Porsche 981 Cayman GT4 vs. Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 | PistonHeads 

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One of the best presenters in the business.

Alongside Harry Metcalfe these reviews are brilliant, great presenter but with a background in EVO what do you expect

Great video. 981 GT4 hands down. Raw, exhilarating, this car will be a collectors item. Prices won’t come down.

In my experience the only people who constantly ask questions about the gearing are the ones who have never driven / owned a GT4.

Dan’s assessment and presentation skills have come a long way since Evo. Thanks for making this comparison.

I don't think ill ever part with my 981 GT4, Its just about enough of everything. Great review on both

Exceptional level of detail, worth the full 11:26. Beautiful shots too. Great stuff as always. Tough choice, the 718 might look better but the 981's steering would probably clinch it.

Had the pleasure to drive both back to back at Silverstone test facility. Couldn’t agree more with Dan here, old one just has more feel, more engaging and more of an occasion. The new one however is defo the quicker more grown up model.

Fair assessment of both cars. I have the 718 GT4 and absolutely love it. The way Porsche evolves their cars, it should be no surprise how close the two models are. While the GT4 is a good looking car, you cannot fully appreciate it until you drive the snot out of it.

This review is so much more detailed and nuanced than any other I have watched. Brilliant. It was a key factor in me buying my 981 GT4. Amazing machine and engineering.

Thanks for making this video. This channel deserves more attention.

Superb presentation that communicates the excitement and ability of these wonderfully playful sports cars. Well done.

I hope PistonHeads gets to test the two on a nice, dry track. Along with that GT4 RS or whatever it's going to be called.

11:13 is a sublime shot. As a photographer, I can't help but notice such things. The black road snaking along at dusk with the green and reg cars against the white lane markings...bravo to the videography team!

That's a great comparison, enjoyed it alot It's 981 for me...several reasons: - it was the first GT4 - I drove it for so many miles, so nostalgia, I loved every single mile of it - I think the design will age much better, the tail lights and that black...ahm..stripe or whatever it is on the 718 are not my cup of tea - I think it sounds much better, more aggressive, that's were I disagree with you

Great review man. Detailed and informative. Beautiful filmography to accompany it.

I totally agree. I love my 981 GT4’s Gearing. I have owned 3 X 911s. The last was a modified 991.2 GTS delivering 580 HP. I live in the Country and come off a Highway at 60 mph onto the Line to where I live. All my Sports Cars have Manual Transmissions. In all 3 X 911s as well as my C7 Corvette, I would come off the Highway and Gear Down to Second Gear as I made the 90 degree Right Turn onto the Line to my home. Guess What??? In my 981 GT4, I make the 90 degree Right Hand Turn onto the Line IN FIRST GEAR!!!! Do you know how exciting that is???? To be able to do make that Turn in First Gear at the same Speed as my 991.2 GTS in Second Gear is Incredible. I love the Gearing in my GT4. It is a definitely a Positive - Not a Negative in any way. Anyone who Bashes the Gearing either has never driven one or does not know how to extract the most from this Car. I cannot even duplicate this with a GT3!!!

Another brilliant video! Keep them coming! 🙌🏼

Correct verdict Dan! Loving my 981 GT4. Had a sensational drive in it today. No desire for the new one. At all.

You guys are brilliant and deserve way more subscribers. Please give us more content

Terrific review... great detail. Thanks. 👍

Excellent review.. congratulations! I've watched EVERY SINGLE GT4 review available on RU-vid (yep, big fan of it...), and this is one of the best out there.

just Subscribed! So Glad I stumbled upon you channel! Looking forward to your videos!!!!

Great bit of content that Dan. 👍

New 981 GT4 content, great :)

Went out in my 981 GT4 today, what a car! Definitely a keeper for me. Great video and a great verdict!

A 718 GT4 is around 110-120k. You can snag a low mileage 981 GT4 for 85-90k. And still have 100% fun with it. I go to the track every year and not a lot can keep up with it.

Dan, an excellent comparison. I have a 718 and absolutely love it. Now I can put it into words. Thanks.

I still have my 2016 GT4 ...Love it

What an absolutely excellent review.

Thank you, also pls do a comparison between 991.1 RS & 991.2 RS

Torn!! Great review, to the degree that I am soooo torn! The price difference makes the 981 so much more attractable, and your review makes it sound as if it's for me. But it's old, and I am worried about the depreciation (flip) in a few years. Which will be more sort after in the future??? Back to your review; honest, precise and to the point. Thank You. What would you buy?? Seriously. ( I am a driver not a commuter!)

