981 GT4

[HighwayStar]

KittyLitter said:

Lovely Carmine Red one listed with every single extended leather and alcantara option selected. Even the PCM is leather!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405250...




Love Carmine Red, but then I’m biased… it doesn’t appear to be a popular colour.

Edited by KittyLitter on Saturday 25th May 20:05

[breadvan]

Chrisatronic said:

I think eventually 981 will overtake 718 in value, but it’s 3-5 years away. Has started in America and we’ll surely follow. Lower numbers and much more character.

Interesting to read elsewhere similar numbers for 981, 718 Man and 718 PDK, at around 500 each. I’d imagine PDK will hold its value better over time.

[LiamH66]

DarkVeil said:

Is the 981 GT4 more desirable than the 718?

All in the eye of the beholder really. The 718 GT4 is much more the "finished article", with many, if not most, with PDK. Even the manual version is a bit softer, more refined, and better developed than the original.

The 981 GT4 is the "skunk works special" that started the whole nonsense back in 2015, and only available with manual gearbox. For me, and a few others, the 981 is the original and best. When I was offered a 718 GT4 allocation, having driven one, I just couldn't consider letting go of my old GT4. Warts and all, it's a very engaging drive, albeit a bit rough round the edges compared to the 718 version.

What started 6 years ago with the question, "Could a GT4 be a useable daily drive?" has been answered with an affirmative "Yes", and I think the 718 version even more so. I'm likely selling my 981 GT4 this summer, and it will be like losing a limb in many ways.

I think in time, the 981 GT4 will carry a premium through relative rarity. Both really good cars, and the differences are actually quite subtle from a perspective of driving them. The 718 version is faster without any doubt, but somehow trying to keep up with them on the track makes me love my old 981 even more. I'm still quietly trying to figure out a way of keeping it!

Liam

[plynchy]

That reads like the 981 was almost a prototype for the 718. :-)

Did the JPC/Yiannimize event at Croft last Saturday in my 981, passenger laps for Joe public. Every passenger I had got out of the car with a massive grin, most saying they weren't expecting that. The 981 is a hooligan of a car, and I love it for that. Sure, it's noisy as hell and a very stiff ride, but I also love the lack of 'over tech' on it which every car seems to be full of now. The steering wheel has no buttons on it, it's just for steering. Excellent.

[ChrisW.]

I believe the promotional tag line of the 981 was "Rebels rebel on"

It could have been Rebels Rebellion ? A Cayman that's as fast as a 911 ....

[LiamH66]

plynchy said:

That reads like the 981 was almost a prototype for the 718. :-)

Did the JPC/Yiannimize event at Croft last Saturday in my 981, passenger laps for Joe public. Every passenger I had got out of the car with a massive grin, most saying they weren't expecting that. The 981 is a hooligan of a car, and I love it for that. Sure, it's noisy as hell and a very stiff ride, but I also love the lack of 'over tech' on it which every car seems to be full of now. The steering wheel has no buttons on it, it's just for steering. Excellent.

I have to wonder if the prototype was a better thing in some ways. When I did the Porsche "Precision" course at Silverstone last year the instructor was laughing out loud at the noisy exhaust, but even more at the ridiculously great handling (has been set-up). It was his first time in a 981 GT4, possibly in a GT4 with a half-decent track day suspension set-up on it. Hooligan of a car is a great description!

Liam

[bosshog]

I tried the 718 and I just found it less engaging than the 981 version. I like the looks of the newer one over the original but to drive I must prefer the 981. I don’t do track days anymore so my driving is all trips and backroads and the rawness and sound track make for such an enjoyable car. I particularly prefer the steering feel on the 981 over the 718 - much more detail for me ( It was a 728 spyder).
However I’m not try to diss the 718 in any way , I just personally find the older car more fun all round - everyone is different

[Redshed]

traded my california in for a 981 and had it for just over a week now.
I am struggling to drive it like a normal road user and enjoy the long range in second. (Not sure why it was a negative).

The car feels really well put together, ready for track and has a lot more road presence than I had anticipated.
Few questions:
1- does the excitement of the speed wear off or do you find you drive it faster in general?
2- i have the regular seats, how is it for a road trip?
3- anything I need to be aware of in regards of ownership?

cheers
w

[Redshed]

[plynchy]

I've owned mine for 3 years, it's one of those cars that makes you smile every time you drive it.

The speed thing, whilst it's not actually that fast, the enjoyment is found in wringing it's neck just for the noise.

Ownership wise, mine has cost nothing but servicing, besides a handbrake adjustment which I could have done myself had I have known. never seen better than 30mpg if that's a concern.

I did 3600 miles through Europe in '22, on buckets, no issues at all. Going off again in June.

Enjoy, epic cars.

[Redshed]

fantastic thanks
mpg not really a factor other than the actual range you get between garages on a road trip.

[LiamH66]

Redshed said:

traded my california in for a 981 and had it for just over a week now.
I am struggling to drive it like a normal road user and enjoy the long range in second. (Not sure why it was a negative).

