Considering trading in 718 GTS 4.0 for CTR

[optronix]

Hey guys, first post obviously as I've been impressed with the Type R since the FK8 only just now have started exploring the possibility of owning one.

As the title suggests, I currently have a 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. A bit of backstory- I custom ordered the car exactly to my spec and it was delivered in October. However, since delivery a few things have changed. Firstly, I sort of underestimated how much having two kids in college would hurt financially. It's not the end of the world but a car that can deliver almost as many thrills at a fraction of the price point is super appealing... the other angle is I have a 16 month old Dutch Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix that has become more of a part of my livelihood than I ever thought possible, and I want to be able to take him around with me. I clearly can't do that in my Boxster so usually will steal one of my kids' Civics, or worst case use my wife's also new '23 Macan GTS as a last resort.

As an aside, one of my kid's Civics happens to be a 9th gen Si. I actually totally love that car, and am impressed every time I drive it. Another reason the CTR is extremely compelling to me... and as much as I hate to admit it I may have made the wrong transmission choice (my car is equipped with PDK... it's great, but sometimes I steal my kid's Si for no other reason than to get my manual fix...)

Anyway, the CTR just seems to make more sense for where I'm at in my life right now, even though I am also truly amazed by my 718 every time I drive it as well. I am however still trying to reconcile if it does actually make sense to try to move on from it right now, as values seem to continue to soar for the CTR, and values for my car have actually taken a bit of a dip. That may change soon as people start to realize that allocations are going to be super scarce for the GTS 4.0 as it enters what may be the last year of production and the GT4/Spyder have been discontinued possibly driving more people to the GTS, but as of this moment trade-in values are not impressive... and I can't seem to find a car on-site that isn't at least $15k over MSRP (some of them want that for used cars...).

I was wondering if I could draw from some of the ownership experience of this board... I imagine the Type R would appeal to others with similar vehicles as maybe a daily, or perhaps someone else has exchanged their "pure sports car" for a Type R and can lend some insight. I'm of course not expecting the Type R to match the dynamics of a car that costs almost 3x its MSRP, but if the CTR is as good as some of the journalist impressions lead me to believe then I feel like maybe that could help get me over this hump and make a move sooner rather than later. I know we'd all like to think that eventually the ADM will taper off if not go away completely, but without a crystal ball there's no way for me to know what the future holds.

I figure it should at least yield some decent discussion.

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[s2kdriver80]

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threa...lation-articles-videos-✍🏻-🎥.51147/post-858183

 

[Clark_Kent]

Your situation is nuanced since there is a financial burden component, a lifestyle change, and the lack of engagement with PDK to consider. BLUF: Based on what you've laid out, it makes sense to move on from the Porsche in favor of something that is a better fit for you.

As a matter of background I have a 718 GT4 6MT and a FL5 CTR so I can provide some context. Similar to you, I secured an allocation last June, specced the car exactly to my liking and took delivery at PECATL 8 months later. The GT4 is a very special car, full stop. As you wisely pointed out, it's not fair comparing the CTR to a car 3x the cost so that's a good starting point from which to base your decision. That is evident driving them back-to-back, day-in, day-out. They are both great cars in their own right; however, I would not trade one for the other. The CTR gives a completely different experience in every way and that may be ok given your use case. You seem to be in touch with the current state of the Porsche market so this should resonate with you: There is no way I would let a 718 4.0 leave my stable. Parting company with the last petrol powered 718 is a decision you will 100% regret down the line.

Best of luck working through this. Keep us posted on path forward.

 

[TypeRD]

It has been said that the CTR is basically the “working man’s Porsche.” That’s high praise considering that Porsche is a next level vehicle (more like 2 levels up or more depending on model).

I love my FL5, but as others have said, it’s not really a replacement to their rear wheel drive sports cars, like their Porsche, S2000, etc. It’s different, but perhaps equally good…and that’s why folks have both. I agree with what @Clark_Kent has said. If you sell your Porsche, you will miss it and then regret it, even though you have a wonderful FL5 to drive.

If I were you, keep the Porsche unless you’re truly at a tipping point with finances, or trade it in for one with a manual (if you can find one, maybe even a really nice used one). If you can manage to do that, then the next step is to get an Si as your knock-around car and fun with the dog. You don’t need an FL5 for that, when you have a Porsche in the garage…unless your dog also likes to go AutoX with you.? In that case, then maybe an FL5 is the best car all around for you.

