Cayman GT4....Damn you Porsche!!

[jphughan]

(UPDATE: Well 9 months later and I managed to snag one. Delivery pics much later in this thread, direct link to post here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=460)

Well Porsche has officially served up the GT4 in EXACTLY the spec I had hoped:

- Naturally aspirated
- 6MT
- Steel brakes standard (would hate to be stuck with CCB)
- 5-lug wheels rather than centerlocks
- Only $10K more than the GTS
- 2950 lbs
- Arrives in July

I was just getting used to the idea of keeping my M3 long-term figuring that the Cayman GT4 wouldn't be quite what I wanted or would be too expensive to be justifiable for me, particularly with the reduced practicality, and then Porsche goes and makes it perfect. Now I'm actually thinking about selling the M3 and what to do with my StopTech BBK, spare rotors, spare street and race pads, etc.

The only concerns on my mind now are:

- The standard 20" Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires would definitely spike my tire running costs (and pad and rotor costs due to the added grip), but they would at least alleviate the need for dedicated track wheels and tires. I wouldn't really want to downgrade the OEM-spec tires even for the road just to save some dollars. Looking at GT3 threads, tires and pads seem to last 6-8 track days, and rotors last 8-12. Especially if the tires were also doing DD, those costs would add up fast....

- Pad swaps have become more complicated on the 991/981 platform; they used to allow quick swaps, and now the whole caliper has to come off. Rather aggravating. A BBK would solve that of course, but that's more cost, and given that I've just now encountered the issue of the PFC 08 pads I like no longer being in production for my StopTech caliper, I'd rather stick to better-supported OEM pad shapes if there isn't a performance-related reason to upgrade.

- I'm wondering what real-world pricing will look like, i.e. dealer markup potential. Andres Preuninger says that production isn't capped at a certain number, but production capacity is limited both in terms of units per month and how many months they'll be making it. Those two factors plus huge expected demand means best case pricing will probably be MSRP, and also that it will probably be near-impossible to test drive one, which is kind of an issue for me when considering a $95K+ car after options.

Is the GT4 calling to anyone else here? And I was just thinking that it might finally be time to move out of an apartment and buy property too, lol -- not because I like the idea of ownership, just from a long-term financial benefit standpoint.

Here's Evo's great video about it, btw:

[SenorFunkyPants]

Looks great in blue...no PDK though so its not for me.

[s85e90]

I like it but it's still a Cayman... Additionally, I am not a fan of new cars w/ all the new tech that's just more to go wrong. I went backwards and bought a 996 turbo. More raw. (My m3 is also a semi-stripped car w/ limited options).

[Crimson92]

It's definitely swaying my GT3 plans.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by s85e90

I like it but it's still a Cayman... Additionally, I am not a fan of new cars w/ all the new tech that's just more to go wrong. I went backwards and bought a 996 turbo. More raw. (My m3 is also a semi-stripped car w/ limited options).

Well they've left off rear wheel steering and PDK. The rest of the tech (Sport Exhaust, PASM, etc) I probably would have gotten anyway if it had been optional. And evidently the GT3's electronic steering is fantastic, and the GT4's is based on that rather than the regular Caymans or 981s.

[SenorFunkyPants]

[SunnyD]

Makes your choice that much simpler- if you want 6spd, get the GT4; PDK, the GT3.

[BrewRifle]

That's one sweet car and the Sapphire blue looks damn sexy. I'll probably pick up a used one down the road as spending $100k on a Cayman seems crazy.

[Beemdog]

To me, neither the GTS or GT4 have enough weight savings or HP increase over the Cayman S model to make them worthwhile. But then, I wouldn't be shopping new Porsches anyway, since there is a good availability of mint 2-year-old cars here in CA... next year the 2014 S models will be calling my name...

[rjd598]

7:40 nurburgring lap time...

[W///]

I was drooling at this car all night yesterday, but it's just way out of my price range. Especially considering it really is just a "toy".

Having said that, when it's time to buy my first Porsche (used), it'll be between this or a 997 GT3. The E92 M3 is not going anywhere, and the more likely option is me replacing the E36 with a stripper M2.

[Harry Da Hamster]

Definitely in contention for one of the sexiest cars of all time

[Doctor J]

Looks like a nice car.

I just got a 2012 Turbo S and can tell you the PCCB's are awesome.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

That's one sweet car and the Sapphire blue looks damn sexy. I'll probably pick up a used one down the road as spending $100k on a Cayman seems crazy.

Comes in base at $84,600.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by rjd598

7:40 nurburgring lap time...

Estimated based on simulations.

[radiantm3]

This is the car that will finally get me to dump the M3 and jump to Porsche.

