[don]

I am putting in my order for a new Cayman soon and am having trouble deciding whether to go for an S or GTS. This is my first Porsche so it is a big purchase and I feel like I am buying a house. :|

Just curious on people's thought processes on this and whether or not they believe the extras on the GTS are worth while or is the S enough? Which did you choose and why?


All cars I have optioned with what I think you call your premium plus package and both have 20" Carrerra S wheels, although the S here comes standard with the silver ones but I figure I could get them painted black later if I wanted. I will also probably add electric side mirrors.


Car A - Cayman S - I have optioned up to GTS performance level with PTV, SPASM, Sport Chrono and Sport-Tex seats with leather interior. I know its a bit vain but I really like the luxury feel of the leather in the cabin.


Car B - Cayman GTS - I have added SPASM and GTS interior package which is horrendously expensive here but I really want a leather interior and it almost feels like I'm getting into a GT2RS interior with red Weissach package .

Here Car B ends up being a $15k US premium on Car A so I'm not sure if it is a sane decision :|


As people know the GTS also comes with the sport design package with center radiator, the darkened head and tail lights, heaps of alcantara (which I kind of like but how often do I look up at the roof), and marginally more power/torque which I don't think is really noticeable. So I'm not sure if the GTS package here in Australia is good value given the extra $11k to $16KUS.

I think the sport design package does make the GTS look more aggressive but I wont be tracking (just spirited driving on twisting mountain roads) so not sure if I will need the extra radiator. Maybe I will do some targa/autocross driving down the track.

Also I think the standard 718 front bumper/spoiler looks more traditionally Porsche, which I initially preferred, whereas the GTS front is unique and has grown on me.

My other thought was a Car C which removes the GTS interior for brushed aluminium interior package with interior leather. It is not as striking as the GTS interior but saves me $4500US.

The GTS here in Australia is also kind of rare so there is that exclusivity with respect to the badges and front but otherwise performance wise (correct me if I'm wrong) it is really much the same as a well sorted/optioned S which is hard to find used here, hence my custom order.

 

[Kingmota]

I went through the same dilemma although in USA it appeared to be only a $2,500 premium for Boxster GTS if I ordered all the options I wanted which were all based on making the S the same as GTS without Sport Design front end. If you really want the GTS options it should retain more resale as base price depreciates less than the options. All my test drives kind of run together now, but many say the GTS has a more raw, desirable sound. It also has options fo the brushed black aluminum interior trim and Satin black rear Porsche tail/spoiler logo as I don't like the chrome letters.

On your Cayman it would look great if you kept the Alcantara headliner even if you do leather interior. Your Australia premium vs S sounds high but I do believe it is better to slightly regret spending more money than wishing you had gotten the car you really wanted.

I also tried totally loading up both the base model and S in Porsche configurator to get to same price as GTS and then asked myself which car would I rather have. Different perspective than "Should I spend XX more dollars for the GTS".

My opinion is you should do option C.

 

[duegatti]

For me it came down to the interior, exterior trim, wheels. I wanted all the performance stuff, but the last thing I wanted was a black Alcantara interior on my convertible. By the time I optioned the interior to where I liked it, I had created a de-contented, more expensive, GTS that I didn't like the looks of as much as my S.

Getting what you want is always a sane decision. If you dig the interior in Car B - you will love having Car B. You sound excited about Car B.

If you want to save a couple of bucks, and as you say you're not tracking - how about passing on the SPASM and stick with PASM (and get some better front end ground clearance)?

 

[sobiloff]

I don't know that I can help much, Don—I intend to track my car, so I went with all the CGTS performance options. It won't be a dedicated track car, though, so I did include some comfort (18-way seats, 2-zone climate control) and road safety (LED adaptive headlights) options as well. To get the look I like I had the side intakes color-matched, and went with the gloss black wheels and mirror trim.

You're right it's almost like buying a house, so take your time and get what you want without regrets. From your post it sounds like you'd be happiest with the S and a little cash left in your pocket.

 

[JakiChan]

For me it was strictly money. My dealer was offering me a LOT more off of a CS order than a GTS order. Also, getting a GTS with what I wanted (14-ways, not 18-ways, etc) made the price difference to me about $15k. It wasn't worth it for things that I could add if I wanted. I already had PASM and SC on my build, for example.

 

[rdmustang]

It was an easy decision for me to go GTS since it was cheaper than going S as I was already going to order almost every option the GTS adds. If it was very close in price difference then I would definitely not get a GTS.

 

[GTS]

I went with a low spec GTS and saved money over a comparably equipped S. From my point of view, I got a 3rd radiator, sport design package, 15 hp, and loads of Alcantara for free.

And yes, the Alcantara headliner is really eye catching.

 

[CaymanMatt]

I went with a low spec GTS and saved money over a comparably equipped S. From my point of view, I got a 3rd radiator, sport design package, 15 hp, and loads of Alcantara for free.

