981 Cayman GTS Thoughts/Questions/Musings!
Discussion
Hi all. I'm looking to upgrade my 981 Boxster and, having viewed a few cars this weekend and previously - 997.2 Carrera, 981 CGTS, 718 CGTS 2.5 & 718 Cayman T - despite being the closest to what I have, it was the 981 Cayman GTS I was most drawn to.
I love the shape, I love the sound, I love... ok it's mainly the sound
.
Joking aside, I feel this model is analogue/raw enough to be special, modern enough to be usable and a reasonably good place to put my money.
I saw the white Ashgoods one at the weekend and in some ways I really like it, and in some ways I'm not so sure. It is a PDK which is my biggest question mark. It is also full leather interior and has gloss black exterior trim (the "GTS exterior pack" maybe?). If I'm being picky I would lean toward GTS interior and the plain black plastic trim. In some ways this example is kind of a "luxury" GTS, which may be no bad thing for me given it will be my only - but not daily - car. Condition and history were fantastic - very important to me.
I am mulling over the car but they will also buy my Boxster into stock, which frees me up to consider other options.
So a couple of asks:
I love the shape, I love the sound, I love... ok it's mainly the sound
.Joking aside, I feel this model is analogue/raw enough to be special, modern enough to be usable and a reasonably good place to put my money.
I saw the white Ashgoods one at the weekend and in some ways I really like it, and in some ways I'm not so sure. It is a PDK which is my biggest question mark. It is also full leather interior and has gloss black exterior trim (the "GTS exterior pack" maybe?). If I'm being picky I would lean toward GTS interior and the plain black plastic trim. In some ways this example is kind of a "luxury" GTS, which may be no bad thing for me given it will be my only - but not daily - car. Condition and history were fantastic - very important to me.
I am mulling over the car but they will also buy my Boxster into stock, which frees me up to consider other options.
So a couple of asks:
- What are people's general thoughts on manual vs PDK and the various spec options on the GTS? Who has what and are glad they have it? Equally who could have passed on something they have? And who misses something they don't have? What do I need to know here I suppose I am asking?
- Has anyone got a GTS that they are thinking of selling? Get in touch with me. I would also consider a highly-specced S and, less so, a Boxster GTS/S
I’ve not driven a manual 981, but owned a PDK 981S for four years and the gearbox is simply superb. Does a good job in auto of working out what you want and very smooth in traffic etc. Switch to manual and it is very responsive and a pleasure to use. I never missed having a third pedal, definitely give it a go oh and of course superb on track and less/no worries about over revs.
Thanks all. The over-rev thing is a factor for the PDK, for sure. Especially if looking at a manual from a seller who can't run a report.
The 997.2 I drove on Saturday was a PDK and left me a bit 'meh' tbh. I put it in S+ and didn't really sense any rifle bolt changes. Saying that, it was just a tentative test drive and I wasn't pushing it at all.
Am I right in thinking that the PDK in the 981 is a generation on from the 997.2?
The 997.2 I drove on Saturday was a PDK and left me a bit 'meh' tbh. I put it in S+ and didn't really sense any rifle bolt changes. Saying that, it was just a tentative test drive and I wasn't pushing it at all.
Am I right in thinking that the PDK in the 981 is a generation on from the 997.2?
Yes - 981 is next generation on from 997.2.
It was experiencing this that made me sell my 997.2 Carrera GTS PDK.
The car went in for services and I was lent a 981 S PDK... I couldn't believe the relative improvement in sharpness and response and gear selection.
Going back into my Carrera GTS, normal mode felt lobotomised by comparison - so then I ended up having to drive around with sport mode on all the time... and then eventually, when then the Cayman GTS was launch I changed to one of those... a much better car for me at the time.
Mine was a daily - a road weapon.
GT Silver, PDK, PTV + X73 with 18 way memory seats - I loved it. One of the first cars in the UK with PDK, PTV + X73 combo.
One of the last pics I saw of it, after I had moved it on. I had specced it de-badged but subsequent owner put the side decals back on and few other changes inside.
It was experiencing this that made me sell my 997.2 Carrera GTS PDK.
The car went in for services and I was lent a 981 S PDK... I couldn't believe the relative improvement in sharpness and response and gear selection.
