Differences B GTS to S

[NicD]

Just toying with idea of trading my 7.2 to current and balking at the £75k for my top spec GTS build.
Apart from the appearance changes and small top end bump, is this S (at under 50k) pretty much the same dynamically as a GTS?

It has the same 'must have' options I would specify, missing only cruise. Ignore the carbon brakes, Bermister sound and interior bits from my dream build to take it to £75k.
If I spend that much, would wait for the facelift.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[arcamalpha]

It's possible I'm being dim because I couldn't get the link to work, but you have a 997.2 S and are considering moving to a 997.2 GTS or a 991GTS? There's little in it in my opinion. The GTS is that bit shinier and am obviously wide body of you like that, but it's 5% here and there so not worth the dealer margins.

However, you mention the facelift - do you mean 991 facelift? That's a whole new ballgame!

[SFO]

if you mean 981 Boxster, additional spec for GTS over S:

+15hp
+10NM
Additional center radiator in front bumper
PASM/X73
PDLS
Tinted rear lights
PSE
Sport chrono
20" wheels
different front and rear bumpers
Sports Seats Plus
Sport Design Steering wheel
Full leather/alcantara interior

All for an additional £5844

[NicD]

Guys, I took pains to explain the situation, so a list of differences of a standard S vs GTS isn't very helpful.
in case the link only works for me, here is the spec of the used S I am looking at (includes most options from the GTS, apart from cosmetic and power bump):

RACING YELLOW
Black model designation on doors, Vehicle key painted, Interior package painted, Sports seats, electrical (14-way) with memory package, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including navigation module with universal audio interface, Wheels painted in black (partially), Sports exhaust system (incl. sports tailpipe), Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), Seat heating, 20-inch Carrera S wheel, Wheel Caps, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Deletion of model designation, Roll-over bar with exterior colour paint finish, Wind deflector, Top tinted windscreen, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, Bi-Xenon lighting system with Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Light design package, ParkAssist front and rear, Sport Chrono Package with dynamic transmission mounts, Telephone module for PCM, BOSE® Surround Sound System, Digital radio (DAB, DAB, DMB), Floor mats, SportDesign steering wheel

Edited by NicD on Sunday 11th January 08:16

[NicD]

arcamalpha said:

It's possible I'm being dim because I couldn't get the link to work, but you have a 997.2 S and are considering moving to a 997.2 GTS or a 991GTS? There's little in it in my opinion. The GTS is that bit shinier and am obviously wide body of you like that, but it's 5% here and there so not worth the dealer margins.

However, you mention the facelift - do you mean 991 facelift? That's a whole new ballgame!

sorry for any confusion, I have owned 911s in the past (2.7 RS and 6.2 GT3) but now, looking for a personal, everyday car. Love Boxsters (on my fourth) so I mean the 981 facelift due out later this year.

[FrankCayman]

NicD said:

Apart from the appearance changes and small top end bump, is this S (at under 50k) pretty much the same dynamically as a GTS?

From what I can make out, yes. Any dynamic advantages the standard spec of the GTS offers over the normal 's' can, and often are, specc'd on a 's'. Apart from the slight increase in power, which I doubt anybody would truly notice.

[bcr5784]

NicD said:

Just toying with idea of trading my 7.2 to current and balking at the £75k for my top spec GTS build.
Apart from the appearance changes and small top end bump, is this S (at under 50k) pretty much the same dynamically as a GTS?

It has the same 'must have' options I would specify, missing only cruise. Ignore the carbon brakes, Bermister sound and interior bits from my dream build to take it to £75k.
If I spend that much, would wait for the facelift.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

It is identical dynamically if you specify PASM and 20" wheels (or SS). If you actually want all of the "extras" that SFO lists, it's a no brainer to go for the GTS - it's cheaper than a similarly specced S and (I suspect) will hold its value better. If you are not bothered about, or actually don't want some of the extras (eg for ground clearance or ride reasons) then the S route may make more sense.

[NicD]

bcr5784 said:

It is identical dynamically if you specify PASM and 20" wheels (or SS). If you actually want all of the "extras" that SFO lists, it's a no brainer to go for the GTS - it's cheaper than a similarly specced S and (I suspect) will hold its value better. If you are not bothered about, or actually don't want some of the extras (eg for ground clearance or ride reasons) then the S route may make more sense.

If I go the build to order route, yes a GTS is a no brainer, but for a partly depreciated car, a used S may be a good step. Of course, I would always want a GTS, so miss that feel good factor.

[bcr5784]

NicD said:

If I go the build to order route, yes a GTS is a no brainer, but for a partly depreciated car, a used S may be a good step. Of course, I would always want a GTS, so miss that feel good factor.

