The New Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Is Brilliant, And I'm Very Confused 

Hey Jay, don’t even for a moment doubt about your skills, you didn’t get to drive to GT4RS yet not because you aren’t the best RU-vidr out there (for me you are) but simply because this type of selection is based on cold numbers (subscribers). Your videos are far more high quality than most of other RU-vidrs and I will never thank you enough for entertaining my days with your shirts and some of the most honest reviews on the tube 😊

To anyone who is also into watches, this situation is depressingly familiar (Rolex!).

It's a real shame that the 'low-high end' range of cars has turned into the watch market, the relatively low retail prices are a reflection on giving the allocation to the customer who has already spent millions at a dealer, so the cheap GT4 RS is effectively his thank you for the spend. I also think in general the Porsche car values are just insane. I can objectively understand that cars sell for what people think they are worth but the amounts offered on for example 993's are just beyond comprehension and it drags up cars such as the 928. I suppose I hope once the supply chains problems sort themselves out over the next couple of years it will restructure prices, however I fear whilst cars continue to be exempt from capital gain tax the second hand car market will never be the same again.

I’m a proper petrolhead and have tried for 12 years to get a GT model car, no chance, totally turned off by the brand as a result. Why can’t they just build more, not patronise the flippers?!

You may not have the biggest channel but you're definitely up there with the best of them

That induction noise in GT4 RS is something EVERYONE is going to miss once 718 went electric. As for allocations... yeah. It's a problem even here in Indonesia. I asked the MD of Porsche Indonesia about GT3 allocations, and even he himself cannot be certain if the principal in Germany would add an extra 10 slots to our market, even if there are 10 or 20 people putting a large deposit for the GT3. It's quite a dog-eat-dog world in Porsche's motorsport market.

100% agree with you, this whole thing about great cars not being driven because they are collectors items is getting out of control, and what is going to happen is that someday it will burst, all bubbles burst....is funny how this same thing doesn´t happen (except with very specific and rare models) in the motorcycle world, people do their their old bikes.

Well said sir. I will probably never be in a position to buy my dream Porsche but cars should be available to those who will drive & appreciate them 😎👍 & not the usual Utube bloggers who flip after a short time. Porsche should get their act together

As always James, a fabulously interesting, and I’m sure accurate appraisal of the situation. You say you’re not the biggest (tragically) but you are the best. You are one of a rare bread (and getting rarer) of automotive journalists who haven’t sold out to the EV lobby. There are 32.7m cars in the UK, most are not owned by car enthusiasts of course, but, when only 400k cars in the UK are electric (who are almost certainly not car enthusiasts), those who’ve jumped on the EV band waggon have gone way too soon. I can’t even bring myself to watch Top Gears’ content any longer as it’s almost exclusively EV now (how Chris Harris keeps his tongue- although rumour has it he’s just sold out) because there’s only so much you can say about a new fridge! Keep up the good work James, sticking it to EV, as the flag bearer for the remaining car fans out there who appreciate all the facets of vehicle ownership not just 0-60 and range! Thank you.

We know all this, it’s how it’s always been, and for good reason. If someone asks £400k for a GT4RS they paid £110k for its nothing new. In 2016 they launched the 911R, built 991, list price £137k, some sold for £800,000 after launch. And it’s a brilliant strategy. Porsche care about making small run, unobtainable, stunning halo cars at seemingly ‘reasonable’ prices that subsequently sell over book price, may increase in value, in order to drive sales of the rest of the stuff they make. It’s called ‘loss leader’ marketing. If they charged £250k for a GT3, made in reasonable numbers, there would less demand, slow moving cars in wrong colour/spec being discounted, normal depreciation would ensue and all specialness gone. Instead Porsche motorsport cars look tremendous value and occasionally an appreciating asset…but why does that matter? Because it tells the average Porsche buyer that the regular cars must also be great value, benefitting from motorsport “magic fairy dust” and that perhaps these too will hold their value or share some performance. It’s always nice to be in the company of cool winners right. There’s good reason why they’re the most profitable car company in the world and now worth considerably more than VW. I’m not knocking the quality of Porsche. They’re a brilliant company.

