CT4-V blackwing vs cayman gts 4.0 vs z06

[DCV]

Sounds like cost is not an issue for you, but getting a Porsche serviced at the dealership can get pricey and they need service often. Every three years it’s new plugs for example. I suggest you look up the service schedule and you might as well buy the service ahead of time, up to 5 years which covers the majors and buying up front saves money. It’s also transfers to the car itself, so if you trade or sell it….the service is still prepaid.

 

[G.Newt]

For all those saying manual 718 gts(and that’s most of you) have you driven one?
The gears are super long- you can be at 2nd all day and never go beyond that at legal-ish speeds.

Some people don't understand, just because a car has a manual, doesn't make it the better transmission for the car. 6-speed Caymans have long had too long of gears. What's the point in the manual if you're not actually.. manualling lol. The lack of rowing of gears defeats the whole purpose. Also see BMW's, their manuals are trash and wouldn't get one again lol.

 

[FI Fiend]

Not for nothing the blackwing gears are decently long too even in a 4. You can't wind out anything more than 2nd at legal-ish speeds.

I would rather shift one gear then flap a paddle 10 times. It also makes it more fun/engaging at lower speeds and non redline. According to quick googling the PDK isn't really that much shorter either (Second gear redlines around 7mph sooner according to top gear) so even track use would see minimal delta in gear selection id think

All that said it sounds like OP always wanted a Porsche. I say splurge regardless of trans you pick, can always double back on a BW

 

[vj123]

Another option is a z06 but the msrp waitlist for that is a 1000 person deep. It has all of the pros of the cayman but without the Porsche maintenance tax. I do like the size and weight of the cayman more though.

My pick would be the Z06.

Z06 market has softened in the past months and you can find in stock vehicles below MSRP with little effort. If you are looking for a specific build, people are posting allocation leads for MSRP in the C8 forum.

 

[Professor Speed]

Have you considered a CPO 2015/2016? Still get a flat 6, and cost less. They do not come often, but if look nationwide some opportunities come up every now and then. This way you could hold on the BW too.

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

For all those saying manual 718 gts(and that’s most of you) have you driven one?
The gears are super long- you can be at 2nd all day and never go beyond that at legal-ish speeds.

I've owned a couple of 981 Caymans (S and GT4) and I suspect the GTS 4.0 is close to the GT4.

1. The shift feel is definitely on par or better than the Tremec our BWs are using. The modern non-GT 911's have the 7-speeds that are kind of meh, but the Cayman still keeps the six and it's sweet.

2. There isn't as much Tq down low, and the engine could feel borderline gutless if you get caught in the wrong gear in the canyons. I'm on the fence about that because it's another level of engagement and satisfaction when you're getting it right.

3. The gearing on modern manual Porsches is long, for sure and combined with point 2 you do have to adjust your driving style to get the most out of it. In Canyon driving I'm usually shifting between 2-3-4 so it's not like I'm doing the whole thing in third gear

If you can, test drive one. If there's not a manual 4.0 to do that (I wouldn't be surprised) try a 981 (should be a few of those out there)

 

[BimmerFan]

The Blackwings, Porsche 911 and 718, Civic Type R/Integra Type S, FRS/BRZ twins, Emira, and of course the Miata, all represent the pinnacle of driving enjoyment and they can still be had with a manual.

I stopped reading C/D and R&T and so I'm not current on the new cars. This is the first I've heard of the Emira, and that looks pretty darn good! Wow. I'd be tempted, just on looks. I'd also be hesitant, because English car.

As to the OP's original question, as previous owner of earlier generations of the Boxster and Z06, both properly equipped with three pedals, as well as a previous and current owner (wife's) of PDK cars, my thoughts:

- Every boy (and girl) should own a Porsche sports car at some point.
- If you can, you should get the manual transmission, although as noted above, the 7-speed isn't that great.
- The Boxster/Cayman platform is better than the 911 if you want to drive. If you're cruising, get the 911.
- If you are not going to track it, a GT4 is overkill. You could almost say the same about the GTS, but if it (here I have not kept up with Porsche models) comes with the flat six instead of the four, then it's probably worth the upcharge.
- I remember I once bought a big touring bike so that the wife could ride with me. She rode with me once. Buy it for you, not her. Be realistic about how often she's really going to use it.
- The PDK has some real positives, but there are negatives as well. It can get confused and not perform as expected, the low speed/maneuvering behavior can be, let's say "unusual", and God help you if something goes wrong in there out of warranty. And it will affect resale negatively.
- The C8 is really unsurpassed for performance/cost, but it's still a plastic Chevy, and I think it's ugly, it's difficult to get in and out of (although the Cayman can have its challenges as well) and I think resale will be miserable now that the bloom is off the rose for the Z06.

