GT4 - 982 - Questions and advice

[ThisInJapanese]

So the shuffling on the driveway continues. I'm now looking GT4s (982 variant). I've been in my friends and I've test driven one, so now I'm trying to work out what's important in terms of options (I know this is personal though...) and have a couple of other questions.

Are smokers pack as an option that common? I would hate to think a car has been smoked in, but the dealer supplying the one I've driven said that it was a common option due to it adding an additional power point in the cabin.

Was the Clubsport package, just the roll cage or where there other changes to the car?

I assume re-trimming an Alcantara wheel is no different to re-trimming a leather wheel? This one has a yellow line at 12 o'clock and it looks worn out and tired.

One thing I've noticed, is that a lot of the manual cars have had lots of owners, most of the ones in the Porsche network at 4+ owners. Is there a reason for this? Are they typically ordered to get into the GT order club? (This is exactly what happened to my mate!)

Also, anything else in general that's worth looking out for?

[GT4P]

Smokers pack was optioned by many on 981/718 as a way of getting the extra 12v socket.
GT cars tend to have many owners due to flippers and those who want their sports cars to drive like saloons.
Options apart from the ceramic brakes don t alter the driving experience but even then there is for and against.
Most importantly you need to know what seats suit you best as the 918 style buckets not every one gets on with.
Manual or PDK is personal but for me the manual is the one to go for and most likely more sort after in the future.
Finally take your time looking for the right car and don t be afraid to go private if it s the right car and has warranty and avoid garage queens as they will be the most problematic if keeping long term.
Depending on how you use the car ie not doing track days then the 4.0 GTS maybe a better fit and 95% of a gt4 only difference negligible hp , suspension (the sports suspension on GTS is not bad in comparison)and some spoilers.Still some new cars out there with deals to be had coming up to end of year( double digit % discounts should be obtainable)
I would also add avoid tracked cars as not all are treated with mechanical sympathy.

[BAMoFo]

As well as a roll cage the Clubsport option includes a fire extinguisher and a harness on the driver’s side. The chassis is slightly different to incorporate the mounting points for the roll cage. I have owned a Clubsport and non Clubsport (both with bucket seats) and barely noticed the roll cage during normal road use.

[ThisInJapanese]

BAMoFo said:

As well as a roll cage the Clubsport option includes a fire extinguisher and a harness on the driver s side. The chassis is slightly different to incorporate the mounting points for the roll cage. I have owned a Clubsport and non Clubsport (both with bucket seats) and barely noticed the roll cage during normal road use.

Thanks. The one I've driven had a roll cage but no fire extinguisher or harnesses. Was that an configuration that could be optioned?

[ThisInJapanese]

GT4P said:

Smokers pack was optioned by many on 981/718 as a way of getting the extra 12v socket.
GT cars tend to have many owners due to flippers and those who want their sports cars to drive like saloons.
Options apart from the ceramic brakes don t alter the driving experience but even then there is for and against.
Most importantly you need to know what seats suit you best as the 918 style buckets not every one gets on with.
Manual or PDK is personal but for me the manual is the one to go for and most likely more sort after in the future.
Finally take your time looking for the right car and don t be afraid to go private if it s the right car and has warranty and avoid garage queens as they will be the most problematic if keeping long term.
Depending on how you use the car ie not doing track days then the 4.0 GTS maybe a better fit and 95% of a gt4 only difference negligible hp , suspension (the sports suspension on GTS is not bad in comparison)and some spoilers.Still some new cars out there with deals to be had coming up to end of year( double digit % discounts should be obtainable)
I would also add avoid tracked cars as not all are treated with mechanical sympathy.

Thanks, very useful.

Manual is the only non-negotiable option for me. The one I've driven was manual and it's very nice. It also had the buckets which were very nice, much nicer than the standard ones on my Alpine (I optioned the comfort seats in that).

I've mulled over the GTS as an option, but I won't want the Cayman as I'd go towards the Boxster as it'll add something different. I will hopefully track the car a couple of times a year.

[BAMoFo]

ThisInJapanese said:

BAMoFo said:

As well as a roll cage the Clubsport option includes a fire extinguisher and a harness on the driver s side. The chassis is slightly different to incorporate the mounting points for the roll cage. I have owned a Clubsport and non Clubsport (both with bucket seats) and barely noticed the roll cage during normal road use.

Thanks. The one I've driven had a roll cage but no fire extinguisher or harnesses. Was that a configuration that could be optioned?

