981 Boxster S vs GTS

[TBKBABAB]

I Intend to buy a 981 Boxster in the next couple of months, it will be replacing an MX5 ND and a Caterham and intention is for it be a keeper.

Will be very picky on specs, manual only, must haves Sport Chrono, pasm, pcm, heated seats and a/c, will want pse but prepared to retrofit if I have to. Manual only limits the supply and at the moment only seems to be one S available which fits, this is a private sale out of warranty
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

This car is just about in budget as aim was to spend what I get for the MX and Caterham although felt it was bit over priced.

I had dismissed a GTS as they all seemed way over budget 50k plus from an OPC although seeing a few non OPC cars now at 45-47k but seems a much larger number of manuals available with the right spec.

As intention is for this to be a keeper now wondering if I should consider stretching the budget but would be interested in opinions from anyone who has owned both an S and GTS whether they felt the GTS was worth the premium which seems to be about 8k for similar age and mileage car at the moment.

[Theone8181]

What does sports chronological give you with a manual?

[Twinfan]

It gives you the dynamic engine mounts and Sport+ mode, plus the clock on the dash. PDK gets launch control too.

As several of the options you're looking for are standard on the GTS, and you're looking for a keeper, I'd seriously consider the GTS. I think it may hold its value better than an S if you ever need to sell. It depends how much you value the different bumpers, the alcantara interior and slight power bump over an S, and the options package.

[TBKBABAB]

[quote=Twinfan]It gives you the dynamic engine mounts and Sport+ mode, plus the clock on the dash. PDK gets launch control too.

As several of the options you're looking for are standard on the GTS, and you're looking for a keeper, I'd seriously consider the GTS. I think it may hold its value better than an S if you ever need to sell. It depends how much you value the different bumpers, the alcantara interior and slight power bump over an S, and the options package.[/quote

Definitely easier to find a GTS with right spec, future value not most important as likely to be a keeper but it helps and useful to persuade SWMBO although she likely to say she has heard that one before. Not that worried about the different exterior styling but I do like the Alcantara, had a cayman R And liked it on that and think the addition of full leather dash lifts the whole interior. Not sure the small bump in power makes that much difference although Owners opinions appreciated on this.
Most of the reviews I’ve read seem to say that pse is better on the GTS than the S as well, I like to be able to hear my cars.

[mactrack]

I've just got back from a very long, but very rewarding day, after collecting my first Porsche a 981 Cayman GTS. I was prepared to consider the right Boxster GTS though. Mine is PDK and there's definitely less choice of manuals. If you're prepared to stretch your budget, as I ended doing too, I would be looking at this one;

https://www.jzmporsche.com/used-vehicle-details/Po...

It was £60K not long ago but £56K might work for you.

[kilarney]

GTS manual all day long. Im in a S but 987 Gen and normally buy a GTS my last one a 997 manual. They are rarer and more sought after and this wont change in the medium to long term, each generation there are more GTS so this wont hold for later stuff imo.

[kilarney]

GTS manual all day long. Im in a S but 987 Gen and normally buy a GTS my last one a 997 manual. They are rarer and more sought after and this wont change in the medium to long term, each generation there are more GTS so this wont hold for later stuff imo.

[StevenRugg]

TBKBABAB said:

would be interested in opinions from anyone who has owned both an S and GTS whether they felt the GTS was worth the premium

A couple of years ago I was looking at a 981 Cayman S and had the same thoughts as you, that maybe the GTS was really what I wanted, but due to the price difference and either being a bit of a leap in what I'd ever spent on a car before, I eventually went for the S. Loved it so much that after 18 months I traded it in and now have a 981 Cayman GTS, and spent a considerable amount on that upgrade, but don't regret it at all. There's nothing else on the market for remotely similar money I'd rather be in.

So I'd definitely say if you can afford it and you think you'll end up wanting to keep the car a while, go for it.

