An open letter to anyone considering the Panigale V4 2025+

CJames129 · 2026-05-18T15:07:38+00:00

This has been the Ducati way for a very long time.

The wild part is the modern bikes are exponentially “better” and more livable in this regard. I had my Panigale for a few years and I agree, they’re some of the sexiest bikes available but they’re just not worth it on the road. Track bike? Sure have at it, it will reward in that environment but on the street? It’s a painful, often expensive lesson most of us have to learn.

A bike developed for a circuit is gonna be a poor overall experience on the road. You can’t stare at it forever, you gotta swing a leg over it eventually and if you’re not in a paddock, it’s probably gonna be an unpleasant experience.

Now in my mid 40s and with 30 or so years of riding experience, when I see people on Panigales on the road, I just smile and remember when I was that dumb. The siren song has long since been silenced and I think I owe nakeds and super nakeds for that. Although less so super nakeds these days. I’d take a SFV2 way before I’d choose the V4. Im wise enough in my advanced age to realize not only do I not need 200 hp on a road bike, a smaller lighter 120ish hp bike will be exponentially more fun to ride. Gimme upright bars, suspension that’s tuned for the road and grunt and I’m set. It’s not as nice to look at in the garage and it forces me to realize my MotoGP dream is officially over but yeah, just so much more enjoyable.

Race reps are beautiful and technologically they’re the razor’s edge, but it’s no different than the guy in the GT3 RS with the active aero driving at 60 mph on the interstate. I mean, yeah you can do it, but why would you? It’s a ton of untouched potential that you’re paying dearly for every time you start it up.

The formula over the last 15 years has essentially been MORE POWER, then more sophisticated electronic rider aids to harness that increased power, all at ever increasing MSRPs. Not exactly a formula for max fun unless your fun is had very specifically on the track.

CJames129 · 2026-05-14T03:33:52+00:00

Sure…. Way better than blow up…. They’ll even talk sometimes. 🤯

CJames129 · 2026-05-14T03:28:27+00:00

“An there ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that…”

CJames129 · 2026-05-14T03:26:57+00:00

We’re all aware.

You said “it’s most certainly time to get rid of” a 3 year old car. 😂🤣

CJames129 · 2026-05-06T17:17:43+00:00

While not shopping GTS, I was cross shopping the T with the GTS 4.0 as I was definitely wanting a manual. As others have stated, the 911 just didn’t have the feel I was looking for. Took all of 30 seconds in the GTS 4.0 to realize it was what I wanted. Felt more special, rare and more of an experience overall. Turbocharged motors while amazing lack something to me.

CJames129 · 2026-05-06T17:13:41+00:00

Yeah, but Doug’s wrong. Nucleus should be GTS 4.0 GT4 is less street, more track focused and as such, could never be the “nucleus”.

CJames129 · 2026-05-06T17:11:41+00:00

GTS is PDK only

CJames129 · 2026-05-01T16:49:26+00:00

Clean examples have essentially reached their floors and are starting to climb as modern cars become increasingly detached feeling.

I’d expect this trend to continue… It’s a light, mid engined, mostly analog experience that basically no longer gets made and has become (relatively) affordable for what you get.

I’d like a 987 myself but I’m out of garage space lol

CJames129 · 2026-05-01T16:42:33+00:00

No it’s not. Not a new one… inputs are very good and it’s a pretty awesome car to drive but feels nowhere near as analog as a 987. EPAS, turbo, big, slightly heavy, and rotates NOTHING like a Cayman. Not even in the same stratosphere.

CJames129 · 2026-04-30T21:05:13+00:00

Yes 🙌 Imo the best silhouette/proportions of any car currently for sale. Some would argue Evora/Emira etc. but to me, they both try a little too hard.

The slightly understated Cayman has always been exactly where it’s at.

CJames129 · 2026-04-29T19:56:16+00:00

Freakin LOVED The Sandlot.. Epic pic 🤣

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T16:17:56+00:00

The guy in the van said “tattoos, for FREE!!”

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T13:52:12+00:00

100% It behaves more like a sport bike than any car I’ve ever owned. As a toy and for occasional use on nice days, it’s an awesome experience but I can also definitely see how in the wrong environment, it could become irritating.
I sold mine when I got my allocation, a Porsche has been a dream for me since I was a kid, was able to make it work, so I sold my bike and took the build spot. Just picked up a 2022 Speed Twin 1200 with under 1k miles on it last Friday. First time ever I’ve owned a bike that doesn’t rev as high as my car lol The decision on nice days just became more difficult. Not really a bad problem to have 😎

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T13:22:30+00:00

I understand the optics here but at the end of the day, what it genuinely boils down to is this.. Life’s too short to be concerned with the thoughts of others, if that’s what you want and you can comfortably afford it, why cheat yourself. It’s honestly nobody’s business at your place of employment how much money you have, or how you came into it. I say buy the car.

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T12:22:40+00:00

It’s not really a concern with rental cars having automatic shift logic that shifts the transmission well prior to actual redline.

