GT4 shirt - group buy

[Helicopter123]

Zyp said:

Quick question - if one was to snip about 10mm off the sleeves and stitch it onto the back, would one achieve more downforce when wearing it on the running track?
Or would it make one fall over when rounding the final bend?

Be careful, I'm sure that would invalidate the OPC warranty.

[Phooey]

Anyone know what the depreciation will be like on these? I quite fancy getting out of my CS (Cashmere-S) but don't want to dip my toe in at the deep end. I remember getting stung on my standard cotton-mix version years ago when i traded up to the CS - wrong colour dealer said



I'll probably only wear it once a week and doubt i'll ever wear it on track so resale is top of the list if I'm going to trade up. I think I'm going to pop into my OPC today for a demo - I'll let you know how it fits compared with the CS guys!

[sidicks]

Slippydiff said:

Wise decision not to wear it on track, they're pretty hopeless in my experience, they're strangled at the top end and don't breathe particularly well as a result. The earlier cotton mix has its limitations but the top end is a far nicer shirt for track use IMO.
The Cashmere is ok for posing in, but a decent cotton mix is hard to beat.

You old-timers are so obsessed with the old fashion 'air-cooled' technology and refuse to move with the times to adopt the far superior climacool synthetic materials.

[Phooey]

Slippydiff said:

Wise decision not to wear it on track, they're pretty hopeless in my experience, they're strangled at the top end and don't breathe particularly well as a result. The earlier cotton mix has its limitations but the top end is a far nicer shirt for track use IMO.
The Cashmere is ok for posing in, but a decent cotton mix is hard to beat.

seems a very bias review from a person who would rather he owned a Cashmere than a Nylon-S.

Esp one who harps on about how great the cotton-mix is, but yet does not fit in one (prob not even worn a T-shirt with one). Fat .

Laugh, well I do a little ;-)

[GaryF]

Phooey said:

Anyone know what the depreciation will be like on these? I quite fancy getting out of my CS (Cashmere-S) but don't want to dip my toe in at the deep end. I remember getting stung on my standard cotton-mix version years ago when i traded up to the CS - wrong colour dealer said



I'll probably only wear it once a week and doubt i'll ever wear it on track so resale is top of the list if I'm going to trade up. I think I'm going to pop into my OPC today for a demo - I'll let you know how it fits compared with the CS guys!

With a mind assuring resale value it would be foolish to buy the shirt to suit your own requirements. You need to buy it for the next owner, so just because you like the Smurf Blue or Kermit green colours it does not mean that the all important next buyer will.

Also, don't buy it to fit yourself, buy it to fit him/her. You can advertise your sewing slot in advance so that the new buyer can then lock in their own personal spec.

There will be the added complication of a bit of a chain as each buyer tries to make a few quid out of flipping it on and delaying final spec.

All of this is circumspect though, if like me you have not yet been allocated a Halo Shirt. It is still ok to waste inordinate amounts of time and effort in dreaming up what 'yours' might look like though - there is a forum with many threads for that and lots of helpful folk to help keep you right.

[sidicks]

Slippydiff said:

The new fangled stuff is ok, and I grant you easier to iron/maintain, but you can't beat the feel of an old fashioned air-cooled cotton-mix. They really are incredibly durable if maintained properly you know.

I've experienced the old stuff and it's good in its own way, but the technology in the new shirts has really moved the game on significantly. I find that most people who dismiss the new shirts haven't actually experienced them for themselves and are simply making judgements based on prejudice and ignorance.

Can I ask, how many wash cycles have you experienced with the new shirts on which to base your claims?

I should state that I have limited experience of the old shirts, solely through the PFC (Porsche Fabric Centre) at Silverstone.

[DS240]

Will people cancel their standard GT4 polo allocation and hold out for rumoured GT4 RS version.... featuring Carbon fibre buttons, wash advice labels reduced in size by 50%, light weight Porsche logo & FIA approved fireproof stitching.

[sidicks]

DS240 said:

Will people cancel their standard GT4 polo allocation and hold out for rumoured GT4 RS version.... featuring Carbon fibre buttons, wash advice labels reduced in size by 50%, light weight Porsche logo & FIA approved fireproof stitching.

If you don't already have your name down with your OPC and have a long history of long-term T-shirt purchases then you are unlikely to be allocated the GT4 RS model.

[fredt]

TTwiggy said:

They offered me the option of moving into a pair of used y-fronts they've just got in, and with the weather turning warmer I am quite tempted by the topless look. What do you think??

I think I know this OPC! I was offered these some time back but I passed as I didn't like the brown striping applied by the previous owner. Not only did it look st, frankly, but aftermarket mods like these would likely void the warranty.

Edited by fredt on Wednesday 1st July 13:55

[sidicks]

Slippydiff said:

Ahh, I think you might be falling into the "it's the newest latest thing, thus it must be best" trap. In my experience the number of wash cycles is a poor way to gauge the durability of the latest GT shirt range.

I can assure you that my views are based on extensive use of the new shirts, not other people's hype.

Slippydiff said:

Perhaps I can flip a question back at you, just how many cotton mix shirts have you worn ? I ask as there are cotton mix shirts and cotton mix shirts, put bluntly not all cotton mix shirts are created equal.

