[Steve48]

I just crossed 600 miles this morning and have about a week of seat time so thought I would post my early impressions of the car. As a reminder, this is my first Porsche so still learning

Positives

• Styling: to my simple eyes, this car looks darn near perfect with the tidy dimensions, beautiful lines, aggressive yet elegant, clean and simple interior...I feel like a total loser but I go check on the car in my garage before going to bed every night...it just looks that good
• Handling: have not even come close to exploring the limits but did some back road driving with some twistys and all I can say is WOW...I have read so many reviews saying the Cayman/Boxster driving sensation needs to be experienced for any car enthusiast and now I know why. I just feel like I am connected to the car in a way that is hard to explain
• PDK transmission: I have lots of experience with BMW's DCT, a little experience with Audi's DSG, but this transmission is on an entirely different level. Smooth, lightening fast, and so intuitive to the situation at hand
• Power: wow, the power...I am still babying it in the break in period (I know, lots of debate on break in procedure but I am being conservative), but the power (amount of power and the amount of low down torque available) make this an incredibly fun and quick car. The last BMW M3 I had was probably just as fast, but the 718 just puts the power down so much better
• Feeling of "specialness": stepping into the car, I just feel like a million bucks, and feel very fortunate to be in such a great car...and I know my car is on the low end of Porsche's in general

Negatives

• Engine refinement: I am actually OK with the boxer rumble (I grew up in a few Subaru WRX's), but I do find the engine to be a little coarse, especially at low RPM's. I have disconnected the Soundaktor already, but there is a buzzing happening at low RPM's that is very "un-porsche" like (I think, as I mentioned above i am still a Porsche nube)
• Cabin noise: I know this is a proper sports car, but the general "roar" in the cabin is more than I expected; I am getting used to it but did find it tiring on the drive back home from the dealership where I bought it (just under 300 miles one way)

As you can see with the above, way more positives than negatives...absolutely love this car. I have a very bad habit of changing cars out every 18 months or so but my spidey sense is saying this one might be hard to let go of.

Looking forward to continuing to learn on this great forum!

 

[JazzCatGab]

This is my first Porsche and first truly modern sports car. My previous sports cars had so many "normal" noises that I didn't hear the pitter-patter in the wheel wells like I do on my 2019 base Cayman. Without the weight of the sound insulation, it is somewhat disconcerting at first. After 11 months of driving it, it doesn't bother me at all. It has become one of a number of reminders that this isn't just any domestic vehicle, but a true sports car and gentleman's/gentlewoman's race car. It is easy to think it is closer to having a roll cage and four-part harness than the comfortable DD many folks are able to adapt it to be, IMHO. The fact it can legit-ably be both is impressive.

 

[Steve48]

This is my first Porsche and first truly modern sports car. My previous sports cars had so many "normal" noises that I didn't hear the pitter-patter in the wheel wells like I do on my 2019 base Cayman. Without the weight of the sound insulation, it is somewhat disconcerting at first. After 11 months of driving it, it doesn't bother me at all. It has become one of a number of reminders that this isn't just any domestic vehicle, but a true sports car and gentleman's/gentlewoman's race car. It is easy to think it is closer to having a roll cage and four-part harness than the comfortable DD many folks are able to adapt it to be, IMHO. The fact it can legit-ably be both is impressive.

Very helpful response, thanks! I actually noticed on my way in to work this morning I didn't even notice the extra noise so I get what you are saying above

 

[roundtail]

@Steve48 I have also wondered if my impressions of this car are more because it's my first Porsche. I tend to think it's mostly the car. I tested some 981s and we added my wife's 987 after getting this one. All are spectacularly fine cars. But there's something more with the 718. It is dialed-in in a way that I can't quite describe. It's nuanced and esoteric - as you said, you have to drive the car to know what it is.

 

[Silversword]

Styling: to my simple eyes, this car looks darn near perfect with the tidy dimensions, beautiful lines, aggressive yet elegant, clean and simple interior...I feel like a total loser but I go check on the car in my garage before going to bed every night...it just looks that good

I still do this, and have had mine for over 2 months. It's the best looking Cayman to date.

 

[ians]

I have my CGTS for a year now with 2400km on the clock. It is my first Porsche too. When I first pick up the car from the dealer, I didn't feel like home at all and find it is too rough too loud for my taste when compare to my S5. But after get used to it after couple hundred km, I am loving it every bit! I still love how my S5 drive but now I feel the S5 is too soft, too comfy, too big and too floaty now! But I have some complaints on the 718 too, 1, why I can't open the windows with the remote? 2, why the hvac temp is always default at 21C every time I start the car? all other cars able to stay at what it is from the last drive.

 

[Sunny SF]

... 2, why the hvac temp is always default at 21C every time I start the car? all other cars able to stay at what it is from the last drive.