I think that the harness and fire extinguisher are fitted by the supplying OPC. I have heard of cars where they have not been fitted, but they should still have been supplied with the car because they are included in the Clubsport option. For example, Lewis Hamilton sold his GT4RS last year and neither of these items were fitted, but were supplied as part of the sale https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2022-porsche-7... Note that only the driver’s side harness lis supplied as standard with the Clubsport package; passenger side harness was available as another optional extra.

[CDR]

BAMoFo said:

I think that the harness and fire extinguisher are fitted by the supplying OPC. I have heard of cars where they have not been fitted, but they should still have been supplied with the car because they are included in the Clubsport option. For example, Lewis Hamilton sold his GT4RS last year and neither of these items were fitted, but were supplied as part of the sale https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2022-porsche-7... Note that only the driver s side harness lis supplied as standard with the Clubsport package; passenger side harness was available as another optional extra.

The harness(s) and the fire extinguisher are delivered with the car in a box, and can be installed free of charge at the time of delivery. If the harnesses are subsequently installed by an OPC, it is an expensive job, because the seats need to come out.

[ThisInJapanese]

BAMoFo said:

ThisInJapanese said:

BAMoFo said:

As well as a roll cage the Clubsport option includes a fire extinguisher and a harness on the driver s side. The chassis is slightly different to incorporate the mounting points for the roll cage. I have owned a Clubsport and non Clubsport (both with bucket seats) and barely noticed the roll cage during normal road use.

Thanks. The one I've driven had a roll cage but no fire extinguisher or harnesses. Was that a configuration that could be optioned?

I think that the harness and fire extinguisher are fitted by the supplying OPC. I have heard of cars where they have not been fitted, but they should still have been supplied with the car because they are included in the Clubsport option. For example, Lewis Hamilton sold his GT4RS last year and neither of these items were fitted, but were supplied as part of the sale https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2022-porsche-7... Note that only the driver s side harness lis supplied as standard with the Clubsport package; passenger side harness was available as another optional extra.

That's interesting. I didn't have the greatest feeling about the car I drove. It's missing an MOT and this is another little oddity.

[CraigInnes]

Good one here right now (non Clubsport):

https://theautolounge.co.uk/stock/porsche-718-caym...

[BlackTails]

BAMoFo said:

barely noticed the roll cage during normal road use.

A counterpoint: I occasionally noticed the roll cage in mine because it would sometimes flex with a fairly loud “donk” noise. The first time I heard it I thought something expensive had failed! Then I realised the car was no different, did some googling, and discovered the flexing roll cage noise.

Harness(es) and the bracket and the extinguisher can all be sourced for a clubsport that doesn’t have them, but they aren’t cheap, and as has already been said the seats have to come out to fit the harnesses as the anchor points are welded to the chassis.

And the harnesses are not recommended for road driving unless you never ever have to lean forward at a junction to get a sight line.

[Esquire]

BAMoFo said:

I think that the harness and fire extinguisher are fitted by the supplying OPC. I have heard of cars where they have not been fitted, but they should still have been supplied with the car because they are included in the Clubsport option. For example, Lewis Hamilton sold his GT4RS last year and neither of these items were fitted, but were supplied as part of the sale https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2022-porsche-7... Note that only the driver s side harness lis supplied as standard with the Clubsport package; passenger side harness was available as another optional extra.

No doubting your knowledge but do we actually know this was Lewis Hamiltons car?

[Simon-Blue]

Hey there, I just got a GT4 (with clubsport), harnesses and fire ex I have separate and they are boxed upstairs in the house.

I was rather fortunate to get this, right place, right time. for me options that are needed -

Carbon Seats - amazing
Sports Exhaust - always a must
Alcantara, full spec with red or yellow stitching
Mine has Xenon (would have preferred Blacked LED's), LEDs would have been perfect
PDK - just love a PDK
non PCCB, I don't intend to track and pricey if something goes wrong
its 2023 - so has CarPlay, I added in a wireless adaptor
I am sure there is other spec, just can't remember


Mine has been ceramic coated 2 years ago, had 1200 miles (now has 2100), fully blacked out, carbon interior, dual climate, clubsport with roll cage, So have 34 month warranty remaining for piece of mind.

Sold a 992 C2S last year, was waiting/looking and this GT4 popped up at local OPC and I was one of many who wanted. Exceptional, weighted very well, noise amazing, low tech, very low and the fact it's black is crazy looking yet understated at the same time. Better driving car that the 992 C2S (just lack of back seats)

This might be a keeper and I am on list for a 992.2 turbo, but I might keep this for a long time. I plan to drive all year, so might change the tyres to PS4S in time.

If you find the right one - buy it!

[LiamH66]

ThisInJapanese said:

I assume re-trimming an Alcantara wheel is no different to re-trimming a leather wheel? This one has a yellow line at 12 o'clock and it looks worn out and tired.

