Absolutely. After a hard day at work, to see analog dials and not a screen is sublime. The Porsche interior is so perfect I wouldn't ruin it by and "update" and it will be sad when they do.
until the porsche buttons all get sticky and nasty in 4-5y then youll want screens. ask me how i know lol. major problem with porsche, going on for yrs
Touch screens should be banned in cars... In fact here in Norway it is now a 1100 €$£ fine if you are seen using the touch screen in your car while driving.
In the US, those cars are different by over $30K in price...not the same price. The GTS bases at $92,400, an M2 bases for $63k. If its a base Cayman S, those start at $80K.
People hate on the M2’s looks but I really think it looks great. It’s often compared to the previous gen M2 but the designs aren’t compatible. Yes, the previous gen is sexy in a classical way but the new M2 is sexy in a modern way.
I don’t know about this new M2 but I had an M2 CS and sold it for a Cayman GTS 4.0. The Porsche was the better car, in my opinion. The M2 was great but the Porsche was just more of a precision instrument and has that great sounding flat 6 and the manual in the Cayman was better than the BMW’s. The M2 did not sound great and while it may have been faster, by a little, the Porsche was more fun to drive, especially at the top of the rev range. Overall, I enjoyed the Porsche more and to me the M2 CS is one of the best M cars ever and probably better than this new, heavier M2.
I’ll choose the Cayman as a 2-seat sports car but I chose the OG M2C for its versatility to go on track days, surfing, camping, and ti the mall with my fam on the weekends. These two don’t compete in my mind and are in diff buckets
These cars are not competitors. In the US, an M2 starts at $62,200, with a well spec'd variant costing $73,000 (pre tax). The Cayman GTS starts at $95,200, with a well spec'd variant costing about $110,000 (pre tax). I owned a 718 GT4 and, between the M2 and the GTS, I would say the M2 is a much more fun and interesting option for the money unless you plan to splurge for the GT4.
As a Cayman GTS owner, I haven’t the faintest interest in the new M2. I bought my car for its light weight action packed toss-ability, a mid engine feel and it’s go kart size. The M2 is a nice car but doesn’t do the same things or fit the same purposes, would of been strange to consider.
Likewise I have an M2 coming and I would never consider the Cayman. They are two different cars with different purposes. I need a sporty car with usable back seats. Anyone cross shopping these cars has no idea what they want from a car. If you don't need back seats, why would you look at a 4 seater car with compromised dynamics? If you need back seats why would you look at a 2 seater you can rarely drive?
@@LateNightDateNight You too, my father in law has a 981S that's a blast to drive. I just got rid of my manual C7 for this M2 since I have a toddler now and want to take him on fun trips. Such is life
I genuinely believe there are 'right sizes' for cars. The e46 M3 is exactly the same size as the f87 M2 and we adore them both. Coincidence? I don't think so. MK1 Focus RS and the mk8 Fiesta ST. Both look right and are similarly shaped and muscular. One more example, 993 911 and boxter 986. Slightly different configuration, but they are both universally worshipped.
I actually picked the M2, because the price gap with a similar equipped Cayman is around 20-25k€ (Italy). And investing half of that “saving” in mods on the M2, you’ll make a weapon. Gear ratio is also a plus for the BMW: in ordinary road use the ratio is just too long on the GTS, and on the highway you’ll pull away easily as well. So, for my use, the M2 is the better all rounder. For the track I have a Lotus Elise 240 FE 😉
Good choice. The M2 can be easily tuned for more power just with a DME flash. Ie more boost etc. can’t do that with the N/A Porsche, would cost you a truck of cash.
@@Kmh0277 yes, it was actually on my shortlist last year when I ordered the BMW. I tried it, but it was just not fitting my driving style/needs. Couldn’t imagine myself and my girlfriend on a spirited drive being in 2nd gear at 5.000+ revs the whole time to have torque :) And on the highway, being a bi-turbo, the BMW pushes much harder. And then there was the price difference: once it will be released, I will put the KW V3 on it. OPF-back is already on and also forged wheels. Downpipes will be the next step, and then a soft remap for 600HP. And I am still “saving” vs a Cayman GTS. Car is heavy, but I don’t care. It is still a lot of fun and fast in every situation. And then, to have the ultimate fun, I have still the Lotus 😃 So, for my needs, the M2 is the best choice. But I can get why someone would pick the GTS, it is a fabulous car with a great engine.
I own an OG M2 and I test drove the new M2 yesterday to be honest the interior in the new car is much better ( the dash was too fussy for me though) it felt way bigger on the road to me but hides it weight well. Sounds nowhere near as good
@@robrocks34 i haven't driven it, but i reckon it will hide its weight well up until 7 or 8/10. after that, physics take over. time will tell, but i'm fairly sure the previous M2 will appreciate more than the new one.
One is good, one is utterly sensational. The Porsche is an engineering masterpiece and if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford either, there’s only one choice.
I went from the earlier M2 to a Cayman GTS in 2020. I’m at 16,000 miles and just did the NC500 in the GTS and it’s a wonderful thing, excellent in every way. I stopped off at Knockhill for a track day and it is so balanced and easy to drive, certainly to my skill level. Yes. A GT4 is quicker but I reckon my GTS is a better all rounder. And the M2, more playful and there was always that feeling it wants to throw you in the scenery. Was a great car and always fun, but the Cayman is just that much better. I can’t see myself going back. As an aside I loved the look of my M2 but this new model looks ugly to my eyes.
In my opinion, GTS is the best of the 718 models. GT4 is more a track machine than an everyday car so can beat every Mpower machine on track. If you want to spend money on one car GTS is the best choice. I was very disappointed when I checked M2. Very heavy machine and worst than M4. I get 4,9 to 100kmh so it is a step behind older M2 CS.
You can actually buy an M2 at the moment. Porsche won’t sell you a Cayman GTS4.0 atm. Unless people have placed orders 2 years ago or overseas market availability is radically different the question is moot. You actually can’t cross shop these two cars practically speaking unless you can track down a second hand Cayman for approximately 40% more money.
