Thinking about a GT4 (not for investment) - Tips please
Discussion
Hi guys and gals
I am seriously considering buying a GT4 for use on the weekends and would really appreciate any impressions from those that have had and driven one.
In particular, I was looking for comfort/guidance on the following:
- does it feel fast enough. Obviously difficult to quantify this and it is not the absolute fastest car out there but what I really mean is does it's power balance nicely with its grip and handling capabilities and feel fast enough in the real world (mix of b-roads, a-roads, some city driving and a few cross continent euro runs)
- I like the look of Alcantara and would think it suits the car on the dash and seat centres. Any real concerns about having It rather than leather?
- seats. I like the idea of the carbon 918 style buckets but are they genuinely comfy enough for, say, a trip down to Italy from the uk? Would the sport plus be better to live with?
- any other tips/advice gratefully received.
Thanks guys
Jason
I am seriously considering buying a GT4 for use on the weekends and would really appreciate any impressions from those that have had and driven one.
In particular, I was looking for comfort/guidance on the following:
- does it feel fast enough. Obviously difficult to quantify this and it is not the absolute fastest car out there but what I really mean is does it's power balance nicely with its grip and handling capabilities and feel fast enough in the real world (mix of b-roads, a-roads, some city driving and a few cross continent euro runs)
- I like the look of Alcantara and would think it suits the car on the dash and seat centres. Any real concerns about having It rather than leather?
- seats. I like the idea of the carbon 918 style buckets but are they genuinely comfy enough for, say, a trip down to Italy from the uk? Would the sport plus be better to live with?
- any other tips/advice gratefully received.
Thanks guys
Jason
Hi Jason I think you will get a mixture of responses on spec. and comfort my personal opinion is try the seats out if you can I have the folding buckets which I find very comfortable even over long distances the 918 style I find uncomfortable and I don't think I am alone.
There are no real must haves but the alcantara interior with the optional leather interior (mainly the dash) is a very nice place to be and if you intend to night drive and you are of an older age the Bi xenon pdls+ are a must. Colour yet again is personal same as wheel colour.
There are no real must haves but the alcantara interior with the optional leather interior (mainly the dash) is a very nice place to be and if you intend to night drive and you are of an older age the Bi xenon pdls+ are a must. Colour yet again is personal same as wheel colour.
550man said:
- I like the look of Alcantara and would think it suits the car on the dash and seat centres. Any real concerns about having It rather than leather?
Nope. Some don't like it, some do. Personal preference.550man said:
- seats. I like the idea of the carbon 918 style buckets but are they genuinely comfy enough for, say, a trip down to Italy from the uk? Would the sport plus be better to live with?
Again personal preference, you'd need to try them both yourself. Every body is different.Edited by Twinfan on Monday 12th June 10:47
550man said:
Hi guys and gals
I am seriously considering buying a GT4 for use on the weekends and would really appreciate any impressions from those that have had and driven one.
In particular, I was looking for comfort/guidance on the following:
- does it feel fast enough. Obviously difficult to quantify this and it is not the absolute fastest car out there but what I really mean is does it's power balance nicely with its grip and handling capabilities and feel fast enough in the real world (mix of b-roads, a-roads, some city driving and a few cross continent euro runs)
- I like the look of Alcantara and would think it suits the car on the dash and seat centres. Any real concerns about having It rather than leather?
- seats. I like the idea of the carbon 918 style buckets but are they genuinely comfy enough for, say, a trip down to Italy from the uk? Would the sport plus be better to live with?
- any other tips/advice gratefully received.
Thanks guys
Jason
As other have said tricky questionsI am seriously considering buying a GT4 for use on the weekends and would really appreciate any impressions from those that have had and driven one.
In particular, I was looking for comfort/guidance on the following:
- does it feel fast enough. Obviously difficult to quantify this and it is not the absolute fastest car out there but what I really mean is does it's power balance nicely with its grip and handling capabilities and feel fast enough in the real world (mix of b-roads, a-roads, some city driving and a few cross continent euro runs)
- I like the look of Alcantara and would think it suits the car on the dash and seat centres. Any real concerns about having It rather than leather?
