Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Everything you need to know
If you are lucky enough to be in a position torn between the Porsche 981 Spyder and the Porsche 718 Spyder, this is the blog post for you. These two models may seem similar, but some important differences could sway your decision.
This blog post gives you everything you need to know about these two popular Porsche Spyders. We’ll start with a breakdown of each car, discussing its features and specs. Then, we’ll delve into the crucial questions that will decide this head-to-head: which car is faster, more practical, better for racing, and a better investment?
Finally, we’ll wrap it up with a comparison of the Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder, so you can decide which is the best overall. Let’s dive right into it!
Highlights
- Comparison between Porsche 981 Spyder and Porsche 718 Spyder, addressing their features, specs, and suitability.
- Porsche 981 Spyder (2015) is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine with 375 bhp, manual transmission, and a manual convertible top.
- It features a lightweight carbon fiber body, race-tuned suspension, and minimal interior amenities.
- Porsche 718 Spyder (2019) is equipped with a 4.0-liter flat-six engine generating 414 bhp, available with a manual or PDK transmission, and a fabric convertible top.
- It offers a revised suspension setup, larger brakes, and a more refined interior with optional leather upholstery.
- In terms of speed, the 718 Spyder is faster, with a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph, compared to the 981 Spyder’s 4.3 seconds and 180 mph.
- The 718 Spyder is slightly more practical due to a larger trunk and a refined interior.
- For racing purposes, the 718 Spyder is superior, being faster, more comfortable, and offering more racing setup options.
- In terms of investment, the 981 Spyder may hold future value due to limited production and being the last naturally aspirated Spyder, but both models are likely to retain their value well.
- Overall, the 718 Spyder comes out ahead in most aspects, except for potential future resale value. Both are great cars, and the choice depends on individual preferences.
A Breakdown Of The Porsche 981 Spyder
The Porsche 981 Spyder was first released in 2015 as a limited edition model alternative to the Boxster. It’s powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that produces 375 brake horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque.
This engine is controlled with Porsches popular six-speed manual transmission, making it a super “driver-focused” sports car compared to the PDK automatic.
The 981 Spyder also comes with a manual convertible top, which is a nod to the classic Porsche 550 Spyder. That little addition has had mixed reviews, so keep that in mind for later on. Other features of the 981 Spyder include:
- A lightweight carbon fiber body.
- A race-tuned suspension.
- More powerful brakes than the base Boxster.
Inside, the 981 Spyder has a stripped-down offering little more than carbon fiber bucket seats and minimal amenities. It’s a race car. It’s not meant to be too luxurious.
A Breakdown Of The Porsche 718 Spyder
The Porsche 718 Spyder was introduced in 2019 as a replacement for the much beloved and now a little tired 981 Spyder. It’s powered by a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces 414 brake horsepower and the very same 309 lb-ft of torque.
Then the transmission is up to you, luckily, we’re not forced down the path of only having a PDK, you can pair it with either a six-speed manual transmission or PDK. The 718 Spyder also has a manual convertible top, but it’s made of fabric instead of the 981 Spyder’s hardtop.
Which again stirred up some discontent in the Porsche community. The 718 Spyder also includes a revised suspension setup that improves handling and ride quality, especially cornering.
The 718 Spyder also has larger composite brakes than the base Boxster, though, in comparison to the 981, it has a more refined interior with features like a touchscreen media system and optional leather upholstery. Apparently, sports cars can be a little luxurious.
The Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Which is faster?
When it comes to outright speed, the Porsche 718 Spyder is the winner. Its 4.0-liter flat-six engine produces 414 horsepower, which is 39 horsepower more than the 981 Spyder’s 3.8-liter engine. And that power translates to its top speed and 0-60 time.
The 718 Spyder goes from 0-62 mph in just 4.2 seconds boasting a top speed of 187 mph. On the other hand, the 981 Spyder still gets to 60mph in only .1 of a second slower at 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph. While the difference in acceleration may seem negligible to most of us, there is no denying that the 718 Spyder does slightly come out ahead.
The Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Which is more practical?
Both the Porsche 981 Spyder and 718 Spyder are designed to thrill the driver rather than focus on practicality. Porche would happily remove any wasted weight, like seat warmers, for an extra one mph.
So you could argue that the 718 Spyder has a slight edge in practicality with a larger trunk capacity and a more refined interior, it isn’t exactly a sedan.
Both cars also have a manual convertible top which, as we alluded to earlier in the blog post, is pretty damn annoying by today’s standards. These are race cars, they aren’t meant for ferrying the kids to school. That being said, the 718 is a tad more practical.
The Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Which is better for racing?
Both of these cars leave little to be desired when out on the track. They both do the job of a race car amicably. However, one has to be the winner.
There are no real arguments against the simple answer that the 718 is better for racing. It’s faster, quicker to 60, and has a more refined interior, making racing a more comfortable experience.
That and the fact that the 718 came out around the time you could get easier access to PCCB ceramic brakes means you have a little more variety in your racing setup choices.
The Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Which is thebetter investment?
The Porsche 981 Spyder may have an edge in terms of potential future value due to its limited production numbers and its status as the last naturally aspirated Spyder model. It’s older, harder to come by, and the last of its kind (sort of).
So there is likely to be a supply and demand crisis down the line that substantially increases its price. However, the 981 Spyder and 718 Spyder are likely to hold their value well due to their strong resale value and limited release numbers.
In terms of better investment regarding the cost of operation, they are negligible to the point of indifference. Neither car is generally cheap to run, let alone cheaper than the other.
The Porsche 981 Spyder vs 718 Spyder – Which is best overall?
To wrap things up sweetly, we can pretty much tally up every section’s winner and see that the 718 comes out ahead in almost every regard, apart from resale value down the line.
Which, at best, is simply a guess rather than being based on hard facts like things such as top speed and suspension setup.
Both are great cars and have done tremendously well off of what the Boxster started all those years ago. Let us know down below in the comment section whether you prefer the 981 Spyder or the 718 Spyder. Thanks for reading, and we will see you again soon. Cheers!
