Nice review. I would love for you to go into more detail on the handling characteristics. In your previous video you said that the rear end takes an immediate set and don't move around like the GT3. What kind of G's do you see on the on/off ramps? On the forum there is a lot of talk about rear end wiggle when hard on the brakes with it being a strut based rear, have you found that to be the case. Most recommend rear toe links and an alignment right from the get go if you plan to drive the car sportily. I have a 2022 PDK GT4 allocation with a delivery date in Nov. and have only managed a short test drive, hardly enough to get a good feel for the car. I am coming out of a SS 1LE. This will be my first mid-engine car, before that is was the SS 1LE, C6 Z06, Audi TTRS, & F80 M3 with Ohlin R/T coil-overs
Now I know why my key won't close the top latch ! I also miss keyless entry and forgetting to get my key out my pocket ! Mine also missing nav/map and steering wheel controls, which I had all these in my trade in 2018 - 718 cayman gts I bought a chalk 2020 barley used, no allocation, and dealers are marking them up $25k. Do you have any info on thr particular filter on the us model, I heard it may be installed but the element may not be inside and exhaust valves may open and close at different engine revs. What have you leaned about or know about the filter and exhaust on this cat ? Thanks, enjoy the beauty, it's really a badass looker.
I replaced my OAPs with a Kline exhaust and the car definitely has particulate filters. They are just unmonitored here in the US. The valves do open and close at about 5 mph and open back up at 3750 rpm or so in sport mode.
@@KitsCars Thanks. I researching that valve controller. Now I'm seeing you can just get porsche of a shop to disconnect it and somebody saying just pull the vacuum hose of the particular filter and plug it. I think that will satisfy me instead of of full-blown exhaust unit.
Would like to know why you didn’t order the bucket seats as they are lighter and give a lot more support. I used to own a 981 Spyder and never found any flat spots. The roof is manual to make it lighter and only takes 23 seconds to put up. Interested to know what you think of the sound compared to 981 Spyder?
What rpm would you say the sound steps up from good to great? Would love to hear your next video VoiceOver done with a Samson Q2u. Solid bang for the buck
Considering that Porsche lets you customize their cars, even the Spyder, why couldn’t they install the axle lift and entry and drive? I believe axle lift is offered on the Cayman GT4RS and entry and drive on the lower 718 trims…would be as simple as plug and play during assembly.
Thanks for creating this detailed owner review. I have a Spyder allocation that locks next month in July 2021. My color is GT silver but the interior is almost identical to your spec, including the red stitching and black brushed aluminum. We must have similar taste. Now that you've had it awhile, anything you would change on your spec? Did you get the Nav because your phone is Android?
I actually bought my car (slightly) used - it had 200 miles on it (and clear bra/ceramic/tint) - I would have left off navigation, knowing now that carplay can be available without it. I would have wanted axle lift, and seat memory! lol but those are unavailable... no, I wouldn't change much. Sometimes, I miss buckets but anything over 1.5 hrs really bothered my back.
Someone on the forums flipped the bits in PIWIS and it didn't enable it! Ugh. The smarttop enables (and it's a way easier install than in the 991) but is expensive ($329) for a simple button close
Low ride height and long splitter makes it nightmare even on low gradient slopes. I'm aware that German specialist Techart is offering a front axle lift kit, worth to investigate, i enquired them but still no answer for a local centre here in Italy
Depends on what you want. If you want a power top, and keyless access - yes. If you want the spyder's better much more hard core suspension and better looks from the humps, the Spyder is the way
hah. I had a GT3 with carbon buckets just before this, so I wanted the 18 ways. The Manual transmission in the Spyder/GT4 has ridiculously tall gearing, the PDK is much lower, so I went PDK.
@@KitsCars thank you. I believe the PDK has exactly the same gear ratios, except for a slightly shorter 2nd gear. I specced Manual and Carbon buckets. Looks like Kline is the best cat-back system. I agree with your assessment. And it doesn't seem to be stupid loud. I have located new Akra Ti link pipes. I will start there then we'll see. Still a long way to go till she arrives in June
It's all the gears, not just 2nd. 0.7 seconds 0-60 and 0.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile are huge improvements from just gearing. Manual redlines shifts are at 50, 85, 117, 146 PDK shifts at 45, 78, 108, 137 There is a huge difference.
Those are spyder wheels also used on gt4 not other way around (derived from the 987 spyder wheels) And those are Spyder humbs, (from the 55O), not Speedster humbs Otherwise nice review!
