Menu toggle

GT4 buying advice

"European trips" - my only 2p worth would be that much is written about the GT4 'long' gearing. Personally never been an issue although I could imagine that those tracking more would prefer closer ratios on occasion (ie 2nd/3rd/4th). However the car is generally (very) low geared compared with most cars you will buy - having come from a PDK Cayman S, the GT4 is altogether less suited to long distance cruising (probably because of it's GT DNA) with 90mph being 3,500+ revs as opposed to circa 2,100 RPM in the S. So be aware.

Sports buckets (as opposed to the full 918 version) have no adjustment other than forward or backwards - I'm 6ft 1" and have no issues - very comfortable and happily did Stuttgart back to UK only stopping for fuel - although one of the posts above is right, for many 50+ they are not easy to get in and out of - have had to resort to pulling passengers out! LOL

Leather dash is a much better finish. Parking sensors more useful than essential. PCCB not essential - steel brakes are terrific for the use you predict. Clever PDLS lights not a gimmick - work well. Cruise - again useful but not essential.

Creaking car trims/oil&water filler cap covers send you mad (S did it too) until it's warmed up

Magnet to every twat who thinks you are up for a race

Really great car with a real sense of occasion, and most of those with later, lardy 911s have no idea how brilliantly light and nimble the GT4 is - buy and enjoy

 
geoff lane said:
Francis asked for general opinions having stated a few questions he was particularly interested in understanding.

I am sure he will sift through the thread and take on board the views of GT4 owners and make up his own mind based on the criteria he has set himself.

This was clearly a knowledge gathering exercise and hopefully we have all contributed in a positive fashion.

I am sure we have not put him off buying what is probably the best sports car of its type available today.
Click to expand...

Geoff, I could not agree more and I am sure Francis will do as you say and use the information/experiences we have provided to make up his own mind. What I find annoying is when someone tries to pull other people's posts apart because they don't match their own opinions, which is of no help at all in regard to the original question.

P.s. Already booked next year's trip to Spa to enjoy this wonderful car. [:)]

 
I think people get to invested in their own cars to give good base advice sadly, that's normal on forums as people stick up for what they own I guess.

If people can rule out costs and not worry about a £15k loss then why even ask on a forum what are the options to have, just buy what you like be it a lemon spec or not. As we see here every one has a must have spec list !!

I personally hate the 918 style buckets, so I did not spec my GT3 fully for resale as I hate those damm seats lol ! Has to be the GT2 Folding for me every time.

I have never asked on a forum "what car shall I buy" or "what spec should I get" and I def don't care what other people drive.

if people do ask I can give none bias advice as I don't really give a shit about cars in that respect, I point out what is good and what is bad if I own them or not, always have always will, they are just lumps of metal at the end of the day.

what I care about is how they drive of course, but if I lost £15k on each my 73 owned cars I would be a very poor man.

buying wise means you enjoy the car just as much as the next man, but it then allows you to make £10k more than the next man also which helps fund the next buy and lets face it most of us into cars are always looking at the next buy !

I took a gamble on my GT3 having folding buckets as an example over resale, but I just don't fit right in them so pointless to own a car with them. that choice will cost me for sure, but those are the seats I wanted.

but what I can say to people on ave is what spec sells a car to max value. I would hate to see people stuck with a lemon spec car they loose £20k on well even £40k on if they had to PCP it. But if that's the spec they want and happy for it to cost £40k then that's also fine. just don't moan on forums why said car is not selling in 2 years at the same prices of cars £10k more. because I see that a lot !

 
David, try reading the original post from Francis and then you will see why people get annoyed with you banging on about the re-sale aspect of his potential purchase. He states what he wants to use it for and asks for peoples knowledge and experience of their cars to help him with this because there is little or no opportunity for him to try cars (with different options) for himself. Everyone has replied about their experiences and the spec of their cars with this in mind.

