The new 718 Gt4/Spyder are here!

[joelgti]

TDT said:

Looks like you got that from Reading?

Congrats.

What’s it like and what are you planning to do with the car? Any track work?

That’s right. Early days so far and not driven in anger but initial impressions are:
-Engine sounds much better than expected, especially from the cabin
-Steering a big improvement from previous 981GTS comparator
-Cup 2 tyres not as scary in the wet as I was expecting based on some comments I’ve read on here
-Shame no axle lift available - probably main issue for those using as a daily
-Pleased with the Guards/Aurum colour scheme in the metal

Very limited track experience to date but based on how confidence-inspiring it felt on the PEC day I’ll be keen to give it a go next year.

Euro weekend trip planned for as soon as the weather forecast clears up!

[Twinfan]

TDT said:

JasonSteel said:

Twinfan said:

I'm going maximum yellow

you got an allocation? that's great - congrats.

didn't you say that they were "fugly" a while back?! i disagree entirely of course and look forward to photos and review.

what kind of hit did you take on your GTS (i assume you had to px)?

one small suggestion for your consideration - black calipers to go with the yellow paint? those red calipers are a bit jarring on anything other than red or non colours such as white/grey/crayon etc

Lol... and that wings are obnoxious, unnecessary poseur bling.
Sure the virtues of the 718 GT4 will now be extolled....

I also agree with you on the black callipers.

Anyway enjoy guys.

I've just finalised my spec at my OPC and I'm sticking with red calipers. I think they look great and match the rear lights, brake lights and reflectors in the rear bumper. Shouty, jarring etc is all part of the GT package IMHO.

My GTS will be part-ex'd in Feb just before my GT4 arrives. I haven't discussed values yet, I'll wait until then to sort it out.

I still think the 718 isn't as pretty as the 981, and also that wings are ridiculous on a daily car. Mine won't be a daily but I'd still prefer it without a wing, something like a ducktail instead would be perfect, but hey ho. My car is complete overkill for the road-only driving I do but I'm buying one because I'm a big Motorsport fan, I've been lucky enough to be asked if I want to buy one and because you only live once.

[JasonSteel]

Twinfan said:

I've just finalised my spec at my OPC and I'm sticking with red calipers. I think they look great and match the rear lights, brake lights and reflectors in the rear bumper. Shouty, jarring etc is all part of the GT package IMHO.

My GTS will be part-ex'd in Feb just before my GT4 arrives. I haven't discussed values yet, I'll wait until then to sort it out.

I still think the 718 isn't as pretty as the 981, and also that wings are ridiculous on a daily car. Mine won't be a daily but I'd still prefer it without a wing, something like a ducktail instead would be perfect, but hey ho. My car is complete overkill for the road-only driving I do but I'm buying one because I'm a big Motorsport fan, I've been lucky enough to be asked if I want to buy one and because you only live once.

just to be clear i was only joking re the "fugly" comments. it's a great looking car though i agree a sans wing "touring" option would have been perfect.

so you didn't have to px your current car to have the GT4? the reason i ask is that i was also offered a slot (completely out of the blue) but the conditions were that i px my beloved CGTS at silly money and take a hit on finance too. timing wasn't great either so i'm hoping i'll get another bite at the cherry at some point.

[Twinfan]

JasonSteel said:

so you didn't have to px your current car to have the GT4? the reason i ask is that i was also offered a slot (completely out of the blue) but the conditions were that i px my beloved CGTS at silly money and take a hit on finance too. timing wasn't great either so i'm hoping i'll get another bite at the cherry at some point.

Nope, I've paid my deposit and locked my order with no strings attached. I'll be sorting out my part-ex and finance just before the car arrives. If I decide to sell my car and/or get finance elsewhere then it has no bearing on my allocation whatsoever.

[Romo]

joelgti said:

That’s right. Early days so far and not driven in anger but initial impressions are:
-Engine sounds much better than expected, especially from the cabin
-Steering a big improvement from previous 981GTS comparator
-Cup 2 tyres not as scary in the wet as I was expecting based on some comments I’ve read on here
-Shame no axle lift available - probably main issue for those using as a daily
-Pleased with the Guards/Aurum colour scheme in the metal

Very limited track experience to date but based on how confidence-inspiring it felt on the PEC day I’ll be keen to give it a go next year.

Euro weekend trip planned for as soon as the weather forecast clears up!

The 718 Spyder/GT4 steering is indeed improved by a great margin !! I used to own a 981 CGTS, the steering was its weekest point IMHO, I dilsiked it very much.

