Replace GTS with GT4 - what would you do

[Tetris Keyring]

Hi all

I've a dilemma I'm keen to get peoples thoughts and views on.

For a bit of background, I bought a new Cayman 718 GTS 4.0 back in March. It's not a daily, but also not exclusively for 'holiday and highway' driving. As well as some purely enjoyable 'spirited driving' I sometimes use it for longer commutes and any kind of distance stuff that. I do do about 6k a year in it. I've a 10 year old Astra for everything else which is a proper daily.

When I got it I had the chance to get a GT4 (availble build slot) but after research decided against it and went with the GTS becuase:
- Wasn't sure it was right for my first Porsche
- Thought it might be a bit to full on for longer commutes etc
- Ride height and associated usability which seems to be the one thing people talk about (probably the main reason)

It's always been a niggle though and I keep thinking should I have got one!? The GTS was also a stock car so not my 'perfect' configuration.
Regardless though, the GTS is awesome and I really can't fault it.

Anyway, with the insanity that's the current car market, the residual value on my GTS is basically the despot on a new GT4. However, the lead time is about 12 months.
I'm pondering trading in the GTS to get the residual and ordering a GT4. The dilemma though is:
a) I wouldn't have a Porsche for 12 months (stuck with the Astra)
b) Do I really want a GT4 and would I regret it

Obviously no right or wrong answer, just interested in peoples opinions

Thanks all
Kerry

 

[AndrewCS]

Manual or PDK ?

Having only commenced Porsche ownership in 2016 with a manual Cayman R - then a 981 Cayman S PDK in 2017 - then a 981 GT4 in 2020 ... I should have gone for the GT4 at the outset !

 

[Twinfan]

I would say unless there are some spec elements you really need, and/or you are a regular track goer, you'll need to really want a GT4 in your heart to justify the cost to change. If you're thinking of a comfort spec GT4 you'll need some really creative man maths to get that to work!

Only you will know what's best for you, but as an outsider and someone who moved from a 981 GTS to a 718 GT4 (both bought new by me and specced by me) then if you're on the fence about the switch then you're most likely to be happier in a GTS. GT cars aren't generally rationally and logically justified!

One thing you could do is try out a 718 GT4 at the Porsche Experience Centre, that would really help you see the difference compared to your GTS. For about £400 and a nice day out it must be worth a go, surely?

 

[GraphiteGT3]

I would agree with everything said above. I’d also say that if 6k is a typical annual mileage you expect to do, a GT4 will start to feel impractical. While it’s all very subjective, it’s suited to frequent shortish outings in my view. Nice dilemma to have though!

 

[Tetris Keyring]

Thanks for the input all

@AndrewCS, interesting journey you've been on. It would be a PDK. I've a manual at the moment. I tried a PDK version of the GTS at the Porsche Experience Centre. Got a free day included when I bought mine.

@Twinfan, that point point that GT cars aren't generally rationally and logically justified really resonates. Heart says yes, head says no! Really good idea on trying one at the Porsche Experience Centre

@GraphiteGT3, thats one thing that's playing into the head verse heart dilemma. Some days I just can't face driving the Astra to work etc.

In practice how much of an issue day to day do you find the front ground clearance?

 

[Twinfan]

In practice how much of an issue day to day do you find the front ground clearance?

I don't drive my 718 GT4 day to day, but ground clearance is always an issue. Whether it's approaching an incline to a petrol station, or a driveway, or speed humps or a multi story car park etc. Multi storeys are a total no-no basically, and even when you think the car won't scrape it usually does! I'm not bothered as my car gets used as much as possible and I see the front splitter and underside aero as sacrificial parts. You may think differently of course.

My cavalier attitude is somewhat left field in the world of Porsche GT cars and the car itself lives outside and isn't regularly cleaned to within an inch of its life. Blasphemy I know....

 

[Tetris Keyring]

In practice how much of an issue day to day do you find the front ground clearance?

I don't drive my 718 GT4 day to day, but ground clearance is always an issue. Whether it's approaching an incline to a petrol station, or a driveway, or speed humps or a multi story car park etc. Multi storeys are a total no-no basically, and even when you think the car won't scrape it usually does! I'm not bothered as my car gets used as much as possible and I see the front splitter and underside aero as sacrificial parts. You may think differently of course.

My cavalier attitude is somewhat left field in the world of Porsche GT cars and the car itself lives outside and isn't regularly cleaned to within an inch of its life. Blasphemy I know....

Ha ha. Thats pretty much my attitude and thats exactly where my GTS lives and the cleaning regime. I've had someone comment that I shouldn't have a Porsche thats not clean

 

[GraphiteGT3]

I actually find ground clearance ok, including speed bumps, if you can plan your journey reasonably well. This is kind of why the car works for fun driving days and less for daily duties as you cant plan around daily duties so much! Its incline-changes that are the problem...

 

[Wollemi]

In practice how much of an issue day to day do you find the front ground clearance?

I don't drive my 718 GT4 day to day, but ground clearance is always an issue. Whether it's approaching an incline to a petrol station, or a driveway, or speed humps or a multi story car park etc. Multi storeys are a total no-no basically, and even when you think the car won't scrape it usually does! I'm not bothered as my car gets used as much as possible and I see the front splitter and underside aero as sacrificial parts. You may think differently of course.

My cavalier attitude is somewhat left field in the world of Porsche GT cars and the car itself lives outside and isn't regularly cleaned to within an inch of its life. Blasphemy I know....

