981 Boxster GTS…am I going mad?
Discussion
squirdan said:
where does that leave me...if I'm honest I suspect a 4.0 BGTS is the sweetspot for me... so I dont rule out that being next, but there were too few about (and none in colours / spec I wanted), also £10-15k more wonga
Great to read your comments, I'd be interested to hear how you find the PSE on each, my mate has a 981 Spyder and the exhaust noise is fantastic, how do you think it compares to the GTS which I understand is brilliant to. I'm surprised you are heading for a 718 4ltr, I haven't driven one but I'm led to believe all post 2019 cars have their exhaust noise suppressed by added particulate filters which make them sound quite bland compared to a 981. Also on the BGTS 4ltr why not consider a 25th Anniversary one, due to their limited numbers I'm sure they will retain more value over the standard GTS. How many owners had your GTS had before you....?
Edited by Spevs on Thursday 6th October 03:05
Edited by Spevs on Thursday 6th October 03:18
squirdan said:
not really driven the Spyder in anger yet, however
no question that a PDK GTS is a better, easier day to day car...and also I would say far better value
I did 4k miles in mine in over the summer through Scotland, in UK and then to SW France and back, and I cant think of a scenario that it wasnt great in. Really good cars, and in my opinion ample performance on the road.
However, I dont drive it daily and I dont need it as "transport" so I wanted something a bit more special (with a nod to residuals and rare Porsches are usually a good starting point). Whether its an actual thing or just in my head, the Spyder just feels a bit special, and the manual shift is one of the best I've had (over 40 cars). So snickety and precise. I really like the smaller wheel and faster rack as well
Every journey is a mini event and the PITA bits (roof, carbon buckets, fewer gadgets) kind of add to that... but I would def think different if I drove it every day. GTS with heated buckets, radar cruise, Bose etc really was a do everything car.
So... Spyder is a GTS plus maybe 15% , and probably 15% less useful as a vehicle. But I've paid plus 50% for the privilege. Not rational really but that said I dont see it going down much / ever? as an NA analogue 3.8 flat six manual that they made c. 250 of RHD. Love the shape and in grey its not shouty at all yet the shape is still special. Residuals are v strong so you can do PCP alike low monthlies
where does that leave me...if I'm honest I suspect a 4.0 BGTS is the sweetspot for me... so I dont rule out that being next, but there were too few about (and none in colours / spec I wanted), also £10-15k more wonga
Great summary Dan, spot on. no question that a PDK GTS is a better, easier day to day car...and also I would say far better value
I did 4k miles in mine in over the summer through Scotland, in UK and then to SW France and back, and I cant think of a scenario that it wasnt great in. Really good cars, and in my opinion ample performance on the road.
However, I dont drive it daily and I dont need it as "transport" so I wanted something a bit more special (with a nod to residuals and rare Porsches are usually a good starting point). Whether its an actual thing or just in my head, the Spyder just feels a bit special, and the manual shift is one of the best I've had (over 40 cars). So snickety and precise. I really like the smaller wheel and faster rack as well
Every journey is a mini event and the PITA bits (roof, carbon buckets, fewer gadgets) kind of add to that... but I would def think different if I drove it every day. GTS with heated buckets, radar cruise, Bose etc really was a do everything car.
So... Spyder is a GTS plus maybe 15% , and probably 15% less useful as a vehicle. But I've paid plus 50% for the privilege. Not rational really but that said I dont see it going down much / ever? as an NA analogue 3.8 flat six manual that they made c. 250 of RHD. Love the shape and in grey its not shouty at all yet the shape is still special. Residuals are v strong so you can do PCP alike low monthlies
where does that leave me...if I'm honest I suspect a 4.0 BGTS is the sweetspot for me... so I dont rule out that being next, but there were too few about (and none in colours / spec I wanted), also £10-15k more wonga
hard to disagree about the looks, I had mine back in 2015 and at first when running the car in I really liked it,had a great feel, once I got to about 1500 miles and started using all the revs is when I found myself getting frustrated with the Spyder, the lack of zing at the top end of the revs combined with the crazy long gear ratios just took the spark out of it for me, from memory I sold the car before it reached 2,500 miles a year later. From memory I paid £68k and sold it to the trade for £78k they sold it within a day for £82k, not sure what it would be worth today but imagine would still be above new price.
