RE: Porsche Cayman GT4 vs. Lotus Exige V6 Cup

[Carlique]

I think the fact that the Lotus is such a sensory experience compared to the GT4 (not that the GT4 is lacking) differentiates the two enough to make an argument for each. It's the same old story as expected really. Both being fantastic driver focused cars, but the lotus is a little more raw, the Porsche a little more refined.

On a side note, I think the Cup looks fantastically brutal and is now high up on my want list. Off to the classifieds I go

[MrBarry123]

Nice write up PH; a good read - thanks.

My choice would depend on how it'd to be used. If I couldn't keep my current car and/or needed to use either every day, there's no way I'd choose the Lotus and would instead choose the GT4. If I could keep my current car and choose either for the weekend/track, it'd be the Lotus all the way.

What a choice though and I envy anyone with either in a big way!

[Dale487]

Aren't Boxster Spyders still available? I know it's not a true GT product & the suspension isn't as complete but it's 98% there compared to the GT4.

[WokkaWokka]

Those roads bumpy? They are unbelievably bumpy!!!!

Also it's mainly Yorkshire if I am correct. Rochdale is the border.

[Kolbenkopp]

DonkeyApple said:

It's the same as having an RS Audi on the shelves but also fitting a very similar bodykit to a basic diesel, or BMW's 'MSport', all the look of the M without the costs.

Lotus' real problem is that they don't have a utility, bread and butter product to leverage sales off the image of their serious sports cars.

Plausible explanation, thanks. Still wondering if the same could not be achieved without the artificially limited supply? Or are they selling them at cost -- and the limited run is needed to keep the financial impact in check? Can't decide if it is cool that Porsche actually makes these things, or if it is elitist to sell their best products to an exclusive circle only.

Lotus' strategy looks similar with the Cup, but I doubt they'd hesitate to whip up another similar model if demand massively exceeds supply. As you said, their product range puts them in a different position.

Anyways, looking at mobile.de, cheapest newish GT4 is 110k €, list price for the Cup is 88k €. Is that still a fair comparison?

And can't help thinking the standard Exige V6 is pretty good value (even with the exchange rate putting it at ~ 70k €). Not that much difference to the Cup or the GT4, but almost half the price of the latter. Oh, looks like I just made that 'limited edition' marketing BS work for me .

[XBOW]

Bizarre article taking cars setup for track, on bumpy roads for a comparison

[Dan Trent]

zebra said:

Dan

Looks like the masses would like us to.....

a) take this to the track

b) go back to those roads [now dampers have been fiddled with] or find some others.

I'm game if you are (and if we can get the GT4 back in!)

Dan

[Zyp]

I'd just like to say well done to the turnip farmers.
Jolly good show.




I had swede and mash for my tea.

[Darsettian]

EricE said:

Darsettian said:

pesto pasta and pumpkin salad

Mind sharing the recipe? I'm in the mood for some pumpkin salad today.

Certainly, Sir! You'll need:
a small pumpkin or squash
bag of spinach leaf
handful of mixed seeds (e.g. sunflower & pumpkin, or similar)
a red or yellow pepper
half a small red onion
lump of feta cheese (or a preferred cheese)
mushrooms

Pre-heat oven to 180deg fan-assisted, 200deg conventional
Cut the pumpkin (or squash) into 2-3cm cubes. Be consistent
Spread cubed pumpkin onto a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, lightly season and bake til golden (30-40mins)
Chop mushrooms and panfry in olive oil til golden. Add to salad bowl.
Panfry mixed seeds without oil. They're ready when you can smell them (they smell delicious). Add to salad bowl.
Put Spinach leaf + chopped pepper + roughly cubed Feta + chopped red onion into salad bowl.
Add ground black pepper to taste and plenty of olive oil.
Add baked pumpkin. Toss salad. Done...

If you're having as a main, you may wish to add croutons – use a 'proper' bakers' loaf (soughdough and tiger bread good). Cut into rough cubes, douse in olive oil, sprinkle with grated hard cheese and oven bake til golden. Mix with the salad or serve separately!

Edited by Darsettian on Monday 7th September 06:45

[leglessAlex]

I'm normally all for reading road tests and comparisons, and being a student none of them are really 'relevant' to me as I can't currently afford any new car. That said, I really think this one goes too far into the realm of why.

I mean.. Why!? A road car you can't buy versus a semi track car you're supposed to set up yet isn't set up. What on earth is the point? Why not something more relevant like maybe a Boxster Spyder versus an Exige S Roadster? Similar price, actually attainable etc.

Is PH going out of it's way to compare cars that either aren't comparable or there's no point in comparing as you can't get one of them?

Disclaimer; it's late at night, I can't sleep and I'm grumpy. That said, I can't imagine I'll think any differently in the morning.

[MB 1]

I think it's a very fair comparison and I'd rather hear about these 2 cars than not.

