Porsche 911 GT3 vs Cayman GTS | evo TRACK BATTLE

[@saifa6359]

Best line ever: "PDK is probably better.....but who cares!"

[@Firemarioflower]

Yeah, so damn right you are sir, it's about the feel, about the fun, not always about what's better.

[@RagingBad]

Saif A he said faster

[@amacca2085]

RagingTiger quicker

[@chrisrieman3767]

This is a great comparison for two reasons: first it illustrates just how well the original 996 GT3 has aged in terms of its performance and analog driver feel. It will remain relevant for quite some time and owners need not feel like they are missing out by not owning the more digital 997 GT3. Second, it underscores just how far Porsche's performance has improved over the last 10-12 years so that a non-911 in its lineup can now perform at the same measure as a segment-leading, world-class GT3 once did just a few short years ago. Its the best of both worlds really. The older cars are still top-shelf, while the bottom is being lifted on the newer, less expensive Porsches. We see this today when a 991 Carrera S can outperform a 996 Turbo.

[@pd5826]

However it displays a poor market strategy by Porsche. Now their 6-figure cars will be falling behind a 5-figure 2020 Corvette in performance. Porsche should have applied their top engines to the superior Cayman models (mid-engine layout) far earlier, instead of attempting to hold onto the outdated, yet iconic, design of the 911. Even icons have an ending.

[@jetara3082]

​@@pd5826 that is just like....your opinion man. That talk is around since Corvette C5 days, never became true. Just because Corvette reached a dead end with it's layout doesn't mean Porsche 911 rear engine layout is outdated also.

[@gregmayled]

991, .2 or .1 isn’t quicker than a 996 Turbo in a straight line.

[@cdbtheclaw]

It's a real shame, that Porsche doesn't unleash the full potential of the Cayman by giving it engines equaly to the GT3. It would be one of the best sports cars the world would ever have seen.

[@dominiquegreen1425]

Your wish came true

[@memememine1]

@@dominiquegreen1425 Now it really came true

[@TheStoneMason]

Sure did, 718 Cayman GT4 / 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 / 718 Cayman GT4RS

[@gregmayled]

Still doesn’t beat a 911

[@fxlltxtsearch]

@@gregmayledyeah but if youre someone that actually buys Porsches its going to take you a lot to spend $300k on one gt3 when you could get two cayman GTS’s with that price. This is who this video is for

[@jackwood2]

That was a great day out! Thanks to Jethro and the Evo team. Glad everyone likes the car. It is rather epic if I do say so myself :-) Jack

[@fastflyer666]

Jack Wood do you still own this car ?

[@gregc8822]

Do you happen to recall what specific brake pads you used Pagid...

[@jackwood2]

@@gregc8822 Hi Greg. They would have been Pagid RS29's at the front and RS14's at the rear. And also, more importantly, it had both front and rear caliper and disc (separate items) cooling ducts off the 996 Cup cars. On track the discs would warp badly without the additional cooling.

[@psycodriver]

Allways 911 and allways GT3 but this Cayman GTS is a very serious machine, great comparison EVO.

[@fullwerkes]

Jethro is a class reviewer!

[@TheJusticeCross]

***** + Harris wants us to pay.

[@647killa]

Jethro is the man, as usual. Awesome video and awesome driver's cars right here. "PDK is faster, but who cares." Make her dance with the heel-n-toe tap dance.

[@netweed09]

This video is massively underrated I feel. The way he shows off how Glorious the Cayman GTS is, lap time face-offs - and not even being greedy at all under 10 minutes. Epic!

[@anasmak11]

Easily one of the best car reviewers on youtube. Professional, natural, fun and on point!

[@mariodiniz21]

Top work as usual, bring more old versus new stuff please. Everyone loves it!!

[@netweed09]

2:02 Wow,, your driving is underrated! As is your video. Under 10 minutes yet you managed to squeeze in so many good shots, interesting technical breakdown of the driving dynamics and a lap time face-off! Amazing, wonderful video well done

[@thebossisheretostay]

OMG, which one do i want?? oh, i cant afford either never mind

[@soothingbabylullabiesandwh9581]

best comment

[@pvultureb8341]

You avatar says it all...

