Porsche Cayman 718 GT4: How Porsche's Arrogance Created a Bargain

Summary

In this video, the host reminisces about the launch of the Porsche Cayman GT4 and its significance, noting how it was a highly anticipated car that exceeded expectations. The script discusses the evolution of the Cayman, from its modest power output to the powerful GT4 variant. It critiques Porsche's strategy with the 718 Cayman GT4, suggesting mismanagement of customer expectations due to dealer practices, which led to inflated prices and speculation. The host praises the 718 GT4 for its performance, handling, and value, recommending it as a worthy choice for driving enthusiasts, despite its initial market challenges.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The Porsche Cayman GT4 is a highly regarded sports car that was initially seen as a more balanced and enjoyable drive compared to the 911.
• 🌟 The original Cayman GT4 (981 generation) was an instant hit and became a sought-after model due to its limited production run.
• 🛠️ Porsche made some controversial changes with the 718 Cayman GT4, including replacing the iconic naturally aspirated Flat 6 engine with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
• 💨 The 718 Cayman GT4 features a 4.0L engine that produces 420 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant upgrade from its predecessor.
• 🏎️ The GT4 offers a thrilling driving experience with strong low-end torque and a responsive engine that pulls hard from low RPMs.
• 🔧 Porsche's decision to introduce the GT4 with a manual transmission option was a nod to driving purists, although PDK was later offered.
• 📈 The 718 GT4 was produced for a longer period than the original, which led to a more abundant supply and a less frenzied market for the car.
• 📉 The increased production and availability of the 718 GT4 resulted in a more stable resale market compared to the original GT4, where prices were inflated due to scarcity.
• 🚦 The car's gearing is long, which allows for high-speed cruising but limits the engine's high-rev experience on public roads.
• 🤔 The script suggests that the 718 GT4 was mismanaged in terms of customer expectations and dealer practices, leading to a loss of potential customers who sought alternatives.
• 👍 Despite the controversy and market dynamics, the 718 GT4 is praised as a fundamentally brilliant car that offers a great driving experience and is worth considering for driving enthusiasts.

Q & A

What was the significance of the original 981 generation Porsche Cayman GT4?

The original 981 generation Porsche Cayman GT4 was significant because it was the first time Porsche built a Cayman to its full potential, which was something enthusiasts had been wanting for a long time.

Why did the 718 Cayman GT4 initially feel somewhat forgotten after its launch?

The 718 Cayman GT4 initially felt somewhat forgotten because a few things happened that overshadowed its release, and it was shortly discontinued, leading to a perception that it was already outdated.

What were the key differences between the 981 and 718 Cayman GT4 models?

The key differences included the engine change from a naturally aspirated Flat 6 to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 718, and the introduction of a new 4.0L engine in the 718 GT4 that was a heavy reworking of the 3.0L twin-turbo engine found in other Porsche models.

Why did the first generation Cayman GT4 become a sought-after car?

The first generation Cayman GT4 became sought-after because it was relatively limited in production, leading to high demand and people paying over the list price for it.

How did the Porsche dealers contribute to the mismanagement of customer expectations for the 718 GT4?

Porsche dealers contributed to the mismanagement of customer expectations by not being transparent about the production numbers of the 718 GT4, leading to speculation and inflated prices, which later normalized as the car's availability became clear.

What is the narrator's opinion on the 718 Cayman GT4's performance and driving experience?

The narrator believes the 718 Cayman GT4 is fundamentally brilliant, offering a great driving experience with a powerful engine, good looks, and excellent handling, making it a satisfying car even for the most discerning petrol heads.

Why did the Porsche Cayman GT4's price stability not meet initial expectations?

The price stability of the Porsche Cayman GT4 did not meet initial expectations because of the dealers' practices of preferential treatment and speculation, which led to inflated prices that later normalized as the car's true availability became apparent.

What alternative cars does the narrator suggest to the owner of the 718 GT4 who is considering a change?

The narrator suggests considering an older first-generation Audi R8 V10 as an alternative to the 718 GT4 for its supercar status and mighty engine, acknowledging the owner's preference for special and interesting cars.

