2020 Porsche 718 Spyder Review | More Fun Than A Cayman GT4!

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The Boxster Spyder is back for the 718 generation, and has thankfully stayed naturally aspirated! With a brand new 4.0L Flat 6 (not the same one as the GT3) and a 6 speed manual transmission, the 718 Spyder is all about pure driving enjoyment. Over 400hp, no turbos, redline of 8000RPM and some parts borrowed from upper tier cars like the GT3 RS, the Spyder is a mid-engined masterpiece. Now mechanically identical to the Cayman GT4, taking the roof off changes the experience for the better. While the GT4 is always trying to be the fastest track car, but never able to match it's big brother 911 GT3, the Spyder has no such aspirations by the simple fact of it having no roof, which just makes it so much more fun to drive.
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#porsche #718spyder #boxster

[@exoticarauto]

I have the 981 spyder and they are great cars. Dont let the roof scare you. It can be done in about a minute once use to it. Add a set of race headers and it absolutely changes these cars to Carrera GT like sound. Unbelievable driving!

[@thugnasty8400]

It's like a baby speedster. Its the first Cayman with the roof off I actually want. Well done Porsche.

[@EddieX]

Accurate! It made me miss owning a convertible for sure.

[@joren5292]

Hoot i feel the same way

[@pjbuma13]

It’s not a Cayman it’s a Boxter.

[@hbullock]

Correction: cayman is absolutely a boxster with a roof. :)

[@pedrowhite6684]

I find it interesting that so many seem to dog the long ratios in the 718 Spyder, yet this gets frequently overlooked in the 991.2 GT3. Second gear in the 991.2 GT3 is good for 81 mph. I love both vehicles and find their manual transmissions to be an absolute joy! Don't like the long gear ratios, then apply your criticism to the GT3 as well, and go find a faster shifting vehicle. For those that absolutely cannot stand the long gear ratios in the Porsche GT products, there are lots of folks who would be happy accepting donations. ;p

[@clu4u]

All 911 manuals have the same ratios as 981&718

[@bradenlohmar3903]

this is my favorite brand new car by far

[@inishiSW20]

"Because it's not the GT3." That is so well put Sir!!

[@osmiumtank]

High quality recording and great placement of cameras - unobtrusive yet just right!

[@hellothere9262]

I love the manual top. Not everything has to be automated and it only takes a minute to do. A nice touch of the past I think. If you want the convenience, a normal boxster is there for you.

[@ulisesavila2879]

If you have to get out of your car to put a soft top, engineering failed, put motors there.

[@robertgregory1927]

I enjoy your reviews, nice job. I take delivery of my 2021 Spyder this Wednesday 6/21/24, can’t wait!

[@usernamealreadytaken770]

Saw a 981 Spyder a few days ago. Although I normally hate soft top convertibles, I think the Boxster Spyder is one of the few I want though I would still prefer a GT4.

[@keking2178]

Paused Manuel has long second gear.

[@clu4u]

@@keking2178 I have a 981 Spyder, the long gears are much to do about nothing, imho.

[@tonspike]

Not to sound pedantic, but it’s not called the 718 “Boxster” Spyder, it’s actually just “718 Spyder”.

[@PrimetimeRU951]

Dude I remebr you from the vehicle virgins channel . Glad to see you are close to 100k

[@patricksoon85]

That is such a nice spec.

[@markgust8763]

Woodward dream crusin' love it.

[@04dram04]

The new boxster is so exotic looking

[@gunt0017]

Best review of spyder I’ve seen. Ok I’ll buy one...

[@nicke7848]

Keep it up Eddie 👍

[@EddieX]

Thanks!

[@snakerb]

Other than putting the roof on and off, I love everything about that car, especially the manual shifter.

[@donwarner6925]

snakerb Thats the whole point of the Spyder.

[@Darkoxbrain3696]

A relic in a modern world

[@charleslu7044]

Hey Eddie! One thing you should NEVER do is rest your hand or tap the gear lever while driving! The reason is that you can be engaging the synchro gears unknowingly. Numerous instruction manuals state this, Saab, Audi, etc. I just picked up a 981 Spyder last week🤓

[@fakez06sean98]

Porsche really does build perfectly irrational vehicles. I wish more manufacturers would take a cue.

[@EddieX]

Oh man that would be amazing

[@throttlebodymedia136]

Nice review Eddie!

[@EddieX]

Thanks!

[@cramdangle]

That looks pretty good

[@nick_kilgore]

Great content! Glad to see it, one thing though. It’s just the 718 spyder it’s not actually called the boxter.

