2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 vs 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T - Head to Head Review!

[@Closertotruth2]

I’ve owned many Porsches including a 2018 GTS manual Cab, 2019 Targa PDK, a 2018 GT3 Touring, 2016 Spyder manual, as well as a couple Macans. I currently own both a 718 Spyder and Box GTS 4.0 with manuals. In my opinion for street driving the 718 4.0 cars are more fun than any of the 911s including my GT3 Touring.

[@Poorschedriver]

Preach!

[@VK6AB-]

The NA Caymans are hard to beat, they are real world sports cars. Its not about HP its about corner speed and this is what the Cayman excels at whilst still being remarkably compliant. Also nothing wrong with struts if the chassis is rigid (and the Cayman is very rigid) the obvious example being the 991 GT2 RS is quicker than the 992 GT3 RS, the former has struts front the latter has double wishbone front.

[@KRBY555]

I need a back seat. What's your opinion on 997

[@VK6AB-]

@@KRBY555 997.2 is good to go, would avoid 997.1 as could have IMS and bore scoring issues. 997.2 GTS is the pick of the Carrera line up for that Gen.

[@netcrashYT]

Strut vs rear multilink let’s not forget the 911 has all the weight to contend with out back…

[@hello_whitty]

I went from a 991.2 T with buckets and a manual to a 718 GT4 with buckets and a manual. No regrets whatsoever

[@hmohammed33]

I daily a 4.0 GTS and it's a pleasure to drive. The sounds, handling, balance are all reasons why I love it.

[@KoryoJK]

This is gonna be good! (Downloaded). My 718 GTS just landed at the port. Picking it up in the next 1-2 weeks!

[@a64738]

Congratulations :) I plan on baying a older model Cayman when I sell half my stocks in January, I am tired of driving boring cars ;) And all the fun cars like the 1979 Ascona B I bought in 2002 for 500€£$ now cost 20.000 to 40.000 $ which is same as a older model Cayman cost... Insane prices on all cars that is fun to drive.

[@joeharris3810]

Yeah me too

[@skippynj1979]

@@KoryoJK so!???

[@Motorheaddoc]

2:29 the over axle pipes doesn’t affect the induction noise. If anything it takes away from it.

[@jackson5068]

Yes the OAPs have drowned out the induction sounds for my car

[@joeracer302]

I love my 991 T, but I’ve sometimes found myself side eyeing 718 GTS 4.0. Looking forward to this comparison!

[@Eurosport.Automotive]

I went the other direction. Had a 718 GTS 4.0 6MT and moved to a 991.2 T 7MT. Running APR stage 1 now and it’s a rocket. Also have Cup 2 N1s (same as GT3) with a more aggressive alignment. Only use is aspirated back road driving with a couple track days per year. I have zero regrets.

[@denisvogel5155]

Thanks for the great comparison review. The next Cayman will likely have just one looong gear so no point in complaining. If a car needs rear steering like some garbage trucks do to get it around a corner it's a grand tourer, not a sports car.The Cayman is beautifully styled and sized just right. The 911 while agreeably styled does look rather bloated.

[@TGCREken]

For the money, GT4 and Spyder are peak Porsche. I own a Spyder. It’s insanely great

[@cben86]

987 Spyder is the best IMO

[@melondoc]

991.2 Carrera T owner and former NA1 NSX owner. I love my Carrera T and I'm never selling it - but, you are correct at around the 6:30 mark. For a theoretical additional $100K to add to the stable, a nicely sorted NA1 or NA2 NSX is the way to go!!

[@parkman8595]

Just a heads up Fenton, on the Carrera T I saw in the gauge cluster 41 psi front and 49(!)psi in the rear! That is way way too high. Actually kind of dangerously close to the max pressure for a PS4S, which is 50psi.(Might want to let the owner know) But according to Car & Driver, Porsche actually uses the "comfort pressure" setting for all their performance testing, which is listed in the manual as 29F and 31R for the 991.2, which will give a lot more compliance as well as grip. (Probably why you felt the rear felt less stable) Most drivers use the pressures on the door, but that's for max load at top speed and it's more EPA/mpg friendly. Generally for performance driving you're going to want low to mid 30s when warm in a ~3000lb car on the street. 🙂

[@hasonlavajunk9774]

Yeah that’s nuts if that’s what the psi reads…..and this appears to be a track car, you’d think he’d know better.

