RE: Porsche Cayman GT4: Review

[Adam B]

otolith said:

I can see it's a great car, perhaps worth what it costs in the sense of what you would have to pay to get something as good, but the idea that it's some sort of bargain requires Porsche branded sunglasses.

I agree however we are both wrong - the market has decided it IS a bragin, Porsche could sell double the quantity and probably X4 more in the UK (many are moaning they missed out), these will sell at an immediate premium, ergo Porsche could have charged a fair bit more

[cheddar]

Much being said about the lonnnnnnnnng gearing here and I couldn't agree more, in fact, after a test drive it's what stopped me buying a Boxster - are you listening Porsche?

This is an amazing car with stunning engineering - watch Harris's vid for the extraordinary changes they've made - and brilliant value too but almost ruined by the silly ratios.

[Mr Tidy]

Refreshing change - at last a halo model with a naturally-aspirated engine, manual gearbox, a steering wheel not littered with buttons and no endless "modes" to scroll through! Not even a mention of internet connectivity in the review! Well done Porsche.
And they seem to have had no problem finding buyers so thankfully there are enough buyers out there who want this sort of car.
Mind you 80+ in 2nd doesn't suit the UK too well!
Why Alfa couldn't have put their highly-rated V6 and a manual gearbox into the 4C remains a mystery to me.
Even BMW have now lost the plot with their turbo'd M3 with compulsory flappy paddles and synthesised soundtrack with fake pops and bangs - dreadful! Might be excusable in a Focus.........
No manual Ferraris or Maseratis for years, AMG has long been auto only and will now have turbos.
Maybe Jaguar have seen the light with the manual F Type on its way (even if it isn't an N/A engine).
And Aston Martin are now offering retro-fit manual gearchanges so there are signs of hope.
It's almost like the US is the place to head for a powerful manual car, which is something of a reversal of perception!

[mnk303]

Great car and well done Porsche , but you cheated your waitng list, you stained your record by sellng the cars to the elite and owners of the 918 rather than ensure people who had been on the waitng list first got a car. Not an easy balance but one on which you can not hide !

[edo]

/Biased/

Really like this. Driving he "Normal" 981 S, I can imagine this must feel pretty quick; I hardly ever feel mine is lacking.

For me, as a daily driver, I'd feel a bit of a plank driving this round with the rear wing, I think it looks a bit naff TBH.

My wifes Cayenne has the new steering wheel and I am working out if I can pinch it when she isnt looking, its a lovely bit of kit.

If they offered PDK and rear wing delete (or "remove during the week" ?!) I'd be putting my name down

[otolith]

Dagnut said:

How much for the GT4 suspension setup? how much for the rear axle assemble with the GT4 diff? How much for the engine mounts, adjustable dampers, adjustable rear wing?

How much does it cost Porsche compared to the standard Cayman bits? I'm sure it's a great car, but the perception of value has an awful lot to do with the brand.

[otolith]

Adam B said:

otolith said:

I can see it's a great car, perhaps worth what it costs in the sense of what you would have to pay to get something as good, but the idea that it's some sort of bargain requires Porsche branded sunglasses.

I agree however we are both wrong - the market has decided it IS a bragin, Porsche could sell double the quantity and probably X4 more in the UK (many are moaning they missed out), these will sell at an immediate premium, ergo Porsche could have charged a fair bit more

Of course, in the sense that anything is worth what you can sell it for.

[Richyboy]

I was so happy reading that, then 80 in second wtf. Why not give it a PDK and leave the manual with short ratios for the RS version.

[Hobojim]

One of these will not be in my price range for a long time. However, I'd love a close ratio box in a 2.7 cayman. You could red line it through 1st, 2nd and 3rd and tickle a ton.

[Schnellmann]

Sounds good for something you can no longer buy!!

Problem for me is that the older I get the slower I drive and cars like the GT4
don't really come alive until those limits are well and truly breached.

[Olivera]

cheddar said:

Much being said about the lonnnnnnnnng gearing here and I couldn't agree more, in fact, after a test drive it's what stopped me buying a Boxster - are you listening Porsche?

This is an amazing car with stunning engineering - watch Harris's vid for the extraordinary changes they've made - and brilliant value too but almost ruined by the silly ratios.

+1. This GT4 looks bloody fantastic but the gear ratios (and accompanying excuses) are just cobblers.