[@joshuagarza3747]

Great review!!! Keep it up :)

[@EddieX]

Thanks!

[@noahlugobaseballandboxing7015]

I miss the R8 too I'm dying to buy one.

[@sickset]

Absolutely love this car. A GT4 without the roof. I just can't imagine having to get out of the car while it starts raining and having to do all those steps for the roof, manually lol.

[@EddieX]

Haha yeah, this is a car that you take out when the forecast absolutely contains no chance of rain

[@bobcortez4427]

I agree, but I would imagine the typical buyer of this car will stick in their garage with all their other cars and only drive it on the best of days. If I got one, I would put the top down and forget about it.

[@sickset]

@@bobcortez4427 For sure. For me this would never be a garage queen so I know there would be many days of me getting caught in the rain in traffic I'm sure too, lol. I can only picture me running out at a redlight and having to do all those steps

[@clu4u]

Last time I drove mine I got caught in light rain, no big deal. If you’re going 25 mph the rain goes right over your head.

[@mister_ray]

I am in the 991.2 GT3 manual camp.

[@camabron1]

Nice vid! How's the ground clearance? Rear window visibility with the top up? Many blind spots with the top up?

[@ZE4MC]

Eddie I noticed NOT a lot of wind noise while driving- and even though it has a "thin" roof how was the road noise? Will be seriously looking at getting one but also do highway driving and dont want a lot fo noise inside? WHat did you think? Also i would get PDK

[@parthpatel967]

I misread the title as 918 and I was like well you’re not wrong 🤣🤣🤣

[@EddieX]

Hahaha

[@benkse2010]

After owning Miatas, I'm really fortune to have the one hand/one arm up and down roof. That is quite the process to swap.

[@EddieX]

Miata is absolutely way more simple haha

[@rembo183]

EddieX - ...Miata also priced a little better!

[@drdoom9592]

Reminds me of a baby Carrera gt🏁🏁

[@ARentz07]

This is a great-looking spec. I love Chalk.

[@EddieX]

Agreed!

[@AB-fr2ei]

yeah one of the most beautiful colors for Porsches 911s, Caymans, Boxters, they all look beautiful and classy in Chalk

[@nafnaf0]

Yeah that looks fantastic, if I got one it would be almost identical to this one. I'd get at least the Bose if it didn't have it.

[@galaxiedance3135]

If the vehicle is locked....and someone reaches inside, can they open the trunk? Or is that trunk switch not working when the vehicle is left alone in convertible form? Just cuz it would be so easy for anyone to have access. Thanks.

[@lightenergyfractoid5675]

This thing is amazing, but if I get a GTS I can have a power roof- and it's cheaper ?

[@scug]

9:24 other porsche owner looks at eddie and guns it. LOL

[@goons123flofy]

Gt4 owner, want to go topples, but jees, that top looks like a pain

[@cartergarnon6299]

I really think this is the car to buy right now. Allocations are hard to come by though. Stealerships are asking for $10-15k over sticker. There are a few in stock around the US though if you’re ok with someone else’s spec on your brand new Porsche.

[@EthanWainland]

that seems steep. Dealership by me just sold a pretty much fully optioned gt4 minus carbon ceramics and they were selling it at sticker price

[@ethanqian2528]

No surprise on dealer markups for a manual I talked to dealership and get similar answers. Maybe try a PDK version of 718 spyder next year if u want price close to sticker

[@akapeeks]

I read that the 4.0 liter flat 6 from the 991 GT3 does not take kindly to detuning and packaging was an issue as well. Great review overall and I agree with the your point of the Spyder offering a more special experience than the GT4. I am striving to own a Spyder or Boxster GTS 4.0 sometime down the road.

[@hbullock]

GT3 motor is EXPENSIVE. A detuned gt3 engine would still be very expensive.

[@clu4u]

This is not a detuned GT3 engine, it was developed from the 3.0 911 engine.

[@thetrainingcoop]

The car is gorgeous and no doubt awesome to drive but man oh man that soft top is awkward to put up. I’ve owned a couple of soft top MX-5’s (and yes I realize they’re not in the same performance range as a 718 Spyder) and I could put the top up or down with one hand while I sat in the car! I now have a retractable fastback MX-5 and of course you just push a button so apples and oranges, but honestly that 718 Spyder soft top mite be enough to prevent me from buying the car. The soft top does look really cool tho.

[@paul7328]

Please drive this car again after break-in if you have the chance and compare this to the GT350R before you make you final decision. Cheers to whichever you choose

[@EddieX]

Definitely will try to!

[@Fluterra]

Sorry- you want to compare a GT Porsche with a Mustang?! Hahahahaa. Please brother, not even close.

