Cayman GT4 or Boxster Spyder… I need some help please
Discussion
Hello to all forum members!!
I am new to this forum and I have been reading your posts regarding all things Cayman and Boxster Spyder for several months now. I am in a fortunate position here in Canada to be in line for a GT4 and a Spyder but I need to pick between the two without an opportunity to test drive them. I have seen pretty much every review / pitch for either car on the internet and I have had two well known UK reviewers respond to me via twitter they would have the GT4 over the Spyder but Sutcliffe says in his review he thinks the Spyder is the top choice…hasn't he driven everything!?!? I have not seen a review of the GT4 by him though…much kudos to anyone who can send me a link to that if it exists out there somewhere.
Here is my situation: I plan to use the cars for seasonal driving only! I may only get one track day a year if I am lucky and I am torn between the two models. I realize the GT4 is more of a track car but it screams Motorsport, will be / is already a collectible, has the GT3 parts and is an amazing value for money but will be a bit more difficult as a daily driver!
The Spyder has the lighter steering, the option of the convertible experience, a higher front spoiler, and u can hear that glorious noise even more with the top down!
I am a bit frustrated about the reports of the tall gearing in both models as I love a manual and would want to be able to row gears as often as possible....I have a JCW Mini countryman All4 for the winter. Unfortunately, all cars arrive Pre-sold so no test drives...big decision to make as I may have this car for 10-15 years without a test drive
SAVE THE MANUAL
I am new to this forum and I have been reading your posts regarding all things Cayman and Boxster Spyder for several months now. I am in a fortunate position here in Canada to be in line for a GT4 and a Spyder but I need to pick between the two without an opportunity to test drive them. I have seen pretty much every review / pitch for either car on the internet and I have had two well known UK reviewers respond to me via twitter they would have the GT4 over the Spyder but Sutcliffe says in his review he thinks the Spyder is the top choice…hasn't he driven everything!?!? I have not seen a review of the GT4 by him though…much kudos to anyone who can send me a link to that if it exists out there somewhere.
Here is my situation: I plan to use the cars for seasonal driving only! I may only get one track day a year if I am lucky and I am torn between the two models. I realize the GT4 is more of a track car but it screams Motorsport, will be / is already a collectible, has the GT3 parts and is an amazing value for money but will be a bit more difficult as a daily driver!
The Spyder has the lighter steering, the option of the convertible experience, a higher front spoiler, and u can hear that glorious noise even more with the top down!
I am a bit frustrated about the reports of the tall gearing in both models as I love a manual and would want to be able to row gears as often as possible....I have a JCW Mini countryman All4 for the winter. Unfortunately, all cars arrive Pre-sold so no test drives...big decision to make as I may have this car for 10-15 years without a test drive
SAVE THE MANUAL
3PdlRbl said:
Hello to all forum members!!
I am new to this forum and I have been reading your posts regarding all things Cayman and Boxster Spyder for several months now. I am in a fortunate position here in Canada to be in line for a GT4 and a Spyder but I need to pick between the two without an opportunity to test drive them. I have seen pretty much every review / pitch for either car on the internet and I have had two well known UK reviewers respond to me via twitter they would have the GT4 over the Spyder but Sutcliffe says in his review he thinks the Spyder is the top choice…hasn't he driven everything!?!? I have not seen a review of the GT4 by him though…much kudos to anyone who can send me a link to that if it exists out there somewhere.
Here is my situation: I plan to use the cars for seasonal driving only! I may only get one track day a year if I am lucky and I am torn between the two models. I realize the GT4 is more of a track car but it screams Motorsport, will be / is already a collectible, has the GT3 parts and is an amazing value for money but will be a bit more difficult as a daily driver!
The Spyder has the lighter steering, the option of the convertible experience, a higher front spoiler, and u can hear that glorious noise even more with the top down!
I am a bit frustrated about the reports of the tall gearing in both models as I love a manual and would want to be able to row gears as often as possible....I have a JCW Mini countryman All4 for the winter. Unfortunately, all cars arrive Pre-sold so no test drives...big decision to make as I may have this car for 10-15 years without a test drive
SAVE THE MANUAL
Save the manual indeed!!! I am new to this forum and I have been reading your posts regarding all things Cayman and Boxster Spyder for several months now. I am in a fortunate position here in Canada to be in line for a GT4 and a Spyder but I need to pick between the two without an opportunity to test drive them. I have seen pretty much every review / pitch for either car on the internet and I have had two well known UK reviewers respond to me via twitter they would have the GT4 over the Spyder but Sutcliffe says in his review he thinks the Spyder is the top choice…hasn't he driven everything!?!? I have not seen a review of the GT4 by him though…much kudos to anyone who can send me a link to that if it exists out there somewhere.