These cars are private property ; owners are free to do as they choose. And Porsche probably do, imperfectly, choose clients who they think won't flip them. Porsche presumably doesn't ask more money because they do not see fit to adjust their prices up and down according to the prevailing bullish or bearish nature of the used market. Thanks for another original angle on a subject, much more interesting than just another RU-vid driving it

I never really appreciated intake noise as something a car could make in an appealing way, until I drove and travelled as a passenger in a friend’s Ariel Atom. An intake right by your head at full chat really is a sound to behold!

Porsche makes beautiful cars

I have asked a dealer in Germany. They had a list of 20 very good customers who placed an option before the car was even announced. And they can allocate 1! car. The sales person is obviously not very happy about that either…He told me that they have some issues with the production and that at the moment the production stands still (was a few weeks ago, not sure if this is still the case) Was wondering if I should swap my 991.2 GT3 Touring for it, fortunately I do not have to make that decision now ;-) Think the 991 GT3 Touring looks better, is a manual and is also pretty rare. So happy to keep it. Yet, for the track the GT4 RS gonna be amazing.

Always good to hear your views Sir! Wondering who will take a four cylinder Cayman and tune the boxer to it's best potential. That's what I would do. Bigger turbo, that sort of thing. Make your own road and track 'weapon' from a 'mundane' version and let's name that car, idk, a Cayman GT RSR/4. Thank you ✌😎

You are one of the RU-vidrs in the world! Deep, clean, clear and profound insights! Saludos desde Colombia!

Very interesting conversation. Would be interesting to see what Porsche does. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

I wholeheartedly agree. It’s especially bad here in the States. So few of these cars are actually used as intended. Pity.

I see GT4s at track events all the time here in the US. Will be curious to see if anyone brings an RS though. I think the reality is track day driving is a very niche population anyways. Couple that with insurance not covering track events (you need special track insurance which is very expensive) makes it generally a hard thing to get into especially for $100K + cars.

Jay, although I have taken umbrage at your 718 flat four remarks, I still do enjoy your videos, and this is one of the best. I could not agree more with your sentiments. Thanks for being honest and entertaining.

Porsche’s list price is irrelevant, the car is worth what people are prepared to pay for it.

One of the most honest You Tubers for car reviews... Excellent find today and immediately subscribed!

Thank for you being the first reviewer to address the real point of this car and the problem with Porsche and their attention to the marketplace.

Liked the Silent Hill reference! Sums up the British weather nicely, one minute it's shorts, T shirts and barbecues, the next minute you are contemplating your own demise sat in a car in the final scene of The Mist.

Speaking of the weather. I went to Scotland in 1988 for 3 weeks. Surprisingly I was able to golf every day I was there. I wasn't expecting that.

You are right on the money with this one Jay! 👍🏻 Porsche UK need to wake up and control their dealer network MUCH more vigourously. Well said.

100%. Some might wonder what any dealer/flipper relationship is too.

Absolutely loved the rant! Part of why I enjoy your content!

I tried. Tried porsche Bolton and porsche Preston. Both said had just the one allocation. And both were sold well before the launch date!

Ok, I’ve never bought a new car from Porsche, but have been given a slot for the 3RS. The dealers do try their best to spread the love, it’s not all influencers and special people, sometimes right time right place. #blessed!

Couldn’t agree more with your dialogue start to finish. Keep up the great work

Don't count yourself out Jay... Might be right about not being the biggest, but there is definitely an argument for being one of the best. Cheers from the other side of the pond.👍💯

James you are up there with the best RU-vidrs simply because you tell it how it is👍 Keep on keeping us informed and entertained😊

Hi Jay, I been fortunate enough to be allocated this car. It arrives in March. I am delighted that I’m getting one. I have been a customer of the OPC for about 7 years. I believe that I was given the allocation for exactly the right reasons. I have bought several cars from new. I love the brand and I take my cars on the track - my dealer knows this and I think that’s where he wants them to go- not into a locked garage. I will not be flipping this vehicle, I will be driving the arse out of it. Track days are booked, I am very excited to say the least. Incidentally, I think you will see around 5-6k cars made. I believe that we may see around 200 cars in the UK based on various conversations I’ve had. Best.

