Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GTS review - any need for a GT4?

[@danielpfister6774]

Great video 🤓!!! Last year in February 2023, I acquired my new 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 which has the 4L NA flat six cylinder engine (same unit as a GT4) and a PDK gearbox. Power output (394 bhp) and torque (317 lb-ft) are a nice match to this car's sensible curb weight (~3200 lbs). The color is Gentian Blue metallic with a black/chalk all-leather interior and silver wheel rims. It's definitely an entertaining driver's car! So far, I've only done 452 miles but hopefully a lot more this coming Summer! The PDK is also a lot of fun (it's definitely quick) 🤓 All the best and thanks again from Colorado! "Porsche...There is No Substitute!!!"

[@CarMadDad]

Great comments and thoughts - thank you

[@majcas8465]

If ever a car needed a cocoa interior it was this one.

[@CarMadDad]

Oh yeah - can you imagine 🤔

[@nanashiboyz]

100% agree

[@_retrophile_7473]

Exactly. Fits perfect with dark green body and neodyme rims.

[@mrlotusmic]

I have had one for over two years (manual). It ticks so many boxes and is a keeper. For everyday use as much as the GT4 is fabulous this is the sweet spot. Good review.

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you chap 👍

[@ftboomer1]

Ive got a 6 speed boxster GTS 4.0 and it is brilliant. I love these things.

[@CarMadDad]

👌

[@michaels3897]

Always watch and like your vids. Down to earth, but also fun. Keep 'em coming! And it would be the GTS for me, as well. Although, really enjoy my M4 Competition. As fast as a Cayman GT4, faster than a manual GT3, and much more luxurious and tech heavy inside than either.

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you very much chap - trying my best 😂 Agree with your thoughts (also love an M4)

[@chrispittock2099]

Love the spec on that one CMD, gold on green really suits it. Look forward to seeing the next one…

[@CarMadDad]

Macan next Sunday 👍

[@BenMKaye]

Good review. The long gearing is my only gripe with my manual 718 Cayman 4.0.

[@CarMadDad]

Noted 👍 And cheers 👋

[@PropDeskJunkie]

Great review.

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers 👋

[@GTS71840]

I’ve watched so many GTS 4.0 videos and this is the best one. I just ordered my GTS 4.0 and it gets delivered in October.

[@CarMadDad]

Oh thank you chap - very kind of you. Roll on October 😁

[@ravensfan1825]

Mine arrives in 3 weeks. Can't wait so I'm watching a lot of videos in the meantime. What has been your impression of yours thus far?

[@trigganometry168]

With almost 400 hp the gearing wasn’t a issue for me. Short shifting feels just as good plus the roads where I live allows me to ring out each gear no problem.

[@CarMadDad]

I hear you chappy 👂

[@lakebastreetrental]

Wonderful vid. My dream car and sweet spot is the 718 Cayman GTS 2.5 Turbo. Accessible power early enough in the RPMs and all rounder good enough for daily driving and weekend warriors. I'd still go with a manual.

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the comments and view chappy 💪

[@M_IkeLeBlanc]

I’ve got a Cayman S with an APR Stage 1 tune. Roughly 405 HP at the rear wheels so approximately 455 HP at the crank, all available starting at around 2,500 RPM. Super-nice kit for the street. The turbo fours are way underestimated and under-appreciated. Definitely not the sound of that sweet flat six, but massive tunibility for about $1,000 US.

[@amac8487]

Living in the states, we drive on the opposite side as you. When you pulled out of that driveway onto the road I nearly thought you turned the wrong way into oncoming traffic 😂😂 Great vid! Love my Cayman GTS!

[@CarMadDad]

Yes I can see how that might have made you question location 😂 Cheers fella 👍

[@tampapete7954]

@@CarMadDad ...that's not a Texas accent?

[@CJR_989]

Lovely spec, that Jet Green and those wheels. 👌 as a sweet spot in the Cayman range it’s does seem to tick every box… I would also go manual, just for that extra engagement with that NA engine. 👍

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the view and thoughts fella 👌

[@lolpaladins]

It's not sacrilege. I had the option of buying a Spyder. I passed to buy the Boxster GTS 4.0. To me this has to be a car that I "can" daily drive during the summer even if it gets garaged in winters. I don't want to put the roof down and the roof up (3 minutes) just for my 20 minute commute to work (and then another 3 minutes putting it down and up again when I get home. I don't want to look at the weather report and try to figure out if it will still be sunny 8 hours later. The GTS also has the sport and the raised suspension option, I got the sport option and I don't think it is bad, but it's certainly not "pleasant" to drive on bad roads. Anyone that goes the other way and gets the raised 10mm suspension, that's not a bad option either. I've driven my car in traffic a few times, don't mind the manual, but if you're buying the pdk because you CONSTANTLY sit in traffic, then you've bought the wrong car, get a macan with ACC or something more traffic friendly.

