2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (With a GT4 Refresher) - Two Takes 

Matt is absolutely right about people needing to drive the 718, the sound doesn't translate well to camera and 90% of the people on the internet saying it sounds "terrible" have not heard or driven one in person. I had a 987 Cayman S with FVD exhaust and now own a 718 Cayman. I went into the test drive of the 718 with an open mind and found the sound very enjoyable. Definitely different than what we are used to our modern Porsche's sounding but I've ended up loving it more and more every time I drive it. Also people bitching about Porsche not staying true to their traditional flat 6's, don't forget the very first Porsche's ever were flat 4's and some of their most successful race cars were flat 4's (including the current Nürburgring record holder).... I loved my 987's flat 6 but I have not found myself missing it since buying the 718. If you drive one and hate it no problem! but at least give it a fair chance and experience one for yourself.

Did a track day last week and there was a guy there with a 2018 Cayman GTS and he was keeping up with the GT3's just fine. Right power, right tires, right driver = very fast car.

You switched over to the 718 at 7:18...nicely played sir!

Revisiting this video in 2020 after having purchased a pre-owned 2018 718 Cayman I totally get it now. And yes, it took a test drive for me to understand and appreciate what Porsche has done with the 718 cars. I like the way they sound from behind the driver's seat (it's a better and more unique sound than I thought it would be) and the torque is totally addictive. Having owned a 987 Boxster in the past this new 718 is far more usable and fun on a daily basis than the old car ever was.

I heard a 718 blast by on the 110 here in Los Angeles and it created a sound that reminded me of Freddie Cougar approaching. A masterpiece in sound engineering. The car was gone but the sound still lingered around you for a few seconds.

#SaveTheChipmunks

GT4 straight pipe exhaust valve settings: 1) open. 2) more open.

Matt, I like seeing the more open minded approach you take towards the 718 line-up. Back from when you reviewed the 718 Boxster in Portugal, I was impressed with how positive you were about the car. That GT4 does sound great, but I'm liking that 718 too.

I LOVE the 718 GTS! To drive it is to love it. Great review!

This is a great, unbiased video. I think most journalists are afraid to embrace the 718s because they don't want to get flamed for liking the turbo-4, but the reality is that its a better car in almost every way (other than the sound, not that is sounds bad). The difference in torque is immediately noticeable and makes daily driving so much better. The interior is upgraded with more modern connectivity features (although I think you still need to pay for Apple CarPlay). The design looks also looks sharper across the trims.

17:10 that’s a BOLD statement. These things must be fast

15:30 “I love this car”

Never get tired of the Matt Farah Porsche Channel. The subaru-like sound at idle is humorous with the GTS, but at-speed, the sound seems just fine from my normal car perspective. I am curious about the reliability of these 718 turbo systems come four+ years down the road in the used market.

I just orderd a 718 cayman s manual and I love it, I also have a Rs60 Spyder...I sort of regret not spending more for the GTS...but the torque is so nice

Just the comparison I needed. Thank you. I've driven a GT4, love it. I own a 2015 Boxster GTS manual and love it. Ordered from factory. Flawless. Nearly 50k miles. Looks and runs new. Can't track it on 2 tracks I want to experience: VIR and Watkins Glenn. Working on giving the Boxster to the wife and ordering or finding a 718 Cayman GTS manual for everyday and those two extra tracks.

I love Matt’s car reviews; the part where the video is showing the viewer around the car while he is discussing peak torque numbers... it’s so indicative of why these videos are so good, the concern is all about driving. Most of us who buy cars to drive couldn’t give a shit about storage space or cup holders.

This GT4 sound is great for a short while but on a long trip would be tiring as you can't seem to have a conversation in it. The GTS seem sublime.

I totally get it, logically, but I just can't get past the GT4.

Thanks for the objective review of the sound rather than trashing it from the start. I agree the 981 sounds great but I like the sound of the turbo 4 too! I can't wait to see what engine they put in the 718 GT4.

