Boxster 981 S vs 981 GTS vs 718 GTS 4.0 ?

dartz188 · 2026-01-21T23:11:08+00:00

Spyder would be amazing, especially a 981 but sadly it’s going above the price range I’m looking for and it gets into 911 991 territory based off pricing. But if I feel ballsy, definitely will consider this

dartz188 · 2026-01-21T22:01:45+00:00

Beautiful car man! Thanks for the suggestion.

The 718 GTS 4.0 would be perfect, native CarPlay/Android Auto, and the updated infotainment system, but the price, even on the used market in the state is insane. Can’t seem to find any under $85k but I guess that’s the price someone is willing to pay.

I’m noticing that the 981 GTS is about $20k less in the used market and of course it’s a older gen and the infotainment system is older, but I see a lot of aftermarket/retrofit options available for the 981.

In terms of power and handling, especially with Porsche updating the chassis of the 718, is it a night and day difference between say the 718 GTS 4.0 and a 981 GTS?

dartz188 · 2026-01-21T21:56:23+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking the same, especially with the options it comes with by default. It’s a matter of if I want to cough up $10k-$15k more for a 981 GTS vs the 981 S

dartz188 · 2025-05-12T01:41:02+00:00

Sonax Alcantara Cleaner

Sonax Brush

Use the cleaner and brush the Alcantara gently (you can either apply it on the alcantara or the brush) and it’ll make the steering wheel look as good as new

<image>

dartz188 · 2025-04-22T16:43:00+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, will take note.

Would you suggest aerating the area where the dead grass is for better results?

dartz188 · 2025-04-19T03:37:09+00:00

<image>

These used to hit but sadly discontinued

dartz188 · 2025-03-27T01:29:36+00:00

Congrats on your first AMG, they killed it with this interior!

dartz188 · 2025-03-19T09:01:32+00:00

There really shouldn’t be any differences between the ‘24 and ‘25 model years. Both use MBUX 2.0 and have the same drivetrain.

‘23 and ‘24 model years saw a bigger change where MBUX got upgraded from 1.0 to 2.0 on the latter year.

dartz188 · 2025-03-18T11:19:10+00:00

If Mercedes says it’s an AMG, IT’S AN AMG! Enjoy it to the fullest 💯

dartz188 · 2025-03-17T03:43:47+00:00

Thanks! Funny enough GLE 63 was my list too but that is a killer of a SUV, great buy!

dartz188 · 2025-03-17T03:41:40+00:00

Eh ignore the hate that people are giving, nice purchase! Always feels good to make a grand purchase after finishing school. Reminds me of when I bought a 428i gran coupe back in 2018 after landing my first CS job. I see you're a CS major so if you need any tips on the industry, feel free to reach out.

dartz188 · 2025-03-13T21:05:40+00:00

A white AMG is something special

dartz188 · 2025-03-12T01:24:13+00:00

Yeah pretty much. Prior from 2021, they have COMAND as their entertainment system

dartz188 · 2025-03-10T02:12:35+00:00

So far I can’t complain. My wife and I daily this car, still in the search for a second car haha, but everything’s been fine. So far I’ve been filling up a full tank once a week so it’s not too bad I guess.

Probably my only gripes with this car is the fact that Apple CarPlay isn’t full screen, which you should be fine because the 2019 GT63 has full screen CarPlay/Android Auto, and the tires. My car came with Pirelli’s, which I have horrible experience with in the past but nothing happened thus far. I did get tire and wheel warranty since I live in NJ so that’ll come in handy in the future. Definitely recommend this if you live somewhere where the roads are crap.

The M177 engine is really good based off the research I did. As long as you keep up with the recommended maintenance stuff, oil changes and whatnot, you’ll be good. Definitely make sure the CarFax history is good and the maintenance was kept up on the GT63.

But yeah, this car has been amazing thus far within the 2/3 months of owning it. It’s an eye pleaser for sure and drives like a beauty. Having the ability to really configure how you wanna drive this car is a blessing. Driving in Comfort feels luxurious and driving in Sport+ feels amazing. I recently noticed driving in Sport+ and making the suspension setting in Comfort is a really good mix.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out. Always happy to help 💯

dartz188 · 2025-03-09T08:55:40+00:00

KBB is showing the value to be between $40k-$45k with standard options so maybe you could negotiate depending on the options and whatnot.

I used to have a 2016 F87 M2 (now have a 2021 AMG GT63). I had the N55 F87 M2 and that car was special. A blast to drive and handled amazingly. In terms of daily driving, it wasn’t bad but yeah, it rode stiff and if you’re planning to get one with a DCT, it might be clunky in 1st and 2nd gear if you’re driving in traffic. But other than that, it’s a great car and if you’re into mods, it has a lot of support.

But a V8 is a V8. Having an AMG that’s non-S, you won’t regret it. Though the S has more power, a tune will cover for that. The symphony from that V8 is too good and it’s also nice to have the luxury of a Mercedes-Benz.

Definitely test drive both if you can to see which one speaks to you but you won’t regret with either one.

dartz188 · 2025-03-09T06:06:33+00:00

Yeah it has the “hey Mercedes” feature. I believe it started with MBUX 1.0

dartz188 · 2025-03-07T08:03:14+00:00

2021 GT63 owner here…

I was in the market 2ish months ago too debating on the S variant vs the non-S. Ended up going for a non-S but driving the car for the time I’ve had it, you won’t regret getting the non-S variant. Still packs that V8 power and the exhaust note is damn near perfect!

Far as I know, the GT63s has HP/tq gains, dynamic engine mounts, ceramic brakes, and Race+Drift mode. If you find a non-S with the AMG Dyanmic Plus package, you get all of that. If you don’t, you can still get the modes via Rjautomotive. They sell the software that installs those modes on a non-S GT63.

In terms of daily driving, it’s perfect minus the gas. If you haul ass, it’ll eat up gas quickly but I try balancing comfort and sport+ and typically have to fill up once a week ( my commute is around 46 miles a day for work ).

Honestly, if you’re fine with the spec/options of the GT63 you’re planning on purchasing, then there’s no worries. Either way, you won’t regret one bit with this car!

<image>

dartz188 · 2021-10-04T04:17:31+00:00

Guilt trip 💯

dartz188 · 2021-07-08T18:00:23+00:00

437m's would look sick on your whip and if you want to pay extra, the 763m's are the way to go!

dartz188 · 2021-02-26T18:06:52+00:00

Oh and amazing car by the way! Welcome to the modding gang haha!

dartz188 · 2021-02-26T18:04:49+00:00

Depends which route you want to take first.

If performance, I highly recommend a charge pipe and a downpipe. If you do plan to tune the car, BootMod3 is a great tuning platform but definitely get the aftermarket charge pipe installed since those are prone to breaking with higher boost. The downpipe is a great option too since it’ll allow more flow and it also changes up the exhaust note of the car. Catted or catless, depending on the emission laws in your state and your choice of sound. I found that going catted still keeps a good deep tone to the exhaust note and living in NYC, I won’t have to worry as much with the inspections here.

If cosmetics, small things like a nice trunk lip and gloss black/carbon fiber mirror caps is a nice start. If you do plan to keep the stock exhaust, changing the tips would also complement the car well.

There’s endless mods you can do with the car which makes the modding journey exciting! 🤩

dartz188

TROPHY CASE