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you for the view and thoughts / experiences chap 👌

[@Patrick-bu5vy]

Nice review. For me, the GTS is the sweet spot for both Cayman and 911. Unless you are predominantly using on track - this is the car to do it all.

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed

[@69FOSTER]

@@CarMadDad Great review! How do you compare the Cayman GTS with the base Porsche 911 Carrera? Which car is more fun to drive?

[@CarMadDad]

@@69FOSTER my input here is that that the GTS is more fun / a better car for the money than the base 911 - solely down to the engine tbh 👍👍

[@Scala598]

Manual for me too, seems pretty much the perfect sports car

[@CarMadDad]

I have to say it must be close!

[@thomaswidmann3443]

Super Review and cool watch on your wrist 😜

[@CarMadDad]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@VK6AB-]

Great review, 981 Cayman GTS or 718 Cayman GTS 4L are wonderful drivers cars and have very broad dynamic range. The basic design appears quite timeless. If you get a chance, have a drive in a properly specced 981 GTS 3.4L with PTV and PSE. With only 340HP and 380Nm torque, which seems underdone in this day an age, and yet on a lot of back roads it beautifully develops both urgency and balanced handling. Moreover, in this instance the PDK in sports plus with PTV just seems to work well together.

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you for the view and thoughts chap 👌 Noted 📝

[@PetrolheadTours]

Great video - and I’m with you, a GTS 4.0 (manual or PDK) is a sweet spot… but I’d have the manual too 😂

[@CarMadDad]

In truth I’m not sure there’s a “loser” in that scenario - all around personal preference I guess. Great minds though ey ? 😆

[@MrHCars]

😂😂😂 paused for quite a long while before announcing to everyone you’d have the manual 😂 Pdk is fantastic, but the 4L cayman works so well with a manual. Not driven a manual gt3, but I can bet it doesn’t work as well. Great vid mate, cracking spec on that car and like you said, such an overlooked car. Does 90% of a gt4 day to day

[@CarMadDad]

The pause was sooooo much longer in real life chap - chopped about 3 mins out of the real footage 😂 Cheers dude 👌

[@MrHCars]

@@CarMadDad 😂😂😂 debated long and hard whether to insult all the Xbox controller owners 🎣

[@motorconcierge]

I really really hope that 718 GTS could be my first entry point into coupe Porsche's. Great great car and that glorious downshift sound...

[@CarMadDad]

That’s a great way to kick things off chappy 🤞

[@stevecoates2270]

I have the same car (but colour is aventurine green with aurum wheels) and chose it over a GT4 as do more miles around Europe than on track. And you drove through my village in your footage. 😅

[@CarMadDad]

Small world Steve - sounds like a real head turner you have there 👌

[@michaeldegroot4417]

my dream car! I have the same Tudor watch your wearing, I told my wife, it's a omen!!

[@CarMadDad]

Great minds kind Sir 😉 It’s just gone up on the Porsche Mottingham used site… can’t imagine it will be there for long in that spec 🤔

[@sarge27271]

There is an Apex to the curve of diminishing returns. I believe the GTS 4.0 is that Apex.

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed 👌

[@UltimateAccuracy]

I went PDK after driving both back to back over 3 days, but neither is a bad choice. The shorter gear lever in the GT4 whilst only 20mm, makes a very noticeable difference. It'll cost you nearly a £1k to do the swap, but fundamentally improves the sense of engagement that Manual buyers are after.

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed chap - neither car is a bad - all preference and completely see why you would go PDK 👍

[@glucia2223]

I’m so torn. I have a 23 Macan GTS for my true daily driver. It kicks butt. I want to add a 718 GTS 4.0 as a second daily, weekend fun, and autocross/track. I live in Seattle in the USA which is a big city with a good amount of traffic. That’s where the PDK will be nice. But only 25 minutes away are twisty mountain roads with no traffic and the manual would be nice. First world problems, but a good one to have. Decisions, decisions.

[@chrisharris4223]

Oooh I didn’t know you could swap to the GT4 gear stick!

[@clu4u]

@@chrisharris4223Yes, it’s the Porsche short shift kit, about $500 for the part. I got one for my 987S and it feels like a rifle bolt. One of the best mods ever!

