New GTS 4.0 or something else?
Discussion
I have, by my own admission, a 1st world problem that I would appreciate advice on from the piston heads community.
I had an old 986 Boxster that I purchased when I was 19 and drove for a couple years before selling upon the introduction of ulez - I overpaid for the 21,000 mile car & subsequently went through abt £12k of repairs in the 2 years that I owned it. Ultimately I felt the burn of an old car & it was sold.
I have been without a car for the last 2 years, and now aged 24 & with the day job & side hustles going well, I did order a new cayman gts at the start of this year.
My intention is a pdk opt, it won’t be used for commuting but long distance drives on the weekend and occasional laps of hyde park (I joke…). My ideal spec takes the car to £80k total…& that brings me to the dilemma…
What other Porsche would you consider for the 80k?
With the car likely not arriving until September, and car prices seemingly on the way down, while I don’t have more than the 80k to spend, I do wonder where 991.1 gt3 prices will be in 6 months.
Some of the other Porsches up for consideration include 991 Carreras s, 981 gts, 718 cayman gts 2.5L & 981 gt4 (though doubtful of a manual) All of which would see a large cash saving on top of the price.
My final note before reading your hopefully helpful comments, is that I see there are only 2/3 pdk 4 litres on the market, is a new cayman gts arguably a best bet ahead of future electric models, and of course it is every little boys dream to buy a brand new Porsche , is this my last chance ?
I had an old 986 Boxster that I purchased when I was 19 and drove for a couple years before selling upon the introduction of ulez - I overpaid for the 21,000 mile car & subsequently went through abt £12k of repairs in the 2 years that I owned it. Ultimately I felt the burn of an old car & it was sold.
I have been without a car for the last 2 years, and now aged 24 & with the day job & side hustles going well, I did order a new cayman gts at the start of this year.
My intention is a pdk opt, it won’t be used for commuting but long distance drives on the weekend and occasional laps of hyde park (I joke…). My ideal spec takes the car to £80k total…& that brings me to the dilemma…
What other Porsche would you consider for the 80k?
With the car likely not arriving until September, and car prices seemingly on the way down, while I don’t have more than the 80k to spend, I do wonder where 991.1 gt3 prices will be in 6 months.
Some of the other Porsches up for consideration include 991 Carreras s, 981 gts, 718 cayman gts 2.5L & 981 gt4 (though doubtful of a manual) All of which would see a large cash saving on top of the price.
My final note before reading your hopefully helpful comments, is that I see there are only 2/3 pdk 4 litres on the market, is a new cayman gts arguably a best bet ahead of future electric models, and of course it is every little boys dream to buy a brand new Porsche , is this my last chance ?
I have a 4.0 Boxster and so far have done a little over 11K miles in it since taking delivery in late 2021 including a couple of road trips across Europe. In my opinion it's a quite brilliant car and likely to be the last normally aspirated flat 6 Porsche will ever make so mine's a keeper. And don't forget that time is running out to get one. Personally, I don't get 911s, for me the weight is in the wrong place and they just feel wrong. Others will disagree with that and that's fine with me.
No one really knows how prices are going to go in the future but many will claim they will either go up or down depending on their personal views and assumptions. On that basis I would suggest ignoring what the future may or may not hold, identify some cars for sale that interest you and go and drive them all to understand which one suits you then buy accordingly.
Good luck and let us know how your search progresses.
No one really knows how prices are going to go in the future but many will claim they will either go up or down depending on their personal views and assumptions. On that basis I would suggest ignoring what the future may or may not hold, identify some cars for sale that interest you and go and drive them all to understand which one suits you then buy accordingly.
Good luck and let us know how your search progresses.
OP, not so sure there's so much around that price that floats my boat, and like you I have an order placed and accepted for a Cayman GTS 4.0 just now. (Manual box for me)
981 GTS? You could, but they're getting on a bit now, so along with lower buying price comes a little more in servicing and maintenance. 981 GT4 similar, manual only (which I love, but if you are not sure, you won't), and quite a "raw" sort of a car. You might find a very basic spec 718 GT4 for the money you are spending, but probably too basic.
991 Carrera S is worth a thought I guess. You are probably looking at a 6 or 7 year old car for the money plus a bit left aside for tyres, brake pads, discs and anything else that needs a look at through age and/or wear. But they are "first of the turbo" rather than "last of the NA" cars, which may or may not matter to you.
I think you've probably landed in a good place where you are. At very worst you are losing some value for money to choose a spec that you know you want. And in the greater scheme of things, not that much money compared to most other makes of car.
