Buy This Cayman GTS 4.0! It’s Better Than A 911!

[@mikeshepherd726]

Great review! I just took delivery of a 2021 BGTS back in March. I was lucky to find one at a dealership here in the states. After waiting two months to even get an allocation, I just found one out there that had something close to the specs I was looking for. I definitely lucked out given the chip shortages shortly thereafter. I opted for the BGTS over the base 911 because I couldn’t get a 911 in a manual. And if I’m driving a Porsche, it’s going to be a manual!!!

[@JAYREAD]

Oh you’re a lucky man, Mike! When I drove this car, I wondered why I was driving a 911 and if I should get a Cayman GTS instead! Good to hear my review matches with the real world. Thanks for your post!

[@arighosal4809]

GTS is a solid car in its own right -- flat 6! Beautiful spec.

[@itguru2037]

You are 1000 percent correct. 911 is a whale 🐳. I have driven both and purchased the Cayman

[@itsMYtc]

Being local to the area its always a nice surprise watching a video and recognizing you're in the neighborhood. I'm researching the 718 GTS 4.0 and GT4 with plans to purchase one in the future. Great video Jay, Thank you!

[@JAYREAD]

Aha! A neighbor! Thanks for watching!

[@iainanderson6790]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this review. Informative, entertaining and refreshingly grown-up! You have a new subscriber 😎👍🏻

[@JAYREAD]

Oh thank you very much, Iain! Thank you for watching!

[@SteveHeil-tb7wg]

My mom bought a 2024 gts 4.0. Those prices jumped up fast. Well over 100k

[@nickwall9078]

took delivery of mine last week,,,, 50 metres driven and totally at home,,,hard to imagine how you improve it at all, this is the one to pick in the range very liveable

[@JAYREAD]

Oh you lucky man! I did that video about a year ago and I remember that it was a truly lovely car!

[@slytherben]

You need to slide the gain down on your mic, or do it in post

[@JAYREAD]

I will.

[@stevengirard9941]

Great video Jay. I had a 2014 911 and I have a 2016 Cayman right now. It is silver with black wheels and looks very much like the GTS in this video. I liked the 911 but I love my Cayman. Two totally different cars but in looking at the 2021 new prices I see why you might want to compare them. I would recommend anyone interested to drive them both (if you can find a dealer with stock to drive). They are both incredible cars.

[@AchimDaffin]

Thanks for your review. Well done.

[@mschacht69]

Nice review....makes me waiver on my 17 Carrera GTS....

[@greggbull9543]

Jay, it needs to be the manual gearbox equipped one ☝️

[@JAYREAD]

Meh! 😜

[@michaelschneider-]

@Gregg Bull .. +1. Agree, ditch the PDK gearbox spending the savings on a Full Leather interior. .. A manual & Full Leather .... You'll thank me.

[@bogie7676]

My son in UK just ordered the Boxster GTS with manual. He drove a dealer test car and was very impressed. Unfortunately it will be 9-10 months for delivery, so it will be a 2022.

[@m5pilot397]

Meh? Hmmm…

[@johncartwright5179]

Fine review there! My second Porsche was a 2016 GTS, the last naturally-aspirated flat 6, before the switch to 718 models. I was so thrilled with it! I'm ordering the 2021 GTS 4.0, equipped much like the one you reviewed here except with the no-cost option of increasing road clearance by 10 mm. What a dilemma it is for a few of us, deciding on exterior color! I love that Python Green; the cost adder is significant though, at $2580 vs. either of the silver metallic offerings at $650, huh?

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you! Did you at any time consider a 911 Carrera? Just interested in the thought process of someone who is putting his money where his mouth is. BTW, I’d choose the GTS too.

[@johncartwright5179]

@@JAYREAD Yes, I had a pre-owned '17 911 turbo coupe with a bunch of fine options, it was fantastic, got itchy again, traded for a '20 911 Carrera S. Had a '15 Boxster S, as well, earlier. I have loved each one, just can't help wanting to know them all. Call me a Porsche-holic.