Ha ha. Thats pretty much my attitude and thats exactly where my GTS lives and the cleaning regime. I've had someone comment that I shouldn't have a Porsche thats not clean

I think you will have to get some experience of driving a GT4 on real bumpy moorland roads etc and find out for yourself whether the suspension improvements that the GT4 has over the GTS4.0 is worth the practical difficulties, and scraped splitters etc. as I understand it of of the chief advantages of the GT4 suspension is the ability to adjust far more than is possible with the GTS4.0. This is of course mostly of interest to those who are tracking their cars; if you are happy with standard suspension settings then there is less to be gained from the different suspension.

Another consideration is tyres, some of the plaudits gained for the GT4 are gained in road tests of cars which have Michelin Cup 2 tyres; clearly these tyres give astonishing dry grip and steering feel. But they are very much less suited to all weather use than the alternative PS4S or P-Zeros. For a fair comparison you would want to try a GTS4.0 and a GT4 on the same tyres. accepting that there would still a difference as the GT4 has bigger rubber.

I had to make a similar choice, although as an open top enthusiast the choice was between Spyder and GTS4.0. The choice was easier for me once you factored in the disadvantage of the manual roof as well. Plus the small matter that no one would sell me a new Spyder.

in any event, if you decide that you have to have the GT4, why trade in the GTS4.0 now? Yes, you may get a bit less in 12 months time but you will have had use of a fabulous Porsche for 12 months and that surely has to be worth a few thousand quid?

As you are in Yorkshire , I do hope I get to see you at some R7 events and have a few drives out. t would be good to have another GTS4.0 for company.

 

[Twinfan]

Good point about the tyres, but you can get N-rated PS4Ss in GT4/Spyder sizes. My car is wearing them at the moment and the original Cup2s are on my second set of (summer) wheels []

 

[Tetris Keyring]

Thanks for the input everyone. Has been great actually discussing it with you and rather helpful, certainly helped me decide on a path forward which is to stick with the GTS for now.

The types point is interesting and something Matt Watson on CarWow commented on with his review.

@Graham to your point, use of a fabulous Porsche for 12 months is absolutely worth a few thousand quid and I really don't want to be with out as it is a fantastic car. If I take away the residual value from selling now, I wouldn't be considering it which is the wrong reasons.

For various reasons I'm in a better position to put down a deposit May/June next year without the need to give up the GTS, so I can park (pun intended) this decision until then.

@Graham, yeah I'm based in Leeds. I keep meaning to come to a meet but never got around to it. Be good to meet a fellow GTS 4.0 owner.

 

[Iainho70]

Just been browsing through this thread.

Is the front clearance between the GTS 4.0 and the GT4 that much of a difference?

TIA.

 

[Twinfan]

Yep. The GT4 is either 10mm or 20mm lower, depending on which suspension option the GTS has, and the splitter is much longer on the GT4.

The GT4 has extra underbody aero too which can catch on speed humps, plus the bigger rear diffuser.

 

[Iainho70]

Thanks, Twinfan.

Knew it was 10mm lower based on the 'normal' 20mm drop on the GTS but forgot about the underbody aero kit and the longer splitter.

 

[Twinfan]

No worries, it does make quite a difference!

 

[Tetris Keyring]

It’s the main thing stopping me getting one. I don’t think I’m committed enough and too much of a ‘tourist‘ in the world of Porsche ownership to own a GT car. Personally I think I’ll find the impracticalities outweigh the benefits, especially as I do very little track work. I still like the idea of using one at the Porsche Experience Centre so I can have the fun and then give it back

Iainho70, GTS 4.0 is excellent. You’ll love it

 

[Seabox]

Hi I’ve just read through this post with interest as I’m in a similar position. I bought a year old, 2000 mile GTS 4.0 cayman manual in November 21 but have just found out that I have an allocation for a GT4 that will arrive in June this year. Currently agonising over the spec and colour.

I have decided to change to the GT4 for the following reasons:

I have never had a brand new Porsche where I get to choose the spec and will certainly never get the opportunity to do it again on a normally aspirated GT car.

whilst the GTS is all the Porsche I could possibly need, and it is awesome, there is always the knowledge that it’s not the ultimate version. the GT4 has compromises but in my mind they are worth it.

finally, if you get the opportunity to buy a new GT4 and therefore pay list price then the residuals are likely to be stronger for the GT4, however I find I’m at a stage in life where I’m less bothered about market forces and just want to enjoy realising a dream.

 

[AndrewCS]

The GT4 has compromises but in my mind they are worth it. I find I’m at a stage in life where I’m less bothered about market forces and just want to enjoy realising a dream

 

[Tetris Keyring]

Yeah, quite a bit of that resonates with me.

The main thing holding me back is the front clearance issues. Not from a daily use perspective but my main use. I do most of my fun driving B roads around Yorkshire (Pennines and The Dales) and I worry a GT4 would get stuck on some of the more remote stuff.

I did a 100 mile route at the weekend which was amazing, as is the GTS. Had a bit of everything but several times I though it would be problematic for a GT4.

The flip side is I can’t imagine a better car in which to drive those roads.

 

[AndrewCS]

Not sure if the 982 / 718 GT4 is lower than the 981 but I have no issues when in the Highlands

The 981 does benefit from a less `dramatic` front splitter - spoiler, which is designed as an easily replaceable - consumable item