I just had a quick look on Autotrader to see if I could find anything to tempt me to cancel my order. I could not, but mind that I prefer manual, and they can be thin on the ground for non GT 911s.
Liam
981 GTS? You could, but they're getting on a bit now, so along with lower buying price comes a little more in servicing and maintenance. 981 GT4 similar, manual only (which I love, but if you are not sure, you won't), and quite a "raw" sort of a car. You might find a very basic spec 718 GT4 for the money you are spending, but probably too basic.
991 Carrera S is worth a thought I guess. You are probably looking at a 6 or 7 year old car for the money plus a bit left aside for tyres, brake pads, discs and anything else that needs a look at through age and/or wear. But they are "first of the turbo" rather than "last of the NA" cars, which may or may not matter to you.
I think you've probably landed in a good place where you are. At very worst you are losing some value for money to choose a spec that you know you want. And in the greater scheme of things, not that much money compared to most other makes of car.
I just had a quick look on Autotrader to see if I could find anything to tempt me to cancel my order. I could not, but mind that I prefer manual, and they can be thin on the ground for non GT 911s.
Liam
Jamescharman said:
My final note before reading your hopefully helpful comments, is that I see there are only 2/3 pdk 4 litres on the market, is a new cayman gts arguably a best bet ahead of future electric models, and of course it is every little boys dream to buy a brand new Porsche , is this my last chance ?
I went with the latter option. It has been a bucket list for me to buy a brand new Porsche built to my spec. I was usually around owner no. 6 on my previous Porsches. I loved my 981 GTS PDK and planned to keep it long term as I didn't want to replace it with a 4 cyl 718. (I bought my 981 GTS in 2018 ended up keeping it for 4.5 years). I love 911's but they are now too expensive for me to buy new so when the 718 4.0 was announced it seemed like the perfect car for me to tick the bucket list. I wanted a 718 GT4 but could not get an allocation, but the GTS is actually a better fit for me needs and could be specced exactly as I would have liked my 981 to be had I had the choice. My 4.0 is also £80k as it includes PDK and full carbon bucket seats. I would say get a new one while you can, built to your spec. You can always sell it in the future and then buy a used GT3 or whatever you fancy later.I have a BGTS on order for nearly a year now, hopefully will get a build slot this year.
I keep considering whether to go for a pre-owned 911 cab instead with a £80-90K budget - so c5 years old, a few owners, unknown history and probably some compromises on spec.
But I keep coming back to the BGTS
1 - new car to my perfect spec
2 - I know it’s history from day 1
3 - no unexpected bills in early years (hopefully)
4 - last manual normally aspirated Porsche (aside from GT cars)
I’m planning to keep for the long term, so for me these positives outweigh the quick fix of buying pre-owned. Also my last Porsche was a new 997 cab bought in 2005 that I kept for 8 years. I knew the history and despite the scare stories that you read about 997 engines, I only had one unexpected repair bill in my ownership and that was less than £500.
Perhaps if you are planning a short term ownership, one of your pre-owned options is worth considering. But if you are thinking the Porsche might be a longer term proposition, get a new GTS. Even 5 years from now, they won’t be making an ICE 718, so I am sure a well cared for example of a GTS will hold its value well.
I keep considering whether to go for a pre-owned 911 cab instead with a £80-90K budget - so c5 years old, a few owners, unknown history and probably some compromises on spec.
But I keep coming back to the BGTS
1 - new car to my perfect spec
2 - I know it’s history from day 1
3 - no unexpected bills in early years (hopefully)
4 - last manual normally aspirated Porsche (aside from GT cars)
I’m planning to keep for the long term, so for me these positives outweigh the quick fix of buying pre-owned. Also my last Porsche was a new 997 cab bought in 2005 that I kept for 8 years. I knew the history and despite the scare stories that you read about 997 engines, I only had one unexpected repair bill in my ownership and that was less than £500.
Perhaps if you are planning a short term ownership, one of your pre-owned options is worth considering. But if you are thinking the Porsche might be a longer term proposition, get a new GTS. Even 5 years from now, they won’t be making an ICE 718, so I am sure a well cared for example of a GTS will hold its value well.
Thank you for all the comments so far! Seems my original plan to have a brand new car to my spec is the popular vote.
The anniversary Boxster is nice but personally not a fan of the gold, and not after another Boxster!
not sure the 5k saving is enough to tempt me either…
£55k for a 718 gts & 25k cash is my favourite alternative! Thoughts?
