Ready to take the plunge (into Porsche)

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Only issues I see with this particular car is that it has raised PASM suspension, not SPASM, and 14-way seats. 18-way or 2-way Sport Seats Plus have better bolsters.

Agreed on the seats. After living with non-sport seats in both my 997 and 991, I will never own a Porsche sports car without sport seats again.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I mentioned it. I mentioned it not because it's a deal breaker but because if you want any modern conveniences, you need to plan on some $$ for aftermarket.

For instance in my 997, I needed an aftermarket module just to be able to play music from my phone. I'm not talking about adding car play. But even though I still have about 300 CD's, the changer only holds 6.....

I just drop the top and shift down a gear, all the music I need

The car linked to is very nice and the seats are a solvable problem but 100 beans for a cayman, i dunno man, i just dunno. You can get a well sorted Z4 from like 2009 for 25K and have just as much fun.

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Only issues I see with this particular car is that it has raised PASM suspension, not SPASM, and 14-way seats. 18-way or 2-way Sport Seats Plus have better bolsters.

Good feedback. I’m definitely anti-raising the car. I have H&R springs on both of my cars. About 25mm drop on both.

The change in CS driving dynamics are almost undetectable with H&R springs, maybe a touch stiffer but no bounce. Any idea about lowering springs on a PASM equipped 718?

I’ve done nice coilovers on previous cars, but my shop guy says they are a waste since 99% of my driving is on the street. I doesn’t need to be slammed, but I prefer the look of very little wheel gap.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

Good feedback. I’m definitely anti-raising the car. I have H&R springs on both of my cars. About 25mm drop on both.

The change in CS driving dynamics are almost undetectable with H&R springs, maybe a touch stiffer but no bounce. Any idea about lowering springs on a PASM equipped 718?

I’ve done nice coilovers on previous cars, but my shop guy says they are a waste since 99% of my driving is on the street. I doesn’t need to be slammed, but I prefer the look of very little wheel gap.

No clue about lowering springs on the 718, but SPASM is much more than just springs. It includes changes to the springs, shocks, and sway bars. I'm generally against just lowering springs on any car, as the original shocks weren't designed for it, and it will result in worse handling once the shocks eventually fail.

All the former F8x owners that upgraded to Porsche hang out in this thread. https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1761187

You should ask your questions over there.

[dgoldenz]

Whoever said the 997 GTS isn't worth the money is misleading you. I think they meant it's not worth the premium over what an S/4S would cost, but I've owned 8 911's and the 997 GTS has been my overall favorite, even though it's a "lowly PDK cab" and not a glorious manual coupe. Cab never looks as good but the driving experience with top down on a nice night is worth it, I'd rather have the cab and it costs less. I had a 997.2 4S coupe and to me the GTS is a significantly better driving experience and very noticeable.

I'd say it depends what you want - if it has to be a manual, get the 981 GT4 or GTS. If a PDK is fine, I'd buy the best 997 GTS you can find for your budget. They're only going to keep going up in price as time goes on and the lower mileage clean examples become harder to find. There's so few out there for sale as it is, let alone with the right spec/miles/history.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I mentioned it. I mentioned it not because it's a deal breaker but because if you want any modern conveniences, you need to plan on some $$ for aftermarket.

For instance in my 997, I needed an aftermarket module just to be able to play music from my phone. I'm not talking about adding car play. But even though I still have about 300 CD's, the changer only holds 6.....

I have a combined single CD player and a cd holder wallet next to me that holds 50+ cd's

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

Whoever said the 997 GTS isn't worth the money is misleading you. I think they meant it's not worth the premium over what an S/4S would cost, but I've owned 8 911's and the 997 GTS has been my overall favorite, even though it's a "lowly PDK cab" and not a glorious manual coupe. Cab never looks as good but the driving experience with top down on a nice night is worth it, I'd rather have the cab and it costs less. I had a 997.2 4S coupe and to me the GTS is a significantly better driving experience and very noticeable.

I'd say it depends what you want - if it has to be a manual, get the 981 GT4 or GTS. If a PDK is fine, I'd buy the best 997 GTS you can find for your budget. They're only going to keep going up in price as time goes on and the lower mileage clean examples become harder to find. There's so few out there for sale as it is, let alone with the right spec/miles/history.

I get it. It’s priced to what the market will pay.

I’m buying a manual because I enjoy them and because they will soon be extinct. Good dual clutch transmissions should stick around a bit longer. My old F80 was DCT and I loved it.

The 997 GT3 is what I really want and I think the GTS is probably the next best thing but shouldn’t stretch with 2 kids about to hit college. I could do it comfortably if I traded the CS, but I’d rather just add cars. I’ve regretted selling or trading in so many good cars.

