Cayman GT4: Where are we up to now?
- Thread starter Motorhead
- Start date
Ten days in and I am entirely delighted with my GT4. I've been blessed with really good weather and have managed to rack up 600 miles, all of them for the fun of it mainly on very quiet Lincolnshire roads. It has swallowed three tanks of fuel and I have washed it once - it's a bugger to leather off with lots of nooks and crannies.
To me, all of the things that have been a cause for concern to some commentators are irrelevant. The carbon seats are lovely and comfortable as well as very supportive and stylish. I have added a smallish Momo rigid cushion under the velco'd back cushion to support my lumber region to good effect. I have not noticed the clutch at all and, most importantly I would never have given the gearing a second thought were it not for all the comment.
I am trying to run the car-in carefully at, say, six-tenths and the car simply gobbles-up the gears with ample torque, eager response and a lovely sound. Maybe once the thing is fully run-in allowing all the revs to be used it might become an issue for some, particularly on track, but I doubt it will ever bother me. Given the choice, sprintier gears would always appeal but as a fast road/occasional track car the GT4 seems incredibly well judged.
Speed bumps have been easily dealt with so far but exiting a down-hill carpark was uncomfortable to say the least. My best friend has been round France in his and the ferry ramps posed no problem.
'Well planted' is probably how I would describe the handling. Anyone who's concerned that their forthcoming GT4 will be too extreme are likely to be pleasantly surprised - it does 'civilised' pretty well if you just want to drive quite normally. (My wife has driven it twice and only drove my previous car once in 16 years). I concede that there is occasionally a bobbing motion from the rear but I haven't put my finger on what it is yet. I wondered if it was simply the difference between 911 and mid-engined Cayman traction but I think not as we are not talking extreme cornering here - just brisk. Tyre pressures (Michelins, thankfully), check out correctly so I'll just have to get the hang of it. The gear-box, steering and driving position are all lovely.
I'd love to have it run-in for the two PCGB track days at Silverstone and Oulton Park but I doubt this will happen. Poorer weather and dark nights may well work against me. (Does anyone know what dB the GT4 will record btw?).
I hope that this will help calm the nerves of anyone expecting their new GT4 soon.
Ian.
To me, all of the things that have been a cause for concern to some commentators are irrelevant. The carbon seats are lovely and comfortable as well as very supportive and stylish. I have added a smallish Momo rigid cushion under the velco'd back cushion to support my lumber region to good effect. I have not noticed the clutch at all and, most importantly I would never have given the gearing a second thought were it not for all the comment.
I am trying to run the car-in carefully at, say, six-tenths and the car simply gobbles-up the gears with ample torque, eager response and a lovely sound. Maybe once the thing is fully run-in allowing all the revs to be used it might become an issue for some, particularly on track, but I doubt it will ever bother me. Given the choice, sprintier gears would always appeal but as a fast road/occasional track car the GT4 seems incredibly well judged.
Speed bumps have been easily dealt with so far but exiting a down-hill carpark was uncomfortable to say the least. My best friend has been round France in his and the ferry ramps posed no problem.
'Well planted' is probably how I would describe the handling. Anyone who's concerned that their forthcoming GT4 will be too extreme are likely to be pleasantly surprised - it does 'civilised' pretty well if you just want to drive quite normally. (My wife has driven it twice and only drove my previous car once in 16 years). I concede that there is occasionally a bobbing motion from the rear but I haven't put my finger on what it is yet. I wondered if it was simply the difference between 911 and mid-engined Cayman traction but I think not as we are not talking extreme cornering here - just brisk. Tyre pressures (Michelins, thankfully), check out correctly so I'll just have to get the hang of it. The gear-box, steering and driving position are all lovely.
I'd love to have it run-in for the two PCGB track days at Silverstone and Oulton Park but I doubt this will happen. Poorer weather and dark nights may well work against me. (Does anyone know what dB the GT4 will record btw?).
I hope that this will help calm the nerves of anyone expecting their new GT4 soon.
Ian.
It's really good to hear such good positive feedback from owners , keep it coming.
Couple of items I want to sort
Protective film, as anyone had it fitted to their GT4 ?, if so by whom ? and whose film ?