[@eric.frasch]

Hey, I’m the owner. For this road review, I put some brand new (first few days on the car) 4S tires on the stock wheels. I didn’t think my track wheels/tires would be a fair comparison. The shop put the psi to the amounts on the inside of the door 35 psi front, 45 psi rear. In their defense, that is what the cold pressures are supposed to be according to Porsche. It was a very hot day so those rose a bit with the spirited driving. My track wheels and tires I always run around 29/32. Next time I will double check the pressure after getting the wheels changed.

[@parkman8595]

@@eric.frasch yeah, it's true, 9 times out of 10 the dealer/shops will put the door pressures in mine as well and I have to drop it down. Seems silly to me that Porsche put the full load, high speed pressures on the door when pressures that high make no sense in 99% of situations. Must be an EPA thing or something 🤷‍♂️

[@drdavidrose4]

@@eric.frasch Go check that again. My GTS says 35 front and rear.

[@drdavidrose4]

@@eric.frasch I can't attach a photo but my CGTS4.0 definitely says 35 psi front and rear. Never heard of a car using 45 psi cold tire pressure.

[@Zuffenhouse]

I think people overestimate the benefit of multi link, double wishbone, etc. In most cases I think these suspension geometries are absolutely superior, but modern Porsche strut suspension is very hard to fault in any way.

[@jackson5068]

The GTS 4.0 is also so light and has a 97” wheelbase. You’re only gonna get the front end to push on track tbh.

[@lw8447]

Drove everything, picked a 981 GT4. Love it!!

[@juliusoh]

What was the deciding factor

[@evolutionmoto]

I’ve wanted a 911 my entire life. I was lucky enough to get a new cayman gts 4.0 manual :). It was a build allocation that the guy walked away from… and I couldn’t resist. Having 2,400 miles on the gts 4.0 now I’m happy I got the 718. This thing drives better than my wildest dream’s imagined. Maybe I’ll still get a 911 someday, but damn… it’s got a high bar to beat :).

[@jackson5068]

You’ll be happier if you think that 911 is just a name. I have the same car as you - it’s Porsche’s best kept secret at this price pt

[@DK-pt9dy]

Thank you! This is precisely what I was contemplating this weekend!

[@mikej1348]

I would love to see Cayman/Carrera with the short gearing mod and whether you think it’s worth the cost.

[@iwbaracker]

I love your very insightful reviews!

[@acekremel123]

Always Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0. The car is lighter, smaller, mid engine balance. And in my opinion: A proper sports car should have a naturally aspirated engine.

[@alphabeta8403]

14:30 Mid Engine balance >> Rear Engine

[@Yakman18]

Owning one of each, the 911 is the better long distance GT. But the 718 4.0 shreds it in the twisties, sounds better and has a better manual gear box.

[@skippynj1979]

I now have both. I’m very lucky. The gts is actually better road compliant due nasty roads. The T is very very stiff for the roads. Both are great. I got to build the gts so it is exactly how I wanted. The t is bare bones and I love it.

[@pddaemon7]

Captain Cap

[@alpnstr]

I played with this exact comp and chose the 991.2 T for different reasons, but similar conclusions. The rear steer, shorter wheelbase, shorter gearing, shorter shifter, suspension tuning, and turbo engine makes the T much more engaging to drive IMO than other Porsches I’ve driven on road, including against GT cars and most of the 718 variants (haven’t driven GT3 touring though). The 718 is the better track tool for all those same reasons but yet I’ve never found the street feel as engaging. Yet I found the stock T as fun as my Exige and S2K and that’s a statement I’d never thought I could make about a non-GT Porsche. It delivers bags of chassis feel and drive character. So I bought one and it’s my favorite car I’ve owned so far.