For anyone who can't get a GT4, I think an Exige V6 is a very valid alternative and it's what I would be looking at.

Also for me, neither of these are track cars. They are road cars you would do the odd track day in. I'd be buying them for road fun mostly so it's good to hear about how they perform on the road, and it's also interesting to note that the GT3 PASM off gives enough compliance to work nicely on crap roads (you would never use it ON for road use IMO) so you really only need those 2 modes at the push of a button. I've had Exiges before and it's pretty obvious that with adjustable dampers you wind them down for the road - it's the only unfortunate part of the review because adjusting them does make a big difference.

My GT4 arrives December but I'd still be happy with either. The Exige has much more of a sense of occasion on road and track but the Cayman I think is a better all round car that you could use daily, and it's still fairly hardcore!

[Anubis]

MB 1 said:

Also for me, neither of these are track cars. They are road cars you would do the odd track day in.

My GT4 arrives December but I'd still be happy with either. The Exige has much more of a sense of occasion on road and track but the Cayman I think is a better all round car that you could use daily, and it's still fairly hardcore!

This.

Spot on and from an actual owner with experience of both cars. It's becoming an "Apple vs Android" nerd war in this thread - both are great cars, so pick the one you like and enjoy it. The end.

[zebra]

XBOW said:

Bizarre article taking cars setup for track, on bumpy roads for a comparison

To be fair to Dan, there was no way we could have predicted just how bad these roads were. They were not roads I would drive for pleasure, unless in an everyday car to admire the majestic scenery.

We suffered a torrential downpour and then were up against it for time, so relocation was out of the question.

The set up I have is perfectly benign for my usual roads in Northumberland and North Yorkshire but these were something else. The set up on the Exige was not track biased for the test.

I think the article demonstrates that both are fantastic cars.

[zebra]

Dan Trent said:

zebra said:

Dan

Looks like the masses would like us to.....

a) take this to the track

b) go back to those roads [now dampers have been fiddled with] or find some others.

I'm game if you are (and if we can get the GT4 back in!)

Dan

[takes metaphorical glove off and slaps PH chap across the face] Name the time Dan; I'm game _ Oulton Park or Brands?

[zebra]

MB 1 said:

Also for me, neither of these are track cars. They are road cars you would do the odd track day in.

My GT4 arrives December but I'd still be happy with either. The Exige has much more of a sense of occasion on road and track but the Cayman I think is a better all round car that you could use daily, and it's still fairly hardcore!

The Exige Cup is a track car first and foremost.

The GT4 is great but I would not say it was hardcore, however, you'll love it when you take ownership.

[zebra]

WokkaWokka said:

Those roads bumpy? They are unbelievably bumpy!!!!

Also it's mainly Yorkshire if I am correct. Rochdale is the border.

I was genuinely shocked at how bad they were and you have no idea looking at them just how extreme they were. A perfectly straight piece of road turned out to be a scale map of the Himalayas.

[LasseV]

ORD said:

Would be a perfectly legitimate view. 1100kg (unless bks, which it may be) is very different from 1400kg. Very different cars, in my book. Not sure anyone would cross-shop.

My n/a Supra dryweight is 1370kg. Cayman is a real lard ass compared to Exige.....


BTW, Lotus for me. Hugely exiting and gorgeous looking car!

[kambites]

MB 1 said:

Also for me, neither of these are track cars. They are road cars you would do the odd track day in.

If it had been the standard Exige S (or almost any other Lotus) they were using, I'd agree but the Cup is billed very much as a track car you can use on the road rather than the other way around.

Not to belittle the Cayman obviously - it sounds like Porsche have done a very good job of setting the GT4 up for bumpy roads which is clearly where it's designed to spend most of its time. I don't doubt that the Porsche is the better road car of the two; it would be frankly ridiculous if it wasn't.

Edited by kambites on Monday 7th September 08:11

[CedricN]

I haven't driven it myself but heard from other people who drives gt4s that they are pretty understeery out of the box. Do you know if the press cars are set up differently?

[Boydie88]

DonkeyApple said:

The real benefit of the Porsche is that no one will really know what it is. It'll just blend in with all the youngster's and wife's anniversary gift ones. Will quietly blend into the background with all the other mass produced cars. Whereas that Lotus is always going to stand out. There will be no escaping it. Every time you open the garage door you are going to be faced with something that was built purely for you personally to enjoy the thrill of. On top of that, the Lotus will be a bit embarrassing to park up at the shops as no one is going to realise it's a £70k car. People are just going to think that you really like driving and special cars but are poor. Unlike the Porsche where everyone is going to know that your husband is successful and rich. Albeit, not enough to have got you a 911.

What a load of bks. Your mistake would be giving a fk about what others think.

No one is going to think a Cayman is £80k with all the ludicrous options too. Mind you, paying £80k for a Cayman makes you a mug imo.