[@azzurrin889]

How hard is it to buy one of these? I went to one of my local Porsche dealer in October and wanted to be put on waiting list, but it was something like 20+ people long. Now that I check out Auto trader there are about 15 for sale within 500 miles of me. The only thing is I don't like any of the colors. Also, there is no ADM on these are there?

[@joe718gt4]

Depends on the dealer. I think in more competitive markets there will be ADMs. But Porsche will take orders until 2022

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I want to eventually buy this Boxster, but it’s definitely not as fun as a Cayman GT4. What kind of weed did you smoke when you were uploading this title? We all need some 🤣🤣

[@EddieX]

Exactly same powertrain + top down = more fun.

[@foxlake6750]

I have a Boxster S and it’s more fun than the Cayman. I drove a Cayman GTS at a Porsche track day, so I have been able to compare. The GT4 guys will talk about the stiffer chassis……..so what, there isn’t much difference.

[@videofrat3115]

will it fit a full sized checked luggage in the trunk?

[@trollwhenyouseeit]

The back looks like a VW golf 7

[@detroittechno7904]

Where’s the button. Edit. Porsche really seem to be on another level. Their just gonna get better and better. If that’s possible.

[@obykinobi4275]

You can’t talk about this car properly until you’ve driven The 981 Spyder. It’s not an entirely new car and would be good to hear a comparison of both spyders. Is it worth the $20k premium for the 4.0 and gt suspension with a sound offset

[@WWMMWWWMMMWWWWMMMM]

Nice Belugas

[@kingcharlessapproval8778]

Let me help you out their son, The gears have more low end torque so it doesn't feel as spaced out as the previous GT4

[@masteryoda5237]

Eddie, if you could afford it, would you get an aventador svj, ferrari 488 pista, ferrari 812 superfast, rolls royce,or gt2rs ?

[@christmasisawesome9348]

All GT2RS are 911 but not all 911 are GT2RS. Rewrite your question.

[@EddieX]

Idk. Probably SVJ or 812

[@blackice214]

Na a tuned cayman s 718 is probably the best driving experience I’ve had recently

[@EddieX]

It sounds like a little tractor/Subaru 😬

[@blackice214]

EddieX It does haha

[@joe718gt4]

Its actually a 500 dollar option to get the calipers painted black, regardless of steel or PCCB rotors

[@pb12echo]

Joseph Herbias $900

[@joe718gt4]

@@pb12echo yup you're right. Just remembered you can black them out regardless

[@scottlowe1304]

What is your height Eddie? Just want to get some perspective about how roomy the car is. Thx.

[@EddieX]

6'3". It's not bad!

[@ethanqian2528]

How about the dealer mark-up on GT4 and 718 spyder?

[@oompha1]

I just ordered the 718 Spyder and will only be paying MSRP. No dealer mark up.

[@morgang7877]

How does auto start stop function with a stick shift?

[@hellothere9262]

Car in neutral with foot off clutch and foot on brake when stopped and it turns off. When you push in the clutch, the car starts up and you're good to put it in gear and go.

[@gtrzero2157]

This is 2020 that top is ridiculous. Who wants that.

[@EddieX]

Weight savings lol. It's always been like that, I found it more amusing than annoying

[@gtrzero2157]

@@EddieX ya very true good point! just seems like porsche would have the engineering ability to work out that weight savings in a more customer friendly fashion. Thanks for the response. Ive been following you since the old days with "he who shall not be named". Appreciate ur channel, and the content is great keep it up!

[@gt1r]

Literally thousands, as allocations are incredibly hard to come by

[@EddieX]

Once you figure out the order of operations it's not bad! Part of the charm of the car haha. Similar thing to the strap door "handles". Is it necessary? Not really. But cool and part of the character. And thanks for the support!

[@clu4u]

My 981 Spyder has the same roof, takes a minute to go up or down. No big deal.

[@giveyouashot]

They took the 3.8 liter Carrera S motor in the 911.2 and not the 3.0 liter motor.

[@bene1945]

considering this or gt3 for my next car, the only problem is you can't get gt3 with manual for cheap in Germany, well I guess it's the same all over the world. Spyder looks better than gt3 in my opinion, but gt3 is well... gt3

[@oompha1]

Might be too late to get the 718 Spyder build to your specs. I was on the wait list for over 1.5 years and am probably the last one to get it at my dealer.

[@gunmenow]

Does US version have particle filter to mute the exhaust?

[@EddieX]

I believe the actual filter material isn't in there, but the physical component is there and still impacts sound. Something along those lines. So it's better than euro cars, but not as good as previous gen in terms of sound.