I have to agree with Kyle, I have a 1991 911 Targa and now added the 718 (not S) to my collection of cars. Born and raised in Germany I can appreciate having lots of power (recently drove an AMG GTS on the Autobahn at 270 km/h like it was a Sunday drive), however, now living in Canada with the official speed limit being 100 km/h I found the base Cayman totally sufficient. As Nick Murray mentioned in his video, you add only 50 PS to the 718 S at a $12k CAD premium. What truly makes this car shine is the fact that you can go around corners like "stink".....I find myself chicken out before the car even flinches. As for the sound? A constant loud exhaust is like a nagging Wife/GF.....eventually you want to mute it.... The GT4 is an absolute marvel and I would cherish every moment driving it, but on the other hand it would make me sad because Porsche keeps the GT4 potential in check so the base 911 is not threatened.... enjoy your Sundays y'all...and thanks Matt for the Video.

R&T tested the 718 GTS at 3.9 0-60 and the 2001 Turbo at 4.0. C/D records a 718 GTS PDK 0-100 of 8.7 vs the Turbo's 9.2. So even if the manual is a little slower it's still faster than the 996.

3:03 says it all, any sports car or sedan that give you the giggles while driving it is priceless regardless of overall speed or tech.

718 Cayman uploaded on 7/18!

You and Zack are awesome! Congratulations for all the One Takes and amazing canyon driving!

When he’s pushing it to the limiter in 3rd at 15:17 it really does sing. I love the sound, it’s different but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.

What a job to have, literally a dream job, but Matt is definitely the man for the job. Great video man.

The gts looks like a great daily car but I smiled like a fool watching the gt4 part, also great to have you back Matt

The difference in the shifter feel is because the GT4 comes with the Porsche Short Shift $700.00. I had one installed on my 987 S and my 981 Spyder comes with the kit. Everyone on the internet says this should be the first mod, and I agree. The rubbery feel is because it’s a cable shifter. So is the kit but it feels like ‘a bolt action rifle’.

Ohh finally Matt is back! Never thought it would end....

I've rented a 718 base boxster twice while I owned my 987 Cayman and loved it. Just about to purchase a 718 Boxster GTS! Can't wait to pass a GT4, or my old Cayman, bring on the torque!

Your enjoyment of driving these vehicles makes these episodes much easier to watch.

I'd rather have the bass note than the wail, personally. The wail makes my jawbone tingle uncomfortably, even recorded on camera. I would like to see a GT4 style body kit or a nice ducktail, though, something to give the body a little more character.

Thanks Matt, this video helped me choose between an Ecoboost Mustang and a GT.

Just bought a 2017 boxster 718 s. Wow. The power is amazing stock. Feels like 350 horse at the wheels. Definately underrated and with a turbo you can still tune it and make serious gains!

Agreed! I prefer the 718 and PDK over the old 6 cyl and manual. But I like heretic things :P

Great review, and I actually like the sound of the 4 pot turbo. But like you say it's quicker standard. with a few mods, air filter exhaust and a tune it's noticeably quicker

Make sure to flip up the cup holder tray so the cup holder doesn’t move left and right.

Sweet moses that GT4 sounds fantastic. Honestly one of the best sounding cars I've ever heard with that exhaust. So smooth The GTS sounds okay, not bad. Give me the slower car all day lol.

The Turbo engine with the long gears in the stick trans makes sense, the GT4 OTOH (also since it's a "race car") is crying for flappy paddles and more gears to keep the engine on the boil.

Man cant wait to see what the next Cayman is like, I miss my 2007 Cayman S but these new Caymans would be supercars 20 years ago. Thanks for posting...Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is the way!

+1. The reality of high elevation; Turbocharging has ya covered. .. A set of mufflers does wonders to the 2.5l four-pot. . Sadly.

Thanks Matt. Great review/comparo. Hope you do the same with the 2019 GT4 whenever that becomes available. 2019 GT4 vs 718 GTS. I hear it'll be the na 4.0 flat 6.

