718 GTS - is the 4.0 worth the premium?
Discussion
Question relates to Boxster primarily but could equally apply to Cayman. Despite having owned various 718 GT/RS variants I have never driven either of the GTS cars. As such I’m interested in peoples views on both the 4 and 6 cylinder GTS models please (basically as a regular use type car) and whether the 4.0 is worth the extra cost?
I had a 2.0 Boxster as a fill in for 18 months prior to my 4.0 Boxster arriving, both PDK and I have to say the 2.0 was very impressive for the money. I used it for occasional commuting as well as a couple of European road trips and put 6k miles on it in my ownership. I never felt it lacked anything in terms of useable performance or handling and was extremely comfortable on long drives with 14 way comfort seats. It was a hugely enjoyable car to drive especially across Europe and if the 4.0 hadn't already been ordered I would likely have kept it.
You're probably aware that there is some debate over the 4 cylinder engines and in particular the exhaust note. While I'll agree that a flat six does sound very good I also found the 4 pot pretty good with PSE switched on. In my mind it was different not better and while others will disagree, it's all subjective so somewhat irrelevant from a personal perspective.
The 4.0 is very much a step up in terms of performance, handling, steering, brakes and the overall feel you get from driving it. Mine also has comfort seats which again makes it a very comfortable place to be on long journeys and I didn't feel was much of a compromise driving up and down the Stelvio Pass for example. Interestingly the exhaust note is good once your'e above around 3500rpm but nowhere near as good as a pre GPF car like a 981. In that respect the difference between 2.0 and 4.0 is even less of an issue, in my opinion.
I've put 24k miles on the 4.0 in 5 years driving around Europe and the UK and have enjoyed every mile in it. Of course both cars are quite capable of pootling down country roads if you're not in a hurry and getting past slower traffic with little to no drama but the 4.0 does it with much more urgency and it does feel a very nice place to be when pressing on.
Obviously I made my choice to move from the 2.0 to the 4.0 and accepted the additional cost to do that principally on the basis that the 4.0 was always (and still is) seen as a keeper but if I was in the position today to make a choice between 2 cars with similar specs I think I'd find that quite difficult. In the end I think you'd have to drive both and see which one meets your expectations at the different price points and go from there. I wish you luck and hope you get what you want.
You're probably aware that there is some debate over the 4 cylinder engines and in particular the exhaust note. While I'll agree that a flat six does sound very good I also found the 4 pot pretty good with PSE switched on. In my mind it was different not better and while others will disagree, it's all subjective so somewhat irrelevant from a personal perspective.
The 4.0 is very much a step up in terms of performance, handling, steering, brakes and the overall feel you get from driving it. Mine also has comfort seats which again makes it a very comfortable place to be on long journeys and I didn't feel was much of a compromise driving up and down the Stelvio Pass for example. Interestingly the exhaust note is good once your'e above around 3500rpm but nowhere near as good as a pre GPF car like a 981. In that respect the difference between 2.0 and 4.0 is even less of an issue, in my opinion.
I've put 24k miles on the 4.0 in 5 years driving around Europe and the UK and have enjoyed every mile in it. Of course both cars are quite capable of pootling down country roads if you're not in a hurry and getting past slower traffic with little to no drama but the 4.0 does it with much more urgency and it does feel a very nice place to be when pressing on.
Obviously I made my choice to move from the 2.0 to the 4.0 and accepted the additional cost to do that principally on the basis that the 4.0 was always (and still is) seen as a keeper but if I was in the position today to make a choice between 2 cars with similar specs I think I'd find that quite difficult. In the end I think you'd have to drive both and see which one meets your expectations at the different price points and go from there. I wish you luck and hope you get what you want.
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Friday 18th September 19:51
Voodoo Blue said:
I had a 2.0 Boxster as a fill in for 18 months prior to my 4.0 Boxster arriving, both PDK and I have to say the 2.0 was very impressive for the money. I used it for occasional commuting as well as a couple of European road trips and put 6k miles on it in my ownership. I never felt it lacked anything in terms of useable performance or handling and was extremely comfortable on long drives with 14 way comfort seats. It was a hugely enjoyable car to drive especially across Europe and if the 4.0 hadn't already been ordered I would likely have kept it. <snip>
Obviously I made my choice to move from the 2.0 to the 4.0 and accepted the additional cost to do that principally on the basis that the 4.0 was always (and still is) seen as a keeper but if I was in the position today to make a choice between 2 cars with similar specs I think I'd find that quite difficult. In the end I think you'd have to drive both and see which one meets your expectations at the different price points and go from there. I wish you luck and hope you get what you want.