[@JAYREAD]

That’s great. Really interesting too. I have had some quite nasty remarks made about disrespecting the 911. I haven’t actually done that but rather tried to help people understand that, certain situations and at certain price points, 911 isn’t always the answer! Some treat this as an affront to their sensibilities and I was genuinely interested how a 911 owner who switches to a Cayman thinks. I really did think that the Cayman was outstanding.

[@clint1257]

@@JAYREAD I recently chose between a 911 Carrera and Cayman GTS 4.0. In terms of looks, I think the 911 is absolutely gorgeous but a bit too OTT in terms of showing off. I could imagine people looking at me in the 911 and thinking that I was a rich w***er! The Cayman is still gorgeous but a little more understated. I also felt that the 911 was too big for the UK (particularly on the smaller, better driving roads). The Cayman GTS absolutely blew me away when I test drove it - I have ordered one!

[@ajcutler54]

I took delivery on a 2021 GTS 4.0 5 days ago. The main options it has are PDK, BOSE, and a heated Multi-Function Steering Wheel. I chose GT Silver, a favorite color of mine. I got the PASM that lowers the car by 20mm. I tested going up a fairly steep driveway expecting to scrape but surprisingly it did not. There is nothing I don't like about my car, and happy I make the purchase.

[@ThatCaymanGuy]

Great video Jay! Maybe in 2025 I'll trade ol' Heidi in and get a GTS 4.0 manual.

[@JAYREAD]

Cheers mate!

[@peterbest5938]

The 4.0 comes highly recommended in the Boxster/Cayman range

[@JAYREAD]

Yes! I just recommended it!

[@peterbest5938]

@@JAYREAD haha 😆 I’ve only driven the Boxster 4.0 on a road test. Good all round vehicle but I’ll stick with my 997 C4S

[@erhantimur]

Decent review however you really needed a front facing camera during your test drive, just some feedback! Thanks

[@JAYREAD]

Thank you!

[@skippynj1979]

Hmmm. I took an allocation that recently feel into my lap. Built it with manual, leather interior and seats, base 2 seats, Bose and heated steering wheel... I'm not a fan of that alcentera.. it always feels dirty to me and seem to prefer leather.. this revert helped confirm that decision.

[@JAYREAD]

Good man! This is a proper sports car and a gem in the range!

[@skippynj1979]

@@JAYREAD thanks I'm excited. The leather looked good in your video. I'm kind of torn about not getting the gts interior since I have a few days to lock in.. Decisions right... Thanks again for the nice video.. it confirms my decisions to trade in my 23 Vette which I feel like I'm diving a computer and Cadillac at the same time..

[@JAYREAD]

@@skippynj1979you’ll love it! The two cars are the difference between a surgeon and a butcher.

[@skippynj1979]

@@JAYREAD thank you for making feel better about my decision

[@JAYREAD]

Hell yeah! Write back and tell me what you think!

[@LouieDoesaThing]

Thanks so much...been dreaming about this car since I learned about its debut. Fingers crossed that we may be able to pull it off one of these days.

[@MonsterMarcS4R]

Just go for an older one like the 981 or the 987 and do not wait until you have saved enough money for the 718. I've bought myself a Boxster S 987 last summer and love it!

[@TheMatrrixx]

awesome review Jay.

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks so much. Porsche made it easy though. What a car!

[@TheMatrrixx]

@@JAYREAD The Porsche boxter is my dream car too - the 991 with the 3.4 liter engine. It costs an arm and a leg here in India. I have driven one of those for a few hours and it was sublime to say the least.

[@cameronkelly1956]

In Australia the 911 Carrera is about 80k more than the Cayman GTS 4.0 😬

[@jymloke]

Yep. Sucks be with us.

[@r1m162]

Thanks Jay for posting the video. What colour is it?