There's a brand new 718 GTS for sale near MSRP at my dealer. You might not be able to spec it but there are a lot of new and barely used CPO examples in the US.
In The Netherlands its 145k (GTS) vs 115k (M2). Quite a lot of money. I’d go for a used GTS instead of the M2. Same money, more capable. And being older it’s less digital, which is also definitely a plus!
I supposed the used M2 will lose ca. 30/40% p.a. so if you choose used GTS it is still better to step forward to the sports cars world. Flat six sounds epic :)
Just done a quick check on the configurations with both cars similarly specced. The Cayman is over £20k more expensive and that’s before any discount on the BMW.
I’ve just taken delivery of a brand new decently specced Boxster GTS at £76k , not sure where you’ve managed to find a £20k gap between the two, £10k seems more plausible, and after 5 years the Porsche will be worth around £20k more than the M2 (£50k vs £30k) making it by the far cheaper car for most owners.
Funny I was cross shopping the two. I ended up with a Cayman GTS as I don’t want a dual purpose car that does nothing well. I have a dedicated car for passengers or cargo.
When posing the question of a competitor, at least in the U.S.: the Mustang Dark Horse matches up pretty well. Granted it is a bit bigger, but with the M2's weight gain, the real-world difference should be within about 100 pounds. Philosophically they're a match and the on-paper performance should also be pretty close.
Problem with saying these like "The M2's lightening fast steering" will make people who've never driven these cars think, "oh the M2 corners better", which is completely false - and that's why the reviewer says he feels like the M2 can't keep up with its steering. It's because quick steering is a simply configuration setting designed to hide the massive weight of cars like the M2. BMW used to do the same with brakes - they always made them over-sensitive to give the driver the impression that the car had immense brakes when it didn't. It's always the same detail with the Cayman vs things like the M2/RS3/A45 etc.... one is an actual sportscar, designed as such from the ground up, whereas the others are just regular hatch/saloon/coupe platforms turned into a fast car.
i’m totally in love with my GTS in a way i never bonded with my M4s or original M2. It’s a wonderful piece of engineering that knows it’s purpose, it’s NOT multipurpose, it knows what it is and it’s the best there is ❤
I'm a fan of both. I currently have a GT3, with an M3 Comp on order for the extra doors. However, the same thing happens here as when channels test the M4 CSL against the GT3 or GT3 RS ($135K vs $220K-$250K)... Just because these cars have two doors, in no way makes them competitors. One is $65K car built on a chassis that cars and SUVs share. The other (with VERY modest options) is $115 on a bespoke chassis. One is based on a road car, the other is a purpose built car that poses as a road car. One is a car with most every option you could want and tech light years ahead. The other, you have to pay for memory seats and cup holders. Both are excellent, but one is at least $50K more expensive. It's not even a fight, let alone a fair fight. A more realistic test would be the M2 vs a 718.
The ones picking the 3800lbs “sports” car have never driven a mid engine Porsche. It’s not even a fair comparison. Beside being as heavy as a Toyota RAV4, it’s also too hideous and boy racer for any adult male.
Great review, the Cayman GTS 4L is the unsung hero of the Porsche line up and yet its one of the best genuine sports cars ever made - amazing rigid chassis mated with a glorious flat six NA engine and one of the best gear boxes in the world.........plus its mid-engined, light and as a consequence turns on a dime. You should try the 981 Cayman GTS 3.4L with only 340HP and PTV. Sounds even better and is perfect on UK B and C roads.
Porsche is not an option for me not because of price, but because of the interior and onboard technology. The fact that it's missing even basic Android Auto support is a deal-breaker for me. You're paying upwards of €20,000 more for less stuff and a dated interior, basically. The 718 Cayman's refresh in 2025 would make it a good option for me (if I were happy it's €20,000-better than than the G87 M2, which it's not), but Porsche threw a spanner in the works by making it all-electric, which I'm not even willing to consider as an option for a car. The only true contender for me would therefore be the 911 Carrera S, for example, but the the price gap is about €40,000 and I'm not convinced a 911 Carrera S is €40,000-better than the G87 M2. Looks are a very personal thing (and I love the G87 M2 for its looks, in the most part).
Neither of these cars are at their peak performance, or else nobody would feel the need to modify them. That being said, people buy these cars because they perform good, and bring a certain emotion to the buyer. IMO, the 718 Cayman GTS is the more special car, and the better performer for the price. It also weighs a lot less (I am talking 700-800lbs less!) than the G87 M2, and also has a smaller wheelbase, making it more playful. It doesn't heavily rely on computer aids to "make the car feel lighter than it is" (see G87 M2 lol). The 718 Cayman GTS is also right around the same price, so for the money, its just the much better car. It might not have the practicality of the M2, but it also doesn't have the practicality of the last gen M2, and yet, the F87 M2 was the right size and weight. BMW shouldn't have made the G87 M2 so big and heavy, because those are the main gripes about it, besides its design of course. And that brings me to the last point, the design. Though design is very subjective, I think its safe to say that objectively, the G87 M2 design is atrocious, especially when comparing it to the 718 Cayman GTS.
Cayman, 100%. And you’re right, this is the best Cayman! Also it won’t be long until you see a lot more M2s on the road than Cayman GTS’s. And it turns heads believe me, especially in Python Green!
💯 there’s many variables that need to be weighed by each prospective shopper if they are comparing these two the use case for the vehicles. Without getting into too many details, I believe it comes down to is for the vehicle, if you’re going to be strictly focused on spirited driving including canyons and track, they Cayman would be a better option. But for someone who likes to have a relatively quick car and is mostly on the street and driving spirited occasionally with far greater potential of tuning for more power, the M2 would probably be the better choice
I was just recently visiting a Porsche Dealer in Germany. Try to get a GTS 4.0 - good luck. For 2023 the production is already sold, you can try to place an order for 2024 but it is not guaranteed. So the question M2 or Cayman GTS is more an academic one - if we are talking about a new car.
