I’ve seen many reviews of the GT4 since it’s launch, but I think this is one of the best. Unpretentious, honest and professional. I completely agree with Johnny - if you’re going to buy this car for the joy of driving, ease off the options pedal and keep it simple and attainable. Well done Johnny and the LBS team! ✊🏽
Most reviews are in two parts. Stand in front of the car and talk features, then ‘let’s go take it for a drive’. The way Jonny mixes things up makes it such a better experience.
I don't think I have ever seen a RU-vid video with no dislikes! This says a lot about your refreshing style Jonny - not trying to be a comedian all the time, just informative and entertaining. I can't afford a GT4. It took me 2 years to find a 981 Cayman S with manual box and leather dash; I will never sell it.
There's a real feel of quality, attention to detail and pride when it comes to these videos. Keep this up Johnny, it's a pleasure to watch these ICE reviews 💯 🇬🇧 👍🏻
Loved the video as always. My favourite thing about you Jonny is that you haven't changed your style of reviewing. Very informative and so relaxed. I watch your old fifth gear content all the time, I love it.
Nice man! Do you also have the alcantara wheel? The only downside of a alcantara steeringwheel is that after a while it feels like some fat blokes hairy back, covered in oreo’s.. 😄
You really made me want one of these now, Jonny! I was lucky enough to be invited to the press launch of the first generation Cayman in Tuscany many years ago, and was blown away by the handling of the Cayman S, but it felt a bit held back by its engine - likely because it HAD to sit below the current 911 in terms of specs and abilities. Now, with the GT4 (and the RS), it seems Porsche is finally letting this car show its full potential :-) I think you hit the nail on the head in your summary - this could be peak Porsche. And you should definitely get one! :-) Great review!
Great review Johnny! I appreciate your emphasis on simplicity - I think that’s the Porsche’s legacy DNA. Also really enjoy your comparisons to the 911 line and where it has gone.
Jonny, you said something that really sang to me: this engine is worth burning fuel for. I totally get it. I think you’ve nailed it there. I’m a big fan of my Golf GTE and my soon-to-be ID.3 and I’ve been kinda wondering why we’d even bother having piston engines anymore, but this car represents why. Cheers matey
Great honest review. I’ve got a cayman base 987 and it puts a smile on face before I even drive, just the anticipation of driving to go a get a pint of milk is enough. If it was my money, I think I’d just go for the Gts, put a rear wing on and save the difference
What a relief to see a Jonny Smith review of my current favourite attainable (ish) Porsche. You want to watch yourself Jonny, you're becoming a go-to for down to earth, unpretentious reviews.
I appreciate your emotion in last few minutes, you showed you care about the future of motoring & it's not all about electric, pile of nuts & bolts with a petrol engine can give pure joy & pleasure, Rj in Oz
Your content is the naturally aspirated manual drive we were all looking for. Thanks for the awesome review, even if I don't get one I was entertained and informed. You're the best!
Such a good review Johnny, thank you! Agree with pretty much everything you said. Love the late brake show it is like a real car enthusiast buddy, a car journalist and a car show all rolled into one. If I won the lottery the GT4 would be the one for me too, however in the real world I can't help thinking the Cayman GTS would give you most of the enjoyment for even less cash. Maybe one day!
I’d have it in some kind of colour (probably green) but apart from that I’d have it as is! I agree the 911 is getting too big; perhaps Porsche can at least freeze the size for the next iteration? I love the enthusiasm Great video!
What makes this review so damn good, is Jonny is one of us, he's not racing driver. He doesn't hang the tail out on a track to show how much better he is than us, he tells you about the car in real world scenarios. His narrative shows us we don't have to be intimidated and think we'll all end up in a tree, and we can enjoy the analog thrill of a piston car while we can. OTSOT
A great review/video. Honest, factual opinions and I like that you use a book for reference. Why waste time trying to remember everything when your notes will suffice. Good work.
No idea why I watch reviews of Cars I cannot buy but for the first time, some one explained all the version of Cayman in a very layman terms. Thanks a ton for that.
