[gbsjake]

First: I am a man, I know it is my choice. But, I am curious to hear from anyone their opinion on why to buy 718 S/GTS over the 981 S/GTS. Especially those of you who came from a 981 and what your experience is with 718 over the 981. Pros/Cons etc. I drove a pre-owned 781 S last week, as of yet not a 981. Stupid dealer road shot gun and talked my ear off, could not enjoy it, though it was a fine ride. First world problem here: I am flummoxed daily, back and forth with one to get. Your input is highly valued and yes I know this has been discussed to death. Humor me. Please.


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Owner of '17 BMW M2

 

[YellowChicken]

I owned a wonderful red 981 Boxster S extremely well-equipped. I now own a yellow 718 cayman S, without sport chrono, damned! I had the feeling the 981S was a little beast (mostly thanks to the exceptionally good sound). I now own an actual little monster that is really fast. My view...

 

[gbsjake]

I owned a wonderful red 981 Boxster S extremely well-equipped. I now own a yellow 718 cayman S, without sport chrono, damned! I had the feeling the 981S was a little beast (mostly thanks to the exceptionally good sound). I now own an actual little monster that is really fast. My view...

So...... That's one vote for the 718

 

[Third]

First: I am a man, I know it is my choice. But, I am curious to hear from anyone their opinion on why to buy 718 S/GTS over the 981 S/GTS. Especially those of you who came from a 981 and what your experience is with 718 over the 981. Pros/Cons etc. I drove a pre-owned 781 S last week, as of yet not a 981. Stupid dealer road shot gun and talked my ear off, could not enjoy it, though it was a fine ride. First world problem here: I am flummoxed daily, back and forth with one to get. Your input is highly valued and yes I know this has been discussed to death. Humor me. Please.


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Owner of '17 BMW M2

If it were me, I'd first ask myself how highly do I prize low end torque. If it's at or near the top of my list of wishes (eg, based on the type of driving I do) then I'd focus on a 718. On the other hand, if I was somewhat indifferent to the low-end torque advantage in the 718, I'd let the comparative value of the specific deals guide me. That is, I'd go with the car that offered the most bang for the buck based on option lists, price, and remaining warranty (if any.) It's likely this tradeoff would point to a 981 for comparably equipped cars. By the way, I've owned both and would be happy to buy either again.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other.... The GTS 981 is a great car, I was in your position in deciding on a 16 GTS or a 17 S. Get the one makes the hairs stand up on your neck!

After much debate, double and triple checking, asking everyone I knew and finally sitting down with the service manager at my local porsche dealer (not where I bought my car from) where he gave me his unbiased opinion. He explained that in his Porsche career of 30+ years, countless Porsche track day training events and real world experiences... The 718 S was superior in every way and will run circles around the previous generation GTS. That was my nail in the coffin for me and I settled on the 718. Sometimes I look at that 16 GTS (still for sale a year later) and wonder if I made the right choice? But... it's STILL for sale! That has to be an indication of something?

 

[gbsjake]

6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other.... The GTS 981 is a great car, I was in your position in deciding on a 16 GTS or a 17 S. Get the one makes the hairs stand up on your neck!

After much debate, double and triple checking, asking everyone I knew and finally sitting down with the service manager at my local porsche dealer (not where I bought my car from) where he gave me his unbiased opinion. He explained that in his Porsche career of 30+ years, countless Porsche track day training events and real world experiences... The 718 S was superior in every way and will run circles around the previous generation GTS. That was my nail in the coffin for me and I settled on the 718. Sometimes I look at that 16 GTS (still for sale a year later) and wonder if I made the right choice? But... it's STILL for sale! That has to be an indication of something?

That was an awesome response. Thanks 59/41 split towards the 718. The exhaust of the 981 is just unbelievable. But i was pleasantly pleased by the 718 tone. Wasn't bad at all. I liked it.

 

[Third]

6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other.... The GTS 981 is a great car, I was in your position in deciding on a 16 GTS or a 17 S. Get the one makes the hairs stand up on your neck!

After much debate, double and triple checking, asking everyone I knew and finally sitting down with the service manager at my local porsche dealer (not where I bought my car from) where he gave me his unbiased opinion. He explained that in his Porsche career of 30+ years, countless Porsche track day training events and real world experiences... The 718 S was superior in every way and will run circles around the previous generation GTS. That was my nail in the coffin for me and I settled on the 718. Sometimes I look at that 16 GTS (still for sale a year later) and wonder if I made the right choice? But... it's STILL for sale! That has to be an indication of something?

I'm sure I agree, but... Picking back up with "if it were me," I would have to admit that I'm probably not skilled enough to run circles in car one around the other, so I'd be back to choosing between low-end torque (missing from the 981) or the deal that offers the best value.

 

[Third]

That was an awesome response. Thanks 59/41 split towards the 718. The exhaust of the 981 is just unbelievable. But i was pleasantly pleased by the 718 tone. Wasn't bad at all. I liked it.

I agree with your comment about the 718's exhaust note, but since it always seems such a sensitive subject, I tend to keep it to myself.