Do you have memory seats? If yes, you can program the temperature control to your Key FOB. - http://www.porscheownersmanuals.com.../200/Storing-and-retrieving-personal-settings

 

[dreamer]

I remember first seeing a Cayman after they first came out and really thought it was the sexiest Porsche of them all. Then when the 981 came out I was even more sold on the styling. Honestly, there are things that model had that I wish the 718 had kept (like the rear spoiler integration into the rear tail lights) but it's still the sexiest Porsche. Performance is just otherworldly. Oh yeah, there are faster cars, but this car has such a balanced feel between acceleration and handling, then add in the comfort and looks......I can't imagine what more you could want in a sports car. Oh yeah, the sound. I know most of you will concur that is a dead horse well beaten. But the more I drive it, the more I like the sound. Even the overrun when not in sport mode.
@Steve48 , I completely understand the specialness. Enjoy!

 

[Porsche Lee]

I just crossed 600 miles this morning and have about a week of seat time so thought I would post my early impressions of the car. As a reminder, this is my first Porsche so still learning

Positives

• Styling: to my simple eyes, this car looks darn near perfect with the tidy dimensions, beautiful lines, aggressive yet elegant, clean and simple interior...I feel like a total loser but I go check on the car in my garage before going to bed every night...it just looks that good
• Handling: have not even come close to exploring the limits but did some back road driving with some twistys and all I can say is WOW...I have read so many reviews saying the Cayman/Boxster driving sensation needs to be experienced for any car enthusiast and now I know why. I just feel like I am connected to the car in a way that is hard to explain
• PDK transmission: I have lots of experience with BMW's DCT, a little experience with Audi's DSG, but this transmission is on an entirely different level. Smooth, lightening fast, and so intuitive to the situation at hand
• Power: wow, the power...I am still babying it in the break in period (I know, lots of debate on break in procedure but I am being conservative), but the power (amount of power and the amount of low down torque available) make this an incredibly fun and quick car. The last BMW M3 I had was probably just as fast, but the 718 just puts the power down so much better
• Feeling of "specialness": stepping into the car, I just feel like a million bucks, and feel very fortunate to be in such a great car...and I know my car is on the low end of Porsche's in general

Negatives

• Engine refinement: I am actually OK with the boxer rumble (I grew up in a few Subaru WRX's), but I do find the engine to be a little coarse, especially at low RPM's. I have disconnected the Soundaktor already, but there is a buzzing happening at low RPM's that is very "un-porsche" like (I think, as I mentioned above i am still a Porsche nube)
• Cabin noise: I know this is a proper sports car, but the general "roar" in the cabin is more than I expected; I am getting used to it but did find it tiring on the drive back home from the dealership where I bought it (just under 300 miles one way)

As you can see with the above, way more positives than negatives...absolutely love this car. I have a very bad habit of changing cars out every 18 months or so but my spidey sense is saying this one might be hard to let go of.

Looking forward to continuing to learn on this great forum!

Excellent writeup!

I also own a 2018 Cayman S. I agree with everything here but I actually like the course engine sound at low RPMs.

I would also add that the communication system with CarPlay is really superb.

 

[roundtail]

I still do this, and have had mine for over 2 months. It's the best looking Cayman to date.

When I park mine in a lot, such as at the supermarket or mall, I always park in the boonies. Two reasons: one, obvious enough; the other so I can plan my walk back to take in the view the whole way, reminding myself its mine and I’m on my way to drive it. Neither ever disappoints. I am such a geek.

 

[antennahead]

Two reasons: one, obvious enough; the other so I can plan my walk back to take in the view the whole way, reminding myself its mine and I’m on my way to drive it.

Glad to know I'm not the only one guilty of this ?

 

[joew]

I sold my 16 981 Cayman GTS and not wanting to but because of wife's desire to buy a motorhome and travel - after I finally convinced her it would be a mistake and we cancelled motorhome. I had bought a Civic type R to drive and it changed my mind about the turbo. I started looking for another Cayman early summer and found a new 18 to trade Civic in on. I was of the "I would never want the Cayman with a 4 cylinder camp". I felt Porsche was crazy putting in the 4 cylinder. I apologize Porsche! I should never test drive a new model because they do a great job of improving cars. I LOVE Cayman's and this car is easily my favorite of 5 Cayman's and a 991-S. This car has everything I want in a sports car. Thank you for this forum and people that love the 718!

 

[Steve48]

I sold my 16 981 Cayman GTS and not wanting to but because of wife's desire to buy a motorhome and travel - after I finally convinced her it would be a mistake and we cancelled motorhome. I had bought a Civic type R to drive and it changed my mind about the turbo. I started looking for another Cayman early summer and found a new 18 to trade Civic in on. I was of the "I would never want the Cayman with a 4 cylinder camp". I felt Porsche was crazy putting in the 4 cylinder. I apologize Porsche! I should never test drive a new model because they do a great job of improving cars. I LOVE Cayman's and this car is easily my favorite of 5 Cayman's and a 991-S. This car has everything I want in a sports car. Thank you for this forum and people that love the 718!

Glad to have you back in the Cayman fold! Please post pics