718 GT4 vs. 981 GT4. What would you do? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I've had a 2016 981 GT4 with Club Sport extras since October 2018. I absolutely love it in pretty much every way, and use it most days from March to November as a daily drive, as well as doing the odd track day. All standard, with an appropriately nice level of trim and spec. Plan is/was to keep it forever, as the ultimate user friendly sports car/supercar junior. It was supplemented in 2021 by a base 718 Cayman 2.0. Had one before, love this one just as much, and it gets to bear the brunt of winter driving, shod with suitable tyres when it's cold. You'd have thought life was perfectly arranged with those 2, but I had an itch I wanted to scratch in the shape of the Cayman GTS 4.0. So I ordered one last September, with the general intention of trading in the base Cayman when the GTS arrives. 981 GT4 to become a little less of a daily drive maybe, but GTS 4.0 to cover the winter months, as it takes 18" wheels with chunky winter tyres. (They don't fit over GT4 brake callipers before anyone asks.) The Cayman GTS 4.0 order doesn't yet have an allocation, but I'm told it will be this year. Many of us know that this may be an optimistic view of life. So now the (let's pretend!) hypothetical question comes: Given the circumstances above, what would you do if you were offered a 718 GT4 allocation, either in addition to or instead of the 4.0 GTS order, with a build slot that is within the next 4 months? Now add to that "first World problem", that ceramic brakes, bucket seats, and therefore Club Sport pack, and much less troublingly, Bose stereo will definitely not be available at the time of build. I am surprised how torn I am over this question (especially given I'm trying to pretend it's hypothetical ). Ending up with 2 GT4s is not really an option, as it leaves me without a winter hack, so I'd need to sell the 981 GT4. The 718 GT4 would be a better daily drive, and even with the standard seats and no harnesses, will still be a very decent car for track days. But realistically it's a £30-40k cost to swap for something that is at best, a little better/newer. I don't have a great feel for how relative values are going to fare over time, but I feel like I have borne the brunt of depreciation of the 981, and they do make a better noise by a country mile! If I were to make the swap from 981 GT4 to 781 GT4, I'd probably aim to leave the order in for the Cayman GTS 4.0. I wouldn't really feel quite as much need to own one, and I'm not entirely sure whether I could afford both, but that's more about timing than anything else. If the GTS doesn't materialise until 2024 then I could probably find a way. Gut feel is that if I don't know what to do for the best, then I don't do anything. So I'd end up saying thank you, I am truly honoured by the opportunity, but I'm afraid I have to pass this time. But let me know when the next GT4 RS allocation is available please! Had the opportunity arisen, I'd have spent most of the weekend on the configurator trying to get my head around this conundrum! Any thought would be appreciated. Hypothetically, I have until Monday... Liam

I would keep the 981 GT4. I found it more fun for spirited driving that the 718 GT4 and if you have another Cayman for daily duties then you are spoiled for choice. I don’t think you’ll find the newer GT4 more fun and unable to spec how you want is a big disadvantage IMO.

You just be very wedded to the Cayman generally. I’d be tempted to keep the 981 and add something new in that will make the 981 seem even more special when you use it or at least more diffeeent than the daily. But in terms of answer you’re looking for - is a 718 GT4 worth the upgrade? Probably not.

Keep the current GT4. The upgrade cost to a poverty spec 718 is just silly. No way is the 718 worth the difference. Keep the money safe and when you are ready trade up to a GT3, any flavor, for the fun car. All IMHO of course.

IMO..Keep the powder dry. Don’t buy a brand new one, at full price. Will lose a massive chunk.., and doesn’t have the options you want anyway. If you want to scratch the 718 GT4 itch. Trade for a nice used one, an at least negotiate a decent discount on that…. You get the same ‘dealer credit’ for buying used as for new if you thinking it might help you in getting an allocation in the future. But on the face of it. Unless there is a specific reason for the change beyond currying favour with the dealer…. I’d say, don’t do it. Will just cost you money and you might not enjoy the car in the same way. I changed from 981 GT4 to 718 GT4… used… but had my 981 GT4 for 5 years, which followed 3 years of 981 CGTS. I’d had a lot of time in it. Loads of miles and memories and also had developed it and really had reached the end of the road with it, so needed something younger and fresher to continue my path. But only you can decide…. Do you just want it because you’ve been offered? And what kind of trade in are you getting on the 981? Edited by TDT on Sunday 22 January 08:56

Swapping a CS 981 for a comfort 718? No chance, I wouldn't matey. I'd keep the 981. If you need to consolidate, buy used as TDT says

Keep the 981, particularly given spec issues

I agree with those saying keep the 981 GT4, and again particularly if bucket seats are a key part of the appeal. As the OP probably remembers, I went from 981 GT4 to 718 GTS 4.0 and have absolutely no regrets, but the opportunity to own both cars concurrently would be very appealing.

Thanks for all the opinions; really helpful in guiding the thought process. Unless I have some weird epiphany overnight, looks like someone else might get the chance at this (hypothetical) one. TDT, didn't even discuss a trade-in price for the 981 GT4. Most likely scenario would have been to put it in the showroom and let them sell it for me a couple of months before the next one was due. Keeps their used inventory down, and would have stopped them needing to low-ball me to reduce risk in a potentially difficult market. Stunters, yes I do remember that. I think it may have been one of the things that provoked me more fully in that direction. Guessing from your post you are still enjoying the GTS 4.0! bigmowley, weirdly, post-964 911s have never massively appealed to me as something I'd want to own. But you are right, I probably ought to think about a GT3 at some point in the future if I can afford it. Thanks again, I appreciate all the responses, which were a lot more unanimous than I had been expecting. If you had told me bucket seats might have been a potential deal breaker on a road car 5 years ago I would have laughed it off as a joke! Liam

Liam, As you and TDT helped me when I bought My 981 GT4 last May I think the other posters are right regarding a new 718,my other concern looking at used 718 GT4 prices I think they have a way to go yet due to numbers and relative age compared to 981. If I were in your position I would wait 12/ 18 months and see what happens, my guess would be £70/75k average for a manual , bit more for a PDK which would make cost to change a bit easier! Cheers Roy

Happy to have helped. Hope you’re enjoying the car.

Yes Liam - loving the GTS still I've had it for 2 years and 2 months now, really enjoy it on almost every drive (which I honestly couldn't say about the GT4) although at the moment I am spending more time in my GR Yaris mainly because of a dodgy commute and work location. Got it ceramic coated a couple of weeks ago, here are some gratuitous photos:

There's no way I'd accept a build slot that meant I couldn't order the spec I wanted, it's a GT4 (stunning but not rare cars).