How does the 718 GT4 compare to its predecessors in terms of steering and engine?

While the 718 GT4 does not match the Lotus in terms of steering precision or the old GT3s in terms of engine character, it offers more than enough in every department to satisfy, with a communicative chassis and a strong, responsive engine.

What is the narrator's view on the practicality and packaging of the 718 GT4?

The narrator views the 718 GT4 as practical and well-packaged, with a good boot space, visibility, and a comfortable interior, making it an excellent road car.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Introduction to the Porsche Cayman GT4

The script begins with the narrator reminiscing about the launch of the original Porsche Cayman GT4, a significant event as it was the first time Porsche built a car that enthusiasts had long desired. The Cayman GT4 was an instant success, setting high expectations for its successor. However, the narrator feels that Porsche made some mistakes with the 718 Cayman GT4, which has led to it being somewhat forgotten despite its potential. The narrator has not driven the 718 GT4 but has experience with closely related models, and is now given the opportunity to drive and review the 718 GT4. The script then delves into the history of the Cayman, explaining its mid-engine design and how it was initially held back in terms of power to not outshine the 911. The Cayman GT4 was a breakthrough, using a detuned Carrera S engine and 911 GT3 components, making it a sharp and fast car.

05:01

🚀 The Rise and Speculation of the Cayman GT4

Paragraph 2 discusses the market frenzy that surrounded the original Cayman GT4, with people willing to pay well over the list price due to its limited production run. The discontinuation of the 981 model and the introduction of the 718 with its turbocharged four-cylinder engines led to controversy and unfavorable comparisons. The announcement of a second GT4 model surprised everyone as Porsche developed a new 4-liter engine for it, which was a significant departure from previous models. The narrator praises the new engine for its power and torque, and the car's overall performance. The script also touches on the car's design, comparing it favorably to its predecessors and highlighting its road racer vibe. The narrator mentions the car's practicality, with good visibility, ample boot space, and a firm but not uncomfortable ride.

10:02

🌟 Driving Experience of the 718 Cayman GT4

In this paragraph, the narrator shares his driving experience with the 718 Cayman GT4, emphasizing its excellent low-end torque and the satisfying exhaust note. He notes that while the car is not as loud as its predecessors, it still has a distinct and appealing sound. The car's interior is praised for its simplicity and practicality, with physical controls for the HVAC and a customizable digital gauge. The narrator also discusses the car's handling, visibility, and the joy of driving it on B-roads, where it shines with its communicative chassis and responsive steering. He mentions the car's gearing, which allows for high-speed cruising without over-revving the engine, and the overall balance of the car, which makes it enjoyable to drive at all speeds.

15:04

📉 The Market Reality of the 718 Cayman GT4

Paragraph 4 addresses the market dynamics and the mismanagement of customer expectations surrounding the 718 Cayman GT4. The narrator criticizes Porsche dealers for creating an artificial scarcity and enabling speculation, which led to inflated prices and disappointment among enthusiasts. He contrasts this with the actual availability of the car, which was more common than initially believed. The narrator expresses frustration that the car's true potential and value were obscured by these market forces, and that many potential buyers were deterred from considering the GT4 because of the perceived difficulties in acquiring one at a fair price. He suggests that the car's current market value is more reflective of its true worth and that it offers excellent performance and driving experience for the price.

20:06

🏁 Conclusion and Recommendations for the 718 Cayman GT4

In the final paragraph, the narrator concludes his review by reiterating the excellence of the 718 Cayman GT4 as a driving machine. He thanks the car owner, Jim, for providing the opportunity to drive the car and expresses his gratitude to the viewers. The narrator also addresses Jim's consideration of trading up to an Alfa Romeo 4C, suggesting that while it may be a lateral move, the 718 GT4 remains a very good car. He encourages viewers who have been considering other Porsche models or sports cars to consider the 718 GT4, as it offers a great balance of performance, handling, and practicality. The narrator ends by emphasizing the car's fundamental brilliance and encourages viewers to give it a try.

