[Third]

I often read references to the interest in, or joy of owning, a "stripped" base-model Cayman. That makes me think what constitutes a minimally, yet satisfactorily-equipped Cayman might make for an interesting topic for comment. I've owned a MT base 987 w/no options (ie, a truly stripped car!), a reasonably well-equipped MT 981S, and now have a nearly fully loaded 718S w/PDK. With that as background, my starting configuration or "must have" list for a daily driver 718 is as follows:

S-model
PDK
PASM (I never saw this as necessary but optioned it on my 718 anyway, and now I won't go back!)
18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus
Automatic Climate Control

Every other option falls into the "nice to have" category for me. Some are "nicer to have" than others and I personally would prefer not to do without many of them, but if I'm honest they are just icing on the cake.

One option I left off my list is SportChrono. I wouldn't buy a prior generation Cayman without SC, but am not sure it's imperative any longer since the cars come with a "sport button" as standard equipment now. That said, there's still good reason to buy it - my current car has it - I just don't know if I'd argue it's a must have.

Finally, I recognize the desire to track the car might result is a completely different minimum configuration.

I'm interested in what others have to say.

 

[Miami Blue]

Good post. I have thought about this as well. my 2 cents are:
1. Is "S" truly necessary? For street use, a base car is more than enough to break the law in a serial fashion every drive!
2. As a daily driver, the PDK is worth it. As a weekend fun car, i would pass on that!

full disclosure: i have a base with PDK, SC, PASM, the 14 way seats, 20 inc wheels, etc (MSRP was 79K)

 

[Beardy]

I guess the flip side of the question is , what is the disadvantage of a well optioned model ? And that would be the $$$$$

 

[MLJJ]

There are so many variables that go into what someone thinks is best for them it is nearly impossible to quantify, so I won't try. Mine is a 19 base that is largely stripped except for a few bits of eye candy and comfort. Ask a thousand folks and you will get a thousand different answers.

 

[JazzCatGab]

I consider my build relatively stripped, but then it is stripped with basic performance features added (thus the inclusion of SC and PASM). Without the navigation package, forewarning of curves and their severity is helpful, thus the Apple CarPlay. Because of the CarPlay and the fact that the iPhone is in the armrest, the signal booster of the Phone Compartment option seemed logical (I also add a Bluetooth GPS on my runs to ensure accuracy on the map). The sport pipes and PE&D? Ah, well, ah, s***. I just wanted them.

 

[Third]

There are so many variables that go into what someone thinks is best for them it is nearly impossible to quantify, so I won't try. Mine is a 19 base that is largely stripped except for a few bits of eye candy and comfort. Ask a thousand folks and you will get a thousand different answers.

I'm actually looking for those thousand different answers!
Does yours have everything you want and not more? That is, is it the perfect stripped car (for you?) My list of must haves is far shorter than what's actually installed on my car. The rest are nice to have for sure!

 

[Third]

Good post. I have thought about this as well. my 2 cents are:
1. Is "S" truly necessary? For street use, a base car is more than enough to break the law in a serial fashion every drive!

No, I'm sure an S isn't truly necessary. For that matter, I'm willing to say neither is PASM. But for some amount of additional enjoyment, both are on my list.

 

[reiver]

I had a bit of a time finding a 718 without bells/whistles...but I found one I liked. Base 6 speed/manual seats/basic heat/air/sport mode/T control/20" Carrera's and that is it mechanically....the interior is the leather black white which is nice. Bose..no Nav.. simple and straight fwd and, I suspect, a bit lighter.

 

[DriveInHouston]

I didn't option my Cayman S, I bought a CPO. My spec was Cayman PDK. I got that...

 

[718Niko]

If I wanted a stripped, I d go for a base with pdk, that's its.

S is a odd choice to me, unless the option package coming with the S really interest you, then aye sure, but if you say you want a stripped, then the Base seem more appropriate.
If its for the added pawer, then maybe GTS is the one you want. But even there, GTS is not a "stripped" (neither is the S for that matter), it comes with a good bundle of options.

Have you concidered the T ?


I have been saying I would have probably ordered the Automatic Climate Control given another chance. However in the meantime I have been spending a day with a GTS equiped with said Automatic Climate Control, and now I think I did well leaving it aside and staying with the base A/C.
Nothing wrong with the option, I just found myself tweaking it just as much as the base A/C anyway, it's a lot of the same in the end, at least for me.

For the 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus, I have chosen the base seats, and no regrets what so ever, they are easily the confier seats I sat in. ****, just like some other in the forum were saying in another topic, I find them more confy then my office chair !

