Prospective Cayman GT4 Owner - Advice & Insight Welcomed
Discussion
Hey guys,
Essentially, I really want a Cayman GT4.
I've not driven a 981 or a 718 GT4, however I have driven a 981 Boxster & I am familiar with water cooled 911's up to the 991.
Spec wise, I 'think' I want; manual, buckets, steel brakes. Leaning towards the 981 from a budget perspective & from the content i've watched, perhaps seems the more raw & 'special feeling' car?
First port of call is to get out and drive some, but I did have a few specific questions that hopefully some owners can help me with;
Does the 981 suffer from particularly poor MPG? i've seen anecdotally this may be the case? I'm used to running a 996 C4S that probably does 23/24 (30-ish on the occasional longer run)
What spec headlights are required to get the 'four dot' running lights? Purely from an aesthetic point of view I think these look great. Were these ever available on the 981 or is this 718 only?
This wouldn't be a daily, I currently have an UP! Gti for dailying & a 996 C4S.
Any insight from owners or others in the same boat would be fantastic.
Cheers
Essentially, I really want a Cayman GT4.
I've not driven a 981 or a 718 GT4, however I have driven a 981 Boxster & I am familiar with water cooled 911's up to the 991.
Spec wise, I 'think' I want; manual, buckets, steel brakes. Leaning towards the 981 from a budget perspective & from the content i've watched, perhaps seems the more raw & 'special feeling' car?
First port of call is to get out and drive some, but I did have a few specific questions that hopefully some owners can help me with;
Does the 981 suffer from particularly poor MPG? i've seen anecdotally this may be the case? I'm used to running a 996 C4S that probably does 23/24 (30-ish on the occasional longer run)
What spec headlights are required to get the 'four dot' running lights? Purely from an aesthetic point of view I think these look great. Were these ever available on the 981 or is this 718 only?
This wouldn't be a daily, I currently have an UP! Gti for dailying & a 996 C4S.
Any insight from owners or others in the same boat would be fantastic.
Cheers
HamiltonCork said:
Does the 981 suffer from particularly poor MPG? i've seen anecdotally this may be the case? I'm used to running a 996 C4S that probably does 23/24 (30-ish on the occasional longer run)
MPG is pretty good. I moved from a base 987.2 to 981 GTS & it's a lot better which surprised me given the bigger engine. Both cars were PDK though so your mileage may vary in manual (pun intended!)HamiltonCork said:
What spec headlights are required to get the 'four dot' running lights? Purely from an aesthetic point of view I think these look great. Were these ever available on the 981 or is this 718 only?
PDLS+ has the 4 dot LEDThe 718 cars have cylinder deactivation tech at a cruise - so I would routinely get over 30mpg on a motorway run.
It does, however, create a really quite unpleasant noise I found, so i'd try and stop it.
My 718 was a terrific car, but I never tried the 981 and wish I had. I'm tempted to get back into one, but this market is so hard to read I'm just sitting and watching, and also a bit tempted to buy an Exige instead.
It does, however, create a really quite unpleasant noise I found, so i'd try and stop it.
My 718 was a terrific car, but I never tried the 981 and wish I had. I'm tempted to get back into one, but this market is so hard to read I'm just sitting and watching, and also a bit tempted to buy an Exige instead.
The 981 GT4 has the old Carrera S lump which is strangled and detuned and the warm up cycle esp in the colder months is glacial which results in dire economy tbh. Not so the 718 GT4 which is way more economical not just because of s/s despite the power increase. Proper Porsche GT engine this time too with 8k rev limit the car moves the game on in many ways and reckon on 85% a GT3 at half the cost.
Downsides to the 718 include less external exhaust sound but better induction and lighter clutch too light for a Porsche GT whereas the 981 is heavier and perfectly weighted. Some argue the718 has slightly less steering feel than the 981 but this is broadly undetectable and probably more down to tyre choice/
981 had some gearbox issues and front suspension turret problems most sorted under warranty though. 718 has better media incl Apple carplay etc nicer finish to cabin too.
Standard headlamps are good enough and will spec them on my forthcoming 4 RS.
As ever best to drive both 981 and 718 see which you prefer the 981 has a torque hole little point hanging onto the revs both generations are tallish geared but this is less of a problem in the 718 as max torque developed at lower revs and more power.