The 987 Spyder wheels aren’t related to these. The 981 gt4 wheels are nearly identical to the 718 gt4 and the 718 Spyder wheels. The 718 gt4/Spyder wheels are identical unlike the 981 Spyder which was a unique design - narrower than the gt4 wheels, because it doesn’t use the gt4’s suspension. (Unlike the 718 Spyder). The 987 Spyder used wheels derived from the 997.2 C2S wheels
Thanks for taking the time to put up a real owners review 👍 I currently have a 981 Boxster S manual which is absolutely great with the PSE and sports+ but I've been looking at the 718 Spyder manual for the next level 😎 my config looks like yours black with the red stitching looks great in real life in you video. After test driving the Spyder it was so precise with the steering and their was minimal body role, lower torque was great as you said and the whole rpm band is covered. 981s has though better sound with PSE and better gearing ratios and is the ultimate road trip car. But it lacks the rawness and GT feel plus sense of occasion the Spyder has. Have you driven the 981s and if so how do you think it compares?
Thanks for the comment! I had a 981 Boxster S and a 981 Spyder as well. I really enjoyed the Boxster S, it had much more harmonies in the exhaust especially in the midrange. I'd say that the 718 sounds fine when you're really on it, above 5000 rpm, they sound great, but below that, the valves are locked shut from 1500-4500/5000 rpm. Anyway, I put the x73 suspension on my Boxster S and liked it, (that was basically what came on the 981 Spyder, except tuned for the heavier 3.8l motor) The Boxster S, compared to the 718 Spyder, is slower in the midrange, and is much more predictable to slide around. If you're driving at 7/10ths, it's hard to appreciate the differences, so depending on how hard you push the car, it may or may not make sense. There is a lot less rubber in the 718 Spyder's suspension but the suspension also absorbs bumps well, so there isn't a huge ride penalty - in fact the 718 Spyder deals with mid corner bumps better (due to more suspension travel.). But mainly yes, sense of occasion, styling, etc are the main differentiators unless you like sliding the car around a lot (which I do) and the performance of the GT3 based front suspension is much more apparent in terms of predictability and gathering the car up.
@@KitsCars thanks alot for the detailed answer and the comparison to the 981s. I have actually been thinking about x73 or Ohlins, since I want to lessen the bodyroll. In the end though Spyder is the way to go that's my conclusion, I just need to get the 981s sold first😎
I haven't noticed it at all! Actually likely because I turn off start stop - that disables cylinder deactivation. I will try to leave jt on to see if I notice
The reason for many of the options that you're saying is missing is that this is a GT car. The theme of this car is LIGHT. All of these things add weight and they are trying to do without the weight to allow for a better driving experience. So, it's not going to please everyone, but this car isn't supposed to. If you want a remote top, keyless entry, memory, etc., get a Boxster GTS or Anniversary. The Spyder is a True GT car and as such intentionally does without this stuff. I for one am glad. I also wish they would do without the PDK. Does not belong in a GT car. Just OHMO.
I hear what you're saying, and agree about the top! it sucks and is less convenient but I'd happily made that trade-off for the looks and lightness. But, memory seats (if you already have the 18 ways) and keyless go don't add real weight, maybe a few ounces for the buttons. The real reason they did those things is cost-cutting - more is less! It makes for less complexity on the build line and that annoys me. The PDK is the only solution to the terribly tall gearing - my PDK 18 GT3 was faster and more enjoyable to me than my 6sp 18 GT3. But, I'm a big PDK fan. Anyway, thanks for the comments, your feelings certain align with what a lot of the market wants out of this car, but I feel like people aren't going to buy the Spyder for primarily track purposes (I didn't!)
I’m not planning on tracking it. But yes some of the features may be price sensitivity. A fully optioned 718 Spyder like I have on order exceeds $130k US. So I’m sure they’re trying to keep the cost of this out of the 911 range.
@@tedkramer1208 well... I think it was also production cost sensitivity more than price. Would be easy to make memory bundled with 18 ways (similar to the regular cars!) and make keyless go standard. But yeah... The 718 Spyders are a LOT more expensive than the 981... Mine was $25k more than a similar specced 981 spyder! (although my 981 did not come with auto dimming mirrors which I was really sad about - hah!)
