[lajoiedp]

It's been a while since I've owned a sports car - 18 years to be exact. I currently own a Range Rover, so it's a pretty decent size. When I first looked at the 718C at the dealer, I was a little concerned about the smaller size of the car. Funny thing is, when I took delivery last week the car appeared larger/wider than I remembered, which I like. Did anyone else have this feeling after taking delivery?


The 718C is the perfect size. Larger than a Miata, which is just too small for me, but smaller than a Corvette, which I find to be too big.

 

[aeronca65tl]

I wasn't worried about it but the Cayman is huge compared to my other 2 seat cars (MG Midget, Lotus 7, etc.)

I parked mine next to an early 911 recently and the size difference is pretty eye-opening.

My Cayman replaced a Miata (which was not exactly tiny by my measure).

The Cayman is actually wider than my Chevy Express tow van. Yesterday I was on an old, narrow bridge (in New Hope, PA) and the Cayman was tramlining all over the place on the metal-grate roadway. Due to it's width, that made things extra exciting.

And I never thought I'd own a 2 seat car that weights over 3000 lbs.

Still it's a real nice car, especially for touring (did 150 miles in mine yesterday) .

 

[Grasshopper]

The main thing, from my point of view, about the Cayman's size (and other that of other Porsches) is that it's narrower than most of them. It's under 6 feet wide (1801mm) which makes a welcome change when you're driving on narrow English roads or trying to get through gaps. There's been a tendency for a long time for cars to get gradually wider with every generation - but unfortunately parking slots and garages don't get any wider. My '67 TR4A is 4' 9" wide.


My previous car was a TT which was just a bit too wide for the roads. I thought of getting a second hand R8 but it's just too wide. But the Cayman still looks a relatively big car - the same size as an Aston Vantage for example (although a bit narrower). IMO it could lose a few inches in length (from that front overhang for example) which would also improve the appearance and decrease risk of grounding the nose.

 

[GregW]

<snip> IMO it could lose a few inches in length (from that front overhang for example) which would also improve the appearance and decrease risk of grounding the nose.

It sounds a bit weird, I know, but I've scraped the nose on the Boxster much less than on my previous Subaru Impreza.

 

[wriggly]

I used to have a Challenger ScatPac in the garage next to my GT350. The Challenger made the Shelby look like a little sports car. The 718 looks like a Miata next to the Shelby. :laugh: I get what the OP is saying. After living with my GTS for awhile, it is a pretty wide car. From the back the tires though smaller in width than the Shelby's tires, they look just as wide. I love the look on the Cayman.

 

[Optical TDI]

I wasn't worried about it but the Cayman is huge compared to my other 2 seat cars (MG Midget, Lotus 7, etc.)

I parked mine next to an early 911 recently and the size difference is pretty eye-opening.

My Cayman replaced a Miata (which was not exactly tiny by my measure).

The Cayman is actually wider than my Chevy Express tow van. Yesterday I was on an old, narrow bridge (in New Hope, PA) and the Cayman was tramlining all over the place on the metal-grate roadway. Due to it's width, that made things extra exciting.

And I never thought I'd own a 2 seat car that weights over 3000 lbs.

Still it's a real nice car, especially for touring (did 150 miles in mine yesterday) .

Over the weekend at Mid-Ohio I parked next to a 1971 911T. It was so small! Wish I took a picture of them side by side. My Boxster looked huge!

 

[ZuffenHouseRules]

718 (original) next to 718 (new). Modern cars are just a different scale from vintage. But at barely 3000 lbs. the 718 is light by today's sports/GT standards. Even Lotus (Evora) is into that weight range now.

 

[Optical TDI]

718 (original) next to 718 (new). Modern cars are just a different scale from vintage. But at barely 3000 lbs. the 718 is light by today's sports/GT standards. Even Lotus (Evora) is into that weight range now.

Cool picture!!

 

[dazza]

718 (original) next to 718 (new). Modern cars are just a different scale from vintage. But at barely 3000 lbs. the 718 is light by today's sports/GT standards. Even Lotus (Evora) is into that weight range now.

Interesting how similar the lines are to the original 718. Great pic.

 

[orton]

After many years of driving 59 to 67 Alfa's, I find the 718 to be too big. Would prefer a smaller car.

 

[Box2112]

Perhaps you need an Ariel Atom?

Unfortunately cars will likely never be as small or light as they used to be. Thank you gov't and safety regulations. Not saying there isn't opportunity, but compliance standards certainly don't help the cause for designers.

 

[DriveInHouston]

Perhaps you need an Ariel Atom?