[Plainview23]

Yeah, I test drove a new cayman last week, the gearing is very clearly all wrong. I thought it had something to do with emissions or improving official MPG stats, or the 0-60 time, or something like that ..... it is certainly a mistake though and will spoil the car.

[articulatedj]

It would be interesting if they update the ratios next year due to all the feedback. The 2015 cars could take a hit in value.

[piston3461]

British Beef said:

3. Chris Harris review - Could he get the Porsche branded dildo any further up his rear end?.

Actually he's mainly a BMW man, but it isn't Porsches fault they make great cars than reviewers rave about...

[British Beef]

Mr Tidy said:

Refreshing change - at last a halo model with a naturally-aspirated engine, manual gearbox, a steering wheel not littered with buttons and no endless "modes" to scroll through! Not even a mention of internet connectivity in the review! Well done Porsche.
And they seem to have had no problem finding buyers so thankfully there are enough buyers out there who want this sort of car.
Mind you 80+ in 2nd doesn't suit the UK too well!
Why Alfa couldn't have put their highly-rated V6 and a manual gearbox into the 4C remains a mystery to me.
Even BMW have now lost the plot with their turbo'd M3 with compulsory flappy paddles and synthesised soundtrack with fake pops and bangs - dreadful! Might be excusable in a Focus.........
No manual Ferraris or Maseratis for years, AMG has long been auto only and will now have turbos.
Maybe Jaguar have seen the light with the manual F Type on its way (even if it isn't an N/A engine).
And Aston Martin are now offering retro-fit manual gearchanges so there are signs of hope.
It's almost like the US is the place to head for a powerful manual car, which is something of a reversal of perception!

I agree with everything, although I think you can buy the M3 / M4 still with a manual box.
Also, Lotus offer a few cars with manual gearbox!!

[kambites]

Mr Tidy said:

Why Alfa couldn't have put their highly-rated V6 and a manual gearbox into the 4C remains a mystery to me.

Alfa don't have a highly rated V6. The Busso is dead dut to emissions regulations (and would have been far too heavy anyway) and the GM lump that replaced it is a decent enough engine but I wouldn't say it's particularly highly rated.

[simundo777]

piston3461 said:

British Beef said:

3. Chris Harris review - Could he get the Porsche branded dildo any further up his rear end?.

Actually he's mainly a BMW man, but it isn't Porsches fault they make great cars than reviewers rave about...

Exactly this, what a stupid comment to make in the first place.

[British Beef]

simundo777 said:

piston3461 said:

British Beef said:

3. Chris Harris review - Could he get the Porsche branded dildo any further up his rear end?.

Actually he's mainly a BMW man, but it isn't Porsches fault they make great cars than reviewers rave about...

Exactly this, what a stupid comment to make in the first place.

Really, I dont think I have heard him say a bad word about the cars from Stuttgart, including a Panamera Diesel he reviewed.

From what I have seen and read, his love afair with BMW is based on 70s and 80s M cars - hardly pertinent comparison to modern day sports cars, which is the topic of this thread, no???

[The Pits]

I honestly thought Chris Harris was underwhelmed by the GT4. The 'YES,YES,YES's and 'WOW,WOW,WOW's seemed very forced this time round.

Either he's towing the party line by bigging up the GT3 or he really feels that the GT4 is lacking, or at least not matching the unprecedented expectations.

He admits that Porsche could have gone further with the GT4 but justifies it with a whole load of corporate flannel about market positioning that should be of zero interest to anyone parting with getting on for £80k worth of Porsche.

Given the enthusiasm on here for a car that no-one has driven yet, it must be that everyone is looking at the GT4 as a 'GT' car for £75k rather than a spec'd up Cayman. Porsche underestimated the response because the Cayman is a very slow seller by their standards. Only 85 GTS sold despite all the praise.

The reviews so far have more than a few hints that the reality is more a spec'd up Cayman than a cut price GT3.

[Dagnut]

otolith said:

How much does it cost Porsche compared to the standard Cayman bits? I'm sure it's a great car, but the perception of value has an awful lot to do with the brand.

A hell of a lot more! They need to be developed and tooled for a relatively short run...do you think you could turn a Cayman GTS into this car for 9k? They base car might not represent good value for you, but an extra 9k for what this offers over the GTS seems to be a bargain for me.