Potential 718 GTS owner

[PaulJ]

Hi Carl,

The Jag is a lovely car, but only comes in plus size and with an auto box, so never even entered my mind. I'm also only 67, so nowhere near old enough for a Jag yet!

Options are personal taste obviously, but the only extras I specced on my GTS 4.0 were Miami blue paint and seat belts and a smokers kit for appearance. Compared with some owners' specs that must make it a 'lightweight'. []

 

[GordonT]

Hi Carl,

Ah, Ryan Rotary! I have an R3 as well as the Cayman. Had you been saying you were torn between the GTS and the new Lotus Emira I could have understood and sympathised, however despite being a little older than Paul, a Jag just isn't on my radar yet - although they do look nice!

Hope you make the right decision and enjoy your new toy.

P.S. I would always try and get ceramic brakes if I could - they're fab!

 

[AndrewCS]

" So I think I'm pretty set on a manual, for 'driving' I don't think you can beat being in full control and that sense of occasion "

I would not agree with that, have you driven a PDK ... properly ?

Have fun choosing !

 

[Ryan9729]

Hi Carl,

The Jag is a lovely car, but only comes in plus size and with an auto box, so never even entered my mind. I'm also only 67, so nowhere near old enough for a Jag yet!

Options are personal taste obviously, but the only extras I specced on my GTS 4.0 were Miami blue paint and seat belts and a smokers kit for appearance. Compared with some owners' specs that must make it a 'lightweight'. []

haha Jags still have that stigma, I'm only 40 so maybe old before my time!

 

[Ryan9729]

Hi Carl,

Ah, Ryan Rotary! I have an R3 as well as the Cayman. Had you been saying you were torn between the GTS and the new Lotus Emira I could have understood and sympathised, however despite being a little older than Paul, a Jag just isn't on my radar yet - although they do look nice!

Hope you make the right decision and enjoy your new toy.

P.S. I would always try and get ceramic brakes if I could - they're fab!

The Lotus Emira is a lovely motor, my brother is trying to push me that way but TBH I think I prefer the Porsche.

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Ryan9729]

Afternoon fellow Enthusiasts,

Potential new owner here; I have a short list of either:
Porsche Cayman 4.0 GTS or;
Jaguar F-Type 5.0 SVR

So I get that they are two very different cars, the looks and sound I the Jaguar wins but I prefer the driving characteristics of the Cayman (not driven the NA 4.0 yet). So anyone whom has experience here I would love to get your thoughts and insight.

So I think I'm looking at a car that will be 12-18months old and doing a build configurator online I think I have ticked off all the necessary options but would be great to get feedback of owners to what they wish they had or extras that weren't necessary on their cars, there are so many to choose from!

Build Spec, 718 Cayman GTS 4.0:
Agate Grey Metallic
GTS interior package Carmine Red
6-speed manual transmission
20-inch 718 Sport wheels painted in satin black
Bi-Xenon main headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
Climate Control
ParkAssist (front and rear)
Cruise control
GTS interior package
Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric)
BOSE® Surround Sound System

So I think I'm pretty set on a manual, I have a BMW 240i at the moment which is an Auto, I love it but for 'driving' I don't think you can beat being in full control and that sense of occasion. The car will be used an alternative daily/weekend/occasional track.

I also have a Mazda Rx8 and am the owner of Ryan Rotary Performance, this keeps me busy tinkering with cars so just want to have a car I can get in and enjoy []

TIA

Carl

 

[Ryan9729]

" So I think I'm pretty set on a manual, for 'driving' I don't think you can beat being in full control and that sense of occasion "

I would not agree with that, have you driven a PDK ... properly ?

Have fun choosing !

Maybe.... define properly []

I have limited experience in the PDK, but the system on the BMW I feel I'm on the brakes an awful lot and engine breaking comes less into play, also cannot heal/toe in an auto []

 

[AlistairF]

This may sound a bit sensible, but I discounted a Jag on the basis of very little boot space, although the coupe is better than the soft top. the Jag was just so impractical. You might struggle to get a nearly-new GTS though.

 

[Motorhead]

Two very different cars I reckon Carl. Sound-wise it would have to be the Jag but I’m sure that the CGTS would win the battle in terms of overall performance, ride and handling, practicality and build quality. You need to drive both to make an informed decision.

