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I'm posting this after doing a little research do understand why we had so many GT4 posts and so few Spyder posts. I mistakenly assumed there were more Spyders than GT4s. I was quite wrong by an order of 3X. Below is a quick summary of what I found and I included a few historically "rare" cars as reference. If others have data to fill in, please do. Very curious as to the 718 Spyder/GT4 numbers for the full production run, not just 2020. Happy to post as a google sheet to keep the work going. ALL data is from public sources and I have no means to validate so please don't flame me for posting.
Last edited by Vaino; 03-16-2022 at 09:51 AM.
Reason: Spelling
Sounds right, the GT department didn't build the 981 Spyder as they did the GT4 so many didn't go for the Spyder compared to the GT4(going to get flamed for this but it's reality) due to it not having all of the same components. That's why you can see there's an almost equal amount of 2020 Spyder/GT4's since the GT department actually built those so more are willing to basically buy a GT4 without a roof.
It will be interesting to see what buyers really want. 981 Spyder borrowed all the Motorsport Department upgrades from the GT4, sans the suspension/tires. GT4 having the GT3 (PASM) track oriented suspension and the Spyder having more of a fast street suspension (X73). Making the Spyder the street oriented GT4. A lot like the GT3 Touring. Slightly difference audience. I wonder if the 718 GT4 suspension is softer than the 981 GT4 to accommodate the dual use.
For both the 981 and 718 generation cars, Porsche has manufactured more GT4s than Spyders.
Your 981 numbers seem about right from what I've seen. Being the special model at end of the generation and needing to shut down the plants to convert to the 718 line, production numbers for the 981 GT4/Spyder were quite limited and it was very difficult to get an allocation.
For the 718, no one has pulled together a comprehensive database but below is the known production information as of July 2021 from the 718 forum using VIN Analytics. Note the below is only for North American spec cars, not global units. I haven't seen any good sources for production numbers after July 2021 but safe to say that total production will be higher than below.
@Jawnathin Same on the East Coast on your anecdote. I go to an Autocross and I'll see two to three GT4s. I've only seen the one Spyder in the past few years, and now I have mine, that will make two.
We went a slightly different route. My wife just picked up a 987.2 Spyder to occupy the space next to our GT4 in the garage. Not only is it a wonderful driving car, but it's also as rare as the 981s and the 718s. Total WW production was 1,944 with NA production at 820 (2011-679 and 2012-141). For what they are, I still feel these are a relative bargain, plus they're a hell of a lot of fun.
Love my 981 spyder and think it is one of the best driving cars Porsche has made. Of course I'm biased as I've been driving my '71 914 for over 51 years... also agree the first gen car is special, especially the top. Wish they'd kept it on the 2nd gen car. I could use "bikini top" part here a lot in AZ to keep the sun out while still keeping an "open" feel. Been tempted to get a 987 spyder for a while. A really nice just went for nearly 100K in BAT...
IMO the gt4 would be great if it was a convertible. LOL.
For me, the choice was easy... I had a 914 with an 86 911 3.2 and flares.
I wanted a boxster with a 3.8, manual trans, etc.
For the 718 GT4/Sypder numbers, how do they split between manual vs. PDK? Very disappointed Porsche add the PDK... and with fewer people in this category buying PDK, it will be ironic when the PDK version is more "exclusive"... and "valuable"... haha.
Even though the GT4 has GT in the title, not all parts were GT and the motor was a 9A1, same as bon GT 911. So purist GT guys back then didn't consider it a true GT car, and Porsche probably didn't either, which is probably why it was produced with what turned out to be a bargain price. It was only after it was produced and people realized how much butt it kicked, GT car or not, that it began to shed that stigma.
Even though the GT4 has GT in the title, not all parts were GT and the motor was a 9A1, same as bon GT 911. So purist GT guys back then didn't consider it a true GT car, and Porsche probably didn't either, which is probably why it was produced with what turned out to be a bargain price. It was only after it was produced and people realized how much butt it kicked, GT car or not, that it began to shed that stigma.
I remember those comments, funny how no one says that anymore. I also remember some people calling it a “parts bin car”. But Porsche is the master of reusing parts on various platforms and as we all know, the GT4 turned out to be quite a great car.
Regarding the 987.2 Spyder, also another excellent vehicle. As one of the lightest modern Porsches built, it really embodies the lightweight purist roadster philosophy of the Spyder nameplate.
03-16-2022, 09:44 AM
Relative rarity Spyder / GT4