For a second hand car you will have a lot more choice going the S route, and lower prices, in part because they are mostly older. You almost certainly won't get the GTS bodywork mods (it is an option on the S, but so expensive and so recent that I doubt there will be many (any) about.) £75k is a lot of options, so I doubt you will find that many about with all the ones you want. Something will probably have to give.

[DMC2]

SFO said:

if you mean 981 Boxster, additional spec for GTS over S:

+15hp
+10NM
Additional center radiator in front bumper
PASM/X73
PDLS
Tinted rear lights
PSE
Sport chrono
20" wheels
different front and rear bumpers
Sports Seats Plus
Sport Design Steering wheel
Full leather/alcantara interior

All for an additional £5844

Plus more noise, suspension and geometry tweaks.

[NicD]

DMC2 said:

Plus more noise, suspension and geometry tweaks.

can you elaborate? Are they not mere options?

That was the reason for my post, if more than options.

[koorby]

I bought a BGTS in November and during the six week wait for the car being built I did consider a loaded S from the same OPC but in the end I knew I'd kick myself for not getting a proper GTS and the rarity about having one (I have yet to see another on the road down here in the south of England).

To try an answer some of your questions:

- The PSE on the GTS is a very different beast to the PSE on an S, being much louder and in Sport Plus mode it rivals (or beats) the Jaguar F-Type V6/V8 exhaust sound. EVO magazine proclaimed it the best exhaust sound in the world. For me, the unique PSE sound on the 981 was probably one of the main attractions of the car and so far it has given me a huge buzz with every single drive. The good thing about it is you can disable all the noise completely with a button press. The general consensus is that the BGTS with the roof down is the best exhaust sound in the entire Porsche range.

- Not sure of your personal taste but that yellow S looks awful, especially how the body colour flows over into the cabin. The GTS cabin is a very, very special place to sit with loads of alcantera (which grips so much better than leather and is hard wearing) especially if you order the GTS interior pack with the carbon fibre trim and in my case the red stitching

- I ticked every single box on my GTS configuration except PCCB, Burmester and I kept PASM over X73. That got the price to £69.5k so I am not sure what the extra £4 is you're spending on. I don't regret having a fully loaded car because I'll never die wonder if I should have gotten this or that feature. For the most part everything extra I spent has been worth it.

- I would go for a rarer colour option if getting a GTS, nothing like making a limited run car rarer than by ordering a unique paint colour. That's why I went for Carmine Red - again, I've not seen another Porsche in that colour yet, ever.

- I do notice the extra 15HP in the GTS for sure, especially since I drove the wheels off an S for more than 200 miles when test driving. The small gain in HP/NM is noticeable when you need flexibility coming out of twisty corners in hills; the GTS seems to have just that extra poke to make the drive a bit less effort. Sports Plus mode is just mental, the engine really does begin to sound like a baby GT3 and screams like a banshee.

Hope this helps. Probably way too subjective to be useful, LOL!

[ellroy]

I've got a "GTS spec" S.

The only thing missing is the little extra oomph. Frankly, whilst Its always nice to have more powwweeerrr, I truly don't think it's needed if it's a fast road car you want.

I do not like the additional radiator and body kit at all, the S to my eye being a cleaner looking car.

[NicD]

koorby said:

I bought a BGTS in November and during the six week wait for the car being built I did consider a loaded S from the same OPC but in the end I knew I'd kick myself for not getting a proper GTS and the rarity about having one (I have yet to see another on the road down here in the south of England).

To try an answer some of your questions:

- The PSE on the GTS is a very different beast to the PSE on an S, being much louder and in Sport Plus mode it rivals (or beats) the Jaguar F-Type V6/V8 exhaust sound. EVO magazine proclaimed it the best exhaust sound in the world. For me, the unique PSE sound on the 981 was probably one of the main attractions of the car and so far it has given me a huge buzz with every single drive. The good thing about it is you can disable all the noise completely with a button press. The general consensus is that the BGTS with the roof down is the best exhaust sound in the entire Porsche range.

- Not sure of your personal taste but that yellow S looks awful, especially how the body colour flows over into the cabin. The GTS cabin is a very, very special place to sit with loads of alcantera (which grips so much better than leather and is hard wearing) especially if you order the GTS interior pack with the carbon fibre trim and in my case the red stitching

- I ticked every single box on my GTS configuration except PCCB, Burmester and I kept PASM over X73. That got the price to £69.5k so I am not sure what the extra £4 is you're spending on. I don't regret having a fully loaded car because I'll never die wonder if I should have gotten this or that feature. For the most part everything extra I spent has been worth it.

- I would go for a rarer colour option if getting a GTS, nothing like making a limited run car rarer than by ordering a unique paint colour. That's why I went for Carmine Red - again, I've not seen another Porsche in that colour yet, ever.

