[porkey]

Hello everyone. Yes, I'm still the new guy on the block but wanted to share some of the latest "rumors", presumed "factual", based on inside information. Anyone who follows Rennlist knows what I'm talking about BUT for those who don't, thought you might enjoy some more teasers regarding the 2019 GT4. First and obviously foremost. Definite GT4 2019. RS version not approved yet, but still a possibility at some point but many seem to doubt that it will actually transpire. 4.0 liter NA flat 6 powered (read non turbo)! HOWEVER, NOT THE GT3 ENGINE! Supposedly the previous 3.8 liter monster will be stroked to 4.0...with 420 hp! PDK still rumored a possible option (mine will be equipped with a manual transmission!). Predictions for announcement are all over the place. Some say as early as October in Paris, others as late as Geneva, spring 2019. Since clubsport versions, I believe, are supposed to be ready to race early next year, and as many of you are aware, have been testing at least at Monza, perhaps a reveal towards the end of the year? This is one area no one seems to agree upon. Regardless of how these "rumors" play out, the second generation GT4 will be a phenomenal evolution of the first generation, building upon the already remarkable characteristics of the current 718 platform. The mid engine Cayman and it's sister Boxster, have been and continue to be, perhaps two of the finest sports cars ever produced, regardless of marque or price. A near perfect balance of size, performance and handling. A true drivers car. Poor mans Porsche?... I don't think so. Everyone, particularly the doubters, should feel so "impoverished"! I'll keep you all up to date on my 2019 GT4 "lock in" as soon as it's given the "official" green light!

 

[Porsche2018]

Very interested to see the redesign of the new GT4. What I have also noted is the pricing on the 2016 GT4s is starting to come down. I was offered a 2016 GT4 with 65 miles on it, essentially new, for MSRP by Plano Porsche a few weeks back. The price decline may be related to the anticipated new release or then again it could be true-true and unrelated; time will tell.

 

[porkey]

Styling and redesign, although evolutionary, and obviously subjective, based upon ones taste, I think will be sharp looking. The mules are just that...not 100% yet. I'm betting on the characteristic side rear air duct housings/diverters on the final production model (these are seen on the club sport mules testing at Monza). Just a great sports car! Speaking of great...what a deal for someone in the market for a "new" 2016 GT4. But as you're aware, my rubels are tied into the 2019 GT4!

 

[Porsche2018]

Styling and redesign, although evolutionary, and obviously subjective, based upon ones taste, I think will be sharp looking. The mules are just that...not 100% yet. I'm betting on the characteristic side rear air duct housings/diverters on the final production model (theses are seen on the club sport mules testing at Monza). Just a great sports car! Speaking of great...what a deal for someone in the market for a "new" 2016 GT4. But as you're aware, my rubels are tied into the 2019 GT4!

Have you had a chance to test drive the 2016 GT4? If not I would advise it they are fun cars, and you can get a reasonable deal now. I got the chance to drive one a bit in my quest to see if I should spec Full Bucket or the 18 way. Also I suspect as with most of the GT cars there will be an associated ADM when released. Keep us posted.....love those winged mobiles.

 

[porkey]

Almost had a chance but it sold before I could take it for a spin. Though I did get to sit in it and interestingly, that was exactly what I was trying to decide...buckets or 18 way! It didn't take me long to decide. I'm going the comfortable route....the 18 way sport seats, but those racing buckets are super cool looking! Believe it or not, I've been "assured" by my dealership that they do not do ADM's!

 

[Porsche2018]

Almost had a chance but it sold before I could take it for a spin. Though I did get to sit in it and interestingly, that was exactly what I was trying to decide...buckets or 18 way! It didn't take me long to decide. I'm going the comfortable route....the 18 way sport seats, but those racing buckets are super cool looking! Believe it or not, I've been "assured" by my dealership that they do not do ADM's!

Great on the no-ADM, way to go! I specced 18-ways then changed to Buckets and changed once more back to the 18-ways.......comfort is the way to go. If I were you I would still scout out a GT4 in your surrounding area Porsche dealerships even if you have to drive a couple of hours to track one down, and take one for a spin they don't disappoint.