[@millmantso9023]

+Admiral Ackbar GT3

[@ΧρίστοςΙωάννου-ψ4κ]

"I will work my ass off, and buy one!"; that's the true mindset. Those who drive them, probably couldn't afford them either, then; but they do now.

[@rabity]

Get a cayman S and call it a day.

[@FizzyMotors]

8 years later, still love this video

[@Swolecat17]

10 years later still love this video lol

[@ghaithns]

Nice, now that the GT4 has been revealed, can't wait to see a GT4 vs 997 GT3 comparison.

[@GT-gt4bf]

That sound of the GT3, just fantastic.

[@victor9191]

This comparison is the kind of chat we all have in trackdays :)

[@PKmode]

Oh how the Porsche world will change when they finally release the 3.8L TT in the new Cayman GT4 with a detuned 450hp. I'm a huge 911 fan but mid engine is superior to rear engine. Pair that with a smaller, lighter car and it will be a great combo. Exciting times.

[@Soulvex]

Nothing like a RRWD Porsche though. f$%&k Mid engines.

[@PKmode]

Soulware3D It's not hard to turn an AWD Porsche into a RWD Porsche. More importantly, there is a reason every real hypercar ever built has a mid mounted motor, including Porsche's own, only dabbling in the hypercar segment, the Carrera GT. Like I said, I'm a 911 fan too but as an engineer, you can't fight physics. The GT4 will be an amazing street car. If you only care about track, GT3 or Cayman R are logically better choices.

[@Soulvex]

PKmode correct, I'm just speaking in terms of average fun i guess and my opinion. If I was racing i'd use Mid Engine not Rear, for trackdays or just random road fun i'd take a Rear Engined one anyday.

[@PKmode]

Soulware3D They certainly are special to drive.

[@rjwz28]

Wow, you guys weren't even close on the GT4

[@typeonemb]

Great fun, thanks for this and thank you to the GT3 owner.

[@jackwood2]

No problem! It was a great day out. Not often you get a track all to yourself to play on for the day :-)

[@typeonemb]

Jack Wood Thanks for the reply, Jack. I have an old 74 911 that I use for track days and such here in Canada that I enjoy a lot. Did you get a go at in Cayman and if so what were your thoughts regarding the car compared to your own?

[@jackwood2]

Yes I did. It felt much more modern and refined. Grown up, if you like. I had a 987 Cayman S before the GT3 and the GTS feels like a much more quality item all round. Dynamically it had a lovely balance as you would expect from a Cayman. And it made a great noise. Nice car all round really. But wouldn't swap my GT3 for one, thanks :-)

[@typeonemb]

Jack Wood I can understand that. Not to mention that modern Porsches, with the exception of a few models, depreciate like regular cars. With something new and expensive, it is a longer drop cash wise. I have been reading EVO and watching the videos for years. They seem like good group of people that really enjoy what they are doing.

[@camryt]

Jack Wood Love your GT3! Great choice of rims and tires, but why didn't you go for R-compound Neova's?

[@teamtoken]

The current cayman seems like a legend in its own lifetime. An incredible car, and likely to be the last of them going by industry trends. Jethro doing an awesome job as usual

[@MonteiroM]

Love the 996 GT3. One of my dreams cars.

[@S2kBPRIME]

Excellent battle! I'll take the GT3!

[@Shadowboost]

Goddamnit Porsche. Give me a Cayman with a GT3 engine, wider wheels and sticky wide tires, and a GT3 RS level aero package.

[@nikb6528]

I bet they are packing it up for you as we speak.

[@ErnestoPicazo92]

now its called a cayman gt4!!! that might be my first porsche!!

[@dimmacommunication]

***** it has porsche s engine,not gt3 but it has gt3 brakes :D

[@gmax876]

You must be a prophet of some kind, you predicted the GT4 Cayman 6 months ago.. well done.

[@Shadowboost]

gmax876 Well, they didn't give me everything I wanted :P

[@jackspencer5676]

It's a very slow line that he takes around the first corner (after the cones). The usual more sensible line here is the 'lorry and trailer line', going very deep around the edge of the track and turning in late. Makes the mid corner and exit so much more efficient!

[@thof8287]

Geil! That 996 GT3 looks beautiful being put though it's paces

[@sultanabran1]

another great review by mr jethro!! i think i'll choose the cayman gts.