PDK is a fantastic transmission. I enjoy manuals and for a lightweight not super powerful car like the Spyder, I would actually rather have a manual… BUT the 718 Spyder (and 981 Spyder before it) has some of the tallest silliest gearing on the market. It works ok on a race track but at twisty road speeds, you’re constantly between 2nd and 3rd and it’s harder to get into a rhythm. PDK is geared a LOT shorter so you get better acceleration as well.
@@KitsCars All that is true. I spend most of the time between 1st and 2nd, still the essence of the spyder, in my opinion lies with a manual. In fact a manual transmission was one of the deciding factor for my purchase. It's just more engaging and its imperfections (if you can call it that) make it more fun. Its like that small mole in the supermodels face. Either way, love the black with red details colour combination! All the best,
Hah, thanks for the feedback, it’s helpful. I tried different things and yeah, while a little of my face is ok, you’re not the only one that said it was too much :)
Nice review.
I would love for you to go into more detail on the handling characteristics. In your previous video you said that the rear end takes an immediate set and don't move around like the GT3.
What kind of G's do you see on the on/off ramps?
On the forum there is a lot of talk about rear end wiggle when hard on the brakes with it being a strut based rear, have you found that to be the case. Most recommend rear toe links and an alignment right from the get go if you plan to drive the car sportily.
I have a 2022 PDK GT4 allocation with a delivery date in Nov. and have only managed a short test drive, hardly enough to get a good feel for the car. I am coming out of a SS 1LE. This will be my first mid-engine car, before that is was the SS 1LE, C6 Z06, Audi TTRS, & F80 M3 with Ohlin R/T coil-overs
The seat memory is insane. Agree. I heard rumors a Spyder touring might be coming. Could solve that.
Now I know why my key won't close the top latch ! I also miss keyless entry and forgetting to get my key out my pocket ! Mine also missing nav/map and steering wheel controls, which I had all these in my trade in 2018 - 718 cayman gts I bought a chalk 2020 barley used, no allocation, and dealers are marking them up $25k.
Do you have any info on thr particular filter on the us model, I heard it may be installed but the element may not be inside and exhaust valves may open and close at different engine revs.
What have you leaned about or know about the filter and exhaust on this cat ? Thanks, enjoy the beauty, it's really a badass looker.
I replaced my OAPs with a Kline exhaust and the car definitely has particulate filters. They are just unmonitored here in the US. The valves do open and close at about 5 mph and open back up at 3750 rpm or so in sport mode.
@@KitsCars
Thanks. I researching that valve controller. Now I'm seeing you can just get porsche of a shop to disconnect it and somebody saying just pull the vacuum hose of the particular filter and plug it.
I think that will satisfy me instead of of full-blown exhaust unit.
Would like to know why you didn’t order the bucket seats as they are lighter and give a lot more support. I used to own a 981 Spyder and never found any flat spots. The roof is manual to make it lighter and only takes 23 seconds to put up. Interested to know what you think of the sound compared to 981 Spyder?
The 981 is full of flat spots in the power curve. i.postimg.cc/DyJvqxgb/812-E89-B4-28-F8-46-B0-B2-AC-094-F55-D4-F4-FE.jpg
What rpm would you say the sound steps up from good to great? Would love to hear your next video VoiceOver done with a Samson Q2u. Solid bang for the buck
Good call! I have a decent mic and will not lazy out of it next time. I’d say around 5000rpm.
@@KitsCars Woohoo! Looking forward to it :)
Considering that Porsche lets you customize their cars, even the Spyder, why couldn’t they install the axle lift and entry and drive? I believe axle lift is offered on the Cayman GT4RS and entry and drive on the lower 718 trims…would be as simple as plug and play during assembly.
Thanks for creating this detailed owner review. I have a Spyder allocation that locks next month in July 2021. My color is GT silver but the interior is almost identical to your spec, including the red stitching and black brushed aluminum. We must have similar taste. Now that you've had it awhile, anything you would change on your spec? Did you get the Nav because your phone is Android?
I actually bought my car (slightly) used - it had 200 miles on it (and clear bra/ceramic/tint) - I would have left off navigation, knowing now that carplay can be available without it.
I would have wanted axle lift, and seat memory! lol but those are unavailable... no, I wouldn't change much. Sometimes, I miss buckets but anything over 1.5 hrs really bothered my back.
Jason, when did you put your deposit down for the car? I did in April, waiting for my lock.
