About to join the GT4 club

[Roma101]

Hi

I'm about to swap my GTS 4.0 for a GT4 and I was looking for some second opinions on spec. (spec. lock is in a few weeks time). In particular, it would be good to hear from people who have made the jump from GTS to GT4 (or from anyone who has both!) - any regrets in making the change? Also, if you had your time again, are there any options you would or would not choose?

The car would mainly be a Sunday and special occasions car, with the odd UK and hopefully Euro road trip each year. It would most likely not see a track (sorry!).

The big decisions were/are gearbox and colour. I haven't really got on with the manual in the GTS, so, after much um-ing and ah-ing, I have decided on PDK (for now!). As for colour, I'm thinking GR (the detailer has said this will need a two stage polish though!), GT Silver (classic and looks good, if a bit boring) or possibly GB (quite dark and I'm worried it might show up the swirls after a while even if it is protected with something like GTechniq). Budget doesn't allow for PTS.

Other random thoughts:
- will go for LED PDSL, but why is there no PDSL+? Is that because you could never get them on the GT4 or because you just can't get them now because of supply issues? Will be a shame to lose the extra feature (I have the + on my GTS).
- what is all the hype with the Clubsport pack? Surely it only makes sense if you are tracking the car?
- I am tempted by the buckets, but the standard seats in the GTS are absolutely fine (in terms of support and comfort) and do I really want to spend the best part of £4k on something that might be less comfortable (I've never sat in them, let alone driven in them)?
- PCCBs - I would like them, but not sure the budget allows for them. Are the standard brakes fine for fast road use?
- Bose - probably not going to bother. I have it in the GTS and it is ok, but not amazing. How bad is the standard stereo?

So, at the moment, I'm probably going for silver, silver wheels, PDK, chrono, LED PDSL, the upgraded interior (like the GTS interior pack), dual zone, standard seats, standard brakes and a few other more minor bits and bobs.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Roma101]

CarbonV12V said:

Horses for courses.

I looked at the GT4 but decided like you that as i would also not be tracking the car and would also be travelling into Europe and using regularly that a GTS would suit me better. Had to be PDK.

I therefore found one with the right spec of 18 way seats, other interior/technology upgrades, PCCBs and Burmester etc. . It arrives at the end of the month

CS package is for track so you don't need it. Colour is personal. Seats are whatever suits your body. Again as not tracking you don't need the buckets.

It does beg the question why change other than the manual v PDK?

Edited by CarbonV12V on Thursday 23 March 21:08

Thanks for your comments. To answer your (very reasonable) question at the end of your post, I like the GTS, but having owned it for a while now, I don't find it quite as engaging or as special as I was expecting. When coupled with the manual 'box factor, I haven't really jelled with the car. In fact, I started toying with the idea of selling it quite soon after getting it, which I suppose tells you everything.

I had a very quick go in a GT4 last year and straight away if felt more like what I was after. Don't get me wrong, if I kept the GTS, that would be fine as it is a brilliant car. But, the current GT4 is the only GT car I'm ever going to be able to buy, so with production ending in the summer, it's now or never for a new one. The GTS hardly gets used, so when I do want to use my "special" car, I want it to be very special. I may regret it, but then my wife would say I shouldn't be wasting money on toy cars at all and would prefer it if I just sold the GTS!

Hope you enjoy your GTS when it comes!

[Roma101]

Thanks for all of your comments. However, I think they have made me even more undecided now! A few responses / further thoughts from me:

Buckets - I agree that they would make the car feel even more special. I have had cars with buckets before and do think they add a lot to a car. However, some of them have been uncomfortable on long drives. Another issue is the lack of isofix sockets. I would like to have the ability to take my young children out in the car (not at the same time obviously). One is getting to the age where we can probably get away with one of those booster style kids seats (as opposed to a proper clip-in one). Is the base of the bucket seat wide enough to fit a booster style kids seat? It only just about fits into the base of the standard seats in the GTS, so, with the steeper side bolsters of the buckets, I am guessing it probably won't fit in a bucket seat? Appreciate it is hard to tell because you have no idea what kids seat I have.

I think I will ring up the dealer and see if he has any cars with buckets in and go and sit in them. And take the booster seat to see if it fits. However, I think cost might ultimately be the determining factor here as I have a pretty rigid budget. I would have to drop quite a few other things to get buckets like the fancy interior and the LEDs, which I'm not sure I am prepared to do. First world problems and all that!

Bose - I do listen to the radio in my GTS (Bose), but only on longer motorway drives. For those who have the standard stereo, what's it like at 70 mph on the motorway when the car is just cruising? If I somehow twist the man maths even more and get buckets, I will definitely have to drop Bose. If I stick with the standard seats, I might keep it, unless I can find something else on the options list to excite me.

Shame they have taken down the configurator. I assume if I go into the dealer, they will still be able to access things and show me all the options?

As the above poster said, I think I will probably end up with my original spec. by the time decision day comes!

Thanks again for your comments.