And yes, the Alcantara headliner is really eye catching.

I love the Alcantara in our GTS. Incredibly comfortable and grippy, and looks good as well!

 

[don]

Thanks for all your replies and help.

I was initially focusing on the GTS car B or C for its performance options, hence PTV, Chrono and SPASM, but then I started thinking that really the S car A focusing on all the performance options would perform just as well but at a significant saving.

It is a shame there is not a little more differentiation of the GTS from the S in terms of performance like even more horse power and bigger brakes, not that it needs it, but it would make the decision process easier as most of the upgrades to me are cosmetic, at least over my optioned up S car. Unlike AMG, RS and M cars where you are getting a seriously improved piece of kit over their lower models.

Though I guess the point is most people probably don't performance option their S or base up to the level of a GTS so the differentiation is arguably there by practicality.

I think over here what has happened is the recent standard inclusion of 20" wheels and sports exhaust in the S (worth ~ $4000US) has reduced the price gap between the S and GTS in Australia and the value of the GTS package.

Although if I add all the extra aesthetic GTS upgrades like tinted lights, alcantara roof, black tailpipes, GT alcantara sport wheel, black badges/stickers and sport design package to the S then the GTS still comes out as an extra ~ $4000US which is closer but I don't think we are getting the value that you guys are getting in the US.

We are definitely paying a premium for the GTS privilege but maybe it should be like that. :|

 

[Chris NZ]

I'm in NZ and agree that the GTS makes very little sense here, even more so with the recent MY19 changes (note the GTS didn't come down by the value of the Carrera S wheels and Sports Exhaust even though they were included on MY18, whereas the prices for the S didn't increase when these were made standard for MY19).

I have done numerous configurations of the base, S and GTS and the S configurations always hit the sweet spot for me. Whereas many of my choices for the GTS configurations are to delete options that I don't like (for eg. Alcantara) - my biggest bugbear of all being the black Carrera S wheels, which you cannot change to the silver version, you have to spec different wheels altogether.

You can't really compare the GTS models to AMG, RS or M cars (think GT and GT RS as the Porsche equivalent high performance versions). Think of the GTS more as an M-Sport or S-Line car with all the option boxes ticked.

The one place where it will potentially have an advantage over the S is that as it has many options as standard it should tend to hold it's resale value better than a similarly specified S model.

FWIW I plan to option an S pretty much up to GTS level and will personalise the interior and exterior exactly how I want it. Currently that has me pretty much landing at the base price of a GTS but with a load of options that I want and none that I don't.

 

[Third]

I'm in NZ and agree that the GTS makes very little sense here, even more so with the recent MY19 changes (note the GTS didn't come down by the value of the Carrera S wheels and Sports Exhaust even though they were included on MY18, whereas the prices for the S didn't increase when these were made standard for MY19).

I have done numerous configurations of the base, S and GTS and the S configurations always hit the sweet spot for me. Whereas many of my choices for the GTS configurations are to delete options that I don't like (for eg. Alcantara) - my biggest bugbear of all being the black Carrera S wheels, which you cannot change to the silver version, you have to spec different wheels altogether.

You can't really compare the GTS models to AMG, RS or M cars (think GT and GT RS as the Porsche equivalent high performance versions). Think of the GTS more as an M-Sport or S-Line car with all the option boxes ticked.

The one place where it will potentially have an advantage over the S is that as it has many options as standard it should tend to hold it's resale value better than a similarly specified S model.

FWIW I plan to option an S pretty much up to GTS level and will personalise the interior and exterior exactly how I want it. Currently that has my pretty much landing at the base price of a GTS but with a load of options that I want and none that I don't.

FWIW, I ended up at the same place as Chris NZ. I optioned an S with exactly what I wanted rather than accepting or deleting GTS package items or styling I didn't want.

 

[GregW]

Honestly, either would do.

The performance of even the base model is such that you can get to highly illegal speeds remarkably quickly. 300 hp in a 1300 kilo car gives amazing performance--when measured the performance exceeds Porsche's numbers. Driving it in the hills all around Adelaide is a blast.

IMO unless you are going to track the car then the performance options should be seen as just that--options. Remember also that the gov't takes a big $ cut of options due to the luxury car tax.

I went for a base Boxster with the multi-function wheel and PDK as the only options. The Australian cars have a lot of 'standards' that are options elsewhere. In 2017 the PDK saved me $3500 in tax due to the increased economy.

 

[Baka1969]

I'm not a fan of the GTS. I think the only thing I'd want and actually pay for is the Sport Chrono Package. I'd rather have the S with the options I want instead of the options they tell me. Plus, I'd still have to add more than $10k worth of options to the GTS.

As for the 15 hp? A tune will get you well past the 365 hp and for only about $2,000.

