My husband had the chance to test-drive a fellow car enthusiast’s 981 Boxster GTS (PDK), and he’s written up his impressions. We hope you enjoy the report.
The 981-generation Boxster GTS has become hard to find. It’s in high demand, and examples that appear on the used-car market often sell almost immediately. Prices have also climbed, and it’s remarkable to see a car that debuted more than five years ago still selling for close to its original new-car price.
The car we drove had recently been bought used, but, apparently, it was never advertised on any used-car listing site. The dealer contacted only customers who had previously asked them to find a car. There were so many interested buyers that the dealer held a drawing to decide who could buy it.
Now that’s a popular used car!
Every so often, readers ask whether the 981’s rising value is because this blog features the GTS. That may have played a small part, but I think the bigger reason is that more people are recognizing just how special the 981 is.
For the record, though, no matter how much used prices rise, I have no intention of selling mine—so I have absolutely nothing to gain from the market going up.
The car we tested was a 2016 981 Boxster GTS (PDK) with the following specifications and options:
Cars equipped with both the Sport Chassis and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) are especially rare. I’ve previously had the chance to drive a Boxster GTS with the Sport Chassis, but some time has passed since then, and I’ve gained more experience behind the wheel. So, I thought it was time to take another look.
I fire up the engine and pull away. The PDK gets the car moving exceptionally smoothly. Some used cars can have a slightly jerky PDK, but this one shifts smoothly and feels to be in excellent condition.
In Normal mode, it moves briskly from first to second, then third. The engine is turning at around 2,000–3,000 rpm, but as ever, the 981 still lets you hear plenty of its character at these speeds.
It’s not especially loud, but the exhaust note and mechanical sounds are nicely balanced, making for a thoroughly enjoyable soundtrack.
With every upshift, the next gear engages with a satisfying “bang!” and the engine roars. My manual-transmission car doesn’t make that sound.
That’s one of the differences between the PDK and manual versions. The PDK gives you a satisfying sound on both upshifts and downshifts, while in the manual, you mainly hear the rev-matching blip on downshifts.
Honestly, as a manual-transmission driver, I’m a little envious.
On the road, the ride feels not all that different from my own car, which has PASM. It’s smooth and composed, with even a touch of softness. That supple, flowing ride is one of the 981’s distinctive qualities.
On a winding road, I turn into a corner. As I found with the Sport Chassis car I drove before, the front end responds more eagerly than it does with PASM. It turns in cleanly and heads into the corner, with the change of direction seeming to happen sooner than in the PASM-equipped car.
Later, I drove my own Boxster over the same route. My car has PASM, but the lighter Mega Life battery reduces weight over the front axle, and its turn-in is excellent too.
I also asked the owner to compare the two cars. His verdict: “There’s a difference, but it’s a small one.”
After driving for a while, I try a medium-speed corner. The car feels reassuringly stable, though it doesn’t have the same tight, rigid feel as the 718’s suspension. Even with the Sport Chassis, it doesn’t feel as taut as a 718.
Still, there’s no question that it holds its line better than PASM. After trying my Boxster, the owner said my car felt more planted and reassuring at the rear. Mine has 718-spec factory lateral members (transverse struts) fitted.
Here’s a quick summary:
【Front-end turn-in】
981 PASM < 981 PASM with Mega Life battery < 981 Sport Chassis < 718
【Rear-end stability】
981 PASM < 981 Sport Chassis < 981 PASM with 718 lateral members < 718
As for PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring), the system in PDK-equipped cars appears to improve cornering by lightly braking the inside wheel. But on a normal run through the winding roads, I could barely tell it was working.
In a tight, low-speed corner, the car does seem to turn a little more readily than a standard model. But I couldn’t clearly tell whether that was down to the Sport Chassis or PTV.
| Next page → Sport Chassis ride comfort and everyday usability, plus our verdict on the 981 GTS |
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