GTS is the bargain of the century, it’s a superb car for the money.

This ad, and the one with the boots actually got my attention. Good shit

Yeah ditching the naturally aspirated engines was heartbreaking but because of it the Boxster and Cayman have never been better

Two Takes!? I'll take two more please.

Apparently these tune to over 500 whp with stage 3!!! Wtf! That 3rd gear pull @15min thou! 😍👉🌶️🚙💨💨

I drove my 981 Spyder to work today. Don't need more power (Dyno'd at 391). With the single rate dampers and springs and the open top and that exhaust. Pure pleasure driving about. More than fast enough. Real advancement would be to put the 2.7 flat six back in with a small battery hybrid/kers system. Emissions, speed, tech, weight and sound all maintained.

I'd like to see the GTS compared to Evora 400, or I should say Camry engine vs Subaru engine lol

I’ve heard people say the caymans handle better than the 911!

Very enjoyable vídeo as always. Congrats! I would love to see a comparision with the Cayman GTS and the base 911 Carrera. That would make a lot of sense too!

Well done, Matt. Very interesting comparison. Not too dissimilar from my old car (Lotus Elise) to my current car (Alfa Romeo 4C Spider). We are in the turbo age it seems. Carry on, my man - your drives and reviews are by far the best around.

I actually agree that you need to drive the 718 to form a true opinion. It’s a REALLY good car and once you’ve driven one a few times, it truly does grow on you. That torque feels amazing, and even the sound will grow on you a bit and it’s tunable. All that said, the GT4 is just a more special car overall. Part of the fun is keeping it in the power band and hearing that sound compared to the 718, there’s no contest. If you need the faster “better” car, 718. If you want the more special car, 981 GT4 all day.

Sorry but I dont care about the 718 being slightly better everywhere. GT4 all day. Engine character is what is lacking in todays cars.

I know it doesn’t really matter, but I just wanted to point out a hypothesis is an untested theory. A theory is evidence based and scientifically accepted as fact. You were in fact testing your “hypothesis” that the GTS is the best mid-engine car Porsche has ever built.

I drove a 2018 718 GTS it was a great car and after a few minutes you realize on its own the engine sounds pretty cool.

Looking forward to you or Zach eventually getting hold of an APR or Softronic tuned 718 Cayman S or GTS. Would love to get your take on how they hold up compared to the new flat 6 GTS with the ~80 crank horsepower bump from stock.

That sounds pretty sick for a 4 cylinder

It feels good seeing mat in this video for some reason

This video really crystallized the issue I have with the 4 cylinder. Back to back, the soundtrack on that GT4 just absolutely crushes the GTS. The GTS may be the faster car, but it's not a sports car I want in my garage. The bottom line is that if Porsche wants my money, that's something they'll have to fix and without digital trickery.

I have a 718 Boxster S PDK loaner while my GT4 is at the dealer waiting for a new gearbox. I’m stunned how much faster the 718 is. I’m now seriously considering replacing my GT4 with a Cayman 718 GTS PDK. There are many 2018’s sitting at dealerships marked down up to $10K. Matt, do you think the 718’s turbo will hold up in a 20 minute session without heat soaking and losing boost?

So Matt, do you see it like this: 718 GTS > GT4 > 997.2 C2S? I am a little depressed if so but I still love my C2S and will be keeping it for a good while.

Excellent review!

Yay! One with Matt... so it won't be boring af.

test drove one (718 GTS) with a PDK this past weekend...GREAT SPORTS CAR! Maybe the best I have personally ever driven. Yeah, my daily is a Z51 C7...hmmmm..... 🤔

Very nice review of both of these cars!

Trying to sell me on GTS made me want the GT4 even more

Top speed in each gear for the GTS is 1st-47MPH 2nd-80MPH 3rd-111MPH 4th-139MPH 5th-165MPH 6th-193MPH with its stock 3.89 to 1 Final ratio:( If you put a 4.65 to 1 final ratio it would be 1st-40MPH 2nd-67MPH 3rd-93MPH 4th-116MPH 5th-138MPH 6th-162MPH. Thats what it sould have came'n :) from the factory with!!!

