[JoaoS]

As I mention earlier in my presentation, I plan to check the market for an used 718 Base (or S).
I know this is kind of subjective but I would like to ask for your input/experience/help so I can get a better idea on what would be the basic options for good package.

I have something more or less defined:
718 Cayman Base (or S)
Manual or PDK
Sport Chrono Pack
Apple CarPlay (not so important since there's a way of installing Android Auto)
Nav
Dark interior
Bi-xenon or higher
Color: Wanted to avoid black, blue and yellow

Body type - Coupe vs Cabrio
I think the most important matter here is rigidity and how/if can be compromised in Boxster.
From what I could get from reviews, rigidity loss is virtually inexistent in Boxster.

Transmission - Manual vs PDK
The most relevant is to understand reliability and maintenance costs.
On manual we can count on replacing clutch and flywheel at some point but what scares me the most is the 3rd gear issue. Is there any way to check if the car had it fixed or can be affected?
In the other hand, PDK failure can be catastrophically costly.
I saw somewhere that PDK has no maintenance and should last vehicle's lifespan, is that true?

Sport Chrono - Yes or No
I must confess I like the ability to change car behavior by just by pushing a button.
Cars without SC have only Sport mode, correct? What this does?
Should I turn away from a car just because it doesn't have SC but it has everything else on my check list?
Can I take bigger advantage with SC + PDK or SC + Manual?

These three features are the most important for me.

Please, drop any other comments/suggestions you may find relevant.

 

[boxedindc]

I think it depends on what you’ll be doing with the car. Usually base vs S and PDK vs manual are pretty big decisions and the starting point for builds, so I’d probably settle those first. They’ll also determine price points (or the other way around!)

I have CarPlay and no nag and I’ve been happy with that. No need for the nav with Maps, Waze, Google Maps easily accessible. YMMV depending on coverage where you live.

As for SC, even if you don’t get it, you’ll have the Sport mode button in the center console. If you do get it, you’ll get the dial on the steering wheel instead, and the sport+ mode (with Launch Control). Here’s where I think my original “depends how you plan to use it” question comes in - If you plan to track it, I say get it. If that’s not a main reason for the car, you might be ok without the sport+ and launch control, but that’s personal preference. I drove a Boxster (base) around the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta before buying mine, and that one had SC. I really appreciated the sport+ mode on the track, and Launch Control is super fun... but since I don’t plan to track my 718 except the occasional DE or AX event, it wasn’t a priority for me, so I didn’t get it on my Boxster.

FWIW I didn’t get to drive a Cayman on the track, but the Boxtser is solid.

 

[Scubaregs]

Sports chrono, for me, is a bit of a gimmick. The salesman had me try it on a test drive and I thought to myself when would I actually use it?

I ended up buying an unregistered car from an OPC as it was in the colour I wanted and a higher spec than I could have afforded if choosing my own build. (Due to getting a very good discount)

To be fair when I was looking at speccing my own build, I only had about £4000 to play with above base price, but sport chrono was never on my radar.

 

[JoaoS]

I think it depends on what you’ll be doing with the car. Usually base vs S and PDK vs manual are pretty big decisions and the starting point for builds, so I’d probably settle those first. They’ll also determine price points (or the other way around!)

I'm leaning towards the base (as a matter of budget as well), the biggest uncertainty lies on the transmission type.
99% I had were manual, so for me it's something natural.
I'm afraid to get bored with PDK after a while, but those quick up-shifts and down-shifts are amazing.

I have CarPlay and no nag and I’ve been happy with that. No need for the nav with Maps, Waze, Google Maps easily accessible. YMMV depending on coverage where you live.

I'm flexible in this topic.
Since the moment Android Auto can be enabled from 3rd party company, I'm more relaxed about this.

As for SC, even if you don’t get it, you’ll have the Sport mode button in the center console. If you do get it, you’ll get the dial on the steering wheel instead, and the sport+ mode (with Launch Control). Here’s where I think my original “depends how you plan to use it” question comes in - If you plan to track it, I say get it. If that’s not a main reason for the car, you might be ok without the sport+ and launch control, but that’s personal preference. I drove a Boxster (base) around the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta before buying mine, and that one had SC. I really appreciated the sport+ mode on the track, and Launch Control is super fun... but since I don’t plan to track my 718 except the occasional DE or AX event, it wasn’t a priority for me, so I didn’t get it on my Boxster.

FWIW I didn’t get to drive a Cayman on the track, but the Boxtser is solid.

This car would be primarily for road use, eventually track but would be something like once a year.
There's a YT video of a retrofit of SC package, but I guess the SC from factory is not only software, there's something related with transmission mounts stiffness when S+ is activated (?).

 

[JoaoS]

Sports chrono, for me, is a bit of a gimmick. The salesman had me try it on a test drive and I thought to myself when would I actually use it?

