Porsche 911 992 Carrera S vs GTS, which is the better 911?

Let's compare engine power, sound, ride/handling and package details between the 992 generation Porsche 911 Carrera S and GTS models.

1:02 Current model line up
1:37 Details of cars being compared
2:20 Power comparison
4:10 Sound comparison
5:20 Ride/Handling comparison
6:40 GTS package details
8:00 Conclusions

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[MBisFrenchy]

I love that community is coming together to get unbiased Porsche comparisons.

[jameswillard]

My experience with these 2 pretty much mirrors your opinion too Nick. I have a 20’ 992 S Coupe with PDCC/PDK/PSE and my business partner recently picked up a 22’ 992 GTS Coupe this fall. I can say after driving them back to back that the ride is considerably more crashy on the GTS than the S, it sounds like the sound symposer is def tuned to be more loud but no more tuneful but that’s about it. I can’t give a apples to apples comparison in regards to handling because my car has PDCC and his is just standard GTS spec PASM but whatever changes those helper springs from the Turbo are supposed to do aren’t very noticeable on aggressive street driving. On a separate note I was able to spend some time in a 992 GT3 TOURING also and if anyone says that a GTS is even remotely close to that car I’d seriously question their abilities to properly evaluate cars, infact, I’d go as far as to say it’s hard to believe that they start off as the same basic car. The GT3’s steering and front end grip are so sharp and precise that it practically takes everything you’ve learned about driving 911’s hard for decades and throws it out the window, also surprisingly once you’re moving with some speed I don’t think the ride was significantly worse than the other 2 models, infact although stiffer I’d say it was actually less crashy than the GTS. The GT3 has absolutely no roll or slack in its standard ride setting so it’s not like you’d ever need to hit the harder suspension setting. And when it comes to engine there’s nothing that Porsche can do with the 3.0L turbo motors that will ever come close to the 4.0L’s immediate response and insane sound as it revs to 9, 000RPM. I wasn’t completely surprised by any of this as I had owned a 997 GT3 in the past and know it’s a different animal but I too have often read or watched reviews claiming the new 992 GTS is a fine substitute if you can’t get a GT3, or that it delivers most the thrills but is just a better daily for most people …..it’s a COMPLETELY different experience as a drivers car and while the GTS feels like a (very) slightly turned up Carrera S, the GT3 experience is closer to a Cup car in comparison

[antonakisohyes]

I don't currently own a Porsche but I very much enjoy your sincerity and sense of humour. These are the ingredients missing from most online reviews, for obvious reasons. Do keep it up, thumbs up from me!

[RevTiberius]

I can't stress enough that it's not just that the difference between the cars is minuscule in the sense that the "upgrade" to the GTS isn't worth the money. More importantly, and often overlooked by reviewers, is the fact that 99% of Porsche buyers won't notice the difference anyway. It's not just that the cars are hardly different. It's also true (and more important) that most Porsche owners just have no clue about the vehicles they are driving. They'll go for the GTS because they think it's more prestigious. Not because they are experienced enough drivers to understand the minimal mechanical differences.
Great video as usual!

[jasonlee]

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be like Nick’s neighbor. This man used to have an M car. Then a lemon brand new 911 that switched to Grey Macan which later turned into a green one. Then, he bought an old 911. He also regularly has 911 GT3, GTS cars come visit him. Not to mention he has a gorilla in the back seat and waters his plants naked sometimes…
Anyway great video and thank you for your unbiased opinion Nick. Merry Christmas to to you, William, Tui, Smudge and the fish!

[natecaplin]

Well done, Nick, you’re right. Having said that, it’s probably worth noting that depreciation has verifiably been kinder to GTS variants, so it’s probably wise to consider that, too, when buying.

Therefore, if a friend asked me which one to buy, I’d advise them to buy the GTS if, given the choice to spec an S the way they’d want, they would do a “sportier” build (Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust, manual transmission, black wheels, louder colors, etc), since on resale most buyers looking for that type of build would prefer and pay more for a GTS. If on the other hand they would spec an S as more of a luxury car (all leather, PDK, muted color, silver wheels, etc) then get an S.