As said, used CGTS examples are very thin on the ground due to supply problems and the fact that the earliest examples probably are just over a year old, so matching your desired spec will be a significant challenge. Apart from Bose - with which I’d not bother (too much tyre/road-induced noise in the cabin to get the benefit) - your spec very much matches my own choice, although I’d like folding mirrors, auto-dipping mirrors and the smoker’s pack lid on the ugly dust-collecting hole in the centre console.

Let’s hear it for manual gearboxes … I fear that soon they’ll be gone! []

Jeff

 

[AndrewCS]

" So I think I'm pretty set on a manual, for 'driving' I don't think you can beat being in full control and that sense of occasion "

I would not agree with that, have you driven a PDK ... properly ?

Have fun choosing !

Maybe.... define properly []

I have limited experience in the PDK, but the system on the BMW I feel I'm on the brakes an awful lot and engine breaking comes less into play, also cannot heal/toe in an auto []

The PDK has many mode options, which really need exploring in detail to get the best experience and witness the superb control / reward it offers. For road use, heel and toe is not to my taste ... I see it as an added complication. I`m more than happy with the efficient auto-blip facility

If the BMW`s `box is the same as the ZF in a JCW Mini` s (306bhp) then yes, an awful combination []

 

[Mcmikey62]

Hi, no experience of Jag and never on radar. GTS is wonderful to drive, manual is very easy and although it was my first manual for some years I was surprised how quickly I enjoyed the change. I kind of like pausing for maybe half a second as I change gear because it just how good it feels having a split second of calm between two storms! Not possible with a PDK of course. PDK is apparently much quicker but I don't feel lacking pace.

On the spec I have aventurine green, very similar to agate grey but for me just a little more character though when I had a friends Agate Targa next to mine it was hard to spot the difference. Rest of my spec is similar to yours and I did fit the Bose. Ive noticed others saying not worth it and I didn't try one without however when I asked a dealer who bought my M2 off me and a second broker who was interested in the M2 what the must haves were both said needed Bose, treat that as you will. I don't feel the need for front parking sensors but rear is very useful.

I do motorway miles so might have specced active cruise. Only other thing I would have had is the LED lights, I had active lights in the M2 and there was a substantial downgrade in lighting performance with the regular lights. My reasoning was I didn't do much night driving so on past form it would cost about £10 an hour but I do regret that now. I also might have a rear wiper, though Im 6'2" so I cant see much through the rear view mirror anyway.

 

[Ryan9729]

A bit of an update; firstly that you all for your input and advice it was most welcome.

Yesterday I went to test drive two Caymans, one being the 2.5T Cayman S with PDK and the second being the GTS 4.0 NA with a manual transmission.

Cayman S 2.5T to GTS 4.0 NA comparison:

I drove the GTS first and followed the dealer in the 2.5T on a B road 'Porsche approved route' , I must say that I was very surprised on how well the 2.5T went, for me to keep pace I had to be in the right gear otherwise he would pull away! Although, on the occasions I did pre-empt his his right foot I was right on his tail but only marginally gaining albeit I did have a passenger and he was on his own. I think the take away from that for me was they are both very capable and in real world conditions very little in it although perhaps the 2.5T matched with that PDK being a bit more flexible in terms of delivery.

Back to the GTS, I really loved the drive, smooth linear power delivery, and that manual gearbox was just sublime a real a joy and something I have missed in my M240i. Even though perhaps it doesn't have the low down grunt of the 2.5T it still pulled very well from low revs and never felt lack lustered at all. The icing on the cake for me was the 6 pot sound behind your ear, what a great sound! Amazing!

When it was time to jump into the 2.5T I immediately noticed the extra low down shove from the turbo, but when flat out it never felt quicker than the NA even with the PDK, I had a bit of a play with the paddle shift but after a few minutes I just found myself laying back and letting the car do the work for me, I just get lazy in autos! The last thing which was noticeable was the 2.5T could not match the throttle response of the GTS which was instant and confidence inspiring especially when exiting a corner, the 2.5T may just be a little less forgiving with the way it delivers it power.

In the end and for me I preferred the GTS and 4.0 manual over the 2.5T PDK, although I think the PDK in the NA would take it up another notch those shifts are lightning! I did come away with more respect for those 4 pots that I originally had they are fantastic engines that really go! incredible!