Here is my situation: I plan to use the cars for seasonal driving only! I may only get one track day a year if I am lucky and I am torn between the two models. I realize the GT4 is more of a track car but it screams Motorsport, will be / is already a collectible, has the GT3 parts and is an amazing value for money but will be a bit more difficult as a daily driver!
The Spyder has the lighter steering, the option of the convertible experience, a higher front spoiler, and u can hear that glorious noise even more with the top down!
I am a bit frustrated about the reports of the tall gearing in both models as I love a manual and would want to be able to row gears as often as possible....I have a JCW Mini countryman All4 for the winter. Unfortunately, all cars arrive Pre-sold so no test drives...big decision to make as I may have this car for 10-15 years without a test drive
SAVE THE MANUAL
If I was in your fortunate position it would be the GT4 all day every day.
This is an opinion based purely on subjective feelings about both cars as I have not driven either but to me.....the GT4 seems like 'the quick focussed one' and the Spyder seems like the 'cruiser' ..... by that I mean if you want to DRIVE the car then the GT4 will provide more feedback and sharper responses but if you just want to drive down to the local cars and coffee meet and go for the occasional drive and feel the wind in your hair but not set it on fire then its the Spyder.
As I said before, this is just an opinion on how I THINK the cars have been set up as I have not driven either of them
I drove the GT4 on Monday at PEC Silverstone and think that it's going to be fine in daily use. It's focused, but not overly hardcore.
The GT4's steering is slightly lighter than on my own 987.1 Cayman S, so if the Spyder has lighter steering than the GT4 then I'd say that would be a minus point. Within reason, I prefer more rather than less steering weight.
You're not really going to go wrong with either car, so it might boil down to whether your heart says coupe or convertible. Both will be more than adequate on the track for mere mortals!
The GT4's steering is slightly lighter than on my own 987.1 Cayman S, so if the Spyder has lighter steering than the GT4 then I'd say that would be a minus point. Within reason, I prefer more rather than less steering weight.
You're not really going to go wrong with either car, so it might boil down to whether your heart says coupe or convertible. Both will be more than adequate on the track for mere mortals!
I drove the GT4 and Spyder last week at the Silverstone PEC.
Basically I really thought both were great to drive, steering seemed pretty much the same in each car i.e. a bit on the light side but nice and accurate.
I took the Spyder out on the open road with the top down and it really did sound great, and also very composed despite the sports suspension, also more than fast enough for any road use IMO. It was also great fun on track so I don't think you'd be too disappointed on your single track day per year.
I only drove the GT4 on track and it was very impressive, not sure if I can honestly say it was better than the Spyder or not, I was more familiar with the track when I drove it and had a different instructor.
I did come away thinking the Spyder might be the better of the 2 for mainly road use though, maybe the roof down experience swung it.
Basically I really thought both were great to drive, steering seemed pretty much the same in each car i.e. a bit on the light side but nice and accurate.
I took the Spyder out on the open road with the top down and it really did sound great, and also very composed despite the sports suspension, also more than fast enough for any road use IMO. It was also great fun on track so I don't think you'd be too disappointed on your single track day per year.
I only drove the GT4 on track and it was very impressive, not sure if I can honestly say it was better than the Spyder or not, I was more familiar with the track when I drove it and had a different instructor.
I did come away thinking the Spyder might be the better of the 2 for mainly road use though, maybe the roof down experience swung it.
I haven't driven either, but FWIW I did see Sutliffes video test on the GT4 (but can't find it). He spent about 15 minutes saying practically nothing at all. Quite an achievement. He didn't say anything negative, but somehow I was left with the impression that it wasn't quite his cup of tea - so I'm not surprised he prefers the Spyder.
On a practical point I notice you are factoring in the lack of ground clearance on the GT4 in your decision. If you would be likely to drive the Spyder with the roof up I'd factor in the abysmal over the should vision of the Spyder too.
On a practical point I notice you are factoring in the lack of ground clearance on the GT4 in your decision. If you would be likely to drive the Spyder with the roof up I'd factor in the abysmal over the should vision of the Spyder too.
I've driven the Cayman R, Spyder and GT4 and own none of them.
Ground clearance and long "nose" of the GT4 makes it a complete no-go where I live and I think there are no winter tyres for it?
Heavily track focused weekend car: GT4
Daily driver with occasional track use: comfort spec 987 Cayman R
Open top weekend car: 987 Spyder with buckets
Haven't driven the 981 Spyder but I suspect it's much like the GT4 with a roof. I'd rather look at a GT4 that's stuck in my parking garage due to low ground clearance than daily either of the Spyders all year round but that's just me.