 

[porkey]

Definitely, at least for me, but the buckets were tempting...as I see they were to you, too. I think you/we made the right choice! Besides comfort, the leather with contrasting lava orange stitching, GT4 logo etc., on the 18 ways will look sharp! Also wanted to thank you for replying to my post...thought there would be more members excited to share thoughts regarding the upcoming GT4...

 

[Porsche2018]

Definitely, at least for me, but the buckets were tempting...as I see they were to you, too. I think you/we made the right choice! Besides comfort, the leather with contrasting lava orange stitching, GT4 logo etc., on the 18 ways will look sharp! Also wanted to thank you for replying to my post...thought there would be more members excited to share thoughts regarding the upcoming GT4...

I am genuinely interested in all "winged mobiles".......keep us posted.

 

[GTS]

I'm genuinely interested in the new GT4, but it will likely be made from "unobtanium" for me. I had a chance to compare my GTS to a '16 GT4 last weekend and the sad truth is that I couldn't get a GT4 over the curb on my driveway. Factory axle lift option, then maybe.

 

[Porsche2018]

Front Axle lift is desirable and hopefully that will be added in the next rendition.

 

[porkey]

I hear you on that. I often wondered if the Cayman set up would allow enough room for an axle lift? On the bright side, they claim the new splitter is strong enough to support a 250 lb person standing on it...so maybe it would survive a few "curbs"...LOL?...but seriously, hoping never to have to find out!

 

[Porsche2018]

porkey......fun video comparing the GT4 and 3RS as DD his conclusions are not what I would have expected. I wonder also if the next GT4 will have a PDK option offered and that with a FAL would probably make this an easier car to drive around town.

 

[porkey]

Thanks....seems his biggest gripe with the GT4 was the lack of axle lift and perhaps lack of PDK for DD around London. A lift would be helpful for sure but I still wonder if the layout of the Cayman would accommodate such a system? If it's an option, you can count me in...if not, it is what it is. Regarding the Rennlist source, everything seems to indicate PDK as an option on the new GT4. I still prefer a manual transmission for all the usual reasons but I've always felt the engine sounds better when paired with a manual transmission... or perhaps I hear what I want to hear...LOL...so as of right now, still planning on a manual.

 

[Porsche2018]

I hear you on that. I often wondered if the Cayman set up would allow enough room for an axle lift? On the bright side, they claim the new splitter is strong enough to support a 250 lb person standing on it...so maybe it would survive a few "curbs"...LOL?...but seriously, hoping never to have to find out!

One great thing about the front lip/splitter they only cost a few hundred dollars to replace; I think ~$250. In fact I was negotiating with a private owner of a GT4 from SF, and he was going to throw in a second front splitter he never used but purchased at the time he bought his GT4.

 

[porkey]

Good to know! Sounds like the owner fortunately never needed it. Hopefully, neither will I! But not a bad idea at all...

 

[OldJedi]

H

Definitely, at least for me, but the buckets were tempting...as I see they were to you, too. I think you/we made the right choice! Besides comfort, the leather with contrasting lava orange stitching, GT4 logo etc., on the 18 ways will look sharp! Also wanted to thank you for replying to my post...thought there would be more members excited to share thoughts regarding the upcoming GT4...

I really had to give the the new GT4 a lot of thought. My speced GTS was just under 100K so I had to take a very serious look at the coming GT4 and 911 Carrera. Ultimately I stayed with the GTS. I spent a lot of time in a friend’s 2016 GT4 going to the Sebring 12 Hour race. It really rode much better than I thought it would and just fell in love with the Alcantara Interior. The interior was the big reason I waited for the GTS release. I just had to be honest with myself and know that I would not track a GT4 more than a couple of times a year. My friends with GT4’s are true track rats and go 6-10 times a year. In looking at a 911 it was eliminated fairly quickly when I determined that it would cost $20,000 more if I speced it the same as the GTS. Basically it was a fully loaded GTS or a stripped 911, I chose the GTS.

