2016 Porsche Cayman GTS vs 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 - Head to Head Review!

[@jarrodhaas]

One of the best channels if you actually want to know how a car drives

[@Zygrene]

That's the goal!

[@Poorschedriver]

I'm really surprised more people haven't made this comparison. I wanted a GT4 but like many it was just too much of a financial stretch so I "settled" for a GTS of this exact same spec (X73, manual, etc). On the street the GT4 does feel sharper. However as far as hauling ass down a back road that gap would only be noticed on track, as I can (mostly) keep up with my GT3 friends on tight back roads. I also have PS4S A/S on my car and they offer superb grip at the sacrifice of a little steering feel so that definitely adds to some of the difference in steering feel between the two. If you get a GTS there are 3 must do mods. 1.add headers, it really opens up the sound and adds a little power, 2. get a short throw shifter, 3. Update the EPS software with the GT3 caliprbation using the factory PIWIS diagnostic software. This completely transforms the steering feel and it does load up in corners and the wheel has way more feedback. Also I'd also suggest a GTS with X73 because the daming is wonderful. So in a nutshell, if you're going to track it, get a GT4, otherwise a GTS should be enough for most.

[@VK6AB-]

I have quite a few decent sports cars and the 981 GTS is one of them PTV, PSE, SC, PASM, GTS interior with carbon finish, body colour matched dials etc. I went with PDK which really suits the SC sports plus setting. Tires make a huge difference to these cars and Pilot Sport 4S work very well and give well balanced steering feel. As an all round sports car its hard to beat and I feel its right sized. Never really bought into the journo long gear issue and the soft brake pedal (in this review) likely means the brake fluid is old. I've owned a lot of Porsches and they are rightly known for their braking feel and modulation. GT4 or GTS is a bit of a blondes or brunettes deal, I prefer the GTS as an almost classic sports car that does everything well.

[@RichardWarner-df7dz]

You guys are spot on. However, it will probably not hold value or possibly go up in value like the GT4. However, value for money and everyday probably a better car. Cheers.

[@SpicyHatchback]

You should drive a Cayman S/GTS with the reprogrammed steering rack. Curious how it would feel back to back with a GT4.

[@noandrewhere]

I've owned both cars and just kept the GTS PDK. The GT4 is a GT car. If you don't use it on the track its just annoying after a few thousand miles. The GTS is a universal drivers car that you can enjoy in traffic, for road trips, on track etc. I'd choose the GT4 for track days, the GTS for all other days ;-)

[@ernesternest815]

You should do a comparison of a 981 cayman with the GT3 steering calibration versus stock. I think it is much better and loads up in turns. Also activate the PTV and turns get even better.

[@johnmitchell2269]

At this point, I think it's fair to label you as a Cayman expert. You have driven more of them than any auto journalist on the planet 😂

[@Zygrene]

From S2000's to Caymans. Hopefully Porsche RS next 🙃

[@Tential1]

An auto journalist will get to drive every single cayman, every single year, as they're invited by Porsche every year. Additionally, auto journalists live with the cars for a week or more. Most Auto journalists don't even have their own personal car because they can just keep asking manufacturers for different cars. Now, how much value the opinion or a person who does business directly with the manufacturer is another idea entirely lol. I prefer "normal" people.

[@johnmitchell2269]

​@@Tential1This guy has probably driven about 15 different Caymans.

[@chuck121370]

Now review a 981 GT4 vs. a new 982 GTS, they cost around the same and would be interesting to see if the new 4.0 GTS closes the gap. Great work as usual.

[@neilturner6749]

The 718 GTS and 718 GT4 are extremely closely matched and were only priced about 10-15k differently when new, so yes it would be interesting to match a 981 GT4 vs a 718 GTS. Consensus among the 718 community is that the current GTS is actually a better all-rounder than the (now discontinued) harsh-riding 718 GT4 (many just went for the GT4 blindly after seeing 981 GT4 residual values!) so in theory it should trounce the older 981 model. However most 981 GTS owners seem to think their car is subjectively better than the 718 GTS, so there you go…

[@dksgarage6061]

I too have been looking for a 981 GT4 vs 982 GTS 4.0 comparison without any luck. For the same money which is the better buy and why?

