[4ftw]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking as a forum reader ever since I put my deposit down back in March of this year. I took delivery of my 2019 CGTS earlier this month and finally decided to dive into the forums as a member. This has been such a great resource for 718 advice, encouragement, and general feedback, and I hope to provide the same in time.

This is my first Porsche, and I could not be happier. I was considering many other options: Ford GT350, BMW M2 C, BMW Z4M, BMW 1M, Jaguar F-Type, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Decided to go with the CGTS for numerous reasons (I'm sure most would resonate with my fellow 718 owners here). What it really came down to for me was the Porsche brand's reputation, their warranty, and my desire for a car that had both speed and handling. And every time I drive my GTS it validates my decision. It offers plenty of speed, power for really any situation (at least all I've found myself in so far), great handling, and a guaranteed smile on my face. A smile on my face to merely drive! As an Atlanta native, never have I ever had this feeling. Granted, I do not live in the metro area anymore, but when I take my GTS out on the roads, I take the longest route to wherever I'm going (and sometimes there's no destination at all) and can't wait to get back in it once I'm back home.

Here's how I spec'd it (balancing personal preference/enjoyment and also unknown contingency cost considerations, aka playing the depreciation game in a conservative way):

Agate Grey Metallic
Standard Interior in Black i.c.w. Leather Sport Seats Plus
Heated Multifunction Steering Wheel
Deletion of Model Logo
Luggage Net in passenger footwell
Smoking Package (I'm a non-smoker, but I liked the sleekness that the compartment top provides)
LED Headlights with PDLS+
Porsche Entry and Drive
Deletion of GTS Decals on Doors
Deletion of Alcantara
Steering Wheel in Leather
BOSE Surround Sound System
Apple CarPlay
Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)
Premium Package i.c.w. Adaptive Sport Seats Plus
Seat Heating
2-Zone Automatic Climate Control (gotta please the wife)
Auto-Dimming Mirrors with Integrated Rain Sensor

MSRP was a little over 90k and I got roughly a 6% discount (probably could have gotten more had I been reading these forums sooner!). I'm happy with all of my options, but time will tell which ones I could have gone without (I'm thinking that switching out the Alcantara and standard wheel will turn out to be the only ones I might regret) and which ones I wish I had included (maybe a couple more personal touches on the interior). But so far, I'm super happy with how it's spec'd.

Near future projects:

1. Grill guards (thanks to all who have posted on here about them).
2. Short shifter (again, thanks for the forum contributions). For those in the ATL or LAX area, I did the Porsche driving experience where you drive for 90 minutes a car of your choosing (you pay a different price for the car you choose, naturally) around their track. It's an amazing experience and one that makes you appreciate the car's true capabilities. I did this immediately after taking delivery of my CGTS and I drove the 911 T (the only car they offer in manual other than the GT3), and I absolutely loved the shifter that the T has. The CGTS's shifter is really the only thing about the car that I don't like. The T's shifter was just so smooth and short!
3. Mayyyyyybbbeee an exhaust system? Who knows. Probably won't happen for a couple years.
4. Last on the priority list is some exterior carbon fiber. When I have extra cash to just throw away.

- 4ftw (4 [cyl] for the win)

 

[CaymanMatt]

Don't forget the Frunk Liner!

 

[4ftw]

Don't forget the Frunk Liner!

Don’t know how I missed that one! That’ll be bought in the near, near future. Thanks!

 

[CaymanMatt]

Boy, I spaced a bit when I wrote my post. What I really meant to say was the LidLiner for the Frunk. My apologies.
As noted somewhere else in one of these threads, the only thing between your Frunk and the outside world is the metal of your Frunk lid. The LidLiner helps prevent dents from the inside.

 

[4ftw]

Boy, I spaced a bit when I wrote my post. What I really meant to say was the LidLiner for the Frunk. My apologies.
As noted somewhere else in one of these threads, the only thing between your Frunk and the outside world is the metal of your Frunk lid. The LidLiner helps prevent dents from the inside.