Both cars have great gearboxes one of Porsches finest and similar in action to the 991.2 GT3.
Some argue the 981 GT4 to be overpriced for a 7 year old car when just £15k to £20k extra gets you into the much newer 718..... worth balancing this against warranty implications too.
For the record owned specced and enjoyed a 2015 981 GT4 2015 Spyder and 2020 GT4 manual from new.
Downsides to the 718 include less external exhaust sound but better induction and lighter clutch too light for a Porsche GT whereas the 981 is heavier and perfectly weighted. Some argue the718 has slightly less steering feel than the 981 but this is broadly undetectable and probably more down to tyre choice/
981 had some gearbox issues and front suspension turret problems most sorted under warranty though. 718 has better media incl Apple carplay etc nicer finish to cabin too.
Standard headlamps are good enough and will spec them on my forthcoming 4 RS.
As ever best to drive both 981 and 718 see which you prefer the 981 has a torque hole little point hanging onto the revs both generations are tallish geared but this is less of a problem in the 718 as max torque developed at lower revs and more power.
Both cars have great gearboxes one of Porsches finest and similar in action to the 991.2 GT3.
Some argue the 981 GT4 to be overpriced for a 7 year old car when just £15k to £20k extra gets you into the much newer 718..... worth balancing this against warranty implications too.
For the record owned specced and enjoyed a 2015 981 GT4 2015 Spyder and 2020 GT4 manual from new.
I went from a 996 to a 981 s Boxster to a 981 GT4 for context ( and a few other cars in between!)
Gt4 mpg is more like 18 average for me, high 20's at best on a run where as the 981 s I would get over 30 and a mix of 25. Your headlight question...yep 718 not on the 981 gt4.
Can't go wrong with either, 981 is definitely rawer and a lot louder and as a strict toy this is what I went for, love it. If it was an only car I would have gone 718 every time.
When I was looking Dan's pistonheads vid comparing both really hit the nail on the head for me so worth a look.
Gt4 mpg is more like 18 average for me, high 20's at best on a run where as the 981 s I would get over 30 and a mix of 25. Your headlight question...yep 718 not on the 981 gt4.
Can't go wrong with either, 981 is definitely rawer and a lot louder and as a strict toy this is what I went for, love it. If it was an only car I would have gone 718 every time.
When I was looking Dan's pistonheads vid comparing both really hit the nail on the head for me so worth a look.
HamiltonCork said:
What spec headlights are required to get the 'four dot' running lights? Purely from an aesthetic point of view I think these look great. Were these ever available on the 981 or is this 718 only?
718 only.I wouldn't get too hung up on extras otherwise you'll never find the right car. How often do you plan on driving at night? Regularly park the car in a bay next to the wall/another car, you'll find getting in/out of bucket seats a challenge.
You need to try both cars although I'd say the 718 is better suited to road use than the 981 but less of an occasion being subdued and more 'refined'. 718 will be better on fuel if that's important. It wasn't to me although a VED of £695 for the 981 is a bitter pill to swallow.
It still surprises me that these (and all 981/718) only come with manual AC as standard with Climate Control being offered as an extra! Surprising how many people don't pay for it and would rather fiddle about trying to set a heat/cold and fan speed setting when they could just dial in a figure and let the car do the work to maintain it. Even a Ford Focus has climate!
Then when Porsche went to the 918 bucket, seat heating is no longer an option!
I had a 981 GT4 for 4 and a half years. Had a 987.1 Cayman S before it, and now have a 718 GTS 4.0. Owned and enjoyed Caymans for nearly 18 years now!
Personally I prefer the looks of the 981 GT4 compared to the 718, and the engine is definitely louder, perhaps making the car feel more of an event. But in all other respects I would say that the 718 is the better car. As a toy, I'd probably lean towards the 981 but there's no wrong decisions here. Go for whichever you prefer looks-wise and driving-wise.
The 718 is a little more user-friendly in road use, and the engine is superb in terms of throttle response and biddable power all through the rev range. It's still pretty loud if you wring it out, and it's probably more noise-friendly compared to the 981 if you were to take it on track.
As pointed out, the LED matrix type headlights are only available on the 718.
I'd also want the 918-style buckets (also known as full buckets, or LWBs) if it wasn't going to be your only car (and would still want them even if it was!)