Wheels and Tyres, I do want to purchase another set of rims and tyres, not winter tyres but as previously spoken about, something more forgiving for the very wet. It seems as though the only wheels available are the specific GT4 ones, as anyone found anything else ?, I know I could just change the tyres, but that means taking the car to a fitter, something I don't want to keep doing.
Last thing, interested in the spread of colours people have chosen, mine will be Yellow, and if everything works out, I should have it at the end of October beginning of November, 15/10 is the anticipated build date.
SteveJC
Couple of items I want to sort
Protective film, as anyone had it fitted to their GT4 ?, if so by whom ? and whose film ?
Wheels and Tyres, I do want to purchase another set of rims and tyres, not winter tyres but as previously spoken about, something more forgiving for the very wet. It seems as though the only wheels available are the specific GT4 ones, as anyone found anything else ?, I know I could just change the tyres, but that means taking the car to a fitter, something I don't want to keep doing.
Last thing, interested in the spread of colours people have chosen, mine will be Yellow, and if everything works out, I should have it at the end of October beginning of November, 15/10 is the anticipated build date.
SteveJC
Thanks for posting your initial impressions Ian and good to hear that you're very pleased with the new car and your chosen spec.
If you're more familiar with 911s it may take a little while to adjust to the different balance of the mid-engined car, but I'm sure that you'll find it as rewarding to drive - perhaps even more so on track. From experience with my PASM-equipped 987.2 I can't say that I'm familiar with the bobbing motion from the rear of the car which you describe, so maybe it's a unique GT4 characteristic, although I don't recall the mags or other owners mentioning it.
If you get a chance a pic would be nice. It's much easier to do now with the revised format - just Open Full Version for replying and download a single pic from your own computer.
Be sure to keep us up to date with your experience of the car.
Jeff
If you're more familiar with 911s it may take a little while to adjust to the different balance of the mid-engined car, but I'm sure that you'll find it as rewarding to drive - perhaps even more so on track. From experience with my PASM-equipped 987.2 I can't say that I'm familiar with the bobbing motion from the rear of the car which you describe, so maybe it's a unique GT4 characteristic, although I don't recall the mags or other owners mentioning it.
If you get a chance a pic would be nice. It's much easier to do now with the revised format - just Open Full Version for replying and download a single pic from your own computer.
Be sure to keep us up to date with your experience of the car.
Jeff
Steve,
I seem to recall that Paintshield ( [link=http://www.paintshield.co.uk/]http://www.paintshield.co.uk/[/link] ) have a good reputation for protective films but can't speak from experience; and I suppose that it depends upon your actual location.
Regarding wheels, I guess that you'll need to obtain the GT4's wheel specs - diameters, rim sizes and offsets - and see what's available from after-market suppliers.
Colours? On here yellow seems to be in the lead with yourself, ChrisW, MrD plus one other I know of opting for it. I've a feeling that Ian's is red but I could be wrong. I'm hoping to see a blue one on here too.
Jeff
I seem to recall that Paintshield ( [link=http://www.paintshield.co.uk/]http://www.paintshield.co.uk/[/link] ) have a good reputation for protective films but can't speak from experience; and I suppose that it depends upon your actual location.
Regarding wheels, I guess that you'll need to obtain the GT4's wheel specs - diameters, rim sizes and offsets - and see what's available from after-market suppliers.
Colours? On here yellow seems to be in the lead with yourself, ChrisW, MrD plus one other I know of opting for it. I've a feeling that Ian's is red but I could be wrong. I'm hoping to see a blue one on here too.
Jeff
Jeff,
I've got some nice shots of the car and will post some tonight. I can't quite decide what's going on at the rear and it's certainly not frequent or concerning.
It occurs on longer corners when pushing moderately hard holding a constant line/throttle etc and the sensation is of the back end digging in almost skipping but definitely not losing grip. I'll get my head round it and look forward to pushing harder on track asap. It has to be said that normally when I've been able to push hard into a corner it simply grips and darts round in a way that I've not experienced previously, very impressive and satisfying.
As for tyres Steve, my friend experienced very heavy rain in France and said the Michelins were really impressive if that helps but if you expect to use your car through the winter then I understand your concern - there is not much tread in evidence!
I've got some nice shots of the car and will post some tonight. I can't quite decide what's going on at the rear and it's certainly not frequent or concerning.