[@laetussanta]

With a Porsche Cayman 981 you pay the half, and you have the same result, without the long gear shifts problem that you have in the 718 GTS 4.0

[@JAYREAD]

They’re 603bhp off and damn nearly 80% of the price now though!

[@Zach-sq1gs]

Great review. Better than most other 718 reviews. Only issue is your voice is distorted, so the audio is annoying. Might want to try a new microphone or something.

[@JAYREAD]

Sorry about that. I have got better since I did that one. I hope you’ll stick around!

[@Zach-sq1gs]

@@JAYREAD hey like I said, great review! I will stick around if you keep up the content man!

[@drewmorg.]

992 is an entire generation newer interior however. Very hard to compare. When 718 modernizes to 992 caliber it will go up another 10k base price guaranteed.

[@lateral-g8847]

Yes, you are right man. But I do like the classic 718 interior with standard materials more. It looks simple but practical especially the physical buttons and the “normal” shifters(compare to the tiny ones in new gen Porsche) . I think Porsche has gone way too fancy on their newest 992 and taycan. But for the business, it’s a good thing.

[@drewmorg.]

@@lateral-g8847 I think the tiny shifter gets a bad wrap... I feel like the old shifter was dated looking, it's one of the first things to date an interior for any automatic. I think the 992 one is perfect!! The manual looking auto stick in the 992 GT3 is perfection !

[@GoldPlatedCheese]

There is no next gasoline powered 718. This is the end before they go EV in 2025. The days are numbered

[@skippynj1979]

This is the end for this model.. going ev...

[@m5pilot397]

Which is why people should purchase one of these! Get one before they’re gone, as it were.

[@jonasmagnusson2099]

That gts is a very nice car!

[@JAYREAD]

Yeah man!

[@aboyandhisdog]

Jay, are the 4 cylinder cars 'flat 4's', or V4's, or in-line 4's, or what? I think for a small car like the Cayman I would prefer the 4 cyl. engine. Beautiful cars, great review!

[@JAYREAD]

Thanks so much. They are flat-4s. I don’t mind them actually. They go well and don’t sound too badly. In my mind, it’s OK for the base Porsche to have a 4.

[@jaxxbrat2634]

Do3me detailed pics couldnt hurt

[@Fluterra]

Yes, but not with a manual transmission, it’s not! Go any watch The Throttle House review of the Spyder.

[@Robiig]

I agree. I’ve driven the 718 cayman GTS 4.0 in the MT, gearing is wayyyyyy too long, it’s hard to have fun, especially day to day. You really need to use this on a track or roads where you can proper speed. I also drove the 992 911 carrera S PDK on the same day....which I ordered on the spot. And I’m a massive cayman fan. The PDK would be better in this GTS I think.

[@Fluterra]

@@Robiig True. But the manual is not even good on the track! On the track is actually when you want to wring out the full power of the engine, and you’re not going flat out on the tracks. So having only 1-2 usable gears instead of 4-5, is ridiculous. Honestly, this is so LAME on the part of Porsche.

[@Magic_Vince]

Audio is horrible!! But I agree, the GTS 4.0 is an awesome car and if you‘re not looking for a grand tourer, the better choice than a 911.

[@jaapthieme6561]

What about the 996 Turbo 6 gear manual for sale in Vancouver for 39miles 88k Jay!!

[@JAYREAD]

$88k?! Too much for me, Jaap!

[@markmahoney5255]

When shopping for my 981 Boxster S I did a nation wide search. I was getting frustrated as one car in TX and another in WA were sold out from under me. Low and behold a low mileage 2013 was then traded in at Porsche Danbury which is less than 10 miles from my house! I went down before the pics were loaded on the site and before it was out of the CPO certification. Put a deposit on it pending test drive and took delivery the following week. Great buying experience and I'll start with the for the next one.

[@JAYREAD]

They’re good, aren’t they. Scott Doty is your man. Very nice guy.

[@cbarak72]

How it would compare to a Lotus Evora GT?

[@JAYREAD]

Not sure. I haven’t tried one yet. We need some kind soul to offer me one!