[simont]

I’m sure Nick will get a lot of criticism for this, just like the Macan S vs GTS comparison but I’m really pleased someone is prepared to do side by side real world tests and not just rely on Porsche marketing terms ‘sweet spot’ ‘unique handling setup’ etc. thanks for the great work Nick, keep them coming.

[gershire]

Very fair review Nick. I'd go S over GTS. I drove a GTS recently and I totally agree on the ride. Maybe I'm getting old but the S makes a better daily.

[williamphillips]

Love the comparisons over the years and stories from a Nick. As a 2016 GTS Targa owner, “S” vs “GTS” today’s car breakdown is a semantic. But, it is not about “what you own” from the 911 family…but knowing that you have one of the best exotic daily driver cars in one’s driveway that puts a smile on one’s face every day. Enjoy the ride.

[nirszi]

This video is the nail in the coffin in my already low willingness to upgrade my manual S to GTS. Thank you!

[guyar]

There's a point being missed by everyone, when talking about the firm/crashy suspension on the GTS - it is a free option to downgrade from the Sport PASM (with the stiffer springs) to the normal PASM as fitted to an 'S for free, so you can get a GTS with a better ride.

[Porschession]

agree with you Nick! I never understood why people very so frantic about the GTS. Sure, some people are into the looks of black tones combined with Alcantara, but honestly, it's nothing more than one huge option package with a GTS sticker on it. The speed boost is absolutely negligible and I would rather have the added flexibility of options the regular 911S offers while having a lower base price!

[charlesfrusa]

I went with a 992 GTS that came with a sport aero package. Love it.

[darrenmclaughlin]

Sweet as Nick. I've been searching YT for an S v's GTS comparison and you've nailed it, keep the reviews coming mate

[robertrubin]

Hi Nick - you’re correct in saying it’s a personal choice. I have 21 C2S manual that I daily, and would hate the stiffer ride in the GTS. Thanks for your honest review!

[tommcnally]

Nick, Great Review! Glad you could use my car and it’s cool to be part of the “Nick Murray Experience”! Happy Holidays, Tom

[bensmith]

Hi Nick, long time lurker and watcher of your content. I’ve actually owned both 992 S and GTS models and I agree with your review. The S I owned was a mess, it kept going back to Porsche for electrical gremlins, before I finally returned it and ordered a GTS which came a year later, and bought a Macan S Diesel as a “temporary” daily. I was so, so disappointed. The suspension was simply crashing over anything but perfect roads. I live in Germany, and outside the autobahn network you can find some really sketchy tarmac. The S was ok with bad surfaces, the GTS bounced everywhere and made me grit my teeth more than once. The power, yeah, no difference, the noise… Let me tell you how annoying the GTS is on long trips. I took my S all the way from Dortmund to Budapest, really nice car for a long trip. The GTS gave me a headache at autobahn speeds (150-280km/h) after 30 mins. Overall, I was glad my Porsche Center made errors with my GTS order, enabling me to decline the compensation they offered and return the car citing breach of contract. I’m actually not a fan of the technical over engineering Porsche have put into their cabins, nobody needs that much tech and it failed a lot for me anyway… I’m currently in the process of buying a 991 Turbo S, and passing my Macan onto my partner to replace a very elderly BMW X1. For me, the better build quality and simpler tech of the 991 lets me focus on enjoying the drive. If I miss GPS linked front lift or a wraparound touch screen… I can always order a 992.2 and wait another year, but something tells me I’m keeping the Turbo S for a while. I’m no good at math, because for me 991 > 992 😂

[markastor]

Great video Nick, this just confirms what you've been saying. Save the $20k and spec an S the way you'd like it. Have you done a video on base v S?

[pjs]

GTS is the clear winner despite Nick's bias. Solid comparison although disregards resale on the GTS is better. Turbo chassis and brakes are also unavailable on the S. If you like to potter around town then get a Mumba Green Macan otherwise if you want a 911 get a GTS.

[anthonymorales]

I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO AS IT EXTREMELY HELPED ME IN MY DECISION PROCESS FOR MY NEW PORSCHE 911... I'LL BE GOING WITH THE S THANK YOU