Saw the R in person this weekend, what a stunning car. In white with red decals and black side marks, black interior. The area around the manual gear shift looked a bit cheap but the tartan seats work really well. The rear is a masterpiece and the black spoiler does not look tacky but functional. The rear bumper looks very aggressive and in the end better than the regular more elegant 991. I also loved the large grey satin wheels. In terms of road presence it put the GT4 to a shame.
That said I still cannot get over the fact that you cannot buy one, it is manual and has no rear seats (and not convertible too).
As far as the new 718 spyder, in orange the rear is an absolute mess. It is a step back from the not so nice (IMHO) previous Boxster and Cayman. It tries to bring a modern aspect to a tired shape and fails. Nothing to say about the front, it looks like any other Porsche they make...
Saw a GLS 63 AMG and it looked nice despite the horrible white/cream color. I can't understand why it doesn't have a digital dashboard though... The Volvo SUV looked ok, the Alfa 4C is stunning as is the RR Wraith. The Bentley SUV front is not very nice and the rear bland. Loved the new Spiker (always liked that brand). The RR sport SVR is really nice and will be tough for the Cayenne TTS at much lower price. Loved the Evoque convertible. Last the Maserati SUV looks good but what's bad choice of colors to present it again (black white silver). It looks longer than a Cayenne but doesn't have 7 seats (?) so in the end it is going to stay a niche car and very strong competition with the Q7.
SciFrog:In terms of road presence it put the GT4 to a shame.
I think the GT3 has more road presence than the GT4 too, so not so surprising the R follows it's footsteps The GT4 simply cannot compete with the wide hips on the 911. It is nice to see the comparison though, with the twice as expensive R.
Having said that, I think the front intake/spoiler/lip area looks better on the GT4 than any other Porsche (the 918 being a close 2:nd). It is a simple, aggressive and harmonious design. The GT3/R has too many slats, intakes and angles. The prolonged side indicator "brows" does not help. Hopefully fixed with the next generation GT3.
I totally agree with you on the 718. An absolute mess of a design
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
Mar 28, 2016 5:38:54 PM
"It is nice to see the comparison though, with the twice as expensive R." and most importantly NOT AVAILABLE TO BUY. Dealer still has one for me ... on the bubble trying to justify it. The one I sat in was at the Thursday night 911 launch event and I had the joy of hearing him drive off. I actually am starting to prefer the shape to the 911.
Mar 28, 2016 5:51:49 PM
Leawood911:"It is nice to see the comparison though, with the twice as expensive R." and most importantly NOT AVAILABLE TO BUY. Dealer still has one for me ... on the bubble trying to justify it. The one I sat in was at the Thursday night 911 launch event and I had the joy of hearing him drive off. I actually am starting to prefer the shape to the 911.
Get it!
Today we had a nice spring afternoon here and I took the GT4 out for a quick spin. It is just so much fun to drive! The precise feel in the steering and pedals, the direct gearbox, the perfect balance and agility in the chassis. All accompanied by a loud and aggressive exhaust note. The car is simply perfect to throw around on twisty country roads.
Even if the GT4 does not have the road presence of the GT3/R/RS it does get a lot of attention. It is day and night driving the GT4 versus the C4S with people looking, smiling and giving thumbs up.
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
Mar 28, 2016 10:24:40 PM
Leawood911:"It is nice to see the comparison though, with the twice as expensive R." and most importantly NOT AVAILABLE TO BUY. Dealer still has one for me ... on the bubble trying to justify it. The one I sat in was at the Thursday night 911 launch event and I had the joy of hearing him drive off. I actually am starting to prefer the shape to the 911.
Is this the same dealer you said would not talk to you?? Somewhat confused... nevertheless, from what you have described on RT as your car preferences, I cannot imagine you would not like the R. As we head off into a turbo'd and hybrid'd and battery'd future, it may be your last 911. ( and of course if you prove to dislike it, selling should not be hard).
2011 Range Rover Sport S/C, 2009 Porsche 911S
Mar 29, 2016 2:59:26 AM
4trac - there is only one dealer. If I ask questions they do answer. (different salesperson as well). R is not for sale. I do a lot on long distance driving so the Turbo is a bit better suited for that. Those racing seats in the GT4 are awesome but hard for this old man to get out of.
If the R were cheaper than the GT3 (no PDK so it should be cheaper) and without all the carbon bodywork to drive up the price it would be a great $130K car for the masses. Basically they should use the GT3 engine across the board and simply charge and extra $25K. If that is all they make then maybe even $15K extra due to volume.
Mar 29, 2016 10:14:29 AM
throt:I certainly wouldn't swap my 2015 991GT3 for a R, regardless how limited it is.
I suspect most GT3 owners feel the same way you do.
FWIW, I found it interesting that three prospective buyers of my GT3 were GT4 owners. They all said they wanted to move "up" whatever that means.
Of little, to make much: That is the dream of a human life.
nberry:throt:I certainly wouldn't swap my 2015 991GT3 for a R, regardless how limited it is.
I suspect most GT3 owners feel the same way you do.
FWIW, I found it interesting that three prospective buyers of my GT3 were GT4 owners. They all said they wanted to move "up" whatever that means.
Bluelines will probably want to tell you that it just means that those guys were misguided.
fritz
fritz:nberry:throt:I certainly wouldn't swap my 2015 991GT3 for a R, regardless how limited it is.
I suspect most GT3 owners feel the same way you do.
FWIW, I found it interesting that three prospective buyers of my GT3 were GT4 owners. They all said they wanted to move "up" whatever that means.