Another great review! Here's the thing though, the case you built for why the Cayman GT4 is the best car in their lineup is also true for the Cayman GTS. So it would be the Cayman GTS for me (if I can ever afford one that is).
I agree and do have one of those My third! (see my channel) No nose scraping, not milage sensitive and no rose jointed suspension, which makes it a nice daily. Well worth saving up for 🤓
@@DontPanicDear Mileage sensitive? Not all car people buy cars with resale value in mind. There are some real enthousiasts who buy these cars to enjoy as much as they can without the worry of mileage. More miles = more fun! In my opinion; if you are to worried about mileage and resale value then you went above your car budget.
@@Franzino GT4 is more milage sensitive than GTS that’s all. I’m one of those people you mention, so if I could afford one, that factor alone wouldn’t put me off. As a daily though, it can add significantly cost per mile of ownership, which will always be a factor to some and worth mentioning.
@Marc you’re right the GTS is. The base 718 2.0 is the best too, when compared with any other 2.0 spots car, so no matter which Cayman one buys, you are buying the best. Within the Cayman range, I still say the base is best bang for buck. Best one in range? No the one you own is, cos no matter what, Cayman is just brilliant.
@@DontPanicDear I understand what you mean; but a GT4 as a daily is certainly something I would not do. Me for example; I will probably one day get a (used) GT4 and when I have it, then I will probably not sell it the first 10 years (or maybe even never sell it). So for me; mileage is not an issue because I keep all my cars a long time (I rarely change cars). I sold my Z4M after driving it for 8 years with 160.000km and could not have cared less (it was pure enjoyment those miles). Mileage is more an issue for people who keep cars a short periode of time and need most of that resale money to buy the next one. If I can not comfortable afford a GT4 or need to worry about mileage, then I would never buy it. Makes no sense to me (personal opinion) ;)
Great car. Some of these GT4 are being advertised at over list, so not quite a bargain yet. Perhaps the last 4.0l GT4 Cayman if the next model is electric only.
Love your down-to-earth, no-bullshit review and rationale on why a Cayman is better than a 911 on country roads. You're up there with Henry Catchpole in delivering quality motoring journalism. Would love to see you review an iconic Caterham 7
I am fortunate and grateful to own a 718 GT4, also lucky enough that to run a new 992 Turbo Cab, give me the GT4 anytime, they are such a precision machine, look awesome, sound great and explode your senses. Well done Jonny, great honest review of an absolute stunning road going and track car, your summary of the overall ownership balance is spot on!
GTS is definitely the one to have in the UK on our bumpy B roads, even the gt4 isn't compliant enough, it's well crashy on the roads where I live anyway.
Yes. Just adding more expensive components to a car does not necessarily make it better for a given purpose. If you are one of the tiny number of people who will use an £80K car to drive regularly on the track, then the Cayman GT4 is excellent value compared to the GT3 911. If you want a car to drive exclusively on the road, like almost everyone, then a GTS is better value because it's a better pure road car, and substantially less expensive
@@harryspeakup8452 I agree. It’s the rose joints that spoil the GT4!for me as a daily. They really do make me wince over imperfect surfaces. CLACK CLACK as metal on metal components complain. Also the nose make driveways and petrol station exits quite a problem. I don’t want to plan my journeys to that extent.
Yep got my GTS order in what’s turning out to be a very long pipeline! Went for the softer suspension option (i.e. “S” model PASM) rather than standard GTS as found that too hard. GT4 is harder still so Jonny must like it hardcore if he found it ok as a daily...
@@neilturner6749 Do you mean -10mm? I’ve had both. The -20 (standard on 4.0) was great in comfort, but unusable in sport on road. It essentially locks out the dampers! -10mm gives you two usable road options. The GT4 in comfort is very similar to the -20mm GTS, but sounds like it’s damaging itself over bumps. We found a dealer 4.0 in Feb, before prices went silly and there were cars sitting in closed showrooms. Lucky break.