 

[DriveInHouston]

I walked away from a MY16 911 Carrera 4. Same price, same mileage, non CPO (not that it mattered for a 911). The performance difference over the NA6 in the low end is astounding. I came from a NA V8 Mustang GT and I knew that for a daily driver you need the low end torque. At 6k rpm the NA6 is a beast that will lead you to the judge in short order... all the while trying to catch up with the F4T...

Is there a question for the new 911 Carrera Twin Turbo? Porsche is sticking to the NA6 in the GT3 for homologation reasons. Once they eclipse, twin turbo they will be...

 

[718Niko]

When I was browsing for A Porsche, I of course considered a 981.
A few things made me lean toward the 718.

• I prefer the way the 718 look.
• Daily driving so a better fuel economie is a + for the 718.
• The warranty coming with a new car.
• picking all the options I wanted.

To me in that particular case performence was not really in question between the two, because even if the 718 is objectively better in that area, the 981 is still a frikin great Porsche sport car with lot of fun to be had.

.... For most people the low end torque diference, as said above, might be a lot more relevant : )

Cant go wrong with either I d say.

glad I could help.

 

[Luke718]

I owned a wonderful red 981 Boxster S extremely well-equipped. I now own a yellow 718 cayman S, without sport chrono, damned! I had the feeling the 981S was a little beast (mostly thanks to the exceptionally good sound). I now own an actual little monster that is really fast. My view...

Is your little flag Blue yellow and red or blue with and red?

 

[Luke718]

Flat 4 all day - 718 CGTS here. The torque is a major difference. Unless you want to drive around in 2nd gear at 5K rpm all day.

 

[jimmuller]

I've never driven the 6 but yow the 718's F4 has some serious punch. Also the styling is better, IMO. It's a personal thing but I really like the air scoop on the 718. Never liked the higher small scoop.

 

[2018c718gts]

I wanted the faster, better handling, superior steering feel of the 718. Hence my decision.

 

[Mrrippry]

I test drove a 718BS and a 981BS back to back. I got the 718BS for a few reasons:
1. It usually best to get the newest car you can get. 2017 with 14 miles vs 2016 with 46k miles.
2. Everyone talk about the sound and they are right, the 981 does sound better than the 718 especially in the beginning. Now that I have 40k miles (and no PSE), I’m actually enjoying the sound.
3.Both handle like beasts but I felt like the 718 was on rails.Much more planted, and I don’t have PASM either.
4. 718BS looks better than 981BS
5. 718BS is more rare

At the end, it is your choice. I have no regrets. There are only two cars I would trade mine for are either 911 Targa or a 718 Spyder.

 

[Snrubel]

Let’s be objective here... The 718:

1) is newer
2) looks better
3) handles better
4) has upgraded mechanicals across the board
5) feels, and is, much more powerful. Can tear rear end loose at low speeds very easily.
6) has more interesting/unique exhaust sounds. Get ready for bystanders to be impressed.

If we’re saying more cylinders is cooler for some reason other than more power, then that certainly starts at eight cylinders, not six, and really probably starts at no less than ten. Would you want a six cylinder Ferrari?

 

[Semitone]

Would you want a six cylinder Ferrari?

You mean like some fake Ferrari? Like a Dino? Yeah, I could live with that. LOL

 

[DJB]

I just went through the same exercise recently and landed on a 2017 S with Sport Chrono and am happy with the purchase for these reasons.

-Performance, I plan to autocross and track it.
-Styling (subjective)
-Interior(subjective)
-Driveability around town
-Newer car with a significant amount of warranty left. (this is a big deal for most)

Most will say the 718 is a better car in pretty much all areas but sound. With that said, I have heard nothing but good things about the 981 cars.

Personally I love torque.... Another thing to keep in mind is the 981 cars need to be wound out in order to make power, and with that, you will be making that glorious noise any time you want that forward thrust... that is good and bad. You will be bringing attention to yourself every time you want the car to have some fun. I drive a winding country road several days a week when going to work. There are enough houses that over a few weeks of doing that, some may be calling the police and soon enough it could turn into a problem.

The 718 gives you that fun thrust almost always with little drama from 2000-4000 rpm. So just leaving a light, or after turning onto a street with a bit of right pedal and its a hoot without bringing attention to yourself. Turn off the PSE and there is even less drama. You can still let her rip up to 7500 RPM any time its appropriate, but its not needed to have fun in the 718.

Im not discounting the sweet song of the 981 cars, its emotion stirring for sure and if that is more import, find a good car and go for it! For me, the other benefits outweighed the sound.

 

[DJB]

You mean like some fake Ferrari? Like a Dino? Yeah, I could live with that. LOL

Those fake Ferrari's are bumping a quarter mil for a nice one!

 

[gcX]

I came from a 981CGTS, I now own a 718CGTS. I miss the N/A engine, both the instant response and soundtrack. However, everything else about the 718 is superior, aesthetics and otherwise. It's still a tough trade-off but in the end I prefer the 718. Good luck with your decision.

edit: the only other car I still ponder about is the 991 GT3... maybe next year

2nd edit: Aside from the exhaust note and throttle response, I literally can't think of any other reason I'd prefer my older GTS to the beauty parked downstairs. So, I feel it really boils down to your engine preference.