reidc

Never driven a 718 but it looks like little more than a refresh with more modern electronics. I never considered one because I needed a 6cyl+6MT and the GTS4.0 was way more than i wanted to spend.

I sure wish my 981 had an easy/cheap carplay option, but that's about it. Money no object, sure, I'd prefer a 981 Spyder to my 981 S but nothing else makes me want the 718. I actually prefer the looks of the 981 especially now that I've swapped the GTS taillights on. The squished 718 headlights have nothing on the CGT-style 981 headlights. I think the rear "shelf" with the Porsche lettering looks okay on a cayman but a bit fussy on a boxster-- with no rear hatch, the 981 is a cleaner design with the spoiler setup.

Thankfully no auto-start/stop here, no rev match, (though I do have sport chrono), etc.

AdamIsAdam

I just installed the Erisin head unit for Android Auto. $250 plus$85 for the Bose adapter. With shipping and tax, $400. Easy diy. Totally modernize the driving experience from a tech perspective. I added a backup cam too. Highly recommend.

anderson930

I’m 90% sure I’ll be following suit. Curious to know how you ran the wiring for the reverse camera.

AdamIsAdam

I ran the wire down the passenger side of the car. Pretty simple, but time consuming. I had to run the wire from drivers side license plate light hole inside and under left tail light, then brought the wire to the right side of the car inside the trunk. Reason being, the wires on the frame camera I have barely reach that side and don't reach going to the right.

Several videos full of ideas. This one is pretty good despite it being an older car.

Oh, and with a manual, you must tap into the backup light wires in the trunk harness to power the camera. It's the blue with black stripe wire. Easy.

reidc

just ordered the erisin now- seen a few recommendations and this did it for me.

anderson930

This right here is why I'm a forum guy. THANK YOU!

Nip are

I almost went the 4.0 gts route when I stumbled across a 2015 BS in like new condition with 5k miles. It was a good spec and I couldn't justify spending double for a car that was nearly the same. Especially considering that at that time the ADM on the GTS 4.0 was $10-20k with a 6 month wait. And like the OP I was coming from an ND miata which I really enjoyed after some mods. I test drove a base boxster and around town it felt slower than my ND so I turned it down. If I'd been able to wring it out I might have felt differently. Gotta say though that my BS with an FVD tune is not a slow car. At 350 hp and 3000 lbs it is very close to a 4.0.

AdamIsAdam

I'm just paying it forward! But you're welcome anyway. When I had trouble trying to get my backup cam to work using the wiring in the HU, it was the forums that said use the backup lights. Then I looked at that massive harness and said: "ok, now which wire?!" Then also said: "I'm sure someone already knows which wire." And they did. And now you and I do too. Enjoy.

Newusername

I was hellbent on getting a 718 GTS 4.0 and through lack of being able to order one I wound up with a 991.2 911 and then scratched the itch with a minty 981 Cayman S, I love it and its not going anywhere.

I recently did the X73 suspension kit, Soul Headers and mufflers, Softronic Tune, GT4 shifter and Apex wheels. Its the perfect street car.

Ernest72

Nice. My base PDK, I did X73, soul headers but still with PSE. FVD header tune and Aoex SM10 wheels for summers. The car is a blast. I am thinking about the soul exhaust but it will have to be next year, spent enough already this year.

AdamIsAdam

(Cross posting on two similar threads.)

After owning and driving my new-to-me 2015 BGTS for a month, I just swapped it out for my CGTS4.0 that was at my friend's house (I'm out of garage space!). I've been ABSOLUTELY LOVING the Boxster for so many reasons. I can see why it's so special. It is a little down on power from the 718 4.0, but it's not slow, and if the top is down, it feels faster than it is anyway.

Now, my CGTS4.0 to me felt like the best car i've ever owned. I love the size, the power, everything about it. But this 981 Boxster had my eyes wandering for sure.

