981 GT4 Future Icon
Discussion
With all the electric cars coming and noise being a major factor for me buying a 981GT4, I love driving with the window down listening to the engine and exhaust notes.
So going forward do you think the sound will be missed and cars like the 981 GT4’s will become icon’s and worth keeping hold of?
So going forward do you think the sound will be missed and cars like the 981 GT4’s will become icon’s and worth keeping hold of?
Ultimately, it’s probably the one you’d had in a collection. The car arrived at a bit of a cross roads point for Porsche where there was no other manual GT product. The response to the 981 GT4 then reignited Manual GT cars.
The first of a new model is always important.
Subsequent generations will come along, but the first is always the first.
As tech moves on you get better tech in the newer car… that’s undeniable.
The engine discussion has been done to death… so that aside... as for how the car goes down the road on its suspension, steers, feels and sounds, In the case of the 981, it’s has quite a few other intangibles and traits that have been removed from 718 for example.... for some that’s good, for some that’s not so good.
Just like the 996 GT3 is genesis… 981 is the same.
The first of a new model is always important.
Subsequent generations will come along, but the first is always the first.
As tech moves on you get better tech in the newer car… that’s undeniable.
The engine discussion has been done to death… so that aside... as for how the car goes down the road on its suspension, steers, feels and sounds, In the case of the 981, it’s has quite a few other intangibles and traits that have been removed from 718 for example.... for some that’s good, for some that’s not so good.
Just like the 996 GT3 is genesis… 981 is the same.
Yep, either of the GT4s will in all likelihood be in strong demand in the future. Each has their fans and each has its own pros and cons. TDT and I sit on either side of the fence but he's blurred the lines by modifying his engine 
Both versions are fabulous cars and everyone should try one at some point, and even better own one and enjoy one if you can. They're not meant to be garage queens.
Both versions are fabulous cars and everyone should try one at some point, and even better own one and enjoy one if you can. They're not meant to be garage queens.
Having previously owned a 981 GT4 clubsport indobti a large degree agree it could well be a future ‘modern classic’ Porsche.
But I disagree on the sound front - my current 981 Spyder sounds so much better than the GT4 no doubt helped by the lack of roof! With just over 200 registered in the UK this I believe will also be a future ‘modern classic’ P car.
But I disagree on the sound front - my current 981 Spyder sounds so much better than the GT4 no doubt helped by the lack of roof! With just over 200 registered in the UK this I believe will also be a future ‘modern classic’ P car.
It depends how you view the future.
Realistically, I think we are going through a final period of indulgence in ICE vehicles.
Eventually interesting ICE models will phase into enthusiast ownership, for fun and occasional use, due to restrictive legislation.
With so many choices, this means that investment values for most will fall. Big collections won’t be viable, so just have one or two cars that provide nostalgic access to a ‘golden era’ - bit like vinyl, or 35mm cameras - look how quickly advancing technology has dismissed CDs, DVDs, etc.
In this context - I think manual transmission, lower tech, analogue cars, that rely far more on driver input are going to be popular choices.
And, assuming ICE is still permitted on Track Days (with stricter noise and emissions regs), then GT cars will have extra desirability.
But, I can’t ever see a GT4 being ‘iconic’ like a 2.7RS or 964RS.
Realistically, I think we are going through a final period of indulgence in ICE vehicles.
Eventually interesting ICE models will phase into enthusiast ownership, for fun and occasional use, due to restrictive legislation.
With so many choices, this means that investment values for most will fall. Big collections won’t be viable, so just have one or two cars that provide nostalgic access to a ‘golden era’ - bit like vinyl, or 35mm cameras - look how quickly advancing technology has dismissed CDs, DVDs, etc.
In this context - I think manual transmission, lower tech, analogue cars, that rely far more on driver input are going to be popular choices.
And, assuming ICE is still permitted on Track Days (with stricter noise and emissions regs), then GT cars will have extra desirability.
But, I can’t ever see a GT4 being ‘iconic’ like a 2.7RS or 964RS.
The fact that it is a great but flawed car may actually be what makes it desirable in the further. Icon cars are often far from perfect and in this regard the 981 meets that criteria.
Loved mine, thought long and hard about selling, but (currently) no regrets in doing so. However, if they go the way of the 996 GT3 RS then I may regret that decision (as I did when I sold my RS), but I think the chances of the 981 GT4 reaching the desirability levels of that car are very unlikely.
Loved mine, thought long and hard about selling, but (currently) no regrets in doing so. However, if they go the way of the 996 GT3 RS then I may regret that decision (as I did when I sold my RS), but I think the chances of the 981 GT4 reaching the desirability levels of that car are very unlikely.
PhilHay said:
With all the electric cars coming and noise being a major factor for me buying a 981GT4, I love driving with the window down listening to the engine and exhaust notes.
So going forward do you think the sound will be missed and cars like the 981 GT4’s will become icon’s and worth keeping hold of?
