Is the sport exhaust a must have?

Including the Spyder, GT4, and GT4RS
Wolfenhaus
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Apologize if there is another thread on this, I did do a search before posting a new topic.
I'm looking at maybe purchasing a 2022 718 GTS with a 6mt, very low miles. It hits a lot of the buttons I am looking for, but it does not have a factory sport exhaust.
Question is if this something that I should hold out for, and/or replace the exhaust with a high quality aftermarket cat back setup.
Thank you very much for any responses, I am very much a noob.

BK

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Tom
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Please don't apologize for starting a thread on this! Carpokes is still young and we need threads like this! And, we are fortunate not to have any self-appointed search police here. I never understood the people who join a discussion forum and them actively work to prevent discussions with unwelcome search-shaming. If the answer is so easy to get with a search, then be helpful and post a link!

But I digress... Hopefully you can listen to a car with an without sports exhaust and decide whether it's important enough to you. All things equal, it's nice to have, but as you say there are a lot of aftermarket options, so not sure it would stop my personally if the car were otherwise exactly what I wanted. For what it's worth the '16 GT4 has probably the best exhaust in my opinion.

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blueline
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Edit - I thought I posted the following a half hour ago but apparently I forgot to hit the "submit" button! Sorry about that. Here's what I wrote - my 2¢!

If it's a nice GTS (which I'm sure it is), I don't think I'd let the lack of PSE keep me from buying, especially if all the other things that matter to you line up - color, interior, other options, mileage, service history and, of course, price. As you mentioned, you could always upgrade the exhaust to your liking when the time came.

That's just my initial thought about the matter. Others may suggest differently and offer helpful reasons as to why.
Tim
Current:
'26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black

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J-Dub
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My understanding is that the GTS 4.0 came standard with the Sport Exhaust. Most of my 718 experience is around GTS and GT4 models and I have not seen one with out PSE. I cannot really comment on if this is a deal breaker or not since I have not experienced a PSE delete model. Might be rare!

Many of us modify the exhaust anyway, replacing the over axle pipes as step 1 and maybe a muffler system with an X-pipe as step 2 anyway.

Is it in your nature to modify cars or are you one to leave it stock?
1957 VW Beetle
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2021 Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0

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blueline
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J-Dub wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 7:49 pm My understanding is that the GTS 4.0 came standard with the Sport Exhaust. Most of my 718 experience is around GTS and GT4 models and I have not seen one with out PSE. I cannot really comment on if this is a deal breaker or not since I have not experienced a PSE delete model. Might be rare!

Many of us modify the exhaust anyway, replacing the over axle pipes as step 1 and maybe a muffler system with an X-pipe as step 2 anyway.

Is it in your nature to modify cars or are you one to leave it stock?
Excellent info Jeremy - PSE as standard equip on a 4.0 GTS never crossed my mind. You are 100% correct.

Press release from Porsche Newsroom on 6/24/2020 regarding the about to be released 2021 718s:

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/prod ... 21338.html

Now available to order: the 2021 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and 718 Cayman GTS 4.0

... 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 will be priced starting at $86,800, while the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 has an MSRP of $88,900, each not including the $1,350 delivery, processing and handling fee. Both models are powered by a 4.0 liter, naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine producing 394 hp and 309 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, both models can reach 60 mph from standstill in as little as 4.3 seconds, and reach a top track speed of 182 mph. Typical for a GTS model, many performance features are standard, including Sport Seats Plus, the Sport Chrono Package, Sport Exhaust System, PASM Sport Suspension, a mechanical limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) and 20-inch wheels painted in satin black.
Tim
Current:
'26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black

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blueline
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The question now is what happened to the PSE on the 4.0 GTS that the OP (Wolfenhaus) is looking to possibly purchase?
Tim
Current:
'26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black

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Wolfenhaus
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blueline wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 8:07 pm The question now is what happened to the PSE on the 4.0 GTS that the OP (Wolfenhaus) is looking to possibly purchase?
Thank you to all the responses - very helpful. The salesperson at the dealer said it doesn't have a PSE but now my guess is, based on J-Dub's post and blueline's helpful press release reference, that the PSE is standard so it's not listed as an option. So maybe the salesperson just doesn't know that fact.

I am usually one to keep cars bone stock, but a cat-back exhaust is pretty easily reversible back to the stock parts if it actually ends up not having a PSE.

Really appreciate the info you guys have provided. Thank you.

#7

Wolfenhaus
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Thread update: I went to see the car yesterday at the dealership, the salesperson who actually knows the car confirmed the build with me and it 100% has the PSE.
Thank you again for the knowledge assistance on this.

Now I just need to decide whether to make the plunge or not...

BK

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blueline
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Post pics if you take the plunge!
Tim
Current:
'26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black

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#9

Wolfenhaus
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Personal Update on the Exhaust Note: I can say, after a few weeks of ownership, that I am fully in love with the exhaust note on my GTS, especially in sport plus mode.
I adored the sound of my 2018 AMG C63s, just deep and growly - the GTS sound is completely different, more raw I guess, but similarly enticing.
I truly adore ICE cars.

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