Keywords

💡Porsche Cayman GT4

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is a high-performance variant of the Porsche Cayman, a mid-engined sports car. It is characterized by its more powerful engine, enhanced handling, and aerodynamic improvements. In the video, the launch of the original 981 generation Porsche Cayman GT4 is highlighted as a significant event because it fulfilled the desires of enthusiasts who wanted a more powerful Cayman. The successor to this model is discussed in terms of its expectations and perceived shortcomings.

💡Mid-engined

A mid-engined layout refers to a configuration where the engine is located between the car's axles, typically providing better weight distribution and handling characteristics. The video script mentions that the Cayman, like its sibling the Boxster, is mid-engined, which contributes to its balanced and enjoyable driving dynamics compared to the rear-engined Porsche 911.

💡Flat 6 engine

The Flat 6 engine, also known as a boxer engine, is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders laid out in a flat arrangement, which is a signature design of many Porsche models. The video discusses the shift from the naturally aspirated Flat 6 engine in the 981 generation to turbocharged four-cylinder engines in the 718 generation, which was met with controversy among purists.

💡718 generation

The 718 generation refers to the second generation of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman models, which introduced turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The video script discusses the controversy and the change in public perception when Porsche moved from the naturally aspirated Flat 6 engines to the turbocharged four-cylinder engines in the 718 generation.

💡Turbocharged

Turbocharging is a method of increasing an engine's power output by forcing more air into the combustion chamber than a naturally aspirated engine would allow. The video script mentions the switch to turbocharged engines in the 718 generation, which brought performance improvements but also led to comparisons with Subaru engines, causing some fans to be disappointed.

💡PDK

PDK stands for Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, which translates to Porsche Double Clutch Gearbox. It is an automated manual transmission that allows for quick and smooth gear changes. The video mentions the introduction of PDK as an option in the Cayman GT4, which was a significant change from the manual transmission that was initially the only option.

💡Rev matching

Rev matching is a technique used in manual transmission vehicles where the engine speed is matched to the gear ratio before shifting to ensure a smooth transition. The video praises the manual transmission in the Cayman GT4 for its ability to rev match, contributing to the driving experience.

💡Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves around objects, such as cars. In the context of the video, aerodynamics is discussed in relation to the design of the Cayman GT4, which features aggressive aerodynamic elements like the rear wing to improve stability and performance at high speeds.

💡Emissions regulations

Emissions regulations are legal standards set to limit the amount of pollutants that vehicles can emit. The video script touches on how modern cars, including the Cayman GT4, have to meet stricter emissions standards, which can affect performance and sound characteristics.

💡Speculators

In the context of the video, speculators are individuals who buy limited-edition or high-demand cars with the intention of selling them at a higher price. The video discusses how the initial limited production of the Cayman GT4 led to speculation and inflated prices, which later normalized as production continued.

💡Customer expectations

Customer expectations refer to the beliefs and anticipations that consumers have about a product or service. The video script criticizes how Porsche and its dealers managed customer expectations regarding the availability and pricing of the Cayman GT4, leading to disappointment and a sense of mismanagement.

Highlights

The launch of the original 981 generation Porsche Cayman GT4 was a significant event as it was the car enthusiasts had been waiting for.

The Cayman GT4 was an instant hit due to its full potential being realized with a detuned version of the Carrera S's engine and the front end of a 911 GT3.

The 718 Cayman GT4 faced high expectations following the success of its predecessor.

The 718 Cayman GT4 was criticized for its four-cylinder turbo engines, a departure from the iconic naturally aspirated Flat 6.

Porsche introduced a new 4-liter engine for the 718 Cayman GT4, displacing 420 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

The 718 Cayman GT4's engine is a heavy reworking of the 3-liter twin-turbo found in a Cayenne, but without forced induction.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS features a 500 horsepower engine, a significant upgrade from the standard GT4.

The 718 Cayman GT4 has a good-looking design with aggressive aerodynamics and a rear wing reminiscent of the 996 GT2.

The 718 Cayman GT4 is not as light as its predecessor, weighing around 1,470 kilos compared to the 981's up to 100 kilos lighter.

The 718 Cayman GT4's manual transmission is praised for its short throw and beautiful action, allowing for rev matching and heel-and-toe downshifts.

