Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs. 718 Spyder

Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs. 718 Spyder: A $100K Roadster Reckoning

By Speed Phenom | March 08, 2025

Porsche has a knack for building cars that blur the line between dream and reality, and the 718 Spyder lineup is no exception. On one side, the 718 Spyder—a lithe, 414-hp roadster that’s equal parts canyon carver and coastal cruiser. On the other, the 718 Spyder RS—an unhinged, 493-hp swan song for the gas-powered Boxster, packing GT3 DNA and a $165,000-plus price tag. With a $100,000 gulf separating these two (base prices start at $115,500 for the Spyder and $165,300 for the RS, before options or inevitable dealer markups), the question looms: does the RS justify its premium, or is the standard Spyder the smarter play? I grabbed a silver Spyder RS and a Gentian Blue Spyder, enlisted three Porsche owners for backup, and hit the twisty roads of California’s Highway 1 to find out.

First Impressions: Spotting the $100K Difference

Parked side by side, the visual delta between these two isn’t subtle if you know where to look. The Spyder RS screams intent with its carbon-fiber “music box” intakes atop the rear deck, a menacing rear wing, and a stance that crouches lower and meaner. Its lightweight manual roof—more tent than top—hints at its track-ready ethos. The Spyder, by contrast, opts for elegance over aggression: a cleaner profile, a simpler folding soft top, and less aero clutter. It’s still gorgeous, but it’s the RS that turns heads and sparks debates at gas stations.

Pop the hoods (or rather, don’t—the engines are mid-mounted), and the spec sheets tell a clearer story. Both share a 4.0-liter flat-six, but the RS borrows its heart from the 911 GT3, pumping out 493 hp and revving to a banshee-like 9,000 RPM. The Spyder’s version, detuned to 414 hp, caps at 8,000 RPM. The RS pairs exclusively with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, while the Spyder offers a choice of PDK or a sublime six-speed manual. Weight? The RS shaves about 50 pounds, tipping the scales at 3,120 pounds versus the Spyder’s 3,170. Small numbers, big implications.

Soundtrack Showdown

Fire them up, and the $100K gap roars to life. The Spyder RS erupts with a feral, high-pitched wail—think GT3 meets open-top opera. It’s raw, unfiltered, and loud enough to wake neighbors three counties over. The standard Spyder counters with a deep, throaty growl—less intense but still soul-stirring. Porsche owner Mike, who daily-drives a Spyder, summed it up: “Mine sounds great, but the RS is unhinged.” Lisa, a 911 Turbo S driver, grinned ear-to-ear at the RS’s cacophony, while Tom, a 718 Cayman GTS guy, called it “a race car you can street-legalize.” Point to the RS here—its exhaust note alone is worth a chunk of the premium.

On the Road: Two Flavors of Porsche Perfection

Behind the wheel, the Spyder RS is a revelation. The steering is scalpel-sharp, the PDK shifts snap like gunfire, and that 4.0-liter banshee shrieks right behind your skull. Porsche softened the RS’s suspension compared to its GT4 RS coupe sibling, trading some track rigidity for road compliance—a wise move. On Highway 1’s bumpy curves, it dances without jarring, gripping pavement like it’s magnetized. At 9,000 RPM, the world blurs, and you’re grinning like a kid who just stole the keys to dad’s 959. It’s intense, demanding, and easily one of my top five driving experiences ever.

Switch to the Spyder (manual-equipped for this test), and the vibe shifts. The power deficit is noticeable—79 hp isn’t trivial—but 414 ponies still shove you back with authority. The six-speed gearbox is a mechanical masterpiece, short throws clicking into place with precision. It’s less frenetic than the RS, more approachable. You can hustle it hard or cruise lazily, top down, without feeling like you’re wrestling a caged animal. It’s a daily-driver GT car that doesn’t punish you for loving it.

Porsche Owners Weigh In

I brought in Tom, Lisa, and Mike to test my impressions. Tom, fresh off the RS, raved: “It’s so raw—like a race car with a license plate. But that roof? I’d never put it up.” Lisa preferred the Spyder’s balance: “It’s fun without beating you up—the manual makes it.” Mike, loyal to his own Spyder, admitted the RS’s allure: “It’s my car on steroids. Addictive, but I don’t need it.” Their consensus? The RS is a bucket-list machine; the Spyder is the one you’d live with.

The $100K Verdict

So, can you tell the difference? Unequivocally, yes. The Spyder RS is the ultimate combustion Boxster—a visceral, GT3-infused roadster that justifies its price with every rev and corner. It’s the last of its kind, a middle finger to electrification, and a future collectible. But the Spyder, at $50K to $100K less (depending on options), delivers 90% of the thrill with 100% more practicality. It’s still a Porsche GT product—sharp, soulful, and damn near perfect.

If I had $165K burning a hole in my pocket, I’d snag the RS without hesitation—it’s a car you experience, not just drive. If I were working with $115K, the Spyder would keep me grinning ear-to-ear without a hint of regret. Your call depends on your bank account and your tolerance for roof origami. Either way, Porsche wins—and so do we.