@@neilturner6749 I was deliberating the standard over the 20mm drop for a while, in the end I went with GTS 20mm drop, but it was a close call. I got lucky, picked up a cancellation slot for January 👍
Laughed way more than I should have done at the cut shot to Jonny in the front boot. The beard on jacket head twist sound caught by the mic added another level too. Another great review, Mr Smith
I think I'd have to go for a GTS 4.0l over this - I'm not a racing driver, I love a B road blast and longer road trips on the continent. This is undoubtedly a lovely car though. I've always been a 911 fan - my last car was a 996 turbo - but GTS 4.0 is the way to go......
I think that’s a brilliant move, but here’s the rub; you’ll end up buying the gt4 bumpers and diffusers so you’re down $5k there. Then the GT4 will extend the value spread, let’s say +20k at the same time the GTS loses $20k. Now you’re on the wrong side by $45k. My advice would be to either buy the GT product now, or wait and buy a GTS that’s already had the cosmetic upgrades done in a couple of years.
Fantastic review Jonny! As per my comments on your Insta, now please do a video on the 981 GT4 with carbon buckets. Even more visceral, better sounding, better clutch feel...and...CHEAPER! They are a total bargain at the moment...they won't be for long...Thanks again for your excellent content on this channel and on Smith and Sniff.
Fully agree with your comment about the flat four Cayman's. I had the chance to try a manual Cayman T, the chassis is amazing and so is the shifter! It sounds rather aggressive above 5500rpm, but below that it sounds like a tuned Beetle and not in a good way...
A very nice review. Your passion for cars and Porsche in particular is noticed and appreciated. I own a 718 GT4 with PDK and am in line for the GT4 RS. If for some reason I can’t get that RS…I can certainly live with what I have with no problem. This car is an amazing work of art.
What a masterpiece rewiev ❤ I completely agree with you Johnny that 911 is starting to get too big for the fun roads as little brother is the fun option Thank you for this time ........ masterpiece ❤
Great road test, I get the feeling if "Richard Porter" was to do an article on Jonny it would be based on Jonny falling in love with a car as they took bits away from it. No buttons on steering wheel, love it. Smaller wheels, love it. No indicators, love it. No bonnet, love it.
As A GT4 -2020 owner my self. Jonny this was the best reviewI ever seen of the Model GT4. And I have seen 40-50 at least. Yes who needs the GT4 RS, well if you want to shine for all pretty Girls, or be the TopNoch of the game then buy the GT¤-Rs, but I think it is A TRACK tool, not for my kind of driving, on normal streats and highways. The Standard GT4 is enough for cool/smooth driving.
The big advantage with the 992 GT3 is the multi link rear and double wishbone front end. Theres a great side by side ring video on youtube somewhere which shows where the gt3 gains its 10 seconds per lap. both are within 20kg of each other.
Spot on! I'm a lifelong 911 guy who never really even noticed Caymans until 2016. Especially now with the 992s I'm almost completely over 911s and all about the GT4s.
Great video Jonny, feels like this and cars such as the Aston V12 Vantage are ones to keep and then hand down to the children and grandchildren one day
Gosh if I had the money, I think you’ve just found one of the few Porsche I’d actually want to own. In Porsche terms, a back to basics new car. I wouldn’t want the extras unless this particular one has extras? I also love it in black.. thanks for yet another great review, I’m off to sell all my belongings now in the vain hope of affording this 😂
Well, as a GT4 owner, I for one am anxiously awaiting my allocation for a GT4RS. While 981 & 718 GT4's are great cars, but that screaming engine and aero put the car in another level, and resale value retention will be considerably better. If you've driven a 991.2 or 992 GT3 with pdk, you realize what an epic motor & transmission combo it is, and by having the real motorsport engine you eliminate the worry of the possible 718 4.0 engine issues and forgo the unneeded complication of cylinder deactivation.
Will you miss the road manners I wonder? A lot of people suggest the GTS is all one needs for road use, but the GT4 I felt may be the financial and power/control sweet spot.