Ground clearance and long "nose" of the GT4 makes it a complete no-go where I live and I think there are no winter tyres for it?
Heavily track focused weekend car: GT4
Daily driver with occasional track use: comfort spec 987 Cayman R
Open top weekend car: 987 Spyder with buckets
Haven't driven the 981 Spyder but I suspect it's much like the GT4 with a roof. I'd rather look at a GT4 that's stuck in my parking garage due to low ground clearance than daily either of the Spyders all year round but that's just me.
bcr5784 said:
I haven't driven either, but FWIW I did see Sutliffes video test on the GT4 (but can't find it). He spent about 15 minutes saying practically nothing at all. Quite an achievement. He didn't say anything negative, but somehow I was left with the impression that it wasn't quite his cup of tea - so I'm not surprised he prefers the Spyder.
I didn't know he'd done a review of the gt4. Id love to see thatIf long term value is a major consideration, then I would opt for the GT4 to be sure.
If buying it to drive and enjoy and drive on the road, I think the Spyder would be the best choice despite being a "lesser" car.
Upgrading the suspension for the track is an option (and keeping original parts in case of resale), but is it really worth it for 1 track day a year?
If buying it to drive and enjoy and drive on the road, I think the Spyder would be the best choice despite being a "lesser" car.
Upgrading the suspension for the track is an option (and keeping original parts in case of resale), but is it really worth it for 1 track day a year?
TB303 said:
If long term value is a major consideration, then I would opt for the GT4 to be sure.
If buying it to drive and enjoy and drive on the road, I think the Spyder would be the best choice despite being a "lesser" car.
Upgrading the suspension for the track is an option (and keeping original parts in case of resale), but is it really worth it for 1 track day a year?
I'd have thought the Spyder is a better long term value bet than a GT4.If buying it to drive and enjoy and drive on the road, I think the Spyder would be the best choice despite being a "lesser" car.
Upgrading the suspension for the track is an option (and keeping original parts in case of resale), but is it really worth it for 1 track day a year?
Less initial outlay and the Spyder offers more than just performance due to the soft top.
The GT4 is the ultimate Cayman right now, but that'll soon be replaced just like the Cayman R. Once that happens the premium and 'latest must have halo' will dull over time.
g7jhp said:
I'd have thought the Spyder is a better long term value bet than a GT4.
Less initial outlay and the Spyder offers more than just performance due to the soft top.
The GT4 is the ultimate Cayman right now, but that'll soon be replaced just like the Cayman R. Once that happens the premium and 'latest must have halo' will dull over time.
But the GT4 is a GT car, and GT cars historically appreciate in value. I'd love you to be right though seeing as I have a Spyder on order!Less initial outlay and the Spyder offers more than just performance due to the soft top.
The GT4 is the ultimate Cayman right now, but that'll soon be replaced just like the Cayman R. Once that happens the premium and 'latest must have halo' will dull over time.
I suppose the F430 in its 16m guise is worth more than a Scud (I think?), if that's a fair comparison...
TB303 said:
g7jhp said:
I'd have thought the Spyder is a better long term value bet than a GT4.
Less initial outlay and the Spyder offers more than just performance due to the soft top.
The GT4 is the ultimate Cayman right now, but that'll soon be replaced just like the Cayman R. Once that happens the premium and 'latest must have halo' will dull over time.
But the GT4 is a GT car, and GT cars historically appreciate in value. I'd love you to be right though seeing as I have a Spyder on order!Less initial outlay and the Spyder offers more than just performance due to the soft top.
The GT4 is the ultimate Cayman right now, but that'll soon be replaced just like the Cayman R. Once that happens the premium and 'latest must have halo' will dull over time.
I suppose the F430 in its 16m guise is worth more than a Scud (I think?), if that's a fair comparison...
I expect the new 981 GT4 and Spyder to be equally strong, they're sound buys due to the limited number (the 987 Spyder and Cayman R were fairly similar).
Long term I think the open-top cars have that extra dimension, once performance is no longer class leading.
g7jhp said:
911's in GT guise normally appreciate...after a time.
I expect the new 981 GT4 and Spyder to be equally strong, they're sound buys due to the limited number (the 987 Spyder and Cayman R were fairly similar).
Long term I think the open-top cars have that extra dimension, once performance is no longer class leading.
Word is the order book is opening up for 2016 Spyders now. Guessing they will stop production when the 981.2 comes to market.I expect the new 981 GT4 and Spyder to be equally strong, they're sound buys due to the limited number (the 987 Spyder and Cayman R were fairly similar).
Long term I think the open-top cars have that extra dimension, once performance is no longer class leading.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff