981 GT4 or Caterham 420R

[keo]

I know they are quite different cars but bear with me!

I want a second fun car and at the minute these two are top of the list. I just wanted some real life opinions on them please.

I have only driven a 270s it drove very nice but the performance wasn’t for me thus thinking of the 420R.

However the GT4 throws a massive curveball. I was looking at 7’s for £25-£30k ish but then when I was in the caterham garage I got pointed in the direction of a £43k 420R. Although a fantastic car you don’t really get much for your money then I thought a GT4 isn’t that much more...

I admit I will probably have more fun in a 7 but in reality I don’t think I would use it much. Will be early morning drives when the weather is nice maybe an odd trackday (but won’t be many) can’t see the mrs getting init much.

The GT4 would be more useable, I’d imagine the mrs would get init and I have always wanted to do the NC500 and Nurburgring these options look more practical in the GT4.

I have never owned a Porsche or a car with more than 4 cylinders.

Depreciation/ future values is a big consideration Hoping I won’t lose much if I have the car for a few years.

Obviously running costs are different but I will only be doing around 3k ish a year.

Sorry for rambling on I am just trying to weigh it all up myself as well

[Caddyshack]

When the Caterham is doing what it does best it will be amazing but as you say it is really a track day and sunny day blast thing, the Porsche could be used every day and would still be great on track and you would have far more opportunities to use it but it won’t seem quite as niche when you do.

I have had a 7 before, you took it out just to have a go in it. I run a boxster as a daily now.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say take a look at the Lotus range as the Exige/Evora as from what you describe they'd be ideal & both would put a smile on your face be it on the road or track.

I have to be honest you're stretching the between the two as the cheapest GT4 is around 60k (nearer to 70k) you could by a very nice Caterham for high days & holidays, then get yourself a Cayman R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006150...

GT4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201909112...

Evora S alongside the Caterham

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006280...

Or if you want a do it all then there's the:

Evora Sport 410 every bit as capable as the Cayman & will put a great smile on your face with enough comfort for longer drives.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007030...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201809270...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

Exige more raw & more focused than both the Evora & GT4 this may be the pick because you can get both one of these & the Evora for 420R money.

Exige 380

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007281...


420R money Lotus's:

Exige S 350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201908311...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

Evora Sport Racer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201911064...

[braddo]

Even if the gt4’s values stay static, the dealer spread between selling to you and buying back off you will be high, say £5-8k. All the other running costs are significantly more than a Cat too obviously, especially with a few track days thrown in (insurance, tracker, tyres, brakes, servicing).

They’re fantastic cars and ideal for long road trips but don’t underestimate the jump up in costs over a Caterham.

[braddo]

Oh and the 420r should be be fair bit quicker than a gt4 over a lap on track days but the difference on the road will be negligible.

[dogz]

Have you looked at an Ariel Atom? Depreciation is non-existent compared to most cars and they are super quick especially around a track.

I know it’s not practical and getting your mrs in will not happen, plus a 3yr wait for a new one isn’t ideal but I’ve been looking at everything from McLarens to GT3’s and I’m kind of getting swayed to get one. The big things for me are; it’s bloody quick and handles pretty well; it’s depreciation proof; and you don’t see them. I’ve only seen one on the road ever

Best of luck with whatever you choose

[keo]

Thanks for the reply’s everyone. I may of worded it wrong I aren’t really into trackdays but may do one as you can just push the car so much more.

I had an Elise for over 3 years and only took it on the track once. I do prefer road driving.

The lotus’s are a good shout and I have thought about them however I have decided on these options. I needed a central locking module on my previous lotus, lotus said they didn’t have any and didn’t know when they would get them. I could put up with this on a £16k car car but not a £50k one so that puts me off the exige/ evora a bit. I am sure stoneware mental but never really been a fan.

More worried about negatives I have read about the GT4 such as long gearing, not the best engine and also I aren’t sure on the electric power steering although it isn’t supposed to be that bad. So maybe an owner could offer me some confidence on those “issues”

Thanks

[Kevin_Birth]

Am I the only one who thinks a cat 420R would be too much to really enjoy on the road? unless you just like the feeling of acceleration I guess, but I had a go in a westfield with 2L zetec engine (blacktop) and it was mental enough.

out of the two id go for the porsche if youre not doing regular trackdays.

Edited by Kevin_Birth on Monday 21st September 09:55

[Over over under steer]

Re the Caterham, if it's not a track toy you're after, go down to a 310. Better power for road driving, and for me the real sweet spot in their range.

Re the Porsche, again if not a track toy, look at the 981 Spyder instead, more immersive due to roofless element. Though I'd probably be looking at a 981 GTS and save a few more quid. (ps I've got a standard 2.7 981 Boxster and love it, chose the lower powered model to help keep points at the door)

Re the Lotus, I had a S3 Supercharged Elise, fantastic car, however the Boxster just beat it for me as an all round car, and the engine note is the stuff of dreams.

For your use case I'd go Porsche 981 GTS

[Actus Reus]

Kevin_Birth said:

Am I the only one who thinks a cat 420R would be too much to really enjoy on the road? unless you just like the feeling of acceleration I guess, but I had a go in a westfield with 2L zetec engine (blacktop) and it was mental enough.

out of the two id go for the porsche if youre not doing regular trackdays.

Edited by Kevin_Birth on Monday 21st September 09:55

The GT4 is too - I drove a manual GTS last week and it was way too fast to use on roads and so refined you didn't notice the speeds. In second it'll pull well over 70mph. So top of third is over 100mph. It's just too quick for the road.

For enjoyment on the road I'd buy something older and rawer like a nice s1 Elise, and then buy a track weapon.

Also depends on if you have a tow car or not - without a tow car forget driving a Caterham to a track unless you basically live next to it. Ultimately both choices are compromised.

[sociopath]

Kevin_Birth said:

Am I the only one who thinks a cat 420R would be too much to really enjoy on the road? unless you just like the feeling of acceleration I guess, but I had a go in a westfield with 200 hp (blacktop) and it was mental enough.

out of the two id go for the porsche if youre not doing regular trackdays.

I agree, I have a Westfield 2.0, 180 bhp and plenty mental enough for the road.
I also have a cayman S, completely different card but both great.

You could probably buy both, have 99% of the fun of both cars mentioned, and have plenty of change instead of buying a gt4 and worrying about depreciation

[ZX10R NIN]

If roads are your priority then the Alpine

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

Or 4C & get the suspension upgrade by Alfa Works;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...

[nickfrog]

Neither cars make much sense unless you track them regularly IMO.

[braddo]

nickfrog said:

Neither cars make much sense unless you track them regularly IMO.

Whilst I agree 100%, I get the impression that a surprisingly large number of owners of GT4s and quick Caterhams don't go on track days.

[GTdrive]

For pure fun I would say the Caterham.

[keo]

I know what people are saying. I would be better off with a “normal” cayman or an older caterham. But it’s just something about it being a GT4... sure people on here can understand that.

The hunt is on now I want a red GT4 with the 918 buckets, red seat belts, carbon/ Alcantara etc

No big rush but hopefully the right car will come along

[GreatGranny]

OP, they do look bloody nice in red

[keo]

That one is for sale on AT but says sold on PH or the other way around.

[GTdrive]

GreatGranny said:

OP, they do look bloody nice in red

For some reason red looks so out of place on German cars IMO.

[keo]

Just to close this thread I picked up a GT4 last weekend. Not really driven it as the weather has been rubbish so looking forward to next year.
It’s nice have a “proper” engine and for now I am happy with my choice.