[SMUmustangs]

Need advice on choosing between two 2018 Cayman Base that I can get for same price at a significant discount. My preferred interior colour is Bordeaux Red and Black and black outside as that would match it well. This will be my daily car - currently in a Lexus RC350:
1) New 2018
Manual 6 speed, Black outside and Bordeaux Red/Black inside but MISSING the following options which I would like:
- Multi Function heated steering wheel
- Porsche Entry and Drive
- Porsche Connect / Apple play
2) Demonstrator 2018 with 2000 miles
- PDK Silver with standard black interior
- has all the above options missing including navigation, and porsche connect plus, also includes PDLS+

I was planning to order a manual 6 speed, but PDK is not the end of the world plus adds some real world practicality as my daughters can drive it if they need the car on weekends.

So my ask is how good or relevant do you feel the missing options are:
- Manual vs. PDK - I know this is very subjective but for those that agonized over the decision are you happy or any regrets with what you went with
- For those that do not have Navigation or Porsche connect or Apply Play and thus I assume no voice control, is it difficult making a call while driving?
- Also what about navigation if you use waze will directions still come through the sound system due to bluetooth media connection so not having apple play is not that big a deal?
- Porsche Entry and Drive - without it do you have to insert your key to start the car?
- How good are the functions on the steering wheel on the Cayman ann would you miss it if it was not there. I would miss the heated Wheel on cold days.

Once you have gotten used to normal options such as key less entry, steering wheel controls and heated wheel and voice control it can be hard to give them up .... silver is nice just not my preferred colour.

Thank you in advance for your comments and assistance.

 

[CaymanMatt]

Need advice on choosing between two 2018 Cayman Base that I can get for same price at a significant discount. My preferred interior colour is Bordeaux Red and Black and black outside as that would match it well. This will be my daily car - currently in a Lexus RC350:
1) New 2018
Manual 6 speed, Black outside and Bordeaux Red/Black inside but MISSING the following options which I would like:
- Multi Function heated steering wheel
- Porsche Entry and Drive
- Porsche Connect / Apple play
2) Demonstrator 2018 with 2000 miles
- PDK Silver with standard black interior
- has all the above options missing including navigation, and porsche connect plus, also includes PDLS+

I was planning to order a manual 6 speed, but PDK is not the end of the world plus adds some real world practicality as my daughters can drive it if they need the car on weekends.

So my ask is how good or relevant do you feel the missing options are:
- Manual vs. PDK - I know this is very subjective but for those that agonized over the decision are you happy or any regrets with what you went with
- For those that do not have Navigation or Porsche connect or Apply Play and thus I assume no voice control, is it difficult making a call while driving?
- Also what about navigation if you use waze will directions still come through the sound system due to bluetooth media connection so not having apple play is not that big a deal?
- Porsche Entry and Drive - without it do you have to insert your key to start the car?
- How good are the functions on the steering wheel on the Cayman ann would you miss it if it was not there. I would miss the heated Wheel on cold days.

Once you have gotten used to normal options such as key less entry, steering wheel controls and heated wheel and voice control it can be hard to give them up .... silver is nice just not my preferred colour.

Thank you in advance for your comments and assistance.

I think I would miss the multi-function wheel in a daily driver. It works well and I'm sure as a DD the heated wheel would be really nice.
You will need to insert key without Entry & Drive. In reality I suspect you are better without it from a security perspective if your key is always accessible. My wife loves this feature in all our cars as her keys are always buried deep in the purse.
I have the 6MT. At times I think I would appreciate the PDK, particularly on highway trips where the 6sp spins faster and is therefore louder at 75mph. I haven't had it in heavy traffic so can't comment on difficulty of driving the 6sp in stop/go. It is a nice transmission though & I think most of the time I would prefer it over the PDK.
MOO

 

[Third]

Lots to cover!
I have owned a stripped 2007 MT base, a modestly equipped 2010 MT S, and now a well-optioned 2018 PDK S. Here are my thoughts on the options you mentioned:
>PDK - My Cayman is my daily driver and I'm frequently caught in stop and go traffic. For that and many more reasons I will never go back to MT! PDK is spectacular.
>Nav/Porsche Connect/ApplePlay - These are about the only options I don't have. No problem making and receiving hands free phone calls using Siri, but voice directions from Waze/Google Maps/Apple Maps from my iPhone over Bluetooth does not work, and neither I nor my dealer's service department has been able to figure out why. The radio mutes as it should, but no directions come through. I presume it would work if I had ApplePlay, but I don't. Someday I hope to get this resolved. Seems like it should be just a s/w bug that needs fixing.
>I love Entry and Drive, although I wouldn't make a buy decision based solely on it.
>Multifunction Heated Steering Wheel - The reason I find this to be a useful option is because the room behind the PDK shifter to adjust audio controls is cramped. For that reason, I'd opt for it again but I wouldn't pass up a deal for it. (I actually don't care for the heat feature, but I understand many people love it.)