 

[optronix]

Good responses, and I agree. I actually consulted my most trusted advisor (who also happens to have veto power...)- my wife- and she insists I stick it out and keep the 718.

Ultimately what I want is both. And as crazy as it sounds, that's probably the angle I'll be taking... I'll find a way to get an FL5 eventually and then the PDK makes a whole lot more sense with the BGTS relegated to a second car- or if I don't feel like sitting in traffic with a manual.

This may not happen until the kids are out of school- and right, who knows what the market will look like 4-5 years from now. In the meantime I do have an Si in the stable (sort of...). And I guess I'll just have to borrow the wife's Macan if I need to take the dog with me. Also a truly amazing car in its own right.

These are definitely 1st world problems. Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[daazn]

Good responses, and I agree. I actually consulted my most trusted advisor (who also happens to have veto power...)- my wife- and she insists I stick it out and keep the 718.

Ultimately what I want is both. And as crazy as it sounds, that's probably the angle I'll be taking... I'll find a way to get an FL5 eventually and then the PDK makes a whole lot more sense with the BGTS relegated to a second car- or if I don't feel like sitting in traffic with a manual.

This may not happen until the kids are out of school- and right, who knows what the market will look like 4-5 years from now. In the meantime I do have an Si in the stable (sort of...). And I guess I'll just have to borrow the wife's Macan if I need to take the dog with me. Also a truly amazing car in its own right.

These are definitely 1st world problems. Thanks for the thoughts.

Hey OP,

If you're in the Northern Virginia region I'll be happy to trade my FL5 for your GTS any day. Lmk ?

 

[CTRifecta]

Screw paying for your kids college, make em pay! Atleast the first few years, it will make them more accountable. Keep the Porsche and buy the CTR

 

[TypeRD]

Yeah, I’ve heard of parents making their kids take out student loans in effort to keep their kids accountable, then fully pay or greatly help pay the loans off after graduation. This feels like a very logical approach to me, but everyone’s situation is different. Something like that could give you a little more financial ease in the near term, though. The FL5 production run will be over before your kids are done with school.?

 

[JBO]

Keep the Porsche.

 

[1971Camaro]

I see 2 diff factors here, so i want to point them out...
the 1st is a utility query
the 2nd is a collectible query

if you are truly in need of a car that will get some abuse, then whatever you use for that will have a higher amount of depreciation -- whether it be a CTR or any other civic. So, if you are thinking of future value (as that has been part of the conversation), then even a CTR would not be holding as much value in the future if you get it for it for daily/family use.

If you are currently babying your 718 (not clear if u are), then that should tell you that you do care about collectability. So, getting rid of a collectible car in favor of one that you will be using/abusing blows a lot of any investment value. While a CTR will prob hold reasonable value (as they always have)... you would be disappointed if ever selling/trading a used/abused CTR if investment is a key factor for you.

Now, i do agree with @TypeRD -- if you are going to want to drive the 718, based on what you say... you may forever wish you had a stick, unless you are just going to garage it for the most part.
Then again, based on what you DID... what made you decide to go with PDK over manual if you were able to custom order?? Was it future trade value? Porsche ppl (like CTR ppl) are more purist when it comes to xmission, so that was an interesting choice if you are truly missing having that stick? Pls explain -- i am honestly curious.

To be bluntly honest, i feel that you are being tempted by the aura of the FL5. That would be fine if you were to baby it and then trade it when you were done with your fun. But, if you are going to use it as a daily and it will impact your finances, then you should wait a year or two (depending on prices) and see how much you are still interested in it -- which is what i think you basically decided to do now. You may even be able to pick up a used FL5 at reasonable price by then.

NORMALLY, i would recommend getting the prev model for right now (aka FK8) that you could then trade up for the current model (aka FL5) when you eventually find one -- that is what i was looking into myself if something had gone wrong with my 1st-place-position CTR. However, with the prices of used/prev year's model cars being so high right now, it was going to be a ton of grief to find anything for reasonable price. So, that strategy doesn't work as well in today's market.

Bottom line...
figure out your TRUE priorities. ?

 

[holland1]

I got no advice but let see some pics of the 718.

