[Nickmo718]

Found this today, thought I'd share the link here for discussion:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-garage/gallery-life-porsches-cheapest-car-718-cayman

 

[Viffermike]

Found this today, thought I'd share the link here for discussion:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-garage/gallery-life-porsches-cheapest-car-718-cayman

"still the best everyday sports car on sale".

There. Saved the rest of you from having to read this. >

(Side note: Kudos for having a Night Blue Metallic one for a long-term test, TG!)

 

[rdmustang]

"still the best everyday sports car on sale".

There. Saved the rest of you from having to read this. >

(Side note: Kudos for having a Night Blue Metallic one for a long-term test, TG!)

May I ask why Kudos? Anything wrong with NBM?

 

[porkey]

"still the best everyday sports car on sale".

There. Saved the rest of you from having to read this. /forum/images/718forum/smilies/tango_face_devil.png

(Side note: Kudos for having a Night Blue Metallic one for a long-term test, TG!)

May I ask why Kudos? Anything wrong with NBM?

...Think he's giving a "thumbs up" for Night Blue Metallic (NBM)...

 

[ZuffenHouseRules]

I like the Notes From Postcards format. Otherwise it seems like yet another re-hash of their original C. Harris review (minus the apoplectic moment over electronic parking-brake). Same passive/aggressive dichotomy: 'the car'/'apart from the engine'.

Hey, (I want to shout at them), just like F1 (or Le Mans or Nurburgring), if the overall package is a winner, both engine and chassis share credit.

Also, dear 'enthusiast' auto journalists: provide us please some insight into how this turbo-four compares/contrasts with its cousin 919 configuration; or how its turbo torque plateau raises average-to-peak-horsepower ratio in a way that somehow makes the car perform like a naturally-aspirated flat-six of 10% higher hp rating; or how the driving experience on road and track is transformed when peak torque arrives at 1900 versus 4500 rpm.

I did rather like the self-deprecating line about only 'enthusiast nerds' taking any notice of the cylinder-count. This nerd thinks there is a lot more interesting stuff to dig into wrt the turbo-four than how it sounds (still like a turbo-four)...

 

[RandyAc]

Didn’t a turbo 4 Porsche just shatter the 35 year old Nürburgring lap record by 50 seconds?
“Apart from the engine” indeed. ?

 

[dpcompt]

Top Gear

I bought my '17CS PDK June '17. I love this car and it's the best sports car I have owned, including many 911s and a few Ferraris.
Top Gear and many of the British trashed the 718 and now they like it. REALLY? I notice more and more converts to the 718, including 911 and Cayman owners. I think the little country club of auto reviewers jumped on their club bandwagon and just joined the conversation like a herd of sheep. Randy Probst compared the 718s to a GT4 and said if the 718s had the R compound tires, it would have beat the GT4 ( Willow Springs comparison test).
How can you take any of these magazines seriously?

 

[GGG]

Didn’t a turbo 4 Porsche just shatter the 35 year old Nürburgring lap record by 50 seconds?
“Apart from the engine” indeed. ?

A heavily modified racing car doesn't realy count imo. But that's not the point, I know.




The thing that baffles me about this review is how the driver describes it basic, yet I spot so many options. haha

Blank switches prove our Cayman is relatively basic, but there are still plenty of options. Second down on the left switches the adaptive dampers between normal and sport modes, while second on the right switches the sports exhaust on and off.

I think this is the most useable switches possible?

 

[Grasshopper]

Yes, I'd say that adding £10k of options to a £40k car is quite a lot. I remember that the Autocar review of the Cayman advised keeping the car as near base as possible. They said to either go for 18" wheels and standard suspension or, if you're going to use it on a track, select bigger rims with PTV, PASM and Sport Chrono. And they said that, while the "S" version was worth the extra money on the 981 version, it's not on the 718. That's because the 2.7 litre 6 cylinder engine didn't have enough torque. In the case of the 718 the useable performance of the 2 litre - on the road - is basically the same as that of the 2.5 litre "S", because the both have bags of torque.