 

[bloominguez]

I would send them to a driving instructor to learn manual before I would do it myself. Better overall for any relationship.

Perhaps it depends on the person, but I wouldn't hesitate to teach someone close to me. I've had great success teaching friends and family by covering some basics first.

Show the student that if things go wrong (and they will at some point), they just need to press the clutch firmly and quickly, and press the brake normally (don't slam the brakes, it's an analog input, not digital). *Without the engine running*, have the student sit in the driver's seat. You sporadically yell, in a panicked voice, "Clutch and brake!" Observe that they learn the muscle memory to safely bring the car to a stop if things go wrong. I know it sounds strange, but I've found that if the student knows how to safely stop the car things get a LOT easier, it removes a lot of the trepidation. Repeat this randomly later, make sure the muscle memory is still there.

Vehicle permitting, take the gas pedal out of the equation. Show them that you can actually get the car rolling in first gear from a standing start without using the gas pedal at all. Use a car with enough torque to do this and/or do this in a parking lot with a mild downhill slope. Students learn better when you introduce one thing at a time. Clutch and gas together are two things, and it's harder for them to focus on the clutch feel. When you do clutch alone they pick it up much more quickly, in my experience.

It gets even easier in the right car. My Bronco has a Crawler gear below first AND the electronics will give it a little extra gas if it senses stalling AND it has hill hold assist AND if it does stall when you release the clutch it will auto restart when you press the clutch back in (with the ASS feature, if not disabled).

 

[BimmerFan]

Perhaps it depends on the person, but I wouldn't hesitate to teach someone close to me.

LOL, sure, I can teach the kids, and others, but not the spouse. RD was right.

 

[rubberduck]

LOL, sure, I can teach the kids, and others, but not the spouse. RD was right.

It depends, if you’re shooting for a divorce might be a great idea.

 

[Exia]

For all those saying manual 718 gts(and that’s most of you) have you driven one?
The gears are super long- you can be at 2nd all day and never go beyond that at legal-ish speeds.

Literally every manual on the market with 300+ horsepower has tall gears. You can have fun with a manual without taking it to redline in every gear. If thats all that matters buy the automatic.

Corvette's, Camaro's and Mustangs have the same problem. I don't hear anyone complaining abou tall gears in those cars like I do people complaining about Porsche manuals.

 

[quikag]

There's a lot of 'information' here that is all over the place. I'll provide my two cents below:

1. Get the PDK, it's a better fit for the engine. Porsche manuals aren't that great overall and the powerband/engine likes the 7-speed PDK. I'm all about manuals (I own 3 of them currently), but with P-cars, it's PDK all day for me after not really loving the manual in my old 981 GT4.
2. The 4.0 in the GTS is a good engine, but it's not the motorsport engine, so it's a little...........meh...in a way. It pulls fine, but there is no final rip to the 8k redline. It just gets there.
3. Z06 MSRP deals are out there already, still a bit tough to find, but if you really try, you can find one on the ground for MSRP. I'd take a Z06 over a GTS 4.0 all day.
4. If you really want a Porsche, get the GT4RS or GT3. Then, you will really taste the sweet, sweet Porsche wine.
5. Otherwise, keep your manual 4BW, it's a bada** ride and overall driving enjoyment is arguably better than the GTS 4.0 and it's more functional.
6. If you really want another car, just get the Z06. Availability is improving by the day.

 

[rdollie]

It depends, if you’re shooting for a divorce might be a great idea.

Hey, my parents grew up farming meaning driving things like manual trucks and tractors which is to say we never had a manual car in the household in all my years! My wife is the one who taught me to row the gears many years ago!

 

[Dirkbg]

Perhaps it depends on the person, but I wouldn't hesitate to teach someone close to me. I've had great success teaching friends and family by covering some basics first.

Show the student that if things go wrong (and they will at some point), they just need to press the clutch firmly and quickly, and press the brake normally (don't slam the brakes, it's an analog input, not digital). *Without the engine running*, have the student sit in the driver's seat. You sporadically yell, in a panicked voice, "Clutch and brake!" Observe that they learn the muscle memory to safely bring the car to a stop if things go wrong. I know it sounds strange, but I've found that if the student knows how to safely stop the car things get a LOT easier, it removes a lot of the trepidation. Repeat this randomly later, make sure the muscle memory is still there.

