Which Cayman GTS? - Tearing my hair out
Discussion
I started seriously looking at getting a Cayman about 10 years ago - things were simpler then and I would have been perfectly happy with a 981S or 981GTS. Fast forward 10 years and one pandemic, and I'm finaly about ready to pull the trigger. But now things have got a bit more complex - do I go for an old 981GTS, a middle aged 718 GTS 2.5, or a newer GTS 4.0? My budget is about £65k but that is stretching the finances a bit.
My head says 2.5 GTS for drivability and reasonable modernity. My heart says GTS 4.0 because well, six cylinders, but I fear I won't really get to use the performance on my rural Herefordshire/Wales B-roads. My wallet says just be happy with an old 981S (but like me, they are getting on a bit, and I want to keep the car until my retirement in 5 years time).
My experience on driving a Cayman is limited to a couple of hours at the PEC at Silverstone in a base 718 PDK. It was fun, but it didn't my world alight.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but could anyone with more experience of driving Caymans, give some insight or pros and cons with these different models. Apart from the driving experience, I would also not like to lose my shirt buying the wrong car, or being stuck with a money pit. It won't be a daily driver, and will probably leave it in the garage over winter, so won't be sticking loads of miles on it (if that makes a difference).
My head says 2.5 GTS for drivability and reasonable modernity. My heart says GTS 4.0 because well, six cylinders, but I fear I won't really get to use the performance on my rural Herefordshire/Wales B-roads. My wallet says just be happy with an old 981S (but like me, they are getting on a bit, and I want to keep the car until my retirement in 5 years time).
My experience on driving a Cayman is limited to a couple of hours at the PEC at Silverstone in a base 718 PDK. It was fun, but it didn't my world alight.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but could anyone with more experience of driving Caymans, give some insight or pros and cons with these different models. Apart from the driving experience, I would also not like to lose my shirt buying the wrong car, or being stuck with a money pit. It won't be a daily driver, and will probably leave it in the garage over winter, so won't be sticking loads of miles on it (if that makes a difference).
I have a 981 GTS, & absolutely love it. I’ve driven the 4 cyl newer Cayman & albeit a very capable car, I couldn’t warm to the engine sound. I haven’t driven the 4.0, The 981 GTS is an acknowledged ‘sweet spot’ in the range as per the many very postive reviews from the motoring press when it was launched & they (up to now) have held their value reasonably well. I believe they were made in relatively small numbers for UK market, particularly the manual cars.
They sound awesome with the sports zaust, & would be well with your budget. Some may say that a well specced S is a better purchase, but I love the GTS interior which feels special. Good look with your search!
They sound awesome with the sports zaust, & would be well with your budget. Some may say that a well specced S is a better purchase, but I love the GTS interior which feels special. Good look with your search!
Had a really well spec'd 981CS (virtually a GTS) for nearly 6 years. Did 5 euro tours in it and is the Porsche (also had 3 911's) I miss most. Have also driven a number of 718's (base and S), along with a 4.0 .
The 981 has the best sounding and most free revving engine, but the 2.5T and 4.0 have way more torque which is really noticeable, and both have more modern interiors, and nicer steering.
Personally I could live with any GTS, and I wouldn't let age get in the way if you preferred the 981 to drive (suggest you try all 3 and choose your preference).
The 981 has the best sounding and most free revving engine, but the 2.5T and 4.0 have way more torque which is really noticeable, and both have more modern interiors, and nicer steering.
Personally I could live with any GTS, and I wouldn't let age get in the way if you preferred the 981 to drive (suggest you try all 3 and choose your preference).
We’ve got a 981 Cayman and a 4.0 718 Boxster at the moment and the Boxster replaced a 2.0 version that i had for about 18 months.
The first thing you need to do is go and drive all the cars on your list because they are all different. Only you will know which one suits you.
The 981 sounds brilliant but feels a bit old compared to the 718. The 4 pot 718s sound different (not worse) to the flat sixes but in my opinion are the best sports cars Porsche make today for the money and the 4.0, again in my opinion, takes it to another level but obviously costs a bit more.
I bought the 4.0 and I doubt I’ll ever replace it as it’s that good. But don’t take my word for it
The first thing you need to do is go and drive all the cars on your list because they are all different. Only you will know which one suits you.
The 981 sounds brilliant but feels a bit old compared to the 718. The 4 pot 718s sound different (not worse) to the flat sixes but in my opinion are the best sports cars Porsche make today for the money and the 4.0, again in my opinion, takes it to another level but obviously costs a bit more.