[@kizmaiaz7671]

Way too expensive but well played by Porsche's marketing department. First, you cut off two cylinders and replace them with a turbo in the 718, then you pretend to give the fanbase what it demands and bring back the NA flat six while charging a premium of roughly $12,000 over the price of a new 981 3.4 GTS in its last model year 2016. Sure, several years have passed and the 718 is a marginally better car than the 981 but go and have a look at what kind of muscle or driving experience $87-95,000 buys you these days, especially in the US. My advice to people seeking a similar Porsche NA driving experience as the one in this video: find yourself a nicely equipped 2016 Porsche approved 981 GTS and you will get 85% of the power and 150% of the sound of a 718 GTS 4.0 for 75 to 80% of the base price of the latter. Keep up the good work Mr. Read.

[@JAYREAD]

Great analysis there! Thanks so much. I guess you can only buy the Porsches that there are rather than the ones you might want. This one was rather good!

[@craigb2697]

Struggle to see the argument here. 5 years has passed since the last GTS. Things go up in price every year - especially luxury / premium products. I would hazzard a guess that somebody in the market for a brand new GTS 4.0 (me) would already have ruled out a used Cayman for varying reasons. Don't disagree that the older versions offer great value - but they're still 5 year old cars. To some that is an issue.

[@rembo183]

A used 2016 981 GTS sells for $75k on Carmax. Add a warranty and your at $80k. A new flat six GTS 4.0 starts at about $90k. These cars are well equipped. You might as well get a new one with used prices sky high now.

[@MrGB1999]

Question for anyone buying that car, is Why wouldn't you just buy a 981 GTS instead? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JAYREAD]

It’s a good question! I guess because you might want a new car?

[@MrGB1999]

@@JAYREAD I've always wondered who actually buys new cars? 🤷🏻‍♂️😂 I get the commuter on finance new car, but jesus new sports cars are just like throwing money down the toilet! 😖

[@JAYREAD]

@@MrGB1999 it’s true! I guess if money isn’t the issue then....

[@MrGB1999]

@@JAYREAD ah yes, those people.. 🙄

[@JAYREAD]

@@MrGB1999 I’m not one of them!

[@gbass7328]

Cayman's Rule! The GTS is for you!

[@gbass7328]

And a manual will come with no guilt or outside criticism ;-) The Ultimate

[@jorgeteixeira1922]

the boxster is even better

[@JAYREAD]

About the same, I would have thought!

[@SpasticusMaximus]

The hair remains a work of art. Evolving in much the same way as the 911. Do you use product?

[@JAYREAD]

I use magnificence, my friend. I am magnificent.

[@SpasticusMaximus]

@@JAYREAD C'est magnifique, C'EST MAGNIFIQUE.

[@JAYREAD]

@@SpasticusMaximus lololol!

[@mrh6577]

I love the cayman and it’s a fantastic looking car. I would have one in a heartbeat. I believe the Cayman has its own identity and a very different set up mechanically to the 911. I don’t think you should be comparing the 2 cars. They are not the same. They look different, ones mid engine and the other has 4 seats, very different. I can make lots of comparisons with car manufacturers where they jazz up one of there lower range cars to be a similar spec to the higher range. HOWEVER, I’m not going to do this in the case of the Cayman because if you do it will lose every time against the 911. Both cars should be treated in there own right. If car/Porsche lovers look at the Cayman in its own right then they’ll soon realise it’s a bloody great car. Just don’t compare 👍 because there not the same.

[@JAYREAD]

You’re spot on here, Mr H. They are very different which is why one also shouldn’t dismiss the Cayman immediately as the inferior car. Challenging stereotypes here!

[@drbobs8267]

I agree with Jay, just because it isn’t a 911 doesn’t mean that it’s inferior. It is different. And, can be superior in a number of ways. It just depends what you want.

[@DivideBYZero69]

The cayman and 911 are based on the same platform. See Savage Geese video on the 4.0 for detail.

