Porsche 718 S And GTS Models Go Head To Head In Engine Showdown
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- What will your driving experience be like if you choose a Porsche Cayman S over a Cayman GTS or vice versa. In this video I drive both back to back, recording audio levels as closely as possible to what is heard in the car. You be the judge, it’s your choice. #porsche #porschecayman #gts #sportscars @autonation
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Fifty years ago, I was a boy riding around in my Dad's VW bugs, dreaming of what a hot rod version of it would be like. Today, I'm 57 years old with a base 718 and thankful to Porsche for building a boxer 4, turbo charged, mid rear mounted engined thrill ride that makes my childhood dreams come true every time I go for a drive. I wish Dad could see and hear this now!
Great story. 👍🏼
The GTS 4.0 was out of my budget. Picked up a 2017 S recently. Totally fast enough, and the low end grunt is great. Simple ECU tune brings the power up to 400hp, 400ft-lbs
400?! Dang. 👍🏼
After decades of owning BMWs with their sonorous sixes, I was ready to buy my “last brand new 3 pedal car” and got a surprise allocation for a GTS 4.0.
I never even considered the flat 4. In this price range, getting Subaru vibes every time I drove would degrade the experience, no matter how torquey. The classic Porsche flat 6 howl adds so much joy on canyon runs…or even grocery runs.
No contest.
I should have said Subaru gives Porsche vibs as Porsche made the flat 4 1st. 😉
I owned a 2.5L S and currently own a 4.0L GTS. While the 2.5 has nice grunt around town, the GTS is soooo much more car. I installed a cargraphic exhaust controller and over-axel pipes and the car is transformed in a way that the 2.5 could never achieve. 4.0L GTS is the superior platform, if you have the money to burn.
Oh man, I bet that sounds amazing 👊🏼
GTS 4.0 all day, every day! More visceral experience.
The sleeper is the 2018-2019 GTS with the better suspension and the slightly larger turbo on the 2.5L. I picked up a PDK car for $65k which is nearly HALF of what the 2021+ GTS's are going for with the 4L. It's 95% of the car and I don't regret it at all - it's just as fast as my 992 T (manual).
I owned a 2019 heavily optioned GTS until I surprisingly got my new 2023 GT4 (zero new car experience with Porsche before this; didn't believe they weren't going to rip my allocation away for a "good" customer until I drove it off the lot)! The GT4 brings the whole car to another level visually and overall performance, but the GTS with a mild APR tune was awesome, I'd have been happy to keep it had I not gotten the GT4. And a good friend of mine, fully tuned, aftermarket throttle bodies, 2019 GTS as well. We do track events and very spirited runs on backroads. My GT4 will never achieve his tuned/modded car with low end torque, but I start reeling him in once we're both in upper RPM ranges, and on track with long runs and hot weather, the GTS can get power pulled near ends of straights, and the GT4 (also now long tube headers, cats moved to where OPF was and no GPF) can go all day. But those 2018/2019 GTSs are THE overall price performance wins in the range. And their value is finally holding very well.
those GTS cars are great! i drove one and it was an awesome car!
Awesome! Thanks for your experience 👍🏼
I purchased a 2018 718 Cayman GTS 2 years ago, the maximum speed limit (except for a couple of 120kms motorways) in New Zealand is 100kms which is about 60mph so I need the low down speed of the 2.5L turbo 4 cylinder. The naturally aspirated 4L is redundant here as you can’t legally use the tall geared upper rev range to extract the power out of the 4L, I’m very happy with my car it goes like a bat out of hell and the road holding is immense.
Makes sense, the turbo is the better choice for the speed limits in your area! Thanks for your experience 👍🏼
I got my GTS last year March and agree 100%
I drove both and bought the GTS 4.0. The GTS is a far more refined car. There is far less engine noise cruising on the highway. The mid range torque in the 4 liter is really great, and the power delivery is very linear. The S is very fast but I didn't care for the noise at highway speed. You have to love the sound of the 4 cylinder or it will get old very quickly.
Yes love the induction noise. 👍🏼
i have a 2024 GTS. i chose the GTS 6MT because it sounds and performs like a classic Porsche. i contest the .2 second difference and the midrange in the flat six is glorious. the S just doesn't feel as special
I dunno. I had the GTS back when it too was 2.5L 4cyl, and it was amazing. The punch of the turbos was intoxicating. Sure it didn’t sound AS good, but it still sounded good none the less.