The 718 Cayman GT4's interior is appreciated for its simplicity and physical controls, a contrast to the more complex interiors of modern sports cars.

The 718 Cayman GT4's ride is firm but not crashy, providing a balance between sportiness and comfort.

The 718 Cayman GT4's brakes are excellent, providing strong stopping power even without the optional ceramic brakes.

The 718 Cayman GT4's steering is communicative but not as precise as older models, a trade-off for modern emissions standards.

The 718 Cayman GT4 is a versatile car suitable for both road and track use, with a chassis that provides excellent feedback.

The 718 Cayman GT4's practicality is highlighted by its two boots, making it an excellent companion for cross-country journeys.

The 718 Cayman GT4's production was mismanaged by dealers, leading to speculation and inflated prices that deterred potential buyers.

The 718 Cayman GT4 is now more accessible and affordable, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a high-performance sports car.

The video concludes with a recommendation for the 718 Cayman GT4 as a fundamentally brilliant car, despite the early mismanagement by dealers.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello everybody I don't know about you

but I remember the launch of the

original 981 generation Porsche Cayman

GT4 very vividly this was a big deal

because at long last the company

relented and built the car that we all

wanted them to but they always said they

were never going to finally here was a

Cayman given its full potential and that

car was an instant hit so naturally

expectations for its successor were Sky

High yet a few things happened that have

meant that even now only shortly after

that car has been discontinued it feels

like it's already been somewhat

forgotten and I think Porsche made a few

fundamental errors with the 718 Cayman

GT4 but I can't really damn the thing if

I haven't driven it and though I've

driven many of the cars very close to it

including the 718 spider effectively the

convertible version of the same thing

and the mighty 718 G GT4 RS I haven't

yet actually sampled the 718 GT4 full

stop today courtesy of a lovely chap

called Jim I am finally able to write

that wrong I'm going to be driving this

car telling you what it's like and also

explaining just how I think Porsche got

it quite so badly wrong

[Music]

to understand what it is that happened

we must first understand what a Cayman

GT4 is I am fairly confident you're

already familiar with the Cayman

Porsche's mid-engined entry-level sports

car the hard top version of the boxer

which we've had in some shape or form

since 1997

the Cayman then joined the boxer for its

second generation arriving in the middle

of the 2000s it was like the Boxster

before it another instant hit because it

gave people much of what they loved

about the Porsche brand handsome if

perhaps not beautiful styling though I

have always had a bit of a thing for the

first generation Cayman you had that

classic Flat 6 engine but unlike the 911

which is famously rear engined this like

the boxer was mid-engined so just about

any any and every journalist that drove

it said that actually when it came down

to it this was a better balanced car and

maybe a more enjoyable Drive than its

iconic older brother it is then possibly

because of this very fact that Porsche

were always a little bit weary of giving

it anything more than modest amounts of

power so at any and all points during

the cayman's life it felt like it was

being deliberately held back because

everybody knew if it had the same power

as a 911 it would easily outperform

it which is why then when Porsche

finally did relent and build the car

we'd all been waiting for the Cayman GT4

it was such a big deal it took them

until 2015 to do it by which time the

car was in its Third Generation Well

third for the Boxster anyway the one

dubbed 981 and the formula was fairly

simple they took the already brilliant

Cayman they gave it a detuned version of

the Carrera s's engine making just shy

of 400 horsepower and they took

effectively the front end of a 911 GT3

so it received a radically different

setup for the suspension the brakes and

various other components giving you all

around a sharper Tarter and faster car

it was brilliant

[Music]