 

[optronix]

I don't look at my cars as collectibles/investment pieces. I take very good care of them, but I use them as intended- as cars. If a civic has 4 doors and my dog fits, he goes in. The only reason I have slight reservation about putting him in the Macan is that's the wife's car and she uses it. I know he has potential to screw things up but I take precautions with a full seat cover that extends to the door cards, and he behaves well in the car on top of that. Sure it's "best" to keep pets out of a car as there's a chance of them making a mess with vomit/accidents or scratching up upholstery, but a good cover and routine cleaning keeps them clean enough to where you wouldn't be able to tell. IMO it's nowhere near as bad as smoking.

I don't have a daily commute so that keeps the miles down. But otherwise I drive when I need to drive, I don't worry about "preserving" it...

Anyway, my use falls well short of the extreme ends of either the "abuse" or "preservation" spectrum and I wouldn't intend or expect to make money off either car. I just like what I like- if they happen to be "collectible" in the sense that other people like them too, so be it!

I got no advice but let see some pics of the 718.

This is a fair ask, and I'm happy to oblige. My car is Arctic Grey so it's not quite so common a 718 color as it was just made available in 2023, and I think it shares a lot of similarities with Sonic Grey Pearl, which would have been my preferred color for a CTR (but I like them all honestly).

 

[optronix]

what made you decide to go with PDK over manual if you were able to custom order?? Was it future trade value? Porsche ppl (like CTR ppl) are more purist when it comes to xmission, so that was an interesting choice if you are truly missing having that stick? Pls explain -- i am honestly curious.

Sorry, I didn't address this question in my previous post so I'll unabashedly up my post count a bit here- I've been back and forth on the manual vs auto/PDK/DCT/etc for YEARS now. The truth is I like both, but under different circumstances. I had a 991.2 Carrera S 7MT and for whatever reason that was the car where I finally felt like the manual was fatiguing. I think most of it was circumstance honestly... I just ended up getting caught in some of the most annoying traffic in my entire life in that car; going 0-12mph for 2 hours straight on I95/495 in July heat just wore me down. PLUS- my wife and I drove a 992 Carrera S on a racetrack with the 8 speed PDK and it was magical experience. Those two events happening within a relatively concise timeline convinced me my next car should be PDK. Truthfully I'm just going to need one of each to be truly satisfied...

EDIT- I should also mention that I tore the ACL in my left knee in early 2020. I never did get it surgically repaired but I've done my own sort of physical therapy and it's now to a point where it doesn't bother me. That kind of factored in too.

Also since I brought it up, I should have kept the 991.2. I still couldn't quite fit the dog in it but it was the best car I've ever owned, and I was stupid to give it up, but that's a whole other level of psychology to unpack- in the meantime I'll just share a picture.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I don't look at my cars as collectibles/investment pieces. I take very good care of them, but I use them as intended- as cars. If a civic has 4 doors and my dog fits, he goes in. The only reason I have slight reservation about putting him in the Macan is that's the wife's car and she uses it. I know he has potential to screw things up but I take precautions with a full seat cover that extends to the door cards, and he behaves well in the car on top of that. Sure it's "best" to keep pets out of a car as there's a chance of them making a mess with vomit/accidents or scratching up upholstery, but a good cover and routine cleaning keeps them clean enough to where you wouldn't be able to tell. IMO it's nowhere near as bad as smoking.

I don't have a daily commute so that keeps the miles down. But otherwise I drive when I need to drive, I don't worry about "preserving" it...

Anyway, my use falls well short of the extreme ends of either the "abuse" or "preservation" spectrum and I wouldn't intend or expect to make money off either car. I just like what I like- if they happen to be "collectible" in the sense that other people like them too, so be it!



This is a fair ask, and I'm happy to oblige. My car is Arctic Grey so it's not quite so common a 718 color as it was just made available in 2023, and I think it shares a lot of similarities with Sonic Grey Pearl, which would have been my preferred color for a CTR (but I like them all honestly).

I love that you went with AG. I went back and forth between AG and Chalk on my build and chickened out on AG because I wanted to see the color in person first. I eventually saw it in person and it looks great.

 

[JBO]

Anyone who sells a manual, NA flat six Porsche will regret it in years to come. Again, don't do it!
Find a solution that allows you to keep the car. Soon, such cars will not be available...or, the ones that are available will get more and more expensive to buy.

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