Yes, I had the chance to drive one years ago. I hope we get one in so I can compare 2.5 GTS to 4.0 GTS. 👍🏼
I have the 2.5L GTS and love it. I’ve not driven the 4.0 but I do a lot of town driving so have the low end torque works for me
@@anthonywong5329 yeah. I sold my 2.5 for a 992S…. I had to scratch that 911 itch. I don’t regret my 911 at all… but I do wish I didn’t sell that cayman. It was arguably more fun than the 911 to be honest….most cayman owners aspire to own a 911, but I will tell you that unless you can easily stretch it out financially , you’re not missing out on much. The Cayman is an amazing machine.
@@amac8487that’s good to hear. I’ve 2.5l gts and it’s awesome… but have still been thinking of a 992 4s to scratch that itch.
I own a 21s and a 24 gts my s is loaded manual with a tune and is lighter and faster than my 24 manual gts...I like them both.
Best of both worlds. 👍🏼
I looked at both and ended up ordering the GTS4.0. As another poster said, by the time you optioned an S to an equivalent build to the GTS the price difference is minimal. Plus I love the sound of that flat 6.
Thanks for your experience 👊🏼
I went with the GTS 4.0 because: a) I prefer a normally aspirated engine and a six sounds better than the four (not everyone likes the crackling and popping on overrun), b) I couldn't see spending $100K+ for a 4-cyl car. I always overspend on options and the one I ended up with was no different; it ended up reaching $120K.
Thanks for your experience 👍🏼
Currently in a 718 CGTS manual from a 981CS manual with plenty of seat time in PDK 718S Caymans and Boxsters. The turbo-4 is totally competent for regular driving but a connoisseur should go 4L manual every time. The 981CS/BS are probably the sweet spot for aesthetics and a youthful feel.
I hope we get a 981 in soon. I hear the same from a lot of people. 👍🏼
Either way... Guards Red is still so beautiful to me. Absolutely my first choice for color.
Agreed, it’s a stunning color!
Naturally aspirated 4 liter for the win!
Went for the GTS in 2021 for the engine sound and the linear response of the engine to the accelerator so finer control. Lastly, rare and dying breed of naturally aspirated engines means it should depreciate more slowly or less.
You’ve got a good point about the naturally aspirated engine and its future depreciation.👍🏼
This was very interesting for me. I have a 718 S that I bought four years ago as a CPO, and the original buyer had optioned it with all the performance options, PASM, sport chrono, torque vectoring, steering, etc and a bunch of interior niceties and good wheels . It is an odd build since it came to almost the same price as the 2.5 liter GTS. Anyway, I love it, I disconnected the pumped in audio the first day I owned the car, and that was key to hearing the gear whirrs and other Porsche, and not so much throaty Subaru, sounds. What I wanted was to have a great car under 70 mph to rip around the tight and winding, and uninhabited back roads near me. It's a manual, and given the speeds I'm running, and the tall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears the turbo torque is useful to me. It's a little lighter, too, than the 4.0 engine. However I know it lacks the throttle response and sound of that great NA 4.0. I haven't driven the 4.0 GTS, but I have driven 911s with NA engines. I probably should not drive the GTS so I can remain happy with what I have! Thanks
@@TumblehomeBoatshop awesome thank you for your insights. Yes it may be an expensive test drive but your cow sounds like it is set up nicely. 👍🏼
I'm a "sound" guy, so I much prefer the flat 6 wail of the GTS and that's what I bought. I've never owned a turbo car because of the muted sounds. Plus, those constant pops and burbles of the S are annoying to my ear.
That wail is certainly glorious 👊🏼
The sweet spot is the 981 Cayman/Boxster. You get flat 6 without a lot of the emissions controls present on 781. Better sound and responsiveness.
Looking forward to reviewing one. 👍🏼
well... I don't care much about the speed.But for me one of the important experience in sport car is sound. And while 2.5l 4cylinder sound nice, the 6cylinder is way better.
