[Slade]

Hello all,

I used to own a Porsche 911 back in the day (90's) and I'm currently deciding whether or not I should buy back in. I have fond memories of my old car but I really don't know that much about what they currently offer. I've gone to a few dealers and looked around but I'd like to see what current owners have to say. So I'm here to learn and listen and see if now is the right time to get back on board.

 

[TheLip]

You are in the right place. I have a base 718C with the 6MT. For me it is a daily driver, not a track toy. I will leave it to other forum members to discuss the merits of the 718 on the track. There is a purity of purpose to the 718 that is remarkable and yet it is perfectly livable as a DD. Since I find it more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow, that guided how I ordered the car. Not that the 718 is slow, but that is why I got the base, not the S, and left off all performance enhancements. And yet, when a canyon appears and traffic disappears, the 718, even in its most basic form, with 18" wheels, is simply magnificent. I knew I was going to get the car after the very first curve that I took during my first test drive. It is that good.

 

[Viffermike]

Welcome; glad you decided to reach out on this forum!

First, I think it's important to gauge how familiar you are with how Porsche has changed since the 1990s and now, both in terms of the 911 (and the addition of the Boxster/Cayman, which is a somewhat different kind of sports car) and the entire product line. That you're looking at a 718 implies to me that you realize, at the very least, that the modern 911 is now more of a GT (Grand Touring) car than a true sports car.

A plebian as it sounds, I'd use general resources such as Wikipedia to familiarize yourself with what's changed in general terms: the pages for Porsche, 911, and Boxster should be a good start. If you've already done that, you likely have some more focused questions that we'd love to hear (or, um, read) and help you answer.

Even on this relatively young forum, there are a number of members who have owned both Boxsters/Caymans and 911s over the years -- and as active as other Porsche-centric forums are, most are not nearly as user-friendly or as easily informative as this one. I'm sure we'll all do our best to inform you and help you decide.

 

[aeronca65tl]

Welcome!

I am a new Porsche owner (other than a decrepit 356 I owned in the 60s).

My 2018 base-model 718 with PDK gearbox is a stunning car. Its hard to imagine anyone who would dislike it.

For some folks, the 911 and its rear-engine classic layout may be more appealing. I've been a big fan of the 914 and the Lotus Europa for ages, so I found the mid-engine arrangement of the 718 to be very appealing.
The mid-engine layout tends to preclude a lot of do-it-yourself work on these cars if that matters to you (I have a small collection of old, leaky British sports cars so I already have plenty of mechanical bits to play with).

There also a bit more storage area inside a new 911 with its "not-quite-a-seat" rear seat. But my wife and I took a 1500 mile jaunt in our 718 and found the front & rear trunks to be very acceptable in terms of storage.

Friends of ours did a 14,000 jaunt in 12 weeks in their '14 Cayman last year.....and they brought along their (small) dog for good measure. They told us they had a splendid time.

In terms of value, I paid about $40K less than a very basic 911 for my 718. So the new Cayman also seems like a relative bargain to me.

 

[Slade]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and the huge amount of insight you guys have provided! I'll definitely take up your suggestions to read up on all the changes that Porsche has implemented throughout the years. I guess to start, my first main question is why the huge discrepancy in price, in comparison to that of the 911? Its obvious from a technical standpoint that the 911 offers better power and performance, but the Cayman seems to be of higher value for its price.

 

[aeronca65tl]

.........Its obvious from a technical standpoint that the 911 offers better power and performance, but the Cayman seems to be of higher value for its price.

Yes.

The 911 has more powerful engines. There may be all sorts of reasons for that but many of us suspect it's to keep the 911 as the top-dog in terms of performance.

On the other hand, do your really need more than 300, 350 or 365 horsepower?

My 300 horsepower base Cayman will do 170 mph and 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds. And mine is the *slow* Cayman.

 

[Shark]

Welcome!

 

[Viffermike]

I guess to start, my first main question is why the huge discrepancy in price, in comparison to that of the 911? Its obvious from a technical standpoint that the 911 offers better power and performance, but the Cayman seems to be of higher value for its price.