I'm going to order an M2 manual, but here in the US the manual is a $0 option. That's ridiculous to pay more for it in the UK. And btw, I've driven in the UK and funny shifting with left hand, my right hand naturally goes for the shifter and smacks into the door.
In AU the Cayman GTS 4.0 is $70,000 more than the price of the M2. This guy is always a Porsche lover in all his videos as well. So take this with a grain of salt !! Also the BMW has HUGE tuning potential with just a DME flash over the N/A Porsche lets not forget that 😎
@@karolmaciejewski340I ordered a 2024 bmw m2 in manual, I test drove the hell out of both, and with the ZF is yes a faster car, but you just aren’t involved and I am not a pro racer don’t need to shave 0.2 seconds, I would rather have more fun.
My 2014 base Cayman is my Every Day Driver. Even the lowly 2.7litre has a gorgeous howl w/ the sports exhaust. Puts a grin on my face every time. However, I've got almost a million miles on 3 series & X3 BMWs. My 2009 E91 wagon is just a good place to be for longer drives; quieter & more comfortable. The 4.0 is something that I lust after, maybe when I'm 65 and too old to get outta' the thing! ;-)
Well if their balls work and they aren't incels without a woman...I'm pretty sure they have kids, responsibilities like shopping to do, and family trips. That's where the BMW/Mercedes/Audi come in. Performance without compromising usability and practicality.
Maybe I am missing something but the Cayman GTS starts at $95k vs the BMW at $63k. If we are going by the price, I don't consider them in the same bracket.
Been driving Caymans and 911s for a while now, and I could never go back to RS/AMG/M cars after these. As a driving experience they're on another planet.
For me, I'd go for the Porsche and it's epic 6 cylinder sound 😄. The BMW is a good car, but I'm still quite surprised it's relatively heavy for a performance model 😅. Another great video :)
The comparison is so different in the US than the UK. A similarly-equipped GTS is $45 to $50k more expensive, without markups, than the M2. Even a zero-option, don't-click-anything Cayman GTS is $25k US than a full-option M2 here. The price difference utterly invalidates the comparison in the US and makes the two cars affordable by two entirely different segments of the population.
Comparing base prices alone, here in the US there is a $35,000 delta between the M2 & Cayman GTS. I'd much rather have the Cayman myself, but because of the significant price difference, I don't believe many are cross shopping the GTS trim Cayman and an M2. Nice comparison video.
IMO a GTS 4.0 is the best new sports car Porsche makes for UK B roads, incl. comically large 992. M2 performance is ideal for a small family. Bag a GTS 4.0 while you can - GT4/Spyder already discontinued. New EV GTS no doubt will tear your face off & leave a 4.0 for dead…in soul destroying silence too fast for most driver’s ability. The GTS 4.0 is the sweet spot that history will teach us was peak ICE defining sports car.
When you’ve driven at sunset on a twisty road with a Porsche NA and a bmw turbo there is no comparison. The turbo is only fun at full throttle. Joy of the NA can be had at any throttle input which lets you enjoy the car, not say “oshit” as you have to stamp on the brakes. I own an m3 for practicality but gts was previous car.
In the UK I'm pretty sure they come standard with manual gearbox. The dct transmission is a £2k option, but I'm referring to the previous model/competition.The manual is apparently sloppy. New m2 is no longer dct but an auto
@@saeedtse are we talking about 2023 m2 or the competition from 2018-2020? The new 2023 M2 is an 8 spd auto not dct. A 6 spd manual is available also. The 2018-20 m2 competition came standard with manual gearbox, the dct was an option (approx £2000-2500 when ordered new). New M2 competition is meant to be out next year. I doubt it will be dct due to costs and BMW moving towards auto transmission now.
I feel BMW have changed their strategy with the M Brand. The cars are more focused on a high tech cabin with a sporty feel, they are no longer producing “Drivers Cars”. Such a shame!
13:00 American sport-muscle cars, particularly the high end ones. Basically any track weapon. It fits in real nice in that niche. I would also throw the Supra and Nismo Z in the mix. Honestly, feels like a good time for people who love to drive. Was in the market for a Z late last year… dealer wouldn’t work with me and really tired of driving a truck. Ended up gravitating to the m2 after watching the Hagerty Supra Icons video. If I’m gonna buy a bmw, might as well be a bmw. Also, not really into the styling of the Supra.
$63,000 “ the M2 is available to buyers like you and me.” Truth be told, I can fit one in if I had to, but it is more than I want to spend, and inaccessible to probably 90% of buyers.
So confused in rhe US rhe Cayman optioned anywhere near what the M2 has is well over 100k.....you have to ask if you're gonna spend that much for the Cayman as dated as it is(I get the performance is good) wouldn't you be better served stepping up to a 911??? The M2 is cheaper than the Base Cayman and not much more than say a loaded Supra. I can't imagine comparing 2 cars with a 40k+ spread and different missions
I have the new M2 as well as a 2020 718 Spyder. Without question the Porsche is the better car. Unfortunately the Spyder was put away for the winter yesterday. I miss her already🥶
As a Cayman GTS 4.0 owner, I'm biased. But I can attest to the spectacularness of the GTS 4.0. It's just so damn good to drive, regardless of how you're driving it.
In my country, the M2 is still cheaper than the regular 718 cayman, so the M2 is of course more popular. It’s faster, sounds better, and more usable than the regular cayman, but no one can deny that the cayman is a much better looking car. It looks even better than the previous gen M2, which itself is more of a looker than the new one. I’d pick the cayman any day, especially if it’s a GTS.
