Porsche 718 Spyder vs 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 

Elton John called, he wants his sunglasses back... Never mind it was George Michael not sir Elton, my bad 🙃

The guy with a lizard green Macan thinks he's too old for a Boxster....lol

Just received my '21 GTS. I still can't believe it's mine.

Nick, if you don't love a 4.0 Boxster, you're not too old; you're dead.

I own a 718 Spyder. The GTS has a “similar” engine with the 4.0 flat 6 but the chassis is way different in the Spyder. The 718 Spyder has the same suspension as the GT4 (front end from the GT3 and rear that is unique to the GT4/Spyder). That is what makes that car so special. Top down driving in a race car like chassis can’t be beat. I traded my 911 in for it and don’t regret it one bit. The roof doesn’t bother me as I never put it up (southern living FTW).

that spyder is just too sexy compared to the gts

A Spyder with an electronic roof - now that would be something! Loving your work, Nick - great review

Impressive cars. I'm equally impressed by your hair gel keeping that banker in a hurry vibe intact !😎

Nick driving Porsche. That's what has been missing on yt recently!

I'm jealous Nicky! These two look like such a treat. Glad you're back in the states

Remembering your recent comment about your father…I hope things are as well as they can be in whatever way they are now. Such things are no fun and I empathize.

Geez, was that not one, but THREE Boxsters you stained with the smell of old people?

Great spec on that Spyder 😍I’ll take Spyder all day over GTS 4.0..... it’s still very civilized in my opinion and has a sharper edge as well as much better styling.

That Spyder has a perfect exterior and interior color combo.

The front end styling of Spider/GT4 compared to bland front end of GTS puts it over the top for me.

Nick your the best sales person this dealer has 😉

That Spyder looks breathtaking. The GTS just doesn’t have that aggressive styling.

Welcome back Nick... Super comparison of the three!!!

I watched this video a few times since you shot this. Finally was able to get my hands on a limited edition 718 Boxster 25. Love it. Thanks for the information you provided.

I thought the roof on my 718 Spyder was okay....at first. Then I thought, yeah not great but I can live with it. Then I had to admit to myself I didn’t like it. And then after a while, I decided I fucking hated it! Then I drove the GTS 4.0 which was 98% as good to drive! I drove round putting the roof up and down, up, down, up down laughing out loud, I was so happy (I live in England). So I sold the Spyder and ordered a GTS, which then became the Boxster 25, which also has the short throw gearbox. Be here soon, can’t wait. So I guess my advice is save $20k, still looks great, drives sublime, won’t get on your nerves 😉👍

While trying to decide on which one to get I found that the Boxter GTS has WAY more options. More interior color options, more wheel options, automatic roof, ventilated seats, keyless entry are among the important things for me. The Spyder doesn’t offer any of these. The Spyder was an easy decision for me until I found out these details.

Nick, lovely video! It’s always great when there’s a new upload on your channel! Any chance you could focus more on handling and steering feel in your future videos?

Great to see you doing Porsche vids again! :)

It is amazing how perfect his hair remains after all the open top driving, awesome. Great review. CHEERS!

I love your videos! Your intro made me laugh! Can’t wait to see your thoughts on the new GT3 and or maybe your walkthrough the specs ....

Nick looking like a proper millionaire driving those cars.

as always an authentic, light hearted but yet informative review. I always hoped for a 981 GT4 touring when I had my 981S and the GTS is pretty much that, but even more comfortable than a GT4

Good review. Helps to understand differences in GTS and Spyder.