It was that experience that lead me to a 981 GTS pdk and from the first drive straight away I found the characteristics of the 3.4 motor much more involving, not as quick as the 3.8 but certainly more eager to rev, combined with the pdk box I think it's a decent package certainly at the money they are in todays market. Mine doesn't get used a lot so I still get the sense of occasion feeling I did with the Spyder, I have quite a few other cars that I use but the Gts is the one that suits my needs for the longer weekend away drives, I have had it 8 months and must have covered 6,000 miles touring.
Both great cars and what suits one person won't suit another for sure. I still need to drive a 4.0 718,I had an order in for a new GTS which I cancelled but I must admit If i could get my hands on a yellow PDK Spyder I would be all over it.
It was that experience that lead me to a 981 GTS pdk and from the first drive straight away I found the characteristics of the 3.4 motor much more involving, not as quick as the 3.8 but certainly more eager to rev, combined with the pdk box I think it's a decent package certainly at the money they are in todays market. Mine doesn't get used a lot so I still get the sense of occasion feeling I did with the Spyder, I have quite a few other cars that I use but the Gts is the one that suits my needs for the longer weekend away drives, I have had it 8 months and must have covered 6,000 miles touring.
Both great cars and what suits one person won't suit another for sure. I still need to drive a 4.0 718,I had an order in for a new GTS which I cancelled but I must admit If i could get my hands on a yellow PDK Spyder I would be all over it.
squirdan said:
not really driven the Spyder in anger yet, however
no question that a PDK GTS is a better, easier day to day car...and also I would say far better value
I did 4k miles in mine in over the summer through Scotland, in UK and then to SW France and back, and I cant think of a scenario that it wasnt great in. Really good cars, and in my opinion ample performance on the road.
However, I dont drive it daily and I dont need it as "transport" so I wanted something a bit more special (with a nod to residuals and rare Porsches are usually a good starting point). Whether its an actual thing or just in my head, the Spyder just feels a bit special, and the manual shift is one of the best I've had (over 40 cars). So snickety and precise. I really like the smaller wheel and faster rack as well
Every journey is a mini event and the PITA bits (roof, carbon buckets, fewer gadgets) kind of add to that... but I would def think different if I drove it every day. GTS with heated buckets, radar cruise, Bose etc really was a do everything car.
So... Spyder is a GTS plus maybe 15% , and probably 15% less useful as a vehicle. But I've paid plus 50% for the privilege. Not rational really but that said I dont see it going down much / ever? as an NA analogue 3.8 flat six manual that they made c. 250 of RHD. Love the shape and in grey its not shouty at all yet the shape is still special. Residuals are v strong so you can do PCP alike low monthlies
where does that leave me...if I'm honest I suspect a 4.0 BGTS is the sweetspot for me... so I dont rule out that being next, but there were too few about (and none in colours / spec I wanted), also £10-15k more wonga
no question that a PDK GTS is a better, easier day to day car...and also I would say far better value
I did 4k miles in mine in over the summer through Scotland, in UK and then to SW France and back, and I cant think of a scenario that it wasnt great in. Really good cars, and in my opinion ample performance on the road.
However, I dont drive it daily and I dont need it as "transport" so I wanted something a bit more special (with a nod to residuals and rare Porsches are usually a good starting point). Whether its an actual thing or just in my head, the Spyder just feels a bit special, and the manual shift is one of the best I've had (over 40 cars). So snickety and precise. I really like the smaller wheel and faster rack as well
Every journey is a mini event and the PITA bits (roof, carbon buckets, fewer gadgets) kind of add to that... but I would def think different if I drove it every day. GTS with heated buckets, radar cruise, Bose etc really was a do everything car.
So... Spyder is a GTS plus maybe 15% , and probably 15% less useful as a vehicle. But I've paid plus 50% for the privilege. Not rational really but that said I dont see it going down much / ever? as an NA analogue 3.8 flat six manual that they made c. 250 of RHD. Love the shape and in grey its not shouty at all yet the shape is still special. Residuals are v strong so you can do PCP alike low monthlies
where does that leave me...if I'm honest I suspect a 4.0 BGTS is the sweetspot for me... so I dont rule out that being next, but there were too few about (and none in colours / spec I wanted), also £10-15k more wonga
Re the engine top end - not sure yet but agree the 3.4 did fly to the redline.