Of course, no one wants to lose a shed load of money on the car they buy but many of us don't worry about that at the point of purchase because we're buying them to own for 3, 4 or even more years. It's not possible to predict what might happen over that period (especially in these uncertain times) so there's no point in worrying about it. That's why most people won't have owned 20 cars yet let alone 73 cars (we just don't turn them over as much as you do). Furthermore, your 'right spec' re-sale arguments centre around private selling to avoid big losses and the car not hanging around for X months when trying to sell. It may come as a surprise to you that most people will not consider buying or selling a £70K Porsche privately because it's stressful (to trust someone you don't know) and not practical (you cannot make an instant transfer of £70K with most personnel bank accounts). Therefore, most of us accept that as we drive our used GT4 out of the OPC showroom that we have already lost 10% of its value because that was how much it had been marked up by. Many of us are also of a certain age that remember normal depreciation associated with car buying and appreciate that a loss of say 20% of our capital over 3 years would actually be a very good result, especially when we had a fantastic car to enjoy in that time!

 
Steve Brookes said:
David, try reading the original post from Francis and then you will see why people get annoyed with you banging on about the re-sale aspect of his potential purchase. He states what he wants to use it for and asks for peoples knowledge and experience of their cars to help him with this because there is little or no opportunity for him to try cars (with different options) for himself. Everyone has replied about their experiences and the spec of their cars with this in mind.

Of course, no one wants to lose a shed load of money on the car they buy but many of us don't worry about that at the point of purchase because we're buying them to own for 3, 4 or even more years. It's not possible to predict what might happen over that period (especially in these uncertain times) so there's no point in worrying about it. That's why most people won't have owned 20 cars yet let alone 73 cars (we just don't turn them over as much as you do). Furthermore, your 'right spec' re-sale arguments centre around private selling to avoid big losses and the car not hanging around for X months when trying to sell. It may come as a surprise to you that most people will not consider buying or selling a £70K Porsche privately because it's stressful (to trust someone you don't know) and not practical (you cannot make an instant transfer of £70K with most personnel bank accounts). Therefore, most of us accept that as we drive our used GT4 out of the OPC showroom that we have already lost 10% of its value because that was how much it had been marked up by. Many of us are also of a certain age that remember normal depreciation associated with car buying and appreciate that a loss of say 20% of our capital over 3 years would actually be a very good result, especially when we had a fantastic car to enjoy in that time!
Click to expand...
Double Amen to that Steve.

Ray

 
I agree Steve ... for me there's also something else about buying a secondhand car.

I enjoy buying from the person ... which is why I am partial to private sales.

I like to now from the current owner what their experience has been and that gets me one step closer to when the car was new.

My feeling with dealers is that most will tell you what you want to hear ... it can be easier to translate what a private owner is telling you ... enthusiast to enthusiast.

:)

 
ChrisW said:
I agree Steve ... for me there's also something else about buying a secondhand car.

I enjoy buying from the person ... which is why I am partial to private sales.

I like to now from the current owner what their experience has been and that gets me one step closer to when the car was new.

My feeling with dealers is that most will tell you what you want to hear ... it can be easier to translate what a private owner is telling you ... enthusiast to enthusiast.

:)
Click to expand...

I don't disagree Chris but if you need finance a lot will take the ease of dealer finance for their future pride and joy together with the 2 years warranty for peace of mind.

 
JBR will do a better finance than an OPC, so you can buy a private car on finance no issue.

All the big players Like JZM, Romans and the like who shift 1000's of sports cars don't offer finance direct, they sub it out to JBR or which ever they have ties with and I will tell you now they are far more open to the hidden fees OPC put in,.

I guess you go the easy way which costs a lot, or do some leg work yourself, no right and wrong if you are happy to pay for "ease" and have the money and life style to do so.

saving 10k private pays for that 2 year warranty the OPC offers you and a few beers or helps cover the depreciation associated with car buying.

I also like to buy private as and where possible, but this "ease" thing seems to happen more and more now. Great for dealers when they make £60k a deal !

£10k on the part ex, £20k on the car, £25k on the finance, and then if you are really lazy £700 on GAP and £700 on a wax.

 
Thanks so much for all your thoughts and experience. Buying a car like this is as much an emotional decision as a rational one and everyone’s choice is very personal.

I have purchased a car which I pick up from the dealer on Friday and have already booked four track days with the Club, Anglesey being the first which gives me a good drive from my home in Sussex to get to know the car.

The car has most of the options I would like with most boxes ticked save the Clubsport package, PCCB

and cruise control.

I look forward to meeting you all and sharing our passion for this car at trackdays and events across the coming year.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top