Cayman GT4 buying advice
Discussion
These guys are also doing the new brackets - https://www.trackspecauto.com/merch/ts001
Available in silver or black.
Available in silver or black.
FrankCayman said:
Good lord, yes...time passes quickly. So if you were looking at a 981 GT4 now in the used market, would you go for 'chairs' over the 918 buckets?
No the GT2 buckets. both the cars I have kept have those. I would never buy a GT car with chairs personally.All the cars I own have buckets.
FrankCayman said:
Good lord, yes...time passes quickly. So if you were looking at a 981 GT4 now in the used market, would you go for 'chairs' over the 918 buckets?
That's the sensible choice for anybody wanting to do proper road miles in comfort (it's a great road car) and the occasionally track day. They are perfect for that. Buckets, any type should only be specced with the CS pack, otherwise they are pointless. However, the 918 seats do look nice.jcosh said:
Buckets, any type should only be specced with the CS pack, otherwise they are pointless.
Absolutely not. Perhaps to you but that's a very subjective thing. For a lot of other people, myself included, buckets sit lower and give you considerably better feel for the car and are critical to the sports car thing. Again wrt to the OP, buy the seats that fit and that you like irrespective of what anyone else says!Both the 918 seats and the sports buckets side bolsters wear. I know because I have two cars spec'd with them. I am extremely careful and it's a consequence of how you get into the car that you wear the top.
I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area. I regularly have passengers complain about lower back pain in the sports bucket seats but I can't deny that they're quite handy for their ability to fold forward and access the back, particularly when cleaning.
If you're worried about preserving the finish on your seats, you can buy some side panel guards from someone like Rennwerkstatt. They're very well made and a perfect match.
https://www.rennwerkstatt.us/products/rennwerkstat...
I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area. I regularly have passengers complain about lower back pain in the sports bucket seats but I can't deny that they're quite handy for their ability to fold forward and access the back, particularly when cleaning.
If you're worried about preserving the finish on your seats, you can buy some side panel guards from someone like Rennwerkstatt. They're very well made and a perfect match.
https://www.rennwerkstatt.us/products/rennwerkstat...
Mutema said:
Both the 918 seats and the sports buckets side bolsters wear. I know because I have two cars spec'd with them. I am extremely careful and it's a consequence of how you get into the car that you wear the top.
I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area. I regularly have passengers complain about lower back pain in the sports bucket seats but I can't deny that they're quite handy for their ability to fold forward and access the back, particularly when cleaning.
If you're worried about preserving the finish on your seats, you can buy some side panel guards from someone like Rennwerkstatt. They're very well made and a perfect match.
https://www.rennwerkstatt.us/products/rennwerkstat...
A big % of 918 are already nackered though, no one has this issue in the older buckets just normal wear.I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area. I regularly have passengers complain about lower back pain in the sports bucket seats but I can't deny that they're quite handy for their ability to fold forward and access the back, particularly when cleaning.
If you're worried about preserving the finish on your seats, you can buy some side panel guards from someone like Rennwerkstatt. They're very well made and a perfect match.
https://www.rennwerkstatt.us/products/rennwerkstat...
side panel guards are not the issue, that's to save your stitching. look at the 3 pictures (I could post 30) as just about 100% of RS for sale have nackered 918 seats :-( even cars with 200 miles.
The 1st car I came across with GT2 seats were perfect.
I did not have to look for these , these are the bottom 5 cars I looked at on the OPC site.
and for several companies to make tilt brackets for 918 , it's a real problem, again no one moans before.
is what is is,
and the better design GT2 bucket, much stronger side walls
Mutema said:
.
I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area.
The older p11 folding buckets have a broader shoulder width than the newer 918 p3 buckets.I find the 918 seats a bit more comfortable as they have a broader shoulder area.
The p3s are also wider at the hip so it often depends on your build as to which is most comfortable for you.
I prefer the newer p3 carbon faced buckets as they are more comfortable, you sit lower in the car and have height adjustment. They also look far better than the dated p11s especially if the car has the carbon interior.
Incidentally they show no wear on the bolsters which is caused by incorrect entry which can also affect the older folding p11s too.
Edited by av185 on Thursday 25th October 12:27
av185 said:
The older p11 folding buckets have a broader shoulder width than the newer 918 p3 buckets.
The p3s are also wider at the hip so it often depends on your build as to which is most comfortable for you.
I prefer the newer p3 carbon faced buckets as they are more comfortable, you sit lower in the car and have height adjustment. They also look far better than the dated p11s especially if the car has the carbon interior.
Incidentally they show no wear on the bolsters which is caused by incorrect entry which can also affect the older folding p11s too.
As we all know on this forum now looks are subjective, GT2 Buckets are not dated as you can still spec them, they are a current seat ! and I might add lighter and heated, be funny if then canned the 918 style in the 992 and kept the GT2 design.The p3s are also wider at the hip so it often depends on your build as to which is most comfortable for you.
I prefer the newer p3 carbon faced buckets as they are more comfortable, you sit lower in the car and have height adjustment. They also look far better than the dated p11s especially if the car has the carbon interior.
Incidentally they show no wear on the bolsters which is caused by incorrect entry which can also affect the older folding p11s too.
You say the bending of the 918 Bolster can effect the GT2 seat, but it's not showing up to as much in the GT2 design as it's a stronger design.
where as we have cars with del miles on with bent 918 style sides.
Only reason to spec 918 design is for resale or if you are over 6 foot and want height adjust, every thing else is far better in the GT2 bucket.
Folding
Heated
Lighter
Less upright
Tighter.
be no suprize if they dropped the 918 design on the new cars it really is a crap seat imo.