[@samzilla1050]

Why not a 997 gt3 mk1 vs cayman gts. I know the gts is way closer in price to a early 997 gt3 than a 996. Great video any how, those 996 gt3s are great.

[@party_boy69]

because the 996 was an editors car, im sure if they had a 997 they would have thrown it in the mix. use your head

[@thebossisheretostay]

this might have been all they could get their hands on and i suppose this means you can get the same speed for less money...although the cayman is like 55k and a gt3 is like 45k so 10k on tires, fuel, insurance, tax and exhaust and brakes

[@MrFoof82]

Closest match. EVO prefers track battles that are very close. The 997 GT3 has considerably more top-end, which would've made the result pretty obvious.

thebossisheretostay although, while you can technically get the same speed for less money, the 996 GT3 is a step or two harder to drive. So producing that speed will be a lot more easier (and, depending on your preferences, more enjoyable) in the Cayman. 911's can be notoriously tricky when pushed. This has been little alleviated coming to the 991.

[@thebossisheretostay]

yeah that is true, and its a tricky one regarding how much praise the new GTS is getting from EVO and Autocar, but a GT3 is a GT3!!

[@lepotanCCCC]

More of these comparisons. Perhaps the new 911 carrera (turbo charged) vs a 993 turbo ?? Especially with jethro

[@emrico]

+Aleks N'Drangheta the new turbo carrera is actually faster than a 997 gt2 around the ring... i don't think the 993 can stand a chance

[@sergiogoncalves4719]

Brilliant series. Regards from Portugal.

[@darwandoo]

This guys the best car journalist and driver on KZbin hands down. Good work.

[@alasdairkerr258]

More of this! Current vs. past models v. interesting comparison! (For the record; heart says GT3, head says GTS).

[@BubbaSmurft]

That was a great one. Let's have more of these...thanks.

[@adzmorris]

THE comparison I've wanted to see! Thanks Evo but I still don't know which I'd choose. Jethro, you're superb. Thanks mate.

[@ZondaF355]

Bravo! This is the type of track battle I'm interested in. These cars are around the same price although different gens this is a purchase decision and its great to see how they compare on track. Bring on 355 challenge vs. 458 or or F40 vs. 458 Speciale

[@DorDor400]

Finally! Manual vs Manual!!! Brilliant. love it

[@AlienNinjaPuppy]

a car reviewer that can actually drive! WOW! BRAVO!

[@Munther95]

i thought that you shouldn't be sliding when you're trying to get a lap time

[@PS91195]

You should do this kind of "new vs. old" videos more often, this one is very entertaining. What about new M4 vs. M3 GTS or CSL, 430 Scud vs. 991 Gt3, ....? Comparing different generation of supercars would be awesome, too!

[@lambosuperl]

Now that's three battle vids in a row with a Cayman... That must be a cracking car!

[@VinceYT2408]

Really love the Cayman since I could drive one on track. It seems that you can to pretty much anything with this car.

[@prbassistant2711]

Very true.. could say the same for a corvette ZO6? Thoughts?

[@TwinTurbo997]

Excellent vid!! Now do a track battle of the new Turbo vs. 997 GT2 pleaaseee!

[@JordanPayneLV]

really liked this video! great comparison

[@doubleaught12345]

Awesome battle! Jethro you sound like a young Tiff Needell in this review. Which isn't bad. Pretty amazing how well you can drive while giving a cohesive narrative, though I can't help but wonder if you'd be faster if you focused 100% on driving. (Unless there are editing tricks being used?)

[@EdPrscheTurbo]

Great comparison

[@TheTonicro]

omg that engine in the gt3 is just so perfect... love both cars a lot

[@nathanbarrett6692]

Love this comp. incredible narration while driving at the limit. 👍👌

[@PaulGIS]

After this video, i drooled over 996 GT3s for sale :)

[@tcars01]

SO HAPPY Jethro has done this review, I wish he did all the Evo reviews!

[@kilove1]

its funny you say dead heat? when its almost impossible... to drive around the track the same way ..back to back ..there will always be variations . cool video.. none the less.