It's hard to say exactly why the GTS is worth the premium other than everything feels a little better. Some of it might be a placebo effect, and some of it might be down to options; but the throttle feels a little more eager, the steering somehow feels a tiny bit better, the noise is better (sports exhaust), I love the carbon fibre and alcantara interior, I prefer the GTS bumpers, etc. Just all round it feels like a more special package. Of course you can option a lot of it on to an S but that was my experience.

[Porsche911R]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I agree the pdk suits a 981 more and manual 987.2 more.

I would also hunt out x73 to make it feel more sporty.

But I hate gen 1 eps in the 981 cars which is a shame as great value. But so much so I could not own one unless it just a daily runner.

Maybe if you crave Manual you might find the 987.2 a more fun car and £20k less.

[JasonSteel]

StevenRugg said:

the noise is better (sports exhaust), I love the carbon fibre and alcantara interior, I prefer the GTS bumpers, etc

exactly. if you don't value these items then there's not much point stretching to the GTS, except possibly better residuals - though that remains to be seen and values have been dropping the last few months.

Porsche911R said:

I agree the pdk suits a 981 more and manual 987.2 more.

I would also hunt out x73 to make it feel more sporty.

But I hate gen 1 eps in the 981 cars which is a shame as great value. But so much so I could not own one unless it just a daily runner.

Maybe if you crave Manual you might find the 987.2 a more fun car and £20k less.

manual for me, all day long. recently had a PDK 718 for a few days while mine was in for service and confirmed that for me PDK is a bit boring. that said, i also attended a Porsche demo where i got to drive a 718 around a short track and preferred the PDK on track as i could focus better on learning the track. whether i'd still prefer PDK after getting used to the track i don't know.

re suspension, i agree x73 feels much more planted. the PASM in the loan car, whether in normal or sport mode felt a bit loose in comparison. i also thought that the sport seats are not as comfy, involving, dramatic, or as cool as buckets.

i also agree the steering in the 981 could be better. didn't think i would notice as much but the 718 is significantly better in this area - quicker, sharper and more accurate.

[Twinfan]

I personally think PASM is a better all round option than X73, but if you want a more intense option all of the time then it's worth hunting out.

I have a manual GTS and the gearing is indeed long but I'd rather have it than PDK any day of the week.

No car is perfect, you have to choose which factors are most important to you and accept compromises in other areas. For me, the GTS is all about the alcantara, exterior styling and GTS branding along with top-of-the-line status (GT cars excepted).

[Milnsey]

Watch Steve Sutcliffe’s video review of the GTS from a few years ago.
That should help you decide

[Twinfan]

TBKBABAB said:

Most of the reviews I’ve read seem to say that pse is better on the GTS than the S as well, I like to be able to hear my cars.

While the exhaust is physically the same, the GTS mapping gives more pops, crackles and burbles. They seem to be a bit marmite, but if you like more of an event from your back end (as it were!) you'll love them.

Find the Evo video of the Boxster GTS on Majorca(?) on YouTube to hear it demonstrated brilliantly.

[TBKBABAB]

kilarney said:

GTS manual all day long. Im in a S but 987 Gen and normally buy a GTS my last one a 997 manual. They are rarer and more sought after and this wont change in the medium to long term, each generation there are more GTS so this wont hold for later stuff imo.

Thanks but don’t think Peridot is for me

[TBKBABAB]

Thanks for the replies,

Firstly 100% manual only, ive driven various PDK cars including a Cayman 981 and owned a Macan where manual isn’t an option and in a sports car I will only have manual.

I just don’t like the look of the 987 Boxster, did consider maybe another Cayman R as it is the car I most regretted selling but It’s replacing 2 open cars and want to keep that option.

Wouldn’t be averse to an x73 car but not sure I would wait for one to come available.

I actual watched both the Evo and Autocar reviews again yesterday after starting to think maybe I shouldn’t rule out a GTS and they pushed me further that way.

The soundtrack has always been quite important to me, the Caterham is loud and also
quite active on the overrun and had a BBR exhaust fitted to my MX5 by the dealer when I
bought it.