[@uweheinrich6784]

The 981 GTS with PDK would have been a much closer gap, given its faster shift and excellent engagement capability. Tires also place an important role in steering wheel feel and cornering ability.......I think the testet GTS does not represent the best possible match for a comparison.....

[@GSTRification]

Nice comparison. I bet the tires play a key role in their steering feel. I had e90 m3 back when it was released. It was my only car and swiped out to winter tires for 6 months winter season up north. But what a night and day difference against the summer tires. Winter/all seasons probably was not designed to be on that car just like gts and gt4 caymans.

[@TRSCobra]

I agree. I replaced the stock Cup 2's with PS4S on my 718 GT4 and the steering feels a lot less sharp now.

[@carguy7627]

I agree. He's basically comparing tires in the video. There is such a drastic difference in feel and capability between the two that, to me, it makes no sense to compare them. I understand he can only compare what he has access to, but then it doesn't need to be a comparison video - an impression video would be better suited to what he has access to.

[@NAJMFAN]

Your making such kick ass vids man! Love it!

[@DenisLevchenko]

Would love to see more Porsche GT vs non-GT cars side by side comparisons.

[@optimusp70]

What most people are missing here, is that the 981 Cayman 2014-16 Base-GT4 is the best sports car ever built. And you can drive it daily. Manual is preferred for maximum passion points.

[@daleleppo5928]

I have put just under 27,000 miles on my 2021 718 GT4, a slightly different car, but I love it for all of the reasons stated. Do I spend a lot of time in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear? Sure. Does it bother me? Nope. Maybe the difference is the extra torque from the 4.0 engine. I had an allocation for a GT3 Touring, went to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta to drive a GT3 (PDK unfortunately) and decided I liked the mid engine and back to basics simplicity of my GT4 better so I passed. I talked to the GM of my dealer. He said "I know you could buy the GT3T and flip it, but I would much rather sell it to someone who will enjoy it, so thank you." There really are good dealers out there. Appreciate them when you find one.

[@CruiseControl1]

I am sure the GT4 is superior in every way to the GTS but for the price premium it commands I would gladly take the GTS over the GT4. I raced the 981 GTS on track with the pdk and it was by far leaps and bounds beyond my driving skill, it is still much benchmark. Great video

[@dvdan]

The GT4 is actually lighter than the GTS. It's 2950 lbs, not 3200 lbs as mentioned in the video. One of the lightest street Porsches since the air cooled generation, in fact.

[@QUEENKONA]

So glad you uploaded this. I’m a 981 GTS owner and have been wondering if the 20-30k is THAT worth it. Great perspective

[@bobbykhan5787]

I drove the Cayman manual in the S, GTS, and GT4 forms back to back at Porsche Atlanta back in 2015 (it was a program to drive all 3). The S was forgettable, the GTS was good, and the GT4 was distinctly different. As you said, clearly cut from a different cloth. I think as soon as I pressed the clutch and moved the shifter it was already clear.

[@Hypersonik]

You do realise that apart from a centre radiator, the S and the GTS are the same car? And just like that, your opinion is worth nothing :)

[@bobbykhan5787]

@@Hypersonik I do realize they’re the same car at its core. Doesn’t mean they feel the same to drive out the factory (unless you option up an S to match the GTS with pasm sport and ptv, which isn’t how the demonstration S cars were spec’d).

[@boywonderrr71]

​@@HypersonikYou obviously don't know shit. The power bump alone makes the drive different. Then the suspension & other tweaks. F off

[@terminatedphil]

Why do you drive with traction control off? The 981 GT4 has the front suspension from the 991.1 GT3.

[@qwerty69600]

Nice review. I've got this GTS, but with the PDK, which has slightly shorter gears - 2nd tops out at just over 70mph, yet 7th is long enough to cruise at 75mph pulling just 2000rpm. The gearing can be a pain on tighter roads, but you don't notice it at all on track. Most of the interior of the GT4 can be had in the GTS, except with the steering wheel. I actually think the GTS 3.4 is better than the 3.8 in the GT4, as the latter is just a detuned 991.1S engine - nothing special and with a huge torque gap in the middle of the range. The GTS engine is much more peaky and revvy. The 981 GT4 is better everywhere else though. The 981 GT4 is also a lot harsher and more savage than the 718 GT4 too, which some people like. If you've got a 981 GTS, there's no point going to a 981 GT4, you may as well jump straight to the 718 GT4, which is a huge jump.