I won't further complicate your decision by delving into options you haven't mentioned, except I'll say this: Having owned Caymans with and without automatic climate control, I would not buy one without it.

Good luck with your decision. Great problem to have!

 

[SMUmustangs]

Thank Matt and Third comments appreciated especially nuance like tight audio controls behind PDK and issues with WAZE voice direction on normal bluetooth.

Great point regarding quiter cabin on highway with PDK than Manual given the lower rev.

You are correct some stuff like keyless entry and ignition and steering wheel controls are not deal breakers but when you have had them for years you get used to these touches and at the end of the day the silver is not that bad looking.

 

[kmacuk]

[FONT=&quot]Hi,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We have all of the missing options on your list plus PDK GT Silver and PDSL+. Not sure what other options the cars have they may impact the choice further.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]My advice would be as a daily get PDK, - this would be the first option I check on any build and thats from 30+ years on manual. 7 speed also a bonus vs 6MT.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Base lights: if you do any unlit driving are not great, PDSL+ lights howver are excellent (even more so if LED which you don’t indicate) these would be the 2nd thing I would check.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Colour is a tough one and personal choice; for us we wanted a metallic and not a solid colour, so went with GT silver, we have had black cars in the past and they look great (briefly), but are high maintenance, if it’s a solid black they are even worse - depends on if you like to detail or not and how much looks bother you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Entry drive is fine, multi function wheeel too, neither would be something I would miss or stop me buying, but I do love the GT wheel (heated is nice too), lights and PDK much more important for me - check forum posts on lights, they really are a big deal depending on your use.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Standard Alcantara seats in black are fine and work well woth GT Silver, however 3rd on my list would be sport plus seats which are some of the best seats we have ever had, they are also full leather unlike the 2 tone semi-leather ones - again if price is right it would not prevent purchase.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In the UK we get Nav/Apple by default and they are useful if you travel a lot, useful occasionally, but could be a negative for re-sale. Apple play - can never be bothered connecting the USB cable so tend just to listen to the radio and the engine [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Based on the choice of the 2 cars given I would go with the demonstrator with GT Silver, PDK and PDSL+: in the UK thats around £4k (If LED PDSL+) in option alone. PDK is going to give improved resale.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The ommision of Apple play and Nav could be a problem come re-sale time together with things like: 64L tank, heated seats, sport plus seats auto climate control all of these would be good to have for a daily and for resale. Not sure if any of these are included.
[/FONT]

 

[Third]

As it happens, my 2007 was silver and my 2010 was black. Black looks great the day wash it, then it's downhill from there. Silver on the other hand doesn't seem always to beg for a bath. That said, I don't mean to weigh in on color choice. It's of course a personal decision.

I'd echo kmacuk's comment about the seats. I have Adaptive Sport Seats Plus, They're fantastic and worth the price in my opinion, though I admit many find the standard seat exceptional too. I've had both. Again, a personal choice.

And just to clarify something I wrote earlier... According to Porsche, navigation apps on an iphone work through bluetooth whether or not the car is equipped with CarPlay. Unfortunately they haven't been able to figure out why they don't work with mine. Perhaps it's an iOS or bluetooth firmware version issue with my phone. I'd be interested to hear from anyone out there if there iphone navigation apps work without CarPlay. Everything else that's intended to work, eg, phone, texts, does.

 

[cipher]

Out of the options, I’d want the multifunction steering wheel and the CarPlay. I can go either way on the transmission. Both are that good. I have PDK in my Macan and 6mt in the Boxster. The CarPlay replaces much of the entertainment features for a low price provided you have an iPhone. My boxster has the base steering wheel and the only thing I wish I had was the multifunction steering wheel and maybe ventilated seats for when it gets too hot. I already have heated seats.

Having Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps are much better than the Porsche maps and always up to date.

 

[timjwhite]

I have a base 2018 with the features you are looking for -- multfunction wheel, nav, enter and drive -- and it's my daily driver. I don't think I would go without any of them.



I absolutely love Enter and Drive and the multifunction wheel. Mine came with PDK, which I really do like for the stop and go traffic, though there are days I really miss rowing gears.