The upcoming GT4 will likely be well worth the premium Porsche charges. Especially if they go beyond 400hp. With or without a flat 6. ****, if I had the money and opportunity, I'd even get a stripper GT4 to try to save a few bucks. Oh well, I can dream.

 

[UKGTS]

I have a GTS so won't comment on which to choose for you. Colour and spec is personal preference. What you want for a car doesn't sound like a GTS. The S is a wonderful car which you will love.

But one thing I will pick you up on. Comparing an AMG, M or RS to a GT3 let alone an RS is curious... (I've been lucky enough to own a GTS, AMG and an M)

Comparing a GTS to an S-Line nearly had me fall off my chair.

 

[FiscNad]

Thanks for all your replies and help.

I was initially focusing on the GTS car B or C for its performance options, hence PTV, Chrono and SPASM, but then I started thinking that really the S car A focusing on all the performance options would perform just as well but at a significant saving.

It is a shame there is not a little more differentiation of the GTS from the S in terms of performance like even more horse power and bigger brakes, not that it needs it, but it would make the decision process easier as most of the upgrades to me are cosmetic, at least over my optioned up S car. Unlike AMG, RS and M cars where you are getting a seriously improved piece of kit over their lower models.

Though I guess the point is most people probably don't performance option their S or base up to the level of a GTS so the differentiation is arguably there by practicality.

I think over here what has happened is the recent standard inclusion of 20" wheels and sports exhaust in the S (worth ~ $4000US) has reduced the price gap between the S and GTS in Australia and the value of the GTS package.


Although if I add all the extra aesthetic GTS upgrades like tinted lights, alcantara roof, black tailpipes, GT alcantara sport wheel, black badges/stickers and sport design package to the S then the GTS still comes out as an extra ~ $4000US which is closer but I don't think we are getting the value that you guys are getting in the US.

We are definitely paying a premium for the GTS privilege but maybe it should be like that. :|

I had the same dilemma and I opted for the GTS. I absolutely wanted the options that enhance driving and leather interior. On the configurator, I started with an S and added PTV, SPASM, PSE (it was an option on th S last year), 20 inches wheels, Sport Chrono, Sport-Tex seats with leather interior and other options that were not included in the GTS. Then I started with a GTS and added the missing options that I wanted on an S. the price difference was less than 2%. And the GTS came with other nice equipment that you would have to order on the S (front facia, black accents, etc.), but that I wouldn't have ordered. They were just a nice bonus.


I am pretty sure that I wouldn't notice the performance difference.


I live in Canada and I shopped for a used 2015. I saw an S and a GTS that did cost the same in 2015 (around 105K$). In 2018 the S got sold for 72K$ and the GTS got sold for 92K$

So for me, it was because of the resale value that I chose the GTS. But it could be different from a country to another (options and resale value).

 

[OldJedi]

I bought the GTS after spending hundreds of hours on the configerator. When I made an exact option to option comparison between the two, the GTS was less money. Plus I wanted the Alcantera seat inserts along with the other Alcantera interior pieces. I did not get the GTS interior and the $5800.00 option was used for other options like LED headlights, White Gauges and Platinum Wheels.

Either the S or GTS will make for a great first Porsche!

 

[timlaw]

no wrong choices here - all 3 options will be great

the configurator is an evil device - luring you to waste hours of your life and then much more currency than you had really intended to spend - great fun though

I went for a CGTS as I ended up speccing my S up to a level that cost nearly the same as an S - and I "lucked" into a 6 month old car with 2500 miles at an OPC 10 miles away from home in almost exactly my ideal spec - I decided I was just meant to have a CGTS

 

[rdmustang]

Here Car B ends up being a $15k US premium on Car A so I'm not sure if it is a sane decision :|

There are no "sane" decisions when buying a Porsche. It's either insane or totally nuts

 

[Wine.O]

There are no "sane" decisions when buying a Porsche. It's either insane or totally nuts

Haha! My favorite quote from my SA as I was choosing options. When I added the white gauges my GF asked if I really needed them. He chimed in with, "Look around.. we don't sell 'need' here."

 

[don]

So just to update, based on the last two comments I went totally insane and placed a deposit on the most expensive Option B.

I will end up with a 718 GTS in GT Silver, options equiv to your premium plus package in addition to electric side mirrors, GTS interior package in carmine red, PDK, and SPASM.

Our GTS cars also come standard with Park Assist, Connect Plus an PCM. I stopped myself at the carbon illuminated door sills.

I still think in our market the S with all the performance options is the best value but I decided I did like all the aesthetic options on the GTS like the black tinting on the lights and the alcantara roof. My current car which was also an insane purchase at the time has similar individualized options being an "RS" model so for me it seemed like a comparable transition.

Now it is just the long wait.

Thanks every one for their comments and I hope the thread can help other people decide on what to get.

Of course there was also an Option D car which is a base 718 which is even better value for those on a budget. Some people say that is the car to get.