Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni If there was no feedback, why is the GT3RS current gen the fastest across the Nürburgring today? There must be something why if not 100% but 99% of the world go gaga over the GT line-up of Porsche's. |
I think you're confusing the two words. Feedback is not the same as suspension and has a very different role to play in the driving dynamics. It has a double wishbone suspension upfront. That's what contributes majorly to the faster lap times, if you must know.
As for why the world goes gaga over it, for the same reason Hyundai/Kia (Both India and worldwide), Tata and Mahindra (In case of India) sell more cars than other reputable automakers that actually offer far better quality, original R&D and reliability than these brands or for the same reason Apple manages to sell Chinese made iPhones for exorbitant prices despite Androids being more flexible and customizable or Windows and Mac being used widely despite Linux being better in every way.
It's called marketing for a reason. But those who know and can do their independent research, they don't fall prey to such practices or paid reviews in magazines or YouTube videos. It's very simple. In the last 15 years, I've realized that you can't trust 'most' magazine reviews, YouTube reviews, or website reviews. The only place where actual people talk and share their experiences are forums and that's where you know what everything is worth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni I partially agree and understand where you're coming from but that's not how OEMs think and not just Porsche but all the OEs be it their AMGs or M Performances. |
Exactly and that's the sad part. We're the ones paying for the cars and contributing to their profits and these brands don't even care and are trying every way to make a quick buck wherever they can, just because majority of their profit contributors don't even know the difference between an Electric or Hydraulic steering or probably those who know don't even want to stand up against these practices. I wrote a dozen emails to them when this change happened and you know what? They very conveniently justified their move and didn't care what I thought.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni Agreed on the mark-ups but is it Porsche or the dealers? In UAE, it's the dealers who're marking up Germans insanely. |
As I already mentioned, it's the Porsche dealers. But do you really think Porsche isn't aware of what's happening? It's all over social media and the internet. We all know about it and so does Porsche. But what did they do to prevent this from happening?
NOTHING!
And instead of boycotting such brands, those going Gaga over nicely marketed compromises are happily paying those markups to get a car that offers no steering feedback whatsoever and unnecessary electric nannies or electric suspension adjustments from inside the car that have no place on a super car meant for the track. Just extra weight and more failure points, if you ask me. It's a step backwards... instead of making it more analog for track use, they added 'n' number of extra electronics to fail at some point in future, not to mention the useless touchscreen distractions. Who even comes up with such ideas on these cars is beyond me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni Since you're new to the forum, do update your signatures. |
I'm new but I'm technically inclined enough to modify my profile settings to show the signatures. Still can't see anything in your signature mate. Although I did see your profile and found you drive a Supra, Golf and a Swift - All newer gen cars with electric steering racks and electric nannies. No offense but have you ever owned or driven a Cayman S/R or any sports car with a hydraulic steering long term like a couple of years or so?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni No I haven't personally. But witnessed my friend in the Cayman GTS and Cayman GT4RS on the same laps while I was cooling down from my lap. More info from my track day if you visit my profile. |
Since you already track your car, shall suggest if you can somehow manage to drive a Cayman R and a Cayman GT4 RS back to back or just the Cayman R/S (987.2 gen) and then just tell me which one was more engaging to drive, which one felt more like a sports car and which one pushed you to be a better driver unassisted and which one offered the best steering and chassis feedback, most importantly. You'll know what I'm saying. GT4 RS maybe fast but it's no longer the kind of sports car that Porsche used to be known for. Steering and brakes are your first interaction with the car and the road and it disappoints on both the fronts with VAG components instead of those famous long actuation brakes of Porsche. It stops quickly, don't get me wrong but the long modulation or the brake travel of 987 gen is long gone and would never come back in any of the succeeding generations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amey Kulkarni Curious to know, have you driven any of these or done a track day? |
Glad you asked. I'm planning to move abroad soon and do exactly that. Although to answer your question, yes I've driven a Cayman S (Which I own) and a Cayman GT4 (718). That's how I could feel the basic elements lacking and everything compromised. I thought the RS version might be better but sadly it's not. One of my cousins in the US happened to drive both the cars on track and long canyon roads as well. He's a hardcore car enthusiast and he confirmed the same with GT4 RS stating that they did most of the things right but screwed up by still using an electric steering and unnecessary electronic aids that make it more of a fast luxury tourer than an analog sports car. He's all about performance just like me and doesn't like unnecessary electric aids or distracting touchscreens that have made their way into the newer gen cars. Many others I spoke to on Porsche forums coming from a Cayman R have voiced the same opinion about the Steering rack and extra luxury added to this sports car which was more suited to a BMW or a Mercedes.
I strongly suggest you buy a Cayman R next if you can and trust me if you care even a little bit about the driver engagement, you'll never want to buy any of these newer gen cars ever again. I just can't and already turned down an opportunity to buy a GT4 last year. Just not worth it, but that's me
.