[@dksgarage6061]

981 gt4 or 718 gts 4.0 for the same money....your pick?

[@Ben-bg2eg]

I thought the 981 GT4 was under 3000 lbs?

[@boywonderrr71]

Thanks for helping me out with my choice. 911 Carrera T/S, 718 GT4 PDK, C8 Z51 & Z06. Looks like the GT4 Also DeMan Motorsport in NY does gear changes for the manuals & 565 HP & 437 TQ stroker engines for $35k for engine 10k for trans i think. Shark Works in Fremont also does trans gears & engine work.

[@pan4632]

zygrene is the CEO of the Cayman platform

[@denisvogel5155]

Thanks for a great video! The S,s X-73 suspension is excellent when you're on it but less so at city speeds which I believe you alluded to and I will confirm after 5 years of living with it. I am puzzled though as to why you would compare the 981 GT4's engine to a GT3's or RS 4's rather than the 718 4.0 which you have driven at least a couple examples of. Anyway, keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to more comparisons.

[@flat6fever680]

Not to sound cliche, but I feel your pain. Literally. I had to sell my beloved 981S with X73 because of the horrific suspension. Bought the car new and suffered through 39k miles with it. Blissful joy and sound on nice roads but downright punishing 90% of the time. Plus hardly any ground clearance. Significantly lower than the PASM and standard cars. I wonder what it would cost to convert to standard suspension? I assumed it would be a fortune and didn't investigate. I wish I had gotten standard or PASM which I hear PASM in comfort mode is even softer than standard suspension. X73 is kiss of death if you ask me. I am shopping now but keep finding X73 cars used. Think about this people if you are shopping. Ask this question and ask to see the OEM options. It will show up.

[@warrenlucier5796]

@@flat6fever680 I have a 2010 Cayman S and didn't want the PASM (marsh mellow or rock hard) setting and went for the standard that is just right for most driving situations. The factory option that came out later is the Cayman R and that would have worked well for a more track oriented entry option. Give Suncoast Porsche a call and they'll give you some $$$ numbers to think on.

[@flat6fever680]

@@warrenlucier5796 Oh man I'll take the marshmallow setting all day long lol. That X73 was violent with the 20's. My first Boxster S had standard suspension and was perfect. Not marshmallow, not violent. I'd like another Boxster S someday but will get standard one size fits all suspension. Yeah the Cayman R was a cool car btw.

[@lz5324]

Great review. Would love to see comparison for 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 vs 781 GT4!

[@sanzserif]

Amazing comparison. I had a GTS and upgraded to GT4 and totally agree with everything you said here!

[@giovannig4369]

Hey Zygrene, great video as always! What would you get between a 981 GT4 vs 997.1 GT3? Thanks man!

[@karltaht2370]

As a GT4 owner, I never regret the premium I paid for it. The way it's balanced it just insanely good. I've had E30s, E36, E46, and S2000, and done tons of mods ranging from simple coils to big aero, MCS, and boost. Its quite frustrating to modify so many cars and realize how they don't quite hit that balance of the GT4. (Fear not S2000 fans, my boosted S2K *is* faster around a track than my GT4).

[@allanlai_]

Super helpful review. Would be curious to learn how 981 gt4 compares w/ the Spyder from the same generation.

[@Conan997]

What road is this @Zygrene ? Mt. Diablo?

[@drunvert]

I think it's going to be really hard to find the limits on either one of those cars

[@marcwong3375]

Would love to see a comparison of the 981 gt4 vs 982 GT’s 4.0

[@The888Redlich]

Disappointing that you chose to go ahead with the most important part of the cars so different. Cup2 v all seasons is a ridiculous basis to compare cars on. Would like to see a more valid test with similar tyres

[@christinahamiltonracing]

I bought the 981 Cayman S PDK on standard suspension for a few reasons. The softer spring rates and greater travel of the standard 981 suspension brings back the steering feel I think the lower, stiffer specs lack. The lack of PTV makes the car feel more predictable to me in mid corner. In the PTV cars I can never quite tell when I’ve tripped the threshold to activate it or not so it’s hard to trust it all the way. Without the big x73 rear swaybar the lack of the diff included with PTV doesn’t seem to hurt the car as much. The PDK isn’t as fun as having a manual shift but the gear ratios are so much better it’s kind of impossible to pass up.