Think I need to drive a GTS and ideally an S but difficult to find an S with the right spec to drive.

[TBKBABAB]

Porsche911R said:

But I hate gen 1 eps in the 981 cars which is a shame as great value. But so much so I could not own one unless it just a daily runner.

I’ve seen you say the same thing on other threads but guess all 981s have the same steering except the Spyder and GT4?

Think it’s extremely difficult to find a new or nearly new car at sensible money with steering that gives you 100% the same feel as hydraulic, on my MX5 it’s lighter than would ideally prefer, the exception of course is the Caterham which has no assistance at all so you get 100% direct feedback but I enjoyed them both in their different ways.

[JamesBGTS]

TBKBABAB said:

Thanks for the replies,

Firstly 100% manual only, ive driven various PDK cars including a Cayman 981 and owned a Macan where manual isn’t an option and in a sports car I will only have manual.

I just don’t like the look of the 987 Boxster, did consider maybe another Cayman R as it is the car I most regretted selling but It’s replacing 2 open cars and want to keep that option.

Wouldn’t be averse to an x73 car but not sure I would wait for one to come available.

I actual watched both the Evo and Autocar reviews again yesterday after starting to think maybe I shouldn’t rule out a GTS and they pushed me further that way.

The soundtrack has always been quite important to me, the Caterham is loud and also
quite active on the overrun and had a BBR exhaust fitted to my MX5 by the dealer when I
bought it.

Think I need to drive a GTS and ideally an S but difficult to find an S with the right spec to drive.

I currently have a 981 Boxster GTS (manual) which replaced a 981 Boxster S PDK.

Would definitely agree with you about GTS over S, and manual over PDK. You will adore the GTS manual, and the residuals will be great. Rarer car, and more likely to get the spec you are looking for.

I am currently selling my GTS to get a Spyder and am amazed by how much the GTS is worth after 45,000 incredibly pleasurable and trouble-free miles.

[Porsche911R]

TBKBABAB said:

I’ve seen you say the same thing on other threads but guess all 981s have the same steering except the Spyder and GT4?

Think it’s extremely difficult to find a new or nearly new car at sensible money with steering that gives you 100% the same feel as hydraulic, on my MX5 it’s lighter than would ideally prefer, the exception of course is the Caterham which has no assistance at all so you get 100% direct feedback but I enjoyed them both in their different ways.

As I said don’t buy a new car then, but newer cars ie gen 2 and 3 eps is far better.
981 is Gen one and sadly feels it, ruins the whole car for me and really no better in the 981 Spyder bar it has a faster rack. GT4 is passabl, def had work from the GTdept. But lacks feel in the wet.

The new GT3 eps works very well but they have had 5 years at tweaking now.

When you go tech newer is better most of the time.

[TBKBABAB]

JamesBGTS said:

I currently have a 981 Boxster GTS (manual) which replaced a 981 Boxster S PDK.

Would definitely agree with you about GTS over S, and manual over PDK. You will adore the GTS manual, and the residuals will be great. Rarer car, and more likely to get the spec you are looking for.

I am currently selling my GTS to get a Spyder and am amazed by how much the GTS is worth after 45,000 incredibly pleasurable and trouble-free miles.

Hi James is yours the white one with buckets?

If it wasn’t for the buckets I would be interested in that one, had buckets in my Cayman R and
although loved them as seats they were a real pain to get in and out of especially in the garage or if you were parked next to another car.

[TBKBABAB]

Porsche911R said:

As I said don’t buy a new car then, but newer cars ie gen 2 and 3 eps is far better.
981 is Gen one and sadly feels it, ruins the whole car for me and really no better in the 981 Spyder bar it has a faster rack. GT4 is passabl, def had work from the GTdept. But lacks feel in the wet.

The new GT3 eps works very well but they have had 5 years at tweaking now.

When you go tech newer is better most of the time.

Not really relevant to my original question then, did you own a 981 Boxster?