Going back into my Carrera GTS, normal mode felt lobotomised by comparison - so then I ended up having to drive around with sport mode on all the time... and then eventually, when then the Cayman GTS was launch I changed to one of those... a much better car for me at the time.
Mine was a daily - a road weapon.
GT Silver, PDK, PTV + X73 with 18 way memory seats - I loved it. One of the first cars in the UK with PDK, PTV + X73 combo.
One of the last pics I saw of it, after I had moved it on. I had specced it de-badged but subsequent owner put the side decals back on and few other changes inside.
TDT, that looks absolutely mega. I love an understated GT Silver car. Luckily I'm not too fussed on colour - won't get yellow past the missus and ideally don't want black as you lose the contrast from the trim pieces but otherwise I'm easy.
Porsche Leeds had a Carmine Red come up with PTV but by the time I called (within 24 hours) it was reserved. I'm going to call them later to see if he/she proceeded as I'm heading to Sheffield tomorrow so could make a detour to Leeds.
There's also a GT Silver manual with PCCBs but, whilst I like the idea of them, I certainly don't need them and then there's the replacement worry.
Lot of love for the PDK it seems! Interesting.
Porsche Leeds had a Carmine Red come up with PTV but by the time I called (within 24 hours) it was reserved. I'm going to call them later to see if he/she proceeded as I'm heading to Sheffield tomorrow so could make a detour to Leeds.
There's also a GT Silver manual with PCCBs but, whilst I like the idea of them, I certainly don't need them and then there's the replacement worry.
Lot of love for the PDK it seems! Interesting.
WhisperingWasp said:
Hi all. I'm looking to upgrade my 981 Boxster and, having viewed a few cars this weekend and previously - 997.2 Carrera, 981 CGTS, 718 CGTS 2.5 & 718 Cayman T - despite being the closest to what I have, it was the 981 Cayman GTS I was most drawn to.
I love the shape, I love the sound, I love... ok it's mainly the sound.
Joking aside, I feel this model is analogue/raw enough to be special, modern enough to be usable and a reasonably good place to put my money.
I saw the white Ashgoods one at the weekend and in some ways I really like it, and in some ways I'm not so sure. It is a PDK which is my biggest question mark. It is also full leather interior and has gloss black exterior trim (the "GTS exterior pack" maybe?). If I'm being picky I would lean toward GTS interior and the plain black plastic trim. In some ways this example is kind of a "luxury" GTS, which may be no bad thing for me given it will be my only - but not daily - car. Condition and history were fantastic - very important to me.
I am mulling over the car but they will also buy my Boxster into stock, which frees me up to consider other options.
So a couple of asks:
Don't often post my thoughts on various cars but I'm an owner of a 981 BGTS PDK so figured I'd add some perspective. I love the shape, I love the sound, I love... ok it's mainly the sound
.Joking aside, I feel this model is analogue/raw enough to be special, modern enough to be usable and a reasonably good place to put my money.
I saw the white Ashgoods one at the weekend and in some ways I really like it, and in some ways I'm not so sure. It is a PDK which is my biggest question mark. It is also full leather interior and has gloss black exterior trim (the "GTS exterior pack" maybe?). If I'm being picky I would lean toward GTS interior and the plain black plastic trim. In some ways this example is kind of a "luxury" GTS, which may be no bad thing for me given it will be my only - but not daily - car. Condition and history were fantastic - very important to me.
I am mulling over the car but they will also buy my Boxster into stock, which frees me up to consider other options.
So a couple of asks:
- What are people's general thoughts on manual vs PDK and the various spec options on the GTS? Who has what and are glad they have it? Equally who could have passed on something they have? And who misses something they don't have? What do I need to know here I suppose I am asking?
- Has anyone got a GTS that they are thinking of selling? Get in touch with me. I would also consider a highly-specced S and, less so, a Boxster GTS/S
Having owned many P cars ( GT & RS included ) including a 981 GT4 I have always been a fan of the 981 series.
I'm one that regularly changes my cars as I get bored very easily but now find myself over 2 years in with the 981 GTS.
All previous cars have been manual & I honestly believed I'd never go PDK until I drove my car.