[@MisterWannabee]

4.0 sounds great when you’re at the high end of the tach but my 2019 GTS 2.5 with an APR tune gives me 440 hp and around 400 lb/ft torque, too good to pass up for a street-driven car. Just dip your toe into it at 3-4K and Whoosh… off you go. For daily driving, gimme the turbo 2.5. I even dig the grunty sound. Everything else about the car is the same 100% goodness.

[@arr0gant1]

718 S or GTS tuned!

[@marcosvaldes8910]

It's hard for me to get a read on this comparison based on how many mods have been made to the 911.

[@jarrodhaas]

Great comparison. With the suspension, I agree I was surprised that the 991.2 was more unsettled than 992/new 718s (even the non-pasm 987.2)-I found this was due to the new pasm capabilities in the 2020+ cars. They seem to have dialed out much more of the slop in the newer cars that occurred when trying to optimize over compliance and poise in the 2010s era cars. The newest gen PASM feels like a generational step to me, definitely worth considering getting a 2020+ car for that alone

[@patrickodonnell6651]

Nice, honest review you made. Background here …Owned three 991’s, Boxster, a couple Macans, 981 Cayman and now a 718 GT4, stock except dialed in alignment. Recently, drove the GT4RS vs GT4 at Porsche Experience Center. Frankly, I have loved all our Porsche’s But at the end of the day IMO the GT4 and Caymans in particular are the better cars for engagement with the roads, autocross and HPDE. And no disrespect to 911 drivers intended. 911s are amazing.

[@_que]

The 4L should be offered on the Carrera T, 4 seats, short gearing

[@ZDY66666]

they'll never do that to protect higher trims. Imagine if the Caymans had short gears, they would be monsters

[@simont531]

It’s called a gt3?

[@jz50-racing]

This is a cool review! You showed a unique perspective that the 911 became the second choice for pure driving fun but wins at practicality over the Cayman/Boxster. With a baby in the future maybe I’ll trade in my 981 Spyder for a 911.2 or 992 911.. well maybe the 992 for more daily drivability.

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

I'm ordering that same brand of shift knob (Sportshifters) for my GT4 after trying someone else's weighted shift knob, though his was Function First. I too have been surprised not to see the 4.0 being the motor for the new Carrera Ts for it to fully fulfill the purist 911 baby GT3 role. At this point though I'm not sure it will be EU compliant enough for them to do it in the 992.2. Probably too expensive for the T to have a bespoke engine.

[@lapchoine6600]

The only 718 you want to own is either GT4 or the Spyder no doubt about it!!!

[@StephenChen-n3n]

Really? What about Spyder RS?

[@dp2901]

I went CGTS 4L when faced with the same choice. Newer car with a warranty and I am sold on the mid engine as I had a 981S.

[@MarkLRandall]

I want to say most people screw up the handling when making suspension mods, like changing spring rates and leaving the dampers alone.

[@americanAlienBoy]

I’m trying to figure out how an OAP, which is on the exhaust side of the engine, could possibly affect intake noise.

[@volodymyrshoniia2424]

By making the exhaust quieter would be the only answer, except it doesn't do that either.

[@ChrisJones-yh2os]

Thanks, this was a very useful comparison!

[@rohinullberg3620]

I have a 24 gts cayman manual and just got for about 110 a loaded 2014 911 turbo....fun fun...would love your opinion of that. I did not get rid of my cayman...the turbo is a great daily.

[@kovaji8212]

sick cars. what car would you keep if you could only have one?

[@PCarDetailers]

I had a 2014 911 Turbo S and traded it for a 2021 Cayman GTS 4.0. No regrets. The Turbo S was a lot of fun and the power addictive.

[@HondaExige1]

Sometimes I'm glad to live in the UK with our car prices - $100k here gets you a 991GT3 or a low mileage 718GT4 full spec

[@juliusoh]

Wtf how

[@jackson5068]

I noticed you didn’t comment on the gearing for the Carrera T. Was it because you thought the gearing was short enough or did you just care less because you didn’t feel the need to rev it out (muffled turbo sound + power band is lower rpm)? For the GTS4.0, the top of 2nd is 86mph and top of 3rd is 116mph. For the 991.2, the top of 2nd is 76mph and the top of 3rd is 108mph. Did you think the gearing on the 991.2 is a sweet spot? Because deman can shorten the GTS4.0 gearing to be similar.