I ended up buying an unregistered car from an OPC as it was in the colour I wanted and a higher spec than I could have afforded if choosing my own build. (Due to getting a very good discount)

To be fair when I was looking at speccing my own build, I only had about £4000 to play with above base price, but sport chrono was never on my radar.

Sport chrono it's a nice gadget.
That's not only software, it can change the driving experience, even more if you have PDK (faster up and down shift).

The Porsche Sport Chrono Package offers the following features:

• Driver-Selectable Driving Modes: The steering wheel inside a model with Sport Chrono includes a switch that allows the driver to change the performance profile of their vehicle as they cruise through Milpitas. The switch offers four modes: Normal, SPORT, SPORT PLUS, and Individual.
• Launch Control: Paired with the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, Sport Chrono integrates Launch Control, which gives the vehicle a race-start function.
• Motorsports-Inspired Gear Shifting: Sport Chrono gives the PDK unique and racing-derived gearshifting strategies for the fastest acceleration possible.
• SPORT Response: New for models like the 718, SPORT Response allows you to press a button in the center of the mode switch. Pressing this button gears the engine and transmission up to release a tremendous amount of power for about 20 seconds, giving you maximum acceleration and responsiveness.
• Interior Upgrades: Models with the Porsche Sport Chrono Package include a few distinctive features inside the cabin, including a dash-mounted stopwatch and PCM upgrades like a performance display.
• Dynamic Transmission Mounts: With Sport Chrono, vibrations and oscillations within the drivetrain are minimized, making it possible for the transmission to change gears almost imperceptibly

in: https://www.porschefremont.com/what-is-the-porsche-sport-chrono-package/

 

[Third]

SportChrono was a "must-have" for me on my prior generation Cayman/Boxsters, primarily to get the throttle remapping from Sport Mode which was only available as part of SportChrono. (You are right, there's more to it than just that, but that's the part that I find to be most tangible.) Now that a "Sport" button is standard, I feel as if SC and everything it entails is less critical when trading off features to work to a budget. In fact, I'd pick PASM over SC, but that may just be me. In the interest of full disclosure, I have both on my 718 Cayman S.

Regarding PDK or manual, I have owned both. I currently have PDK and will never go back. Paddles are great when you want to take over, if you want to take over.

 

[JoaoS]

SportChrono was a "must-have" for me (and I have it now) on prior generation Cayman/Boxsters, primarily to get the throttle remapping from Sport Mode which was only available as an option. (You are right, there's more to it than just that, but that's the part that I find to be most tangible.) Now that a "Sport" button is standard, I feel as if SC and everything it entails is less critical when trading off features to work to a budget. In fact, I'd pick PASM over SC, but that may just be me.

Regarding PDK or manual, I have owned both. I currently have PDK and will never go back. Paddles are great when you want to take over, if you want to take over.

Thanks for the input.

So, what Sport button mode does exactly? Only throttle remapping?
Sport mode does the same either you have SC or not?

 

[Third]

Thanks for the input.

So, what Sport button mode does exactly? Only throttle remapping?
Sport mode does the same either you have SC or not?

I've never heard what I think is the definitive answer. Here's what Porsche says about the Sport button in its marketing materials:

SPORT button
The SPORT button enables you to select a suspension setup where the emphasis is on either comfort or sporty performance. At the push of a button, the engine dynamics become even more direct. In addition, the optional sports exhaust system is activated automatically.
In vehicles with Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), upshifts take place at higher engine speeds and downshifts happen sooner.

 

[Third]

The advantage you have looking in the used market is you don't/won't have to pay the full price for SC or any particular option for that matter. In fact, in my experience, no one particular option impacts the price much if at all. It's more that it impacts the market size for the car, ie, some people simply won't consider a car that doesn't have X. Hypothetically, if you were to find two identical cars except that one has SC and the other one doesn't, my experience is they'll sell for about the same amount. Maybe there will be a small premium for the one with SC if both are in the same city, and maybe a slightly higher premium if they are on the same lot. If they are in two different parts of the country, the local market for these cars will have more of an impact on price than the option itself.

If I were in your shoes I'd search for a car that has everything I wanted, and be willing to compromise when I found a car in my price range that has this, but doesn't have that. It's ironic how the the perfect configuration doesn't exist (unless you order new!)

 

[JazzCatGab]

My three option opinions (please see my sig):

I had a Cayman built because, although there is a fun element to rag tops, my allergies make me think otherwise. Plus, I love the aesthetics of the coupe. Also, if I roll my car, I won't have to worry about losing a floor mat! Actually, that's a joke. I've only rolled one car and I didn't care if a floor mat was lost or not.