but unfortunately or fortunately

depending on your perspective everybody

knew that and because circumstances at

the time conspired to produce a perfect

storm the Cayman GT4 became one of the

Prime examples of a Porsche where people

went mad for them and were desperate to

pay overs for what previously would have

been a relatively ordinary car very

quickly vehicles that carried a list

price of some £85 to 90,000 people began

asking 100 105 £5 130 I even saw a few

advertised for over

£50,000

and the GT4 I certainly don't think

created this scenario because it really

had been brewing in the Porsche world

for quite some time but it was certainly

one of the first cars I remember seeing

and being annoyed about it because had

that not happened I might

have been able to afford one and I think

one of the reasons that it was for such

a long time such a sought-after car is

because it was relatively limited never

to specific numbers or anything like

that but the simple fact is they didn't

build it for all that long the car was

in production for just over a year until

the 981 as a whole was discontinued

being replaced by the 718 and when that

happened Porsche got really

controversial because out went the

iconic naturally aspirated Flat 6 and

Inc came a series of still flat but now

four cylinder turbo engines Q lots of

unfavorable comparisons with Subarus and

though sure the cars did bring with them

inevitable improvements in both pace and

economy this wasn't the engine that

people had fallen in love with so when

it was invariably announced that there

was going to be a second GT4 people got

asking what engine are they going to put

in it the answer actually shocked

everybody because Porsche went and built

a whole new lump seemingly just for this

it displaces 4 L it makes 420 horsepower

310 lb feet of torque that's 420 Newton

met and it is actually a heavy reworking

of the 3 l twin turbo that you would

have found in a careera but here

stripped of its forced induction and we

were all shocked because that made it

very apparent the Porsche were taking

this car really rather

seriously okay it's still not a true GT

engine for that we had to wait until the

GT4 RS when they finally stuck that

manic 500 horsepower lump into a Cayman

and I have driven that car and to be

honest with you I have a LoveHate

relationship with that engine because

when it's on song it is utterly and

totally beguiling the rest of the time

it's just frustrating on the road I

think this is far better pulls hard from

low down I mean I'm in fifth gear at

2,000 RPM but you put your boot in and

it resp bonds makes a darn good noise

too even though these cars naturally

were never going to be as rockers as

their forbears on account of the fact

that they had to meet ever tightening

emissions RS so they were quieter fitted

with particulate filters and the like it

still sounds pretty darn good sure you

won't hear it from a mile away but when

it goes past you know it's something

special and in here though I've no doubt

there's a little bit of assistance still

makes a good sound the car overall also

still has all of the Hallmarks that made

any and every Cayman brilliant first off

it's a good looking thing this

generation of GT4 is sharpened compared

with the outgoing one a little more

aggressive in the Aero department but

still not dared for my money it gives

you the exact right amount of road racer

Vibes I love it that rear wing in fact

even gives me hints of 996

GT2 and it just so happens that this

afternoon I am driving a 996 GT2 but I

wager across country this is probably

the faster car curiously it's not

actually anywhere near as light as it's

forbear this Allin depending on

specification weighs around

1,470 kilos and the older 981 again

depending on specification could have

been anywhere up to about 100 kilos

lighter still you wouldn't call it a shy

performance this and this particular

example I think is a very very

interesting one that Jim has brought me

he has previously had a couple of boxers

and found himself wanting something a

little more special this was at a

dealership local to him and he'd been

eyeing it up for quite some time he'd

always fancied the idea of a Cayman GT4

specifically wanted one with a manual

one big difference between this and the

981 is that later during the model's

life they did introduce pdk for this but

of course the Driver's Choice is always

going to be the manual and it's a

wonderful box nice short throw beautiful

action you can rev match heel and toe

it's all set up absolutely perfectly as

you would expect in any Porsche and what

Drew him to this car particularly wasn't

just the fact it's a gorgeous Cayman GT4

in guards red but the fact that it was a

2 and 1/2 yearold car with just 1,500 M

on the clock today it has just over

122,000 so I can't say that he hasn't

enjoyed it but he has still kept it in a

very very good nick it's not a car that

really appears to have much at all in

the way of options there's no extended

leather there's no bucket seats or

anything like that but actually in a lot

of ways this car demonstrates that you

don't necessarily need all of

that I seem to recall that these seats

maybe a bit like in the gt3s though they

are the Comfort option they still aren't

what you might term regular Comfort

Seats they're quite nicely sculpted and

actually do an excellent job of holding

you in place how's the Turning Circle

because I'm sure you're all Keen to know

about that it's it's pretty good yeah

[Music]

