Should You Buy a 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe?

Yes.

If you have read other “should you buy” features on MotorIllustrated.com, you know that we tend to give long-winded answers to the simple question of whether or not you should buy a particular vehicle. In the case of the 2023 Porsche 911 GTS, there really isn’t any need to overly complicate the issue. If your Porsche dealership has a 911 GTS available for you, don’t even risk taking the time to read what follows and confirm immediately.

My first contact with the new 992 generation 911 GTS came in July of 2022 at Porsche’s North American home in Atlanta, and then I was lucky enough to review the convertible version last summer. My most recent was a coupe version with the PDK automatic gearbox and the Lightweight package, which removes the rear seats, installs carbon fiber reinforced plastic light bucket seats, a lightweight battery, and thinner glass panels to save 25 kg. The package also includes rear-axle steering to further enhance agility.

Whether equipped with the manual gearbox or the PDK, roof or no roof, rear seats or no rear seats, the 911 GTS is always special and of all the 911 versions, this one most effectively conveys the essence of what the iconic Porsche represents.

It blends uncompromised track capability and performance with a level of daily usability on par with other 911 models and significantly better than most of its rivals. As far as daily sports/exotic cars go, there’s no better option. We’ll get to that in a second but first a quick look at what makes the 911 GTS what it is.

If you blend the best attributes of a Porsche 911 Carrera S, Porsche 911 Turbo, and a Porsche 911 GT3, you essentially get the GTS. Its components are shared between the Carrera S and the Turbo, with the more powerful of the two providing the basis for the chassis. The GTS comes with a standard PASM active suspension system which is very closely related to the same system in the Turbo, as are the brakes, springs and dampers, and 20-inch front and 21-inch rear centre-lock wheels.

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The powertrain, on the other hand, is taken from the Carrera S, although the twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six is enhanced with additional boost pressure, pushing output to 473 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. So, what happens when you extract 30 extra horsepower from an already ridiculously quick turbocharged powertrain and you pair it with a chassis designed to handle considerably higher performance? You get one of the best combinations of pure speed and handling ever engineered.

The 911 Carrera 4 GTS reaches 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, slightly faster than the RWD version. It’s 0.3 seconds faster than the Carrera 4S, and 0.6 seconds slower to 100 km/h than the 911 Turbo. It handles better than both, however, and feels lighter. The GTS is meant to be used on both road and track, providing all the kit needed to carve the sharpest corners without sacrificing usability. It really is the best of the 911 worlds, and if you can get your hands on the GTS, once again please don’t hesitate. Here’s why.

Why You Should Buy A 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS

There are a lot of reasons to sign on the dotted line for a Porsche 911 GTS.

Mind-Reading Handling

If you have owned or driven a Porsche 911 before, you know all about Porsche steering feel and handling – direct and precise, the 911 can be positioned with the tip of your finger anywhere you want in a turn. But the Porsche 911 GTS takes all of that to another level. The steering is so sharp, it feels like the car is reading your mind. The steering is weighted perfectly, and the Alcantara finish is an added bonus. More than horsepower and torque, Porsche prides itself on its handling, and no other vehicle, exotic or not, delivers more authentic agility than the 911 GTS, particularly when it comes to the feedback the steering wheel offers. You know exactly what the wheels are doing at every moment, and it doesn’t appear to be possible to create any kind of lateral movement or body roll in a turn with the GTS. The car just stays perfectly poised and planted as you accelerate through the corner.

The Acceleration…

On paper, the GTS doesn’t appear all that quicker than a Carrera 4S, but in reality, it feels completely different when accelerating. The immediate rush of power is akin to a high-performance electric vehicle, and there isn’t a hint of turbo lag or hesitation when you apply pressure to the accelerator. The GTS isn’t as fast as the 911 Turbo, but the way it delivers its performance will be more appealing to true enthusiasts.