Great review as always….but, and it’s a big but…the assertion that there’s not a big price difference between these cars is just not true. We all know that a similarly specced Cayman GTS would cost thousands more.
the cayman gts is a dedicated mid engined porsche with huge NA engine. The m2 is more practical. both are fantastic but the cayman is hard to beat many journalists prefer it to the much more expensive 911 variants outside of the turbo/gt3
In 2020 I was buying used. I test drove the 2017 718 GTS with the 2.5l. I test drove an 8 mo. old 2020 M2C. I Porsche was a WAY better drive. I bought the M2C because it was $20k cheaper. Every time I got in the M2 I regretted my choice. Even after the Dinan pipe, Ohlins DFV suspension, up sized Michelin PS4's on forged Apex wheels, and a Turner Motorspors shift bushing (a MUST do mod) it still ain't a Porsche. I sold the M2C with no regret. Keys to happiness: 1. don't test drive a 718 - you won't know what you're missing. 2. my choice - wait, save your money and buy the 718. 2.4 or 4.0 will perform better than the M2. ...and the front clip on the new M2 is fugly - IMHO. The seats, however I'd love to have.
In the US, price point isn’t even close. Comparison should be base Cayman vs M2 if price is being considered at all. M2 all day over Cayman for me. I’ve owned both. Cayman is completely dated inside and out.
I've owned a Cayman GTS and I just bought an M2. These cars have some similarities but are in different auto classes. The Cayman is a Summer roadster with a roof. The M2 is an all year round car. The Cayman would be better compared to the BMW Z4 M40i than the M2. The 2023 M2 in my opinion is much more fun than the Cayman, fun you can have in the Winter as well.
i cross shopped an m2 and a cayman. if your planning on keeping the car stock than the cayman is probably the better choice. but if you plan on modifying the car the m2 is probably better because the s58 motor is a monster with just a downpipe and tune. i chose the m2
M2 or Cayman GTS?
Cayman for sure
Cayman if its the Flat-6
M2
GTS all day
M2 all day everyday!
In the US the Cayman GTS starts at $96,850, while the M2 starts at $62,200. That's a HUGE difference, for the money I'd take the M2.
Right is it 30k better than the m2?
The real answer is to get a M2c. Save even more and own a car that doesn't look terrible with the weight of a boat.
Idk where you live but I haven’t see an m2 for under 74 and most at 82 but yes still cheaper
Means that BMW is wannabe Porsche but it will never be. If you are poor buy BMW.
@@dnice362
Lol you can order them all day long WITH carbon roof for under $70k including delivery charge (USA).
I own a 718 Spyder, and I like the fact the (same interior) is not full of screen and has buttons.
Absolutely. After a hard day at work, to see analog dials and not a screen is sublime. The Porsche interior is so perfect I wouldn't ruin it by and "update" and it will be sad when they do.
718s are the true purest sports cars.
until the porsche buttons all get sticky and nasty in 4-5y then youll want screens. ask me how i know lol. major problem with porsche, going on for yrs
Touch screens should be banned in cars... In fact here in Norway it is now a 1100 €$£ fine if you are seen using the touch screen in your car while driving.
In the US, those cars are different by over $30K in price...not the same price. The GTS bases at $92,400, an M2 bases for $63k. If its a base Cayman S, those start at $80K.
Here used the M2 cost more then same year model Cayman...
My 981 Spyder was $89.5k four years ago, it hasn’t lost any value. So that has to be considered as well.
People hate on the M2’s looks but I really think it looks great. It’s often compared to the previous gen M2 but the designs aren’t compatible. Yes, the previous gen is sexy in a classical way but the new M2 is sexy in a modern way.
I agree.
I own an OG M2, and it is one of the prettiest coupes ever made, but I do like the new M2 in a different way.
I don’t know about this new M2 but I had an M2 CS and sold it for a Cayman GTS 4.0. The Porsche was the better car, in my opinion. The M2 was great but the Porsche was just more of a precision instrument and has that great sounding flat 6 and the manual in the Cayman was better than the BMW’s. The M2 did not sound great and while it may have been faster, by a little, the Porsche was more fun to drive, especially at the top of the rev range. Overall, I enjoyed the Porsche more and to me the M2 CS is one of the best M cars ever and probably better than this new, heavier M2.
I’ll choose the Cayman as a 2-seat sports car but I chose the OG M2C for its versatility to go on track days, surfing, camping, and ti the mall with my fam on the weekends. These two don’t compete in my mind and are in diff buckets
These cars are not competitors. In the US, an M2 starts at $62,200, with a well spec'd variant costing $73,000 (pre tax). The Cayman GTS starts at $95,200, with a well spec'd variant costing about $110,000 (pre tax). I owned a 718 GT4 and, between the M2 and the GTS, I would say the M2 is a much more fun and interesting option for the money unless you plan to splurge for the GT4.
Used here the M2 is more expensive then the Cayman... Unless you compare it to the GT4 that is.
As a Cayman GTS owner, I haven’t the faintest interest in the new M2. I bought my car for its light weight action packed toss-ability, a mid engine feel and it’s go kart size. The M2 is a nice car but doesn’t do the same things or fit the same purposes, would of been strange to consider.
Likewise I have an M2 coming and I would never consider the Cayman. They are two different cars with different purposes. I need a sporty car with usable back seats. Anyone cross shopping these cars has no idea what they want from a car. If you don't need back seats, why would you look at a 4 seater car with compromised dynamics? If you need back seats why would you look at a 2 seater you can rarely drive?
@@fcman123 100% agree, congrats and enjoy the new ride!
@@LateNightDateNight You too, my father in law has a 981S that's a blast to drive. I just got rid of my manual C7 for this M2 since I have a toddler now and want to take him on fun trips. Such is life
Toss-ability sounds like something wankers do
He does say they’re “polar opposites” at the end.
New M2 is too big ,the previous one was much more pleasing to the eyes !
I genuinely believe there are 'right sizes' for cars. The e46 M3 is exactly the same size as the f87 M2 and we adore them both. Coincidence? I don't think so. MK1 Focus RS and the mk8 Fiesta ST. Both look right and are similarly shaped and muscular. One more example, 993 911 and boxter 986. Slightly different configuration, but they are both universally worshipped.