Unfortunately cars will likely never be as small or light as they used to be. Thank you gov't and safety regulations. Not saying there isn't opportunity, but compliance standards certainly don't help the cause for designers.

Having survived a crash (I was rear-ended and driven into the median concrete barrier), I thank the government, the safety engineers and Ford's designers every day.

Had this happened with Orton's Alfas (of which I am intimately familiar with, as I grew up with them in Europe) I would have not lived to tell you the tale. The engine was pushed back 18" but under the passenger cabin! 18" of a GT Veloce engine would have crushed my legs as a minimum, but I suspect that it would be more than 18" due to the lack of crush zones.

I love old beautiful cars too... But all this BS of how good the good ol' days were and how safety and engineering considerations ruined the beauty leaves me stone cold and slightly PO'd if you had to guess... If you want a smaller convertible, buy a modern Miata. If you want a smaller Porsche, we don't have one...

 

[Box2112]

Just to be clear, I wasn't attempting to put down safety regs, while I don't have the experience you have, being an avid motorcycle rider as well I am painfully aware of just how many dangerous situations exist on today's roads. As traffic and average road speeds increased, so the safety standard HAD to, and have progressed.

My point was more around it being an unfair comparison when looking at size or weight of a vehicle to compare to those who came before the world and roads changed so dramatically. Balance is key and designers clearly have more considerations today then they did back then.

Also fully agree, Miata is a great car. I had a ND RF before stepping into a 2010 Boxster S and subsequently my current 718. Great cars and fantastic value for the money, but they are no Porsche...

My point was just that you're never going to see cars like that again, and, to your point, that has proven to be for the better!! Sorry to hear what you went through, but VERY happy to hear that the car did its job and saved your bacon!

PS, just to add as well, I'm personally quite happy with everything including the dimensions of the 718's, if it seems too big, driving a current gen 911 will likely change one's mind.

Having survived a crash (I was rear-ended and driven into the median concrete barrier), I thank the government, the safety engineers and Ford's designers every day.

Had this happened with Orton's Alfas (of which I am intimately familiar with, as I grew up with them in Europe) I would have not lived to tell you the tale. The engine was pushed back 18" but under the passenger cabin! 18" of a GT Veloce engine would have crushed my legs as a minimum, but I suspect that it would be more than 18" due to the lack of crush zones.

I love old beautiful cars too... But all this BS of how good the good ol' days were and how safety and engineering considerations ruined the beauty leaves me stone cold and slightly PO'd if you had to guess... If you want a smaller convertible, buy a modern Miata. If you want a smaller Porsche, we don't have one...

 

[DriveInHouston]

@Box2112, well said! Coming from a Mustang GT, the 718 felt small and agile, and beautiful, and fast and ...I love this car!

However...

I made the mistake to test drive the 2021 911 Carrera PDK!

Baaaad mistake! Big car! Well engineered. The sound is ok! Makes our 718 to sound... well, a bit agricultural, but I don't care... I love it!

BUT!!..

The power delivery with the 8 speed PDK is unforgettable! Now, don't get me wrong, I am not about to blow $45k for the power delivery of the twin Turbo, but... it is unforgettable! Turbo rulezz and twin turbo rulezz twice as much!

 

[chester7]

@DriveInHouston I almost tortured myself by test driving a 2021 Cayman GTS 4.0, but on the way to Austin Porsche I became so aggravated with the road construction and congestion near the dealer, not to mention the tent city near the Greyhound station, that I bagged it. My 2.5 GTS is perfect- and like you say has a turbo that rulezz.

 

[chester7]

To get back to the original theme. My 718 looks large compared to both my Miata and my Elise. I do love and prefer very small cars. But having ridden long distances in 1960's vintage Triumphs, you quickly realize you're one accident away from being torn to shreds by the windshield post.

 

[orton]

To get back to the original theme. My 718 looks large compared to both my Miata and my Elise. I do love and prefer very small cars. But having ridden long distances in 1960's vintage Triumphs, you quickly realize you're one accident away from being torn to shreds by the windshield post.

If you think an old Triumph is scary you should try a 49 Crosley Hotshot. I vividly recall looking in the rear view mirror on the highway and seeing the front of a Greyhound bus a few feet behind the Crosley. Crosley was not too fast on the highway. Maybe that was due to the 26.5 hp engine. Crosley was my daily driver for a year in college.

1949 Crosley Hot Shot | conceptcarz.com

I do find the 300 hp Porsche has adequate power compared to some of the cars I have owned. The 60 Fiat 600 was also somewhat shy of blazing performance with 28 hp.