[Music]

in typical Porsche fashion the thing is

ludicrously long geared so even in

second you can break the national speed

limit on a Motorway and that's a bit of

a shame really now the truth is that

when you drive it it doesn't feel like

it is overly long geared simply because

it can pull from Sol low down and I

expect part of the reason for this was

to try and make sure that the car would

perform well on circuit specifically a

very well-known and rather long one in

the Northwestern part of Germany it is

also also in situations like this where

some of the other regular Cayman traits

shine through it is still a fairly

narrow car you've got excellent

visibility out of the front those

wonderfully sharp hunches are absolutely

beautiful to look at and also help you

place the car well between them up at

the front you'll also find a generously

sized Boot and of course as is came in

and boxer tradition you've also got

another one at the back meaning if you

want to do a nice CrossCountry Journey

this is an excellent companion around

town like its GT3 cousins the ride is on

the firm side though it hasn't thus far

ever been crashy but it is a little

harder than you might like it to be I

recall going out in the 718 spider and

feeling that was a car that was very

much on the edge of what I would ter

acceptable for a road car you could

naturally have these cars optioned in

all sorts of different ways and though I

would say that if you put the bucket

seats in the extended leather maybe the

carbon Ceramics the car would look and

feel a little more special even as we

have it here it is a wonderful thing and

doesn't really feel like it falls short

in any particular way the brakes for

example though sure yeah the Ceramics

would ultimately be better these are

still excellent I also love the

beautiful Simplicity of this interior

for me it is Miles better than that you

would find in the current day 992

generation 911 you've got a screen over

here which all right by today's

standards is beginning to look a little

quaint on account of how small it is but

it gives you most of what you would want

with the exception of Android auto you

do though still have physical controls

for your HVAC which is nice and up front

you've got a trio of gauges two of which

are analog for your speed and your revs

and then on the right a customizable one

giving you all sorts of different

information got your audio settings your

mobile phone things trip computer tire

pressures etc etc etc and so like its

predecessor this car has all of the

things it needs to be an absolutely

excellent Road car but is it time to put

it through my favorite little bit of B-

Road and I'll report back in about 30

seconds time

[Music]