[@gunmenow]

EddieX so how easy is it to mod the exhaust?

[@joe718gt4]

@@gunmenow there are already exhausts for this car from Fabspeed, JCR, Cargraphic, Schmidt, etc

[@gunmenow]

@@joe718gt4 I did check on videos, but no luck of finding the clips of tuned exhaust.

[@joe718gt4]

@@gunmenow instagram.com/p/CByuGjzll7L/?igshid=60oxb2j60dug

[@whitecar8]

Is the gear ratio also that ridiculous in the 991.2 GT3?

[@EddieX]

Nope.

[@hbullock]

Why “nope?” About same max second gear. If complaint is exceeding speed limit, the answer is “yes”

[@moritz1302]

It's not a Boxter Spyder..... It's a 718 spyder. No Boxter

[@EthanWainland]

the 4.0 from the gt3 is too big to fit in the cayman/boxster so the just used the 3.0 and bored it out. They finally have an option no to paint the brake calipers black.

[@rogernewton7831]

That was a very interesting video on how to drive around in traffic, in a straight line, with the top down at 40 mph, breathing in fumes from lorries, in a car that can do 186 mph that handles better than most other vehicles. You might want to pick some different roads next time.

[@EddieX]

What's a lorry

[@leonardoluc6362]

Is it just me but this is not a Boxster Spyder EddieX.

[@hampstershat123]

Do you think they're scared to put the 911 engine in this platform because mid-engine>rear? edit: I commented too early you pretty much answered this question haha

[@EddieX]

Yep haha. As per Matt Farah, the "cayman complex" is real.

[@spacemanspiff9773]

By the time you walk to the rear to raise the trunk lid, I would have already had my ND MX-5 Miata’s top up and locked... never having to leave my seat.

[@exoticarauto]

Yeah but your in a miata...👎

[@oompha1]

Miata are great roadsters for the price

[@Closertotruth2]

I own a NC Miata PRHT. Owned a 2016 Spyder and have a new Spyder on order. They really can’t be compared as they are radically different driving experiences. However, both great in their own way.

[@spacemanspiff9773]

Exoticar Auto yes, I’m glad I sold my BMW E46 M3 Convertible and am in my Miata ND. The fun to drive factor is about the same without all the maintenance costs and headaches.

[@Vin-fu1rm]

0:50 you build like elementary pink eraser!

[@AnythingWithMotors]

They dont want it to be like a GT car it would have had that 9k from redline if and when they make it on their level lambing and ferrari will be in trouble. It's not like its competition anyways it's a mid engine car they need to go ahead and make it to their level at same price point.smh

[@Darkoxbrain3696]

"Road driving focused"...yup the rest of us are driving cars in the air

[@EddieX]

Road vs track 🙄🙄🙄 but yeah, I'm having fun I'm my flying car

[@tuomasholo]

The four cylinder is a failure in terms of sales. They’re listed locally with large discounts and sitting unsold. It’s hard to justify $60k for a four cylinder.

[@mister_ray]

But US$90K for a flat six GTS 4.0?

[@nix294]

@@mister_ray it is a German brand . Expect the ridiculous price .

[@MrRandomTwat]

@@nix294 Well for Europeans you could say the same thing about US cars. A C8 corvette is 125k where I live, while I can get a Spyder for 100K...

[@melindahowell1202]

It’s a 718 Spyder (not a Boxter Spyder)

[@theanthonyv]

GT3 4.0 engine doesn’t fit in the Cayman without cost-prohibitive modifications.

[@EddieX]

Why is that? Cause the 3.0L they based it off of is from a rear engined 911. Genuinely curious, I wasn't able to find any significant reasons explaining why porsche went this route.

[@anthonyvincent7207]

@@EddieX A quote from CarThrottle: When Car Throttle spoke to Porsche GT chief Andreas Preuninger last year, a similar argument was used for the 911 GT3/Speedster engine not being used in the GT4. If you need to flip the thing around to put the gearbox in the right place for a mid-engine configuration, a bunch of other stuff needs to be moved too. “You can make it fit in with a hammer and take sheet metal out, but that’s not fit for mass production,” he concluded.

[@EddieX]

Very cool!! Thanks for the explanation.

[@hbullock]

And gt3 motor, even detuned, is still $$$

[@PikachuPcar]

Nice video. Seems so quiet 🤫

[@EddieX]

The particulate filters really quiet it down a bit. Aftermarket exhaust would easily fix!

[@PikachuPcar]

@@EddieX the US ones don't have the filters though. They have the filter casings but I heard there's nothing inside. My 981 Spyder has the stock exhaust and it's already pretty loud...well I have the Cargraphic Headers too 😄 but still it'd be interesting to hear your frenz take since he had the prior one as well.