The 718 growls while the GT4 howls. In a vacuum a 718 sounds great. But the sound of a flat-6 is something else entirely. I do love the sound of the 718 though. It's just different.

Matt's back

Maybe a easy choice, but what’s your take on a fully decked 718 GTS (CSBs, all the other goodies) versus a relatively base 911 (maybe a non-optioned Carrera T)?

Matt, a big fan of your stuff, as a previous owner of a GT4 and now a 991.2 GT3 (manual clubsport) and having driven the Carrera T (similar performance to the 718 GTS) there is no way that these smaller forced induction engines provide the same feel as the NA brethren (throttle response in particular) suspension also feels boat like in comparison (to GT counterparts). Also GT4 = 991.1 GT3 front suspension and brakes. I would take the GT4 over any 718 or 991.2 forced induction (inlc 991.2 GTS). It is that good and a true GT Porsche, my opinion though as an owner

nothing like a late night/early morning one take with matt

Literally have not slept and have work in about 2 hours, but this is a great excuse to stay up more!😂

Maybe it’s just the mic but the tone sounds quite different from most GT4 engines either stock or with exhaust systems. Not that sweet sound I’m used to hearing from a GT4

That blue interior reminds me of a beetle interior

best mid engined car porsche made... i think you are forgetting the 918 and the carrera gt exist ;)

nice to see some new content

honestly, i'd rather have a 987c cayman s than a 718, for the engine and the shorter gearing. noise is such a big part of buying a sports car. there are great sounding four cylinder turbo engines, this is just not one of them.

My man, got my 718 GTS in April in the UK, my first Porsche so not missing the NA sound which is of better BUT this car hands down is better in every way and man does it shift. BTW mt number plate has WRX in it which is fine by me lol

718 Cayman GTS with Ceramic Brakes and PASM 👍

Just a great review!! Thanks!!!

Listening to the circumstances in which you prefer the GTS, those are the same reasons I'm going to choose the Golf R over the Focus RS as my next daily. If my memory serves me, you preferred the RS for the motorsport sensations. It isn't my intention to criticize your choices, they have no bearing on how I go about my life, it's just that I'm confused by the apparent lack of consistency.

Yeah that GTS is wicked, but I think the angry rasp from that GT4 engine would just about have me in tears so I'd have that one every time. But really, it doesn't matter because I can't afford either!

You'd be crazy to buy a 718 over a clean used GT4. The resale values are completely different, with dealers constantly having to give incentives to move 718's, as purists want the flat 6.

Matching the "Batman" GMT with the blue GT4 👍. Did you mean to do that? Lol great vid as always.

Love that you have some overseas blantons

What a sound

From experience ... can confirm you are not able to run your 718 at Laguna .. my 718S got me flagged over and over ...

If it’s the same as the 981, the carbon ceramics get you 6 piston front calipers, the iron brakes are 4 piston front and rear. Not sure what the GT4 brakes are.

think this may be the best sounding car in TST history, of course i mean the gt4…. mah gawwwd

Thanks for another great vid TST. Matt...Zack.

Torque on the street makes sense, the noise is just not great which is unfortunate, but I could live with it.

can u please list matt or zack on the titles of the videos so i know which ones to watch. no offense im subbed to this channel to watch matt

2.5L or 4.0L with turbo? Matt says 4L turbo, but I think it’s 2.5L.

Awesome test, but what a road...!

Awesome comparison!!

Isn’t the 718 GtS turbo “ ring “ time the same as the 981 GT4 ? And thats not on cup tires and gt3 suspension 🤣 Now there is tunes available for the GtS to make 420 wheel hp. Bet that changes the ring time and every local track times.

Both beautiful cars! But the Cayman is definitely faster.I wouldn’t mind either 🏁

What did you think in terms of handling and steering differences between the two?