[@joel7279]

Or just buy a Boxster 25 that has the shorter shift as standard

[@ghowells5433]

I have a Boxster 4.0 GTS in order for delivery in October, thought more useable as a pure road car than the harder Spyder set up. Was goi g to keep my 992 GTS Targa but looks like such a great car may sell that and just have the Boxster

[@CarMadDad]

Good problem I guess chap but don’t think you’ll find yourself wanting more once the 4.0 arrives

[@chrisharris4223]

I went manual GTS, would have loved a GT4 but I will drive it on the road almost 100% of the time plus it’s my only car and I daily it. I never have an issue with the gearing. Tbh I appreciate it, if you go for it and give it some revs then great and you can chase the redline but anything over 3k it sounds lovely and you can enjoy 3-5k all day long too. It is a different experience and all the better for it. Nice video, new subscriber

[@CarMadDad]

Hi Chris Completely agree with your thoughts / sentiment - congrats on a brilliant purchase 👌

[@paulreilly5987]

I agree, I have a GTS 4.0 manual boxster. I think the PDK knob in the car itself looks dated and I also had a macan turbo and had some issues with the PDK gearbox. Purpose of my boxster is for touring. The sound with the top down is brilliant.

[@michaeldegroot4417]

Nice Tudor!!

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you

[@hyunwoolee9204]

Thank you for the really great review. I would like to ask you a polite question. Do you think it is better to add (PASM) (Raised 10 mm) option to GTS car or not to add it?

[@CarMadDad]

Personally I would add it - nice option and helps with residual as a “liked” option in used market 👌

[@neilturner6749]

Having test driven a car with the -20mm and subsequently “blind ordered” mine with the -10mm and not regretted it for a moment (even on track, where body rolls just not an issue even with the raised ride height) I’d say it comes down to your personal preference between comfort and aesthetics. 25yr old me wouldn’t have coped visually without the extra 10mm drop, 50yr old me now prefers the (very slightly) softer ride. It’s not like one rides hard and the other is soft, the difference is minimal.

[@neilturner6749]

@@CarMadDadreally - who told you that? The used market generally overwhelmingly prefers things as hardcore as possible eg bucket seats, biggest wheels, lowest suspension etc. Are you sure you’re not confusing the options around ie the default spec is the 20mm lower, firmer suspension and the option is to raise it 10mm and soften it off…

[@CarMadDad]

Now I’ve read that back I’ve misunderstood the original question chap - agree with your thoughts as above ☝️

[@Spyder_Tours]

Pdk or manual? Both! They are both brilliant. Best engine in any sports car under 100k Nice vid mate👍

[@CarMadDad]

Really appreciate that Paul - Legend x

[@bootneck401664]

Mate was you at the 75th anniversary last weekend Wolverhampton in that car?? I didn’t catch the reg then but the spec was exactly the same

[@CarMadDad]

That was THE car chap yes 👍

[@simoncouldry7174]

The only thing that would swing me towards the PDK is it’s slightly shorter gearing compared to the manual….

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed Simon - think they are both great - really just down to preference

[@jamesm9486]

Awesome looking car, the sound while not bad is not really great either. Everyone raves about the flat 6 but the exhaust note just sounds flat, no howl at all.

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the view and thoughts chap - I think it’s defo better in person than on camera!

[@joe718gt4]

OPF and non-merging pipes are the problem... just throw a JCR exhaust on it

[@MrRoyck10]

I agree with you that the GTS in manual transmission is a better buy, in fact smart money is on the GTS, as Tudor is to a Rolex, whilst the latter might be better it is at the premium that is difficult to justify unless budget is not an option. I digressed slightly but those who know, know. In real driving terms there is not a lot in between the GTS v GT4, base v S Cayman in normal road conditions with average drivers (which is majority of drivers), the GT4RS will be different ball game. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[@CarMadDad]

Think you’ve hit the nail on the head chappy Thank you for the view and thoughts 💭

[@supafob120]

Hello. Nice ride. Exactly what color is the exterior?

[@CarMadDad]

Jet green chap

[@nafnaf0]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="535">8:55</a> Yep the power really is kind of anemic below 4000rpm. For spirited tight driving the GTS 4.0 PDK doesn't have 7 speeds, it only has one gear, that being 2nd gear. This is really gets to be quite annoying when trying to have fun with the car (although most people don't actually push the car that hard, which defeats the entire purpose of car). You drop out of first gear pretty much immediately and then ride second gear all the way to ~75mph. The power below 4000rpm is really not that much and it really only truly comes alive above 6000rpm. I know some people like that, but it is really not that usable. The chassis / handling on the GTS 4.0 is really unbelievable, it completely blows away something like a 2017 Corvette C7 Stingray (and that car is pretty good). A mod like the Demann 4.5L conversion would probably help this car and the GT4 quite a bit as stated by SmokingTire.

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the view and thoughts fella 👌

[@user-og3fn2mj9h]

How did you get the door logos in gold? aftermarket?