I bought the 4.0 and I doubt I’ll ever replace it as it’s that good. But don’t take my word for it
Scoates said:
I started seriously looking at getting a Cayman about 10 years ago - things were simpler then and I would have been perfectly happy with a 981S or 981GTS. Fast forward 10 years and one pandemic, and I'm finaly about ready to pull the trigger. But now things have got a bit more complex - do I go for an old 981GTS, a middle aged 718 GTS 2.5, or a newer GTS 4.0? My budget is about £65k but that is stretching the finances a bit.
My head says 2.5 GTS for drivability and reasonable modernity. My heart says GTS 4.0 because well, six cylinders, but I fear I won't really get to use the performance on my rural Herefordshire/Wales B-roads. My wallet says just be happy with an old 981S (but like me, they are getting on a bit, and I want to keep the car until my retirement in 5 years time).
My experience on driving a Cayman is limited to a couple of hours at the PEC at Silverstone in a base 718 PDK. It was fun, but it didn't my world alight.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but could anyone with more experience of driving Caymans, give some insight or pros and cons with these different models. Apart from the driving experience, I would also not like to lose my shirt buying the wrong car, or being stuck with a money pit. It won't be a daily driver, and will probably leave it in the garage over winter, so won't be sticking loads of miles on it (if that makes a difference).
Posted this before but if you haven't watched it, here is your answerMy head says 2.5 GTS for drivability and reasonable modernity. My heart says GTS 4.0 because well, six cylinders, but I fear I won't really get to use the performance on my rural Herefordshire/Wales B-roads. My wallet says just be happy with an old 981S (but like me, they are getting on a bit, and I want to keep the car until my retirement in 5 years time).
My experience on driving a Cayman is limited to a couple of hours at the PEC at Silverstone in a base 718 PDK. It was fun, but it didn't my world alight.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but could anyone with more experience of driving Caymans, give some insight or pros and cons with these different models. Apart from the driving experience, I would also not like to lose my shirt buying the wrong car, or being stuck with a money pit. It won't be a daily driver, and will probably leave it in the garage over winter, so won't be sticking loads of miles on it (if that makes a difference).
From a 981 perspective, a well-specced S is literally 99% of a GTS for 20k less, which makes it hard to justify the leap, until you factor depreciation - therefore total cost of ownership may nudge towards the GTS.
They are a scream. The revvy character of the engine is a perfect match for the chassis. Depends what you’re after, but in the Uk I can see a case for the base, S or GTS. I haven’t driven the 4.0 but had a decent amount of time in the 2.5, and as effective as they are, it isn’t the car for me.
Plenty of low-mile 981 cars about, but properly maintained ones can take stratospheric miles. Be picky on spec, because it it does make a difference to the car and experience. As suggested, you ought to drive them all and see how you go. No bad options among them.
They are a scream. The revvy character of the engine is a perfect match for the chassis. Depends what you’re after, but in the Uk I can see a case for the base, S or GTS. I haven’t driven the 4.0 but had a decent amount of time in the 2.5, and as effective as they are, it isn’t the car for me.
Plenty of low-mile 981 cars about, but properly maintained ones can take stratospheric miles. Be picky on spec, because it it does make a difference to the car and experience. As suggested, you ought to drive them all and see how you go. No bad options among them.
Edited by Royal Jelly on Saturday 7th October 04:38
You need to go and test drive some, especially if you’re wavering between the turbocharged and n/a models. For some people, a particular model just clicks.
I personally wouldn’t be put off by the age of 981, especially if it’s a weekend car. It’ll have a crap sat nav (or none) and no CarPlay but so what? It’s not that kind of car.
I personally wouldn’t be put off by the age of 981, especially if it’s a weekend car. It’ll have a crap sat nav (or none) and no CarPlay but so what? It’s not that kind of car.
Test drive has to be the answer but I’m very happy in a 981 gts Boxster, they really are amazing. All Porsches will be spec sensitive too, had a go in a mates pdk, pasm cayman gts and it felt way more ‘cruising’ spec than my x73, PTV, manual Boxster. Still fun but different.
Volkswizard and petrol ped have some interesting videos on YouTube but make sure you watch the petrol ped correction video too where he admits his main conclusion was completely wrong 😂
@boxsteradventures on the gram
Volkswizard and petrol ped have some interesting videos on YouTube but make sure you watch the petrol ped correction video too where he admits his main conclusion was completely wrong 😂
@boxsteradventures on the gram
130R said:
A mint 981S that is well within budget might be a good option then you could always change for a GTS in future.
For what reason(?)- an S with the options that suit the owner is very little different to a GTS.When I was looking once I had decided against a 4 cyl I would happily have bought either an S or GTS as both were in budget, as long as I got the right spec.
My non negotiable options were PDK, PSE and definitely leather rather than Alcantara, I ended up an S.