May become iconic in ones mind, but there are far too many of them in existence for the iconic status to mean iconic prices. so if future value is not your angle here then yep probably will, if not already, be iconic to a relatively small audience. So going forward do you think the sound will be missed and cars like the 981 GT4’s will become icon’s and worth keeping hold of?
julian987R said:
May become iconic in ones mind, but there are far too many of them in existence for the iconic status to mean iconic prices. so if future value is not your angle here then yep probably will, if not already, be iconic to a relatively small audience.
Even 600 UK cars is fairly limited in the grand scheme especially bearing in mind there are around double the number i.e. c1200 458s which are regarded as increasingly iconic not just because of the last n.a. pre 488 forced induction.981 GT4s are holding up remarkably well seeing as decent spec and mileage cars approaching 6 years old are still retailing around list price new ££ and further strengthening of pricing across the board is expected at least into next year due to the many reasons already discussed.
av185 said:
Even 600 UK cars is fairly limited in the grand scheme especially bearing in mind there are around double the number i.e. c1200 458s which are regarded as increasingly iconic not just because of the last n.a. pre 488 forced induction.
981 GT4s are holding up remarkably well seeing as decent spec and mileage cars approaching 6 years old are still retailing around list price new ££ and further strengthening of pricing across the board is expected at least into next year due to the many reasons already discussed.
600 must be up there with the highest UK production number for a GT product. I can’t see owners making money on them now, not for a VERY long time if ever, but you probably won’t lose much. 981 GT4s are holding up remarkably well seeing as decent spec and mileage cars approaching 6 years old are still retailing around list price new ££ and further strengthening of pricing across the board is expected at least into next year due to the many reasons already discussed.
shantybeater said:
600 must be up there with the highest UK production number for a GT product. I can’t see owners making money on them now, not for a VERY long time if ever, but you probably won’t lose much.
Its not so much about what you can make ££ but rather what you don't lose.Not many cars fit into this rare category if indeed depreciation is a concern.
av185 said:
julian987R said:
May become iconic in ones mind, but there are far too many of them in existence for the iconic status to mean iconic prices. so if future value is not your angle here then yep probably will, if not already, be iconic to a relatively small audience.
Even 600 UK cars is fairly limited in the grand scheme especially bearing in mind there are around double the number i.e. c1200 458s which are regarded as increasingly iconic not just because of the last n.a. pre 488 forced induction.981 GT4s are holding up remarkably well seeing as decent spec and mileage cars approaching 6 years old are still retailing around list price new ££ and further strengthening of pricing across the board is expected at least into next year due to the many reasons already discussed.
Does a car have to be rare for it to be iconic?
What is the definition anyway? Maybe iconic isn’t the right word… maybe significant is more appropriate?
Certainly not related to the fickle topic of values again.
Cars that you think about that are significant, they capture the zeitgeist or moment in history, or the exemplify an era or genre.
E.g. at a lower level...
Golf GTI MK1
Honda Civic Type- R EP3
Focus RS MK1
All could be classed as significant hot hatches....
What is the definition anyway? Maybe iconic isn’t the right word… maybe significant is more appropriate?
Certainly not related to the fickle topic of values again.
Cars that you think about that are significant, they capture the zeitgeist or moment in history, or the exemplify an era or genre.
E.g. at a lower level...
Golf GTI MK1
Honda Civic Type- R EP3
Focus RS MK1
All could be classed as significant hot hatches....
I'll give an example from Toyota ...
The GRMN exists as only 400 manufactured (plus 200 Jap spec) and only 80 in the UK ...
The GR-Yaris probably will exist as 3000 in the UK of 25,000 manufactured with possibly a second series to satisfy back orders ... current delivery being May 2022 if you can order one.
Which will be the icon of these two (if not both ?).
I love my GRMN, but I must try my GR-Yaris ... and may let the GRMN go to do this.
At this moment, I think the GR-Yaris will be the icon, even if there may ultimately be 5000 in the UK.
Why ? It really is a case of Toyota hitting the nail on the head, everybody loves a folk hero, and for all its capabilities, the GRMN seems not to have captured the imagination of the market.
Maybe it will be another M3CSL that was panned at launch and lauded once old .... ??
The GRMN exists as only 400 manufactured (plus 200 Jap spec) and only 80 in the UK ...
The GR-Yaris probably will exist as 3000 in the UK of 25,000 manufactured with possibly a second series to satisfy back orders ... current delivery being May 2022 if you can order one.
Which will be the icon of these two (if not both ?).
I love my GRMN, but I must try my GR-Yaris ... and may let the GRMN go to do this.
At this moment, I think the GR-Yaris will be the icon, even if there may ultimately be 5000 in the UK.
Why ? It really is a case of Toyota hitting the nail on the head, everybody loves a folk hero, and for all its capabilities, the GRMN seems not to have captured the imagination of the market.
Maybe it will be another M3CSL that was panned at launch and lauded once old .... ??
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