Today, I got into the 4.0 for the first time in a month, as I said. Immediate impressions:

- Shark Blue is just an incredible color. Incredible! (Win)
- The 4.0 with OAP and Cargraphic valve controller sounds great. It's louder than the 981 PSE, but lacks the snap, crackle pop of the older car. (Tie)
- The clutch is way lighter in the 718. I never realized how soft it is until driving them back to back. The 981 feels a bit more mechanical. (Win for 981)
- The 718 steering feels quicker. Both are good, just a bit different. (Tie)
- The 718 has WAAAAAAAAAAY more power! And while I'm fine driving a "slow car fast," this is just way more fun. (Huge win for horsepower.)
- Brakes: 981 wins this hands down. I have never liked the softer 718 GTS brakes. The GT4 is incredible, but the GTS is too soft and has too much pedal travel before they bite. Once engaged, they're fine. But overall, not sporty enough. (Win for 981)
- Tightness: The 718 has 8k miles since new in `22. The 981 has almost 10k since 2015. The 718 feels tighter. The door closes with such a thud, more solid sounding than my 992 sounded! Of course, not fair to compare directly to a convertible, but the 718 overall feels more solid and tight. Age may be a factor, but as of today, it's tighter. (Win)
EDIT: - Suspension: The 718 has SPASM (-20mm drop) vs the 981's PASM (-10mm). Even with both cars set to comfort shocks, the 718 is stiffer and tighter, while the 981 is a bit more comfy. (Tie)

So where does this leave me? LOVING THE FACT THAT I OWN BOTH! (You really can't go wrong here.)

Just wanted to share.

Oh, and check out my new plate. I guess that says it all:

DrBillyD

Spyder is more "raw" than the GTS. Stiffer suspension. Top is single ply; GTS multi-layer. A few times when I had the GTS I caught myself wanting just a little more power; Spyder scratches that itch. Styling of the Spyder wins (humps!). The manual top isn't a big deal to me.

Perfect car for weekend trips on the twisties near me. Gets a lot of attention, but some of that might be the color (Guards Red).

Took a 2K mile road trip last year with the Mrs and wondered how it would go. Turned out great! Surprising amount of storage. Highway cruising easier than I'd thought.

Ernest72

Adam is Adam.

Since the 981 is cheaper than the 4.0, would you give the 981 the edge per dollar?

I think many of us would love a new 4.0 but it was 2x the price of my 14 base. In my opinion it is no where close to 2x as good or 2x as fun. Even if I add the cost of some mods - tune headers and exhaust, the 981 is still absurdly cheaper, obviously used vs new.

AdamIsAdam

Well, you can compare used 718 vs used 981 at this point. And if you're willing to consider base models, then the costs vary dramatically. Add in mileage and condition and, well, price is too great a variable to compare.

I bought a 9k mile 2015 GTS for 70k. The car has perfect paint, interior, etc. And while this may be towards the top of the price range for this car, it's also very hard to find a GTS, manual, especially one that's not black (a deal breaker for me). If you must have a flat-6, then you're limited to 718 GTS 4.0 from 2021 and newer, so also pricey - likely in the $80k and up range, probably more like 90k and up. Just way too many variables.

But if you are willing to buy an S or even a Base, then you get the flat-6 for MUCH less money in a 981. Yes!

cvjoint

Just last month I bought a 981 BGTS. I also considered the new 4.0 BGTS. I did the research and found out the only real difference is the 15% larger engine displacement, and I could not stomach the $50K price premium for it to get the 718. Price on new one just got to $101,800 MSRP and the destination charge went up too, which makes the 4.0 premium more like $55,000. I'm rarely at 100% throttle in the 981 but I would lie to myself if I said I wouldn't go for more power if it made sense financially. 15% more displacement is not going to be a big difference, for the price differential it would have to have a 500hp GT3 engine that revs to 9,000 rpm to be worthwhile. I drove 8,000 miles so far in a 1,500 lb Atom with 500hp, 330hp to 394hp in a Boxster is just a little more squirt. 4.0 is too much power only in the Porsche realm where every hp is a small fortune and 500hp is the gold standard. I still don't get why Porsche won't make a bare bones Boxster with the GT3 engine and a manual. It would be a Honda S2000 like celebration for the brand and maybe the G.O.A.T. for all gearheads.

Taking the OP's preference for running a car near the limit, I'd say get a Honda S2000. That's the car that got me into roadsters and white knuckle experiences. It has way less go than even the 2.7L, even lighter, even more raw, except that 25 year old electric steering is super numb.

I get the preference for raw, mechanical, unassisted fun. That's why my racecar is an Ariel Atom. But for the road I love the 981/718 Boxster chassis, best chassis for road use out there bar none. PASM while lacking natural feedback is a godsend on the crap roads I drive on daily. Can't say I feel the active engine mounts doing the thing, most likely need a back to back with a car that doesn't have it to tell a difference. Engine wise I would prefer an even firing V10 with 1000 hp, but the 3.4L flat 6 is sweet enough and has some wail from 3,500 rpm up.