Brilliant car, well happy, right choice for me.
This gets posted semi-regularly and most of us say the same thing - you need to drive them all. Whilst to a layman they all look like Caymans, they're going to leave a very different impression on you. As one poster said above, one of the models will just click.
My experience was:
- I wanted a 718 GTS 4.0 but didn't want to wait the then 18+ months.
- Test drove the 718 2.0. Liked the car but it didn't ignite that "I want one" feeling.
- Test drove a 981 CGTS and left a deposit there and then. Two years later, I still love it. If you're the sort of person for whom the engine is the main event, you're going to struggle to look past the 981 GTS. The engine is peaky, revvy and sounds incredible. The 4.0 is a "better" engine everywhere except noise, but it's a lot more expensive.
The 718 is a refresh or a 981.2 almost, so as you'd expect from Porsche, it is still the objectively better car and has a slightly more modern interior. However, the margins are insignificant in the real world and real life is not about driving lap times. You're going to fall for the one that makes you feel that something.
If you struggle to find a 981 CGTS to test drive, I'm not a million miles from you and you're welcome to have a go in mine
My experience was:
- I wanted a 718 GTS 4.0 but didn't want to wait the then 18+ months.
- Test drove the 718 2.0. Liked the car but it didn't ignite that "I want one" feeling.
- Test drove a 981 CGTS and left a deposit there and then. Two years later, I still love it. If you're the sort of person for whom the engine is the main event, you're going to struggle to look past the 981 GTS. The engine is peaky, revvy and sounds incredible. The 4.0 is a "better" engine everywhere except noise, but it's a lot more expensive.
The 718 is a refresh or a 981.2 almost, so as you'd expect from Porsche, it is still the objectively better car and has a slightly more modern interior. However, the margins are insignificant in the real world and real life is not about driving lap times. You're going to fall for the one that makes you feel that something.
If you struggle to find a 981 CGTS to test drive, I'm not a million miles from you and you're welcome to have a go in mine
981s are quite old now and the steering is not great, especially if you're used to getting good feedback. 718 EPAS is better with more feedback and a quicker rack, as is the interior. A lot own 981s on here and don't like smaller turbos but any criticism is a bit overhyped in my view, a bit of an internet myth really as the newer engines are far more powerful with accessible torque much earlier in the rev range. Is very noticeable on acceleration where you get pushed back into your seat. 981s sound good, but sound is only one dimension of the car I'd be more interested in driving dynamics and power than annoying the neighbours and redlining at every opportunity just to get basic performance out of it. Fun for five minutes but a pain to live with. So I'd personally buy the latest version you can afford . The 718 has a number of improvements over the old versions and more options as standard. With the 981s I think you even had to pay extra for bluetooth! Crazy. Also the PDK in the 981 is set up in the wrong way, i.e. push forward to change up a gear. Annoying. Definitely worth avoiding those awful steering wheel 'buttons' in the 981 as well. I found both irritating but thankfully both issues are fixed it in the 718, i.e. pull back to change up and only steering paddles for the PDK. No issue if you want a manual of course. I'd buy the newest low mileage version you can afford with an official warranty and ignore the usual internet myths really as there is a lot of nonsense repeatedly trotted out on this forum for sure... 
Night-hawk said:
981s are quite old now and the steering is not great, especially if you're used to getting good feedback. 718 EPAS is better with more feedback and a quicker rack, as is the interior. A lot own 981s on here and don't like smaller turbos but any criticism is a bit overhyped in my view, a bit of an internet myth really as the newer engines are far more powerful with accessible torque much earlier in the rev range. Is very noticeable on acceleration where you get pushed back into your seat. 981s sound good, but sound is only one dimension of the car I'd be more interested in driving dynamics and power than annoying the neighbours and redlining at every opportunity just to get basic performance out of it. Fun for five minutes but a pain to live with. So I'd personally buy the latest version you can afford . The 718 has a number of improvements over the old versions and more options as standard. With the 981s I think you even had to pay extra for bluetooth! Crazy. Also the PDK in the 981 is set up in the wrong way, i.e. push forward to change up a gear. Annoying. Definitely worth avoiding those awful steering wheel 'buttons' in the 981 as well. I found both irritating but thankfully both issues are fixed it in the 718, i.e. pull back to change up and only steering paddles for the PDK. No issue if you want a manual of course. I'd buy the newest low mileage version you can afford with an official warranty and ignore the usual internet myths really as there is a lot of nonsense repeatedly trotted out on this forum for sure...
Oh that's a good point - avoid the awful multi-function 981 steering wheel. It's hardly ever seen on the GTS anyway, but the sport design one or whatever it's called is much better and the paddles work properly.Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff