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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[TBKBABAB]

Schmed said:

I just can’t understand why anyone would want a 981 so much over so many better other options. There’s so much “the 981 gts is the best car ever” on here I seriously want to vomit. Mentioning no names, those posters know who they are.

Op that is a very specific 981 shopping list, I owned one and it was distinctly average. Probably one of the most overrated cars ever if you read all the bullst on here.

Unless you’re on a specific budget and deliberately need the older model I’d politely suggest opening your mind as there are better options out there £ for £, as for Porsche’s the whole sound argument is the biggest load of BS ever, all I see is a lot of 981 owners here selling their own cars, and talking them up at every opportunity and I wonder why, but then I see a 2016 981 on the Porsche approved used site today has now broken the £35k barrier: and it starts to all make perfect sense.



Op don’t believe the bullst, 911R makes some good point about new tech, at the very least try all the options...

Well this would be my 6th Porsche so I have some experience of the Marque and quite a few others, if you can let me know the better options in the same price range for a manual,normally aspirated, modern convertible sports car which my wife could also use but is going to give me some driving pleasure I’m all ears.

[TBKBABAB]

Schmed said:

Op, if you know your Marque as well as you say you do, you already have your answer...

I’m always open to suggestions if you know of anything that fits the criteria.

[TBKBABAB]

JayK12 said:

Hi OP,

I was looking for a manual, mid engine, naturally aspirated sports car. Originally decided a Cayman, drove a Cayman and Boxster back to back and the Boxster won. I wanted a manual, with X73, PSE, Sports chrono etc.

I was looking at S's, but then saw all the small differences that made the GTS look, and feel alot more special. Small things like black badges, darker rear lights, all the way to the difference bumper/rear diffuser. But then you get in it and for me the Alcantara with GTS pack (deviated stitching/leather dash) and carbon just made it feel way more special.

Another small thing you notice with the roof up, is the sound synthesizer - induction noise is channeled into the cockpit for that extra. Again another small thing but has a nice effect.

Its currently the longest car I've had, I've just test drive Exige 430 Cup, GT4 and decided to keep the GTS. Its a great car.

However its not perfect, personally I don't think there is the perfect car. So I've started making changes to the GTS.

Added a GT4 Steering wheel and Airbag, and the GT4/GT3 shift mechanisim. Direct OEM replacement, and it shortens the shift, feels heavier and more mechanical.

Steering feel is next on my list with spacers, PS4S, and more aggressive geo setup.

You won't regret a GTS!

Thanks and agree at this or most price levels there isn’t a perfect car, still just have to convince myself that the extra money is worth it.
There are 3 in the 40’s at the moment but one has bucket seats one a leather interior and one has no PCM so may bide my time and see if the prices start to drift down as winter approaches.

[TBKBABAB]

JayK12 said:

Yes seen all these. You'll notice the leather car hanging around for a while. You might be able to get a better deal in the winter for sure but overall it doesn't seem to have a huge effect on prices. Whats the price difference like for like, spec for spec?

I tend to ignore options I wouldn’t actually pay for new but this is the first time I’ve tried to
buy something where the supply is so limited so think I have to be very patient, which I find difficult once I’ve decided I want to change.

It’s a shame the white one which I’m sure is John’s has the bucket seats, you can argue that should be a premium but really a no go for me.

[TBKBABAB]

Porsche911R said:

some one would swap seats I am sure.

Yes might be a possibility but stitching has to match and not sure will have all
the wiring required, would be bit of a gamble.

[TBKBABAB]

Porsche911R said:

I must say at this price bracket I would be in a M2 Competition pack car.

I had an M235i for a year but felt the Turbo killed the character of the straight 6.

[TBKBABAB]

If it doesn’t have PCM reckon low 40’s probably right for a Boxter.
There is a Carmine red 2016 with 13200 miles but no PCM on the market at £46500.

[TBKBABAB]

Get a manual asper this thread then it will always be in the gear you decide.

[TBKBABAB]

This seems to have gone somewhat off topic from my original post and reminds me why I don’t often post on social media/forums.

But thanks to those who did give some useful replies.

Edited by TBKBABAB on Thursday 25th October 18:39

[TBKBABAB]

dreamcar said:

I don’t blame you - unfortunately moderation is non existent on PH. But getting back on topic, I would have thought you would have more chance finding an ideal spec car with a Boxster S rather than a GTS simply because there are many more around. If I recall correctly there were less than 400 GTS imported and the vast majority were PDK

Seems to be the other way round in that ratio of manual to PDK seems to be about 2:1 on the GTS and 90% fit my spec, whereas on an S it’s 2:3 and reckon only 20% fit my spec.

Currently there are 6 GTS that fit and only 2 S, problem is most of the GTS are still a bit too high and of the 2 that I could consider price wise one has buckets and the other leather interior
Neither of which I would want if I’m going to pay the premium for a GTS.

[TBKBABAB]

I was going on what’s available for sale, so maybe people are hanging on to their PDK
GTS.
Doesn’t seem to be much difference in price manual or PDK.

[TBKBABAB]

I’d be interested in views on what people think would be a fair price for this car

2015 manual Boxster GTS, 8000 miles, Porsche extended warranty until July 2020.
Carrera S wheels, standard leather/Alcantara interior.
Extras: park assist f+r, heated seats, pdls+, Bose, pcm and dab radio with telephone prep, auto climate, auto dimming mirrors and rain sensor.

[TBKBABAB]

It’s a private sale but with warranty till mid 2020, I was thinking 47500 but not sure seller will go that low.
Think the other reason the Portsmouth one hasn’t sold is that it has leather interior and for me wouldn’t want turbo wheels on a GTS either.