[@Jay_812]

I love the Cayman GTS. Trying to justify trading in the DE5 for one.

[@wrappinbeats7588]

I went from a PDK Carrera T to a manual GTS 4.0. I have no regrets, I think it’s a better car except as mentioned in this video the suspension architecture. At very high speeds cornering can unsettle the car especially if there are vertical undulations in the road. That is a strut problem. The great thing is since it’s mid-engined it is much easier to control when unsettled. When the 911 goes, it’s more violent because of the weight distribution. I’m sure with the nannies it’s still hard to mack, just less confidence inspiring. Question though, on the 911 you were saying the suspension feels a little unsettled. Wanted to ask what the mileage on the cars is… that would be my first thought.

[@eric.frasch]

@@wrappinbeats7588 mileage is 40k for the 911

[@tobi_dg]

Great video. One other thing is that the 911T is 6+ years old while the Cayman is almost new.

[@Zach-sq1gs]

I own a 2024 CGTS 4.0 and I've not watched another video where the mic picks up the actual sound of being inside the car so well.

[@jerehada]

More wheel sawing than I expected thought it would be steer a line and adjust on throttle.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

MAJOR problem in the 100k sports car category. The Corvette C8 Stingray sits in this space, and its too hard to overlook. AT 100k you could have a 2LT Stingray in track spec with Springs, Bushings, intake and exhaust, and the entire car shrouded in carbon fiber. Its not the same game as before, and the ACTUAL sales numbers prove it. Neither Porsche can fill this space from a performance standpoint for Canyons or track.

[@rickthompson8122]

C8 just looks cheap inside and out, it feels bulbus compared to 718 GTS cars... If I was track duty only, then maybe a Z06 would do it, but for general use sports car, Porsche all the way

[@MegaNardman]

Over axle pipes will improve the *exhaust* note, not the induction note.

[@kineticU]

Love the NA sound , but found the 4.0 harder to be engaging at lower speeds. My turbo 2.0 Box was much smoother drive in city and for DD than my 4.0. Again all use case dependent.

[@982SharkBlue]

The GTS 4.0 is a track car

[@RaceCarFriends]

Oh snap this should be a fun watch!

[@yorbalindason]

Can I get a shout out for PDK instead? Blipping through the gears is as much fun as a manual IMHO. At speed and Sport Plus mode it’s telepathic when the gearbox downshifts for you into a curve - 2017 Carerra base driver, which by the way is a great daily and perfect for cross country drives say through Colorado and New Mexico. Yes I want a Cayman to test out the hatchback practicality, but I’d get a 2016 “last of the non-turbo”, not hitting the $100,000 button on that.

[@joeracer302]

Carrera T has mechanical LSD, same one as GT3, and the shifter is from GT4.

[@samueldowney2806]

911 all day, but I wouldn't want rear wheel steering or mods to make it handle more like a Cayman. I would want a 911 to feel like a 911, i.e. rear engined. Otherwise there seems no point to me.

[@PNVSAG]

What's the shift knob (brand and model) on the 718 Cayman? I really don't like the stock one... Does that shift knob a bit lower than the stock?

[@thespectralsorrows]

Side by side comparison...the Cayman is also so much better looking and it's not just the exterior color.

[@inflatable2]

I would get a used 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 from like 20/21 with not to many miles for less money.. 2023 is still to new and not depreciated enough..

[@rickthompson8122]

I ordered a 25 Boxster GTS 4.0, last year ICE (unless Porsche backtracks) and 0 miles, optioned as I want new is worth the premium to me... The 21's and newed, unless they have 20k miles are all over 100k, so I'd rather have new for a few k more.

[@inflatable2]

@@rickthompson8122 it wasn't a few k more here, more like 50+k.. But Porsche stopped selling the 718 new in Europe last summer anyway, so it's not even an option anymore..

[@tanhy1522]

Which one more comfortable when sitting in side?

