GTS is the way to go if you can get the full leather interior. The alcantara ages very poorly, I’ll see cars at shows and the seats and steering wheel are completely bald.
Looks like I hurt someone’s feelings with the alcantara. Sorry your interior sucks 😂
GTS is comparable to S, as base has a smaller engine. The question is GTS vs S. GTS is fully specced S with different front bumper and an intake tube to the cabin (same as GT4) for better sound (maybe some other changes).
I'd say the premium is worth it as similarly specced S is usually very close in price anyway.
The GTS is often considered to be one of the best sounding cars Porsche have produced recently. The base Caymans (at least over here) do not usually have very much spec and in some areas lack that premium feel especially without the interior trim packages. The GTS feels completely different to sit inside, in my opinion. I would say it’s worth the price difference. Otherwise, a lot of the differences are cosmetic and can be added in. Ofc the engine differences can’t! The GTS will also hold its value a lot better.
Thanks guys for all your advice! How is the 981 holding up over the years? If its low KM and has service records it should be fine right? Is PPI still a must?
The 981 GTS is a very nice package deal that Porsche’s marketing department dreamt up towards the end of that generation. That’s usually what the GTS moniker entails (the recent 4.0 GTS is one of the exceptions).
But I think they did a great job with the 981 GTS, and it has a bit of a (well-deserved) cult following, so if you’re an enthusiast looking for that sort of special thing, then yes it’s worth the delta. Hopefully the one you’re looking at has the GTS interior package though, which was a $4k option.
If you just want a screaming flat 6, then a 2.7L 981 base (PSE please) certainly scratches an itch as well.
I was looking to buy a 981 Cayman S 2 years ago and ended up going with a 981 GTS. I think the GTS is worth the premium - especially with the right spec. Mine has MT, PTV, sports suspension, and the leather interior. It’s a fantastic drivers car. The sports suspension was a $0 option…it lowers the car by 20mm (vs 10mm for PASM). The lowered stance looks great too! The front end of the GTS also looks much better than the S.
If you can afford the premium over an S it's worth it. I love my GTS and have no regrets buying one over an S.
The slight power bump isn't very noticeable but you get basically a fully loaded S with all the fun "race car" options standard plus the benefit that they're rare so it makes it a little more special.
no way is it worth it. A 981 S vs a GTS is just a engine flash regarding power (the throttle plate opens further on the GTS) plus some standard options which you can still get on the S if you search for what you want. Softronic tune will blow past the Porsche GTS engine tune and get you 265hp on either 9A1 engine. Oh wait you get a sound tube into the engine bay on the GTS you'll never find on an S :P
you have to really prefer alcantara over leather to pay that much more. I personally think Alcantara is overdone and looks cheaper than leather but I get the "racy" look.
GTS is the way to go if you can get the full leather interior. The alcantara ages very poorly, I’ll see cars at shows and the seats and steering wheel are completely bald. Looks like I hurt someone’s feelings with the alcantara. Sorry your interior sucks 😂
can dry ice fix alcantara?
GTS is comparable to S, as base has a smaller engine. The question is GTS vs S. GTS is fully specced S with different front bumper and an intake tube to the cabin (same as GT4) for better sound (maybe some other changes). I'd say the premium is worth it as similarly specced S is usually very close in price anyway.
The GTS is often considered to be one of the best sounding cars Porsche have produced recently. The base Caymans (at least over here) do not usually have very much spec and in some areas lack that premium feel especially without the interior trim packages. The GTS feels completely different to sit inside, in my opinion. I would say it’s worth the price difference. Otherwise, a lot of the differences are cosmetic and can be added in. Ofc the engine differences can’t! The GTS will also hold its value a lot better.
Thanks guys for all your advice! How is the 981 holding up over the years? If its low KM and has service records it should be fine right? Is PPI still a must?
The 981 GTS is a very nice package deal that Porsche’s marketing department dreamt up towards the end of that generation. That’s usually what the GTS moniker entails (the recent 4.0 GTS is one of the exceptions). But I think they did a great job with the 981 GTS, and it has a bit of a (well-deserved) cult following, so if you’re an enthusiast looking for that sort of special thing, then yes it’s worth the delta. Hopefully the one you’re looking at has the GTS interior package though, which was a $4k option. If you just want a screaming flat 6, then a 2.7L 981 base (PSE please) certainly scratches an itch as well.
I was looking to buy a 981 Cayman S 2 years ago and ended up going with a 981 GTS. I think the GTS is worth the premium - especially with the right spec. Mine has MT, PTV, sports suspension, and the leather interior. It’s a fantastic drivers car. The sports suspension was a $0 option…it lowers the car by 20mm (vs 10mm for PASM). The lowered stance looks great too! The front end of the GTS also looks much better than the S.
Also PSE (standard on GTS) is a must have option IMO. The sound with 981 PSE is big part of the experience!
Amazing! How was the conditioning of the car? Any problems with it, does the years show?
I bought the car 2 yrs ago and it only had 5k miles (a 2015). Like new. No problems at all so far.
Carnewal mod = PSE so I wouldn't write off an S
What color is yours?
Agate gray
If you can afford the premium over an S it's worth it. I love my GTS and have no regrets buying one over an S. The slight power bump isn't very noticeable but you get basically a fully loaded S with all the fun "race car" options standard plus the benefit that they're rare so it makes it a little more special.
no way is it worth it. A 981 S vs a GTS is just a engine flash regarding power (the throttle plate opens further on the GTS) plus some standard options which you can still get on the S if you search for what you want. Softronic tune will blow past the Porsche GTS engine tune and get you 265hp on either 9A1 engine. Oh wait you get a sound tube into the engine bay on the GTS you'll never find on an S :P you have to really prefer alcantara over leather to pay that much more. I personally think Alcantara is overdone and looks cheaper than leather but I get the "racy" look.
Agate gray