As for the PASM, I cant tell much of a diference with or without, sorry !

I drive my cayman daily, won't track it, probs ever, but do enjoy a nice drive on a country side windy road.



My only regret now is to not get 18' boxter wheels and going for 19' cayman s instead ! [email protected] those 18' boxter wheels looks good.

 

[Third]

I didn't option my Cayman S, I bought a CPO. My spec was Cayman PDK. I got that...

Only the basic necessities! Nice!

 

[MLJJ]

I'm actually looking for those thousand different answers!
Does yours have everything you want and not more? That is, is it the perfect stripped car (for you?) My list of must haves is far shorter than what's actually installed on my car. The rest are nice to have for sure!

Yes, my car is perfect for me and I would add nothing - as ordered. I have no idea what I'm missing that I really need and don't really care to know. I'm not sure why you ask since you have more than you want. Nonetheless, for those that are unsure about what they have or might order, the OP's question is relevant I suppose if they can't make up their own mind.

 

[MLJJ]

My apologizes Third. I just realized you are still in the hunt for a car. Now it makes sense that you are looking for feedback. Your budget, driving needs, and desires will dictate what you chose and others here will help you decide.

 

[Porsche Lee]

I often read references to the interest in, or joy of owning, a "stripped" base-model Cayman. That makes me think what constitutes a minimally, yet satisfactorily-equipped Cayman might make for an interesting topic for comment. I've owned a MT base 987 w/no options (ie, a truly stripped car!), a reasonably well-equipped MT 981S, and now have a nearly fully loaded 718S w/PDK. With that as background, my starting configuration or "must have" list for a daily driver 718 is as follows:

S-model
PDK
PASM (I never saw this as necessary but optioned it on my 718 anyway, and now I won't go back!)
18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus
Automatic Climate Control

Every other option falls into the "nice to have" category for me. Some are "nicer to have" than others and I personally would prefer not to do without many of them, but if I'm honest they are just icing on the cake.

One option I left off my list is SportChrono. I wouldn't buy a prior generation Cayman without SC, but am not sure it's imperative any longer since the cars come with a "sport button" as standard equipment now. That said, there's still good reason to buy it - my current car has it - I just don't know if I'd argue it's a must have.

Finally, I recognize the desire to track the car might result is a completely different minimum configuration.

I'm interested in what others have to say.

2018+ Caymans also have Launch Control built-in. And it's friggin awesome!

 

[craig66]

As stated it is all in the eye of the beholder.

I actually got an on-lot car but amazingly it was specked as I would have and I consider it a stripper and yet it is absolutely not.

I opted for PDK - love it and would not give it up for anything.
I intend to drive as a DD and through the winter and so coming out of work after it has been out in the cold all day is pure torture and so I opted for heated seats and steering wheel (Live in NJ)
My night eyes need help and so I did want the upgraded lights (PDLS)
I really love apple carplay and allows me to use my Waze and so I did not need Nav
I am not an audiophile and so upgraded sound was not needed.
I love the sport plus seats with the added bolstering but did not need electronic 14 or 18 position and so I am thrilled not have had that.
I did get dual climate and love that as well - I do not like hot air blowing on me but like to be warm and so being able to set the passenger seat to 80 and me to 68 allows the car to be warm and not have the hot air blowing on me.

Did not get the S, PASM and SC and truly find the car as exciting and tight and responsive as anything and more than capable of getting me into a ton of trouble and I know the jury is still out on how necessary they are if you are not tracking

I think the only options I have that I did not need was the 19" wheels although I am glad I have them and the enhanced steering.

 

[Cillacede]

My car was purchased CPO and it is totally stripped: black exterior, black interior, 6-speed manual, 18” wheels; no options. It had what I was looking but for: low miles, within my price range, newer model (2017), and it was certified. IM actually quite happy that it doesn’t have a lot of frills. The only thing I would have, if I upgraded, would be 14-way seats. I’m not tall and would prefer more options for seat adjustments.

 

[sevencyclist]

For me, manual transmission, lane change assist, Apple CarPlay, Porsche entry, and smaller side bolster base seats are must. I also prefer base air with no two zone AC, and like the solidity of regular steering over Sports GT steering wheel.

Okay with 25w base lights but would be okay with paying for 35w as well.

Luxury that I would like are yellow seatbelts, Agate paint, clear rear lights, and larger gas tank. However, ok without these if trying to save money.

 

[718Niko]

ho yes. lane change assist is really good for a dd. Very recomanded.