[@PorscheCaymanG]

A $1500 tune for the GTS would have made this a more even comparison. But they are both great drivers cars.

[@dvmartel1]

I think you are shooting these video's in Nor Cal on the Mt Hamilton roads. Right?

[@KeynSong]

But if you apply the same mod to the cayman then the gap becomes wider. What a tuned alignment does for the cayman is huge. You can also tune the cayman’s engine to get closer to the power as well

[@Zygrene]

Sounds like I need to drive a 718 with alignment mods

[@peterbelmiro5733]

And……if you have the 2.5t gts, the gap becomes huge. That’s why in my opinion the 2.5 gts is the better car. Same great handling as the gts 4.0 but much more power potential. That potential puts the turbo cayman chasing down the big boys.

[@allstonmickey5164]

@@Zygrene your welcome to drive mine, 2021 718 S with GT3 LCAs and Ohlins R&T

[@Zygrene]

@@allstonmickey5164 sounds fun! Please shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@KoryoJK]

@@peterbelmiro5733I’ve had a 2.5 GTS and 718 GT4. And the 4.0 GTS is the sweet spot. You can also tune the 4.0 to same level in hp as a tuned 2.5l. Yeah you get a little bit of torque in 2.5l but then you get better throttle response and of course the glorious flat 6 howl especially with Kline exhaust. The torque on the 4.0 is plenty enough for the street as well.

[@boom2055]

how would you compare this with the lotus emira?

[@patryan8065]

I'd take the Cayman GTS all day!

[@ZDY66666]

If you're just looking for the best street spirited driving Porsche, get a 981 Cayman GTS. If you're looking for prestige and higher social image on top of the above, get the 911 at the sacrifice of driving experience however. Imo there's pretty much no need to ever pay for a 718 GTS 4.0

[@kovaji8212]

it's not simply prestige, the 911 is distinctly more comfortable and practical. Not everyone cares about that but some do.

[@MegaNardman]

@@kovaji8212 More comfortable and practical? Unless you have to haul children around, that's way off the mark, and far more dependent on the vehicle generation than 911 vs 718/Cayman/Boxster. Storage-wise, it's just a choice between back seats(911) vs a trunk(Boxster) vs a hatch (Cayman). Comparing similar eras, the interiors are largely carbon copies of one-another, and share numerous parts between 911 and MR cars. It wasn't until the 992/982 generation that there was a divergence between them (982 is still based on the older-generation interior).

[@kovaji8212]

@@MegaNardman I've owned multiple of both, and done multi state trips in both, and for me, yes it is indeed more comfortable in a 911. If you disagree that's fine. Some people are comfortable in a Lotus Elise so it's pretty specific to the individual. For practicality I get your point about the trunks, still I prefer having the extra storage space inside the cabin, throwing things in the backseat is more convenient than having to always pop one of the trunks. Again, it's preference.

[@arr0gant1]

Just too many improvements to the 718 over the 981...

[@timwong580]

Does the cayman handle better than a 911?

[@chrilseung]

what road is that?

[@marcosvaldes8910]

It’s ok to say that you liked the Cayman is better. Better drive and better value

[@timwong580]

I still like the nsx From 1992.

[@kadirkirubakaran5488]

Hey is this mines rd by Livermore CA?

[@nickranly6522]

I want to see the sky! So it’s 981 forever 😊

[@seb5945]

I still don't get why Porsche's cheaping out on suspension with struts. It's not like they're struggling to find space at the front, there's all the space in the world with no engine under the hood!

[@982SharkBlue]

2024 CS owner here. Sport Chrono, Porsche Torque Vectoring, Porsche Active Suspension Management, 6MT. If you're going to spec your 982, spec it like I did. The 2.5 Turbo is the BEST Cayman built. The GTS 4.SLO lacks low end torque, and as you can see by this video, he had to keep it in 2nd gear the entire time because 3rd would be outside the GTS power band. The Turbo is the best Cayman. After the warranty expires, you want more hp and torque? Stage 1 2 or 3 will put you in supercar territory. The 911 killer. Turbo. There is no substitute.