On the day of purchase I also drove a manual 981 BGTS manual so was able to do an immediate comparison and make a decision.
Guess what ?
The PDK box blew me away and I immediately bought the car!
Spec wise my car is full GTS interior pack with lots of carbon & alcantara including leather dash & full climate.
I've been considering other cars such as the SRS or regular 718 Spyder but there is something about my car that makes me not want to part company.
Oh , the 981 also comes with a rather lovely sounding exhaust note too .
Good luck in whatever you decide.
PS mines in Carmine
Edited by Esquire on Thursday 4th June 14:35
Voodoo Blue said:
Even the 981 2.7 with PSE sounds better than most cars at full chat so you can't go wrong with the GTS 
Tis the reason I'm reluctant to part with my car. Given I have the hairdressers version the noise at the higher end rev range with Sport+ on is intoxicating with the roof off.
If the 718's had the same noise I'd have one tomorrow but sadly not.
WhisperingWasp said:
What are people's general thoughts on manual vs PDK and the various spec options on the GTS?
That you'll have to decide on that yourself. It's inherently personal. There will be people who absolutely love PDK. There will be others for whom manual is essential.You could ask a question about, say, the merits of PDK in the 9x7.2 chassis and the version in the 9x1.1 chassis. There's a discussion to be had about that. But manual versus PDK is all about personal preference.
Having said all that, and to contradict myself slightly, if you're asking the question, PDK may be the answer. Die-hard manual fans tend to know who they are.
Esquire said:
Tis the reason I'm reluctant to part with my car.
Given I have the hairdressers version the noise at the higher end rev range with Sport+ on is intoxicating with the roof off.
If the 718's had the same noise I'd have one tomorrow but sadly not.
I completely understand, we've got a 981 2.7 Cayman (the wife's) and a 718 4.0 Boxster (mine). The Boxster is quantifiably better in pretty much every way except that noise from the exhaust and she knows it Given I have the hairdressers version the noise at the higher end rev range with Sport+ on is intoxicating with the roof off.
If the 718's had the same noise I'd have one tomorrow but sadly not.
Purchased my Carmine red GTS in 2023, my first Porsche. Had various performance cars in the past, BMW M2 being the most recent, but nothing comes near my Cayman GTS.
It is a PDK and i would not want anything else.
Took the car on a Euro trip in 2024 through France, ending up at the Italian lakes.
On the way down we had a few days in Switzerland on various mountain passes.This is where this car came alive, and the exhaust noise was fantastic.
I know people could hear us coming, because at various points along the pass
where cars had stopped, they were all either filming us, or taking pics and some were even clapping as we hurtled past.
Drove sensibly, but nothing came past me, and i had great fun in overtaking a Ferrari going up the Gottard pass, and blasting past a 911 going down the
Furka pass.
My advice would be to buy one.......and go to Switzerland.
It is a PDK and i would not want anything else.
Took the car on a Euro trip in 2024 through France, ending up at the Italian lakes.
On the way down we had a few days in Switzerland on various mountain passes.This is where this car came alive, and the exhaust noise was fantastic.
I know people could hear us coming, because at various points along the pass
where cars had stopped, they were all either filming us, or taking pics and some were even clapping as we hurtled past.
Drove sensibly, but nothing came past me, and i had great fun in overtaking a Ferrari going up the Gottard pass, and blasting past a 911 going down the
Furka pass.
My advice would be to buy one.......and go to Switzerland.
Edited by TJC46 on Friday 5th June 16:24
Have you considered holding out for a 718 Turbo S or CGTS before committing to the 981 GTS? You’ve driven the T and the CGTS 2.5 already, so you know the platform, but I’d argue the 2.5 in full CGTS trim is where the 718 makes its real case and is worth proper consideration before you go back to the 981 family.
The 981 is a fine car but it’s old architecture now, and that shows in ways that are hard to ignore once you’ve spent time in a 718. The steering is a real weakness – the 981’s EPAS was widely considered a backward step from the 987’s hydraulic setup, losing the feel and feedback that made the older car so engaging. Porsche took a step back there and people have been making excuses for it ever since. The 718 finally addresses it properly – the EPAS has caught up in terms of feel and it comes with a quicker rack, which transforms the way the car responds and makes it a genuinely more rewarding steer than anything in the 981 range.