What alsso impressed me on 718 Spyder steering feel was that the car did not feel light on the nose, like the C GTS did, it feels very solid, very planted.

[Twinfan]

Yep, the 981 GT4 was the same. It's quite a different feeling to any other 981.

[JasonSteel]

Twinfan said:

Nope, I've paid my deposit and locked my order with no strings attached.

thanks for confirming. that's fantastic - can't believe they tried to rip me off like they did... i don't feel bad at all now that i turned them down.

[Twinfan]

It seems some OPCs are still playing games with allocations then. Bang out of order if you ask me.

I think a lot of people may not be taking cars this time around. I'm getting GT4 #3 at my OPC and car #2 is going to a fairly recent customer without a big spending history, so where are the VIPs? Waiting for PDK? Or the RS (more likely)?

[av185]

The RS will be very limited.

Waiting for PDK Spring 2020 early Summer. The 981 GT4 ratios are a pain.

[av185]

joelgti said:

Here’s mine. Crap weather but still managed to get 150 miles in over the weekend.

Good call going Guards Aurum wheels. I am going the same. Guards satin wheels on my 981 GT4.

Red GT4s look the db imo. Free colour too always a plus.

[Twinfan]

av185 said:

The 981 GT4 ratios are a pain.

They don't bother me at all on my GTS which has the same gearbox. The extra torque and 75PS will make my GT4 quicker through the gears than my GTS and I'd rather have a manual over PDK any day of the week. I find the whole gearing thing an overblown non-issue. Each to their own though!

[av185]

Twinfan said:

av185 said:

The 981 GT4 ratios are a pain.

They don't bother me at all on my GTS which has the same gearbox. The extra torque and 75PS will make my GT4 quicker through the gears than my GTS and I'd rather have a manual over PDK any day of the week. I find the whole gearing thing an overblown non-issue. Each to their own though!

Agree to an extent whilst I like PDKs in the right cars (GT3 is parity imo) the GT4 is probably better manual BUT the lighter 718 GT4 clutch together with the ratios just tips the balance for me towards the PDK as I hate light clutches.

The 981 GT4 really has the perfect gearbox (action) and clutch even bettering the 991.2GT3 the clutch of which is too light imo.

[neilf]

A lucky customer in Notts today

[Twinfan]

Satin Aurum wheels certainly seem popular in the initial batch...

[GT4P]

Not that I am chasing one but this would be my choice


Crayon,satin platinum wheels and black calipers

[GT4P]

[notsomadmick]

Twinfan said:

Yep, the 981 GT4 was the same. It's quite a different feeling to any other 981.

981 Spyder 'similar' in this regard. Smaller wheel & faster rack from 991 Turbo S makes GT4 and Spy feel more agile.
They actually feel more in keeping with my previous 986 - than regular versions of 987 or 981.

[Dr S]

joelgti said:

Here’s mine. Crap weather but still managed to get 150 miles in over the weekend.

Very pretty car - love the combo

[Twinfan]

notsomadmick said:

981 Spyder 'similar' in this regard. Smaller wheel & faster rack from 991 Turbo S makes GT4 and Spy feel more agile.
They actually feel more in keeping with my previous 986 - than regular versions of 987 or 981.

Having driven both cars back-to-back I would disagree - I thought the 981 Spyder felt more similar to my 981 GTS. The GT3-based chassis in the GT4 was much more 'solid' for want of a better word.

[Bispal]

Twinfan said:

av185 said:

The 981 GT4 ratios are a pain.

They don't bother me at all on my GTS which has the same gearbox. The extra torque and 75PS will make my GT4 quicker through the gears than my GTS and I'd rather have a manual over PDK any day of the week. I find the whole gearing thing an overblown non-issue. Each to their own though!

I agree with Twinfan. I really like that my 981 Spyder holds the gears a little longer than some sports cars. It's not much but it gives me a chance to savour the engine and enjoy the growing revs in anticipation. Personally I have had my fill of 7/8/9 speed dual clutch cars revving to the red line in about 1 second and not being able to enjoy the building crescendo. I drove a Superformance GT40 last week and that held its gears for far much longer and it was all the better for it. The gearing is never mentioned in GT40 reviews and it does nothing to distil the legend.

If you want the fastest car for the money the Spyder / GT4 is not the right car for you. Its more of a car to be savoured, its a sensory experience not a dull 7 speed, twin turbo statistics car. The gearing is not a problem its actually a rare delight to be enjoyed while it lasts.