I actually picked the M2, because the price gap with a similar equipped Cayman is around 20-25k€ (Italy). And investing half of that “saving” in mods on the M2, you’ll make a weapon. Gear ratio is also a plus for the BMW: in ordinary road use the ratio is just too long on the GTS, and on the highway you’ll pull away easily as well. So, for my use, the M2 is the better all rounder. For the track I have a Lotus Elise 240 FE 😉
Interesting as 2nd gear in the BMW is still above 70mph. Not far off the Porsche.
Good choice. The M2 can be easily tuned for more power just with a DME flash. Ie more boost etc. can’t do that with the N/A Porsche, would cost you a truck of cash.
Did you ever test drive a 718 GTS 4.0?
@@Kmh0277 yes, it was actually on my shortlist last year when I ordered the BMW. I tried it, but it was just not fitting my driving style/needs. Couldn’t imagine myself and my girlfriend on a spirited drive being in 2nd gear at 5.000+ revs the whole time to have torque :) And on the highway, being a bi-turbo, the BMW pushes much harder. And then there was the price difference: once it will be released, I will put the KW V3 on it. OPF-back is already on and also forged wheels. Downpipes will be the next step, and then a soft remap for 600HP. And I am still “saving” vs a Cayman GTS. Car is heavy, but I don’t care. It is still a lot of fun and fast in every situation. And then, to have the ultimate fun, I have still the Lotus 😃 So, for my needs, the M2 is the best choice. But I can get why someone would pick the GTS, it is a fabulous car with a great engine.
@@johseb1 Nice, I'm glad you tried it at least and your plans for the M2 sound great!!
the previous M2 is the one to have, imo. the weight is the deal breaker for me. not a major issue tho, since i can't afford it anyway.
just got an OG manual M2 a few days ago and the new one makes the older model look better; and on top of that its wayy lighter
@@dcode1000 that's one of my dream cars, man, congrats! great little car!
I own an OG M2 and I test drove the new M2 yesterday to be honest the interior in the new car is much better ( the dash was too fussy for me though) it felt way bigger on the road to me but hides it weight well. Sounds nowhere near as good
@@robrocks34 i haven't driven it, but i reckon it will hide its weight well up until 7 or 8/10. after that, physics take over. time will tell, but i'm fairly sure the previous M2 will appreciate more than the new one.
@@mistreku I hope so 🤣
One is good, one is utterly sensational. The Porsche is an engineering masterpiece and if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford either, there’s only one choice.
I went from the earlier M2 to a Cayman GTS in 2020. I’m at 16,000 miles and just did the NC500 in the GTS and it’s a wonderful thing, excellent in every way. I stopped off at Knockhill for a track day and it is so balanced and easy to drive, certainly to my skill level. Yes. A GT4 is quicker but I reckon my GTS is a better all rounder. And the M2, more playful and there was always that feeling it wants to throw you in the scenery. Was a great car and always fun, but the Cayman is just that much better. I can’t see myself going back. As an aside I loved the look of my M2 but this new model looks ugly to my eyes.
In my opinion, GTS is the best of the 718 models. GT4 is more a track machine than an everyday car so can beat every Mpower machine on track. If you want to spend money on one car GTS is the best choice.
I was very disappointed when I checked M2. Very heavy machine and worst than M4. I get 4,9 to 100kmh so it is a step behind older M2 CS.
You can actually buy an M2 at the moment. Porsche won’t sell you a Cayman GTS4.0 atm. Unless people have placed orders 2 years ago or overseas market availability is radically different the question is moot. You actually can’t cross shop these two cars practically speaking unless you can track down a second hand Cayman for approximately 40% more money.
There's a brand new 718 GTS for sale near MSRP at my dealer. You might not be able to spec it but there are a lot of new and barely used CPO examples in the US.
That’s not my experience, mine in Crayon is due next month, it’s taken 9 months, it’s been fairly easy ..
In The Netherlands its 145k (GTS) vs 115k (M2). Quite a lot of money. I’d go for a used GTS instead of the M2. Same money, more capable. And being older it’s less digital, which is also definitely a plus!
Voor 1 keer ben ik het eens volledig eens met een Nederlander :p
I supposed the used M2 will lose ca. 30/40% p.a. so if you choose used GTS it is still better to step forward to the sports cars world. Flat six sounds epic :)
Cayman GTS starts at 92k USD before Porsche options, basically double the price with options. Not the same category price wise...
When buying used they overlap in price as the BMW M cars is crazy expensive used...
++
718 Spyder owner here. I knew the winner before watching this great review. Porsche for the win! Always!
Just done a quick check on the configurations with both cars similarly specced. The Cayman is over £20k more expensive and that’s before any discount on the BMW.
I’ve just taken delivery of a brand new decently specced Boxster GTS at £76k , not sure where you’ve managed to find a £20k gap between the two, £10k seems more plausible, and after 5 years the Porsche will be worth around £20k more than the M2 (£50k vs £30k) making it by the far cheaper car for most owners.
@@neilturner6749 You must have had a great deal - did you get a large discount? The Boxster GTS starts at £75,300 before any options at all!
Funny I was cross shopping the two. I ended up with a Cayman GTS as I don’t want a dual purpose car that does nothing well. I have a dedicated car for passengers or cargo.
When posing the question of a competitor, at least in the U.S.: the Mustang Dark Horse matches up pretty well. Granted it is a bit bigger, but with the M2's weight gain, the real-world difference should be within about 100 pounds. Philosophically they're a match and the on-paper performance should also be pretty close.
Except Mustangs handle like a piece of sh!t.
@@fl00d69 They don't, but thanks for playing.
Not even in the same wading pool.
@@ASpectreOfSorts
That is like comparing a trailer to a house in Palm Beach.
Stepping out of a 981gts into a M2(‘23) , M2 sees more miles. And more smiles. Kids and wife can come along too in the M2.