Agree with you James on this issue and think you have hit the nail on the head again. Having owned a 911 C4S and now owning (and preferring) a 981 Cayman; a GT4 RS would be my ideal choice but I know it's price is going to put it completely out of my range because what is going to happen is exactly what you are predicting.

this is a very special car, I remember the excitement when I was 15 to buy my first car.. That feeling goes away, but after 40 years of driving many cars, this car has me hooked like no other car ever. I am ready to sell my 2 Porsches and 4 motorcycles for a chance on getting one. This is a once in a lifetime car but how to get one and explain it to the wife. lol. Trust me I would drive it like I stole it, would not care if I made 1 dollar if I ever sold it. There is no way you can enjoy a car if you keep looking down at he odometer and plan your week around the mileage.

It's a fantastic car. Last of a dying breed of petrol superstars.

I have my doubts that pure EV cars are going to dominate the market in the foreseeable future to the degree many are suggesting....

I think these will go the same way as the 911R very very quickly, probably the one I’d choose over this. Although as you’d expect I’ve driven either. . You don’t see any of those for sale for under £300K and if memory serves me right there have been some offered close to a million. Mostly never used, what a waste. So I’m going for £350K with in 12 months and rising steadily from there.

You may not be the biggest, but I would argue you are one of the best reviewers!

I can see many car manufactures in financial difficulties or worse in the next 5-10 years.

I can only speak for the german market. I became a porsche customer in 2020 when I ordered an individuell spec 992 C2S. Then bought a 718 boxter dealer presentation car. In the spur of the moment decided to place an order for GT3. The dealer wanted me to have the car and porsche hq agreed. So be taking delievery in June. Guess if you hit it off with your dealer and buy two cars in the first year, there is a chance.

not the biggest car youtuber, but one of the best!

depends on the market. I ordered and received 992 GT3 without any other porsche in my garage. no markup on the price. I am in Eastern Europe.

I 100% agree, the limited numbers is so frustrating. Why not produce more? If the demand is there? As a 'manufacturer' I do not understand their business model. (As a limited edition I sort of understand, but they are stuck with pricing based on the 911's starting prices)

I agree with everything you say JM. Porsche's handling of the sales of GT cars is not good and tarnishes the brand. One thing I don't understand is why Porsche gives a lot of publicity to newly announced cars like the 992 GT3 and GT4RS and then apparently can only supply them to the favoured few. Also most of the well known bloggers give a very favourable review to all cars they are lent to test and eventually they will be allowed to buy one - which they will then sell on at a handsome profit a few months later. You on the other hand provide honest reviews that include the good points and the not so good ones. I look forward to your impressions of the GT4RS.

You would go to the dealership looking for a gt4 RS, or even gt4, and end up walking home in a Boxster GTS. Happened to me.

Great shirts you have where do you get them?

The exhaust has to have a shorter manifold design and then has to go around the driveshafts creating a lot of bends in the small space, not good for airflow. Engineering explained gave some good shots of it on his review

Hey Jay, you need to employ a nice looking German Girl to sit on your bonnet, wiping your camera lens when driving in the British rain LOL!

Have you looked into the California and Florida Markets? I was offered an allocation from Porsche DTLA a while ago.. but i changed my mind and opted for a 992 GT3…..🤷🏻‍♂️ I have a feeling they will be easier to find in USA…..

As a 993 owner, of 12 years, I hadn't yet seen a new Porsche that I really would have pulled the trigger on until I saw the 992 GT3 release evening. My spec request went in that evening, and by 9:30 am the following day, my local OPC wanted to talk to me (more to get me on their books, and secondly to ask the question - "How many Porsches have you bought brand new in the last 5 years?" - I would hope they already knew that kind of info). By 9:40 I had been turned down, and even the guy at the dealer said that the cheapest way to get one was to pay "overs" to a flipper as it was cheaper than buying the number of vehicles needed to get on the "invite" list!

I really don't think a car like this makes sense as a road car anymore, I really think that peaked with the 997.2

I wonder if the allocation is so little because of the parts shortages. I hope things get back to normal and Porsche does the right thing

When are you reviewing the Lotus Emira?

I agree. I was surprised when they made the GT4, then even more surprised with GT4RS, and in full dis-belief that they have decided to make a Spyder RS

Thanks J!, I hope every manufacturer will try to do something special for their last ICE car! I think the odd thing may be that we'll be driving ICE cars for decades yet!

