[Kingmota]

I have a 2019 718 BGTS "on order" but STILL don't have my commission# so I have had time to continually re-evaluate my choice. I have to say I was not particularly impressed with the 981 2015 Cayman until I got it into the 5500 to 7500 RPM range then the engine sound is stunning, astonishing, best thing I ever heard. I was also surprised that the PDK downshift and engine backfire both seemed more aggressive (sport to sport) vs the 718. I can certainly understand why the flat 6 is loved so much.

However, the 718 steering felt tighter and the car more midrange punch. I am sticking with my 718 order as I prefer the technology and ability to spec the car exactly the way I want and getting a brand new car. The 718 did sound good to me at high RPM, just not as raw and mechanical as the 981. I also have to be realistic that I won't really have the car in the high RPM range most of the time.

If I happen to find a pristine CPO 2016 BGTS with perfect options/color at a reasonable cost I may revisit this decision. I have had great luck with new cars and bad luck with used cars and that impacts my thoughts.

I know this 981 vs 718 comparison has been discussed countless times on this and other forums, but I have to say it is different hearing it right behind your head than on youtube.

Dan

 

[Basaltbox]

718 is a much better all round car.

 

[JakiChan]

Other than sound, was there anything else that you felt the 981 did better than the 982?

 

[don]

I drove 981 GTS and 718 GTS back to back and the 718 drove better in every way.

Though the 981 is already very good but did not come standard with PTV. When cruising I thought it was also quite a bit noisier/droney. 718 GTS is also a more comfortable car.

981 exhaust is good when you wind it out but not so good for cruising.

 

[larvid]

I owned a 2014 BS and now have a 2018 BS, and I enjoy the 718 in every way over the 981. I enjoy the engine sound, handling, steering, electronics, all slightly improved on what was perfection. As for exhaust note, I now have sport exhaust and that is a major upgrade, as the 981 (without sport exhaust) only sounded good when you got into the higher rev range, whereas the 718 sounds good to my ear at almost every speed. Of course financially, you will do much better with the CPO, but the financial part I will leave to you and your calculator!

 

[Kingmota]

The PDK seemed more aggressive in the 981 and I was getting an engine backfire every time it downshifted. I was getting very little backfire on the 718 (both cars in sport mode).

I wish I had driven both cars longer (had not driven 718 in three months) and I was also limited by summer tire with outside temperature (30 F). I was really distracted by the 981 PCM rebooting non-stop which kept reminding me why I tend to stay away from used cars. Every single used car I have every bought has had problems and every single new car I have bought has been problem free. I realize that is not statistically significant to the overall market, but hard for me to personally ignore.

I have somewhat relevant experience with high strung NA cars as I owned a Honda S2000 10 years ago. It was a blast to rev and it didn't sound nearly as good as the 981, but that car was really lacking in low end torque.

This is all driving me crazy because I am trying to find the perfect car and make the right decision as this is my one and only "retirement gift to myself car". I can afford it, but the cost is significant to me and I expect to keep the car at least 6 to 8 years. Sometimes I wish I would have bought a Boxster off the lot, but weather was getting cold here in Kentucky anyway. I have also been looking at CPO 991.1 and 991.2 (coupe and Targa) as well as the Corvette (MT7). After hearing the 981 CGTS engine I wonder would the 991.1 GTS engine be even crazier?

My head tells me the 718 BGTS is the best compromise of usable convertible (except my golf clubs have to ride in passenger seat), just enough power, perfect balance, decent technology, spec'd exactly the way I want and great looks. I know this is a 718 forum and I am not expecting anyone to make my decision, but I will admit it is comforting when I hear others that have had both the 981 and 718 say they prefer the 718.

 

[RGM718]

When you get your 718 pull the 7.5amp fuse and deactivate the Soundaktor.......to see what you think about the exhaust.

 

[johan]

The PDK seemed more aggressive in the 981 and I was getting an engine backfire every time it downshifted. I was getting very little backfire on the 718 (both cars in sport mode).

I wish I had driven both cars longer (had not driven 718 in three months) and I was also limited by summer tire with outside temperature (30 F). I was really distracted by the 981 PCM rebooting non-stop which kept reminding me why I tend to stay away from used cars. Every single used car I have every bought has had problems and every single new car I have bought has been problem free. I realize that is not statistically significant to the overall market, but hard for me to personally ignore.