The anniversary Boxster is nice but personally not a fan of the gold, and not after another Boxster!
not sure the 5k saving is enough to tempt me either…
£55k for a 718 gts & 25k cash is my favourite alternative! Thoughts?
Maxym said:
991 Carrera T.
Oh yes, I'd forgotten about those! The Cayman GTS 4.0 in a spec I have chosen still wins for me, but as 911s go, seem like a great idea.I only found out about the 991 Carrera T when one turned up in the local OPC showroom. The salesman I normally deal with said he was surprised I hadn't called to ask about them when they were announced, but unfortunately the announcement had completely passed me by...
Liam
Jamescharman said:
Thank you for all the comments so far! Seems my original plan to have a brand new car to my spec is the popular vote.
The anniversary Boxster is nice but personally not a fan of the gold, and not after another Boxster!
not sure the 5k saving is enough to tempt me either…
£55k for a 718 gts & 25k cash is my favourite alternative! Thoughts?
You are young. Get something with some pep and fizz. A GTS is like an old mans slippers. Get a Cayman R, and put the £40K savings into seeing the world whilst young. No, I am not your dad, I may sound like it. You'll regret it if you don't. Plenty of time to put your feet up in a 718 GTS or are you 24 going on 64?The anniversary Boxster is nice but personally not a fan of the gold, and not after another Boxster!
not sure the 5k saving is enough to tempt me either…
£55k for a 718 gts & 25k cash is my favourite alternative! Thoughts?
I have a 4.0 BGTS and love it even more than the 997 GTS that preceded it.
If you have the means I'd definitely go for it. It's one of the very last NA cars that Porsche will make, and seems like there will be people trying to place orders beyond it's production lifecycle.
I have a GT3 coming in the coming weeks, and am already getting anxious about letting the Boxster go. It's that good.
If you have the means I'd definitely go for it. It's one of the very last NA cars that Porsche will make, and seems like there will be people trying to place orders beyond it's production lifecycle.
I have a GT3 coming in the coming weeks, and am already getting anxious about letting the Boxster go. It's that good.
I say this as the owner of a Cayment GTS 4.0 with PDK, but if it's not your daily commuter and is more for weekends I would personally find a good 981 GT4
The GTS is fantastic and for me is a perfect daily. There's a reason they've been called one of the best modern Porsche cars ever made. I wouldn't call it 'old mans slippers' but I can get the sentiment that they're not a particularly special weekend car. It does have a bit of a split personality however and in Sport + mode it's a completely different beast. An old man would likely soil his pants in Sport + mode, and I would dare say it would be quicker than most other cars on the road, including a 981 GT4.
The problem is you're looking at the £80k number and all of a sudden wondering what else you could get for the same money. That's the wrong way of looking at it to me. You buy the GTS because you want the GTS. Do your research before buying but you will forever have the same problem when spending such sums.
You also have to consider that the list of other cars you're comparing it to are second hand. You don't know the history, you don't know if they were properly broken in, if any major mechanical parts have worn excessively, has it been tracked, has it been in a bump and not recorded, has it been properly maintained etc. I don't think it's an apples for apples comparison just because the money might be similar.
Second hand sports cars (especially Porsche) can be a potential money pit if you don't buy right. A brand new GTS however will give you some comfort on those parts I've mentioned above and you can literally spec it to how you want. Before anyone mentions, yes you can extend the warranties on used Porsche, but the unknown factors will still always be there.
The GTS is fantastic and for me is a perfect daily. There's a reason they've been called one of the best modern Porsche cars ever made. I wouldn't call it 'old mans slippers' but I can get the sentiment that they're not a particularly special weekend car. It does have a bit of a split personality however and in Sport + mode it's a completely different beast. An old man would likely soil his pants in Sport + mode, and I would dare say it would be quicker than most other cars on the road, including a 981 GT4.
The problem is you're looking at the £80k number and all of a sudden wondering what else you could get for the same money. That's the wrong way of looking at it to me. You buy the GTS because you want the GTS. Do your research before buying but you will forever have the same problem when spending such sums.
You also have to consider that the list of other cars you're comparing it to are second hand. You don't know the history, you don't know if they were properly broken in, if any major mechanical parts have worn excessively, has it been tracked, has it been in a bump and not recorded, has it been properly maintained etc. I don't think it's an apples for apples comparison just because the money might be similar.
Second hand sports cars (especially Porsche) can be a potential money pit if you don't buy right. A brand new GTS however will give you some comfort on those parts I've mentioned above and you can literally spec it to how you want. Before anyone mentions, yes you can extend the warranties on used Porsche, but the unknown factors will still always be there.
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