I put in an order for a GTS and expect to take delivery some time next year, this is going to be a long 6 months! [] I went a bit more on the specification than I had ordinally planned and ended up with the following:

GTS 4.0 MT in Agate Grey Metallic.

[ul][*]GTS interior package Carmine Red[*]‘PORSCHE’ logo painted in Satin Black[*]20-inch 718 Sport wheels painted in satin black[*]LED main headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus)[*]Light design package[*]Electrically folding exterior mirrors including courtesy lighting[*]Automatically dimming mirrors with integrated rain sensor[*]Cruise control[*]GTS interior package[*]Heated multifunction steering wheel[*]Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric)[*]Two-zone automatic climate control[*]Smoking package[*]Passenger footwell storage net[*]BOSE® Surround Sound System[*]PPF protection package by Topaz. [/ul]Once I get a date for delivery I'll join up and become a fully fledged member, being a bit geeky if anyone knows of any good books explaining Porsche engine development including the 4 Pot 2.5T and new 4.0 NA engine then please point me.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for coming back on that … always good to get an independent appraisal, the F-4 2.5T vs the F-6 4.0 n/a especially. Looks like a comprehensive spec with sensible choices.

Unfortunately I’m not aware of any books being available on the development of either engine, although there are the odd magazine articles online which appear to be cut-and-pasted from Porsche’s press packs.

Jeff

 

[Mcmikey62]

Good review of driving experience and very much what I found in terms of your experience with the 4.0. On Wednesday I drove from North Yorks to Stafford on the motorway then up to Southport, motorway and town driving then up north and across to my home near Thirsk over the A59. The car is so useable in every circumstance, did give me a little fright coming hard out of a wet roundabout in 2nd but quickly came into line. Overtaking is so easy, particularly from 3rd or 2nd, though you do have to watch for painted vans, and when a road like the A59 opens up with low traffic it’s a wonderful thing to drive.

Definitely worth the wait and will be a real pleasure when you get it.

 

[paul_f]

That's pretty much the spec I've ordered except mines a Boxster in Gentian Blue with Silver wheels. I put my order in about the same time too so it will be interesting so see what happens with delivery dates. I drove a PDK and a manual and didn't get on with the PDK when I tried if for a few hours. It's a very clever system but not for me. This will be my first Porsche after many years of Lotus ownership which culminated in a V6 Exige. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Ryan9729]

Paul,

that sounds like a good one and I did like the Gentian Blue, I was trying to rationalise the options but I didn't want to give any of them up, the big choices are the GTS interior which is a must IMO on a GTS car, the PDLS LED lights which to be fair I could opted for the Xenon which would have saved a little, the other controversial big one I had was the Bose stereo.

After those the price for most options is c£200-400 which add up collectively but individually hard to say no too as they do complete the car.

 

[JaseGT4]

Congrats, the waiting is the worst part. Have changed my mind on colour and spec almost daily can't wait for lock in and it is fixed Enjoy the journey.

 

[Mcmikey62]

As I said earlier the Bose seemed expensive but when I asked a couple of high end dealers both said it was a must have for resale values. I would like to listen to the base system in a Cayman just to see if it does make any difference. Bose sounds OK but I wouldn’t say exceptional though I’m not really an audiophile.

Near the end I was tracking ships coming out of Emden hoping to identify it once I was notified it was on the move.

 

[Scrounger]

I have the standard speakers in my base spec Cayman and they sound pretty good. Not sure if it’s because I pulled the Soundakator fuse so there’s little piped in noise but I’m glad I didn’t spec the Bose (although it would have been nice).

if anyone is in the Haydock area and would like to listen to the base system, give me a shout.

As a side note, you shouldn’t spec the car based on what its resale would be if it had Bose or not as the difference on resale would be minimal. The Cayster a noisy cabin as it is!

 

[Mcmikey62]

I think on reflection the resale is likely to be less relevant than my previous BMW cars where there was more competition for a sale so the right spec made the car stand out from the crowd. I think that particularly with these 4.0 Cayman there is always going to be a healthy market due to scarcity (though I would add I have no intention of selling in next few years) so lack of Bose may put someone off but there will always be a buyer for them. That said with my M2 there was a feeling of safety selling to traders rather than a baseball cap wearing youthful chancer so I took their advice on what they would be looking for.