Before thinking about retrimming, get it properly clean. Alcantara is incredibly hard-wearing, so if it's starting to look worn out, it's generally just the fibres getting matted together with dirt. They take an awful lot of wearing out.

ThisInJapanese said:

One thing I've noticed, is that a lot of the manual cars have had lots of owners, most of the ones in the Porsche network at 4+ owners. Is there a reason for this? Are they typically ordered to get into the GT order club? (This is exactly what happened to my mate!)

I don't think so. I gather Taycan orders are the common currency for getting into the GT order club, although I somehow got there without that.

The manual ones are more likely bought as a weekend car, and people tend to change those more frequently and at lower mileage. That would be my guess.

Liam

[ThisInJapanese]

GT4P said:

Finally take your time looking for the right car and don t be afraid to go private if it s the right car and has warranty and avoid garage queens as they will be the most problematic if keeping long term.

Is it possible to add a Porsche warranty to a non-OPC sourced car? Or is there a better option out there for a warranty?

[GT4P]

ThisInJapanese said:

Is it possible to add a Porsche warranty to a non-OPC sourced car? Or is there a better option out there for a warranty?

Either look for a car that has the warranty which is transferable at sale or get the owner to add as part of sale.
To add yourself after sale involves the 111 point check and any flagged items to be rectified before warranty can be added, it’s costly so finding a car with is preferable.
Same rules apply if a non OPC is selling a car unless it’s on SOR with a Porsche warranty.
If buying from an OPC it’s a good time to buy, as end of year discounts can be had as dealers will want to achieve end of year targets

[Snowy999]

Weren't manual cars first out on 718 GT4. Hence more flippers as early purchased flipped and then, as pdk arrived, people sold to move to that.

Manual box on 981 GT4 ad 718 GT4 a thing of great loveliness!

[kmpowell]

Simon-Blue said:

I was rather fortunate to get this, right place, right time. for me options that are needed -

Carbon Seats - amazing
Sports Exhaust - always a must
Alcantara, full spec with red or yellow stitching
Mine has Xenon (would have preferred Blacked LED's), LEDs would have been perfect
PDK - just love a PDK
non PCCB, I don't intend to track and pricey if something goes wrong
its 2023 - so has CarPlay, I added in a wireless adaptor
I am sure there is other spec, just can't remember

- All cars have a/the "sports exhaust".
- The Extended Alcantara/Race-tex & leather option came in 3x stitching colours. Silver/grey, yellow, or red. Yellow or red was priced c£400 higher than the silver/grey option.
- LED's weren't blacked. Bi-Xenon came in standard or £900 for the tinted/blacked version. LED's are totally transparent with no blacking/tinting at all.
- All cars come with CarPlay,.

[GT4P]

OP have you considered the 981 Gt4. IMO and of many others the 981 is the better car. The race series actually uses the 981 engine not the 718 it has no GPF so makes a much better sound and feels more rawer. Also the 718 was made in a lot larger numbers and was more about sales than to build a car that qualifies for GT4 series.
The engine was restricted so not to encroach on the 911S but this can easily worked around and 430hp is obtainable with a few mods.
Personally i think it will be a classic and more sort after than the 718.

[ThisInJapanese]

GT4P said:

OP have you considered the 981 Gt4. IMO and of many others the 981 is the better car. The race series actually uses the 981 engine not the 718 it has no GPF so makes a much better sound and feels more rawer. Also the 718 was made in a lot larger numbers and was more about sales than to build a car that qualifies for GT4 series.
The engine was restricted so not to encroach on the 911S but this can easily worked around and 430hp is obtainable with a few mods.
Personally i think it will be a classic and more sort after than the 718.

I have considered it, but have found myself leaning towards the 718, but I do get what you're saying about the 981. Initially I was drawn to the 718 as it's not as raw, which made it more liveable.

After the drive of one at the weekend, I drove home and thought to myself that at lower speeds the GT4 isn't leaps and bounds different to my Alpine A110 (clearly when you push on it's leagues apart, but for normal driving, there isn't a great deal in it). So, oddly I've been nosing around the Spyder over the last few days, as having a soft top would make it more likely to even the most boring drives enjoyable (I had a 986 Boxster S for a few years, and never grew tired of the roof being down).

Back to your point though, there is an interesting looking 981 in Swindon that could be worth a look at.

[kmpowell]

GT4P said:

Also the 718 was made in a lot larger numbers

Only if you bundle PDK and manual numbers together for the 718.

981 Manual v 718 Manual, there isn't that much of a difference in the build numbers.