The car feels really well put together, ready for track and has a lot more road presence than I had anticipated.
Few questions:
1- does the excitement of the speed wear off or do you find you drive it faster in general?
2- i have the regular seats, how is it for a road trip?
3- anything I need to be aware of in regards of ownership?

cheers
w

I've had my 981 GT4 for over 5 1/2 years now.

1. Excitement doesn't so much wear off, as you realise exploiting it fully isn't conducive to keeping a driving licence. Then you discover that it's a surprisingly well-mannered car to drive at any speed, bit clattery and bumpy, but smooth to drive, and really good in traffic. Brilliant fun on track though.
2. I'm on carbon buckets, but have had Caymans with sports seats, and have one with sports seats plus currently. I can do 6.5 hour days in any of them very comfortably, in fact did 2 long days in a row last week.
3. So far, so very good for me. Servicing has been reasonably priced for what it is, fuel consumption actually a little better than my 718 GTS 4.0. Responds well to having the right tyres for the circumstances. If you are going on the track, or even drive spiritedly on the road, a good suspension set-up by someone that knows the cars well is worthwhile. But in general, I've just been able to jump in my one and use it.

Hope you have as much fun as I have had. Love that car!

Liam

[KittyLitter]

HighwayStar said:

KittyLitter said:

Lovely Carmine Red one listed with every single extended leather and alcantara option selected. Even the PCM is leather!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405250...




Love Carmine Red, but then I’m biased… it doesn’t appear to be a popular colour.

Edited by KittyLitter on Saturday 25th May 20:05

I am surprised there isn’t any love for this one.

[NomadicTurbo]

LiamH66 said:

I've had my 981 GT4 for over 5 1/2 years now.

1. Excitement doesn't so much wear off, as you realise exploiting it fully isn't conducive to keeping a driving licence. Then you discover that it's a surprisingly well-mannered car to drive at any speed, bit clattery and bumpy, but smooth to drive, and really good in traffic. Brilliant fun on track though.
2. I'm on carbon buckets, but have had Caymans with sports seats, and have one with sports seats plus currently. I can do 6.5 hour days in any of them very comfortably, in fact did 2 long days in a row last week.
3. So far, so very good for me. Servicing has been reasonably priced for what it is, fuel consumption actually a little better than my 718 GTS 4.0. Responds well to having the right tyres for the circumstances. If you are going on the track, or even drive spiritedly on the road, a good suspension set-up by someone that knows the cars well is worthwhile. But in general, I've just been able to jump in my one and use it.

Hope you have as much fun as I have had. Love that car!

Liam

Where did you get your suspension done Liam?

[Redshed]

thanks for that Liam

[av185]

KittyLitter said:

I am surprised there isn’t any love for this one.

Carmine is generally unpopular as a colour on Porsche GTs especially the GT3.

Seen more of a GTS model/Macan colour.

[Andy OH]

Redshed said:

traded my california in for a 981 and had it for just over a week now.
I am struggling to drive it like a normal road user and enjoy the long range in second. (Not sure why it was a negative).

The car feels really well put together, ready for track and has a lot more road presence than I had anticipated.
Few questions:
1- does the excitement of the speed wear off or do you find you drive it faster in general?
2- i have the regular seats, how is it for a road trip?
3- anything I need to be aware of in regards of ownership?

cheers
w

I've owned my 981 GT4 now for just over four years. It is a Clubsport spec car, and I will probably never sell it, thankfully I own it outright.

I've had a geometry setup by Center Gravity who transformed the car, best £600 I've spent on a car.

Servicing wise I now, as most owners of 981 GT4's should now get if serviced with an OPC receive 20% discount on the service costs as most of these cars are now 8 years old. I renew the warranty on an annual basis which for the last two years has been £690 / year. Some people will argue that OPC servicing costs are very expensive. I've compared prices to the well known indies and OPC costs, especially with the discount offered from Porsche, are very competitive.

I recently looked at a 991.2 GT3 and I couldn't justify the extra £65K -£70K that was needed to buy the GT3.

The 981 GT4 is just a great car for the price point.

[plynchy]

Would you mind sharing what the 8 year service cost you? Mine getting done tomorrow.

[HighwayStar]

plynchy said:

Would you mind sharing what the 8 year service cost you? Mine getting done tomorrow.

My GT4 is going on Saturday. Quote…
Your Porsche is booked in for the following:

MOT – Free Of Charge

Major service
Brake fluid change
Check Ancillary Unit Mounts And Chassis Visual Inspection of all Rubber Mounts For Damage
Replace Spark Plugs
Check Drive Belt

Total £1,576.66 -20% = £1,261.33
I was advised the 20% discount was made up of the car being 8yrs old & loyalty discounts.
The OPC are fine with me providing the oil, that’ll be around £160 off the quote.

Edited by HighwayStar on Wednesday 29th May 18:39

[plynchy]

My OPCs refuse to allow me to supply oil.

Their quotes, from 4 different locations (same group) varied by over £500 for the same job. Go figure that one out. 🤷🏻‍♂️