Agreed, I have previously acknowledged that I have limited experience of certain cotton shirts from the past, albeit under 'test' conditions rather than day-to-day usage.

Slippydiff said:

Cotton-mix shirts are available from the likes of M & S, and whilst they may appear the same as Stefano Ricci or Brioni, they're nothing like as well manufactured, added to which the materials are inferior and whilst at a casual glance they look well designed, the M & S stuff will be found wanting in the long term.

I guess what I'm saying is the newer stuff will do the job, and most likely do it well, but the older stuff is more tactile and thus engaging to wear.

I can only reiterate my previous comment that I find the latest shirts sufficiently engaging for my desired usage. It may of course mean that other people, with different choices, would make different decisions. That said, I do have other shirts which I can use if I'm looking for a different experience.

Slippydiff said:

But the new shirts aren't without their problems.
For proof one need look no further than a certain GT shirt launched not that long ago. Initially the press raved about them, saying they were comfortable to wear almost all the time, but then they suffered some stitching defects. Those defects led to a complete failure of the shirt, as a result many shirts were recalled and remained at dealers for weeks/months on end.
I grant you that some owners received compensation, but many were left without a shirt on their back for weeks.

My understanding is that initial issues on a small number of shirts were identified and resolved, with the replacement shirts being even better than the originals. Whilst embarrassing at the time, I have no concerns about ongoing durability of the new shirts.

Slippydiff said:

I'm not convinced the new GT shirts aren't the panacea you perceive them to be.
However, if you'd like to send me your new GT shirt (freshly laundered obviously) I'd try it on for a weekend and let you know how it stacks up against an established shirt.

I'd genuinely be interested in your opinions on the new shirt - I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

[GaryF]

I just had the call from my OPC. Well, it seems its not that clear cut...

Apparently I've not yet been allocated a shirt, but if I were to up my current £5 deposit to £10 it would significantly improve my chances of success. Has anyone else had this? I don't think it is something universally operated across all OPCs. As such it seems a little strange. Why should they get an extra 0.13p interest from my hard-earned whilst I sit and wait for a year without any firm confirmation of a shirt.

One other update on the current supply problem with the carbon-effect lightweight silk sleeves - availability is still not confirmed but they have applied some fuzzy logic which dictates that those that have decided to change their shirt spec after Feb 3rd (i.e. the day before you could use the configurator to spec it in the first place) can "just sod off". They will "just have take whatever we decide to give them". At this point I hung up as I feared he was going to follow those words up by stating that that could be "a stiff rear ending".

So there you go. Still looking unlikely to get a shirt. What a complete and utter mess.

On the upside, I see TVR are offering to take deposits on their new shirt in just six days time and with an added discount incentive for TVRCC club members. No details at all of the shirt itself are available at this time but it is likely to be handmade in Britain (imagine the quality) and be properly lairy with flip-effect fabric colours available. I think it might be time to move my deposit onto one of those shirts.

Edited by GaryF on Wednesday 1st July 14:17

[fredt]

Slippydiff said:

Little known fact : I think you'll find those stripes were in fact factory fit. Ford had the S Max, Porsche wanted to use the same nomenclature but Ford kicked up a hell of a stink and Porsche were forced to go with The Y front S Marx.
Ergo, no warranty issues with them.

You could be right. However, wouldn't the factory use stickers? These were definitely airbrushed.

Anyway, buyer beware. It didn't smell right to me so I walked.

[DS240]

Shirt recall news!!... Hearing reports of some major stitching failures on early shirts. Factory has ordered a full stop on production and deliveries whilst it investigates. Shirt owners have been ordered to stop wearing them immediately and have them taken back to dealers.

There's up roar though as some customers are unhappy at having possibly dealer retrofitted stitching upgrades and others will be getting fresh factory upgraded shirts.

One shirt owner commented... 'I was so smug at getting an early shirt. I was all over PH boasting about how it blows the old cayman r shirt away in comfort and cooling. I'm already starting a group letter demanding all GT shirt owners are compensated ridiculously heavily. I just don't expect this, surely Porsche have to treat us like royalty... we are new GT shirt owners for gods sake! Without any exaggeration, this whole experience has ruined my life, i'm contemplating telling them I want my money back and going off and buying one of those Aston Martin shirts instead.'

[GaryF]

DS240 said:

Without any exaggeration, this whole experience has ruined my life

That is no exaggeration. It is a cataclysmic catastrophe on so many levels.

A lawyer with a suitably high-powered double-barreled surname and wide gauge pin-striped suit needs to take these people to task. I use the term 'people' in its loosest sense.

Sir Arthur Sheep-Nobbler III
A. Lawyer (retired)

[GaryF]

A Lawyer
Double-barrel Surname
Very Expensive
Wide Gauge Pinstripe Suit
Guards Red Braces (extra cost)
Can Wear Matching Red Tie (extra cost)
Willing to Fight Savages



I think we have found our man...

[Zyp]

Slippydiff said:

Worthwhile forming some kind if action group ? Strength in numbers and all that ?

Totally uneccessary, unless they start to self combust whilst being tumble dried.