[@CarMadDad]

Porsche Nottingham did those and the alloys chap 👌

[@rw1592]

If you don't know which one, get both: a manual Boxster GTS and a PDK GT4, one for street driving, one for the track, best of both worlds

[@CarMadDad]

If only 😆 Like the thought though dude 👏🏼

[@highspeedhorizons]

If it was the GTS 4.0 versus your 911…would the NA engine tempt you away? I’ve a 992 C2S and seriously considering the swap!

[@CarMadDad]

I have to say the engine really would tempt me away yes 👍 I genuinely love my 911 - but the pull of that engine is something special

[@Dragobrath]

I have GTS 4.0 and I am saving for 992.2. Why are you considering Cayman?

[@CarMadDad]

I would only consider one at the price point to get myself in a 4.0 litre chap - won’t be leaving the 911 anytime soon 👌

[@maxxsirrah821]

I went for the GTS 4.0 (Boxster) over the Spyder, it just works so much better on British roads that the stiffer GT4/Spyder, I have no regrets whatsover. Oh and yes it had to be a manual 🤣!

[@CarMadDad]

Sounds like the perfect all rounder chap (+ roof off summer fun) 🤩 Big fan x

[@john_c1]

Anybody feels like the exhaust/engine sound is underwhelming? I understand it's because of the particle filters. Can those be legally removed or is there a good aftermarket exhaust?

[@CarMadDad]

There are definitely after market options chap

[@ConnorSzb]

PTS Is available on this model? I don't see the option

[@CarMadDad]

Absolutely

[@ConnorSzb]

@@CarMadDad Strange! I don't see it on the website for the 718, aside from the GT4. I want an Auratium Green GTS

[@adamf.8564]

This Cayman would only be better if it was a manual and a nice exhaust... But still as is, it's at the sweet spot!

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed 👌

[@paulreilly5987]

I have a manual 4.0 boxster. The manual gear stick looks better.

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed

[@darrendonovan6679]

Everything about the car seems perfect except that tall gearing. I love banging through the gears when driving a manual car. 2nd gear in this car hinders that enjoyment.

[@CarMadDad]

Seems to be the general consensus chap - thank you for the view and thoughts 👌

[@danerrang]

I like a flat 6

[@CarMadDad]

Me too!

[@CarstenWinkel-pedersen-jt6mq]

They don´t make it anymore :(

[@CarMadDad]

now that is a shame 😟😟

[@peterkirton4580]

Looked like a fun day, are you going to WOW?

[@CarMadDad]

Not this time round Peter - enjoy 🌞

[@klkh2002]

If I was intending to go across Europe, I’d be looking at a S Class Mercedes. I wouldn’t be buying a Cayman for comfort so it’d be a GT4 every day of the week

[@CarMadDad]

Noted

[@Tracertme]

None I hope because as the economic crisis widens further out across the world I was just offered a 718 Spyder and I turned it down.. ❤ I don’t see the need for a road car and the Spyder will bottom out on my drive every time.

[@CarMadDad]

Spiders are awesome though 🤔

[@neptune45]

Always PDK. I want as much 0-60mph time savings as possible.

[@CarMadDad]

👍

[@neilgaydon5430]

We all understood once Porsche didn't care about cannibalising 911 sales and finally put a great N/A engine in a 718 it would become the best sports car they make for UK roads - nimble, balanced, small, focused & N/A fast while not being precious. Today's 911's are bulbous, turbo'd, 'jack of all trades' that miss the original brief, while new motorsport 911's are 80/20 track focused. If you want the best road sports car that Porsche makes, bag one while you can.

[@CarMadDad]

Noted 📝

[@CoreQ]

gt4 is not anyfaster on the track with the same tire. only if you want the wing you go for gt4. they are just both down on power. RS is the way to go. you pay more for old engine. but finally the car is here. for the price it's just doesn't make sense in the US. you better go for mclaren

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you for your thoughts chap

[@VK6AB-]

Now you have done the 4RS review go back to the GTS 4..............😀

[@CarMadDad]

Best of both surely chap 👌

[@VK6AB-]

@@CarMadDad Of course :)

[@Mario-lj7gm]

No, the Spyder is the best and most beautiful of them all.

[@CarMadDad]

Noted 📝

[@BubuBarong]

Sorry mate you're plain wrong on GT4 suspensions being harsher; the buckets are fine for touring. The gearing in the manuale is way too long, much worse than in the PDK. You should try one. Thank you for the video, keep up the good work and cheers from Italy!

[@CarMadDad]

Thanks for the info

[@gsten2116]

The gearing argument is stupid. The gears are fine. Whi drives thier car at the top of the rev range all day? Remember Clarkson with his precious SL55? He wouldn't rev it out. You would kill your engine and get 8 mpg. The car is a delight to drive and it makes fun sounds throughout the rev range. Only 'jornos' who drive these cars for 45 minutes complain about this. Real owners dont.

[@CarMadDad]

Noted 📝