SkandoSchwabe

I'm driving a 991.1 C4S (power kit, SPASM, PDK, PTV, etc) and a Cayman GTS (manual, analog sport suspension, absolutely no PTV). The Cayman is the better 911.
The Cayman wins handling, sound, design (exterior and interior), and "sports car size" categories. The 991 wins the power and the "incredible grip when accelerating out of a turn" categories. I love both, but prefer the Cayman.

Greywolf987S

Congratulations .. Caymans are wonderful

tstafford

Enjoy! Looks great

digistyl3

Just beautiful! Congrats!

The Cayman GTS was the first, and most fun Porsche I ever drove. I have a GT4, but the limits are so high, that it's difficult to enjoy it on public roads. I'm very tempted to get a lightly used GTS, and drive it non-stop

master_jcp

Great car! Love the combo of the Color and the wheels! Very unique! Never seen it before. My neighbour changed also from 987.1 CS to 997.2 C4S to 991.1 C4S back to a Cayman 981.1 GTS 2 month ago.

edkwon

Congrats and absolutely beautiful car, now that you have it, first thing you need to replace are those ugly orange sidemarkers

http://suncoastparts.com/product/SKU991LEDSIDES.html

Klepper

Congratulations! That's a great looking car!

Volnomad

Yeah, I know the "norm" about the orange side markers. I don't like them either; so they'll be gone soon.

Volnomad

Thanks for the congrats everyone!

Yes, my wife's 718 Boxster S looks and feels substantially different to me compared to my 981 Cayman GTS. Appearance wise, the differences are not so subtle when you see the cars together. Porsche added many angular/planar surfaces to the 718, replacing the more rounded look of the older model. The side air intakes are larger and more prominent on the 718. The rear actually looks better in my opinion. I like how the 718 extends a line across the rear connecting the taillights. All things considered, the 718 S looks more aggressive than the 981 S it replaced. The GTS compensates some for the less aggressive body-style by adding a GTS exterior package that substantially enhances the car's appearance, particularly in the front with very nice looking black trim pieces below the bumper cover. The downside is that the car is more likely to scrape and bottom out on driveways and curb cuts. It looks significantly lower in front than the 718 Cayman S. I like both of them, but the GTS exterior pieces and my much nicer interior makes mine a more beautiful ride in my opinion. Even my wife agrees that the interior of the GTS is much nicer. Of course, she does not have full leather (or Alcantara and carbon fiber).

Performance-wise the cars are quite different as well. The first thing I noticed was the sound, of course. Much has been written about this; so I won't beat a dead horse. But, for me, the flat-six with sport exhaust wins hands down when it comes to engine sounds. Nothing beats the wail of a flat six pushing red line! The second thing I noticed was the clutch differences. I'm not sure if it's a matter of how the clutch is adjusted or not, but I really struggled to adjust to the clutch in the 718. It feels lighter to me than any P-car clutch I have used, and the clutch engagement point is unusually vague. This leads to frequent over-revs on roll out, or to the occasional stall. I've been driving manual transmissions all my life; so I don't think this is my imagination. Engine performance is quite different as well. The older flat six has it's usual lower torque characteristics. You have to keep the RPMs up to get the big kick in the butt. The 718 feels like a rubber band. When the turbo boost hits, hold on. Turbo lag is relatively small, but still somewhat noticeable, particularly at low RPM. Still, I'm sure the 718 S is faster than the previous generation GTS. In fact, I'm certain it is faster than all the 911 Ss I've had with the possible exception of the 997.2 C4S. It is a seriously quick car. We got to experience one in Atlanta on the test track at the Porsche Experience Center when my wife took delivery in September. The track capability of the 718 S is simply astounding.

Anyway, that's my two-cents worth. Overall, I like my GTS better, but the 718 S is a fine sports car. I was seriously tempted to buy a new 718 Cayman S in Miami Blue. But, I'm happy to have the last and best of the naturally aspirated flat-six Caymans (excepting GT4 of course).

P.S. A P-car salesman says the rumor is that the next Cayman GTS will have a naturally aspirated flat-six.

Donnie C

Nice comparison of the 718 and GTS.
One thought... add grill screens to the GTS... that center intake for the 3rd radiator just looks like it will suck every pebble and bug. My grill screen has already saved me having to clean a bunch of rocks and a bird out of the radiators. I used the Zunsport screens -- installation is easy but takes a nack to get right.

Volnomad

Yeah, I've already had to dig leaves out of the intakes twice. I will check out the Sunsport screens. Thanks for the suggestion. Need to replace the side marker lights too.

Marine Blue

Great write up Volnomad! Having both cars certainly takes any bias out of the equation. Interior differences aside (this will always be dependent on the options selected) it sounds like both cars have their positive qualities.

Since you have driven the 718 on the track have you found that the turbo 4 maintains its powerband throughout the rev range or do you need to short shift before redline? I haven't had a chance to drive a manual yet or was I able to wring one out so its something I have been curious about. I say this because all the turbo's I have owned have a specific range where the turbo's operate and when on boost the power is incredible but once above or below certain RPM's I have found dead spots. Porsche having a ton of Motorsport experience would be the best at solving this and I wonder if that knowledge has made its way into the 718.

JCtx

You didn't mention anything about suspensions. Which one do you have on the GTS and 718? That makes a huge difference at the track. I have X73 with all other performance options, and doubt the heavier 718 can be any better (just handling, not power), but it'd be nice to hear a comparison. The steering (PS+, which is the German steering) is absolutely perfect IMO, and don't want it any quicker, lighter, or heavier. Also curious about what you think about that. Thx.

Volnomad

Nope, it was a demo PDK equipped 718S, not my wife's car. Her's is a 6-speed manual. I only got two hot laps in the demo; so I really don't feel like I have the answer to your question.

Volnomad

My GTS also has PASM Sport Suspension, like yours, but no PTV. Her 718S was not built for performance. It has sport chrono but I think that only gives you the fun throttle mapping adjustments and dynamic engine mounts. She did not add PASM for some reason.