It occurs on longer corners when pushing moderately hard holding a constant line/throttle etc and the sensation is of the back end digging in almost skipping but definitely not losing grip. I'll get my head round it and look forward to pushing harder on track asap. It has to be said that normally when I've been able to push hard into a corner it simply grips and darts round in a way that I've not experienced previously, very impressive and satisfying.
As for tyres Steve, my friend experienced very heavy rain in France and said the Michelins were really impressive if that helps but if you expect to use your car through the winter then I understand your concern - there is not much tread in evidence!
Guys
I have had my car just over 2 weeks and very happy.
Ian - not sure what you mean by a bobbing motion at the rear, i haven't noticed anything with mine regarding this. I'm finding the running period very annoying, the engine just wants to rev but i'm doing it by the book sort of and slowly increasing the revs i'm going up to. One thing I have noticed in mine over the past couple of days is by the nearside intake (just past the passenger door) I seem to have a constant fan running which I didn't notice previously. Would you be so kind to see if your's is doing the same?
SteveJC - Paintshield are a good company and used them several times before, i'm just going down the paint film route and will update once I have sorted this with who I have chosen and the cost. I want a full front with sills, some covering to the leading edge of the side intakes and something applied to the rear bumper behind the wheels
Ian
I have had my car just over 2 weeks and very happy.
Ian - not sure what you mean by a bobbing motion at the rear, i haven't noticed anything with mine regarding this. I'm finding the running period very annoying, the engine just wants to rev but i'm doing it by the book sort of and slowly increasing the revs i'm going up to. One thing I have noticed in mine over the past couple of days is by the nearside intake (just past the passenger door) I seem to have a constant fan running which I didn't notice previously. Would you be so kind to see if your's is doing the same?
SteveJC - Paintshield are a good company and used them several times before, i'm just going down the paint film route and will update once I have sorted this with who I have chosen and the cost. I want a full front with sills, some covering to the leading edge of the side intakes and something applied to the rear bumper behind the wheels
Ian
Hayzi said:
I guess full front includes bonnet and you might also think of getting the first 9"-12" behind the windscreen done also. The area behind the rear wheels can become a real mess - instead of having standard Ventureshield film there I bought some thicker 3M film and applied it myself because the impact of stones in terms of frequency and velocity is far greater there.
ian harvey said:
My 981 Cayman 3.8S with 200 cell cats is generally 101db static, with the 3.4L engine it was 97db.
I was blackflagged at Goodwood having exceeded 101db drive by but I think it was because I was changing gear at the noise meter between Madgewick and Fordwater and have since fitted turn-down tips to reduce drive by noise. I doubt you'd easily get on any 98db days.
Ian,
Apologies for apparently giving you short shrift for your original post - you should have mentioned that you're a GT4 newbie. Aside from paint protection issues - and more importantly - what colour and spec have you chosen - comfort or sport (lightweight bucket seats)?
I presume that the fan you're hearing is one of two used to purge the engine compartment if the ignition was switched off at an engine compartment temperature > 45° C. Apparently this can last for up to 25 mins.
Welcome to this part of the forum and we look forward to hearing more GT4 news from you.
Jeff
Apologies for apparently giving you short shrift for your original post - you should have mentioned that you're a GT4 newbie. Aside from paint protection issues - and more importantly - what colour and spec have you chosen - comfort or sport (lightweight bucket seats)?
I presume that the fan you're hearing is one of two used to purge the engine compartment if the ignition was switched off at an engine compartment temperature > 45° C. Apparently this can last for up to 25 mins.
Welcome to this part of the forum and we look forward to hearing more GT4 news from you.
Jeff
Jeff,
Don't worry about the short shrift and thanks for the forum welcome.
The fan seems to come on after a couple of minutes from cold and then stays on for the duration until the car is turned off, even comes on not long after reversing it out of the garage. Thin k I will keep an eye on this and see if any other owners experience it.
I went for a comfort spec. as I had Isofix fitted so I can put my daughter in sometimes as she loves going for a blast.