The nav is nice and works pretty well. I had a year free, and when it expired I went a month without it before re-upping. The biggest thing I missed was that Apple CarPlay didn't work properly w/o the full bundle. I only use the navigation -- the other bundled apps are pretty useless to me. Apple CarPlay is really handy for replying to my wife's txts when I'm driving. And Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps will all display on the central screen, which is nice.

 

[cbarra]

I struggled with the PDK vs. MT decision myself. Daily driver. I went PDK, but often wish I had the manual. Tracked a few times and the PDK is incredible, but I am missing rowing through the gears manually.

I would probably be saying the opposite had I bought a manual though.

You really can't go wrong!

 

[SMUmustangs]

Thank you for the quick replies, really helpful in making my decision.

Regarding earlier question both cars have sport chrono, heated and vented seats and 14 way power seats with memory which are must have for me. Silver Car has the LED head lights as it is PDLS+ which sounds like is useful feature from what I am hearing.

I do find it unbelievable that navigation is subscription based after one year, I understand charging for map update but the nav should still work with the existing maps for the life of the car!

I also think LCA should be standard on such a high end car - a key safety feature - sadly both cars were not ordered with LCA which I would have definitely included.

The two tone interior Bordeaux Red and Black looks beautiful which looks like I may miss as I am leaning toward the Silver car - too many other useful options to pass up on for almost the same price.

 

[DriveInHouston]

The Porsche infotainment is worthy a 1996 KIA...

The salesperson told me that it will work with the old maps forever, it might even update if you make your phone a hotspot for the car. The subscription is actually for the access to the Internet. I paid for the subscription for this year for other reasons, but still it doesn't seem to co-operate with NAV as before (it may be a problem having to do with an external SIM card I installed as well) more often than not it tells me 'there was a problem with the Internet' "Dismiss?".

I find it incredible that there is a Voice Control installation with the 718 but you can't use it for anything unless you have CarPlay!

The Porsche Connect Plus is an app you buy separately and it offers some neat features, (Geo-fencing is very interesting), I am not sure whether you have to pay Porsche to install something extra in the PCM.

I will look a bit into the Bluetooth voice instructions from a smartphone and may report back if I figure it out.

PDK is the way to go. I walked into the dealership with the cash in hand to by a 911 Carrera 6 sp and walked out on a mission to buy a 718 w. PDK. I 've been driving stick all my life... It's the 21st century after all. I was floored tracking a Cayman GTS PDK when it downshifted twice as quickly as it could before a hairpin turn. I almost lost it...

 

[CaymanMatt]

The Porsche infotainment is worthy a 1996 KIA...

The salesperson told me that it will work with the old maps forever, it might even update if you make your phone a hotspot for the car. The subscription is actually for the access to the Internet. I paid for the subscription for this year for other reasons, but still it doesn't seem to co-operate with NAV as before (it may be a problem having to do with an external SIM card I installed as well) more often than not it tells me 'there was a problem with the Internet' "Dismiss?".

I find it incredible that there is a Voice Control installation with the 718 but you can't use it for anything unless you have CarPlay!

The Porsche Connect Plus is an app you buy separately and it offers some neat features, (Geo-fencing is very interesting), I am not sure whether you have to pay Porsche to install something extra in the PCM.

I will look a bit into the Bluetooth voice instructions from a smartphone and may report back if I figure it out.

PDK is the way to go. I walked into the dealership with the cash in hand to by a 911 Carrera 6 sp and walked out on a mission to buy a 718 w. PDK. I 've been driving stick all my life... It's the 21st century after all. I was floored tracking a Cayman GTS PDK when it downshifted twice as quickly as it could before a hairpin turn. I almost lost it...

That's not correct. I don't have Carplay but the voice control works for nav, climate control, etc.

 

[Third]

The Porsche infotainment is worthy a 1996 KIA...

Funny you say that, DIH. I've mentioned elsewhere that if that system were installed in any other manufacturer's car, there's no way I'd buy that car! Only Porsche can get away with it!

 

[DriveInHouston]

That's not correct. I don't have Carplay but the voice control works for nav, climate control, etc.

Are you saying that with NAV you press the stalk at the left and can dictate an address?

Can you give me an example of the sequence you do to give NAV an address?

Or climate control for that matter...

I can't make it work, but maybe I am using it wrong :crying:

 

[DriveInHouston]

Update:

1) After looking at the manual, it appears that you can give voice commands to NAV (by pressing the stalk?). However, if you have Apple Car Play, the Voice control is disabled and you get a message saying the iPhone is not connected to the CarPlay. I got a similar message when I tried to connect the Android phone I had before. Apple and Porsche, a marriage of two proprietary crazed companies made in heaven...

