Hi Folks, first post on this forum that I have visited occasionally for many months.
My 2018 base Cayman order was 'fixed' on June 8 with delivery date TBD. After reading many threads here about long delayed deliveries I was unsure what to expect. When I checked on the 'goes to body shop' date of June 30 they told me it actually went in a day earlier. A good omen and since I had a 981 Boxster, that is expected to stay in the family, I was not too concerned about the 718s progress.
When I next called, not sure of the date, to verify that the exit port date of August 25 had been met I was surprised to hear that the car had arrived at the dealer the day before. We took delivery of the white over agate gray Cayman on August 29, exactly a month before the expected pick up date of Sept. 29. Clearly a case of under promise and over deliver. And, I might add, at more than double the discount offered by 3 other dealers. An independent dealer/friend who can get new Porsches said he thought, " I got it all". Probably the best overall Porsche buying experience of several I have had the good fortune to experience.
My first Porsche, also mid-engine, was a '72 914 2.0 that I kept for 34 years, now in the hands of its third collector/owner. Newer ME P-cars include; '98 Boxster (son now owns), '06 Cayman S and the Boxster mentioned above. The first has sport suspension and the CS had PASM, but alas the 981 Box was an off-the-floor, sort of hurried, buy without performance options that I missed for autocrossing. Though to be fair it has won a few, most notable a Parade class win first time out.
While intrigued with the thought of getting a 718 with performance options, I was hesitant to jump in the first year seeing as how the 2 liter 914 had only 91 hp SAE or 95 hp DIN according to the owner's manual. Tripling the horse power from the same displacement made me want wait at least a year to rule out any problems that might develop. Hearing none and after a May 2nd visit to PCEATL (Porsche Driving Experience Atlanta) with my grandson as sort of a 21st birthday present for him, the decision was easy. I signed up for a base Cayman with a base Boxster for him. Half way through the 90 minutes we switched cars so we each drove both cars. Interestingly, we both thought the second one we drove was a bit superior though both were great. Probably just an increased comfort level in the second car. I had been there about a year before in a 981, just a week or two too early for the 718s to be in their pool. A fun track, but a bit harder to learn than the typical track due to the short sight distances and very close Armco.
This is probably my longest post anywhere, not to be repeated I promise, but should mention PCA since 1980, some regional and national offices, long time DE instructor, some PCA Club and IMSA racing, now retired from the track but still an inveterate autocrosser in my geezer years.