Will be on track as soon as it's run in though
Spec:
CWM
Platinum Wheels
Steels
64 Ltre tank
Black Spoiler Uprights
Side Motorsport decals
PCM
Phone Prep
DAB
Sound Package Plus
Climate Control
Dimming Mirrors
18 Way Adaptives
Red Stitching
Red Seat Belts
Dark Brushed Aluminium Trim
Alcantara Sun Visors
Light Design package ( added automatically due to the sun visors)
Alcantara with Porsche Crest Centre Lid
Smokers package
Passenger Net
Aluminium Look Filler Cap
Can't think of anything else but really pleased with the car as this is going to be a keeper
Ian
Don't worry about the short shrift and thanks for the forum welcome.
The fan seems to come on after a couple of minutes from cold and then stays on for the duration until the car is turned off, even comes on not long after reversing it out of the garage. Thin k I will keep an eye on this and see if any other owners experience it.
I went for a comfort spec. as I had Isofix fitted so I can put my daughter in sometimes as she loves going for a blast.
Will be on track as soon as it's run in though
Spec:
CWM
Platinum Wheels
Steels
64 Ltre tank
Black Spoiler Uprights
Side Motorsport decals
PCM
Phone Prep
DAB
Sound Package Plus
Climate Control
Dimming Mirrors
18 Way Adaptives
Red Stitching
Red Seat Belts
Dark Brushed Aluminium Trim
Alcantara Sun Visors
Light Design package ( added automatically due to the sun visors)
Alcantara with Porsche Crest Centre Lid
Smokers package
Passenger Net
Aluminium Look Filler Cap
Can't think of anything else but really pleased with the car as this is going to be a keeper
Ian
Sounds like a really nice spec Ian - the GT4 looks good in Carrera White. Post a pic sometime if you get the chance.
I wonder how many people have opted for the comfort spec seats over the sport (l/w buckets) spec? Probably easier to live with long-term and for mixed road and track driving.
It may be worthwhile getting your PC to check out the fan issue. Maybe the thermostat isn't functioning correctly.
Hope the running-in phase isn't too boring for you...and your daughter.!
Jeff
I wonder how many people have opted for the comfort spec seats over the sport (l/w buckets) spec? Probably easier to live with long-term and for mixed road and track driving.
It may be worthwhile getting your PC to check out the fan issue. Maybe the thermostat isn't functioning correctly.
Hope the running-in phase isn't too boring for you...and your daughter.!
Jeff
Motorhead said:
Jeff,
Without going down the track/road focus rat hole and the wide variabilty of reading due to weather/testing conditions...
Thruxton is lowest at only 90db because of one local resident, mind you I ran a 997 GTS which was 102db static and a GT4 ran there on a Goldtrack day earlier this year because the track is flexible and wants business
Brands Indy 105db day, 102db evening, Brands GP 101db, (Brands drive by is 92db or 88db) Snetterton, Oulton (both 92db drive by) and Cadwell are 105db
SPA is 107db, Silverstone 105db, and Rockingham 105db
Pembrey don't test but have a chat if one is a little loud and Anglesey don't check but I guess are 105db if asked
Bedford seem to cause the most problems with 101db static but 87.5db drive by.
Goodwood is the only circuit where I've had problems but these were gear change point and 3 cars bunched exiting the chicane.
Our club runs noisy days (105db static) so it not really a problem for standard exhausts but I would not risk Bedford or Brands with my current set-up.
Ralph
Ralph,
That's an enormous variation in sound pressure levels considering 3dB represents a doubling/halving of the SPL, and one has to wonder how these levels are arrived at - by the track itself and/or the local authority? Having someone wave a sound level meter (hopefully calibrated) around the back of a car doesn't fill me with confidence and as you say, pass-by measurements are very much dependent upon microphone positioning and environmental conditions.
Hopefully the GT4 will meet most - if not all - circuit criteria.
Jeff
That's an enormous variation in sound pressure levels considering 3dB represents a doubling/halving of the SPL, and one has to wonder how these levels are arrived at - by the track itself and/or the local authority? Having someone wave a sound level meter (hopefully calibrated) around the back of a car doesn't fill me with confidence and as you say, pass-by measurements are very much dependent upon microphone positioning and environmental conditions.
Hopefully the GT4 will meet most - if not all - circuit criteria.
Jeff
spyderwhite
Member
Hayzi said:
Same colour/wheels I have ordered would love to see some pics!
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