Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” This series, Porsche Owners File, was created in response to readers’ requests to share the authentic voices of various Porsche owners. The 17th installment features a purchase, options, and driving review of the Cayman GT4 from “Akki.”

〘Owner Information〙
・Featured car: Cayman GT4
・Pen name: Akki
・Residence: Hyogo Prefecture
・Family: Wife and two sons (university and high school students), four members total
・Past cars:
① First-generation Primera (AT) → Altezza (MT) → Prius (AT)
② Beat (MT) → Cappuccino (MT) → Beat (MT)
③ Abarth 500C (MT)
④ Cayman GT4 (MT)
I’m interested in all kinds of cars regardless of brand or nationality, including kei cars, hybrids, old and new models—not just Porsches. I currently own four cars, all of which I’m very attached to and can’t part with.
I basically prefer manuals, so our household has many manual cars. When we first got married, the only car we had was my wife’s Primera, but I desperately wanted to drive a manual, so without consulting her, I switched to a manual Altezza (sweat).
At first, my wife asked, “Why a manual?” but she quickly got used to it and drove happily (or reluctantly?). However, now she’s so used to the Prius AT that she won’t even drive a manual for simple parking maneuvers anymore… (cry)
・Message to readers:
Among Porsche sports cars, the Cayman is positioned as an entry-level model under the hierarchy topped by the 911, but “it truly drives, corners, and stops like a Porsche.”
Also, I feel the GT4 offers excellent cost performance compared to the 911. It’s very satisfying, equipped with components from the 911 GT3, and with a manual transmission, it’s extremely attractive aside from the price. It almost makes you think, “Do I really need a 911?“

1) How I Decided to Buy

– Inspired by My Nephew’s Porsche Purchase

I’m from the supercar generation, so since elementary school, I thought, “I will definitely drive a Porsche someday.“
But even though I admired the brand, the high barrier to entry made me hesitant to buy a Porsche for a long time. Then one day, my nephew bought his first car, a used 987 Boxster. (Later upgraded to 981 → 993)

Seeing that, my older brother bought a used 997, and that motivated me to take the plunge as well. When I accompanied him for the 997’s inspection, I happened to fall in love at first sight with a displayed GT4.
I also like convertibles, so I was torn between the Boxster Spyder and the GT4, but the GT4’s rear wing won me over.

When you think of Porsche sports cars, the 911 comes to mind, and I admire its packaging and excellent visibility, but the Spartan, cost-effective GT4 suited me perfectly.

2) Options / Specifications

Since it was a used car, there was no choice in options, but

Left-Hand Drive

Right-hand drive feels more natural in Japan, of course. Still, even with left-hand drive, compared to the Abarth 500, the pedal layout feels less awkward.

Body Color

The body color is black. Solid black shows wash scratches and fingerprints easily, so I wouldn’t order it new, but if you can keep it clean, the reflections look beautiful and cool. If buying new, I’d probably choose white.

Interior

The three options—black leather interior (with Alcantara parts), contrast color stitching, and colored seat belts (guards red)—aren’t absolutely necessary, but…
Still, they make the simple Cayman interior feel luxurious and provide satisfaction beyond the price.
However, the standard Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob seem designed for gloves, and I felt “bare-handed, genuine leather feels much better.” (I was impressed the first time I gripped the genuine leather steering wheel on the 981, feeling it cling to my bare hands.)

Sport Chrono Package

At first, I thought the clock was essential because the dashboard looks bare without it, but since the GT4’s functions don’t change much, it might not be necessary.

Full Bucket Seats

The seats are quite large, so they don’t perfectly fit my height (170cm, average build). The seats can be electrically raised but can’t recline, making getting in and out difficult. I expect to be tossed side to side even on the circuit.
Also, maybe because my legs are short, the fore-aft adjustment is just right at the very front. Still, they look great, and I purposely don’t tint the windows so I can enjoy viewing the interior from behind.

Smoking Package

I don’t smoke, but since it comes with a free cigar socket and cover, it’s convenient.

Others

・Auto air conditioning
Even though it’s automatic, I still adjust it manually, so manual would be fine.
・Passenger seat storage net
A free option, so it’s nice to have.
・Black wing
Since the body is black, the black wing suits it well. Also floor mats, backup camera, and so on.

3) Delivery Process

This GT4 was sold at the opening of a new store of a long-established Porsche certified used car center in Kansai. Several GT4s were listed at the time, but all were sold by lottery.

I hoped for a “white body, right-hand drive with standard seats,” but since many people wanted that, the chance of getting one was low. So I reserved and purchased a “black body, left-hand drive with full bucket seats” which fewer people wanted.

Next page → Cayman GT4 engine, ride feel, fuel economy, does the front scrape often?…