The advantage of the 981 is that you don't have to bring the kids or the wife
Problem with saying these like "The M2's lightening fast steering" will make people who've never driven these cars think, "oh the M2 corners better", which is completely false - and that's why the reviewer says he feels like the M2 can't keep up with its steering. It's because quick steering is a simply configuration setting designed to hide the massive weight of cars like the M2. BMW used to do the same with brakes - they always made them over-sensitive to give the driver the impression that the car had immense brakes when it didn't. It's always the same detail with the Cayman vs things like the M2/RS3/A45 etc.... one is an actual sportscar, designed as such from the ground up, whereas the others are just regular hatch/saloon/coupe platforms turned into a fast car.
i’m totally in love with my GTS in a way i never bonded with my M4s or original M2. It’s a wonderful piece of engineering that knows it’s purpose, it’s NOT multipurpose, it knows what it is and it’s the best there is ❤
Porsche every time .
Right?! That Porsche tax though
I'm a fan of both. I currently have a GT3, with an M3 Comp on order for the extra doors. However, the same thing happens here as when channels test the M4 CSL against the GT3 or GT3 RS ($135K vs $220K-$250K)... Just because these cars have two doors, in no way makes them competitors. One is $65K car built on a chassis that cars and SUVs share. The other (with VERY modest options) is $115 on a bespoke chassis. One is based on a road car, the other is a purpose built car that poses as a road car. One is a car with most every option you could want and tech light years ahead. The other, you have to pay for memory seats and cup holders. Both are excellent, but one is at least $50K more expensive. It's not even a fight, let alone a fair fight. A more realistic test would be the M2 vs a 718.
The ones picking the 3800lbs “sports” car have never driven a mid engine Porsche. It’s not even a fair comparison. Beside being as heavy as a Toyota RAV4, it’s also too hideous and boy racer for any adult male.
Seriously, the LEGO design is f’ing horrendous. Recent BMW designers have been smoking crack
Great review, the Cayman GTS 4L is the unsung hero of the Porsche line up and yet its one of the best genuine sports cars ever made - amazing rigid chassis mated with a glorious flat six NA engine and one of the best gear boxes in the world.........plus its mid-engined, light and as a consequence turns on a dime. You should try the 981 Cayman GTS 3.4L with only 340HP and PTV. Sounds even better and is perfect on UK B and C roads.
I can confirm that, except I have the X73. And I love it.
Porsche is not an option for me not because of price, but because of the interior and onboard technology. The fact that it's missing even basic Android Auto support is a deal-breaker for me. You're paying upwards of €20,000 more for less stuff and a dated interior, basically. The 718 Cayman's refresh in 2025 would make it a good option for me (if I were happy it's €20,000-better than than the G87 M2, which it's not), but Porsche threw a spanner in the works by making it all-electric, which I'm not even willing to consider as an option for a car. The only true contender for me would therefore be the 911 Carrera S, for example, but the the price gap is about €40,000 and I'm not convinced a 911 Carrera S is €40,000-better than the G87 M2. Looks are a very personal thing (and I love the G87 M2 for its looks, in the most part).
Porsche cayman gts, is obvious choice and clear winner, I own bmw X5 and Spyder. Porsche is timeless beauty.
Neither of these cars are at their peak performance, or else nobody would feel the need to modify them. That being said, people buy these cars because they perform good, and bring a certain emotion to the buyer. IMO, the 718 Cayman GTS is the more special car, and the better performer for the price. It also weighs a lot less (I am talking 700-800lbs less!) than the G87 M2, and also has a smaller wheelbase, making it more playful. It doesn't heavily rely on computer aids to "make the car feel lighter than it is" (see G87 M2 lol). The 718 Cayman GTS is also right around the same price, so for the money, its just the much better car. It might not have the practicality of the M2, but it also doesn't have the practicality of the last gen M2, and yet, the F87 M2 was the right size and weight. BMW shouldn't have made the G87 M2 so big and heavy, because those are the main gripes about it, besides its design of course. And that brings me to the last point, the design. Though design is very subjective, I think its safe to say that objectively, the G87 M2 design is atrocious, especially when comparing it to the 718 Cayman GTS.
As an experience, the GTS 4.0 blows the M2 out of the park, but in terms of statistical performance, the M2 is actually somewhat faster.
Forget to mention GTS cost almost twice as much as M2 😂😂😂
That's true , on a straight line M2 is way faster and also on a track G87 M2 is significantly faster with two extra seats and big trunk.
bmw price in 10 years = 20k
porsche price in 10 years = same or even more
Cayman, 100%. And you’re right, this is the best Cayman! Also it won’t be long until you see a lot more M2s on the road than Cayman GTS’s. And it turns heads believe me, especially in Python Green!
💯 there’s many variables that need to be weighed by each prospective shopper if they are comparing these two the use case for the vehicles.
Without getting into too many details, I believe it comes down to is for the vehicle, if you’re going to be strictly focused on spirited driving including canyons and track, they Cayman would be a better option. But for someone who likes to have a relatively quick car and is mostly on the street and driving spirited occasionally with far greater potential of tuning for more power, the M2 would probably be the better choice
I was just recently visiting a Porsche Dealer in Germany. Try to get a GTS 4.0 - good luck. For 2023 the production is already sold, you can try to place an order for 2024 but it is not guaranteed. So the question M2 or Cayman GTS is more an academic one - if we are talking about a new car.
I'm going to order an M2 manual, but here in the US the manual is a $0 option. That's ridiculous to pay more for it in the UK. And btw, I've driven in the UK and funny shifting with left hand, my right hand naturally goes for the shifter and smacks into the door.
In AU the Cayman GTS 4.0 is $70,000 more than the price of the M2. This guy is always a Porsche lover in all his videos as well. So take this with a grain of salt !! Also the BMW has HUGE tuning potential with just a DME flash over the N/A Porsche lets not forget that 😎
OK, tune the car and that's your warranty fucked. Just saying...
New M2 is way better with zf auto then 6 speed mt
Controversial!
@@CARmagazineTV power band works better with zf , car seems much more alive and responsive.
@@karolmaciejewski340I ordered a 2024 bmw m2 in manual, I test drove the hell out of both, and with the ZF is yes a faster car, but you just aren’t involved and I am not a pro racer don’t need to shave 0.2 seconds, I would rather have more fun.