- I do notice the extra 15HP in the GTS for sure, especially since I drove the wheels off an S for more than 200 miles when test driving. The small gain in HP/NM is noticeable when you need flexibility coming out of twisty corners in hills; the GTS seems to have just that extra poke to make the drive a bit less effort. Sports Plus mode is just mental, the engine really does begin to sound like a baby GT3 and screams like a banshee.

Hope this helps. Probably way too subjective to be useful, LOL!

very useful, thank you! More to think about.
the extra cost on my configurator is for PCCB, Burmester but £74k is what I paid for the GT3 new, not that relevant now, but this is still a Boxster after all.

[curley]

I too have a Boxster GTS , mine however is a manual .

I only drove an S for a hour prior to placing my order but i would say ( apart from the comments about the sports exhaust above ) you probably wouldn't notice the difference if you were to drive both S and GTS " blindfolded " . At the end of the day the GTS is a bit of a marketing exercise with a few nice to have options .

The biggest difference for me driving the S and subsequently the GTS with different suspension set ups was the difference between PASM and X73 , the latter changes the character of the car hugely , the ride is different , yes , but the X73 adds weightier steering ( not often mentioned ) and transforms the feel of the car .

I agree that 75K is probably too much to spend unless you don't mind taking a huge depreciation hit , my car has metallic paint , the GTS interior package ( classy ) , Navigation , parking beepers , phone and a couple of other minor bits and with some discount came in at £58K .

[NicD]

curley said:

I too have a Boxster GTS , mine however is a manual .

I only drove an S for a hour prior to placing my order but i would say ( apart from the comments about the sports exhaust above ) you probably wouldn't notice the difference if you were to drive both S and GTS " blindfolded " . At the end of the day the GTS is a bit of a marketing exercise with a few nice to have options .

The biggest difference for me driving the S and subsequently the GTS with different suspension set ups was the difference between PASM and X73 , the latter changes the character of the car hugely , the ride is different , yes , but the X73 adds weightier steering ( not often mentioned ) and transforms the feel of the car .

I agree that 75K is probably too much to spend unless you don't mind taking a huge depreciation hit , my car has metallic paint , the GTS interior package ( classy ) , Navigation , parking beepers , phone and a couple of other minor bits and with some discount came in at £58K .

My previous Boxster had the sports suspension, was fine, but this would be a daily driver through outer London, must be PDK and was thinking of PASM. I haven't test driven this yet, so maybe could live with X73.
My first couple were light on the options but now, I am older and less sporty, so the more the better.

[av185]

[quote=koorby



- The PSE on the GTS is a very different beast to the PSE on an S, being much louder and in Sport Plus. The good thing about it is you can disable all the noise completely with a button press. The general consensus is that the BGTS with the roof down is the best exhaust sound in the entire Porsche range.

Sports Plus mode is just mental, the engine really does begin to sound like a baby GT3 and screams like a banshee.


[/quote]

Your claim that the BGTS has the 'best exhaust sound in the ENTIRE Porsche range is highly questionable....

Carrera GT? 4.0 RS GT3? 991 GT3?

The Cayman S with sports exhaust unfortunately has excessive piped induction which to many is way too intrusive and sounds over synthetic. My new 2014 Cayman S sounded identical with pse on or off......way too, err, 'farty' I' m afraid.

The Boxster or Cayman will thankfully never sound like the purity of any high revving GT3....new or old.....the difference being this is actual authentic engine sound.

Unfortunately, piped synthetic engine noise will undoubtedly feature more and more as we move to turbos....in fact even the Lamborghini Hurracan with its n.a. V10 is unfortunately not immune either.....

[Skyman]

IMHO, PCCB is a must, whilst expensive. Superlative braking performance, and no dust which is a great added bonus.
Having experienced PSE on both S and GTS, I could discern no difference between the two from a sound point of view. Both awesome, but no way was the GTS standout or different.

[rosino]

I doubt you will even get close to fading steel on the open road. Unless you want to head directly to jail. And in track PCCB are known to melt away after a few decently driven days. So PCCB to add 10pct of the cost of the car on a Boxster seems insane to me.

And having it to avoid dust is just plain silly.

But horses for courses as they say.

[curley]

NicD said:

My previous Boxster had the sports suspension, was fine, but this would be a daily driver through outer London, must be PDK and was thinking of PASM. I haven't test driven this yet, so maybe could live with X73.
My first couple were light on the options but now, I am older and less sporty, so the more the better.

Mine is also a daily driver and i live in outer London . I am also "older " now ( late 50s ) .I also have a GT3 and the x73 is more useable but , i accept PASM is the " safe " option if you only have one car . For me it just doesn't have that "feel " that i like in a sports car .

Good luck with your deliberations , I've been really pleased with mine to the extent that the GT3 will go in the spring .