Thanks for the clarification. I did do some searching in the threads and indeed found one talking about the aforementioned Frunk Liner, but what you just mentioned makes a lot more sense. The Frunk Liner seems nice to protect the already existing hard plastic frunk interior (which to some may be irrelevant, but I appreciate), but the LidLiner sounds a lot more useful. Thanks again!

 

[Silversword]

Good spec, and a manual too - getting rarer so it's somewhat refreshing to see. I for one certainly prefer the shorter shift lever and I've yet to hear anyone say otherwise. You probably won't miss the alcantara if you're intended to keep the car a while, as in my experience it doesn't wear very well. Only surprised that you deleted the model designations, but to each their own. Enjoy.

 

[4ftw]

Good spec, and a manual too - getting rarer so it's somewhat refreshing to see. I for one certainly prefer the shorter shift lever and I've yet to hear anyone say otherwise. You probably won't miss the alcantara if you're intended to keep the car a while, as in my experience it doesn't wear very well. Only surprised that you deleted the model designations, but to each their own. Enjoy.

Thanks for the feedback!

I tested the PDK in a base Cayman a while back and it is an amazing piece of machinery and technology, but I enjoy driving a manual more.

I do intent on keeping the car for a while, which was exactly my thought process behind deleting the alcantara. I didn’t think it would wear very well, as you mentioned, and cleaning it seemed more involved than maintaining leather. I may be totally wrong, but that was my reasoning.

As far as the model designation delete, I personally like the clean look of having nothing other than the ‘PORSCHE’ letters on the rear end. Additionally, I know I’m in a GTS, and I don’t really care if anyone else on the road knows the trim. Anyone who’s rides in it will know it’s a GTS the moment they open the door (since they’ll see it on the bottom door sill). But, like you said, to each their own. That’s the great thing about the Porsche buying process. You can spec your car the exact way you want!

 

[roundtail]

A smile on my face to merely drive!

Those who do not know the 718 don’t understand this.

Those who have one do.

The Cayman’s inner chi has found you. Welcome to our niche!

 

[LongRanger]

Boy, I spaced a bit when I wrote my post. What I really meant to say was the LidLiner for the Frunk. My apologies.
As noted somewhere else in one of these threads, the only thing between your Frunk and the outside world is the metal of your Frunk lid. The LidLiner helps prevent dents from the inside.

As a newbie, I had never heard of a LidLiner and would have never considered the risk of not having one. Thanks CaymanMatt for mentioning this. I now have one on order.

 

[Guaji]

Your car looks similar to one that I saw on YouTube that ( a brother ) filmed on collection day at the dealer in Atlanta. Nice GTS.

 

[4ftw]

Your car looks similar to one that I saw on YouTube that ( a brother ) filmed on collection day at the dealer in Atlanta. Nice GTS.

Hmm...could be the same one

 

[718S]

Boy, I spaced a bit when I wrote my post. What I really meant to say was the LidLiner for the Frunk. My apologies.
As noted somewhere else in one of these threads, the only thing between your Frunk and the outside world is the metal of your Frunk lid. The LidLiner helps prevent dents from the inside.

Matt- what are stuffing in your frunk that fills it with goods the could dent the hood? I don’t know this even existed as well. I still don’t have a regular liner. ?

 

[CaymanMatt]

Matt- what are stuffing in your frunk that fills it with goods the could dent the hood? I don’t know this even existed as well. I still don’t have a regular liner. ?

I have yet to put anything pointed into the Frunk. At the same time, when two bags are shoved in there for a weekend trip I know that they won't be pushing hard against unprotected metal.
I can easily think of ways something could happen. Throw your tennis bag in with the racquet handle sticking up, etc.. To me it's cheap insurance.
MOO!

 

[ArchiProf]

I had the hood liner in my 981 (see photo) and have since transferred it to my 982 - a perfect fit. It is a relatively inexpensive bit of insurance.