[X100]

Hello all,
I shan’t be ordering my Cayman for 6 months or so but I would welcome your thoughts on the best model for UK roads.
My thinking is that the lower-powered model would have to rev a little harder in order to achieve the same speed as the “S”, which might then keep the turbo spooled up for more immediate performance at legal speeds than the 2.5 litre version.
I appreciate that the CS is typically around half a second quicker to 60 than the base car but how does useable performance pan out in everyday use?
Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[Porsche2018]

The way I decided was I drove both and the low end pull, and power of the CS was something that appealed to me. I wanted the power/350hp of the CS.........

 

[dreamer]

I drove base, S, and GTS before buying. I would have been happy at any level but I bought the S and I love it's power delivery although I'm still in the run-in period. I can't wait to rev it out and really feel the pull. Is it worth the extra $$? Sure. The value wasn't a factor for me as I wanted to buy one and this fit the bill for my purchasing agent (SO). She liked it and who was I to argue? She thought the red calipers looked cool with the carmine red paint too. I don't think you can ever truly enjoy the limits on public roads but you can enjoy using the power as much as you can.

 

[X100]

Thank you both for your thoughts/experience. Pleased to note that the red callipers helped with your choice!
I guess my concern is that a short road test can’t compete with what Forum members will have found over time.
I had also read somewhere conflicting reports about the more advanced turbo in the CS and potential flat spots, although I am hoping that this is not the case!

I have excluded the GTS on account of its lower suspension and the increasing use of speed humps on our poorly-kept UK roads.

 

[Naptown]

Realistically how fast are you going to go? I think the base has plenty of oomph, but ultimately get the one that works for you. Does your SO know that you could be taking her on a vacation to Bali for the difference in price between them, with a lot of shopping thrown in too?

 

[jimmuller]

I stand with the base-model folks. As @Naptown said, how fast are you really going to go? Of course it depends on your local conditions. In my local conditions I can actually use all the acceleration the car provides (meaning throttle fully down regardless of speed) only once a moth or so. When I do it is only for a second or so, else I'd be picking up speeding citations left and right. It's still wicked fast.

Note the other differences. What do you need? In another thread someone talks of wanting to upgrade his wheel to multi-function. Me? Bleh! I prefer it simple, just a steering wheel, admittedly with paddles. Do you care about the sport exhaust which makes it louder but doesn't really give more power? Do you like the white tach background? WIll you ever be concerned about ground clearance?

One more thing, the difference in cost plus the savings from slightly higher gas mileage will cover the cost of the gas for at least half the life of the car, maybe even all of it.

Just an alternate viewpoint.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

I need all the power the car can muster getting out of the way of blue-haired demons driving the rollers here in Pittsburgh. Man, no one, I mean no one adheres to speed limits around here. Roads posted with 55 are driven at 70 plus. Any and all other roads are 45 minimum no matter the posting. Had a little old blue-haired lady tailgating me the other day. I was in my 1500. I pulled over to the granny lane and she just whizzed by not even giving me a glance. Just two hands on the wheel. She was probably late for Bingo.

 

[GregW]

I've never driven other than my base Boxster.

I can't use the power it has--except for VERY brief spurts. One passing move (around 3 slow cars) had me doing 170+ kph in a 100 zone. Performance is superb at anything over 3000 rpm and still excellent between 2000 and 3000. Before the torque comes on at 2000 it's still good. The S has torque 100 rpm sooner and the bigger engine is probably better below 1900 rpm but whether that's an issue is up to you. Putting it in sport mode and the non-turbo pick-up from a stop is more than enough for 98% of my driving. The turbo, when in use in spirited driving, stays on for a few seconds upon lifting the accelerator so picking the speed back up is instant. (The PDK also holds the lower gear if the current driving indicates it's needed.)

Our roads are pretty reasonable but with occasional rough surfaces. The 18" tyres are a bit more compliant than the larger versions and give a smoother ride. The downside is the Michelins are not available (although the tyre tests show absolutely minuscule differences between all the top brands).

I love the GT wheel and the multi-function.

Interestingly, while Adelaide has a higher proportion of the top-end Porsche models than the rest of the country, my dealer recommended the base model unless tracking or status was important. ?

I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy whatever you buy.

 

[kfahmi]

I have a base 718 Boxster (manual, no Sport Chrono) and a 718 Cayman S (PDK, Sport Chrono). So I have both the slowest and the fastest 718 configurations currently available.

Honestly? Below approx 60 mph and/or 4000 RPM it's tough to tell a significant difference. Above those, you definitely feel the extra power of the S. There's no question about it: with an open road in front of you, the S will leave the base far behind. But you have to drive it hard to really notice a significant difference. In normal driving the two cars feel very similar.

As for fuel economy, my S averages 23 mpg (US) and the base averages 26 mpg. So there's a 15 percent advantage to the S...

 

[antennahead]

Honestly? Below approx 60 mph and/or 4000 RPM it's tough to tell a significant difference.