You're looking sharp, Nick! That touch of gray suggests a late career Cary Grant. I've always enjoyed your videos, with your enthusiasm for Porsche in particular. Thanks to you I leased first a 2017 M4 (I watched all your M4 videos) and then a 2019 Cayman S -- two cars with improved turbo performance but with controversially muffled sound. I still love my Cayman S because of all its great low-down grunt. I get that the sound itsn't tuneful, but to me it still sounds pretty Porsche, especially at higher revs, having driven a lot of the other turbocharged models, from the Turbo S on down. Obviously nothing like the howl of the GT3 etc., but I'm still happy with it. Anyway, keep up the great work! Always love your informative videos :)

Agree on the shape preference for the 911, but I think the Spyder is the exception to that with the old Speedster bubble back combined with that duck bill. I can see the heritage/shape there for sure 👍🏼 The chassis is also way different than the GTS. Dampers, brakes, etc all different

Thanks Nick been looking for some unbiased information on the Boxster. Cheers 👍

The spec on the blue spyder is simply gorgeous

Nothing like driving top down in the middle of winter with a nice green scarf.

Good to have you back Nick.

Welcome back home Nick. I just took delivery of my Gentien Blue Spyder in Atlanta with sofa seats and red interior. Had a 981 Spyder and couldn’t wait to get another one. Lives next to my GT3 in “hideous” Miami Blue. 😉

Awesome comparison. I would go with the GTS 4.0 just because of the top. You want to drive these every day and I think that Spyder top would drive me crazy.

Seeing you catching rays made me like this. Well done

Great video, Nick! The GTS 4.0 in viper green would be a dream

Glad to have you back in the USA, Nick. I love my 2016 Spyder. Getting rid of the 981Cayman to switch to the Spyder was the best move ever. The 981 Spyder sounds better than the 2021 Spyder but otherwise the new one is amazing

Thanks Nick, now I'm not getting any work done today.

Nice One Nick! I see a sneaky little Green Machine popping into the shots every now and then. Haha 👍

Glad you are back.

That spider is STUNNING!!!!🤩

Had my 2023 Spyder for 10 months. I prefer the engagement with the manual roof. Peak Porsche!

I have fond memories of playing your intro sing in my high school band, Nick!

Thank you for sharing

Gorgeous spec on the Spyder

Another great and informative video Nick! I was very early this time.

Really enjoyed this. Well played, sir!

Hello Nick, Glad to see your car reviews again! Funnily enough I took delivery of a manual GT silver 718 Spyder three weeks ago.. Do I miss the 911? ...errr no. Great video! ps. I'll need to broaden my Nick Murray T-shirt collection. All the best, stay safe!

Nick is back! Great vid...fun & informative. I’ll stick with my 911 💖

Man I love your videos!

Oh I was really missing Nick on Porsche cars.

Welcome home, Nick. We missed you!

Any chance of a comparison between the 4.0 718 GTS and the 981 GTS?

This is a great side by side comparison, as I’m debating similar GTS 4 vs Spyder/GT3 vs 911

Love your videos! Any idea how much longer Porsche will make the 718 Spyder? Thanks!

Hello Nick, great timing as I have the Boxter GTS this week to drive around in. I am absolutely impressed with it, the lower/mid range torque makes it much more usable that the previous gen Cayman GT4 (to which I also have access), the only issue is that the GTS is currently (way) out of range financially speaking but I lust after a Boxter, do you know how it compares to a manual 981 Boxter S?

The new Spyder looks amazing in person. I saw an old 987 Spyder and I thought that car looked really good.

For the looks: Spyder Bang for the buck: GTS 4.0

I’d rather have the GTS honestly. More color options, better top, and real door handles.

Hi Nick, I'm glad you're back. I was beginning to think you were staying in New Zealand. What's not to like? Porsche videos and your particular brand of humor thrown in ( "the turd in the bowl") for good measure.

You know what, I can’t even hate. Nick is an old man, but he owns it.

I for one would love to know the MPG #'s. Porsche has always endeavored to build efficient cars compared to their competition. Get with it, Nick!

The 718 Spyder is quickly becoming one of my dream cars to buy.

They sound so much better your side of the pond Nick, think the Spyder just pips it for me but glad to see that finally,.GTS owners have a car that is worth the increase over the S! Nice video, and nice to have you back.