If you want to sit lower in the GT2 style fit a thinner cushion as they are massive in the Gt2 which does aid the comfort of them.
Sandy59 said:
Out of interest has anyone had a close look at the area highlighted in the picture here ??
I'd never noticed but on close inspection one of my seats was actually worn through at this point, salesman pointed it out as quite common :
I saw the state of the Geneva show car at the launch and it had probably had 5 years of backsides in and out of it on any day so was a good indication of how it would fare long term. I got side bolster protectors on to the sides of mine very early on in the life of the car and I never put my weight on to the bolster getting into the car. It's a gymnastic contortion to do it at times but I have a small leather crease on the diagonal but that's about it for wear.I'd never noticed but on close inspection one of my seats was actually worn through at this point, salesman pointed it out as quite common :
Can see the arguments and the differences. Not going to get into an argument about body shape and ergonomics, there is no replacement for sitting in them so if the OP wants to make a decision, it's the only way to be sure. However, having driven an i8 for 8 hours in one hit, I can attest to the fact that there is no substitution for duration of seat time. I'd take the original seats on a 2CV over what is fitted to an i8.
UPDATE:
Drove a 911 GTS (991.1) back to back with a Cayman GT4 today. Not a huge test drive but a great salesman who was very easy going and let me test drive before even asking about figures etc.
The 911 was boring. Didn’t do anything for me; just a normal car that felt quite fast.
The GT4 on the other hand instantly felt like loads of fun. Annoyingly, the car is the same one that was for sale privately 7 miles away from me until last week! So of course now I’d be paying quite a bit more with a retail rather than private price. The garage must have got to it before I did :-(
The car had non-folding buckets, and they felt fine, although this was only a short run, and combined with the heavy clutch, I do wonder if it could activate my sciatic nerve a little bit (old issue that only shows itself in certain cars a few hours in to a journey).
I’ve therefore stepped back a bit for now; I’ll possib even wait until the new one comes along and the older models all get traded in. #livesinhope!!
Drove a 911 GTS (991.1) back to back with a Cayman GT4 today. Not a huge test drive but a great salesman who was very easy going and let me test drive before even asking about figures etc.
The 911 was boring. Didn’t do anything for me; just a normal car that felt quite fast.
The GT4 on the other hand instantly felt like loads of fun. Annoyingly, the car is the same one that was for sale privately 7 miles away from me until last week! So of course now I’d be paying quite a bit more with a retail rather than private price. The garage must have got to it before I did :-(
The car had non-folding buckets, and they felt fine, although this was only a short run, and combined with the heavy clutch, I do wonder if it could activate my sciatic nerve a little bit (old issue that only shows itself in certain cars a few hours in to a journey).
I’ve therefore stepped back a bit for now; I’ll possib even wait until the new one comes along and the older models all get traded in. #livesinhope!!
Edited by w44neg on Thursday 25th October 17:47
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/SKU918GRIP.h...
Some people have been removing them... and putting them back to the original early 918 spec.
Early 918s didn't have these grips which are supposed to be used to help you get in and out of the seat and have been known to fail... the leather piece comes of as the glue dries and becomes brittle and weak. Part is held in place by the strap with a clip and some double-sided tape. Stuttgart Engineering mets McGyver lol.
Pics are from RL!
Some people have been removing them... and putting them back to the original early 918 spec.
Early 918s didn't have these grips which are supposed to be used to help you get in and out of the seat and have been known to fail... the leather piece comes of as the glue dries and becomes brittle and weak. Part is held in place by the strap with a clip and some double-sided tape. Stuttgart Engineering mets McGyver lol.
Pics are from RL!
Edited by TDT on Thursday 25th October 18:48
The Porsche Silverstone GT4 (black car) has comfort seats. I never once thought I needed buckets on track, slalom and low grip handling circuit.
I’m actually looking for either a comfort spec GT4 or comfort spec 991 GT3. Will be s daily car but never concerned me on track .
Great car, probably too much traction for fun but I know you can adjust anti roll bars to modify dynamics.
I’m actually looking for either a comfort spec GT4 or comfort spec 991 GT3. Will be s daily car but never concerned me on track .
Great car, probably too much traction for fun but I know you can adjust anti roll bars to modify dynamics.
w44neg said:
Ah what a shame about the BOSE. I know it probably adds weight and there’s the exhaust note to listen to, but it’s such a great system.
Excuse my ignorance but what’s “CS”?
CS - Clubsport packExcuse my ignorance but what’s “CS”?
This was a factory fitted rear cage, 918 style seats, then dealer fitted harnesses and a fire extinguisher.
In my opinion, having owned both, I don't think it makes much of a difference.
The harnesses are a faff but you still need to use the seatbelt or use a dummy plug to stop it going off. The extinguisher means cutting a hole in the carpet which looks pretty sad if you ever decided to take out the extinguisher.
Plus, like a few others, I don't find the 918 style seats that comfortable and prefer folding buckets. But for some owners its a must.
Edited by _Superleggera_ on Friday 26th October 10:24
I have the 918 seats and honestly find them to be near perfect. However, when I bought mine three years and 11,000 miles ago they were too upright and Strasse made spacers for the front to recline the seat more in keeping with height/posture/shape etc.(Six foot, thirteen stone, occasional lower back issue)
This has been ideal for me and the brackets shown on this thread would be even better. We are all different but I love them, comfortable for trips and supportive enough for the track. Also, I've just checked - no wear on mine, it's best to jump in/out in one swift movement anyway and this seems to minimise scuffing.
This has been ideal for me and the brackets shown on this thread would be even better. We are all different but I love them, comfortable for trips and supportive enough for the track. Also, I've just checked - no wear on mine, it's best to jump in/out in one swift movement anyway and this seems to minimise scuffing.
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