This review of the base 718, by C&D, mirrors that statement, showing just a 0.1 difference between the base and the "S" in zero to 60 times. It's an overall good read about the ability of the base car:

Tested: 2017 Porsche Boxster 718 Manual

With the base turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four and six-speed stick, the 718 Boxster is the slowest of its type and it's still quick.

www.caranddriver.com

OP, if you haven't seen this video, I'd also recommend a viewing:

It shows just how quick the base car is. I went through the same process you are now in before I ordered my car. I no longer track at my age (not that I probably couldn't, just different priorities now), so my choice was also for street use only. This is the only time I can remember in my long sports car life that I opted for the base version. Of primary importance to me was having a 718 I could wring out and push some on the street when limits and conditions allowed. It could easily be argued that even the base is overpowered for that. I'm not knocking the "S" or GTS at all, they are phenominal, just more than what I needed on the street. Down the road, after the warranty expires, "if" I feel the need for more, I can always add a downpipe and a tune for a nominal amount and push this thing into S/GTS territory.

Have fun in your quest, these are great options to pick from

 

[718Niko]

I own a base and tried a GTS as well, and were I live, Scotland country side, the base is plenty for me.
I can do some good accelerations on the coastal road on the sunstet while listening to Danger Zone, I dont need more. The simple things.
The GTS was great too, but not concidering tracking it or having access to an empty airport strip, I didnt feel the need for anything more than the sport mode in the base model, which is already mad quick compared to pretty much everything else on the road.
I didnt try the S, but I think if I ever felt the base wasnt enough I d skip the S and go to the GTS directly.

 

[X100]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies and antennahead’s links.

I did drive the base Cayman at PEC in Silverstone, which felt great, although PEC offers somewhat artificial conditions (at least as far as speed limits are concerned).

Taking into account your comments and my intended use, it looks like the base model would be perfect.

Much appreciated!

 

[Baka1969]

Just remember, we purchase luxury goods because we want them not because we need them. Premium sports cars are an irrational and emotional purchase. The only one we have to justify getting the more expensive version is to ourselves. Well, maybe to our spouses too.

So why get the S over the base? Because you want it. Or, the other way around, because you can't justify the S over the base to yourself.

 

[718Niko]

I do need my cayman.

 

[duegatti]

I'll refer you to my sig line for guidance.

Really, I made no attempt to critically evaluate the base and S. This was going to be my once in a lifetime dream sports car (no Ferrari's for me; no trading in every year to get a new model; etc.), and I stuffed everything I could into it. In all possible modesty, I like to think that mine is the 718 which will have the greatest depreciation.

Have fun. And if you go base, get more options!

 

[EuroKip]

Plus 1 on what GregW said. For myself , I ordered a base. Not a lot of options , put most of the money in leather. 18 inch wheels give a very compliant ride. No regrets on my purchase but if it should feel lacking after the warranty I can give it S Power mods for way under the $12k premium. When you order a 2020 in 6 months you may have to rethink this again , who really knows what that model year may offer.
I fear that with your heightened enthusiasm this may be a long 6 months.

 

[Silversword]

I'm no expert on what is and isn't "enough" but for me, the 2.0 engine seems perfectly capable and can pretty quickly get you into "points-on-licence" territory without having to rag it. Its quicker than most other cars you'll encounter and probably has more performance than you can ever legally use on the road.

I would say if you even have to ask the question though, you might be better with the S... Buy the one that makes you happy and leaves you with no regrets. If you have even the slightest suspicion that you really want an S - for whatever reason, then assuming you can get the spec you want within your budget (if that's even a factor), then get the S.

 

[Naptown]

Life is full of competing wants. Do you want a Cayman and an extended tropical vacation with your SO, or just a Cayman? Will taking her on a vacation have other downstream rewards which merit your consideration? Nice problem to have.

 

[X100]

Thank you all for your positive input. This will indeed be a “once in a lifetime” purchase and I hope to keep it for 15 years or so, until It would be prudent to hang up my car keys.

Good point about “what makes you (me) happy” and possible changes for the 2020 model. I should like to think that Porsche will make better use of the space taken up currently by the speedometer, given that we already have a digital readout of speed and this has been done in the new 911 (992).

I appreciate that two of the “dials” in the 911 are obscured by the steering wheel but I very much doubt that the 718 would move away from its three-dial set up so I think this will not be an issue. It would be a shame to lose the present cup holders to a different location but Porsche dashboards do seem to be changing.

It’s going to be a long six months ...

 

[Sunny SF]

I tested both at the dealership and rented a 2017 718 Cayman Base for 2 days to really get a feel of owing this car. 300hp/280ft-lb for a 3,100+ pound car is plenty. In "Normal" driving mode (not Sport) I found that there is a "slight" lag off the line with the base car and PDK. I blame this less on turbo lag (there is a little, but not really a problem) but more on the PDK's tall gearing and general dual-clutch off-the-line response. BUT once moving, it's plenty quick for daily and spirited driving. There is plenty of mid-range torque between 3k - 5k, and no problems passing cars and getting speeding tickets on the freeway. Put it in "Sport" and it'll rev like a beast.

If price is a concern, I also don't think the additional ~U$10K cost between a comparable Base and S is worth the 50hp/29ft-lb. U$10K usually can buy 1.2-1.5 sec extra 0-60mph, not a 0.5sec difference.

With that said, I went with the S just because I could afford it, and I to LOVE the red brake calipers.