[@mrh6577]

@@DivideBYZero69 I’m sure they are, there’s lots of cars which have the same or similar platform. It doesn’t mean you make comparisons. What you can’t compare is heritage and general feel of the car. Having it mid engine makes a fundamental difference. Both great cars but I wish there wasn’t endless videos of Boxster and Cayman owners trying to justify there purchase. They don’t need to. It is what it is.

[@DivideBYZero69]

@@mrh6577 I don’t see cayman owners justifying it, I see 911 owners trying to run them down, though. 🤷‍♂️

[@cayman9815]

great car but 4.0 engine very high taxes in Europe.... not many will be sold

[@JAYREAD]

Interesting.

[@clausvassmer]

Geile Kiste!

[@Digiphex]

Your audio input is overdriven.

[@JAYREAD]

I know.

[@raywalteroutdoors]

Lots of people say it sucks though I'm so confused lol

[@JAYREAD]

I REALLY don’t think it sucks at all. I loved it!

[@m5pilot397]

That’s because A) they’ve never driven one, or owned one, and B) they’re not very bright. And who says that? 99% of reviews have been extremely positive, and you’ll never satisfy that other 1% They would say that a McLaren sucks!

[@gamechanger8382]

Jay if you and James from auto amateur hit the Tail of Dragon you should hit me up. I lam a 996.2 owner and live about 30 miles from the Dragon.. My local Porsche buddies would love to meet up for a run and some great food at Topoca lodge at the end of the dragon. Take care and keep up the great work!

[@JAYREAD]

Yes! We are planning to do a shout out and meet for the Tail Of The Dragon! Stay tuned! We’d love to meet up!

[@JAYREAD]

@@davel4628 are you the David that I’ve been talking to in email?

[@JAYREAD]

@@davel4628 AHA! You HAVE to come because I want to see that car of yours! Lol!

[@stevecotterill7981]

Real shame it’s been recalled. Conrod issues on the 4 litre engines. ☹️

[@JAYREAD]

Insider knowledge there! Didn’t know that. GT4 too?

[@CS21dude]

Not all of them recalled, there was a bad batch

[@deichfux]

is it just me or was the sound not so well when you were talking during driving / I think CAYMAN is ok for up to 35 / beyond that rather 911

[@JAYREAD]

I think there is room for improvement in my sound there actually. Sorry about that.

[@Jwdude123]

Get the manual transmission. Thank me later.

[@bodhi9180]

I just don't understand why there's no gt4 spoiler on the gts or even the S. Very annoying.

[@Resist_Oppression]

For what? The S nor the GTS are track weapons.

[@m5pilot397]

I DIDN’T want a boy-racer wing. That’s one of the reasons that I bought it. Not to mention saving about $40,000. The GTS 4.0 is basically a GT4 Touring. Think about it.

[@bodhi9180]

you're in the minority and since they have them on the highest end porsches available, I wouldn't classify it as a "boy racer" @@m5pilot397

[@i5artube]

Even the base model of the cayman is better than a 911.

[@JAYREAD]

I’m not sure that’s right!

[@raywalteroutdoors]

Not when you have a kid and you want to use it every weekend

[@davidgarnsworthy3236]

Sort your mic out!

[@JAYREAD]

I know. Sorry.

[@tommy516]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...no cayman is better than a 911...with the exception of maybe the GT4. 911s have MUCH higher residuals and are overall nicer to drive

[@Meatwad650]

Stop sale on the 4.0. Lol.

[@tz6414]

Err no it's not , you either get the 911 or you don't, this bloke obviously doesn't.

[@JAYREAD]

Oh I do! I own one. The 911 isn’t sacred and I don’t mean ALL of the 911. I mean the Carrera 2. It’s less powerful than the Cayman GTS, less nimble and with smaller brakes. Bring a GT3 and it’s a different story. I get it.

[@shivaxxx2147]

I love caymans but 400 hp just isn’t enough

[@JAYREAD]

I know what you mean. It’s pretty rapid though!