The 2.5 makes 365bhp and it’s a genuinely superior engine to the naturally aspirated flat-six – broader power band, more exploitable on the road, and the performance delta over the 981 is substantial rather than incremental. The flat-six gets romanticised heavily on here but on merit the turbocharged 2.5 is the better unit. More torque, more flexibility, and more fun outside of a track environment where NA top-end character matters less.
Buying back into the 981 family feels like a lateral move dressed up as an upgrade. Worth a proper back-to-back before you commit. I think you’d come away questioning whether the nostalgia for the flat-six is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
The 981 is a fine car but it’s old architecture now, and that shows in ways that are hard to ignore once you’ve spent time in a 718. The steering is a real weakness – the 981’s EPAS was widely considered a backward step from the 987’s hydraulic setup, losing the feel and feedback that made the older car so engaging. Porsche took a step back there and people have been making excuses for it ever since. The 718 finally addresses it properly – the EPAS has caught up in terms of feel and it comes with a quicker rack, which transforms the way the car responds and makes it a genuinely more rewarding steer than anything in the 981 range.
The 2.5 makes 365bhp and it’s a genuinely superior engine to the naturally aspirated flat-six – broader power band, more exploitable on the road, and the performance delta over the 981 is substantial rather than incremental. The flat-six gets romanticised heavily on here but on merit the turbocharged 2.5 is the better unit. More torque, more flexibility, and more fun outside of a track environment where NA top-end character matters less.
Buying back into the 981 family feels like a lateral move dressed up as an upgrade. Worth a proper back-to-back before you commit. I think you’d come away questioning whether the nostalgia for the flat-six is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Tarby said:
Have you considered holding out for a 718 Turbo S or CGTS before committing to the 981 GTS? You ve driven the T and the CGTS 2.5 already, so you know the platform, but I d argue the 2.5 in full CGTS trim is where the 718 makes its real case and is worth proper consideration before you go back to the 981 family.
The 981 is a fine car but it s old architecture now, and that shows in ways that are hard to ignore once you ve spent time in a 718. The steering is a real weakness the 981 s EPAS was widely considered a backward step from the 987 s hydraulic setup, losing the feel and feedback that made the older car so engaging. Porsche took a step back there and people have been making excuses for it ever since. The 718 finally addresses it properly the EPAS has caught up in terms of feel and it comes with a quicker rack, which transforms the way the car responds and makes it a genuinely more rewarding steer than anything in the 981 range.
The 2.5 makes 365bhp and it s a genuinely superior engine to the naturally aspirated flat-six broader power band, more exploitable on the road, and the performance delta over the 981 is substantial rather than incremental. The flat-six gets romanticised heavily on here but on merit the turbocharged 2.5 is the better unit. More torque, more flexibility, and more fun outside of a track environment where NA top-end character matters less.
Buying back into the 981 family feels like a lateral move dressed up as an upgrade. Worth a proper back-to-back before you commit. I think you d come away questioning whether the nostalgia for the flat-six is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Ai slopThe 981 is a fine car but it s old architecture now, and that shows in ways that are hard to ignore once you ve spent time in a 718. The steering is a real weakness the 981 s EPAS was widely considered a backward step from the 987 s hydraulic setup, losing the feel and feedback that made the older car so engaging. Porsche took a step back there and people have been making excuses for it ever since. The 718 finally addresses it properly the EPAS has caught up in terms of feel and it comes with a quicker rack, which transforms the way the car responds and makes it a genuinely more rewarding steer than anything in the 981 range.
The 2.5 makes 365bhp and it s a genuinely superior engine to the naturally aspirated flat-six broader power band, more exploitable on the road, and the performance delta over the 981 is substantial rather than incremental. The flat-six gets romanticised heavily on here but on merit the turbocharged 2.5 is the better unit. More torque, more flexibility, and more fun outside of a track environment where NA top-end character matters less.
Buying back into the 981 family feels like a lateral move dressed up as an upgrade. Worth a proper back-to-back before you commit. I think you d come away questioning whether the nostalgia for the flat-six is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff