Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Compare the Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The Porsche 718 Spyder is £36,000 cheaper. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is 0.6s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 718 Spyder is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Porsche 718 Spyder is priced from £80,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 414 hp, with 420 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 4s, a top speed of 187 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is priced from £115,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 493 hp, with 450 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.4s, a top speed of 196 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Porsche 718 Spyder offers a 150-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 25 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS offers a 125-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 23 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Porsche 718 Spyder is £36,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 718 Spyder costs less in annual maintenance (£1,200 versus £1,300), the Porsche 718 Spyder is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder and £70 for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
Driving Character: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
The Porsche 718 Spyder offers a purist’s approach to roadster dynamics, retaining the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six and a manual gearbox for maximum engagement. The mid-engine layout provides exceptional balance, allowing the driver to feel every nuance through the steering wheel. Its handling is defined by a lightness of touch that differentiates it from the heavier convertible segments, making it exceptionally agile on winding backroads. While it shares much with the GT4, the open-top configuration adds an extra layer of sensory connection, making it an incredibly visceral and rewarding machine for the true enthusiast.
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS represents the apex of the 718 platform, transplanting a 493hp naturally aspirated flat-six from the GT3 into a mid-engine chassis. The result is a machine with staggering agility and a turn-in response that makes even the standard GT4 feel soft. The chassis balance is dominated by rear-end grip and sharp, responsive steering that provides constant feedback. It is an extreme instrument, demanding a high level of expertise to truly extract its full potential. The power delivery is frenetic, culminating in a high-revving wail that defines the car's racing-inspired character.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 88 against 96. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Naturally-aspirated flat-six purity in an open-top mid-engined chassis. For the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: GT3-derived engine in the lightest, most track-focused Cayman ever. In outright terms it is 414 hp against 493 — a 79 hp gap — and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS reaches 60 mph 0.6s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
The cabin remains strictly driver-focused, with Alcantara accents on the contact points and a simplified dashboard layout that emphasises function over technology. Lightweight door pulls and minimal luxuries maintain the stripped-back, enthusiast spirit of the Spyder. Because of the manual roof mechanism, interior storage is at a premium, and the cabin environment can be quite noisy when the top is up. The seats are excellent for long-distance support, but the overall feeling is one of purposeful simplicity, catering to those who prefer the tactile interaction of a pure sports car over digital sophistication.
The interior is a study in weight reduction, featuring CFRP door panels, lightweight door pulls, and carbon bucket seats that lock the driver in place. The presence of the standard roll bar behind the seats signals its intent, creating a sparse, motorsport-focused atmosphere. Sound deadening is intentionally minimal, allowing the mechanical symphony—and the roar of the intake located just behind the driver's head—to flood the cabin. It is not designed for luxury or comfort, but rather as an extension of the driving experience, prioritising tactical feedback and material efficiency above all else.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 62 against 50. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Motorsport-flavoured cabin with genuine everyday livability. For the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit.
Daily Usability: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
As the lightest member of the 718 family, the Spyder is remarkably nimble in urban settings, though the manual roof operation requires significant effort and patience compared to power-operated rivals. The dual trunks—front and rear—provide decent storage for a weekend getaway, which remains its primary use case. The ride is firm, though manageable, and it lacks the daily convenience of power-folding roof mechanisms, reinforcing its role as a machine to be driven intentionally. It is not an ideal city car, but for the enthusiast driver, it offers the perfect balance of roadster freedom and mid-engine practicality.
Daily utility is significantly compromised by the track-oriented nature of the GT4 RS. The suspension is exceptionally firm, making it punishing on all but the smoothest road surfaces, and the lack of sound insulation makes it unsuitable for long, tedious commutes. Despite this, the front and rear trunks remain available for storage, and the inclusion of a front-axle lift system helps navigate urban obstacles. While it is technically possible to drive to the track, the RS experience is best reserved for spirited road use or dedicated circuit days rather than routine errands.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 65 against 35. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Surprisingly civil for an open-top track-focused Porsche. For the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Usable but clearly built for track days over commuting. that means 150 litres of boot space against 125, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 718 Spyder at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
As the final naturally aspirated flat-six Boxster variant, the 718 Spyder holds a special place in the Porsche hierarchy, which has helped sustain strong residual values. Ownership is backed by the comprehensive Porsche dealer network, ensuring that maintenance is straightforward and well-documented. Parts and support for the 718 platform remain easy to obtain, though the limited production run means that Spyder-specific aesthetic components may become increasingly difficult to replace over time. It is a reliable, high-value ownership proposition that rewards careful maintenance and consistent usage throughout the warmer months of the year.
Owning a 718 Cayman GT4 RS is a high-stakes proposition, with high purchase prices and significant service costs reflecting its status as a low-volume, specialised performance vehicle. Values have appreciated rapidly, as the model occupies a unique space in the modern Porsche lineup. Owners benefit from the comprehensive Porsche Motorsport support network, which is essential for managing RS-specific components that are more expensive and harder to source than standard parts. It is a collector's dream, provided the owner acknowledges the substantial overheads and the demanding nature of maintaining a high-performance track machine.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 78. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. For the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. On the wallet the two diverge at £80,000 versus £115,000 — a £35,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,200 against £1,300.