Vehicle permitting, take the gas pedal out of the equation. Show them that you can actually get the car rolling in first gear from a standing start without using the gas pedal at all. Use a car with enough torque to do this and/or do this in a parking lot with a mild downhill slope. Students learn better when you introduce one thing at a time. Clutch and gas together are two things, and it's harder for them to focus on the clutch feel. When you do clutch alone they pick it up much more quickly, in my experience.

It gets even easier in the right car. My Bronco has a Crawler gear below first AND the electronics will give it a little extra gas if it senses stalling AND it has hill hold assist AND if it does stall when you release the clutch it will auto restart when you press the clutch back in (with the ASS feature, if not disabled).

I taught my wife in my restored '79 Trans Am WS6 400/4sp. It had enough low end torque she even started up a few times in 4th gear.

 

[rubberduck]

Hey, my parents grew up farming meaning driving things like manual trucks and tractors which is to say we never had a manual car in the household in all my years! My wife is the one who taught me to row the gears many years ago!

Exactly right. An old truck not a new $150K Porsche which it what I thought we were talking about. Wreck that thing and your’re outta here!

 

[quikag]

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[DinoPower]

Admittedly, I'm a total fan boy of the 4.0L Porsche. To add to the excellent comments others have already made: Is your dealer is giving you the opportunity to SPEC your own car? Damn, that's special.
Now, if you are cool with a black, white, silver car--and the GTS (all black interior)...seriously, there is no reason to order the car. Those variants (PDK and manual) will be easily found / obtainable for years to come.
Now, are you seeking to put a colored leather interior in that GTS? That's a harder find.
Are you interested in a bright exterior color to go with that interior? Getting tougher.
How about deviated seat centers, special stitching, colored gauge faces? You've reached really damn tough.

I'll end with...for where you live AND you state your main use case is canyon carving on the weekends...there is no decision. CGTS with the manual (for a likely lifetime keeper).

Best wishes to you and your decision.

 

[565565]

Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster Reportedly Die In 2025

Porsche's pair of mid-engine sports cars are on their way out after 2025. Get all the details here, but we already know we're going to miss them.

www.edmunds.com

Better get one while you can.

 

[565565]

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I ain't rich like most of you guys here, but I will say the 5BW is the first time in my life where I don’t feel at all like that guy in the video when it comes to a purchase.

Even if you gave me 5 million dollars to buy a vehicle, I can't come up with a car I'd rather be driving. Mostly because the 5BW is the most powerful, fastest, highest performing manual sedan the world has ever seen, full stop.

I can be rolling past a Mclaren or a Ferrari or Porsche GT3 RS on the highway, and I'll think "nice car", but I dont think "man I'd rather be in that instead."

The reason for that is usually grinning at me in her rear facing car seat through her mirror and my mirror, and she yells "Pow!!" and giggles every time I downshift and the rev match stabs the throttle. In a few months I'll be installing a 2nd rear facing car seat for my 2nd.

I may not be rich, but with the LT4 bubbling away, and the taut yet supple alpha chassis allowing my pregnant wife to nap in the passenger seat, and my daughter calling for another arbitrary downshit so she can sing along with the engine, I can't help but feel like a billionaire.

 

[savethemanual]

I ain't rich like most of you guys here, but I will say the 5BW is the first time in my life where I don’t feel at all like that guy in the video when it comes to a purchase.

Even if you gave me 5 million dollars to buy a vehicle, I can't come up with a car I'd rather be driving. Mostly because the 5BW is the most powerful, fastest, highest performing manual sedan the world has ever seen, full stop.

I can be rolling past a Mclaren or a Ferrari or Porsche GT3 RS on the highway, and I'll think "nice car", but I dont think "man I'd rather be in that instead."

The reason for that is usually grinning at me in her rear facing car seat through her mirror and my mirror, and she yells "Pow!!" and giggles every time I downshift and the rev match stabs the throttle. In a few months I'll be installing a 2nd rear facing car seat for my 2nd.

I may not be rich, but with the LT4 bubbling away, and the taut yet supple alpha chassis allowing my pregnant wife to nap in the passenger seat, and my daughter calling for another arbitrary downshit so she can sing along with the engine, I can't help but feel like a billionaire.

You’re driving a 100k car man. We’re all rich here

Relatively speaking of course.