I have somewhat relevant experience with high strung NA cars as I owned a Honda S2000 10 years ago. It was a blast to rev and it didn't sound nearly as good as the 981, but that car was really lacking in low end torque.

This is all driving me crazy because I am trying to find the perfect car and make the right decision as this is my one and only "retirement gift to myself car". I can afford it, but the cost is significant to me and I expect to keep the car at least 6 to 8 years. Sometimes I wish I would have bought a Boxster off the lot, but weather was getting cold here in Kentucky anyway. I have also been looking at CPO 991.1 and 991.2 (coupe and Targa) as well as the Corvette (MT7). After hearing the 981 CGTS engine I wonder would the 991.1 GTS engine be even crazier?

My head tells me the 718 BGTS is the best compromise of usable convertible (except my golf clubs have to ride in passenger seat), just enough power, perfect balance, decent technology, spec'd exactly the way I want and great looks. I know this is a 718 forum and I am not expecting anyone to make my decision, but I will admit it is comforting when I hear others that have had both the 981 and 718 say they prefer the 718.

It only backfires when you let go of the gas or if you really pushing it, the you can pops and cracks on up shifts to.

 

[Kingmota]

When you get your 718 pull the 7.5amp fuse and deactivate the Soundaktor.......to see what you think about the exhaust.

Yes, I am hoping that will make the sound more "raw". Even if it is only half as good as the 981, I am confident the other improvements to the 718 and buying new will make it the right choice for me.

 

[Semitone]

Personally, if I was going to be lugging golf clubs around, I would seriously consider a CPO 911 base or T. I have a friend who purportedly gets two sets of clubs in the back of his 987 Cayman but I haven’t seen it myself. Doesn’t seem practical.

I’ve had good luck with CPO Porsches...bought two.

 

[Kingmota]

Personally, if I was going to be lugging golf clubs around, I would seriously consider a CPO 911 base or T. I have a friend who purportedly gets two sets of clubs in the back of his 987 Cayman but I haven’t seen it myself. Doesn’t seem practical.

I’ve had good luck with CPO Porsches...bought two.

One set of clubs will definitely fit in the back of the 718 Cayman. That is what I originally ordered, but then switched to Boxster after deciding I was willing to put clubs in passenger seat as I drive to the golf course by myself almost always and have other cars when I go with someone else. A 911 would definitely hold a bag or two of clubs in the back seat/rear shelf with one of the seats folded down. I just do not like the looks (at all) of the 911 Cab. If I decide to make carrying golf clubs a priority I will go with either 911 (all CPO) coupe or Targa (991.1 S, 999.1 GTS) or a 991.2 base or S. Each of those options are available within 10K to $12k of my $103k MSRP Boxster build. I just know I love a convertible. Because of my wife wanting to also drive it I am sticking with PDK and my steep home driveway limits me to a minimum front ground clearance of at least 5.5".

IF they come out with a new PDK 718 flat 6 GT4 real soon, then all this is up for reconsideration although the just mentioned ground clearance may still prevent that option.

 

[Beardy]

One of the points the dealer’s salesman made with me was that you can fit a set of clubs in the 718, the conversation quickly changed when I told him I hate golf

 

[8833]

I have a 2019 718 BGTS "on order" but STILL don't have my commission# so I have had time to continually re-evaluate my choice.
I know this 981 vs 718 comparison has been discussed countless times on this and other forums, but I have to say it is different hearing it right behind your head than on youtube.

Dan

Thanks Kingmota! Nice affirmation. I have a CGTS on "order" without a commission #. It has been ~30 days since I signed the deal. Like you this is a retirement gift to myself. I am not sure what is a reasonable wait time for a commission #- but I am close to pulling the plug. Either a dealer wants to sell a car or it does not.

 

[JazzCatGab]

Chester, unless the dealer can find what you want already in existence, they haven't got much say in the matter. If I understand it right (a dubious proposition) first the dealership has to have, or wait, for an allocation for your model, trim level and transmission. Then, it has to wait for the factory to allocate a slot in its workflow (which seems to have as many requirements as there are options on the car multiplied by the number of models Porsche builds), from there, it's only about a three-month wait for it to be built and shipped. So, apparently there are folks here that have waited six or seven months, possibly longer.


Definitely not an off-the-shelf purchase, however, I hope people chime in with their dealer slot stories.