I have some test drives to do and some more research before taking the plunge I think. I’ll start this weekend with the test drives and keep this thread posted.

[baege]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

. I doesn’t need to be slammed, but I prefer the look of very little wheel gap.

hold out for a spasm car then

[ShocknAwe]

Advice from a fellow Porsche friend is to stick with older 911s (997.2 max) or go with a flat six cayman.

Don't limit yourself to GTS models as your first. S IS FOR SUPER. They're perfectly fine. Even a base 911 is still a 911 and Porsche didn't even make the first S until 1995 or so. They're heavily modifiable cars and a total hoot.

IMO 991+ 911s are not 911s anymore. They're 2 door panamaras and lack feel. This isn't a problem unless it's a problem for YOU. They're wonderful cars.

Have fun!

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

S IS FOR SUPER. They're perfectly fine. Even a base 911 is still a 911 and Porsche didn't even make the first S until 1995 or so. They're heavily modifiable cars and a total hoot.

You meant the first 911S wasn't until 1967, right?

[Alfisti]

Even PDK 997 GTS are insanely expensive, a PDK cab in Canada in good shape is $140K with taxes and a decent PDK .2 S is $80K, they make zero fucking sense at that delta and I am a super GTS fanboy. I'd honestly find the extra 50K and just a get a GT3 because it is a better long term bet. Or frankly i'd consider a near new Emira, same power figures, still somewhat analog and mechancial and it looks incredible. Also rides way better.

My gut tells me OP is better off in a 991 or 981, I feel the 997/987 is a little more agricultural than he wants. But I also baulk at $100kUSd for a Cayman, like man that's some beans.

If you can tolerate the agricultural nature of a 997, the base 3.6 is sneaky affordable and the engine very, very reliable. May get a good deal on that at around $45K USD for a stick cab.

Going back to the thread OP, the obvious advantage to the 911 is space if the mrs tags along. Like you can take it away for a weekend and drop the rear seats and carry some shit.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I have a combined single CD player and a cd holder wallet next to me that holds 50+ cd's

I use a Sony Walkman, it holds something like 30 CDs. My old cars it plugs into the minijack/AUX. The newer cars it goes Bluetooth.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

You meant the first 911S wasn't until 1967, right?

You got me. That said, I think you know that's not what I was talking about.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I just drop the top and shift down a gear, all the music I need

The car linked to is very nice and the seats are a solvable problem but 100 beans for a cayman, i dunno man, i just dunno. You can get a well sorted Z4 from like 2009 for 25K and have just as much fun.

Or get a Z4M and have much more fun / money than in any non-GT P car

[vt100]

Originally Posted by maticCRO

Regarding GT4 Cayman, my brother has 718GT4 for two years almost, and I drove that car for at least 800miles in the last year. If you are looking for a car to track, to go to a coffee Shop on the weekend or something similar, i would say, it makes sense, and you can enjoy your time.
BUT, if you plan to drive the car pretty much every day, around town, under ground garages, bad roads with bumps and so on, you should know that:
1) as far as i know, there is no Porsche OEM lift system for that car, and since stock clearance is about 8-9cm(~3.5inches), you will scrape your splitter all the time /not be able to park it in any garage pretty much. I know there is an after market lift kit here in EU, costing a few thousand, but my brother didnt install it because, as he says, "it would ruin his Porsche warranty"... Car is literally Lower than most of Ferraris and Lambos, i really dont know why they did it so LOW.
2) Ride stifness-car is super stiff, even when you are not in sport mode, so if you have a lot of those speed bumps like we have here in our city (some areas literally one every 100m),your butt/Lower back will take a beating. He has CF buket seats, that are awesome looking and they hold you perfectly, but are also super stiff, hard to get in /out since the car is super low to the ground, and zero adjustability, you can just slide them forward /backwards.

Dont get me wrong, when you hit the canyon roads or Autobahn, car is super capable and planted, hits 305kmh with no effort, sounds is phenomenal both inside and outside (4.0L right behind your back that spins to 8000rpm)... Just wanted you to know this stuff before buying OP
For what its worth, i remember when the first cayman gen came out, UKs Evo magazine (news paper) literally said "Oh, Porsche made a great mistake, they built a car that costs less than a 911 and is Lower in their hierarchy, but is maybe even more capable platform than 911"...
Anyway, good luck finding a car that fits you, keep us posted, I am really curious which one you will pick.