Transmission: The PDK, by all accounts, is an amazing transmission. It also contributes to higher performance numbers. Manuals are only 1 percent of 718s and may be harder to find. I bought one because my build was for a more classic sports car vibe. BTW, the third gear problem was only with a limited number of the 2017 cars, I believe. Although the stock shifter is smooth as butter, I got a short shifter and love it for more direct tranny feel and more distinct shifting characteristics. The stock shifter is so sweet it is difficult to remember what gear you just put it in.

SC: I got both SC and PASM on my base Cayman because of all the wonderful things they do (da dadda da daaaa da da, boom). That is supposed to be shades of The Wizard of Oz theme. Actually, I do two HPDEs per year (in theory) and both features are great to have for both the track and the country roads my car travels for fun.

One other note, PSE came stock on my 2019 and I added the sport tail pipes. If you get an earlier model, I highly recommend those for the music they make, exhaust wise.

 

[jimmuller]

"Sport mode?" he asks. Is it for suspension or engine? The engine Sport Mode button changes a bunch of engine mapping stuff, raises the idle, pushes ignition timing and causes more exhaust burbles and pops, remaps radiators to open up as a slightly lower temperature on the assumption that you will be driving harder, raies PDK shift points so that it stays in a lower gear longer. You can hear and feel all these changes. There is a Sport Exhaust button if you Porsche Sport Exhaust which just makes it louder but has minimal if any effect on performance.

My base Cayman has no Sport Chrono and I don't miss it. I guess you can't miss what you never had, but I see no need for any of the thiings it offers. I actually prefer the cleaner look of the upper dashboard without that clock pod in the middle of the two vents. That pod always looks lik an add-on to my eyes.

I was looking for a manual gearbox but my dealer had this lovely car on the lot with PDK so I took it. It is delightful! You can paddle shift it and also put it into manual mode. Mostly you don't have to.

Coupe vs cabriolet? The general belief is the Boxster gives up nothing in rigidity or noise. But I wanted the Cayman because I've been driving roadsters all my life and lately haev come to appreciate a tight coupe. Also my sweetie was becoming more conerned about sun exposure.

Lights? It has been said in the forum that the standard lights are okay but not great. I have the PDLS with bi-Xenon and they work great. That the light steer is a nice feature for some conditions. Of course some here have said that only the LEDs are any good. I wouldn't know.

 

[duegatti]

Regarding Cayman vs. Boxster - my PDE instructor emphatically said the Cayman handles better.

Transmission - I think you should get the one that you want to drive, and not be so concerned about the different highly unlikely modes of their failure.

Sport Chrono - (my car is PDK) - for me, it's a necessity. The Sport mode will give you performance enhancements, plus pops and burbles. I often feel that these sounds become obnoxious. Sport + gives you another set of performance enhancement, and a much more laid back exhaust experience. I essentially never drive in Normal mode - I alternate between Sport and Sport +, and my Individual mode (which is nice to have) is just Sport + with PASM set to normal (as I have PASM).

If you go manual transmission and Sport Chrono, keep in mind it will give you rev matching in Sport and Sport + that you cannot turn off.

If you go PDK and think you'll drive mostly in Drive mode, and less in Manual mode, Sport + in Sport Chrono will give you significantly better response than Sport.

 

[splinter]

S
SC
PDK - or replace R&P, standard transmission gearing sucks intentionally
PASM -20 w/ PTV
PCCB
PDLS
map net in passenger footwell

Others have differing criteria of course but I won't own a Porsche without
at least these 'mandatory options.' Happy motoring.

 

[PDM5]

I'm in the same boat as you in that I'm looking for a CPO Cayman with the following specs:

Base or S - doesn't matter
GT Silver, Agate Grey, Chalk, or Graphite Blue
Black interior
Manual transmission
SC - need that mode selector and rev-match when I'm feeling lazy in stop and go traffic
PASM - doesn't matter if regular or SPASM, I just need an adaptive suspension
Apple Carplay
At least 14 way seats
LCA
Entry and Drive
Heated Steering Wheel

Bonus options would be PTV, LED lights, full leather, etc.

My m240i has all the above options in the mandatory category (minus LCA) and I cannot give up any of those creature comforts as I'd be reminded of it every time I got in the car, so I'm just going to hold out and wait for the perfect car to pop up.

Hope you find the car you're looking for!

 

[Scubaregs]

Sport chrono it's a nice gadget.
That's not only software, it can change the driving experience, even more if you have PDK (faster up and down shift).