2) I got voice instructions via the stereo WITHOUT connecting the CarPlay. So, you can use Waze or Google Maps as a standalone with your phone screen. However, every time the system wants to use the Bluetooth connection, it ACTUALLY DIALS YOUR PHONE NUMBER, TALKS THE INSTRUCTION AND HANGS UP! I couldn't have made it up, even if I wanted to.

Disclaimer: I have the Infotainment and NAV subscription, an on-board external SIM card (T-mobile), my phone is programmed to log-in the Porsche LAN in the car and have CarPlay. You may get different results, with any other configuration!

3) The sales people and advisors at Momentum Porsche in Houston couldn't make heads or tails about the system. We found out that the car had CarPlay only because one of the Sales people had CarPlay and plugged in his phone. Their advice for connectivity for Voice Control was to get Porsche Connect and Porsche Car Connect. After a short period of experimentation, I had to (grudgingly) buy an iPhone, since I consider Voice Control in Navigation a safety imperative.

OP I apologize for hijacking your thread.

 

[Third]

Lots to cover!...

>Nav/Porsche Connect/ApplePlay - These are about the only options I don't have. No problem making and receiving hands free phone calls using Siri, but voice directions from Waze/Google Maps/Apple Maps from my iPhone over Bluetooth does not work, and neither I nor my dealer's service department has been able to figure out why. The radio mutes as it should, but no directions come through. I presume it would work if I had ApplePlay, but I don't. Someday I hope to get this resolved. Seems like it should be just a s/w bug that needs fixing.

Quick update: A more recent iOS software patch seems to have fixed the issue. (I hadn't tested with any update in nearly a year.) At least with respect to Apple Maps, directions now play through the audio system as expected.

 

[717R]

I have the following:

- PDK that I find extremely useful for my family who shares the car

- Apple CarPlay that’s an absolute gem for Google map - always updated and free compared with Connect or Navigator - though if disconnected Google map vocals do come thru via BT

- manual key fob that I’ve now become fond of - the cranking and the engine sound at start up

- multi function steering is great in putting all functions within reach without compromising safety

- non heated - not needed where I live

Clearly to each their preferences and habits. Hope this helps.

 

[Viffermike]

OP: Based on your member name, I assume you're in the Dallas area? I live downtown. Happy to help in person, via text, etc. if you need more explanation/opinion/general crotchetiness. ;P

Anyway, my take:
- In the U.S., Voice Control MUST be requested if you're ordering a car. The reason Porsche doesn't put it on every car is that the system has significant issues -- so don't expect it to be seamless. In any case, I'd be sure the cars that you are looking at specifically have it listed on their Munroney stickers.
- I would gravitate heavily toward the silver car for the reasons others have stated -- particularly because it has Nav and the PDLS+ headlights. Those things are amazing and are significantly better than the stock headlights -- in fact, both the PDLS and PDLS+ upgrades are 10W stronger than the SE Xenons.
- Furthermore, the resale value of the silver car will be significantly higher throughout its service life. even several years down the road. There may come a time where manual sports cars will command a premium over those with an auto, but (IMHO) only if those specific cars are used primarily for sporting use; i.e., track time, weekend backroad blasts, etc. The 718 is such a car, to be sure, but as a daily driver the black/manual one is at a significant disadvantage.
- Does the silver car come with a full warranty? If so, I think that car's a no-brainer over the black. If you're really concerned, I'd look into extending the warranty at some point (you don't have to do that when you initially purchase the car) if you plan on keeping the car several years. Otherwise, silver wins.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

[CaymanMatt]

That's not correct. I don't have Carplay but the voice control works for nav, climate control, etc.

Are you saying that with NAV you press the stalk at the left and can dictate an address?

Can you give me an example of the sequence you do to give NAV an address?

Or climate control for that matter...

I can't make it work, but maybe I am using it wrong /forum/images/718forum/smilies/tango_face_crying.png

Yes, that is correct. I did spec ours with Voice Control, a $0 option when we configured. Does your car have that option? If so, look in the manual for assistance on what commands it's looking for.

 

[DriveInHouston]

...
Anyway, my take:
- In the U.S., Voice Control MUST be requested if you're ordering a car. The reason Porsche doesn't put it on every car is that the system has significant issues -- so don't expect it to be seamless. In any case, I'd be sure the cars that you are looking at specifically have it listed on their Munroney stickers.
...

Wow!