Porsche Spyder Review by REAL Owner - Pros, Cons, and Honest Opinion

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Here's what I love and hate about my Porsche 718 Spyder!

[@grahambooth8799]

This is a superb video and very aligned with my British values. My pockets aren't as deep but I went through the same process in 2021 to order my Boxster S. PDK, Silver alloys, leather steering wheel, 14 way seats with heat and lumbar support. I went leather seat centres. My car cost about half what yours cost but that was my budget. I love mine. The, Spyder is definitely the model to have.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I wish I would have had the option to get all leather seats instead of the alcantara centers. Thank you for your comments

[@mikemartenson4357]

Thank for doing this video, really appreciate the links and the short reviews of the products you use on your car. I have a 981 Spyder but maybe I’ll move up, someday.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Happy to pass along the info. Nothing wrong with the 981 Spyder, similar but yet different.

[@JackPickle]

Super car! I miss mine very much and watching your enthusiasm for your amazing car makes me want to go and get another! Enjoy the miles in what I consider the sweet spot of Porsche and GT

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thank you! Although I wouldn’t sell it, I often wonder from what’s currently offered what I’d replace it with when the time comes.

[@jdjddjjddjhsvxbhe]

Thus is really a good quality video and it’s very enjoyable to watch. I like your spec, agree on those silver wheels, I’m not a fan of black wheels either. I’m considering to get a used 718 Cayman S or GTS 2.5 myself . And I recently did my first track day ever in bmw 230i, that was a lot of fun. I’m sure track days in Cayman/Boxter are even more fun.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, you’ll absolutely love it!

[@Acquit808]

Best mod I did so far was the Kline income exhaust (headers and OAPs). Really wakes up the sound.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I’m sure it does but isn’t it super loud and boomy when on the highway or do you use ear plugs?

[@npaz123]

@@GaryTheCarNut some headers like dundon actually reduce droning at cruise speeds

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Really, I didn’t know that.

[@antonylacroix6475]

Hi from Uk-agree with nearly all your comments you hit the on the head - I would not swap the manual roof it’s part of the experience for me and gives me a chance to walk round and appreciate the car - in Uk service interval is 2 years minor 20000 miles and every 4 years major with no interim oil change required

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Wow 2 years with no oil change? I sure hope there aren’t any track days in those 2 years!

[@antonylacroix6475]

@@GaryTheCarNut that’s UK standard main dealer - even for GT3 and GT2 including RS that get a lot of track time - having said that many including myself do do extra running in and yearly oil changes - but if you ask Porsche UK they say no not necessary 🤷🏻‍♂

[@JackPickle]

@@GaryTheCarNutit’s true, in the UK, every 2 years. Though I always did oil changes in between on my Cayman 981 GTS and 718 Spyder. For me, oil is cheap but engines are expensive. Whilst I didn’t track, both got driven hard on Euro tours and for me that warranted fresh oil.

[@TGCREken]

I still have my 1999 Boxster, and now have a 2023 Spyder. Love them both, but the Spyder is PEAK PORSCHE for the money.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

What do you mean by “PEAK PORSCHE”?

[@TGCREken]

@@GaryTheCarNut The looks and performance for the money. There is not better Porsche.

[@SLYDIT]

The silver wheels and blue look really great.😁👍

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks! Please share video with friends and family.

[@MostlyHuman]

Miami Blue (or Shark or Gentian) with Silver Wheels is perfect!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@shaheenevans]

Thanks for honest review

[@GaryTheCarNut]

My pleasure 😊 please share with friends and family

[@leonardoluc6362]

Thanks for the review. Understand that you bought a PDK as an older man in reality the manual is fabulous and this nonsense about the gearing, like the Porsche engineers dont know what they doing. Anyway the manual is just more fun + more desirable for most of us enthousiast drivers.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Nope, I bought the PDK because I track this car and PDK is faster on the track. But my daily driver is a manual.

[@billnorblat4047]

Best sports car ever. Better than the RS.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Couldn’t agree more! Problem is, after perfection what’s next?

[@1ROCKY89]

Great video great Porsche! Consumer reports the 718 with an 85/100? wow that’s awesome. I drive both 987 CS 3.4 manual and 718 BGTS 2.5 PDK so it’s good variety yet the Spyder is on my radar thanks for the informative owner review

[@GaryTheCarNut]

How do you decide which one to drive when?

[@1ROCKY89]

@@GaryTheCarNut you know it’s nice having both manual and PDK options as well as convertible and hard top. 718 for the 🏁

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I’m sure it is. My daily isn’t 718, but is manual kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpq8nYSLjb-Vhrcsi=TpBxigJFdNjx1IDL

[@joepboon3207]

What a great looking car and love the Miami blue color. I myself drive the 981 bgts. Also a great car but the Spyder is the car I once would like to own.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks, your 981 bgts is pretty close, so much better than the 718 B and BS. I sure understand why you love it. Yes, the Spyder is a great next step!

[@robertgregory1927]

Gary, nice review on your Spyder. Like you I had a few Porsches. Most recently a 2022 992 911 Carrera manual. After two years of ownership, I just could not get used to the size. Did not seem like a true Sportscar. As luck would have it my dealer had a very low mileage 2021 spider so I bought that. It only had 2000 miles on it. Love it so much. My car is GT silver with a red convertible top and a manual. Yes it has the black rims that you don’t like! I like contrast and this is perfect for me. I was never a fan of the black rims, but on the spider you can’t go wrong with either choice. Thanks again for the review and many happy miles.

[@Patrick-jc9pb]

I agree, as owner of a yellow 718 Spyder I do like the black rims now.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Wheel color is personal and if I had chosen a different color car I might have considered the black wheels. Enjoy your beautiful Spyder because who knows if there will be anything like them in the future.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, I can’t say that I have ever seen a yellow Spyder with silver wheels. Enjoy your beautiful ride.

[@robertgregory1927]

@@GaryTheCarNut Oh I am, I can’t ever imagine parting with it!

[@bellastaffypearmapearman2666]

Amazing colour ❤ great video.What a car

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for watching! Please share video with friends and family

[@BaPorscheFan]

Excellent review. 3 questions - 1. Did you PPF the whole car or just the front. 2. Where did you find that overhead frunk liner? 3. Any chnace you are tracking Calabogie? (am looking for impressions - I have not driven it) Thanks!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thank you for your comments. 1. Just the front to the back of the front fenders and the rockers to the front of the rear wheel wells. 2. From Suncoast. 3. Never have, Mosport is better and handier ( closer ).

[@BaPorscheFan]

@@GaryTheCarNut Thank you!

[@neiljoseph904]

Fabulous review from an enthusiastic owner - love your Spyder! ❤

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, me too. Please share video with friends and family

[@pbmcgme176]

Gary, amazing reviews. I have a GT4(for track days mostly) and Camry Hybrid as my daily that I can beat up on and still starts everyday. I may consider a GR corolla .....but as I'm still working its nice to have that comfort on a daily basis

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Sure I get it, makes perfect sense. But when you retire……….

[@michaelschneider-]

Nice owner review. Thanx

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for watching. Please share with friends and family.

[@JMD535]

Excellent decision to not go with black wheels! About the blind spots! I too 'kick my mirrors out' so that I'm able to see more into the lane to the Right and or lane to the Left!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I think so too, but almost every Spyder I see has black wheels.

[@DavidZ123]

Key specific seat memory has been available since 987 boxster 😊

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yup, I had in my Boxster S but doesn’t work in the Spyder

[@kklassen]

Agree. The silver wheels look better than black.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, I find it strange that on some new cars you have no choice. It’s black only.

[@YYZ-SRQ]

where did you get the liner for the trunk? where did you get the clear wind deflector? Was that bought here in Canada or did you order from the US?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I ordered those things from Suncoast in the US. I tried to get them here in Canada but since I live 2 hours from the nearest Porsche dealer with shipping they were less buying from Suncoast. I actually bought those before the car arrived.

[@YYZ-SRQ]

Did you have to pay duty and brokerage charges to bring it in?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes

[@benbustama3430]

Very nice review. Beautiful color and car!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thank you! Please share video with friends and family

[@WowRixter]

Wow, what a beautiful vehicle! Gary I'd love to hear how (if) you detail those exhaust tips? Are you using a ceramic coating on them? I just did a factory order on a new Macan S, with the PSE (dark tips) and I'm wondering how to keeping looking great for a long time. I keep my cars for 15 years so factory order, with the specs I wanted, was the way to go. That was the reason I didn't get the GTS, too many options I didn't want

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I don’t detail my exhaust tips, pretty sure the heat from track days would bake any sealant off. But there might be something out there that would work. Enjoy your Macan S, they are a beautiful machine.

[@WowRixter]

@@GaryTheCarNut thanks Gary. Good point about the track-day heat. I don't go to the track so I won't need to worry about significant heat build up. ❤your Spyder 👍🏻

[@joezunenet]

Should have gotten the Spyder RS my man

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Nope, due to the RS’s fussy top you can’t track it and twice the price. But that amazing GT3 engine!

[@grahambooth8799]

I agree with you, the sweet spot is the Spyder not the RS ​@@GaryTheCarNut

[@thomasschimmeyer8715]

Just my opinion but you should have 2 full sets of fluids, a full set of all filters and a full set of brake pads in your garage. This is not something you worry on for non performance vehicles but we are so rough on sports cars. I would say for the spyder/gt4 to keep a ton of race brake fluid on hand and swap it for every 50 miles of hard driving.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, keeping spares on hand is a great suggestion.

[@simonlo7595]

Thinking about getting a 718 Spyder but any way to install harness bar for track days? Tried to search online and nothing yet

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I’ve seen lots of 718 Spyder at track days but none of them have harness bars. I don’t know.

[@65hi863dhyu]

Elise or Evora. Aluminum monocoque vs unibody. Double wishbones vs mcpherson struts all around. Mass produced vs bespoke. And if you want a better ride quality? Lotus.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Great option for sure but I would be giving up the Porsche Club of America and that amazing build quality and reliability

[@65hi863dhyu]

@GaryTheCarNut totally agree. But have you had a 997.1 Euro order with no sunroof option die of IMS at 27K? It was a $35K US + problem... ask Houston Porsche West. It might still be there. Make sure you have a warranty. Porsche can't build a reliable engine beyond a Mezger.... Plus drive a Lotus at and over it's limits and one makes luxury sporting cars and the other makes focused driver's cars. They are not the same. Also owned a 993 C2S and 06 Cayman S. Geared SO tall and McPherson struts all around. Why? They really protect the inferior 911. Because marketing. Best Porsce ever? Cayman on proper GT3 wishbones. Not gonna happen

[@franzhuber7361]

4:41 ❤❤❤ …and 9:14 💪

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for watching! Please share video with friends and family

[@kineticU]

Twistiest and track + nice cool sunny days are awesome living up north. I drove my Spyder manual for 2 years and 10 K miles but couldn’t justify keeping it as it’s a compromise in Florida despite its sunny disposition. And I had black wheels…big mistake. And again I agree with the bright colors. Shame on me for getting the bland chalk. Next Porsche will require a lot more considering lol

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Sure, I get it but what do you get after having a 718 Spyder?

[@kineticU]

@@GaryTheCarNut sigh….watching you enjoy the drive! I’m into raw and unfiltered driving when not commuting. Something that needs to be within legal territory lol. GT3/911 is way too much and I’m not a track guy. Probably the 987/981 boxter + ongoing hardcore modified BRZ. My mother drives the Mx-5 😂

[@TerryManitoba]

Being a previous owner of a 993 & 07 GT3 now I have a GRC Circuit. On fast twisty mountain roads - how would you compare/contrast your Spyder to the GRC?👍

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Tough question, but since the GR is a manual and the Spyder is not, I prefer the GR in a lot of ways, the Spyder in others

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I guess I would sum it up to say the GR is lots of fun, more engaging, and more sure footed. While the Spyder is much faster and more exciting. On a dry, perfect summer day, early on a Sunday morning, the Spyder is the clear winner and would be my first choice hands down. Drop that top and go! The GR always feels faster than it's actually going, while the Spyder is the opposite.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@GaryTheCarNut Ya - Porsche has a way of hiding its speed. I would say that anything below 100 mph GR or 911 feel about the same. Above that the Porsche definitely feel more settled.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes and competent

[@GethinJames]

The suspension is tuned softer in the Spyder. 103k USD after tax? Are you sure? Your CAD to USD may be off because base price was about 99k. Add tax and you're over 103. My 2023 was relatively well optioned and came to 130k MSRP plus the ADM.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Price is correct and includes tax after converting to USD. They were cheaper in Canada once the currency was converted. My car has very few options just the paint, seats and pdk.

[@netcrashYT]

I see you use a glass rear window blocker. Did you ever have the oem mesh? Would you say the glass one… is better at wind management or noisier? Edit: aha, you explained it, for visibility , got it!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yup, glass is far better than the mesh.

[@mikemartenson4357]

@@GaryTheCarNut where did you purchase? I have a 981 Spyder.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I'm pretty sure I bought it here www.suncoastparts.com/product/981WINDSCREEN.html

[@marksokalski5241]

If you could guess what percentage of tire and brake wear is due to track operation?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Great question. I guess we are looking at about 35 track days total. Likely 60% of the wear would be track days in the instructor (red) run group.

[@mpp9964]

You don’t need 18 way seats to get them heated. That cost per mile stat is sobering.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Correct, but you do need them to get lumbar support which was the primary reason for me getting them

[@Xolition]

Ahh Miami Blue, the poor man's Mexico Blue.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Sheesh…..or just the perfect shade of blue.

[@ftango505]

You're getting a steal paying $525/year for insurance.. Is that comprehensive? I thought I was doing fairly well paying roughly $180/month for my GT4 (in the US).

[@GethinJames]

He's probably putting it into storage for 6 months of the year and dropping insurance...

[@user-nifinei34jd9]

Same here. Paying $170 month for my Spyder. 40 yrs old zero accidents/tickets.

[@waltvancourt5052]

HANK HAINY

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Same age, wrong guy

[@waltvancourt5052]

@@GaryTheCarNut i got a 2020 chalk spyder, manual. Opfilters pulled and locked open. Rambunctious race car ! Can't take it anywhere without attention

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I’ll bet, ear plugs anyone?

[@williammorris3334]

It’s not a GT car, but it is awesome. I’m hoping at some point to get a 981 Spyder. Lighter, more analog and a bit easier on the wallet.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes the 718 Spyder most definitely is a Porsche GT car

[@TGCREken]

Yes. It is officially a Porsche GT

[@TipoF129B]

A Spyder RS is a GT car, not the regular Spyder.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Incorrect, the 981 Spyder is not a GT car but both the 718 Spyder RS and the regular 718 Spyder are GT cars

[@mrug8600]

I love my 718 Spyder. Glad I got the PDK

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Couldn’t agree more! Please share video with friends and family

[@leonardoluc6362]

Silly to buy a PDK when manuals are available not for long.

[@likearollingstone007]

That top though 😅

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Labour of love😍

[@Maddest-qu9bo]

OMG the right hand is so distracting! I had to used my ears only to watch this video.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, that’s just me, I’ll try to tone it down in the future

[@Maddest-qu9bo]

@ ignore my rude comments. I am sure I’m the only one that is bothered by it.

[@selbstsein967]

How ugly is that piece of Metall 🙈 … and the color 😅 Only 911 - nothing else 😍

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Is someone Jealous?

[@selbstsein967]

@@GaryTheCarNut no, definitely no 😅 if I would get this as gift I would drive 0 miles and sell it directly 👍

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes you would

[@pbmcgme176]

@@selbstsein967 LOL this is exactly what I did with my 992 Carrera S. Drove for 200 miles.....felt like a boat....got a PTS GT4 before they went out. Amazing vehicle

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I agree 100%.

[@T.D.111]

Put your hand down Gary.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Will do.

[@Wagtail61230]

Thanks for the informative and honest owners review. I have the following dilemma ! I have ordered a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and expect it to arrive spring 2025. I have a 2016 981 Boxster S PDK from new and like you it's a summer car. Problem is I really like the idea of a Spyder. Out there are low miles good spec Spyder's at almost the same price as a new 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. I know I am lucky to have such a problem ! Did you consider a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 ?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Great question! But no, I did not. I really, really, really wanted a GT car for the adjustable and track orientated suspension and the only convertible option was the Spyder. If you are never going to track it, you are 95% there with the 718 BGTS. But really there are no incorrect decisions here.

[@franzhuber7361]

GTS is better as a daily with its automated roof and comfortable wheelbase. Spyder is a weekend car with the ability for track use. But if so I recommend the buckets for highest sensation 😉 And if you really want to listen to music the Burmester sound system is a great choice. Regarding the headlights I warmly recommend the PDLS Plus.

[@Wagtail61230]

@@GaryTheCarNut Thanks for reply and your comments are 100 % correct.I do like track days in my 981 BS but not enough to justify a Spyder. We live in Scotland have some of the best roads (NC500) and in any Porsche it is a blast. . Visit to OPC yesterday and order for 718 BGTS 4.0 is still on for spring 2025. Look forward to next video.

[@Wagtail61230]

@@franzhuber7361 Thanks for reply. We are lucky enough that our 981 BS is not a daily and is in fact off the road as of last month.(Scotland) You are totally correct that the roof is a issue and the ride is too hard. Yes buckets in a BGTS 4.0 now that's an option !

[@pbmcgme176]

I say get it new the way you want. The suspension is more comfy also and can be used as a daily if you want. I was in the same position 981 S to GT4 but had an allocation for both. The GT4 suspension is harder and the car as it sits "feels" more special(mine is also PTS) and as a result I don't drive it now on every occasion like I did with my 981. I don't think the GTS 4.0 is far off from the GT cars. The only issue I would have is that it would look like every other Cayman even your 981. The drive will make you forget all that though. There is literally no wrong answer and if you have a spot I would get it tailor made. There are more daily options on the GTS as well I would have loved to have.