How was the 996 C4S revisit? Can’t agree more that buying to resell sucks

hmmm very true!! my guess for the pure greedy byer/flipper would be in the region of £350K similar to a 992 GT3 I seen a few months back

OPCs have only been given allocations for this year so far. There is every expectation that allocations will increase in 2023 - so perhaps 80 to 100+ will come to the UK.

100% agree with you. What a shame they just don’t make enough to meet demand. It’s not suppose to be a limited car. It’s priced for the people without supply for the people. Sigh.

is it related to the CO2/km balancing that all car companies now have to do on all cars they actually sell? So Porsche will only make a small number of GT3 4.0L engines.

When is the rs fot sale in garages in the uk?

I did the same thing, called Porsche dealer, more than one. Even those in Germany do not take order. The greatest courtesy from them is perhaps not laughing on the phone for the enquiry on GT4 RS without ever ordering a new Porsche. The official words are max 1 per dealer in the UK. So much for “not limited” production. Not sure it’s the best strategy to engage with potential customers or maybe is the worst strategy.

Sounds like Ferrari are using Rolex sales tactics - Great video👍

Just watched your take on the 4RS..and have to say what a totally refreshing and honest take on the car. I absolutely agree with everything you said..NOT that I have any inside knowledge etc on allocations blah blah. I do think the dealers and overs are going to run rampant in the current climate..based on all the reviewers comments who have driven the car. Clearly the GT4 as a platform is a GREAT one for Porsche-a and they are capitalising on it. I dear say another very prominent UK Tuber is destined to get one in the very near future so it will be interesting to hear his take on it..hope he doesn't park it next to the purple Lamborghini though....

It's a no win situation 😭 here in the states, I'm seeing brand new GT3's going for 180k and used ones going for 350k. I think the only porsche GT car I could hope to purchase for a reasonable amount is a 981 GT4

They already are listed on Germany used car sites. Won’t be long before listing appears here

I've been a 25 year customer of my dealer in California, having bought 7 cars including a 993 turbo, a 997 GT3 and a 981 GT4, and I put my name and deposit for a GT4RS 18 months ago to have this car as the one I will keep forever as I have recently retired. I originally had the second spot on the list, but got bumped back two spots due to 918 owners getting their Fast Pass, but my dealer is high volume and I'm pretty sure I will get one. But then 6 months ago they told me it would be $50K over sticker, and now today my salesman called and said it would be AT LEAST $100K over. Give me an F**king break! I'm as loyal to Porsche as anyone could be, even racing an old 968 for 16 years, and this is how they treat the true believers? Shameful. Porsche, just like Disney, seems to be on a mission to completely alienate their most loyal customers. If the new C8 Z06 turns out to be as good as it's specs show, then I'll probably wait for a year after roll out to get one at sticker, as they always build enough Corvettes for demand.

4:35 = I remember reading, maybe 20 years ago (in Sport Auto french magazine) the exact opposite : Some AMGs Mercs were slightly more powerfull with the very same engine in a model because it had LONGER exhaust tubing....🤔

I'm surprised Countach got through the RU-vid censors...

Talking absolute sense as usual Jay. If everyone had as much common sense and reasoning/rationale as you then the car world would be a much better place. When looking for a gen 2 r8 v10 plus I watched your videos, and in particular the video where you shared your thoughts on higher mileage cars. The choice to buy a slightly cheaper car with higher miles so I wasn't so scared to drive it and worry about the depreciation was an absolute game changer for me. So much so I ended up buying a r8 with 28k miles and now enjoy driving it pretty much everyday. Thanks for the videos and please keep up the tremendous work you do.

I didn't consider supply at all due to the aggressive price. For this supply, I expect insane price....

Eleven months after this video was made, the cheapest GT4RS in the USA is more than $250,000, asking price. Up to nearly $400,000 for the Weissach version.

I think you are the biggest and the best. RU-vidr that is..

I find this whole aspect of reduced supply from Porsche and the hoops you need jump through a real shame. Surely making a load more won’t impact the resale value that much. I wonder if it’s part of a broader attitude issue that’s developed over time. When I was shopping for a replacement car for myself I popped into the local Porsche dealer and quickly gained the impression I was an inconvenience and the reception staff couldn’t even open a car for me to check interior dimensions like legroom. The reception at the local Audi dealer by comparison was excellent, with the whole team keen to help. I’ve owned a Porsche before but didn’t get one recently.