[@davidyoung4164]

Great review. I agree with you...the 981 GT4 is still good! I'm keeping mine for a long long time! 😎

[@Xspeedspec]

How many miles does it have? When did you get it and for how much? I was think to get 981 gt4 but the long gearing kills me

[@beccagrace99]

​@@XspeedspecI recently bought a GT4... The long gearing is not a big deal like people make out to be. Love the car, has taken a bit to get used to coming from an R8 (Chalk & Cheese)

[@Xspeedspec]

@@beccagrace99nice! I decided to go with the 981 boxster spyder so I can hear the exhaust better with the top down and have more space. Plus it’s more street friendly

[@beccagrace99]

@@Xspeedspec also a great choice. They're great cars

[@warrenlucier5796]

The gear ratios issue has 2 options out there. There is one where the gear sets on the transmission shafts are changed out (GT Gears) and Sharkwerks does that option. The second option is offered in the UK and the change is to the final drive via ring and pinion instead of changing the gears on the primary and secondary shafts. I can't remember who the vendor is in the UK, but that's what the internet is here . I'd like to have a DeMan 4.5 in my 2010 Cayman S 😳🤓😎!

[@_Suzuka_Joe]

@zygrene you drive with the assists off (ECS, TCS) and I was curious if you find they're limiting with them engaged?

[@6SpeedTA95]

Gearing issue is real. One thing not factored into all the steering feel comments you made is the alignment. Same steering rack I believe but the front end alignment/camber make a big difference in feel.

[@seb5945]

Is GTS the cheapest Flat-6 available from Porsche?

[@TobiasJoos]

we need a 981 Spyder on this channel :D

[@johnzhu5735]

It’s best not to do straight comparison of cup2 tires against all season rubber.

[@matteoscuratti8829]

What’s the best cayman you drove right now man? Compliments for your work☺️

[@softhotty]

More shots of the car less shots of you dude. Wanna see & hear these beautifully engineered bigboy toys traversing; how flat or neautril they corner. I have a 981 GTS 2016 guards red, for me the profile of this car is PERFECT. Most beautiful car Ive ever seen. Good info, love to see you film more exterior shots.

[@notdreadyet33]

Does the GT4 have shorter ratios? I'm looking for a manual shift that I can drive daily. GT4 seems about perfect, but they're way overpriced right now IMO. I had an 07 STI years ago that was a blast. Current C7 Z06 is too fast for daily driving with how much traffic we have now.

[@purphaze69]

I have a 981 gts with custom exhaust headers coil overs , programming ..wouldn’t trade it for a gt4…hate that wing it has .

[@Tential1]

Ya boy hip thrusting at the end..... 😂😂😂

[@203132]

Nice review. But are the gear ratios good for track though? Isn't that the major point of the GT4?😮

[@Zygrene]

True. Stock gearing likely works very well on track.

[@iguana4751]

If you don't like the steering and the long gearing - just drive a Porsche 987.2S. 2nd gear goes to 107kmh and it has manual rack steering. Maybe its slower but you save 50000$ compared to the 981 GT4.

[@johnnyboy1586]

There are independent outfit that can change the gearing in the diff to give lower gears ratios

[@johnozmen2147]

GTS is a brilliant car. GT4 is icing on the cake

[@FreshYoungDude]

Think I would prefer PDK because of the long manual gearing sadly.

[@colnagog6026]

Cayman PDK gear ratios are not much different than the manual in the lower gears.

[@FreshYoungDude]

@@colnagog6026 bummer.

[@1laimmiss]

Good video. Can you please do 718 Cayman s vs 718 Cayman GTS4.0?

[@jonrichmond]

3200lbs is the 718 variant. 2950lbs for the 981

[@DoWorkExotics]

Great video!

