Porsche 981 Cayman S or 718 Cayman GT4 | Is the Price Gap Warranted?

Today we're comparing the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 vs a 2016 Porsche 981 Cayman S. The 718 GT4 is a bit more aggressive looking and purpose built, whereas the 981 S is more normal and pedestrian. The 981 comes in at about half the price and is about 7 years older than the 718. The question for you today... is the 718 Cayman GT4 worth the premium vs the 981 Cayman S and is it actually twice the car? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

🚗 Vehicle in This Video:
2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (PDK)
MSRP: $107,950
Engine: 4.0L flat 6-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 414 @ 7600 rpm
Torque: 309 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Curb weight: 3,208 lbs

2016 Porsche 981 Cayman S (PDK)
MSRP: $64,100
Engine: 3.4L flat 6-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 325 @ 7400 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Curb weight: 2,910 lbs

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
02:07 - Porsche 981 Cayman S
13:01 - Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
21:54 - Final Thoughts

[theonlywinner]

I'm guessing the Blue Cayman has about 55, 000 miles now. I put about 20, 000 of those miles on it. I dailied it for a bit, but spent a lot of time in Southern California Canyons including Angelus Crest highway, Ortega highway, Mount Palomar, and the highway from Pala Casino to Valley View Casino. I loved that car, but when I got an allocation for a GTS 4.0 in July of 2021, I had to sell it. I got my shark blue with manual in December of 2021. I love the manual but I really miss the PDK! The sapphire blue metallic on the 981 is absolutely gorgeous!

[Xxyion]

Thanks for reviewing the car! It was awesome meeting you and hope to meet up again for more videos!

[Mendra]

FYI - the 4.0 in the 718 Cayan GTS 4.0 and GT4 is not related to the Metzger engines. They are related to the 992's 3.0L engine.

[miamigt]

I own both a GT4RS and 981CS now but had a 718 GT4 for 2 years. I can tell you the 981CS and GT4 are 2 different animals. Love my 981CS as a daily and the car that gets the most abuse on road trips and 4-5 track day/yr. The GT4RS is a weekend car and 1-2 track days a year for me. The GT4 is closer to the 4RS in terms of feel than the 981CS is to the GT4. If I could grade them in terms of I’d say the 981CS is a 5, the GT4 is a 7.5 and the 4RS is a 10. Most times in life you just want a 5 to get you to the store in comfort. Others times you feel like lighting your head on fire. It’s awesome to have both from one basic automotive platform and makes me a better driver in each because of the practice of being in both.

[denisvogel]

The 981 was available with an LSD which would go a long way in addressing some of your concerns and the GT4's Cup 2s
wear out rather quickly so when replaced with PS4s will make the car more playful. I found the 981 to feel lighter, a little smaller and a touch more nimble. After 5 years of 981 ownership and 3 years driving the 718 GT4, I agree the latter is at least 40% better. Engine, manual gearbox, chassis, steering and even ride. My 981 had the X73 option which was a little bouncy and uncomfortable at lower speeds. Not so the 718 even with bigger wheels and larger, more aggressive tires. Enjoyed the video!

[flatcroc]

One of the major overlooked reasons why Caymans handle so well is the flat six. Its mass is very, very low, and especially so compared to the Evora which not only has a taller V6 but which also somewhat sits on top of the gearbox, raising the mass even higher.

[michaelp]

Wondering if you know why reprogramming EPS software isn't more of a thing? I'm pretty sure alot of Porsche trims have the same hardware but are just programmed differently.

[Brian-orjy]

Does LEGO make a Cayman? That's the Cayman I could afford.

[timw]

There is no comparison period. You pay for performance. You Don't get a GT badge for nothing. To answer the question yes it's worth it. Carbon buckets are a must IMO to complete the experience.
I own a 981 GT4 and IMO at the time of purchasing my car the 718 was not worth a 25, 000 premium. IMO the 981 GT4 is more special, limited production, Manual only, a clutch you can feel, a more raw experience. The 718 GT4 rear diffuser aero were adapted from the Spyder. I'm nit a fan of the rear look and definitely like the center exhaust on the 981 better.

[GTCcam]

I just realized why pulling down/back is intuitively an upshift. In a conventional manual, straight back is always an upshift. Ie; 1/2, 2/3 in a dogleg, 3/4, 4/5 etc. Doesn’t matter what car, what gear box or what situation. Straight back is always an upshift, and straight up is always a downshift. Never really occurred to me before, I just knew anything else felt wrong somehow.

Edit: also realizing that in an aircraft pulling the stick back pitches the nose up, pushing it away pitches the nose down. So why anyone would do “stick forward” to upshift is a bit mystifying.

[rickhayner]

Let's face it the 981 Cayman S is a GT car that you can track. The 718 GT4 is a track car you can drive on the street. If I were going to drive from LA to Las Vegas I would definitely pick the S. And since I don't do track that is indeed the one I picked. 🙂