertia of Porsche deserves respect, but I no longer feel that they are really talking my language.
I am just me .. I have so much respect for them ... but if there are more thinking the same thing, maybe this is why I worry for them.
P.S.
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£23,500 on the road .. and plenty fast enough for a road car. And it has almost all the spec that P would invite you to pay for.
P.S.There are four Porches in this garage ..
Maybe, just maybe they are right and will pick up Ferrari / McLaren / Lamborghini etc customers on their way down the market, ... which is where environmental and financial concerns (in the UK) may take us.
But America and China are busy taking chunks out of each other, greener means choosing carefully and making quality last longer, Japan is coming up and Korea with Hyundai are doing amazing things.
The heritage and inertia of Porsche deserves respect, but I no longer feel that they are really talking my language.
I am just me .. I have so much respect for them ... but if there are more thinking the same thing, maybe this is why I worry for them.
P.S.
£23,500 on the road .. and plenty fast enough for a road car. And it has almost all the spec that P would invite you to pay for.
P.S.There are four Porches in this garage ..
That's very orange Chris..! 30th Anniversary Edition of course - top spec and a very good price if you got it for that.
Who knows where the market is heading at the moment, particularly with hybrids and EVs now in the mix? The Koreans definitely have come a long way in the last 10-15 years, much as Japan did back in the day, by investing heavily in R&D and modern production facilities.
Jeff
Who knows where the market is heading at the moment, particularly with hybrids and EVs now in the mix? The Koreans definitely have come a long way in the last 10-15 years, much as Japan did back in the day, by investing heavily in R&D and modern production facilities.
Jeff
Brian_Innes
Member
Chris,
I understand where you are coming from regarding the way Porsche is heading. I'm currently on my final Porsche after 12 years of absolutely amazing ownership experiences. Had I been born 20 years later, my Porsche experience may have taken a different route, but at my time of life and in my current circumstances the 718 4t GTS is ideal for me. Like yourself, I am a modifier at heart and would be attracted to modifying my GTS into a pure track car for fun given the opportunity.
The best route forward for future enjoyment I believe lies in the classics, and that would include the 981 GT4.
To those who are making the leap to the new 982 GT4 (it's not a 718 in my book), I wish you all the best. I can't help feeling the best of the GT cars are now behind us.
Brian
I understand where you are coming from regarding the way Porsche is heading. I'm currently on my final Porsche after 12 years of absolutely amazing ownership experiences. Had I been born 20 years later, my Porsche experience may have taken a different route, but at my time of life and in my current circumstances the 718 4t GTS is ideal for me. Like yourself, I am a modifier at heart and would be attracted to modifying my GTS into a pure track car for fun given the opportunity.
The best route forward for future enjoyment I believe lies in the classics, and that would include the 981 GT4.
To those who are making the leap to the new 982 GT4 (it's not a 718 in my book), I wish you all the best. I can't help feeling the best of the GT cars are now behind us.
Brian
There is no doubt that I feel incredibly lucky to have bridged the 964 to 997GT3 era during which the classic values only went in one direction and learning and driving enabled one to improve a car whilst simply adding value and experience to the equation ... often reimbursed at the point of sale.
Porsche partnered me in this.
I'm very happy now to think of downsizing and economy, and possibly more simple fun ... it will be very interesting to see where Porsche may or may not fit into this ....
What I would like to see Porsche do is add value in the form of tuning and development packs for the older cars, --- by which I mean one and two generations old ... 987 and 981 Cayman to this forum.
This would extend the value of the product cycles at various price levels to maximise customer engagement whilst providing a revenue stream for Porsche and retaining customer loyalty at many levels.
Porsche would probably sell fewer new cars but they would please far more customers --- the price points would be theirs and they could do away with the non-sense of people stepping out of the Porsche warranty were they to fit a non-Porsche battery or a non N-rated tyre option. They could simply charge more to warrant the more performance orientated options and possibly shorten servicing requirements.
This could really underpin the environmental benefits of the coming repair and improve era ... spinning the market in a direction where Porsche are already strong and competitors are less so.
?????????
Porsche partnered me in this.
I'm very happy now to think of downsizing and economy, and possibly more simple fun ... it will be very interesting to see where Porsche may or may not fit into this ....
What I would like to see Porsche do is add value in the form of tuning and development packs for the older cars, --- by which I mean one and two generations old ... 987 and 981 Cayman to this forum.
This would extend the value of the product cycles at various price levels to maximise customer engagement whilst providing a revenue stream for Porsche and retaining customer loyalty at many levels.
Porsche would probably sell fewer new cars but they would please far more customers --- the price points would be theirs and they could do away with the non-sense of people stepping out of the Porsche warranty were they to fit a non-Porsche battery or a non N-rated tyre option. They could simply charge more to warrant the more performance orientated options and possibly shorten servicing requirements.
This could really underpin the environmental benefits of the coming repair and improve era ... spinning the market in a direction where Porsche are already strong and competitors are less so.
?????????
Twinfan said:Blimey, you're starting to sound like a bunch of grumpy old men - cheer up you lot!
We can still drive our petrol cars, for now, so we should enjoy whatever our particular flavour of choice is [
... and the thread is meant to be about '718 Cayman GT4 is here' after all [
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