Part of it is model differentiation, as @aeronca65tl notes. To account for the roughly $23k base-price difference between a 718S and the lowest 911 model (Carrera), there are practical and tangible reasons, too:

- Larger, more engineered engines. Most 911s are still technically rear-engined, which requires some creative design solutions to tame. One obvious one: most 911s are available with AWD, and a couple (the Targa) are only available with that drivetrain. Other related upgrades: wider wheels, more exotic drivetrain hardware, more stout engine hardware (example: individual ignition coils for each cylinder), etc.
- 2+2 configuration. More leather, more creature comforts (i.e., rear HVAC ducting, etc.) to the rear seats, as unusable as they generally are.
- A significantly higher level of standard equipment, including PASM, Porsche Car Connect Plus, alarm system, auto climate control, Xenon headlights with PDLS, power Sport Seats, partial leather, Alcantara roof liner, slightly larger brakes, and more electrical options. Everything listed is either optional or unavailable on the 718, and based on 718 option prices, that accounts for roughly $9k of the difference.

 

[Slade]

I definitely don't think I personally need more than 300-350hp, and I wouldn't seeing myself spending an additional $40k just for the boost in performance and some additional bells and whistles. I see there is quite a vast difference in what comes standard on the two different models, but I think what the 718 offers is more than enough. Have you guys done any modifications that you think are a necessary upgrade?

 

[Viffermike]

Have you guys done any modifications that you think are a necessary upgrade?

I consider two to be must-dos, and they're both easy:

1). Clear LED front side markers, which are OEM in the EU. So many Boxster/Cayman owners do this, many dealers will install them for free at delivery. About $120/pair: https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/SKU991LEDSIDES.html

2). AWE Tuning Mirror Wind Diffusers. Boxsters/Caymans are known to suffer from severe wind buffeting above 50 MPH or so with one window open. These solve that issue. They're basically replacements for the plastic triangle trim where the A pillar meets the door sill, with a spoiler molded into it. About $80/pair: https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK9X1MIRROR.html

Both can be installed DIY in minutes.

Suncoast is a great source for both parts.

 

[GregW]

<snips>
Mirror Wind Diffusers. Boxsters/Caymans are known to suffer from severe wind buffeting above 50 MPH or so with one window open. These solve that issue.

The diffusers are excellent. I made a set with couple of small pieces of Kydex and a heat gun. They slip easily behind the rubber in front of the triangle trim. They cost me nothing 'cause I had kydex left over from another project.

 

[FiscNad]

... but the Cayman seems to be of higher value for its price.

Welcome to this forum. You will definitely find sound advice since many participants are very knowledgeable. It did help me a lot.


As you may have read, 718 and 911 are very different. It really depends on what you prefer.


Over the years, the 911 became bigger, heavier and probably more powerful. Some view it as a GT car. IMO it handles much better than any GT. But maybe it is more GT than before. The 911 offers a better pedegree and probably a better image, if this is important to you.


The 718 products are smaller, lighter and more nimble. This could be felt immediately during a back to back comparaison. My impression is that the straight line performances of the 718 S and GTS are comparable to the base 911 Carrera. The 911 Carrera S model and up are faster. But the 718 products are more nimble.


So the 911 is bigger and more prestigious. The 718 is probably a better driver's car.


Before making my decision, I made two back to back test drives to compare both. I wanted to see if the 911 justified the price difference. Surprisingly, I preferred by far the 718. But I have to say that I personally prefer handling over power or prestige. This is a matter of preference.


I found the power of the base 718 to be more than suffisant for me. It is really fast. I ordered a 718 Cayman GTS just because it is a good value considering the options I was to pick anyway and that were included in the GTS.


You can find my post below. Good Luck and let us know what will be your choice !!


3 Attachment(s) After many test drives of many Porsche, I finally decided to order a 718 Cayman GTS

 

[greywing]

The diffusers are excellent. I made a set with couple of small pieces of Kydex and a heat gun. They slip easily behind the rubber in front of the triangle trim. They cost me nothing 'cause I had kydex left over from another project.

Got any pic's?

 

[GregW]

The diffusers are excellent. I made a set with couple of small pieces of Kydex and a heat gun. They slip easily behind the rubber in front of the triangle trim. They cost me nothing 'cause I had kydex left over from another project.

Got any pic's?

Here you go. Sorry I couldn't find the pattern I made, I must have binned it.
It was the same for the right and left sides but folded opposite ways.

First-- looking back from the front of the car.

Second--from the top of the window looking down to show where I slid them.

 

[greywing]

Thanks.