For on the road( rather than track) isn't an M240ix better value, it accelerates quicker and has better traction, and less cost.
My 2014 base Cayman is my Every Day Driver. Even the lowly 2.7litre has a gorgeous howl w/ the sports exhaust. Puts a grin on my face every time. However, I've got almost a million miles on 3 series & X3 BMWs. My 2009 E91 wagon is just a good place to be for longer drives; quieter & more comfortable. The 4.0 is something that I lust after, maybe when I'm 65 and too old to get outta' the thing! ;-)
I don't think anyone cross shopping these 2 but for driving dynamics, the Porsche is unbeatable and probably the best sports car under £100k
Well if their balls work and they aren't incels without a woman...I'm pretty sure they have kids, responsibilities like shopping to do, and family trips.
That's where the BMW/Mercedes/Audi come in. Performance without compromising usability and practicality.
Not sure of it's available there, but a camaro ZL1 would be a great competitor to the M2 in most aspects
Maybe I am missing something but the Cayman GTS starts at $95k vs the BMW at $63k. If we are going by the price, I don't consider them in the same bracket.
They're not. Dude must work for Porsche, lol.
Been driving Caymans and 911s for a while now, and I could never go back to RS/AMG/M cars after these. As a driving experience they're on another planet.
Absolutely but you have to pay to play in a big way unless you go with a lousy 4 cylinder cayman!
@@speeddemonRS3good things usually require you to pay. Nothing of real value comes without a price tag.
@flexspec I opted for a 65k 24 RS3, and with that 5 cylinder sound and incredible performance, it almost seems like a bargain 😀
@@speeddemonRS3 how does the rs3 drive? Is it a good daily? Im aware of its amazing performance, but not sure about its reliability
I’ve got a 2019 rs3 and it’s an amazing bit of kit but it’s a little bit numb the cayman 718 gts will (hopefully) be my next car
For me, I'd go for the Porsche and it's epic 6 cylinder sound 😄. The BMW is a good car, but I'm still quite surprised it's relatively heavy for a performance model 😅. Another great video :)
The new m2 have better front end? What do you think with the same tires, which car has better corner ability?
I ordered the m2 - I would love a Porsche gts but the price and spec is a lot more expensive here in Australia
The Cayman is a great car, but there’s something more appealing and exciting about M cars when I see them on the road. I would take the M2.
The comparison is so different in the US than the UK. A similarly-equipped GTS is $45 to $50k more expensive, without markups, than the M2. Even a zero-option, don't-click-anything Cayman GTS is $25k US than a full-option M2 here. The price difference utterly invalidates the comparison in the US and makes the two cars affordable by two entirely different segments of the population.
Can't believe the GTS is the same price as the M2 in the UK. I would move there if they had a better cricket team.
Comparing base prices alone, here in the US there is a $35,000 delta between the M2 & Cayman GTS. I'd much rather have the Cayman myself, but because of the significant price difference, I don't believe many are cross shopping the GTS trim Cayman and an M2. Nice comparison video.
When buying used they overlap in price as the BMW M cars is crazy expensive used...
IMO a GTS 4.0 is the best new sports car Porsche makes for UK B roads, incl. comically large 992. M2 performance is ideal for a small family. Bag a GTS 4.0 while you can - GT4/Spyder already discontinued. New EV GTS no doubt will tear your face off & leave a 4.0 for dead…in soul destroying silence too fast for most driver’s ability. The GTS 4.0 is the sweet spot that history will teach us was peak ICE defining sports car.
Better engine is debatable. As much as I love the NA flat 6, the S58 is a power house.
Yeah this is incredibly biased
Not sure how he comes to the conclusion the Porsche has a superior engine when the numbers suggest otherwise.
When you’ve driven at sunset on a twisty road with a Porsche NA and a bmw turbo there is no comparison. The turbo is only fun at full throttle. Joy of the NA can be had at any throttle input which lets you enjoy the car, not say “oshit” as you have to stamp on the brakes. I own an m3 for practicality but gts was previous car.
@@ramboormark ok so by your logic a cayman 4.0 NA is better than a 911 turbo S
Right right tell me more
In the UK I'm pretty sure they come standard with manual gearbox. The dct transmission is a £2k option, but I'm referring to the previous model/competition.The manual is apparently sloppy. New m2 is no longer dct but an auto
Not correct. Standard is DCT and manual is more expensive
@@saeedtse are we talking about 2023 m2 or the competition from 2018-2020? The new 2023 M2 is an 8 spd auto not dct. A 6 spd manual is available also. The 2018-20 m2 competition came standard with manual gearbox, the dct was an option (approx £2000-2500 when ordered new). New M2 competition is meant to be out next year. I doubt it will be dct due to costs and BMW moving towards auto transmission now.
I feel BMW have changed their strategy with the M Brand. The cars are more focused on a high tech cabin with a sporty feel, they are no longer producing “Drivers Cars”. Such a shame!
You need to stop commenting and start driving a bmw m car cause u don’t know anything
Demand changes. They want to sell cars
M3 touring is the best Allrounder at the moment.
@bernhardkreindl4379 I dont think M4 touring exists
To my eyes the previous generation M2 was considerably more attractive. The Cayman is now the better choice.
M2 for me!!
Did Porsche name it a Cayman because you need a secret account to buy, run & maintain one?
13:00 American sport-muscle cars, particularly the high end ones. Basically any track weapon. It fits in real nice in that niche. I would also throw the Supra and Nismo Z in the mix. Honestly, feels like a good time for people who love to drive.
Was in the market for a Z late last year… dealer wouldn’t work with me and really tired of driving a truck. Ended up gravitating to the m2 after watching the Hagerty Supra Icons video. If I’m gonna buy a bmw, might as well be a bmw. Also, not really into the styling of the Supra.
$63,000 “ the M2 is available to buyers like you and me.” Truth be told, I can fit one in if I had to, but it is more than I want to spend, and inaccessible to probably 90% of buyers.