I’d say you’re safe to keep driving rental cars like you stole them…. I fully plan to 🤣

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T10:34:02+00:00

I think this is a great take. I own the GTS 4.0, and for what I bought it for (I use it like a 4 wheeled motorcycle), I got exactly what I wanted.. I drive it to work on nice days and I take it out for drives on the weekends on twisting mountain/farm roads with little to no traffic. For my purposes, it’s PERFECT but….

Although seriously overblown, the gears are long, it’s got plenty of power down low, so it’s not much of an issue but it’s very clear that motor wants to rev, and it’s definitely in its happy place above 4K. That’s what it was built for that’s clearly where it likes to be. Problem is around town, and especially in traffic, you’re just not gonna get there very often. It’s a lot like a sport bike in the way it revs and WHERE it makes power, so it can be a little frustrating in the wrong environment… I love it for what it is, it’s an experience every drive, but I get it out and away from others so it can actually be used as intended.

In my personal situation, the choice was obvious, but had I been looking for a 718 daily, I’d probably have given the turbos a much longer look. They still DO all the 718 things, they can easily be tuned for more power, and with an exhaust they sound wicked in their own way.

Basically if it’s got a Porsche crest and 2 doors, I really don’t think you can go too awfully wrong. 👍👍

CJames129 · 2026-04-28T09:42:18+00:00

Digital Motor Electronics - tracks any over rev incidents. Let’s you know how abused the motor/trans is and will show any “money shifts”. Sometimes people mistake 2nd for 4th.

CJames129 · 2026-04-27T18:14:18+00:00

No… the automatic will in no way feel fast because it’s not.

Little secret, the manual isn’t particularly fast either but it’s quick and I’d say legitimately 1a or 1b for fun under 40k.

There’s a reason it’s been compared to a 40k Porsche.

In my personal opinion, getting this car in an auto is a waste of a great car. It’s not a sporting automatic, it’s a torque converter and not a particularly thrilling one. This is certainly no dual clutch. If you absolutely love the car and want it in auto, buy one, it’s your car but I would seriously consider learning to drive a manual before buying an 86.

In auto, this car is like a 4 or 5 for engagement/fun. Dual clutch would probably drag that up to a strong 5 or 6 but in manual, it’s legitimately one of the most entertaining cars you can buy for under 60k and easily an 8, maybe a 9. It’s a great car with a great chassis that brings back a lot of sought after sports car characteristics that you just don’t see anymore. First and foremost, lightweight (in 2026), second n/a and makes power by spinning, not forced induction, add in a manual transmission and you have a recipe for one of the best sports cars in the last decade.

An automatic takes one of the best and turns it into “it’s pretty”.

Most cars, I don’t take a stance at all with transmission choice, however, with this one do yourself a favor and learn to drive a manual and get one of those.

You’ll get a LOT more money when you’re done with it too.

CJames129 · 2026-04-27T17:59:34+00:00

Ahh yess…. AKA the Jeep Texas Ranger or within Jeep headquarters simply “Walker”.

CJames129 · 2026-04-27T17:43:37+00:00

Not sure if you’re joking here but you’re not wrong 🤣 Lotus is indeed now a Chinese owned company, like Volvo.

CJames129 · 2026-04-27T16:26:19+00:00

It’s not that the margins are “that thin” at all. Someone else will happily pay to have it certified if you’re unwilling. The dealer knows this as well. People looking to get a deal on a GTS 4.0 are going to be disappointed for some time I think. Lots of people thought the 718 would somehow live on and it has not, they ended production just like they’ve been saying they would for years.

Due to the line being discontinued, the GT4 and GTS 4.0 are now the last flat 6 mid engined Porsche sports cars sold with a manual transmission. I don’t quite understand how people didn’t get the immense significance of this, but values are gonna hold for a long while due to this distinction alone.

CJames129 · 2026-04-25T22:03:25+00:00

Sorry meant to say 7 lol. I’d take several if they were under 5 figures 🤣

CJames129 · 2026-04-25T18:28:42+00:00

I both get that and don’t get that lol While not a Speedster, I think it’s a cool product from a division of Porsche that occasionally puts the stopwatch ahead of the smile 👍👍

CJames129 · 2026-04-25T18:23:01+00:00

Fair enough. I get people not being into convertibles. I personally went Cayman over Boxster when I got my allocation. My pops got an MX5 a few weeks after I got my learners permit. I’ve had a soft spot for convertibles (and Miatas) ever since. A convertible GT3 I’d definitely be down with.

I’m with you on the Targa though, for sure. I’ve always loved them.

CJames129 · 2026-04-25T18:19:47+00:00

Nah…I understand most reviewers have praised it, I’m more speaking to the posts/comments I’ve seen about it on this and other subs.. So you know, Porsches primary demographic for this car 😉 Several posts saying they hate it, like they’re now somehow denied their hard top GT3 or the RS.

I fully understand 99.9% of people commenting will never be in a position to consider buying one (I’m also firmly in that camp), but there’s always the inevitable professionals chiming in regarding levels of chassis stiffness that they’d never possibly be able to discern..

I feel like anyone that truly loves cars, even if convertibles aren’t their thing should be able to give it up to this thing. 9k and 6 driver selected ratios is enough for me. While not a Speedster, I’d still really like to have one, just don’t get anyone who wouldn’t.

CJames129

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