[@Hypersonik]

981 SvsGTSvsGT4... The 981S is the one to get. Why? Well... It has EXACTLY the same engine as the GTS - The MA1.23. The ONLY difference between it and the GTS is a map. Get an OTS map and you're already at 360bhp. Do you need the added centre rad of the GTS? Well, it creates an air dam and adds more weight so up to you. And seeing as a GT4 costs twice the price of an S... Seriously, get some good coils, solid transmission mounts, remap, 350mm front rotor upgrade, and swap out the GT3 master cylinder and servo, and a wavetrac differential. You'll have almost a GT4 for $40,000 less. GTS? You're paying for the badge as it's identical to an S apart from some Alcantara and a centre radiator.

[@JoGio2b9]

Amazing video !🏎️🔥😉

[@ginorocca8363]

Have you compared a GT3 997.1 Vs GT4 981 which would should you buy for a 8-10 day per year Track car?

[@sunilsolanki]

How does it feel compared to a Mx5 or Gt86 for pure fun??

[@Braselton21]

Buy a PDK Cayman GTS & buy the GT4 Front Bumper + Wing :D

[@thomasz3192]

So what's the take on 718 GT4 vs 981 GT4? What's your preferencE?

[@Zygrene]

The elusive comparison, somehow. 718 definitely feels more capable but something about the 981's rawness speaks to me a tad more.

[@colnagog6026]

FWIW, after 3+ years with 981 GT4 and customizing PASM settings, the 718 steering/clutch are "lighter" than 981. 718 damping is more settled/compliant "stock" than 981. 718 is better daily, if you want less drama in your daily driving.

[@FastInSlowOut64]

981 GT4 vs 718 GTS 4.0 👀

[@johnwilliams727]

Is the best move a 987 cayman with a 4.0?

[@Pearl3Drummer]

Awesome content

[@oyurcha1]

981 GT4 vs Evora GT?

[@Zygrene]

I did 718 GT4 vs Evora GT. 981 would be mostly the same. Probably an identical conclusion.

[@durrrant_simracing]

Good video but with two very very different tyres this makes the review not that good and a shame.

[@thomaswu9094]

I have zero issues with the 2nd gear tall gearing whatsoever. Are you driving it right ?! coz it’s not a drag race you need not keep it to red line on 2nd.

[@jackzhang6705]

Do you honestly think that you are driving it “rightier” than this guy? 😂

[@mecheng1977]

Hahah the so called clown was hilarious

[@gsten2116]

Whining about the gearing. You and everyone else. The gears are fine. Who the hell drives a car to max rpm with every shift? Race cars in a race. Not regular people in a sports car. What a stupid complaint.

[@spikes20]

I know the conclusion...GT's are always worth it =)

[@oraclemiata845]

I mean I like Porsche’s as much as the next guy, but I’d like to see some more variety in your videos…. So many Cayman’s… Your super good at what you do.

[@itsy3h]

In fairness, I imagine a large part of these videos revolve around what cars he has access to. And maybe it just so happens that Porsche’s are a bit easier for him to access than other cars.

[@Zygrene]

Yeah, for some reason I get a lot of offers to review Porsches and I'll never say no

[@oraclemiata845]

@@ZygreneI honestly wouldn’t either.

[@rogerzheng5718]

I follow him largely because of his amount of Porsche content lol

[@Pearl3Drummer]

What's the con on having ptv?

[@Zygrene]

Not sure there is one.

[@jackzhang6705]

@@Zygrene I heard having PTV will cause significantly more wear on the rear brake pads on track.

[@Xdev1lG00D]

You said 2015 GTS but title is 2016. I don't know my Porsche's so honestly Idk what's right haha

[@bigpotato7804]

Regardless they are both 981

[@Zygrene]

Same same haha

[@austinjpark1]

Like this reviewers videos/channel but didn’t feel it was a good match. As many said tires would make a huge difference. And you basically were driving a high mileage beat up GTS vs a low mileage, pristine highly optioned GT4. I would like a closer match redo before you say the GT4 really is worth the 30-40k upgrade.

[@frederickcook87]

👌🏾❤️👌🏾

[@sunilsolanki]

The long gearing in this car makes it almost no fun at all on normal roads

[@ZZ-ed6wp]

Gt4 most overrated Porsche ever . Just get a 911 Carrera GTS and get the real 3.8 as God intended for same or less money

[@mortsolomon4603]

What was the loud whirring noise in the GT4?