One of the best reviews on the net leagues above the others

Has the engine sound been strangled by the new emissions controls, has the electrohydraulic steering been changed. can it be adjusted by a specialist? Or is it different geometry setup at the front? Steering feel is so important in a model like this.

Great B Roll! Love the colors in this one.

Great video/insight. Really like the presenter too. BIG thumbs up.

Great vid. Subbed. 👍🏻

These videos are criminally underviewed.

spot on review, as a keeper it's the 981, looks, sound and rawness over the 718

Still prefer the "old" GT4! Great video as usual

Was the 718 on the same tires? I hadn't heard this about the steering comparison before. I would have expected the rack to get better not more numb.

I love my 981 GT4, it's epic.

Love this review, couldn't agree more

That was a great review. As someone about to get my new Spyder delivered, I’m looking forward to driving it myself. Crazy that I’m buying a car without ever driving it. But it will be my 5th ‘Boxster’.

solid review sir

Great review.

There’s only one pistonheads reviewer as far as I’m concerned. This is he. Entertaining, passionate, informed, nerdy stuff. 😆 👍

I'm not sure the point about steering can be right. The 718 generation's steering was a massive step on from 981

Sports bucket seats on the 718 are un-reclinable so keeps you more upright by default. If you want more adjustment you need to ditch the buckets

Great video of a pair of awesome cars! ps. Try to match the shots to the commentary, for example, show rear diffuser when you're talking about rear diffuser

I'm intrigued by the rear wing support brackets. They look as light as possible

Great video! 👍🏼👍🏼

I have an original GT4...... Sublime car. Re.....the gearing ...... Just drive it and quit moaning ..... It's a fantastic beast. 😅😅😅

Biggest flaw. No front axle lift system on both. Dat really sucks. Besides driven both & love both. Oldschool analogue car produced at modern times. Kudos.

Great review. Prefer the front lights on the older GT 4.

Well put together, a pat on the back for the whole team...

So the current GT4 is more like “everyday’s super car” than ever. Sound like the Honda NSX to me but with the glorious six speeds manual transmission....I am in love indeed !!! ❤️

Also, the weight difference between them isn’t much. PH is quoting pre-WLTP manufacturer weight of the 981, which is not representative of real world weights. In reality, both cars are similar in weight.

I have a 981 and really appreciate this review. I love my 981, I am waiting for the coming RS version!

Lighter steering, gear shifts and clutch pedal....more sound deadening, poor exhaust note. I would not change my 981 GT4 for a 718 GT4

981.GT4 is a keeper

The final verdict is 100% true, the 718 Gt4 RS will be the ultimate track car from this platform

Brilliant report by a person who obviously knows what he's talking about. Well done.

Good review, thanks. I tend to agree with conclusion but wonder why steering feel (and seat position) would different. They have pretty much the same steering rack and suspension (same for seats and brackets)... Tire pressure? Alignment? Go figure...

Keeping my 981 GT4 forever.

Our presenter seems to forget to mention that the 1st gen had no optional PDK & and the aero was at least 50% less than the 718 GT4. We buy these cars for track use, both the PDK & aero make this car go quicker on the track. If we want these car for street driving, stick with the GTS please!

I agree with other comments, having the GT3 RS from end I would expect the steering feel would be better than its predecessor not worse

Great review!! How strange... One would think that with the adoption of GT3 parts, the steering feeling would be better than the previous one

plz help.... what are the listed seats like in terms of comfort?😊

Confusing as every other reviewer has said its ride is too harsh for uk roads. How did you find it?

Do you think happens the same with the 981 spyder vs the 718 spyder?.

Thank you 👍

If you don’t believe me watch Steve Sutcliffe’s review of 718 GT4 at Knockhill. Best auto journalist bar none. Watch him drive Formula 1 car at Silverstone. His time is .4 sec behind test driver’s (if I remember correctly). Passionate, knowledgeable, skillful, observant. He’s the authority.

Lighter clutch in the 718 GT4 which makes it more useable but also less noise which makes it less enjoyable.

I own a 718 gt4, i doubt the opinion that the steering in 718 is less intuitive. It’s lighter for sure but very much improved from the previous one. He should’ve driven them in a track...