What are the tires on the Cayman? I have one and I don’t notice any tire noise with my Pirelli P Zeros.
So confused in rhe US rhe Cayman optioned anywhere near what the M2 has is well over 100k.....you have to ask if you're gonna spend that much for the Cayman as dated as it is(I get the performance is good) wouldn't you be better served stepping up to a 911??? The M2 is cheaper than the Base Cayman and not much more than say a loaded Supra. I can't imagine comparing 2 cars with a 40k+ spread and different missions
I have the new M2 as well as a 2020 718 Spyder. Without question the Porsche is the better car. Unfortunately the Spyder was put away for the winter yesterday. I miss her already🥶
Can someone let me know where I can buy a new Cayman GTS 4 litre for £65,000?! 😂
As a Cayman GTS 4.0 owner, I'm biased. But I can attest to the spectacularness of the GTS 4.0. It's just so damn good to drive, regardless of how you're driving it.
M2 any day!
Made in Mexico
In my country, the M2 is still cheaper than the regular 718 cayman, so the M2 is of course more popular. It’s faster, sounds better, and more usable than the regular cayman, but no one can deny that the cayman is a much better looking car. It looks even better than the previous gen M2, which itself is more of a looker than the new one. I’d pick the cayman any day, especially if it’s a GTS.
Great review as always….but, and it’s a big but…the assertion that there’s not a big price difference between these cars is just not true.
We all know that a similarly specced Cayman GTS would cost thousands more.
No contest: Cayman, every time. Simple as.
As a daily the M2 is the better choice and its engine can be tuned to north of 500hp at relatively low cost.
M2 might as well have self drive and a yolk steering wheel... Heavy and numb vs the lithe porsche
M2 made in Mexico
the cayman gts is a dedicated mid engined porsche with huge NA engine. The m2 is more practical. both are fantastic but the cayman is hard to beat many journalists prefer it to the much more expensive 911 variants outside of the turbo/gt3
You could’ve stopped at the steering. I owned many Porsches. I owned an M5. Great car. Lousy steering. Traded for Cayenne GTS. Great steering.
Cayman for the win, not quite sold on the m2 styling either
Precisely…. what styling. Fugly.
Hey, eBay worked really hard designing the M2's bodykit, okay? 🤣
The M2 is utterly horrendous looking.
I luv it
As a GTS owner I love the M2 styling. But not more than the Porsche.
Cayman GTS is special and even more so knowing that it'll have batteries in the next generation. Probably just one more year before it's more special.
No one who is in the market for a Porsche will be looking at a BMW. Sorry, fellas.
Got the 718 4.0 and the M240i X-Drive (G42). Joyful, versatile combo!
The front of the M2 is HIDEOUS. That alone does it for me (718 GTS owner).
In 2020 I was buying used. I test drove the 2017 718 GTS with the 2.5l. I test drove an 8 mo. old 2020 M2C. I Porsche was a WAY better drive. I bought the M2C because it was $20k cheaper. Every time I got in the M2 I regretted my choice. Even after the Dinan pipe, Ohlins DFV suspension, up sized Michelin PS4's on forged Apex wheels, and a Turner Motorspors shift bushing (a MUST do mod) it still ain't a Porsche. I sold the M2C with no regret. Keys to happiness: 1. don't test drive a 718 - you won't know what you're missing. 2. my choice - wait, save your money and buy the 718. 2.4 or 4.0 will perform better than the M2. ...and the front clip on the new M2 is fugly - IMHO. The seats, however I'd love to have.
I actually selected the Cayman S over the M2. The Cayman S is, $ for $, a better performer than the M2
similar price! Not a fat chance, as there is a huge difference of 30+k.
In the US, price point isn’t even close. Comparison should be base Cayman vs M2 if price is being considered at all.
M2 all day over Cayman for me. I’ve owned both. Cayman is completely dated inside and out.
I still did not get why somebody compares Porsche to BMW. BMW should be compared to Audi. Porsche is in upper ligue, there is no doubt!
Porsche is VW prem...Bmw is RR
@@nhlanhlamagagula7467 RR means Roughly Rubish?
@@123antimiro Facts...Porsche is owned by VW brand and RR owned by Bmw...
I’d take the Cayman all day, but Mr Company car man will have the M2. Porsche is a special weekend car, M2 for everyday, horses for courses
Will there be a competition and xdrive combo coming?
As a Golfer I go for the M2. Trolley and Clubs fit easily into the trunk. Plus a lot of Driving Pleasure.
Had half a dozen performance BMW’s over 10 years but would take the Cayman hands down over the M2 every day of the week.
About £20k difference for equivalent specs in the UK too. Interesting but not like for like from a price perspective..
I've owned a Cayman GTS and I just bought an M2. These cars have some similarities but are in different auto classes. The Cayman is a Summer roadster with a roof. The M2 is an all year round car. The Cayman would be better compared to the BMW Z4 M40i than the M2. The 2023 M2 in my opinion is much more fun than the Cayman, fun you can have in the Winter as well.
The M2 is a supped up sedan, the Cayman was designed from the outset as a sports car. Those rear flares on the M2 are hideous.
Which Motorway slip road are you pulling through all the gears at higher revs?
🤐
*_Who installed that eBay bodykit on the M2? It can't possibly be factory, right? RIGHT?_* 🤣🤣
i cross shopped an m2 and a cayman. if your planning on keeping the car stock than the cayman is probably the better choice. but if you plan on modifying the car the m2 is probably better because the s58 motor is a monster with just a downpipe and tune. i chose the m2
Great review as expected from JD - Question fo JD - Have you had head hunters snooping around yet ?
The manual must be better than my 1994 Honda Accord DX and I loved the heck out of that one.
"Paying more to do more." Oh, young grasshopper...
There are loads of M2's in the UK. I don't get the novelty point at all, there are less GTS's then M2's, no doubt
BMW needs to immediately fire the 5-year-old who designed the front end of that... _thing._
Are these the same price in Europe???? Way different in the US