 

[GGG]

Yes, I'd say that adding £10k of options to a £40k car is quite a lot. I remember that the Autocar review of the Cayman advised keeping the car as near base as possible. They said to either go for 18" wheels and standard suspension or, if you're going to use it on a track, select bigger rims with PTV, PASM and Sport Chrono. And they said that, while the "S" version was worth the extra money on the 981 version, it's not on the 718. That's because the 2.7 litre 6 cylinder engine didn't have enough torque. In the case of the 718 the useable performance of the 2 litre - on the road - is basically the same as that of the 2.5 litre "S", because the both have bags of torque.

This type of advice always give me the shivers, Porsche sells the car so basic that there are always some options you better end up picking if you want some comfort, a better reselable car or a car that isn't outdated in 4 years.



Imo must have:
Automatic dual zone climate control
DAB+
Connect
Cruise control
floor mats



Must consider:
Dimming mirrors
Bose
Leather interior (full)


(Why would you need bigger rims on track? It's not exact science, but each wheel size has it's down and upsides.)

 

[aeronca65tl]

I agree with the previous comment that "...….adding £10k of options to a £40k car is quite a lot...…."

I suspect some people get excited during the ordering process and the sales person "eggs them on" (and I'm not blaming the sales person.....we all have to make a living).

My 2.0 Cayman, now with 4200 miles, pulls like a train. I have never had a moment when I thought: "Gee, I wish this had more torque." (mine is a street car only).

This type of advice always give me the shivers, Porsche sells the car so basic that there are always some options you better end up picking if you want some comfort, a better reselable car or a car that isn't outdated in 4 years.

Imo must have:
Automatic dual zone climate control
DAB+
Connect
Cruise control
floor mats

Must consider:
Dimming mirrors
Bose
Leather interior (full)

(Why would you need bigger rims on track? It's not exact science, but each wheel size has it's down and upsides.)

My 2018 car has only one option: PDK. It came with Cruise Control and floor mats standard (although I fitted the car with WeatherTech mats for "real world" use and might only use the standard mats for car shows).

Do you mean "Connect Plus"? In a sense all these cars have Connect via the standard Bluetooth function. (I'll just note here that I don't use Bluetooth or even my phone when I'm driving.....I'm one of those old-fashioned people who actually pulls over and stops if I need to use the phone).

Many of us prefer our cars set up basic and if I were buying a used car, I'd feel the same way. I dislike cars that are over-done with "helpful" features. This is a 2-seat Porsche.....not a limo.

Probably one of the ideal and popular track day tires is the Toyo R888R (I run them on my vintage race car). They are a bit easier to find in 18" diameters. And the 18" size uses a 45 aspect ratio.....like F1 cars

 

[GGG]

My 2018 car has only one option: PDK. It came with Cruise Control and floor mats standard (although I fitted the car with WeatherTech mats for "real world" use and might only use the standard mats for car shows).

Do you mean "Connect Plus"? In a sense all these cars have Connect via the standard Bluetooth function. (I'll just note here that I don't use Bluetooth or even my phone when I'm driving.....I'm one of those old-fashioned people who actually pulls over and stops if I need to use the phone).

Many of us prefer our cars set up basic and if I were buying a used car, I'd feel the same way. I dislike cars that are over-done with "helpful" features. This is a 2-seat Porsche.....not a limo.

Probably one of the ideal and popular track day tires is the Toyo R888R (I run them on my vintage race car). They are a bit easier to find in 18" diameters. And the 18" size uses a 45 aspect ratio.....like F1 cars

Basic Connect gives you Apple car play and Connect Plus is sort of the same but with a simcard slot in your car and a range of "Porsche"-apps. (see: https://www.porsche.com/internation...an-models/718-cayman/porsche-connect/connect/ and https://www.porsche.com/internation...dels/718-cayman/porsche-connect/connect-plus/ )


I will drive my car daily, I have a lot more options than what I put on the "must have" list here, but then I do want it to be a sports car that is comfortable and maximum usability daily.

 

[Graustark]

Basic Connect gives you Apple car play and Connect Plus is sort of the same but with a simcard slot in your car and a range of "Porsche"-apps. (see: https://www.porsche.com/internation...an-models/718-cayman/porsche-connect/connect/ and https://www.porsche.com/internation...dels/718-cayman/porsche-connect/connect-plus/ )


I will drive my car daily, I have a lot more options than what I put on the "must have" list here, but then I do want it to be a sports car that is comfortable and maximum usability daily.

Man I wish they would provide actual information. To quote their zero-content marketing fluff:

What’s more, the Connect Plus module enables use of the wide range of Porsche Connect services. Get more day out of your everyday and delegate the multitasking to your sports car – so you can spend more time driving your Porsche.

 

[Malcolm E Cay]

Connect Plus is standard over here.

 

[porkey]

Connect Plus is standard over here.

...even though standard, does the "plus" portion come in handy? If so, what do you use it for?

 

[Grasshopper]

This type of advice always give me the shivers, Porsche sells the car so basic that there are always some options you better end up picking if you want some comfort, a better reselable car or a car that isn't outdated in 4 years.



Imo must have:
Automatic dual zone climate control
DAB+
Connect
Cruise control
floor mats



Must consider:
Dimming mirrors
Bose
Leather interior (full)


(Why would you need bigger rims on track? It's not exact science, but each wheel size has it's down and upsides.)

UK cars come as standard with DAB+, Connect and car mats, but DAB is virtually useless where I live. Bose is total rubbish I'm afraid - I've had it previous cars and it's a downgrade IMO. I ordered partial leather on my car but only because I wanted the 14 way electric seats (to get squab adjustment) and that's not available on the standard seats. I actually prefer alcantara to leather. Leather's cold in winter, hot in summer and doesn't grip like alcantara. I'm not sure when leather became the de rigeur "luxury" option on cars but many years ago it was used mainly on utilitarian vehicles because it could stand rough treatment - the luxury option was cloth. But of course modern materials like alcantara have moved the game on significantly.


I agree about the wheel size, although I'm not sure that there are any upsides to larger wheels than standard. Autocar said that their Cayman was possibly over-tyred with 19" wheels because they thought it gave less control in corners than 18* wheels. But people almost always order bigger wheels because they think it looks good.

 

[Nickmo718]

I spent my money on the color, PDK and the other Porsche engineering goodies, and auto dimming mirrors because of the plethora of lifted trucks here in Utah (my own included) tend to blind low sitting cars at night, like the Cayman.

I did Light Design Pkg because I wanted the entire car to be fitted with LEDs (future proofed). Skipped climate control, heated and ventilated seats for the minor weight savings and because I figured that it's such a small cabin, so the temps should be easy to quickly manipulate manually. My '18 F-150 Lariat has all of those amenities and...meh.

I will be driving 70 miles round trip to work when the weather is pristine, so I do wish I'd included Adaptive Cruise...didn't realize how great that was when in the Carpool/HOV lane every day, until I got it on my truck. I call it my Rock Chip Saver, instead of Adaptive Cruise -- keeps my distance automatically set between me and the car in front of me and makes the commute feel less exhausting.

 

[Grasshopper]

I will be driving 70 miles round trip to work when the weather is pristine, so I do wish I'd included Adaptive Cruise...didn't realize how great that was when in the Carpool/HOV lane every day, until I got it on my truck. I call it my Rock Chip Saver, instead of Adaptive Cruise -- keeps my distance automatically set between me and the car in front of me and makes the commute feel less exhausting.

Yes, I got that too. It takes a bit of getting used to but it's growing on me. It's quite a cheap option on the 718 (relative to the identical equipment on a 911 anyway) and it includes "Porsche Safe". It only has to prevent a shunt once to more than pay for itself. Hardly anybody specs it over here in the UK though.

 

[GGG]

UK cars come as standard with DAB+, Connect and car mats, but DAB is virtually useless where I live. Bose is total rubbish I'm afraid - I've had it previous cars and it's a downgrade IMO.

The UK base car is a more logical base car than the mainland one imo. We tend to forget when reading UK reviews that their definition of base is different to the rest of the world.
I have yet to hear the bose, but tested the base system and it was worse than the base system in my BMW. I think whatever you do, the cabin is too small to give a great auditory experience, but with the Bose I'm hoping to get at least better high and low tones.

I agree about the wheel size, although I'm not sure that there are any upsides to larger wheels than standard.

Larger rims have less flex, making the turn in feel sharper and the cornering a bit flatter.

 

[CGTS]

I've had my car for a few days and the Bose isn't the best out there but better than the base (standard) sound system. I haven't heard the Burmeister; IMV I'd never spend that sort of money on a sports car with its own sound track. interesting comments about BMW - I thought my BMW saloon with the upgraded sound system was a great sound, one of the best I've heard in any car. Maybe its just a BMW thing?