This article summarizes the recent live stream radio episode of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.”
Feel free to enjoy it during your commute, school runs, or as a driving companion inside your Porsche.
If you find the content helpful, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel!

Main Topics and Highlights

First Inspection and Costs of the Taycan 4S [02:00]

• The first inspection cost for the Taycan 4S, including a one-year warranty, was about 220,000 yen (~$1,600). Since EVs don’t require engine oil or filter changes, maintenance is definitely cheaper than for gasoline cars.
• The tires had been driven about 17,000 km since the last replacement; the front tires wore down to around 2.x mm, while the rear tires still had 4.7 mm of tread left, so only the front tires were replaced. EVs tend to wear front tires faster.
• The faster front tire wear is likely due to the all-wheel-drive system having a motor on the front axle, causing regenerative braking friction to affect the front tires more.
• Porsche considers tire replacement at 17,000–18,000 km normal. This differs from typical car owner expectations but should be accepted as part of consumable maintenance.

Should You Get Porsche’s Extended Warranty? [08:48]

• In response to a question about buying a used Turbo and being offered a 2-year warranty at dealer inspection, the advice was to definitely get it.
• Porsche’s warranty can cover up to 15 years or 200,000 km if continuously renewed. For about 10,000–20,000 yen per month (~$75–150), it covers expensive repairs like PDK transmission failures (over 500,000 yen) or engine failures (several million yen).
• Warranty options include 1, 2, or 3 years, with the 2-year plan offering the best discount. The 3-year plan is just the 2-year price plus one more year, without significant additional savings.

Impressions of the Late-Model Taycan 4 Cross Turismo Loaner [11:00]

• While the car was in for inspection, a Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (Oak Green) late model was loaned as a replacement. Few people request a Taycan as a loaner, so the dealer was happy to provide it.
• Compared to the early 4S, the late model felt heavier off the line. The early model has a sharper throttle response, while the late model accelerates more smoothly and gradually.
• The late model’s milder setup may be designed to ease the transition for drivers switching from gasoline cars. The Macan EV shows similar tuning.
• Aside from differences in regenerative braking strength, ride comfort, slight meter display changes, and improved range, there were no major differences. The conclusion: the early model is just fine.

Which 992 Model Balances City Driving and Highway Performance? [18:57]

• For enjoyable city driving, the Carrera is the best all-around choice. The late-model GTS is also quite city-friendly.
• Note that the 992.2 GTS can be annoying because idling stop activates every time you switch driving modes.
• The Turbo is also an excellent option—fast and capable anywhere. For the 992 generation, the base Carrera, late GTS, or Turbo are recommended.

Cars We Regret Selling [21:21]

• Listeners mentioned many models, including the 991.1 Carrera 4, 981 Boxster GTS (manual), E46 M3 CSL, Ferrari F355, and BMW 318iS.
• Hiro regrets selling his 318iS and Panamera Edition. The Panamera left a strong impression with its naturally aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive, and comfortable ride.
• The early 991 is especially popular as the “last practical naturally aspirated engine.” Unlike the GT3’s racing engine, it’s versatile for daily driving, circuits, and mountain roads.
• The 981 manual GTS is extremely rare; selling it felt like “returning my driver’s license,” so it’s still kept. The 718 Boxster GTS (2.5L) is also gaining renewed appreciation.
• Many say they avoid regrets by keeping good cars and adding more to their collection, highlighting the serious nature of “car accumulation syndrome.”

Cars We Wish We Had Bought Back Then [43:00]

• The Carrera GT was priced in the 80 million yen range (~$600,000) during the COVID-19 pandemic, now far out of reach. Many listeners echoed this sentiment.
• The 964 RS dropped below 5 million yen (~$37,000) during the Lehman Shock. There was also regret over declining a new Subaru Impreza 22B from a dealer.
• The late 991 Carrera T was never officially imported to Japan with manual transmission and left-hand drive, making it very rare. GT Silver left-hand drive models sell for about 14–16 million yen (~$105,000–120,000) on the used market.
• Hiro wishes he had bought the Carrera GT during COVID, while his wife regrets not buying the Taycan sooner. Without bias against EVs, they would have purchased earlier.
• Pure engine cars from the 981, 991, and 718 generations are expected to increase in value as the T-hybrid era arrives.

Exhaust Sound Controversy of the New 992.2 Turbo S [55:27]

• The new Turbo S exhaust sound has been harshly criticized overseas as sounding like a “coffee grinder,” “Dyson vacuum,” or “hair dryer.”
• POV videos reveal the sound quality isn’t bad per se but feels artificial and lacks emotional depth. It misses the raw, rising intensity typical of Porsche engines.
• The early Turbo S had a metallic high-revving tone that was well-loved, but the late model changed drastically due to EU emissions and noise regulations.
• As T-hybridization progresses, the value of early models with pure engine sounds may rise even further.