I'd not call the GT4 suspension super stiff It is stiff, yes, but it's exactly done right to my taste Yeah, bucket seats prob add quite a bit of harshness in your brothers case. Mine has regular seats and it feels just awesome. Besides, it's lacking these stupid modern electronic driver assists (that never work 100% of time), so it's only you who drives the car and no one else

But! Having owned both Z4MC and 718 Spyder at the same time... I'd prefer my old Z4 hands down - it's just marginally worse in terms of driving experience but it's 4 times cheaper and much cheaper and easier to maintain than the Spyder. Had PADM failure already and it was fixed under warranty, but checked the part # and the new mount costs $1,300. Can't wait now for the other 3 to fail
Also did oil change lately and that was the hardest and longest oil change I've ever done. Now I know why P mechanics charge $500-$600 for this

PS: having said all that (and since no one has mentioned this yet) the answer to the OP question is - M.I.A.T.A.!

[mfarrzhp]

You guys have me considering the Z4 M now. I’ve never drive one. I did have the S54 in my old E46 though. I have considered a blue E46 M3 to complement my M2, which seems like a bargain next to the Cayman GTS. And I do have this alternate idea of getting a blue E46, E92, along with my F87 for the Blue M combo garage (instead of a Porsche).

interestingly, there is a Blue Emira live on BAT that looks really nice. There is also a Silver 981 GT4 with some miles that could be a good buy. I have a feeling I’ll be bidding on one of those.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

You guys have me considering the Z4 M now. I’ve never drive one. I did have the S54 in my old E46 though. I have considered a blue E46 M3 to complement my M2, which seems like a bargain next to the Cayman GTS. And I do have this alternate idea of getting a blue E46, E92, along with my F87 for the Blue M combo garage (instead of a Porsche).

interestingly, there is a Blue Emira live on BAT that looks really nice. There is also a Silver 981 GT4 with some miles that could be a good buy. I have a feeling I’ll be bidding on one of those.

I'd love to have a z4M. But I never will. One of the few cars which has been vetoed by my other half.

One hell of a machine get one!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by vt100

Or get a Z4M and have much more fun / money than in any non-GT P car

That's what i meant, Z4M. I maintain they are the absolute best value sports cars on the market bar none.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

You guys have me considering the Z4 M now. I’ve never drive one. I did have the S54 in my old E46 though.

Go and drive one You will be surprised - it's very different from E46 M3 even though they share the same engine and the front suspension (the rear is from E36 M3). Z4 is smaller, lighter, raw, the seat is on the rear axle so you feel like you're trying to steer a rocket while sitting on its tail

I personally can't drive M3 after trying Z4M, M3 feels like a barge
I know how capable M3 is, but Z4M just gives me way more smiles when I take her for a spin

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

You guys have me considering the Z4 M now. I’ve never drive one. I did have the S54 in my old E46 though. I have considered a blue E46 M3 to complement my M2, which seems like a bargain next to the Cayman GTS. And I do have this alternate idea of getting a blue E46, E92, along with my F87 for the Blue M combo garage (instead of a Porsche).

interestingly, there is a Blue Emira live on BAT that looks really nice. There is also a Silver 981 GT4 with some miles that could be a good buy. I have a feeling I’ll be bidding on one of those.

The Z4M Roadster is still by far my most favorite ///M car I've driven, and boy I've driven lots. However, this is a very specific opinion, and I've heard from many people who don't like the car. Personally, selling the 2nd one I owned was the only car sale I've ever regretted in my life. I really, really wish I had that car back.

The number of smiles and fun you can have for basically no money right now with that car can't be beat. As long as the S54 is in good shape, VANOS is fine, I don't think there's a lot which can really go wrong with the car. There's an 08 which is local to me in white with full leather (really rare on that car) with 145k miles for like $15k. It looks decent, and I've been fighting myself for the past couple weeks to just go down and write a check for it. It's cheap enough where if something horrible happens, I'm really not out much money. Maybe I'll do it.

Cannot recommend the Z4M Roady enough as I said, however. I just love that little machine. Here is my biggest regret.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Cannot recommend the Z4M Roady enough as I said, however. I just love that little machine. Here is my biggest regret.

That's an absolutely gorgeous car!

And yeah, every time I think it's time to move on and try something new (man, I really want an E64 M6 ) I know that I won't be able to find anything even remotely close to my Z and I'll be desperately missing her. So she stays with me as long as my left foot is functional And then she will likely go to my second son (and he's got a special connection with her since he learned to drive manual on this car )

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by vt100

That's an absolutely gorgeous car!

And yeah, every time I think it's time to move on and try something new (man, I really want an E64 M6 ) I know that I won't be able to find anything even remotely close to my Z and I'll be desperately missing her. So she stays with me as long as my left foot is functional And then she will likely go to my second son (and he's got a special connection with her since he learned to drive manual on this car )

Never sell!