I did similar with Caymans. Have had a couple of 2.0 over the years, and moved a 2021 2.0 on for a GTS 4.0 in 2023, both manual. @Voodoo Blue, I echo your thoughts on the matter entirely. The power of the 2.0 can be used much more practically, and it was objectively a better car in my opinion. Loads better on fuel too! Emotionally however, there was something special about the big, high revving NA engine that I really loved.Obviously I made my choice to move from the 2.0 to the 4.0 and accepted the additional cost to do that principally on the basis that the 4.0 was always (and still is) seen as a keeper but if I was in the position today to make a choice between 2 cars with similar specs I think I'd find that quite difficult. In the end I think you'd have to drive both and see which one meets your expectations at the different price points and go from there. I wish you luck and hope you get what you want.
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Friday 18th September 19:51
The Cayman GTS 4.0 got moved on earlier this year to make space for a new GT3 Touring, which is objectively a less practical and sensible car than either. I'm just not all that sensible I suppose. I had fully intended for the GTS 4.0 to be a long-term keeper, but got offered an allocation for the GT3, and it felt a bit "once in a lifetime".
Going back to the OP, both are brilliant in their own way. I think the only way to know is to drive both the 2.5 and the 4.0, and see whether the 6-cylinder version stirs your soul to the tune of the cost difference. I'm currently on my 5th Cayman (alongside my first 911). I have loved every one of them, and along with the excitement of the new one, I have always been sorry to let go of the last one. They're just brilliant.
Edited by LiamH66 on Saturday 19th September 21:29
I’m looking at these for my wife , whilst she appreciates the way they drive I’m not sure which engine is better for her . She won’t push the car so will probably not venture beyond 4-5k revs .
Normally I’d just go for the smaller engine but I do think the n/a will hold its value much better as n/an engines are just getting rarer and rarer .
Normally I’d just go for the smaller engine but I do think the n/a will hold its value much better as n/an engines are just getting rarer and rarer .
franki68 said:
I m looking at these for my wife , whilst she appreciates the way they drive I m not sure which engine is better for her . She won t push the car so will probably not venture beyond 4-5k revs .
Normally I d just go for the smaller engine but I do think the n/a will hold its value much better as n/an engines are just getting rarer and rarer .
This made me think, so I checked the prices of 2.0 cars currently for sale on AT that are of a similar age to the one I had to see what the difference is to what I got for mine. Surprisingly it wasn't that great, in some cases less than £5k without checking specs etc. and the mileages are obviously higher. On that basis I can't see a significant decline in the future unless something equally significant happens to the economy. Normally I d just go for the smaller engine but I do think the n/a will hold its value much better as n/an engines are just getting rarer and rarer .
On the other hand my 4.0 seems to have increased in value to the point where the retail prices are not that far off what I paid for it 5 years ago.
Either way, whatever you choose I don't think it will be a financial catastrophe and both will be brilliant to drive and in the end that's what these cars were built to do.
Good luck
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Sunday 20th September 12:28
It depends on whether you're looking at it as an investment or for the drive, economy, noise, to fit in, etc.
Remember, the 4.0 was an afterthought, Porsche seemingly bowing to the clamour for a flat-six even though the GT4 had one already. The 2.5 GTS was a model that was built from the ground up to be exactly that: a 4-cylinder cooking model.
My neighbour has a 2018 GTS, a pre-OPF model bought new, and he still has it. The car is mega; very fast, nice exhaust sound and still looks the part. It is all the car that one would ever need.
Prices between 2.5 and 4.0 seem to be converging, so my long-term bet would be on a 2.5, especially a pre-OPF model.
Happy hunting.
Remember, the 4.0 was an afterthought, Porsche seemingly bowing to the clamour for a flat-six even though the GT4 had one already. The 2.5 GTS was a model that was built from the ground up to be exactly that: a 4-cylinder cooking model.
My neighbour has a 2018 GTS, a pre-OPF model bought new, and he still has it. The car is mega; very fast, nice exhaust sound and still looks the part. It is all the car that one would ever need.
Prices between 2.5 and 4.0 seem to be converging, so my long-term bet would be on a 2.5, especially a pre-OPF model.
Happy hunting.
When I took delivery of my 981 GTS I was able to get a day at PEC in the GTS 4.0 and have to say the 4.0 was excellent.
Previously the reasons to upgrade would be to have CarPlay, the mannetino on the wheel (not sure what Porsche call that) and some of the newer comforts. Porsche have now released the offical CarPlay upgrade for the 981, and a chap on here did get the 718 wheel on his 981, although that would then take you into 'modded' territory which some owners don't like.
The cars do look different though, particuarly at the front and also at the back and the preference there comes to personal views, however I am really not convinced it is worth paying potentially tens of thousands more to get the 4.0.
These are just personal views of course. Both are excellent cars though.
Previously the reasons to upgrade would be to have CarPlay, the mannetino on the wheel (not sure what Porsche call that) and some of the newer comforts. Porsche have now released the offical CarPlay upgrade for the 981, and a chap on here did get the 718 wheel on his 981, although that would then take you into 'modded' territory which some owners don't like.
The cars do look different though, particuarly at the front and also at the back and the preference there comes to personal views, however I am really not convinced it is worth paying potentially tens of thousands more to get the 4.0.
These are just personal views of course. Both are excellent cars though.
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