[@EddieX]

@@PikachuPcar no filter yes, but they have the physical part that still has an impact on the sound apparently

[@mister_ray]

Yes the 718 does not sound that good.. instagram.com/p/CAmENHNA9Nh

[@sultanqasim]

EddieX Correct, they have the particulate filter canister and mesh inside to create exhaust back pressure and muffled sound (to match the Euro version’s performance and exhaust sound). There is however no particulate capture coating on the mesh of the North American version, and no electronic monitoring of it, so it can be safely removed without hurting emissions or causing a check engine light. The other aspect is that the exhaust valves stay closed at low RPM under load to meet new European sound regulations, and only open up above 4500 RPM or so.

[@trixielee5064]

Autobahn Eddie

[@justinsgr8]

I'll take Gt4

[@alialrashidi1764]

But why? Why use the regular 911 engine ,take off turbos and modify??? It's cheeper and waaaaaay better to stick a gt3 engine. Then it will beat all porsche. Lines

[@gsten2116]

I just don't know why every reviewer whines about the gear ratios. Drive this thing in the canyons and you'll appreciate that you can keep it in 2nd or 3rd. If you want to shift all day drive a miata.

[@nemoyuan9337]

Ya I gotta shift all day 😓

[@Stanley4558]

lol

[@jonaruiz2414]

gt350000000

[@ryanpanizzoli9850]

Why don't you and parker still make videos together?

[@EddieX]

There are so many reasons I'd run out of space in this comment section typing them out.

[@ryanpanizzoli9850]

Are you even friends?

[@EddieX]

No

[@ryanpanizzoli9850]

Being a person that lives in Michigan I think it is so cool that you still stayed in Michigan and you did not move to LA like every other youtuber on the planet.

[@babyyoda8195]

Do you miss Parker?

[@Fluterra]

You didn’t mike the exhaust - all we can hear is your voice.

[@charleslu7044]

He can’t rev past 3k until broken in, so you have to wait...

[@pdds1]

It's as close to an open top GT car you're going to get without spending $300k for a Speedster. Love my 981 Spyder, just as fun as my GT3!

[@seinsmeld13]

I would rather walk than drive a white car!

[@tigerbalm666]

I woudl never buy a new Cayman. A nice used with 50K miles so I can replace all exaust, suspension, brake systems to my taste. I don;t give fukk about premium leather or carbon bullshit...

[@pcarobsessed9778]

Lol manual top? Who would?

[@lukelambert4595]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that is a “gt4 spyder” and not a “boxter spyder”. If I’m right, he has committed a thousand fouls in the eyes of the purists.

[@EddieX]

Technically it's a 718 Spyder. And if there are those that are so pedantic that they will be upset about me calling it a Boxster Spyder a couple times, 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@lukelambert4595]

EddieX lol. “It’s not a neon, it’s an SRT4!!!😡”. Dude, it’s a neon hahaha!

[@lukelambert4595]

EddieX that was me laughing with you btw

[@pjbuma13]

Constantly talks about how it’s not necessarily about being fast but about the driving experience yet this is a car with its roof chopped off reducing its overall rigidity and thereby lessening handling. Convertible sports cars make no sense. Buy a Cayman not this.

[@lightenergyfractoid5675]

they're fun and chicks like to ride in them- not so much super uncomfortable track cars with no convertible option.

[@stephenfoster6940]

@pjbuma13 Not so. The Boxster was designed from scratch to have very high rigidity without a roof. There is zero scuttle shake. The roof was actually *added* for the 2nd gen Cayman, so the roof wasn’t chopped off, unlike the 911 convertibles.

[@pjbuma13]

@@stephenfoster6940 no matter how hard you try a car without a roof will always have less rigidity than a car with a roof.

[@stephenfoster6940]

@@pjbuma13 Yes, and a car with a roof added will always be heavier than one without. Doesn’t mean that its too heavy though, or that the torsional rigidity of the Boxster is inadequate. No road tester that I’m aware of has complained about a Boxster’s lack of rigidity. It’s a brilliant handling car, like Miatas, Lotus Exige roadster, Ferrari and Lambo roadsters etc. But I take your point.

[@pjbuma13]

@@stephenfoster6940 most convertibles are actually heavier due to the mechanisms and frame work to make a convertible possible

[@clintperkins1760]

How cute, an Mr2 with cool wheels. Fkn junk box rattles like a sack of marbles. To think PORSCHE would put their name on this is ugly.

[@EddieX]

Wut.