- seats. I like the idea of the carbon 918 style buckets but are they genuinely comfy enough for, say, a trip down to Italy from the uk? Would the sport plus be better to live with?
- any other tips/advice gratefully received.
Thanks guys
Jason
Power, yes it's faster than a 981 3.4 but not by much, the gearing is very long and with 20" wheels it feels a bit weak to me.
It's not a slow car, but it's not a fast car.
Does it FEEL fast enough is the question, and Nope is my answer, I have slower cars which "feel" fast enough but the GT4 never does to me.
some might say that's a good point as the ride etc is better, but that means if you want that "feel" of speed you do have to be going faster than one would like.
who ever wants leather seats !!! I really dislike leather seats, all 4 of my cars have Alcantara, leather feels slippery and just get crazy hot in the sun ! same with the steering wheel leather is burn your hands hot in hot weather !! although 2 of my cars have a leather wheels, but I do like alcantara wheels more. seats, leather , not for me. slippery and bloody hot.
918 seats again tricky, there is no question these are the most upright seats you can buy ! and wider at the bum end. imo it puts too much weight on your lower back and does not equalise the pressure on the whole of your back.
they are soft to sit in over 18 ways sports as I find none buckets hard to sit ON.. I have little padding and I get numb bum on Comfort seats.
the folding buckets are tighter at the bum so you don't slip. they have 1 degree more tilt so less pressure on the bottom of your spine.
A really nice seat, soft to sit on and not quite as upright than the 918 and tighter at the bum end. Less GT4 have the folding ones though as every one at launch wanted the 918 style and I do also have 918 style and they look the business.
The added bonus of the 918 seats is the height adjust, you can go low in the 918, the folding you sit higher up, Not an issue for me I am long legs and short body, if you are long in body you might find the folding seats too high.
So none of the 3 seats are perfect and taller people will really not like the folding ones imo, or 5 foot people as you cannot go higher either.
The folding are the best if you are about 5.10 and 11/12 stone.
If taller and you can cope with the uprightness the 918 style as they have height adjust. I would say 918 will take a slighty fatter/taller person well.
If you are shorter again 918 but then short people don't really fit the 918 shape or head rest, my GF hates the 918 and is 5.1.
just a large person with padding the sports seats :-)
To finish if I had £90k and wanted just a weekend car with no track day use, I am not sure a GT4 is the ideal choice out there anyway.
But you have not said if it will see a track. I am not really a 981 Spyder fan as I have other cars so too much over lap for me , but in your case a 981 Spyder looks a better fit and most came with the folding buckets, seems to fit a better touring car and of course a bit of roof off action and feels special if just a week end car.
Yep mostly subjective e.g. leather or alcantara........I happen to much prefer leather on steering wheels particularly Porsche GTs and gearchange for the much repeated obvious reasons...others do not.
On the buckets...both great seats..depends on your height and build. Folding buckets are less vertical, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the hips than the newer and better looking Spyder buckets which benefit from electric height adj. At lowest they are 2cm lower than the folding buckets.
GT4 is a great road car and arguably better than the 991 GT3 which gives you greater limits but also more of what you really can't use on a public road.......GT4 quite possibly the sweetspot. Not the fastest but very accessible road performance and great interaction and vocals although not as sonorous as the 981 Spyder. Ecoty win the other year nails it...worth watching if only for the great photography and production.
N.b. GT4 fuel economy is very poor.....probably mainly as a result of the strangled engine. Interior noise levels are no worse than a 991 GT3 despite what some others post.
Overall a very usable and interesting car. Great value too.
On the buckets...both great seats..depends on your height and build. Folding buckets are less vertical, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the hips than the newer and better looking Spyder buckets which benefit from electric height adj. At lowest they are 2cm lower than the folding buckets.
GT4 is a great road car and arguably better than the 991 GT3 which gives you greater limits but also more of what you really can't use on a public road.......GT4 quite possibly the sweetspot. Not the fastest but very accessible road performance and great interaction and vocals although not as sonorous as the 981 Spyder. Ecoty win the other year nails it...worth watching if only for the great photography and production.