As GT4 owner I had been excited to get my GT4 RS for which I registered back in 2016 already. But when I saw the price, I cancelled my reservation. GT4 is for me Porsche value for money sweet spot (I have the early car so hopefully no engine issue, but if so, I am sure, Porsche would handle it). But if I would be millionaire, then I would park GT4 RS next to my GT4 :-)
@@TheLateBrakeShow get the GT4 , I daily it for now and it's not bad. I think if u got the GTS you would wonder if you got the GT4, not the other way around.
Thanks for the review (must have missed it when it came out 🤔)! Love the enthusiasm put into these without losing focus on the facts. Probably would lean towards the GTS, don’t need even that, definitely don’t need more. Only observation would be the in car and walk-around bits do repeat themselves… repeatedly 😉
great comment on options. when you get the gt4 or gts 4.0 no options needed really besides pdk if you don't want a manual. i ordered a boxster gts 4.0 with 4 options only pdk, shark blue, guards red seat belts and buttons on the steering wheel.
Nice to see you review something current modern and sporty, no risk of putting you in any pigeon hole. Loved it, keeping it fresh. I'll still have a 911 for the cabin space, my 991.1 has the lovely sounding 3.8 NA at around 400hp and is my peak Porsche.
Nice one Jonny, I think that's a superb car, also I like the simplicity side of things, there's something to be said for pure simple driving pleasure 👍👍 MEC
+1... @ 17:00 minutes is a snap-shot of Jonny Smith sitting inside of the Cayman's frunk tub. Needs to be a full-sized poster of The Late Brake Show. .. Someone,, make it happen. .. Cheers, M/S .. Vail, Colorado
Brilliant review. Definitely made me want to drive one of these and reminded me of some of the joy of driving piston cars. Still sticking to EVs though, but a good reminder!
I think that's possibly the best looking Porsche yet. Were I to have that kind of money to spend on a new car, that would be top of what I'd want. Great review Johnny!
Thanks Johnny, you have just saved me £50k and a divorce! I am lucky enough to have owned of these for two years now, and awesome as it is I have been coveting a GT3 for some time now. This reminded me of what a twat I would be to get rid of it. It makes me grin every time I get in it, they really are quite a special thing to drive. I was actually driving it back from a blast in N Yorks listening to yours and Sniff’s latest ramblings when it cropped up. Thanks mate, I owe you a pint or two. Cheers, Chris
Th 4RS is too much, unless you’re a track rat or a C&C owner. Too busy styling, too noisy, but great track weapon. The std gt4 is the pinnacle of the road-appropriate caymans, imo. I have a spyder on order, and can’t wait; even better. :)
I currently drive a 911 992 Carrera S with PDK….mainly because it was the car on my wall as a kid , the 911 that is…but I’d be interested in one of these. Had Lotus Elise & Exige over the years & love the mid engine configurations…PS: Your bang on about the 992 being to wide..it’s just about ok when your used to it & can judge the width…but narrower would definitely leave people feeling a bit more comfortable when cars are coming the other way on a B road…
I really like the way you put these reviews together; bit of driving, bit or reading from your notebook (trademark Jonny), interesting opinions. Good stuff. I'm no fan of the 911, but the 718 Cayman is a cracking thing. Even at the equivalent of about £226,000 before options over here in my neck of the woods 😱
Don't get me wrong I love Porsche, ever since i saw my first targa back in te day when I was 14 speeding away on a quiet road when i was waitng for a bus to go to my Saturday job. I fell in love with that car.
Well done. I LOVE this car. I am not going to lie; I was really disappointed the RS did not come with a manual option. Because of this, the GT4 with a 6-speed manual is the Porsche for me. BTW your comment about how wide modern sports cars and super cars are getting is on point. This is not an issue on the race track but with everyday driving and car that takes up 2 lanes of traffic is not fun to drive. This is what I am a fan of this GT4, along with the Honda Civic Type R, the Mazda Miata, the Toyota 86 and the upcoming Nissan Z.