Re sound - the Spyder to me is better… deeper, more 911 a like, more layers to it. PSE on is almost too loud, I wish there was a way you could leave it off. Is there?? Sometimes people don’t realise it’s not just the button, it’s also what revs and throttle you are using that opens the valves.
Re 4.0 GTS - not driven one but I just suspect it hits the spot.
Re 25 year I don’t like the wheels or the gold bits or red interiors / hoods!
Anyway - I had a 996 GT3 a few years ago, Spyder feels as fast, goes Rd corners just as well, looks cooler, and gives roof off option. That’s a win for me (gt3 noise and savage top end rush the only bits it can’t match)
Nice pics again, you have a flair for that as your GTS ones were also striking
How many owners had your GTS had before you....?
I also agree about the gold wheels and red interior 25th Edition, although a black one with red roof can look nice.
How many owners had your GTS had before you....?
I also agree about the gold wheels and red interior 25th Edition, although a black one with red roof can look nice.
Edited by Spevs on Thursday 6th October 10:24
Spevs said:
Nice pics again, you have a flair for that as your GTS ones were also striking
How many owners had your GTS had before you....?
I also agree about the gold wheels and red interior 25th Edition, although a black one with red roof can look nice.
I was the 3rd owner….
How many owners had your GTS had before you....?
I also agree about the gold wheels and red interior 25th Edition, although a black one with red roof can look nice.
I was the 3rd owner….
Edited by Spevs on Thursday 6th October 10:24
TTmonkey said:
How many 981 GTS did Porsche sell, anyone know the number?
981 Boxster GTS - 378 cars registered with DVLA in total.83 Manual (9 black / 10 blue / 4 grey / 29 red / 13 silver / 16 white / 1 yellow / 1 green)
295 PDK (30 black / 33 blue / 1 brown / 2 gold / 23 grey / 70 red / 46 silver / 82 white / 8 yellow)
225 Spyders by comparison which were all manuals.
Total 981 Boxsters registered with DVLA were 5454 cars.
This has appeared on AT recently, quite unusual spec for a GTS but I like it. Asking price is too steep imho for a private sale without OPC warranty.
Nice car though, he could have cleaned it properly before taking the pics for the advert.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...
Nice car though, he could have cleaned it properly before taking the pics for the advert.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...
Edited by Spevs on Wednesday 19th October 10:12
Spevs said:
This has appeared on AT recently, quite unusual spec for a GTS but I like it. Asking price is too steep imho for a private sale without OPC warranty.
Nice car though, he could have cleaned it properly before taking the pics for the advert.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...
55k! Jesus. Selling a 7 year old convertible going into winter would be tough going even if we weren't looking down the barrel of a gun of recession, massive interest rate increases and a cost of living crisis. Still, to the seller, good luck with that. I'd say wait a few months for the price falls, they will not defy gravity forever, especially as people start to lose their houses.Nice car though, he could have cleaned it properly before taking the pics for the advert.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...
Edited by Spevs on Wednesday 19th October 10:12
thompson9745 said:
55k! Jesus. Selling a 7 year old convertible going into winter would be tough going even if we weren't looking down the barrel of a gun of recession, massive interest rate increases and a cost of living crisis. Still, to the seller, good luck with that. I'd say wait a few months for the price falls, they will not defy gravity forever, especially as people start to lose their houses.
I do tend to agree with you. Further evidence of the over pricing is beginning to reverse
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208068...
Another £5K off and I might take a trip to Byfleet.................
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208068...
Another £5K off and I might take a trip to Byfleet.................
Spevs said:
Further evidence of the over pricing is beginning to reverse
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208068...
Another £5K off and I might take a trip to Byfleet.................
I went to see it when it was 61,995. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208068...
Another £5K off and I might take a trip to Byfleet.................
It’s a beautiful car with all the spec.
But that price is still too high. The one I bought was near identical, a few spec items missing, no warranty though, for 15k less.
LamedonM said:
Would the price drop affect GT4s?
Pretty sure it will get most everything at some point, but GT4s have already come down quite a bit more than other models due to relative availability of the 718 GT4. Possibly not a bad time to be buying one. They won't be making any more 981 GT4s, and they have something about them. (I'm biased, I have one and I love it... 
)Liam
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