[@channel3597]

Jethro and Chris Harris are the best. Hard to say which of the two is best. It's really nice to see their reviews on KZbin. I live in Alabama but I hope to make my way back to visit England and the rest of UK someday. :)

[@MrSlash00r]

Love these past vs present comparos. Just shows you the march of progress. What was top of the line 10 years ago is now comparable to the baby in the family (albeit GTS edition). Vive la Porsche!

[@slaWterCH]

Man, I love the Cayman GTS. Drove one the other day and it's a lot of fun. Can't wait to order one :)

[@15284750]

I love the idea of this comparison

[@ayowser01]

The driver, Jethro, avoided using the curbs when piloting the GT3; End of controversy 😆 Great comparison of cars. It's a win-win owning either of 'em.

[@simonwright6163]

Jethro is just brilliant, best of luck on Top Gear USA!

[@MMaldonado611]

do all gt3 cars have a big ass spoiler in the back?

[@patrickstarr87]

Yes

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

+M Maldonado That car has both a spoiler and a wing. And the wing is functional, unlike the stupid shit you see on the back of 105hp fart canned Civics.

[@priceoffreedom9030]

The wing is more shapely and subtle on the 996 Mk.1 and the 997 Mk.1 GT3's. Check out those cars.

[@993mike]

It will be truly interesting to see what Porsche does with the Cayman GT4. As a guy who's owned five 911's, including a 997GT3, my current Cayman R has a level of handling and balance that only a mid engined car can offer. The people you hear bashing Caymans are usually the ones who have never driven them.

[@KJ_XCV]

That GT3 just looks the business. I love older, modified cars. They always have a personality that showroom cars don't seem to offer.

[@Munkenba]

I forgot about this car, now I really want one. It's amazing how much the 996 has depreciated when it's still a brilliant car. 911 purists don't like it because they don't like change and from that perspective, I suppose it's no good. But, if you're willing to accept the 911 as an evolutionary product, then the 996 is brilliant.

[@siwon66]

996 GT3 is a classic track toy!

[@12389h]

I enjoy this kind of comparison, shows how far cars have come, but it would still be the 996 GT3 for me.

[@iamkleggo]

nice viddy, but how hard would it have to secure the belts of the GT3 in place instead of letting them bang on the seats and "roll bar" And what's up with the air freshener??????

[@happypappy7309]

Love these videos it's all good fun , it doesn't matter what Porsche you drive they are sports cars made for the love of driving , you got to love rear wheel drive manual proper hooligan stuff normally aspirated fun !! That flat 6 noise is just additive:-)))

[@svtman93]

love the sound of this car.... almost old school bmw inline 6 sounding

[@TommyboyGTP]

Epic track battle!!!

[@AdinoAdonai]

Makes perfect sense the 911 makes up time in the straight, definitely if the Cayman wud+cud get more hp it would be the sweetest Porsche for the $

[@Firemarioflower]

Next up: 996 GT3 RS vs Cayman GT4!!!

[@15284750]

I would love it!!!!!!

[@Ferraridude13]

What tires on that Cayman? He seems to be sliding pretty easily yet getting good grip. Would be nice to have tires to burn with no worries like that

[@dougdevine]

Love both of those cars!

[@redinho1994]

The GT3 sounds so much better than the Cayman...love that Mezger engine

[@Chris.Davies]

I was fascinated to see this test, and from the very start I did indeed think the times would so close as to be within the margin of error of the driver, and no more. Porsche's philosophy of evolution rather than revolution is evident even between the different core platforms of the cars. This can really only show that the Cayman is a better platform than the 911, which is hard for me to say, because I am a huge fan of the 911 in all its forms. But you know what? My next Porsche will not be a Cayman, it's going to be a 996 Turbo, because that is the greatest value car in the world today, no doubt about it. And it's a 911. That seals the deal.

[@rousseau327]

I don't see how a new car being just as fast as an old one makes the platform a better one. I don't doubt the mid engined layout is the better balanced one, but that isn't shown by a new car beating an old one.

[@aumkar2]

That was some fantastic downshifting.

[@Rocheman79]

that looks like such a fun track

[@honkpirateroberts9153]

What!? A car made from mostly a GT3 is the same speed as the GT3?! Crazy...

[@stasis211]

Think about a new Cayman in 11 years being as quick as the current GT3…. brilliant stuff

[@Dominikmj]

Oh man - that was over promise and under delivering! I thought the new GT3 is fighting against the Cayman GTS!