N.b. GT4 fuel economy is very poor.....probably mainly as a result of the strangled engine. Interior noise levels are no worse than a 991 GT3 despite what some others post.
Overall a very usable and interesting car. Great value too.
Investment
I know you didn't ask, and I wouldn't buy any car for investment (although I have been very fortunate in the past). However, I do think the GT4 will look after your money better than many alternatives.
Performance
In the 'real world' it's more than quick enough for most. I had a 997 Turbo 'S' for 3 years, which was fast, but not particularly rewarding. The GT4 is far more satisfying, and I actually prefer it to the 997 GT3 (which I also had for 3 years).
Alcantara
Your choice, but most of the GT4s I've seen have had a nice mix of leather and alcantara, which works very well IMO, particularly with the carbon fibre inserts
Seats
Personal choice, but the car suits the lwt buckets and they seem to provide excellent comfort and the correct driving position for most people - however, only you can judge.
I've had a lot of Porsches over many years, and I regard the GT4 as one of the best. It looks and feels special without being OTT, delivers what it says on the box, and it's equally at home on the track or road (where it is surprisingly comfortable). Not much else comes close for the money.
I know you didn't ask, and I wouldn't buy any car for investment (although I have been very fortunate in the past). However, I do think the GT4 will look after your money better than many alternatives.
Performance
In the 'real world' it's more than quick enough for most. I had a 997 Turbo 'S' for 3 years, which was fast, but not particularly rewarding. The GT4 is far more satisfying, and I actually prefer it to the 997 GT3 (which I also had for 3 years).
Alcantara
Your choice, but most of the GT4s I've seen have had a nice mix of leather and alcantara, which works very well IMO, particularly with the carbon fibre inserts
Seats
Personal choice, but the car suits the lwt buckets and they seem to provide excellent comfort and the correct driving position for most people - however, only you can judge.
I've had a lot of Porsches over many years, and I regard the GT4 as one of the best. It looks and feels special without being OTT, delivers what it says on the box, and it's equally at home on the track or road (where it is surprisingly comfortable). Not much else comes close for the money.
It's a beautifully balanced package - superb both on the road and track (where it laps a lot quicker than it's horsepower figures might lead one to expect). I've had all sorts of RS and GT series Porsches over the years and this car is worthy continuation of that linage.
also I don't find it slow, and my other car has 730 hp....
also I don't find it slow, and my other car has 730 hp....
seawise said:
It's a beautifully balanced package - superb both on the road and track (where it laps a lot quicker than it's horsepower figures might lead one to expect). I've had all sorts of RS and GT series Porsches over the years and this car is worthy continuation of that linage.
also I don't find it slow, and my other car has 730 hp....
F12 vs GT4 lol it's got to feel slow after a F12 one is 14 to 124mph the other is 8.8 !! is as close to twice as fast !also I don't find it slow, and my other car has 730 hp....
Porsche911R said:
F12 vs GT4 lol it's got to feel slow after a F12 one is 14 to 124mph the other is 8.8 !! is as close to twice as fast !
How often do you think I manage to crank the throttles of the F12 wide open ? close to never is the reality. i find the GT4's performance is more than ample on the road, it's just a brilliant all round package. I do agree about the MPG though, that is woeful compared to other Pork.
are you sure your handbrake is releasing?seawise said:
How often do you think I manage to crank the throttles of the F12 wide open ? close to never is the reality. i find the GT4's performance is more than ample on the road, it's just a brilliant all round package.
I do agree about the MPG though, that is woeful compared to other Pork.
but the times you can must be exciting :-) I do agree about the MPG though, that is woeful compared to other Pork.
seawise said:
How often do you think I manage to crank the throttles of the F12 wide open ? close to never is the reality. i find the GT4's performance is more than ample on the road, it's just a brilliant all round package.
I do agree about the MPG though, that is woeful compared to other Pork.
Is it because you are a bit scared Seawise ? I do agree about the MPG though, that is woeful compared to other Pork.
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