2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 vs 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 - Head to Head Review! 

I had the 981 gt4. Then got a 991.2 gt3. Made me miss the gt4 so got a 718 gt4. 981 gt4 was still the most fun out of all of them.

from an owner of BOTH and not biased (though biased of owning porsche cars :). the GT4 718 has everything (bolt ons, shorter not gear but gear n pinion) and a bolt on manual GT3 911.2. if you own a 4x4 as a daily and one of these cars....get the GT3 as a weekend, and track car. if you want a more usuable day - day get the GT4 as it will cover more than %90 of the flavor and joy of the GT3. didn't like the rear-engine i loved the mid-engine feel more and you can notice it when driven and owned both of them

Clinical is definitely the feel of Porsches of this generation. After driving the 991.1 GT3 and 458 back to back, it felt like the GT3 was driving itself, while the 458 was a much more raw and emotional experience. If you value precision, you can't go wrong with Porsche. There's a reason why almost every auto engineer I know owns or plans on owning one

The G6 has even better modifications to it than the 911 R engine, which wasn't given a warranty. You never hear of people worrying about 911 R engines! If you're really still worried, shift at 8500 like the RS and R redline.

fun fact: the GT3 has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the GT4. That + the rear end weight distribution probably made it more lively and move around a lot more.

You’re really good at making these reviews even compared to the most famous journalists, no joke. I think that we all feel the same about the good old GT3, and I’m a Cayman owner. Interesting about the playfulness of the 911ns chassis, I have an internal fear against how large is the back of this car, if it snaps it kills sort of anxiety, but I’m yet to drive one and probably buy one. Interesting to know why the price difference is there between .1 and .2. So the price of the dream is 180. Next is spending a lifetime in one and getting buried in it at the end.

G6 engine is the way to go 💪 awesome car, i also had the gt4 but the gt3 is another level.

Love these comparison videos!!

Love the comparison vids, keep it up.

That GT3 engine sound with flat PDK shifts, insane

I just subscribed. I apprecite the precision in your language and comments sir. I also appreciate that most words that come out of your mouth are meaningful and they come out naturally. Excellent youtuber. Thanks .

Awesome video, Zygrene. Great driving, and I loved seeing the owner grinning as you drove the car. Fun to watch you tearing it up through that canyon road. And the sound of that engine when you did the pull was just intoxicating. Glad you kept your NSX, though. :D :D

Having owned a 981 GT4 and now a 991.2 GT3 (manual/buckets) I wholeheartedly agree with your conclusion that a GT3 is worth the delta over a GT4. I personally thought the GT4 was so polished and clinical as you put it that it was just boring on the street. On the track I’m sure it’s a great car but it didn’t excite me on the street at all. The GT3, otoh, is the best car I’ve ever owned by a mile. The only thing that compares is my old M4 GTS that I felt was criminally underrated. That would be a great comparison actually, M4 GTS vs 991.X GT3. I will say the 991.1 engine issues really put me off, I’d never consider one. Those will tank as warranties expire.

On ride quality... I have the AD09's on my 718 GT4. They are a stiff sidewall track tire and excel on high speed sweepers. The Michelins, especially the 4S, has a MUCH softer sidewall. That definitely plays a roll. The final answer though on both cars is MCS dampers. PASM is a pretty old technology now and really behind the current times of advanced suspension. I have MCS 2-way remotes on my 718 GT4 PDK and they are awesome. Those paired with the AD09 tires and the car is super confident, super direct and capable, AND most importantly... COMPOSED at ALL TIMES!!

Great review man…. Keep up the good work

Loved this video.

Awesome job! So similar yet so different, and there's no right or wrong answer.

So if you want reliable 9k rpm experience there is no way to avoid the true answer - S2k ap1 😂

IIRC Andy Preuninger claimed that the GT4s stated horsepower was underrated. In an article he was quoted as saying the car had 385 HP at the top of a 10,000 foot mountain. I think that with either of these cars, switching to a shorter final drive ratio would be beneficial with a manual transmission (the PDK has more gears, so it is a different proposition). Porsche probably uses the gearing they do for EPA mileage tests.

A 981 GT4 clinical? Lol, this is the biggest BS I‘ve ever heard about this phenomenal car. It is one of the few cars that provides joy even if you drive it slowly cos it is so balanced.