The Best-Sounding Porsche 911

Like all Porsche 911 GTS models (except the Taycan GTS), the 911 GTS gets special exhaust tuning that delivers an authentic, pure sound, aided by the fact that Porsche has removed some of the insulation to make sure your ears get as close to an unhindered experience as possible.

Fully Customizable Experience

Again, the GTS is designed to fit the perfect middle ground between all-out track performance and a comfortable and refined sports car. Porsche engineers have managed to accomplish this feat to a T. The 911 GTS really is what you want it to be. In Normal mode, the suspension adapts to road imperfections, and although you will feel them, they are never jarring. The exhaust note remains noticeable, and there is a ton of power under your right foot, but the delivery is more linear, allowing you to cruise around town and relax. Select SPORT or SPORT PLUS, however, and everything tightens up, the engine gets into its stance, the PDK gearbox dials down a gear or two and shortens its actions, and all of a sudden the 911 is ready for any corner or track you will throw at it. It really is remarkable how the personality of the vehicle changes from one driving mode to the next.

Put simply, in Normal mode, this is one of the most comfortable sports cars you can get on the market today, while in the sportier modes, it is one of the most aggressive and dynamic models on sale today.

Exceptional Resale Value

The 911 GTS is a special car, and as far as Porsche 911 models go, this is your best bet as an investment. You may not care about that, but it’s worth noting that 911 GTS models, particularly Targa models or models equipped with a manual gearbox, have not lost much value over the years, and in fact, many models have increased in value. If you feel bad about spending over $200,000 for the GTS, hopefully, this little tidbit of information will make you feel a little better.

Eye-Opening Fuel Economy

Sure, one doesn’t necessarily put fuel consumption at the top of their concerns when choosing a vehicle like the Porsche 911. Still, I finished my week with an average fuel consumption rating of 9.8 L per 100 km, and absolutely nothing was done on my part to improve efficiency. I actually noticed it when I was calculating mileage at the end of my week. I then recalculated to make sure it wasn’t a mistake.

This is one of the Porsche 911’s little secrets. Despite the remarkable performance, the 911, including the GTS, is remarkably fuel-efficient. Part of the reason why the 911 GTS is so efficient is the seven available speeds of either the manual gearbox or, in this case, the PDK. On the highway at 115 km/h, the PDK keeps you under 2,000 rpm, significantly reducing the strain on the engine and helping to save fuel. Some 911 owners have claimed on various forums that they average under 7 L per 100 km on the highway when they keep it at 100 km/h.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy A Porsche 911 GTS

It’s not easy to fill up this section. But for all of the 911 GTS’ qualities, there are a few things that we can see might bug a few potential buyers.

The Sound Of The Exhaust Is Omnipresent

You can significantly dial down the exhaust note, but you can’t really take it away. Combine that with the sound of the tires, and the 911 GTS is considerably noisier than a 911 Carrera or Carrera S. Granted, this was particularly noticeable this time around because of the Lightweight package. The lack of rear seats to absorb some of the sound coming from the back combined with thinner glass panels definitely has an impact on noise levels and comfort.

Limited Storage Space And Cargo Capacity

I guess if you are looking for a daily sports car, you might have some concerns about storage space and overall cargo capability. In that regard, the 911, including the 911 GTS, isn’t as welcoming as some of its rivals. The front trunk will fit one medium-sized suitcase at most, with perhaps two or three sports bags on the rear seats. It’s not exactly the car you will take for a week-long vacation, and golfers or hockey players might find it difficult to bring the 911 on their next outing.

Of course, none of that really matters. The Porsche 911 continues to be the standard and benchmark in its segment, doing everything very well and, more importantly, turning every drive into a noteworthy event. The Porsche 911 GTS doubles down on all of the characteristics that make the Porsche 911 992 generation so special, so once again, if you can buy one, do buy one. Think of it as an investment, or at the very least, know that you can have fun for three or four years and then very likely sell it for the same amount of money that you paid for it or maybe even more.