[@Autogurman-z7c]

I think 2.5 PDK, best 718

[@982SharkBlue]

@Autogurman-z7c 6spd manual are worth more $ and much more fun to drive

[@tonymcflattie2450]

I am all about the auto blipper

[@Zuffenhouse]

I thought I’d hate it but it’s amazing

[@KRBY555]

Do another f80. Stock competition pack

[@danielparisi6614]

Everyone bitched and continues to bitch about the gearing and now the next gen will be EV…

[@colinbowman8816]

Will it? With the plummeting EV sales I wonder if Porsche will go thru with that plan in the end. Don't think many would want it.

[@danielparisi6614]

@@colinbowman8816 i wonder too, 718 makes up 1/3 of their sales. That wont remain true if they're ev

[@VenusLeaper-m6d]

Keeling Prairie

[@michal.laskowski.]

carrera t with the simple tune is the sweet spot of the entire porsche lineup

[@stu4181]

I love the cayman 4.0 as a car but just feel the cayman (and 911) shape looks so much better with a spoiler Maybe it’s engrained from seeing the 70-80s whale tale Porsche spoilers as a kid growing up….

[@vikd4292]

carrera t is more like a 140k

[@123antimiro]

Sorry but no turbo in Cayman means no go for me. 2 or 2,5 turbo engine is better bet than naturally aspirated engine in Cayman. I am too old to wait for torque!

[@a64738]

It is on the Turbo you have to wait for torque ;) But there is a lot more of it and at low rpm, on the non turbo there is no waiting but you have to keep it at 5000+ rpm and higher....

[@peterbelmiro5733]

I’m with you. I love the potential of turbo motors. Couple that with an already great handling car, and it’s perfect. My thoughts, tune on the 2.5 gts and alignment/suspension mods. I bet that combo would keep it close to a gt4 rs. Have a look at what Sebastian Vittel and his suspension modifications, on stock 2.5 gts can do vs gt4’s

[@joeracer302]

The non-turbo motor is boring to me. People hype the N/A motor up online, but my personal preference is turbo power. I’ve never driven one with short gears, maybe that would wake it up, but as they come from the factory it’s a snooze fest.

[@arr0gant1]

You don't have to wait for anything as long as you have a 2.5. Just learn to drive it. Keep the revs above 3000 and the torque is there instantly. That's what variable geometry turbo does....

[@arr0gant1]

Agreed 100%. Driven both and don't see how anyone could like the 4.0 over the 2.5t, then you tune it!!

[@freshtapcoke]

MSNBC headline: “Zygrene over-revs Cayman 718 engine!”

[@cato12]

911 is the ultimate Porsche. Idc if it’s a 718 gt4s. Give me the keys to the base 911 before the cayman all day. We gotta stop hyping these caymans up that’s why the price is so high on them. Used s 2020 plus goes for around 80k that’s insane. Car only worth around 45. Rather have a z or Supra.

[@peterbelmiro5733]

There’s no hype…..Caymans are just that good. Porsche was smart to neuter the Cayman. You can’t have the “ inferior “ car overshadowing the flagship 911.

[@cato12]

@@peterbelmiro5733 people are trading in a 911 for caymans

[@StormyTuesday5108]

For 100k, buy a 997.2 turbo s

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

thats an expensive couple of GR86s there

[@gymdent]

What’s the point in comparing a stock 718 to a highly modified 911?

[@inflatable2]

Same price.. What to buy for 100k?

[@andresmattos7541]

THIS GUY SOUNDS LIKE A PORSCHE SALESMAN.

[@drstevej2527]

Leave this to men. You should review Civics and Corollas. The Cayman is great but it’s a bit snug for men. For him it looks fine but I wasn’t that small since the age of 13.

[@MegaNardman]

I'm 6'2 215 and have tons of room in my 981 Boxster S (same chassis as the 718s).

[@rickthompson8122]

Actually the 718 and 981 cars fit like a glove... Makes the 911 feel loosey goosey and fat, like it needs a diet...

[@drstevej2527]

@ If you are 5’7 and 150lb that’s true. Then again he is about that height and weight.

[@dirkpalmer1067]

911 all day long.