Absolutely worth it❤🎉
I ordered a Boxster GTS 2 weeks ago after considering that or a Boxster S having driven both at Porsche Driving Experience Atlanta. Performance is similar in both in an urban setting where I do all my driving so for me it came down to sound, feel and residual value. GTS sounds way better, feel was slightly better, and I predict the residual value with make the GTS the least expensive vehicle to own. Yes you pay more up front, but in a few years when all you can buy is an EV Boxster/Cayman, the 4.0 GTS will be way more sought after than the 2.5 turbo-4. Car arrives in May!
Nice. When is ETA?
Gently used S is the sweet spot!
@@mikerusznak Late March build, Florida port arrival first week in May.
I had 981 boxster S, and was given a base 718 cayman as a courtesy car for a day and I found the 718 faster than my 3.4...and didn't sound bad either, I then tested a few 718 S boxsters and couldn't understand why people didn't like the sound, I'm now looking at changing soon, so I tried a GTS 4.0, but didn't find it that much of a step up, so I'm looking a lotus Emira but not sure on what Engine model
Lotus did a great job with the design of the Emira. Let us know how it drives.
Last summer I started to build S and built a GTS which ended up being a few thousand more, so I went with the GTS. Dead of winter here but can't wait to drive it come spring.
I bet. Keep her dry. 👍🏼
i think the 4.0 naturally aspirated is so much smoother and with after maket exhaust is perfect
I bet. 👍🏼
For the feeling and sound it is the GTS. And it is maybe one of the last opportunity to get a car like this. In Europe these days are already gone.
Yes, it will be interesting to see what Porsche does with the next gen Boxster/Cayman.
I’m just curious, where was the mic placement for your in car driving portion of the video. Maybe it’s just me but I was surprised at how much more muted the GTS sounded. But if I had to choose it would be a flat 6 naturally aspirated engine. Maybe the pops and cracking sound on the S just added more dramatic sound. Love your videos BTW, I feel you provide a very honest perspective on the cars. Would be interested to see a video from you on the 911 Carerra S vs Carerra 4S. I’ve always felt the Carerra 4S is an overlooked gem within the 911 lineup.
Thanks for the reminder. I did a video on S versus 4S 911 I put it up as an end card. And the mic was in the rear hatch area. I agree the engine sound was a little muted. Was wondering if my Lavalier was not paired. Thanks. 🙏🏼
@@mikerusznakThanks for the response, I just viewed the 911 S vs 4S - great video.
Can just speak for the Spyder, I watched any video out there and in reality the (intake) sound was so much better and louder in real life when I bought mine, videos don’t do that engine justice
Once you take the fuse out for the Soundaktor the S is great.
I have a 2021 base Boxster, 300 HP. I considered the S and GTS and for the money I purchased the base Boxster. I did however, add a great deal of options,
The ultimate buying experience. Getting to build it out yourself 👍🏼
never even considered a 4 cylinder when I got my gts 4.0
Just a note, the S is available with the same PASM Sport, which is also lowered 20mm.
Good point. 👍🏼
Yes I wisely optioned my GTS with the “raised” PASM which effectively gives it standard S suspension stiffness levels, which is perfect for road driving. They’re still 2-way adjustable so on the rare occasion I track it, it’s just a case of hitting a button to eliminate body roll.
If money was not an issue the GTS is a no brainer. But when you live in the Netherlands a base ‘S’ version is apr. $ 152.000,- compared to a base ‘GTS’ wich is around $ 210.000,- 😢 so the difference between those two is 58 grand!!!
Can you still order a Boxster in Europe? I thought production ended in June 2024 and the only ones left are a few difficult-to-sell 4 cylinder ones still floating around dealer showrooms..?
All the 718 models are still in the configurator.
By the way, I have misjudged the prices. A base S is € 135 K and a GTS is € 158 K
Oh dang. 😮
Get over axle pipes for the GTS for another $1500 then the choice based on HP gain and sound is a no brainer. Added headers to my GTS and even deeper!
“Over axle piles?”
@ thanks fixed to pipes.
Im having the same dilemma. I want the GTS 4.0 but the 2019 GTS 2.5L is more affordable in the spec i want. Im thinking to save more money and go for the 4.0 😅
For true Wagner you've got to include the 981 Boxter GTS, top down of course.
Anyone know for sure if the 4.0 GTS has the actual intake sound piped into the interior (via rubber diaphram and pipes or tubes?). In contrast I believe the 4 cylinder Base or S 718 has an electronic synthetic sound coming (thru speakers?) into the interior. Can anyone elaborate or correct my understanding please?