 

[jimmuller]

There sure are lots of good choices here. Like a few of you here I took my car off the dealer's lot which contained a zillion other models but few 718 Caymans. Would I have speced it differently? I dunno' but I liked what I saw, which is why I took it. I consider it a stripped down driver's car, I mean a driver's stripped down car, not a car for a stripped down driver.

One thing mentioned only sparsely above is the choice of steering wheel. Mine has the basic, plain, ol' fashioned wheel. To us old-timers who drove Fiats and Triumphs and other working class sportscars, the wheel was an unadorned circle of wood or plastic which rotated a shaft to turn the front wheels and held the horn button. The only other controls we needed at all were the light switch on the dash, a high/low beam switch, turn signal stalk, and windshield wiper stalk. Oh, and the shift lever and handbrake. I've driven loaner Macans and a Cayenne with the multi-function-gizmo-bebutton'ed fancy wheel, and I am really glad I don't have one. Admittedly I miss my Caravan's volume control on the wheel but otherwise the simple wheel is the thing.

On a go-anywhere-anytime vehicle good lighting is good, so the PDLS is a plus. The 14-way seats let my sweetie and me find the perfect settings, but once we found them we don't need to find them again so the buttons don't get much use. On the other hand, the ergo-memory feature means someone else can drive my car, as they have done a few times, and the seat always goes back to my perfect settings, which means less fiddling and cursing by me.

The Bose audio upgrade is nice for long trips. The automatic climate control w/sync is a nice feature. Also Apple CarPlay. These items add an element of GT-ness to the sportscar-ness. So it's not quite "pure", but by golly it is this driver's car.

 

[craig66]

For me, manual transmission, lane change assist, Apple CarPlay, Porsche entry, and smaller side bolster base seats are must. I also prefer base air with no two zone AC, and like the solidity of regular steering over Sports GT steering wheel.

Okay with 25w base lights but would be okay with paying for 35w as well.

Luxury that I would like are yellow seatbelts, Agate paint, clear rear lights, and larger gas tank. However, ok without these if trying to save money.

It is funny as I dont think most people consider color as an option but in reality it absolutely is especially the higher priced paints. I agree that that is an important issue. I wish there was more color in cars today but at the same time as a DD a certain color on a daily basis could become old soon. For me color was not a major issue although there was one color I absolutely would not want even if the car was a steal. Will not mention that color for fear of upsetting those that have it. I do agree that agate is a very sharp and classy color.

I am in two minds about the fuel tank. It is nice if you do long trips all the time. From a weight point of view I am not sure what impact carrying more and often unnecessary fuel has on the car handling. I am always surrounded by ample opportunities to fill up. I also get to make some gas attendants day (yup in NJ we dont pump our own gas - STILL!!!). Many gas attendants are totally enthralled by the car and have so many questions - always fun.

I agree with LCA although I find it a difficult technology to trust and so find myself getting more confused and bamboozled with it and prefer just good old fashioned looking - which I am not saying that those that have it dont do its just a reliance I dont want to get. In my wife's Audi it is too sensitive and often is flashing like crazy for a lane change that is totally safe and on the flip side I am always worried that it wont pick up until it is too late on someone speeding up the left hand lane that was too far away and then suddenly isn't.

One thing mentioned only sparsely above is the choice of steering wheel. Mine has the basic, plain, ol' fashioned wheel. To us old-timers who drove Fiats and Triumphs and other working class sportscars, the wheel was an unadorned circle of wood or plastic which rotated a shaft to turn the front wheels and held the horn button. The only other controls we needed at all were the light switch on the dash, a high/low beam switch, turn signal stalk, and windshield wiper stalk. Oh, and the shift lever and handbrake. I've driven loaner Macans and a Cayenne with the multi-function-gizmo-bebutton'ed fancy wheel, and I am really glad I don't have one. Admittedly I miss my Caravan's volume control on the wheel but otherwise the simple wheel is the thing.

I agree there is nothing classier than a bare wheel but I do have the heated multi-function and the heating is awesome. Also the volume button is great as is the little diamond shaped button that you can assign a function to. I assign it to skipping to the next sound track as some of my music on my playlists can get annoying at times and it is nice just to reach over with my thumb and skip to the next song. Yeah I should probably just delete it from my playlist. The wheel on the R side advances the car info and again it is nice to be able to scroll through especially in the morning as I watch my tire pressure, car temp, time, distance etc and so for me practicality wins over aesthetics.

For the poster that was still looking a lot of these options depend on if you are using the car as a DD, a mostly DD or purely a fun distraction. DD need more day to day luxuries and practicalities where as a weekend warrior can get away with truly a bare minimum.