yep no other way of saying it this car

is

fabulous I love it and you know what

it's really reminding me of that first

generation 996 GT3 that I drove this

actually has a fair bit more punch but

it's an engine that you can drive either

off of the torque or using the revs and

the top end power and both ways it

delivers it is also a car where you can

simply cruise but use the steering the

handling and the wonderfully

communicative chassis to just guide you

through the bins if it has a weakness it

is the steering and it's not bad but

this electrically assisted rack well

it's just not as good as those of old

but if I'm being fair to it it is still

better than a great many others I've

driven including in things that cost a

lot more that should really be even

better and at no point have I been in

any doubt whatsoever as to the car's

capabilities again like in that GT3 it's

not a hyper sensitive rack but the

steering does have a nice waiting about

it it moves in your hand a fair amount

and it really does communicate to you

okay not as vividly as before but it

still does it and the joy of this is

it's giving me all of the sensations

that the 992 GT3 doesn't that is

ludicrously devastatingly fast it's an

incredible car but to try and get the

most of it you have to be doing a speed

that is simply put

irresponsible this you can have plenty

of fun in without really even having to

bother the speed limit I love it one of

my few complaints really is that with

that long gearing I just don't get to

hear the engine at the top end of its

rev range anywhere near enough and in

the practicality and the packaging of

any and every Cayman that Porsche

reliability and really you've got a

winner here so why is it that I started

this video by doing a bit of complaining

and saying that Porsche really cocked it

up well that's because it wasn't Porsche

that got the car wrong it wasn't Andreas

Pinger who made made a mistake instead

it was the Porsche dealers because you

remember I said that that first

generation GT4 that was a reasonably

limited car and people went a bit mad

with it well as soon as this one was

announced everybody thought that the

same thing was going to happen and so

you knew full well that a lot of the

people putting their orders in early and

more importantly those getting them were

the ones that were particularly buddy

buddy with their dealer and ones that

had come to an Arrangement meaning that

they were going to get preferential

treatment these were the people that

then listed their nice new Cayman GT4

they said they really wanted with 100

miles on the clock and that to me is not

right but you see for those people

things didn't go so well because this

car wasn't in production for a year this

car was in production for nearly four

and though in that time there were some

fairly troubling years which in a lot of

ways did something to help keep prices

buoyant the fact is this is a far far

more common car the original 981 GT4

today on AutoTrader there are 30

examples for sale but of this generation

there are

34 GT4

RS this one the plain old 718 GT4

they're a 90 for sale and it became very

clear predict ularly in sort of 2023 as

the model was coming to its end and

certain situations were sorting

themselves out that if you actually

wanted to buy one of these you could

have simply walked into your dealer

ordered it and got it and I do feel a

bit of grieved about that because had in

the early days Porsche said you know

what if you want to game in GT4 you can

have one everyone can have one but it's

going to be about 2 years the

speculators wouldn't have been

interested instead all of the people

that actually want to drive one would

have been able to have afforded one at

list price and because we didn't think

that ever was going to be a possibility

we went off and bought other things the

Lotus at miror I think managed to

collect quite a few people that were

originally going to buy a Cayman GT4 and

this really to me is a masterclass in

mismanagement of customer expectations I

think the Porsche dealers knew full well

just how many of these were going to be

but as long as customers didn't realize

how common they were were going to be

then they didn't know that they didn't

have to play the silly game that they've

been doing for a few years it's really

really rather unfortunate and I think a

similar thing perhaps to an even more

extreme extent has happened with the GT4

RS I've heard rumors that over the last

few months if you'd actually wanted an

RS you basically could have had one but

in the early days people were asking a

quarter of a million for £ 150,000 car

and that's just grief

and though I'm not so naive to think

that the world will ever be without

greed to me the whole point of a Porsche

has always been that it's the car that

unlike a Ferrari you can simply just

walk into a dealer pay your money for

get and enjoy you shouldn't have to run

around in circles jump through hoops or

do anything else to get one and as it

turns out you didn't but because we

believed you did people didn't bother

but there is a good side to this you see

because where the early came in GT4 Now

commands at its lowest say £55 to

60,000 these begin at just about 65 to

70,000 granted they will be for lower

specification cars or ones with higher

mileage on but just about any and every

718 GT4 is going to be a very very good

car and at that money I would have

really really struggled to think of an

alternative Jim is considering moving

this on he's thinking of moving into an

airor because to his eyes it is the far

prettier car it's also rarer more

interesting a little bit special and he

likes that sort of thing and though I've

said to him look it's a very very good

car the miror I think it's a bit of a

sideways move and I've been trying to

think of what may be to suggest to him

instead but I'm coming up a little bit

short I said about maybe an Aston Martin

but that doesn't appeal to him an older

Ferrari really compared to one of these

is going to be a gamble to run this

haager wouldn't really cause much grief

at all for its owner this one's given

him a couple of small issues but they've

all been sorted by the dealer and under

warranty so that's not a

concern and the only other thing I can

really think of as a suggestion is an

old first generation Audi R8 V10 because

there he can have his well not sports

but Supercar with a manual and an even

mighty engine as this is a high days and

holidays thing for him but he tries to

have as many high days and holidays as

he can I think that's a car that might

manage to achieve that feeling of being

even more special and as he doesn't need

the practicality this offers the

compromised storage of an R8 isn't going

to be as much of an issue but I tell you

something if for a little while now

you've been looking at Old 911 gt3s 996s

997s and the like or even maybe newer

911 GTS Carrera S that sort of thing and

you haven't considered one of these you

really really should because though it

may have been the victim of a lot of Tom

Foolery at certain dealers there isn't

really anything that can take away from

it just how fundamentally brilliant the

718 GT4 is does it go across the road

like a Lotus no not quite does it steer

with the Beauty and the Precision of an

old GT3 no not quite does it have the

manic engine of one of those either no

not quite but trust me this has more

than enough in every Department to

satisfy I think even the most Discerning

of petrol

heads glad I finally got to drive it so

I want to say a big thank you to Jim for

bringing it out and as ever to you for

watching don't forget to hit the like

button comment down below subscribe if

you haven't already and I'll see you for

the next one bye-bye

[Applause]

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