Personally, I think that the rear lights of the 718 shape suit darker colours better, whereas the rear lights of the the 981 shape suit the lighter colours better. My 981 GT4 was Sapphire Blue and my 718 GTS is Gentian Blue.
Gratuitous pics:
Personally I prefer the looks of the 981 GT4 compared to the 718, and the engine is definitely louder, perhaps making the car feel more of an event. But in all other respects I would say that the 718 is the better car. As a toy, I'd probably lean towards the 981 but there's no wrong decisions here. Go for whichever you prefer looks-wise and driving-wise.
The 718 is a little more user-friendly in road use, and the engine is superb in terms of throttle response and biddable power all through the rev range. It's still pretty loud if you wring it out, and it's probably more noise-friendly compared to the 981 if you were to take it on track.
As pointed out, the LED matrix type headlights are only available on the 718.
I'd also want the 918-style buckets (also known as full buckets, or LWBs) if it wasn't going to be your only car (and would still want them even if it was!)
Personally, I think that the rear lights of the 718 shape suit darker colours better, whereas the rear lights of the the 981 shape suit the lighter colours better. My 981 GT4 was Sapphire Blue and my 718 GTS is Gentian Blue.
Gratuitous pics:
Edited by Stunters on Tuesday 14th November 16:51
Hey guys,
Thank you so much for your responses.
It's so valuable to hear from people whom have owned these actual cars, getting to know them intimately over years speaks volumes compared to auto journalists (whilst still great; the Pistonheads video recommended, thanks.) who review the cars based on a few hours or maybe days with the cars.
The differences between the 981 & 718 GT4 are definitely nuanced with pros and cons of each & I feel like i've got more of a handle on it thanks to your detailed, informed responses, thank you.
Next steps, drive some! (hopefully won't be seen as a test pilot tyre kicker turning up in the C4S!
Thank you so much for your responses.
It's so valuable to hear from people whom have owned these actual cars, getting to know them intimately over years speaks volumes compared to auto journalists (whilst still great; the Pistonheads video recommended, thanks.) who review the cars based on a few hours or maybe days with the cars.
The differences between the 981 & 718 GT4 are definitely nuanced with pros and cons of each & I feel like i've got more of a handle on it thanks to your detailed, informed responses, thank you.
Next steps, drive some! (hopefully won't be seen as a test pilot tyre kicker turning up in the C4S!
Stunters said:
Gratuitous pics:
Thanks for the pics, what stunning spec cars, I love the grey (platinum?) wheels. Gentian really is a great shade. The 981 rear lights are really nicely integrated in to the rear of the car aren't they... lots of details between the two!Edited by Stunters on Tuesday 14th November 16:51
HamiltonCork said:
What spec headlights are required to get the 'four dot' running lights?
On the 718 there are essentially 3 options which give you the 'four dots'…Xenon PDLS (launch through to part way through MY23) - circa £900 option
LED PDLS+ (launch through to end of MY22) - circa £1250 option
LED PDLS (MY23) - circa £1000 option
The difference in the two LED units was forced upon Porsche with the shortage of the camera (used to control some dynamic elements), so Porsche stripped back the + unit to work without the camera, but aesthetically the two LED units looks identical.
The four dots on Xenon PDLS are narrow and surround the single cone of Xenon light.
LED PDLS+ has 3 lighting elements and the 4 dots are not actually dots but are narrow LED pieces at the very edge of the unit.
Xenon PDLS also has a smoked lens, LED PDLS+ is totally clear.
The LED PDLS+ unit is very complex:
Hope that helps. Enjoy the test drives.
Edited by kmpowell on Thursday 16th November 08:25
HamiltonCork said:
Thanks for the pics, what stunning spec cars, I love the grey (platinum?) wheels. Gentian really is a great shade. The 981 rear lights are really nicely integrated in to the rear of the car aren't they... lots of details between the two!
The grey wheels on the Sapphire 981 GT4 are satin platinum same colour as on my Guards red 718 GT4. Porsche changed the design slightly.Bear in mind the (steel) brakes throw out quite a bit of brake dust which darkens the wheels to almost black so you may wish to consider the lighter silver wheels.
I have only had a 981 GT4 for past 5 years and 23k. I am biased. Ive been around a lot of 718 GT4s and competed against them too.