I know it’s just your opinion but I don’t agree about the steering. I had a 981 for 18 months and swapped for a 718 GT4. I actually prefer the steering on the 718. It was the first thing I noticed at the first corner. The way it loads up on corners better than the 981 and feel off centre I prefer. Also the engine revs more freely. Seating position I noticed nothing much, both feel very upright. I track my 718 regularly but never did 981. On track 718 is sublime. It’s where you really feel why Porsche did what they did. Steering has so much feel on the limit that I didn’t feel I got from 981 on the limit on the road because it was heavier so could feel subtle changes in weight as grip levels changed. Got lots of opinions on 718 vs 981 as I’ve had both, however overall I prefer the 718. I now mainly use it on track after thinking of selling due to less excitement from exhaust note but I realised I was missing the point when I took it ok track I realised the noise was just right for a long day in the track. No issues with noise fatigue after hours of track use and still sounds amazing as the valves are always open in track. Also long gearing you don’t notice as you’re in high revs so change more often. Would I switch to 718 again given option? Not sure as I am hoping to get 992 GT3, but 718 felt like such a fresh start after jumping out of 981 I’d have to say I would do it again. Only my POV as an owner.

I think the 981's design will age better. It doesn't have those horrid mandated rear reflectors.

GT4, Spyder and GTS 4.0 are now available with PDK gearboxes

what song was used at the beginning ????

981 GT4 is superior in my opinion. It has the noise (unfiltered), its lighter weight, and more visceral. Given that Porsche handicapped both generations with terrible hearing in the manual, I see no.reason to not go 981 every time.

Yes, the 981 is the better car. Lighter (by a huge margin), both has the GT3 front suspension, the 3.8 is a better engine, PLUS as the Sport Auto (German sports car bible) tests (2) show, the 981 GT4 is also quicker - both on track and slightly also on straght line.

Great review! I can't help but think whenever i watch a GT4 review that it would benefit from a shorter diff ratio so you can make the most of all gears, not just the first 3 gears. Surely a shorter diff ratio is a do-able mod..

Excellent review as usual from Dan. You only forgot to mention that the new model, despite the bigger engine, is strangled by the EU regulation PPF's, so no pops and crackles from the exhaust. Because of this, 981 wins every time, even in GTS form.

Great vid Dan. Here’s a question though. 2015 GT4 or New 918 GTS all things considered? Decided where to place my cash.

Fab review. 😀😀😀

Is the yellow one the one that smashes its turrets?

You absolutely nailed it with this review being a 981 GT4 owner I empathize I understand and I relish my 981.

Fab, thanks.

I’ve driven them both. SMSA certified. Disagree with him completely. Live in GA, USA, and there’s a road that is the ultimate challenge. Don’t tell me that the 718 version isn’t precise. I think if you own a 981 you like it; you own a 718 you like it. I have an early Cayman with hydraulic steering BTW and the 718 GT4 matches it. What a great combo. And seating position? Stay away from the bucket seats: they’re idiotic.

The 981 GT4 is a must have and keep! The 718 is not selling and we know why :)

FINALLY!!

I suppose I’d take either .. 🤪🤩

Does anyone know what the gearing is like on the PDK version of the 718 GT4?

Almost bought one, until i saw the strut towers issues, then the 3rd gear issues... The strut towers failing is properly scary and the numbers of cars failing keep growing due to age and mileage. Would be able to push on a road after i saw those pics of the suspension going through the frame and into the front hood.

Very difficult subject to handle properly but you did a good job overall. The 718GT4 is not any faster in most measures. Around the ring it is its new tyres that are faster - basically Michelins with new improved compound. Fit the same rubber compound to the 981GT4 and then compare... an irrelevance it would be and it is anyway as these cars are not about 0-60 and top speed. It is about dynamic composure, neutrality, consistency, an ability like nothing else to resolve any road...that is handling paradise to me - all this is where they excell and very few things on wheels on the planet would be able to match them. Add to it Porsche legendary build and the convenience of two luggage compartments and they become heavenly machines for Road&Track. The 718GT4 is a car tamed down in many ways: by Porsche intentionally and by the legislation in place and as such it will never have the same level of character as the 981GT4. The design of the 718GT4 rear diffuser is nothing I like, it is a non-GT rear diffuser and it is there not because Porsche was looking for downforce but because the massive cans imposed by legislation forced them there where they should not be... Aesthetically I would agree that with the exception of the rear diffuser that I find ugly the 718GT4 has got subtle sharper lines and there is one detail in the interior of the 718GT4 that I think it looks much better and that all reviews have missed it: its contrast stitching looks much better as it now follows down the dash onto the centre console (like in 911s) which is way prettier. The 718GT4 is a lot (for this kind of car) heavier: its consumptions show exactly that (penalised by a larger and weightier engine as well). It will be heavier on tyres, brakes and shocks long term going. That is not progress... the new price has however progressed but in the wrong way but that was expected.

Top notch

More power, and better looking rear especially. Don’t think you can go wrong w the 718.

The 718 rear diffuser and exhaust looks off don’t they?

982 is not worth a 25,k premium. Glad inwent the 981 route and banked the cash.