For closing the top with the key, you might ask a dealer to program. There are not supposed to, but you can try
Someone on the forums flipped the bits in PIWIS and it didn't enable it! Ugh. The smarttop enables (and it's a way easier install than in the 991) but is expensive ($329) for a simple button close
This is a bad ass car. I ordered a 2022 911 and almost changed the order to this.
I'd not compare this to a GT3...not the same category. Nice car!
The reason for the comparison was that I owned a 2p18 gt3 prior :)
Low ride height and long splitter makes it nightmare even on low gradient slopes. I'm aware that German specialist Techart is offering a front axle lift kit, worth to investigate, i enquired them but still no answer for a local centre here in Italy
I scrape mine all the time. Not a big deal. Splitter is extremely disposable as it's very cheap especially for a Porsche GT part
hah. I live in Mountain View and found myself trying to identify the roads in the video... even from the looking up angle they look very familiar. :)
haha, they're very close - basically due south of mountain view :D
@@KitsCars I work in Los Gatos, so often take the long way to work through Steven's Canyon, Mt. Eden etc. just for fun. :)
@@krasic ah awesome, then you'll definitely recognize some of the other roads in my other videos!
*Wouldn't it be better to get a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and buy the front and rear Spyder Bumper ?*
Depends on what you want. If you want a power top, and keyless access - yes. If you want the spyder's better much more hard core suspension and better looks from the humps, the Spyder is the way
Need to up your audio game @kit :)
Love the review though. Those spyders are gorgeous!
Why didn't you spec it w Carbon bucket seats and manual transmission? (bringing up age is not going to cut it this time :-) )
hah. I had a GT3 with carbon buckets just before this, so I wanted the 18 ways. The Manual transmission in the Spyder/GT4 has ridiculously tall gearing, the PDK is much lower, so I went PDK.
@@KitsCars thank you. I believe the PDK has exactly the same gear ratios, except for a slightly shorter 2nd gear. I specced Manual and Carbon buckets. Looks like Kline is the best cat-back system. I agree with your assessment. And it doesn't seem to be stupid loud. I have located new Akra Ti link pipes. I will start there then we'll see. Still a long way to go till she arrives in June
It's all the gears, not just 2nd.
0.7 seconds 0-60 and 0.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile are huge improvements from just gearing.
Manual redlines shifts are at 50, 85, 117, 146
PDK shifts at 45, 78, 108, 137
There is a huge difference.
cool review. less footage of your mug please, more of whats going on around :D
I agree; next vid, employ a drone to show the machine on the road!
How is the ride quality for daily driving? I know it’s firm, but is it comfortable enough ?
It's fine. Rides better than the gt3! I don't mind it at all, it's well damped and absorbs bumps well.
What a great looking car!👍
Those are spyder wheels also used on gt4 not other way around (derived from the 987 spyder wheels)
And those are Spyder humbs, (from the 55O), not Speedster humbs
Otherwise nice review!
The 987 Spyder wheels aren’t related to these. The 981 gt4 wheels are nearly identical to the 718 gt4 and the 718 Spyder wheels. The 718 gt4/Spyder wheels are identical unlike the 981 Spyder which was a unique design - narrower than the gt4 wheels, because it doesn’t use the gt4’s suspension. (Unlike the 718 Spyder). The 987 Spyder used wheels derived from the 997.2 C2S wheels
Remember this manual roof is alot lighter than a macanical roof
Thanks for taking the time to put up a real owners review 👍 I currently have a 981 Boxster S manual which is absolutely great with the PSE and sports+ but I've been looking at the 718 Spyder manual for the next level 😎 my config looks like yours black with the red stitching looks great in real life in you video.
After test driving the Spyder it was so precise with the steering and their was minimal body role, lower torque was great as you said and the whole rpm band is covered.
981s has though better sound with PSE and better gearing ratios and is the ultimate road trip car.
But it lacks the rawness and GT feel plus sense of occasion the Spyder has.
Have you driven the 981s and if so how do you think it compares?
Thanks for the comment! I had a 981 Boxster S and a 981 Spyder as well. I really enjoyed the Boxster S, it had much more harmonies in the exhaust especially in the midrange. I'd say that the 718 sounds fine when you're really on it, above 5000 rpm, they sound great, but below that, the valves are locked shut from 1500-4500/5000 rpm. Anyway, I put the x73 suspension on my Boxster S and liked it, (that was basically what came on the 981 Spyder, except tuned for the heavier 3.8l motor)
The Boxster S, compared to the 718 Spyder, is slower in the midrange, and is much more predictable to slide around. If you're driving at 7/10ths, it's hard to appreciate the differences, so depending on how hard you push the car, it may or may not make sense. There is a lot less rubber in the 718 Spyder's suspension but the suspension also absorbs bumps well, so there isn't a huge ride penalty - in fact the 718 Spyder deals with mid corner bumps better (due to more suspension travel.).