[@klstrucker930419]

Nice shootout!

[@HenryDarr]

Beautiful machines !

[@goons123flofy]

How would you compare those Cayman gts seats with sports plus seats?

[@M3_86]

Does this car have ptv? Heard you can't turn full system off if you have the torque vectoring which sucks because I want the diff though.

[@bgd73]

from the last two seconds of the cayman lap, I was wondering how you tacked it up to 105.2 time as I watched the rest of the video.... then the claim at the end of dead heat. Just sayin'..

[@Firemarioflower]

6:50 Don't avoid the curb!!!! We want to see them both at their ABSOLUTE best. Every inch of turning in counts!! Otherwise the 996 would probably have won!!!

[@ThePinoyMamba]

great video.. subbed

I just wished they had the PDK version of Cayman GTS... That gearbox really is nowadays the only option on a Porsche, if we're looking at track speed. And consequently, it makes little sense having a track battle with the inferior option. Naturally, some drivers may still prefer manual, but none is faster with it compared to PDK...

[@Baerzilla]

I drove both, Didnt like the PDK at all. Driving is about involvement and Fun for me. PDK just didnt Give that to me, felt sluggish Somehow. On the BMW M4 on the other Hand i prefered the DKG Version, so im Not a manual worshipper.

[@TheJusticeCross]

I would buy the oldest one. Because at the same speed, you feel like you're going faster in the old cars than in the new ones. 997 GT3 RS, perfect. Manual gearbox, old feelings, etc.

[@glynhardy2532]

Incredible driver 😯

[@ClumpyChicken]

Yes sir, MANUAL FOR THE WIN!!!!

[@johnozmen2147]

Cayman gts is by far one of the best sports cars ever made. Bit unfair to compare to a 996 gt3 even though the gt3 had light weight track wheels and neova tyres. Never really understand comparisons.

[@anthonydigiovanni8237]

Love the GTS, but I'll take the GT3 all day. So much more raw and mechanical, nothing synthetic.

[@Bob930]

I still adore my 996 GT3

[@davieman3443]

So how much do Porsche donate to your publication every year?

[@john24689]

The GT3 might still be the faster car though they both lapped the same time. Notice the driver said that he didn't hop the corner bump like he did on the cayman gts since it's a EVO staff's personal car.

[@ImDembe]

Porsche should give the Cayman some umpf like a turbo or just put a GT3 RS 4.0 in it and change to some carbon bodyparts...that would be sick.

[@Bs3MecRaZy]

A MEZGER engine ?! They are more likely to add a turbo or a 3.8l DFI rather than a 500 hp MEZGER engine.

[@whiskey4609]

i hear the new gt4 cayman understeers alot more on track. i remember people mentioning they had to adjust with rear sway bars to get better turn in? so its suspension is different than the gts cayman?

[@ZDY66666]

whiskey 4 I have a GTS and it's fine. Maybe GT4 downforce and suspension and idk engine weight etc? The small things that changed it.

[@whiskey4609]

yea i heard the GTS drives different, issues with sway bars and suspension setup on the GT4 a bit different.

[@abepoon]

But which one would you prefer to own?

[@aethrus]

So this is the piece that inspired Jethro to get a GT3 then?

[@gregorythomas3453]

I have owned a number of Porsches, and loved all of them as most owners do, and I think that this comparo explains a lot. And it's not good. One of my favorite Porsches was my 996, but I ultimately let that car go because I feared all of the fatal flaws associated with it's engine. Flaws it always seemed Porsche could have easily addressed. :( I think this camparo is the reason they never did. There is such an overlap in the performance abilities of some of the older Porsches compared to the entry level newer cars, that their biggest competition for sales is their own used car market. The only reason I would pass on an older 911 in consideration of a newer Boxster or Cayman is concern over reliability.

[@thefridgeman]

Well done, Choco

[@源鴉鳥]

awesome job evo

[@patrickfc123]

Mid engine rule !!! Cayman is the car!

[@peten6445]

I would have to agree. A know a many do not like the 996. However, the feel for the 996 is better than the new porsche. I think their is a disconnect on these new models. I looking for a 996.2. Hard to find affordable one.

[@Ghostintheshell3551]

i would take the gt3