My garage is currently home to two mid-engine, open-top Porsches.

One is my faithful companion of nearly 10 years, with more than 63,000 kilometers on the clock: a 981 Boxster GTS. The other is the latest addition, delivered just this June: a 718 Spyder RS. The 981 delivers the sensual sound of a naturally aspirated flat-six, while the Spyder RS puts a GT3 engine behind the driver. After alternating between these two very different cars, I’ve come to see their individual strengths—and the truth about each of them—with remarkable clarity. In this article, I’ll compare them across a range of driving situations that many Porsche owners are bound to wonder about.

The 981 Boxster GTS has a special place in my heart.

It strikes a wonderful balance of power, light weight, and compact dimensions. Above all, its engine note—a glorious sound that could never be recreated in today’s world—still captivates me. The 718 Spyder RS, meanwhile, is a one-of-a-kind car, pairing a mid-mounted GT3 engine with open-air driving. It’s been just three months since delivery, but I’ve already covered 4,000 kilometers and begun to experience its extraordinary potential. Today, I want to share my firsthand impressions—the things you simply can’t learn from a spec sheet.

The Surprising Winner for Everyday Driving

Let’s start with the most familiar setting: driving around town.

Which car is more comfortable—and more fun—during everyday stop-and-go traffic and relaxed driving at speeds of around 20 to 40 km/h? You might expect the milder-mannered 981 Boxster GTS to come out on top. But the verdict may surprise you: the 718 Spyder RS is more comfortable and more fun around town. That came as a real revelation to me, too.

The biggest reason is the gearing. The Spyder RS’s PDK has remarkably close ratios, letting you enjoy the engine even at city speeds. Even at low revs, the intake behind you lets out an exciting “whoosh,” and the engine responds instantly to the throttle.

My 981 GTS, with its manual transmission, has somewhat taller gearing. At low revs, even with the sport exhaust switched on, the exhaust note stays subdued. Instead, the cabin is filled with gear whine and mechanical noises—sounds that can feel a little muffled. The Spyder RS gives me a much stronger sense of excitement—that unmistakable feeling of driving a Porsche.

Ride comfort brought another surprise. The Spyder RS’s suspension is certainly firm, but it’s nothing like an uncomfortable jolt. The suspension works beautifully over bumps, delivering a suppleness that more than makes up for its limited travel. In fact, I prefer this taut, focused ride. The 981’s slightly softer ride is excellent, too, but around town, the Spyder RS feels a step ahead when it comes to the direct sensation of piloting a sports car. If you’re looking for an everyday escape from the ordinary, the Spyder RS is a wonderful choice.

Two Different Kinds of Joy on Winding Roads

Leaving the bustle of town behind, I point the cars toward the winding roads.

This is where both cars really come into their own. If you ask which is better, the most honest answer is “it’s a tie.” But the enjoyment each offers is entirely different. The 981 Boxster GTS intoxicates you with its beautiful voice; the 718 Spyder RS stirs your soul with its roar. Which one I choose comes down to how I feel that day.

The 981 Boxster GTS’s greatest strength is its exhaust note.

Hold the engine between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm, then sweep through the corners in second and third gear—that’s pure bliss. Its crystal-clear note never gets old, no matter how long you listen, and the burbles on the overrun are every bit as intoxicating. Its handling is more forgiving than the Spyder RS’s, and that’s a good thing. The car’s movements are easy to read, and it responds naturally to the driver’s skill. There’s more room for the driver to play a part, so you can fully enjoy the pleasure of driving in conversation with the car.

The 718 Spyder RS, by contrast, is pure aggression.

At high revs, its sound is almost impossible to describe as anything other than “outrageous.” The pulse and intake and exhaust notes of the GT3 engine right behind the driver create a roar so intense that even I’m amazed by it from behind the wheel. It’s not simply that the 981 sounds quieter from outside; the difference is in the sheer impact of the sound inside the cabin. And once again, the gearing makes a big difference. In third gear at 5,000 rpm, the 981 is already doing 115 km/h, while the Spyder RS is at around 90 km/h. That gap makes all the difference on Japan’s mountain roads, where it determines whether you can really let the engine sing. When I’m in the mood to push hard, the Spyder RS is the one I want to drive.

The Truth About Long-Distance Touring and Highway Driving

Some days, a long-distance tour means covering 300 kilometers—or even more than 500.

That also means spending a lot of time on the highway to get to your destination. In this setting, the two cars clearly part ways. When it comes to comfort and, above all, enjoyment, I’d give the 718 Spyder RS a decisive win on the highway. This, too, was something I hadn’t expected before buying it.

The biggest factor is the difference in wind buffeting with the top down. The 981 is perfectly capable of highway driving with the roof open, but the wind tends to swirl in strongly from behind, which can feel a little bothersome. The Spyder RS is different. You do feel the wind, but it’s not unpleasant—instead, it’s a pleasant sensation, as though the breeze is gently brushing across your whole body. Thanks to that difference, you can enjoy open-air motoring in the Spyder RS at highway speeds without hesitation.

The Spyder RS also has the advantage when it comes to overtaking from 80 or 100 km/h.

The intake roar erupts the moment you press the accelerator, and the surge of acceleration feels like a kick in the back, turning what would otherwise be routine travel into first-class entertainment. Even at typical Japanese highway speeds, you can experience a taste of what the car can do, even while cruising in seventh gear. In the 981, reaching the same glorious engine note would mean driving at speeds that simply aren’t realistic. The difference in gearing—and in how readily each car channels its engine sound into the cabin—helps explain why. With the Spyder RS, even the drive to your destination becomes part of the experience.

The Verdict: More Versatile Than Expected, and You Can’t Go Wrong

After comparing the two in different settings, one thing bears saying upfront: both are truly exceptional cars.

If I owned only one of them, I’m sure I’d be enjoying an outstanding Porsche life without a single complaint. It’s only because I own both and compare them every day that I’ve come to appreciate their subtle yet decisive differences. So if you’re considering buying either one, trust your choice with confidence.

There’s just one more thing I want to share. Before getting the Spyder RS, I assumed that a car with such extreme specifications would have a much narrower window for enjoying its full potential than the 981. I wondered whether you’d need a racetrack or a particularly open stretch of winding road to experience what it could really do. But the reality turned out to be quite the opposite. From the fun of driving around town to the thrill of the highway and the excitement of winding roads, I’ve even come to feel that the Spyder RS can be enjoyed in a wider range of situations than the 981.

The latest Porsche GT models have a remarkable breadth of ability. They’re a triumph of engineering, bringing together extreme performance and everyday enjoyment. I’ll continue to cherish the 981 GTS and its sensual naturally aspirated flat-six sound as a masterpiece that will never lose its luster. And I’ll keep driving the Spyder RS as the ultimate companion, turning every road into a special stage. I intend to savor every moment of the good fortune of having both cars in my garage.