But mainly yes, sense of occasion, styling, etc are the main differentiators unless you like sliding the car around a lot (which I do) and the performance of the GT3 based front suspension is much more apparent in terms of predictability and gathering the car up.
@@KitsCars thanks alot for the detailed answer and the comparison to the 981s.
I have actually been thinking about x73 or Ohlins, since I want to lessen the bodyroll.
In the end though Spyder is the way to go that's my conclusion, I just need to get the 981s sold first😎
Does the cylinder deactivation bother you?
I haven't noticed it at all! Actually likely because I turn off start stop - that disables cylinder deactivation. I will try to leave jt on to see if I notice
I shut it off as soon as I saw it was PDK!
Haha, that’s too bad since the car is terrible with manual. The gears are so long it accelerates like a Camry XLE
@@KitsCars I love my manual. I have a dual clutch RS3.
The reason for many of the options that you're saying is missing is that this is a GT car. The theme of this car is LIGHT. All of these things add weight and they are trying to do without the weight to allow for a better driving experience. So, it's not going to please everyone, but this car isn't supposed to. If you want a remote top, keyless entry, memory, etc., get a Boxster GTS or Anniversary. The Spyder is a True GT car and as such intentionally does without this stuff. I for one am glad. I also wish they would do without the PDK. Does not belong in a GT car. Just OHMO.
I hear what you're saying, and agree about the top! it sucks and is less convenient but I'd happily made that trade-off for the looks and lightness. But, memory seats (if you already have the 18 ways) and keyless go don't add real weight, maybe a few ounces for the buttons. The real reason they did those things is cost-cutting - more is less! It makes for less complexity on the build line and that annoys me. The PDK is the only solution to the terribly tall gearing - my PDK 18 GT3 was faster and more enjoyable to me than my 6sp 18 GT3. But, I'm a big PDK fan. Anyway, thanks for the comments, your feelings certain align with what a lot of the market wants out of this car, but I feel like people aren't going to buy the Spyder for primarily track purposes (I didn't!)
I’m not planning on tracking it. But yes some of the features may be price sensitivity. A fully optioned 718 Spyder like I have on order exceeds $130k US. So I’m sure they’re trying to keep the cost of this out of the 911 range.
@@tedkramer1208 well... I think it was also production cost sensitivity more than price. Would be easy to make memory bundled with 18 ways (similar to the regular cars!) and make keyless go standard. But yeah... The 718 Spyders are a LOT more expensive than the 981... Mine was $25k more than a similar specced 981 spyder! (although my 981 did not come with auto dimming mirrors which I was really sad about - hah!)
good😃😃😃😃😆😆
Oh, you've got the camera pointing at your face. I thought the video is about the car.
It's my thoughts on the car :). thanks for the comment and hope you learned something
U rich bro
I'll refer you to one of my favorite t shirts:
instagram.com/p/CUBS3lQPTDD/
I still dont understand why people go for the PDK. It just seems boring.
PDK is a fantastic transmission. I enjoy manuals and for a lightweight not super powerful car like the Spyder, I would actually rather have a manual… BUT the 718 Spyder (and 981 Spyder before it) has some of the tallest silliest gearing on the market. It works ok on a race track but at twisty road speeds, you’re constantly between 2nd and 3rd and it’s harder to get into a rhythm. PDK is geared a LOT shorter so you get better acceleration as well.
@@KitsCars All that is true. I spend most of the time between 1st and 2nd, still the essence of the spyder, in my opinion lies with a manual. In fact a manual transmission was one of the deciding factor for my purchase.
It's just more engaging and its imperfections (if you can call it that) make it more fun. Its like that small mole in the supermodels face.
Either way, love the black with red details colour combination! All the best,
My man should keep some change to buy a decent microphone...
豚に興味ない
With no disrespect, about 8 min out of 11 looking at a face ? Really? We want to see the car . But review nevertheless good. Thanks
Hah, thanks for the feedback, it’s helpful. I tried different things and yeah, while a little of my face is ok, you’re not the only one that said it was too much :)