Considering that you had on the exact same time the Evora 400 in yellow lime me and all gbe issue you faced I do not understand why brillant build cars do not open your eyes how much better they are engineered compared to the Evora we had !

You’re not far off, there is one up atm for 300k. Granted it’s still 100k off your estimate but it’s still double a fully specced one.

This project was clearly aimed at homologating this package for GT racing. Pure and simple. They are not going to build a bunch of caymans that will outperform a large segment of the concurrent production 911's. Don't see this as especially confusing.....

Swiss dealers seem fine. A good friend of mine got offered a GT4 RS with all the bells and whistles for £220k, but ultimately passed. He had only bought one new Porsche before, a first-gen GT4.

They will extend the production run on this car, Porsche often send out letters asking for feedback on the driving experience and day to day enjoyment, or unsatisfactory aspects of owning your Porsche!

Gosh, I feel special. Verily, I'm the saviour of the auto industry. Not only am I avoiding the scramble to queue-jump and bag a juicy super-rare car allocation; I'm deliberately not buying ANY cars whatsoever. Hooray! I think I deserve a medal for such selfless behaviour.

Most likely is the case that the limited initial allocations are a function of porsche's ability to actually build these...supply chain problems and all. Wouldn't be surprised if they make more down the road

I put a deposit down for one in the hope i would be able to pick one up for my 50th birthday but i know I have buckleys chance after hearing that allocations go to regular buyers.

You may not be the biggest car YTer, but you are interesting. 👍

Don't talk nonsense. Jayemm is one of the biggest car RU-vidrs!

Absolutely agree with you, Porsche should handle sales of this gem differently

My friend here in Poland allegedly has got a confirmed allocation for a GT4 RS for Q2, so knowing him I am sure at least one Cayman in the world isn't going to be traded for profit 😄

I’m sure on a recent car wow vid GT3 owner placed a £10k deposit with Porsche 7 years ago to get on the list!

Are we getting a review on the GTS you were driving ?

I too just dont understand the build numbers/pricing setup. For some years now I havent even bothered looking at a GT porsche because of the silly games thats occured with them. But to build a relative normal car (non hyper 918esque) and price it almost normally and then make stupid low volume is insane. Ive just found out its gonna be a similar story with the M5 CS which I had earmarked as my next car. Not any more.

I think because we only have RHD cars in the UK makes them a lot rarer than on the continent (easy enough to buy a GT3 from anywhere in the EU if you live in the EU).

The problem with dealers is their ridiculous criteria of 'you spent the most, therefore have a RS". There's no question this rewards flippers who can spend on lower models to get access to these big ones. What would ever change this though? Dealers just want to sell lots of cars. Same as Rolex watch ADs. There is no 'fairness' in it. So if someone's buying plenty of lower demand stock, throughout the year, they'll get their RS out of loyalty. If the average customer suffers? So be it.

...in the UK, much of this would end if the Capital Gains Tax loophole was closed for privately owned vehicles. It makes all rare vehicles simply a part of wealthy investment portfolios, and as such, few will ever be enjoyed and driven.

When the Dealers take the message to their heart (If they have one) they would call our beloved host of the channel tomorrow and sell him the car for the normal price. - Fingers crossed!

lovely to hear a good rant :) I think its a bit naive though! Surely the dealers use these allocations as a way of getting good prices/service/priority from their suppliers etc, all tax free... What you seem to be asking for is more T's (aka., clubsports) - shouldn't that be applauded??

while you finish your cofee, vw introduces a new model

Silent Hill 😆

If they listened to customer feedback the gt4 would have a slew of features as standard that it should got being a 2022 100k car. No keyless entry no push button start you have to option things in the infotainment that should be standard no android auto the led headlamps and illuminated door sills are options no call or volume controls on the steering wheel etc.

Surely Porsche UK could introduce something along the lines of; anyone buying a GT series Porsche has to sign a legal document agreeing that if they choose, for whatever reason, to sell their GT4 RS or GT3, or whatever within 12 months of taking delivery, they have to sell it back to Porsche UK for fair market value not exceeding a certain percentage of the original list price. And if they have driven the car less than a certain number of miles, they are banned from buying any other new Porsche for 10 years. That would stop the flippers, who in my opinion are ruining the car market for those who want to drive their cars but can only afford list price.