Great comparison Nick, I really enjoyed it. Rick

My vote is the Spider just looks awesome and excellent that a manual option is available, somehow after listening to your excellent reviews a Thunderbirds soundtrack spring to mind.

Great comparison!!!

That blue Spyder is gorgeous!

What kept me watching was the green scarf :-)) Be safe everyone.

Cheers for the vid. Does the GTS have long gearing like the Spyder/GT4 ?

Cayman and boxster interior is perfect analog dials and physical buttons

Awesome video as usual! I have the 981 Boxster GTS which has a lot less power (330 bhp) but has shorter gear ratios and sounds really good. Which do you prefer, 981 vs 718 Boxster GTS 4.0?

I had no idea you could get that light brown color of interior/seats on the Spyder. Looks gorgeous!!!

Good video. The boxster is my dream. The spyder with the roof down is super special

Well, sound or not, that 2.5 GTS looks wayyyyyy better than the other two you drove.

Good video Nick. The Spyder is worth the extra just for those looks! And it must be much shaper on track too with the GT4 suspension. On the road.. very similar to the GTS I guess

Good to see you back. Complements to your stylist.

Somehow pulling off the green scarf and gloves in the Spyder!

years are getting on you, much more grey hair than i remember previously! keep the videos comming :D

I absolutely love the 4.0 Spyder! Even if it drove terribly, it looks beautiful. A unrelated question Nick, do you regret selling your M4?

Back in the driving seat 💺!!! Oh 😊 yeah ! Good news for all of us Porsche lovers

The man himself is back in town!

96. The Spyder looks lovely but the GTS 4 takes my money. I can’t live with that roof

718 Spyder best looking car on the market and a 4 liter engine with a manual ticks all the boxes and looks even better than the second best looking car the Speedster.

Really liked your comparisons. I went from 911 to the Cayman and Boxster years ago. Owned two of the Spyders. 986 and 981 versions. My fav Porsches of all Porsches. You are off on a deal for the 718 GTS. No 50-60k deals that I have seen. So just go for the 4.0 people! 😊😊👍🏻

hey Nick, been following you for quite some time; a suggestion. maybe for the interior shot from the passenger side, go easy on the shallow depth of field?

Welcome home and I enjoy listening to planets.

Hi Nick I was curious as to your thoughts of when we will see the Spyder PDKs arriving. I have an allocation with our local dealer (same as yours). Thanks!

How times have change now your a convertible owner 👍 , fab video as always, thanks Nick.

Nick, thanks for respecting that these are new cars that someone will be spending big money to purchase. I'm not sure about the Boxster, but my Macan GTS has a 2,000 mile engine break-in period.

If the Spyder is equipped with the non-bucket seat is there a significant ride quality difference that would cause you to prefer the GTS as a daily driver?

I was looking for EXACTLY this video. Thank you!! My dealer offered me an allocation on a GTS 4.0 with a discount and after playing with the Car Configurator... man... I'd rather go with a lesser-optioned Spyder for what works out to literally $3-4k more OR look for a CPO 2.5 GTS. But man that Spyder looks SO GOOD I might have to see if the dealer can squeak me one of those instead!

Those brown seats look great with that blue color! Why don't I see that color option on the website?

FINALLY BACK

The window on the Spyder has formally closed now. It is no longer available.

Hello Nick, thank you for another entertaining and informative video! Just wanted to ask you, how would you say this 718 GTS 4.0 compares to the non-GT 981 generation in terms of handling and fun? (For example, I remember you loved the 981 Boxster you reviewed, how much better is this one?) Thanks!

I'm looking at a new Targa but the Spyder has caught my eye as it's an absolutely beautifully designed car. My last car was a 2012 Cayman S, so I prefer the mid-engine platform. I'm just not sure I want to deal with the manual top on the Spyder as I will be getting in and out of my car regularly in the city and don't want to leave it open.

The Spyder has a GT front end where the GTS has the standard set up on the S.