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by Rated ///M Power

Comes in base at $84,600.

Plus dealer markup, tax, title, license, + any options so it adds up quick.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Looks like a nice car.

I just got a 2012 Turbo S and can tell you the PCCB's are awesome.

I'm not questioning their effectiveness. PCCBs are great if you want to show up to a track day and run hard without even having to swap pads or if you're absolutely obsessive about weight savings, but that's about it. A proper steel brake setup with race pads will perform just as well at a fraction of the cost and potential for expensive mistakes. But otherwise:

- On the road PCCB makes absolutely no performance difference. The only benefit is lack of dust and the fact that the pads and rotors last a lot longer, but the $7400 for PCCB on a GT4 would buy you a lot of high-end car washes and standard pad/rotor replacements.

- On the track, sure they don't fade, but the PCCB pads and rotors also do not last a whole lot longer than the standard setup under track usage despite costing a whole lot more. The rotors are also extremely fragile. If you nick one while removing/reinstalling a wheel, you may well have to replace it. Same goes if you kick up some debris during an unplanned off-track excursion. And given that rotors should be replaced in pairs on the same axle and that PCCB rotors are ~$4K each, I just don't see the value.

Like I said in my original post, the fact that Porsche has made pad swaps more difficult on the 981/991 platform than in the past rankles a bit, but I'd still be happy to swap pads for track events if the alternative is putting up with PCCB's costs and risks. Or maybe I'll say screw the innocent bystanders and run race pads even on the street.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

That's one sweet car and the Sapphire blue looks damn sexy. I'll probably pick up a used one down the road as spending $100k on a Cayman seems crazy.

Sapphire Blue looks a lot brighter in real-world shots, brighter than my Le Mans Blue that I'll probably want to tone down with my next car. But brightnes may not be an issue for an MCB M3 guy. I'd probably go Dark Blue if I pulled the trigger since I've seen it in person and like the hue, even if there isn't much else going on. My dream color would be Tanzanite Blue, and although Porsche has been known to approve BMW colors on their cars, I doubt their Paint to Sample option will be available on the GT4.

Part of me also wonders if this car might follow the 1M's value trajectory. I guess it depends on how long Porsche takes to release the next GT4, but even if it doesn't appreciate, if the depreciation curve of GT3s is anything to go by, the $100K blow would be softened quite a bit compared to even a regular 911, never mind a car like an S-Class.

[Harry Da Hamster]

Originally Posted by Rated ///M Power

Comes in base at $84,600.

Any base Porsche comes in with less options than a Honda Civic. If you've ever owned a new Porsche, you would know your spending at minimum $10-15k in options for a decently optioned vehicle.

[checkmate]

Originally Posted by jphughan

I'm not questioning their effectiveness. PCCBs are great if you want to show up to a track day and run hard without even having to swap pads or if you're absolutely obsessive about weight savings, but that's about it. A proper steel brake setup with race pads will perform just as well at a fraction of the cost and potential for expensive mistakes. But otherwise:

- On the road PCCB makes absolutely no performance difference. The only benefit is lack of dust and the fact that the pads and rotors last a lot longer, but the $7400 for PCCB on a GT4 would buy you a lot of high-end car washes and standard pad/rotor replacements.

- On the track, sure they don't fade, but the PCCB pads and rotors also do not last a whole lot longer than the standard setup under track usage despite costing a whole lot more. The rotors are also extremely fragile. If you nick one while removing/reinstalling a wheel, you may well have to replace it. Same goes if you kick up some debris during an unplanned off-track excursion. And given that rotors should be replaced in pairs on the same axle and that PCCB rotors are ~$4K each, I just don't see the value.

Like I said in my original post, the fact that Porsche has made pad swaps more difficult on the 981/991 platform than in the past rankles a bit, but I'd still be happy to swap pads for track events if the alternative is putting up with PCCB's costs and risks. Or maybe I'll say screw the innocent bystanders and run race pads even on the street.

This car has got me so pumped up. Enough.... to even suggest to the Boss (My wife) to push off having kids for another 2 years at least. I know...priority-ass backwards..

With regard to the wheels/tires, the biggest relief for me is that it DOES NOT HAVE CENTERLOCKS. Wheel/Tire combos will be plenty, if all works out.. score a set of 19s for HPDE work.

With regard to brakes-this is a light car, you won't be going through pads like the E9X.

[Craigy]

Love the look.

No PDK would rule this car out for me.

Also once you add options it eclipses the six figure mark pretty quick. Those seats they show in the pictures are a $5k additional option by themselves. $100k+ is too much money for this car IMO.