I was waiting to see what you said and if it matched with what I felt after driving these. You said basically exactly what I felt lol. Including the PDK tuned specifically for GT3 or RS. I thought it was marketing garbage back then when they said they made it “emotional” but I drove and thought the same thing, that I don’t feel like I’m missing a good manual car. Was also clear because the other car I drove (as part of PEC ATL program) that day was the Turbo S, which had a much more seamless smooth operation of PDK. Sorry for wordy post

Enjoyed the video / review! 👍🏼 I’ve owned a 981 GT4 and loved it. Great car for B roads in the UK. Handling is sublime and the mid engine gives great balance. I never bothered about the tall gearing but it did lack overall power. I then moved onto a 991.1 GT3, considerably quicker and took time to adjust to the rear engine layout as it handles quite different. The GT3 is defo a step on from the GT4, but I found the suspension and steering not as good as the GT4. Suspension was a bit harsh and didn’t absorb bumps as well and the steering lacked some feel and communication. I then moved onto a 991.2 GT3 and it’s better in all areas V the 991.1 GT3, all the improvements are small if you hone in on one area - steering, engine, suspension, sound etc - but when you look at the total package together, it’s quite a step on versus the .1. I think all three are great cars, but the GT3 is big brother for a reason and Porsche are great at evolving their cars! 🔥

What’re your thoughts on the mid vs rear engine balance? Power aside, which one will be faster on the track? Which one do you prefer?

It was interesting that you mentioned what you would give your NSX up for. I also have an NA1 and have now mostly let it sit in the garage for the majority of the last 10+ years. I have my mind set on replacing with a Porsche when I’m finally able to let go but I’m having a hard time letting go. Not going to lie though, I am ready for something with Bluetooth/CarPlay. 😂

991.1 GT3 engine is always the one I love the most for the sound. I always thought the .2 GT3 is better car overall and the engine is smoother and with the last 1k rpm has that VTEC amplifying effect, it doesn't have the .1 3.8 liter metallic howl at between 8-9k rpm, which for me I conisdered special and more raw sounding experience. The 991.2 GT3 RS sounds slightly different than the .2 GT3 with a little more back fire under engine braking but close to it. 992 with the ITB is even more smooth than the 991.2 which doesn't' have the throttle intake suction noise, and like a sportbike than the 991.2. GT4RS sounds a little too loud for my taste. If just for the sound, i will take the 991.1 GT3

I own a gt4 981 thank you for your excelent video Iam really thinking about up grade for a gt3 991.1 this is very helpfull but as you said is a little worry that the porsche warranty is coming to and end. Excelent video!!

Thanks!

Great video!! Can you find out a couple things for me? What are the carbon shifter he got and also what did he do to get his wing end caps in black? The wing is usually just the paint color. Thanks in advance!!!

Hoping you get to a back to back with a 991.1 and 991.2 GT3 with PDK someday.

these .1 gt3's really need the DSC suspension controller to correct the bouncy damper feeling that the .2 solved with revised calibration. funny timing on this video, I have been considering a 981 gt4 but recently started cross-shopping the .1 GT3 as the price jump isn't as significant (compared to a .2), but the value for money seems to be there. only concern on the .1 is they still use hydraulic lifters vs the solid lifters in the .2

I believe that if it is not for the nostalgia factor and your Honda roots, you would sell the NSX for a Porsche GT car. There is truly no replacement for a Porsche. The GT4 is heaps better than any NSX.

Great review, as always! One thing I would have liked to hear about is mid vs rear engine. Historically a big talking point, but does it even matter any more? My experience driving the 991.2 and 992 carrera cars is that it doesn’t-if you have the cash, go 911 over the cayman, as the driving experience is simply superior. Love to hear another viewpoint on this tho! Keep up the good work 👍

Checkout the 991.1 GT3 engine history. The 991.2 GT3 engine is in a different league to the one found in the 991.1 GT3. Also read the fine print on the extended warranty.

That steering wheel in the 991. Sheesh!

Beautiful roads and landscape. Looks like South Bay, SF.

Great video! Nice to see the owner in the passenger seat again. Have you driven a GT3 with a DSC sport controller?

I also own a 981 Gt4 and the 991 gt3 is probably my dream car….. But it’s really all down to the engine failures that scares me off. I know most have been changed now but it’s the what if it blows a engine! , factor in the price of a gt3 engine if it goes it would ruin me. The Gt4 is a great car and nothing to replace costs anywhere near the Gt3 so unless I win the lottery will be sticking where I am.

