How comfortable and practical is the Sport Chassis?

On the 981, the Sport Chassis sits 20 mm lower than the standard setup and uses springs that are 20% stiffer at the front and 25% stiffer at the rear. The anti-roll bars are also upgraded, with a 10% increase in stiffness at the front and 36% at the rear.

The difference is easy to spot if you compare the gaps above the wheels.

Sport Chassis

PASM

Even though the Sport Chassis lowers the car, the owner says it hasn’t scraped so far and is far more practical than a GT3. The front lip has a relatively short center section that doesn’t stick out like a chin, which helps preserve everyday usability.

As for ride comfort, even after paying close attention, I found little difference from PASM on ordinary paved roads. There’s no harsh impact or sharp jolt, and it feels about as comfortable as PASM in Sport Plus mode.

However, when the car crosses a road joint or manhole cover, there’s more side-to-side movement than with PASM. That extra lateral jostling is the biggest difference I noticed. I suspect the stiffer anti-roll bars are largely responsible.

Whether you’re comfortable with that is likely to be the deciding factor between the Sport Chassis and PASM. Personally, I find it perfectly acceptable—and it’s far more comfortable than a GT3.

The owner currently has a 991 GT3 and previously owned a 718 Cayman GTS with the Sport Chassis. He says this car rides more comfortably than either of them, and makes him want to head off on a long-distance tour.

Final thoughts

Since I own the same model, I feel a little awkward praising it too much. But I can’t help it: when something is good, it’s good. I want to say that plainly, without holding back.

The 981 GTS is fantastic.

There’s no question that the latest Porsches are the way to go if you’re looking for outright speed, performance, and cornering ability. I have no argument with that. But the Porsche from a particular era can often offer a stronger sense of enjoyment at low speeds and the feeling that you could keep driving it all day.

The appeal of air-cooled Porsches is perhaps the best example of this, and I think the 981 has a similar kind of magic.

This time, I drove a version of the same model I own, but with different options. It was a reminder that Porsche’s options can give a car a very different character.

That applies to the difference between PDK and manual, as well as the choice between the Sport Chassis and PASM. In the used-car market, Porsche options generally don’t get much recognition. Appearance-related options fare a little better, but driving-focused options tend to be valued even less.

I suspect that’s because many buyers don’t pay much attention to these options, so they don’t help a car stand out. But here’s what I’d like anyone buying a used Porsche to remember:

“Porsche’s performance options change how the car feels.”

When you’re shopping for a used Porsche, take the time to check the options and find the car that suits you best.