I happened to luck out. The dealer had an allocation for a base Cayman with manual transmission that had an allocation at the factory and was rapidly approaching its final "freeze" date. So I ordered on Oct. 3 and was able to change the build to my desires, the car was built Nov. 8, and shipped on Nov. 18. It is expected to be in port in Houston on Dec. 12/13. Maybe a week to the dealer, then dealer prep, and probably have the car before Christmas. That's one of the quickest order to build to delivery that I've seen (except for a few of those lucky Brits and Europeans who happen to be right there).

 

[Kingmota]

Thanks Kingmota! Nice affirmation. I have a CGTS on "order" without a commission #. It has been ~30 days since I signed the deal. Like you this is a retirement gift to myself. I am not sure what is a reasonable wait time for a commission #- but I am close to pulling the plug. Either a dealer wants to sell a car or it does not.

I have been waiting for my commission # from Bluegrass Motorsports in Louisville, KY since September 10. However, I did say I did not want the car until March 2019 so that gives them an "excuse". My SA has assured me multiple times I will get my car. The good news is I completely changed my order last night to a Cayman GTS (code PKEYX1Y1) to a more traditional GTS build (except I added Burmester) so if my build does not happen I am confident I can find one on a lot. My Boxster was GTS with Sport-Tex and did not have SPASM (only PASM). I switched to Cayman because of my golf clubs and looking better, although there will certainly be times having a convertible would be a blast.
Dan

 

[JazzCatGab]

Kingmota, I'm buying from Bluegrass also. Looks like you have a Porsche history. I'll be driving my toy around the country outside of town, and I'm thinking U.S. 42 to General Butler, out Bardstown and Taylorsville roads to those two burgs, Harrodsburg, U.S. 60 out to Jeptha Knob or so. Do you have any favorite drives to suggest?

 

[Kingmota]

Kingmota, I'm buying from Bluegrass also. Looks like you have a Porsche history. I'll be driving my toy around the country outside of town, and I'm thinking U.S. 42 to General Butler, out Bardstown and Taylorsville roads to those two burgs, Harrodsburg, U.S. 60 out to Jeptha Knob or so. Do you have any favorite drives to suggest?

I'm sorry, but my long purchase process posts are confusing. This will be my first Porsche. I have just changed my mind so many times, partly due to wanting to hold delivery until Spring 2019 and waiting on my commission #.
But based upon sporting drives with previous cars, I definitely endorse all you suggested. My wife and I like to visit casinos, so I would typically take U.S. 42 all the way to the bridge to Vevay, IN (Belterra) and then drive northeast to Rising Star and sometimes all the way to Cincinnati, OH. You just have to watch to deer on that road.
Good luck with your new 718. I have only seen one 718 in Louisville since I started watching for them the last six months.

 

[JazzCatGab]

My wife and I like to visit casinos, so I would typically take U.S. 42 all the way to the bridge to Vevay, IN (Belterra) and then drive northeast to Rising Star and sometimes all the way to Cincinnati, OH. You just have to watch to deer on that road.
Good luck with your new 718. I have only seen one 718 in Louisville since I started watching for them the last six months.

BTW, this is my biggest retirement toy and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for the suggestion, and speaking of Indiana, I'm thinking the road to Paoli would be a sweet run. I also agree with your preference for new cars. At one point I loved messing with mechanicals on cars, but I'm not into hand-grinding and seating valves while my ears turn blue from the cold. Been there, done that.

Also, I haven't seen any 718 Caymans on the roads around here either. Several in the dealership, but not in the wild. I can't believe I'd let such a pretty thing get past me without a look!

 

[GTS]

But based upon sporting drives with previous cars, I definitely endorse all you suggested. My wife and I like to visit casinos, so I would typically take U.S. 42 all the way to the bridge to Vevay, IN (Belterra) and then drive northeast to Rising Star and sometimes all the way to Cincinnati, OH. You just have to watch to deer on that road.
Good luck with your new 718. I have only seen one 718 in Louisville since I started watching for them the last six months.

Not many 718's in the wild in Indianapolis, either. In terms of driving roads, I recommend IN 135 in southern Indiana (Salem area to Nashville, IN) and IN 66 along the Ohio River from Louisville to Evansville.

 

[JazzCatGab]

Not many 718's in the wild in Indianapolis, either. In terms of driving roads, I recommend IN 135 in southern Indiana (Salem area to Nashville, IN) and IN 66 along the Ohio River from Louisville to Evansville.

Oh yea, that looks like a good one. 111 to 135 and then it gets really sweet up toward Nashville. Thanks!