Bluelines will probably want to tell you that it just means that those guys were misguided.
Indeed or they were just confused about what to do about that strange stick between the seats
16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Grant:fritz:nberry:throt:I certainly wouldn't swap my 2015 991GT3 for a R, regardless how limited it is.
I suspect most GT3 owners feel the same way you do.
FWIW, I found it interesting that three prospective buyers of my GT3 were GT4 owners. They all said they wanted to move "up" whatever that means.
Bluelines will probably want to tell you that it just means that those guys were misguided.
Indeed or they were just confused about what to do about that strange stick between the seats
..... and worried about that totally ineffective left-foot parking brake.
fritz
fritz:Bluelines will probably want to tell you that it just means that those guys were misguided.
Tragic!These girliemen could not handle the rugged masculinity of the GT4 playboymobile. It is so sad to see when manliness gets beaten by smooth-shifting PDK and pseudo-agile rear-wheel steering. Bless their little hearts.
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
Grant:fritz:nberry:throt:I certainly wouldn't swap my 2015 991GT3 for a R, regardless how limited it is.
I suspect most GT3 owners feel the same way you do.
FWIW, I found it interesting that three prospective buyers of my GT3 were GT4 owners. They all said they wanted to move "up" whatever that means.
Bluelines will probably want to tell you that it just means that those guys were misguided.
Indeed or they were just confused about what to do about that strange stick between the seats
I probably should have followed up and asked what they meant but honestly I didn't care. I just assumed they wanted to graduate to the major leagues in performance.
All kidding aside, Grant why do you want to move "up"?
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Of little, to make much: That is the dream of a human life.
nberry:All kidding aside, Grant why do you want to move "up"?
I'm a bit of an oddball in that I prefer rear-engine handling (but I like the smaller size and weight of the GT4). Also, love high revving motors (and wouldn't turn down the extra ~115 hp). But, I am not yet convinced that a manual GT3 would be worth the extra $ over the GT4 (waiting to see the spec and price).
And I guess from a speculative point of view the last NA GT3 might hold its value even better than GT4.
But in all honesty, my main motivation for another new Porsche is the chance for Euro Delivery again. I am also #1 on the list for a 981.2 GT4 in case that is more in line with my priorities and budget...
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16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
nberry:All kidding aside, Grant why do you want to move "up"?
I might move "up" when the next GT3 comes out. To those of you who suddenly started to uncontrollably cry, things will be fine. We will deal with this together. Holding hands. Singing songs. Watching funny cat videos on YouTube.
That is, the C4S and the GT4 would both go for a new GT3. I half considered the current one, but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right I am staying away.
Why? I am also more into the 911 than the Cayman/Boxster IF I only have one. But R does not interest me at all. IMHO it is still an overpriced end-of-life parts-bin exercise. Having said that, I have high hopes for the 991.2 GT3.
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
nberry:I have never done ED and may consider it in the future. How long did it take to get your car back from Europe after you dropped it off?
6.5 weeks
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16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
fritz:..... "but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right " ......Seriously? Any info on cause or nature of the failures?
Only what I read here on RT and other forums. For example, Macca and his friend who reportedly both are on their 3rd engines now.
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
fritz:..... "but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right " ......Seriously? Any info on cause or nature of the failures?
Oiling of the valve-train (camshaft and finger-follower interface) is insufficient (lots of wear on cams and valve actuators). Said to be cured with 2016 3.8L and all 4.0L...
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16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Grant:bluelines:I have high hopes for the 991.2 GT3.Do you think you would take PDK-S or Manual?
This would be a very tough choice. I love the manual in the GT4. A masterpiece. But I also enjoy PDK in the C4S. The two gearboxes complement each other well. But choosing one, hmm... don't know.
2015 981 Cayman GT4 | White | Full Bucket Seats | Sport Chrono
2014 991 Carrera 4S | Dark Blue Metallic | PDK | Sport Chrono | SPASM
bluelines:Grant:bluelines:I have high hopes for the 991.2 GT3.Do you think you would take PDK-S or Manual?
This would be a very tough choice. I love the manual in the GT4. A masterpiece. But I also enjoy PDK in the C4S. The two gearboxes complement each other well. But choosing one, hmm... don't know.
Yeah, I am strongly leaning toward manual but haven't entirely ruled out PDK. I would like PDK for the better gearing (with 7 of them) and the E-diff. But Manual is much more fun...
Now if Porsche would only learn one more important lesson from the GT4: Center-lock wheels have no place on a road car (or until they come up with a lock that doesn't need 600 NM of torque)...
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16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Grant:fritz:..... "but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right " ......Seriously? Any info on cause or nature of the failures?
Oiling of the valve-train (camshaft and finger-follower interface) is insufficient (lots of wear on cams and valve actuators). Said to be cured with 2016 3.8L and all 4.0L...
OK, not literally blow-ups, but naturally still highly unsatisfactory for the owner.
So not a continuation or variation of the con-rod failure story?
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fritz
fritz:Grant:fritz:..... "but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right " ......Seriously? Any info on cause or nature of the failures?
Oiling of the valve-train (camshaft and finger-follower interface) is insufficient (lots of wear on cams and valve actuators). Said to be cured with 2016 3.8L and all 4.0L...
OK, not literally blow-ups, but naturally still highly unsatisfactory for the owner.
So not a continuation of the con-rod failure story?
No, it causes a misfire though and it's a pretty big issue even with low miles. Not causing fires though...
16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi