Porsche 981 Cayman GTS manual v PDK: same price, different cars…

[@julianadkins2167]

Great to see my old 981 GTS manual on KZbin. The one car that left my garage I miss and speak about every week. Whoever purchases this vehicle will not be disappointed, fantastic value at that price and a great Dealership

[@9WERKSTV]

This is great to see, Julian! It's a cool car. Did you spec it new?

[@-Grifter]

Which one was yours mate?

[@-Grifter]

Soz. Just seen it said manual, which I missed before. Don’t worry, got it.

[@CamGTS]

Colleague sent me the advert for your old car earlier in the week - great to see this video. He deeply regrets selling his 718 manual and is on the lookout for a 981 manual now. I've a 718 manual GTS4.0 and, while PTS is amazing, just love the interaction with a manual car. What did you change to Julian? A number of manual GTS owners heading to 911 C4S cars, but I wonder if there's much - if any - gain?

[@ianmitchell9102]

Hi, did you buy this car new ? I’m interested in purchasing this car.

[@ElCid_86]

I usually like to row my own, but the PDK in my 981 is a game changer--no regrets at all.

[@9WERKSTV]

No regrets needed! Glad you've found the right car for you and your lifestyle.

[@Rico1973]

PDK for me and chosen on my 981 Boxster GTS. It’s my daily driver so the PDK excels in all situations. PASM gives it a sublime ride and the standard seats adjustable and comfortable as much as those bucket seats look. I considered a Cayman but after driving the Boxster it’s just another level with the amazing exhaust note and top down motoring! Well done Porsche for these awesome cars ❤

[@prashanthp5448]

Great video and fair assessment! Picked up a lightly used 981 GTS a couple months ago in white from a private collector. The PDK is sublime and having driven the 718 GTS 4.0 PDK prior, I felt the 981 provided a more analogue feel (love the extra flappy pedal travel) and sounded surprisingly better than the 718 flat 6. However it does not have much low end torque so the 981 platform isn’t for those chasing 0-60 times. Still what a great car 10 years on!

[@roberttimmerman394]

Thanks for the video guys. Really interesting. The gentleman who sold me my manual 981 Boxster GTS emailed me the other day to tell me that after 4 years and buying 2 911s, he’s going back to the 981 GTS. He found one virtually the same spec as the one he sold me. It’s a special car.

[@Stirls]

I just wish folk would give PDK proper exposure as to full potential. The advantage of PDK is you can be lazy Auto in casual. You can then be Sport full auto so better throttle response. Then if optioned Sport plus! BUT, and this is the missing bit, you can go Manual selection that lets you play with the revs via flappy paddles. Last but not least, if you like a stick shift, the PDK gear shifter also lets you UP and Down shift gears for that ‘stick’ feeling. Even current generation of PDK sticks are made to look like a manual shifter. So, let’s see someone present in full use mode to just show how versatile it really is otherwise I’ll have to do the vid and it won’t be pretty 🤔😩 Nearly forgot…If you’re buying a manual, don’t forget to pickup your ‘over-revs’ report 😱

[@adrianlw2750]

Spot on @ Stirls. I’ve been driving VW group DSG for 15 years. Now have a Mini with 7 speed DCT and love the fact that I have several options. Recently a trip to Wales on lovely mountain roads, I was in “manual” mode and used the stick to play with shifting up and down the gears. Did I miss a clutch? Not at all! The steering wheel paddles are okay but the advantage of the stick is that there is just that extra degree of traditional style of interaction and… it is always in the same place😀

[@JohnMckendry-i7z]

Fantastic, someone actually SAID it, I'm old school at 60, but if you have a 718 PDK, with the SHIFTER facing the RIGHT way, don't ever touch the paddles, manual shift up and down all the time, or flick it across for gridlock, rest your aching left hip forever.

[@timessix8434]

Oh how I miss my 2016 CGTS manual with the X71 chassis… The sound from the 3.4l was uniquely good. The car was brilliant and I would have had it still today hadn’t my dealer called and offered me a slot for a 991.2 GT3 😅

[@9WERKSTV]

It's a great sound for sure!

[@andrewdavis2325]

Really enjoyed this episode guys, it would be interesting to see more like this on the Porsche range and family.

[@9WERKSTV]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@smiler921]

Me too, perhaps how the GTS stacks up against the GT4 and Spyder next…

[@Nord_Mann]

Appreciate the effort you lay down Lee💪🏻

[@9WERKSTV]

That's really kind, thank you.

[@lambo4ever]

Tried both when I was looking for a 981 2.7 Cayman. PDK is fantastic and really completes the car, but the manual is sublime. Such a good feeling box and with the GT4 shifter upgrade its even better. Love mine!

[@erikvanname]

A very timely review for me. I'm considering a 981 with PDK or manual. I think I'm going to hold out for the manual. I miss rowing my own gears and I want this to be an experience car

[@Stirls]

I had a manual Ftype as it was rare but for what it’s worth my current PDK is awesome. Don’t forget you can go ‘manual’ even with a PDK lever for old school feel. When you’re zipping around mountain passes, flappy paddles give more confidence with both hands on wheel 😂

[@VK6AB-]

Drive both and PDK with PTV and sports chrono.

[@pauldavies7251]

You won't be rowing many gears in the manual as 2nd gear reaches 70mph so any twisty driving you do it 90% be in 2nd, Pdk is far superior in the cayman

[@MrGrumpydriver]

Make sure you test drive both, when I was looking I tried three pdk cars then a manual. Bought the manual on the spot, I agree with the test driver in this video - I just instantly bonded with the manual car despite it having almost no toys compared to the other cars. X73, Pasm, standard suspension, can all make the car feel very different.

[@amac8487]

AS much as I love a good manual, the PDK is just SO SO SO good that it neuters the performance of these cars, especially in the turbo models. At high RPM, the instantaneous PDK shifts keep your boost pressure up the entire time, resulting in absolutely no interruption from power. If the PDK wasn't so damn good, Id say manual all day.... but my 718 GTS and 992S are PDK and don't regret it one bit

[@garyhaddock7264]

PDK, 10mm PASM/PTV & non-buckets, perfect combo, just like mine!

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Nice to see you cover the Cayman although the GTS is my dream car and you're driving the prices up.

[@denisvogel5155]

Thanks for the video with your interesting perspective regarding specification. I had a 981 CS with base seats, manual and x73 suspension for 5 years. Although there was a lot to like about the car, I found the suspension to be annoying when I wasn't driving aggressively. I wouldn't call it harsh but it did bounce on rough roads and wasn't really comfortable. I now have a 718 GT4 with sofa seats and find the ride to be much better, even with cup 2s and larger wheels and tires.

[@TobyD]

Nice new 9W format Lee & Andy. Surprising to see buckets sit higher than sports seats. I’m with Andy all day long - manual 981 for me 👍

[@s10lucky]

Great video and relevant to me as I’ve just sold my 981 PDK back to harbour cars after 5 fantastic years of ownership. When I return for another it will be manual this time. It’s the only thing I really missed. If I was ready now I’d snap the white one up in an instant.

[@MrRoyck10]

When I was looking for a 981 Cayman I noticed that the manual was a totally different experience to the PDK, I test drove 6 PDK and bought the only manual that I test drove. Whilst the PDK is extremely good for daily driving in an urban environment it robs the driver of some part of the driving enjoyment for that analog BoxEngine feel. Cheers Lee.

[@krisfoster8980]

Very much enjoyed this video. The agate grey was mine, couldn't fault the pdk and a pleasure to drive throughout ownership. As you say It's specc'd incredibly well. The X73 set up and PTV make such a difference. A car I will miss greatly.

[@timothaii1]

I looked at that agate grey car and very very nearly bought it. Really lovely car, but I ended up finding a manual agate grey one, with the x73 suspension and PTV diff - the perfect combination of the two specs you tested here in my opinion. (PTV isn’t unique to pdk cars by the way)

[@peterestwick5801]

No surprises there then. Totally in agreement the manual ‘box on the 981 is just so right. Have tried PDK and yes, great for daily work and in traffic but let’s face it we use these cars for fun more than anything else and that demands a manual. Modern cars at all price points now come with everything done for you. If you enjoy the drive we need to get rid of these assistance devices. Nice video chaps, at the end of the day each to their own.

[@Poorschedriver]

God I wish buckets came on the GTS in America (or at least I've never seen it). Those seats are so amazing and they're constantly on BAT for $15k-$20K. In any case I've driven PDK, but the gearbox in the manual is unbelieve, espeically with a GT4 short throw. I'd argue it's one of the best manuals you can get in any car, espeically with the blip shift.

[@jameslewis1197]

Great video. Sold my 987 recently and am looking at 981’s and this was a really useful insight 👍🏻

[@alexrankin8263]

Great, and nice honest review Lee and Andy, your right, ‘horses for courses’ and we all have different ideas and desires when it comes to sports cars. I have a VW DSG as a family car, and I love the ease with in the way it drives, however my 997 is a manual car, and personally it’s that driver engagement that creates the driving joy of any sports car. I’m with Andy all the way in seeking a balance of comfort and control when it come to the ride. It’s the one thing I’m not happy with in my 997 base model. It’s too ‘crashy’ for me, (I’m old-61) which is why in the future I’ll probably be looking at a 991, just to see if the ride is an improvement . Also, I need to try both the manual and the PDK version of the 991, although I know manual versions are not easy to find. Harbour cars looks a very nice set up, I’ll keep an eye on their future stock and probably pay them a visit, as I’m not too far away 😁

[@Digiphex]

I got the PDK on my Cayman GTS and it has been great. The behavior of it is telepathic and makes the car very fast. I wish it had a leather boot over the shifter though because I don't like the look of it at all.

[@nicboyes7118]

Great geek-out indeed! 🙏🏻

[@timmusick9875]

Very interesting comparison, especially the detail and honesty. As the owner of a 981 BGTS 6 spd manual, X73 with the Sports Plus seats (std) from the first time I drove it I thought I would be foolish to let it slip through my fingers. I think it's one of the great sports cars of all time. The one thing I'm still curious about is any difference in feel imparted by PTV. PTV is intended to kill understeer but the X73 suspension has the strongest turn-in and front end grip of any car I've ever driven.

[@9WERKSTV]

PTV/X73 car was definitely the more lively of the two, in terms of chassis!

[@timmusick9875]

Did the PTV ever impart any feel or sensation you were are of?

[@CalvinFerns-p8b]

As a x73/ptv/manual/BGTS owner. You feel the ptv instantly as the locking diff. The ptv on turn in you only feel when you are really pushing on. The diff you feel any time you push on with the even slip of the rear tyres, helps get the power down. Put an aftermarket diff in yours and don’t worry about PTV as such?!

[@richardwatts9093]

Manual all day long & that’s why I paid a premium to have one ❤️

[@danb2145]

Great interesting video guys! The folding bucket seats must have the possibility to be lowered more? You could see that the passenger seat was lower!? Thanks!

[@TDS981]

The manual is definitely more engaging, i miss it but driving in the rain and short shifting it you didn't realise 2nd gear revs out to eternity, pdk allows you to access more of the top end of the 3.4 so it's my preference on this platform.

[@davidtelfer4586]

A factor contributing to the different ride characteristics between these two cars (i.e. slightly harsher on the Agate Grey car) will be the different alloy rims - the Agate Grey car has SportTechno alloys that are half an inch wider than the Carrera S alloys on the white car - in my experience, the ride is sharper on the wider rims.

[@PorscheMan_Mat]

PTV isn't limited to the pdk as you suggested. I have it on my manual 981 GTS. It comes with LSD

[@iKone911]

Nice video, but I honestly think you guys should have pushed these cars a bit. That felt like a leisurely drive. PDK will need to be pushed to really experience. Spirited back road driving. I own a 992 GTS in manual and an RS3 in dual clutch. I love both. Drive them hard and they are both rewarding. Not sure what my lifestyle would have to do with it.

[@SaSa-fs8sb]

Is the base cayman naturally aspirated ?

[@chrisedge5007]

Two good value sports cars there

[@carlrea]

A question. Does the manual 981 GTS have the same gear ratios as the 718 4.0 GTS? Many thanks

[@Nodstar73]

Was thinking exactly the same.

[@carlrea]

I've had a look online and I hear the GTS 981 has a shorter final drive ratio than a 718 GTS 4.0.

[@carlrea]

Anyone anyone? 😂

[@cuthberter]

Is there a way to lower those bucket seats? I know they don't have adjustment but wonder if someone is making different rails/bolts these days.

[@richardpearson6329]

What's the mileage on both cars

[@tobiaskolb9011]

I love my manual 981 Boxster because driving NOT Daily. I love ALL the manual Buttons an Manuel Gearing. All 981 Are manual machines. Espacially with manual Gearbox 😉

[@RR0381]

Great comparison. However didn’t the white manual car have smaller wheels (thus more tyre wall) than the grey pdk? Which would call for (and add to) a slightly firmer ‘less forgiving’ ride?

[@timothaii1]

Both are 20’’ wheels

[@RR0381]

@@timothaii1 Thanks, must be a visual thing then. Those Sport Technos looks bigger!

[@ej2863]

Drive closer to the limit and you'll better appreciate the PDK. Even first gear is usable with PDK.

[@uweheinrich6784]

The manual gears are too long. For road use, you effectively dtive in 2 gears only which makes it more boring and slower. Pdk pedals can give you actually a lot of engagement.

[@AbandonEarth911]

PDK all the way.

[@jasonwright1753]

Save 15k and buy the standard car, wasnt that much slower considering quarter of the price

[@VK6AB-]

981 GTS is peak Porsche, engine, sound and materials. The manual gear box is irrelevant, modern performance driving is left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator both hands on wheel/paddles. Safer, faster, more engaging. PTV - PASM - Sport Chrono - PSE - PDK.

[@timmusick9875]

PDK is perfect, but why spend all that money and let R2D2 have half the fun?

[@VK6AB-]

@@timmusick9875 When you do a money shift it stops being fun😀

[@nigelchapman2231]

Might as well buy a golf gti. Whichever way you spin it, these are poor mens 911s.

[@keithmatthews9570]

🫏😂

[@Stirls]

£ for £ the Cayman is an incredible driving machine. If you get the chance to drive one take it and see. The 911 is an iconic design but better drivers car certainly not until you get into much higher specs.

[@VK6AB-]

Not so - I own a 981 GTS, 720S, 296 GB and 991.2 GT3 RS 😀 If you have a 981 Cayman GTS with PTV, PASM, PSE, SC and PDK its near peak Porsche, quite possibly one of the best genuine sports cars they've ever made. The HP and torque from the 3.4L NA engine are ideal for most roads, lovely back road corner carver.

[@amac8487]

I can pretty much PROMISE that you've never even driven one

[@Jay-xr3sb]

Some one wants attention