What a great contrast showing perfect handling can require less involvement that subtracts a dose of the fun ! Does the steering feel IN THE 991.1 GT3 substantially communicate the levels of front end grip to indicate when it's about to break loose as opposed to the 991.2 GT3 Touring?

981 GT4 for the Track 991 GT3 for the Canyons

Have yoy driven the AMG GTR? Theyre around the pricing of both these cars and I'm going qbck and forth on the choices.

People figured out last year how to program GT3 steering on the 981 EPS, they all claim it makes it better on the forums

I really need you to drive a deman 4.5l 981 gt4. Please review it and then compare it to the 991.2 gt3. Thanks.😅

The GT3 is amazing, except for the engine exploding! 🤣If this one was replaced however, there shouldn't be an issue.

Reliability aside, the 991.1 GT3 is probably underrated. The engine is fabulous. A great pity it was never offered as a manual. Well, unless you count the R, which I suspect is probably the nicest modern GT car for road driving, though admittedly, I've only driven the 991.1 GT3 and 991.2 GT3, not the R (and not the new 992 GT3, though I have a hard time believing it's more rewarding and involving than a 991.1 R, as much as it is obviously a technical step forward - that said the 996.2 GT3 and GT3 RS are the best Porsche GT cars I've personally driven).

So technically, the 991.1 gtrs 2015 to 2016 had the 4.0 found in the 911 R and the subsequent 991.2 and 992 variants of gt3. Fixes the 3.8 blowing up occasionally.

Shut the front door! This is the question I have been asking myself

the 991.1 GT3 has its fatal flaws as well and owning a time bomb would scare me even with the G6 engine. Im sure its played out a bit but still there is a number of well documented engine failures and its a $50k bill with the .1 GT3.

I would like to see the 991 GT3 vs a 718 GT4. both PDK

I sat as a passenger in my friends GT3 and the car sat in 2nd gear the entire ride. Not sure why the long gearing is a criticism only for the GT4. The gears seem equally long in all GT cars.

Did they ever fix the blowing up engine problems with the 991.2 ?

Since you have driven both GT4 and GT3, then do you think a GT2 justifies the premium over the GT3? Do you think a GT1 is the holy grail of all Porsche GT cars?

Forums seem split on whether the 991.1GT3 RS has the catastrphic issues too (i.e finger follower). Some say, no way, its a 4 liter diff engine. But others say well its still base on the same.engine in the standard gt3 and its not exactly the engine from the .2 either. Idk what to think. I used to think i wanted a 991.1 GT3 for the price but it is scary. And if .1 GT3RS is fine, i think i rather that than a .2 Gt3 for the same price

Out of all the gt3’s and gt4’s you’ve driven, what are the top3 cars?

I spot an upgraded steering wheel too

No, unless its a g series motor

There is way you can cook the engine so you will get the new G series engine but it is illegal 😊

FYI - There has been G6 engine failures too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kDx9d9jXIM8.html

GT4!!!

Could you review the new lotus emira?

I couldn't live with that overly long 2nd gear for street and fun canyon carving... Soooo dull... I'll use my ND Miata for those tasks!

Curious in the 911 why u don't use the paddle shifters. Id rather keep both hands on the steering wheel. Would probably also left foot brake in a car like that, no?

👌🏾❤️👌🏾

Ironicaply the 981 GT4 engine doesnt have as many issues as rhe 991.1 GT3. Finger foolower issue is still very real. Only buy if its a G6 motor and even then...no one will know until wnother decade later if the motor stands the test of time. The GT4 engine is more than likely willl be perfectly fine a decade down But ofc the experience is totally different

God-King Zygrene, what are your thoughts on 718 GTS vs 991.2 Carrera T? Liked 718 GTS 2.5 (had some weird boominess/pressure in the cabin at higher revs) worlds more than 981 GTS (which felt more like a numb, soft, bigger gt car with totally dead steering, gutless engine, and not great suspension compared to more of a return to form sports car tighter and more precise feeling 718) and 718 GTS4.0 (for the money may as well just stretch a bit more and go for GT4 at that point or GT3 like in this video and have less depreciation with a more special experience; turbo four is definitely more potent at high altitude here, sound is not terrible, although six cylinder sound is more exciting, but the engine is pretty anemic at elevation combined with tall gearing, and the car felt heavier than the four cylinder).

Dog, where you finding gt3’s for 120-150😢

Poor location for a review....?

GT3RS duh…

Learn how to double clutch......