The Porsche Sport Chrono Package offers the following features:

• Driver-Selectable Driving Modes: The steering wheel inside a model with Sport Chrono includes a switch that allows the driver to change the performance profile of their vehicle as they cruise through Milpitas. The switch offers four modes: Normal, SPORT, SPORT PLUS, and Individual.
• Launch Control: Paired with the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, Sport Chrono integrates Launch Control, which gives the vehicle a race-start function.
• Motorsports-Inspired Gear Shifting: Sport Chrono gives the PDK unique and racing-derived gearshifting strategies for the fastest acceleration possible.
• SPORT Response: New for models like the 718, SPORT Response allows you to press a button in the center of the mode switch. Pressing this button gears the engine and transmission up to release a tremendous amount of power for about 20 seconds, giving you maximum acceleration and responsiveness.
• Interior Upgrades: Models with the Porsche Sport Chrono Package include a few distinctive features inside the cabin, including a dash-mounted stopwatch and PCM upgrades like a performance display.
• Dynamic Transmission Mounts: With Sport Chrono, vibrations and oscillations within the drivetrain are minimized, making it possible for the transmission to change gears almost imperceptibly

in: https://www.porschefremont.com/what-is-the-porsche-sport-chrono-package/

I know what it does, but as I said I see little use for it personally.

 

[Third]

S
SC
PDK - or replace R&P, standard transmission gearing sucks intentionally
PASM -20 w/ PTV
PCCB
PDLS
map net in passenger footwell

Others have differing criteria of course but I won't own a Porsche without
at least these 'mandatory options.' Happy motoring.

Wow, that's quite the "minimum" build. Nice! Just confirms one man's ceiling is another man's floor!

 

[Sunny SF]

The real answer to your question is highly dependent on your budget and available inventory in your area. Its more helpful to hand us a short list of available used cars based on your color preference, and survey forum members on what looks like the best deal for your budget. Inventory is low, so its not like there's a lot of used 718s to pick from.

And it's your personal preference to pick between a Cayman vs Boxster and manual vs PDK, we can't easily answer that question for you.

 

[dgkli]

I'm not saying you HAVE to get SC. But I will say this: I've now owned three Porsches (a 981 BS, a gen 1 Macan GTS, and now a new-to-me 718 GTS.) And they've all had SC. I've never touched launch control, and I almost never use Sport +. I never use the g-meter. (The torque performance display is a cool toy (only have it on the 718), but I wouldn't pay for it.) I don't know to what extent the dynamic drive train mounts affect the car.

What I do know is this: the little wheel on the steering wheel (only present on my 718) is a revelation, because it permits you to instantaneously switch back and forth between comfort mode and Sport mode (or in my case, Individual mode, since I prefer Sport mode without the Sport exhaust setting) without thinking or taking your eyes off the road. That sounds like something not worth what SC costs, I know, (and perhaps it is not), but it significantly adds to driving pleasure. And that little button is way cool. YMMV.

Also, IMHO, if you get a manual (all mine have been PDK, but I test drove a manual with SC), the rev matching feature is really really nice.

 

[cbarra]

As others have said, you may want to decide on the base v. S and PDK v. Manual to begin.

I started with a ‘17 PDK. While it was great on the track, I found it not very engaging as a daily driver. If you push it, you are at illegal speeds within seconds. I moved to a manual and love it. Not as fast 0-60 and maybe slightly slower on track, but more engaging in my opinion.

I’m a huge fan of the rev-matching that comes with SC, but I’m admittedly terrible at heel-toe. I did just lose third gear and had a new transmission installed - all under warranty - completed in three days!

Good luck finding what you are looking for!

 

[JoaoS]

The advantage you have looking in the used market is you don't/won't have to pay the full price for SC or any particular option for that matter. In fact, in my experience, no one particular option impacts the price much if at all. It's more that it impacts the market size for the car, ie, some people simply won't consider a car that doesn't have X. Hypothetically, if you were to find two identical cars except that one has SC and the other one doesn't, my experience is they'll sell for about the same amount. Maybe there will be a small premium for the one with SC if both are in the same city, and maybe a slightly higher premium if they are on the same lot. If they are in two different parts of the country, the local market for these cars will have more of an impact on price than the option itself.

If I were in your shoes I'd search for a car that has everything I wanted, and be willing to compromise when I found a car in my price range that has this, but doesn't have that. It's ironic how the the perfect configuration doesn't exist (unless you order new!)

I agree.
The value of the car is more sensitive to the production year and mileage than the amount of extras.
It is possible to find an older car fully loaded for the same price of car one year younger with little options.

Yesterday I saw an ad of a base 18 Cayman, Lava Orange, PDK, SC, PDLS+, Black Carrera S Wheels, Sport Design, Entry&Drive, BOSE audio and other bits.
This was a great candidate and I decided to call to know more about it.
Turned out this was a leasing swap (which given the installments and redemption value was ok for me) but I couldn't take it because the lessee is a company (not individual) and the Bank requires that the lessee remains a company.
I tried to contact the bank to understand what could be done but every solution evolved additional fees/penalties that would make the price go out of my budget.
Disappointment.