Both are super super cars.
Some of AV185 points arent quite correct Rennlist has excellent intel eg on front suspension mounts (weakness on all cars 718 981 991 if you drive thru potholes at speed with lowered suspension). 3rd gear was a recall and had been done and can be checked. The “motorsport engine” Is the old 3.8 lump in clubsport cars not the new 4.0. But the new engine is excellent (look at the torque curves).
On ling runs i get 29-30mpg.
If I was starting again Id get a v low miles 981 GT4 simy for the sound track, both “need” an MR style kit to
Improve geometry for track (good value) - motorport front camber plates and rear toe links.
A tune and catted headers (eg Cargraphic) on 981 with std exhaust will get you power on par with 718. So about £3.5k with a good specialist. Giuseppe Sepe has a great car see GT4 group on Facebook. JZM supplied all the options sapphire boue and 12k miles. His was testing the market and pricing was sensible. He is in Kendal
Alternative is 15-30k more for a newer 718 car and a more modern warranty.
Best toy Ive owned - good luck!!
Both are super super cars.
Some of AV185 points arent quite correct Rennlist has excellent intel eg on front suspension mounts (weakness on all cars 718 981 991 if you drive thru potholes at speed with lowered suspension). 3rd gear was a recall and had been done and can be checked. The “motorsport engine” Is the old 3.8 lump in clubsport cars not the new 4.0. But the new engine is excellent (look at the torque curves).
On ling runs i get 29-30mpg.
If I was starting again Id get a v low miles 981 GT4 simy for the sound track, both “need” an MR style kit to
Improve geometry for track (good value) - motorport front camber plates and rear toe links.
A tune and catted headers (eg Cargraphic) on 981 with std exhaust will get you power on par with 718. So about £3.5k with a good specialist. Giuseppe Sepe has a great car see GT4 group on Facebook. JZM supplied all the options sapphire boue and 12k miles. His was testing the market and pricing was sensible. He is in Kendal
Alternative is 15-30k more for a newer 718 car and a more modern warranty.
Best toy Ive owned - good luck!!
Edited by Snowy999 on Tuesday 14th November 21:04
Owned my very yellow 981 GT4 for 2.5 years now, CS spec with buckets. Mines on steel brakes and never found the need for better stopping power than they offer.
Did a 3.5k mile Euro trip in it last year, didn't better 30mpg, even on steady runs. Noise is epic, even at std spec.
Done a few track days in it, very flattering car and incredibly capable. It's an event to drive and any thoughts I have of changing it are quickly forgotten about the next time I drive it.
Happy hunting.
Did a 3.5k mile Euro trip in it last year, didn't better 30mpg, even on steady runs. Noise is epic, even at std spec.
Done a few track days in it, very flattering car and incredibly capable. It's an event to drive and any thoughts I have of changing it are quickly forgotten about the next time I drive it.
Happy hunting.
981 GT4 owner here. I went this route as I much preferred the steering feel and soundtrack . Dans video on pistonheads nails it really well tbh so make sure you watch that.
Mpg -21/23 short runs, 26/27 on euro trips with lots of fun driving, and highest I’ve got in steady motorway/A road run is 30/31
Mpg -21/23 short runs, 26/27 on euro trips with lots of fun driving, and highest I’ve got in steady motorway/A road run is 30/31
The referred to video… which others have said is excellent and pretty accurate.
Main thing is that the breadth of capability of the 718 is wider. It’s easier to live with on the road, and is faster… but to unlock the feeling from it you need to be pushing a bit harder/going a bit faster. 981 gives up the goods more readily and limits are a bit lower. Soundtrack of the 981 is all time great. 718 is just so effective, you marvel at it.
Relevant experience… 981 GT4 owner for 5 years, few tweaks! Moved to 718 GT4, few tweaks..
Main thing is that the breadth of capability of the 718 is wider. It’s easier to live with on the road, and is faster… but to unlock the feeling from it you need to be pushing a bit harder/going a bit faster. 981 gives up the goods more readily and limits are a bit lower. Soundtrack of the 981 is all time great. 718 is just so effective, you marvel at it.
Relevant experience… 981 GT4 owner for 5 years, few tweaks! Moved to 718 GT4, few tweaks..
Edited by TDT on Thursday 16th November 09:31
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