After having my instructor at Porsche PEC in Atlanta show me what a GTS can really do on the track I realized that this is so much more car than I will ever be driver. We picked up our GTS last week and spent 10 hours driving it home from Atlanta. I set the speed alarm at 78 because the police in Georgia were sitting on every overpass on I-75. It was constantly going off! This car just wanted to get up and run. 10 hours in the 18 way seats with no aches or pains and got over 31 mpg averaging 66 mph. I’m a very happy camper. The new GT4 will be a phenomenal car when it’s realeased. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the 911S and 911 GTS when it comes out.

 

[porkey]

Interestingly, I too speced a GTS with similar results ( a bit over 100K). I even flew out to LA late last Nov/Dec for its debut! What a fantastic overall package/performer. I knew it would not disappoint, as you have already experienced, but ultimately the yearning for the GT4, with its anticipated 4.0 flat 6 coupled to a manual transmission, won me over. Regarding the 911...fine sports car, however, it never entered the equation for me. A true two seat, mid engine sports car has been and will always be, my sports car "of choice". Its amazing how many do not fully grasp that last statement....my choice, and fail to admit and/or realize, out of shear ignorance or pure denial, just how good the mid engined Cayman/Boxsters truly are. I'm excited for you and your new GTS. What color did you pick? If you've read my thread you already know my preference...Lava Orange!

 

[OldJedi]

Interestingly, I too speced a GTS with similar results ( a bit over 100K). I even flew out to LA late last Nov/Dec for its debut! What a fantastic overall package/performer. I knew it would not disappoint, as you have already experienced, but ultimately the yearning for the GT4, with its anticipated 4.0 flat 6 coupled to a manual transmission, won me over. Regarding the 911...fine sports car, however, it never entered the equation for me. A true two seat, mid engine sports car has been and will always be, my sports car "of choice". Its amazing how many do not fully grasp that last statement....my choice, and fail to admit and/or realize, out of shear ignorance or pure denial, just how good the mid engined Cayman/Boxsters truly are. I'm excited for you and your new GTS. What color did you pick? If you've read my thread you already know my preference...Lava Orange!

It will interesting to see the 0-60 times between the 718 GTS and a 2019 GT4 (NA). Not so much for the ultimate speed but how the turbo 4 365HP with bottom end torque compares to the free spinning 400HP NA six. I fully expect the GT4 to start gaining speed after 60 but it will interesting to see how the GTS compares to the GT4 on the same track at the same time with the same driver.

 

[porkey]

Interestingly, I too speced a GTS with similar results ( a bit over 100K). I even flew out to LA late last Nov/Dec for its debut! What a fantastic overall package/performer. I knew it would not disappoint, as you have already experienced, but ultimately the yearning for the GT4, with its anticipated 4.0 flat 6 coupled to a manual transmission, won me over. Regarding the 911...fine sports car, however, it never entered the equation for me. A true two seat, mid engine sports car has been and will always be, my sports car "of choice". Its amazing how many do not fully grasp that last statement....my choice, and fail to admit and/or realize, out of shear ignorance or pure denial, just how good the mid engined Cayman/Boxsters truly are. I'm excited for you and your new GTS. What color did you pick? If you've read my thread you already know my preference...Lava Orange!

It will interesting to see the 0-60 times between the 718 GTS and a 2019 GT4 (NA). Not so much for the ultimate speed but how the turbo 4 365HP with bottom end torque compares to the free spinning 400HP NA six. I fully expect the GT4 to start gaining speed after 60 but it will interesting to see how the GTS compares to the GT4 on the same track at the same time with the same driver.

...yes it will be interesting. Supposedly 420 HP but the low end torque of the turbo 4 will be tough to beat, as it has been for so many other vehicles. Regardless, I'm truly excited! Oh...thanks for the renewed interest in my post. Thought some of the...ummmm, "facts" I dug up were, interesting (at least to me they were). All kidding aside, I've got ants in the pants until the official announcement! I'm really looking forward to starting the build process!

 

[GTS]

New 718 GT4 and Spyder spy shots on MotorTrend: https://www.motortrend.com/news/spied-porsche-718-cayman-gt4-caught-testing-boxster-spyder/