Correct, the 4.0 has what is called a Sound Symposer that comes off the intake manifold and into the cabin via a small hole behind the carpet behind the passenger seat.
The GTS manual has such a tall 2nd gear that around town you will never get out of it.
It’s the same 2nd gear ratio in the 911…
@ Never owned a 911. Hope to some day.
I met you at Porsche Irvine.
@@Daniel-xx9jq 👊🏼
For a real Porsche experience, it needs the flat six.
👊🏼
nonsense
I love my old 987 Cayman with the real Porsche flat six and hydraulic assisted rack and pinion steering. I might consider a 981 GTS but that's when Porsches started being pimped up poser cars for those needing validation.
The older Caymans are fantastic machines!
Hmmm I’m getting a string whiff here of inverted snobbery - as in I can’t afford a new Porsche so I don’t want one…
@@neilturner6749 I agree with Texas. I own a 987 and would never give it up for a newer version. I can afford it. Just can't compare to the raw feeling.
I think both are great cars, if you can afford the GTS then go for it!
I hate the PDK, these cars should always be a clutch.
That’s ridiculous… I’ve driven manuals for 35yrs … PDK is the better gearbox , the whole Porsche must be manual is utter bollo*ks
Pdk is an engineering marvel 👍🏼
GTS was inferior in my street testing, slower, louder, and less comfortable compared to the Boxster S... I didnt try the Cayman's cause i already own four hardtop cars, and wanted a drop top. My Boxter S was crazy expensive. The GTS is actually 0.2 seconds SLOWER than the Boxster S... 3.8 vs 4.0. Quarter mile was also faster in the the Boxster S. I rented both and tested both extensivley before ordering mine. I just picked it up less than two weeks ago, LOVING IT. You cant go wrong either way, but if you want to really work the car, i would get the S over the GTS. The GTS comes alive around 5K rpms which is way to high in the rev range for legal street driving... good for track days though, but so is the "s". The GTS is probably the cheaper car because you don't have to add too many options to have a very good driving vehicle. I added 25K in performance options to my S.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing 👊🏼
There was a straight comparison on a 2018 gts and 2022 gts, both pdk…the 2022 with the 4.0 was .3 seconds faster than the 2.5 l4. Apples to apples the straight. 6 is faster but only marginal. The difference in engine sound is what the deciding factor was for me. The 4.0 is just what a Porsche engine should sound. When i bought mine i had a 2015 boxster gts, so i was spoiled with that sound and couldnt go backwards.
Not sure where you’re getting your performance figures from? The turbo 2.5 feels faster in sedate driving because of the lower-down torque, but the small number of comparison tests I’ve read demonstrated the reverse to what you’ve claimed ie the 4.0 is actually faster…not slower, than the previous 2.5 GTS. Which itself will inherently be slightly faster than an S.
@@neilturner6749 We need a real showdown head to head 0-60, 1/4 mile 2.5 vs 4.0, I would bring my 2.5 if anybody wants to bring a 4.0. Live in SF bay area. Stock for stock of course
I have a gti that is great on gas ⛽️ and it’s quick but I also have a Audi tt either a 6 cylinder and even though it’s 22 hp more than the gti the 6 cylinder give it a way better sound and more character during acceleration . I would only buy a Porsche with a 6 cylinder because it’s what Porsche is known for. If you buy a mustang you would want to get the 8 cylinder. I wouldn’t ever buy a electric car because gas powered motors are more involved than a soulless ride 😊
Good point. 👍🏼
I"ve had 4 GTi's and I have this 718 4.0. But my car of choice is electric BMWi4. no warm up, just floor it and go real fast, better tech, nice interior. Perfect car for around town. I am considering buying the 718 S for the hell of it, if I need a daily (wife drives the BMW) never sell the 4.0.
I bought the S and couldn't be happier. When I bought mine a GTS in 2021 was about 105k the way I wanted it. For that money I would just get the 911 at that point. Besides the 718 doesnt sound that great compared to the 981.
Thanks for sharing your experience 👍🏼
If you need the pdk then you don’t need a Porsche. Take a bus instead.
If it were a “daily”, I’d get a pdk. Weekend canyon carver, the manual.
I love these blanket statements. What model Porsche do you own?