is the 981 GTS worth it over the S
Discussion
First thing, what are your thought re depreciation of the GTS vs S?
Is this car worth 10k more that this car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103300...
Is this car worth 10k more that this car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103300...
Its an exponential cost for a small gain. There’s no ‘better’. I’ve got a 981 Spyder that was £20k more again from that GTS. Was it ‘worth’ it? Not objectively. But to me, yes. Same might apply to GTS over the S. No on road performance to speak of but it will feel a bit more special than the S. Thats about it. If that’s worth it for you, do it.
Had that dilemma when I had a 997. The GTS felt more special but was a good deal more. No real ‘gain’ to speak of.
Had that dilemma when I had a 997. The GTS felt more special but was a good deal more. No real ‘gain’ to speak of.
With those two adverts, there is also a 2x mileage difference and approx 18 month age gap to affect prices.
I also had this Q when I started looking end of last year. The alcantara interiors of most GTS models was a block for me. Plus, a well-specified S is a really close mechanical package.
I found a nicely considered full duo-tone leather 2015 Boxster S and don’t regret it in the slightest. But there’s likely always going to be a percentage price difference, so you’ll get more back for a GTS. Neither are bad choices, just personal ones.
I also had this Q when I started looking end of last year. The alcantara interiors of most GTS models was a block for me. Plus, a well-specified S is a really close mechanical package.
I found a nicely considered full duo-tone leather 2015 Boxster S and don’t regret it in the slightest. But there’s likely always going to be a percentage price difference, so you’ll get more back for a GTS. Neither are bad choices, just personal ones.
Last summer it certainly wasn’t worth the extra to me - the difference between a well-specced S (PASM/PSE/SC/PTV) was anywhere from 16-20k...
Now that gap seems to have narrowed a bit which may tempt you, but it’s still a fair hike for very little, IMO. I just don’t see value for the money, but it’s not all about that, I know. The extra smidge of BHP can be mapped into the S. I’d be tempted to wait until the right spec S comes up and do that, personally.
What may be worth considering is if you want a manual, they’re particularly rare on the S whereas GTS classifieds show a good few.
ETA all my spiel above was referring to the Cayman world, not sure how the Boxter has differed..
Now that gap seems to have narrowed a bit which may tempt you, but it’s still a fair hike for very little, IMO. I just don’t see value for the money, but it’s not all about that, I know. The extra smidge of BHP can be mapped into the S. I’d be tempted to wait until the right spec S comes up and do that, personally.
What may be worth considering is if you want a manual, they’re particularly rare on the S whereas GTS classifieds show a good few.
ETA all my spiel above was referring to the Cayman world, not sure how the Boxter has differed..
Edited by Royal Jelly on Sunday 2nd May 06:50
hadn't looked at GTS prices in a while... seems to be quite a broad range of prices for what appear to be very similar cars?
to the OP, whether or not the GTS "premium" is worth it depends on whether you value the differences between the GTS and the S, or base.
if you don't like buckets, X73, alcantara and can't see the sport design body differences then there's no reason to spend more for the GTS.
one of the posters above says that alcantara was a no-no, so that ruled out the GTS (or most of them). for me alcantara was a must have, as were X73, buckets and updated styling, so i went for the GTS and have been enjoying the car for more than 4 years now.
there are reports the GTS steering is better than that on the very early 981 models, so that might be worth looking into.
edit: didn't realise the OP is looking at the Boxster, not the Cayman, but i would think most of the above still applies.
to the OP, whether or not the GTS "premium" is worth it depends on whether you value the differences between the GTS and the S, or base.
if you don't like buckets, X73, alcantara and can't see the sport design body differences then there's no reason to spend more for the GTS.
one of the posters above says that alcantara was a no-no, so that ruled out the GTS (or most of them). for me alcantara was a must have, as were X73, buckets and updated styling, so i went for the GTS and have been enjoying the car for more than 4 years now.
there are reports the GTS steering is better than that on the very early 981 models, so that might be worth looking into.
edit: didn't realise the OP is looking at the Boxster, not the Cayman, but i would think most of the above still applies.
Edited by JasonSteel on Sunday 2nd May 11:14
Objectively, when you add up the small differences and small improvements, no.
But since when is a Porsche purchase objective and sensible?
I’ve had 2 981 GTS models. As long as they’re optioned properly (gts interior etc), they are fantastic.
As ever, with Porsche, the small improvements are way more than the sum of their parts.
[cliche]An S is fine until you are joined at the lights by a GTS[/cliche]
But since when is a Porsche purchase objective and sensible?
I’ve had 2 981 GTS models. As long as they’re optioned properly (gts interior etc), they are fantastic.
As ever, with Porsche, the small improvements are way more than the sum of their parts.
[cliche]An S is fine until you are joined at the lights by a GTS[/cliche]
CloudStuff said:
Objectively, when you add up the small differences and small improvements, no.
But since when is a Porsche purchase objective and sensible?
I’ve had 2 981 GTS models. As long as they’re optioned properly (gts interior etc), they are fantastic.
As ever, with Porsche, the small improvements are way more than the sum of their parts.
[cliche]An S is fine until you are joined at the lights by a GTS[/cliche]
what options should I be looking atBut since when is a Porsche purchase objective and sensible?
I’ve had 2 981 GTS models. As long as they’re optioned properly (gts interior etc), they are fantastic.
As ever, with Porsche, the small improvements are way more than the sum of their parts.
[cliche]An S is fine until you are joined at the lights by a GTS[/cliche]
Petrolhead said:
If a GTS doesn't have PASM it means it has X73 (don't think you could have passive non-X73 suspension) - if you look at the side profile you'll see it appears to have a lower ride height (because the ride height is lower) than non-X73 or PASM Caysters.As for whether a GTS is worth it over the S - it depends on if you value all of the options that come as standard on the GTS that would otherwise have to be individually specced on an S. An identically specced S (PASM/Sport Chrono/PSE/Xenons/leather dash and doors/Sports Seats Plus/GTS bodykit/20" wheels/Paddle shift steering wheel and possibly more?) is close to impossible to find. And even then, you couldn't get the (nominal) power upgrade on the S and it was rare to see the GTS Sport Design bodykit specced on an S (by that point a new S was more expensive to buy new than a GTS). I am also not sure if the PSE on an S delivers the same noise as on the GTS.
Long story short - if you like and want all the options that are standard on the GTS, are happy to forego the exterior styling, nominal power increase and (most crucially) have the patience and luck to find a highly-specced S, get the S as it will be cheaper - partly/largely because they'll be older from before the GTS was launched.
As above, that’s got the X73 suspension option, no PASM, lowered and slightly stiffer than standard.
Mine has this option & I think it transforms the car. Even with Sports Chrono + mode on, it’s not too harsh at all and once up to speed on country lanes, it handles brilliantly.
They’re superb machines & coming from a long line of what would be considered to be propers ‘drivers’ cars, I think the GTS is right up there in the entertainment stakes.
More than a sum of its parts. Definitely worth the extra over an ‘S’ in my opinion.
A proper Porsche...
Mine has this option & I think it transforms the car. Even with Sports Chrono + mode on, it’s not too harsh at all and once up to speed on country lanes, it handles brilliantly.
They’re superb machines & coming from a long line of what would be considered to be propers ‘drivers’ cars, I think the GTS is right up there in the entertainment stakes.
More than a sum of its parts. Definitely worth the extra over an ‘S’ in my opinion.
A proper Porsche...
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