[SpinDoctor Mario]

So, I originally purchased a lovely 2017 Cayman 718 from Carvana. 12K miles, excellent condition per pre-purchase inspection. I have two days left to decide whether to keep it or to return it. Sorry for the ramble. Questions at the end.

It has Porsche Lane Change Assist, Nav, Heated and Vented Seats, sports exhaust, sports suspension, base sound system, PDK, 19" wheels, among others.

My better half, after originally saying that a convertible wasn't of interest, now really prefers a convertible. (We had an Audi A5 convertible a couple of years ago and found the vehicle not that practical, with it often being too hot to ride with the top down in summer and, at the time, with NJ winters, too cold much of the rest of the year. Plus, at 6'1", I always felt like there was next to no headroom. However, in the 718 Boxster, there's actually several inches of clearance.

I found a 2019 Boxster 718 with 6K miles on it that I could swap. It's about $8K more than I paid for the Cayman. It does have the Bose sound system (we felt the base sound system for the Cayman is kind of meh, and I'm not an audiophile). It has heated seats but no vented seats (we live in warm North Carolina now). It doesn't have Blind Spot Detection/Lane Assist (which I kind of like), has the smaller 18" base wheels, no navigation system, but does have Apple Connect (unfortunately I have an Android phone). It does have the sports exhaust also.

So here are my thoughts/rambles:

Does either car jump out as a better buy and why or why not?

Is the Bose sound system a noticeable step up from the stock sound system? Is it sounding kind of flat and under-impressive even after tweaking settings a normal thing? This is by far the worst car audio I've ever owned. Or is a third-party after-market solution a better option? (A local car audio shop that's worked on a few Porsche cars suggested about $3-3500 would be needed for it to be worth it to have a truly noticeable upgrade to the audio system, FWIW.)

I don't have an iPhone and kind of prefer my Android. Without an in-car navigation, what is everyone using that's an elegant and accurate (including map and traffic updates) solution? I considered purchasing a second line and an older iPhone as a semi-dedicated solution for in-car nav, music, and the like. Has anyone done that and what are the drawbacks to having a separate iPhone just for those reasons, that I'd leave in the car and connected all the time?

I've seen a few conversations here and elsewhere about the vented seats. I like the feature, but it's not really a cost-effective retrofit? It is important in the Boxster in a hot and humid climate like North Carolina? Do aftermarket vented seat covers like sold by Sharper Image work and make sense? (Cooling Car Seat Cushion @ Sharper Image).

For those that have the Lane Assist, how much is the Blind Spot detection helping and is it a must-have or wouldn't-even-consider feature? (I had the feature in my other vehicle and kind of got used to it.)

Thanks much for reading and sorry if these are dumb questions.

M

 

[Scubaregs]

Not dumb questions at all.
I was the opposite really, went to buy a Cayman (Despite years in MR2 spyders) and noob mistake, took the gf. She saw the Boxster as we walked into the showroom and that was it.

To be fair, I never realised the later Boxsters, 981/718 looked so good so it was an easy choice.

You have a first world problem here, no not choosing between Porsches, keeping your wife happy.?

 

[DriveInHouston]

Well, what do YOU prefer?

a) Vented seats, Lane Change Assist and 8 Grand, or,

b) A better sound system, a new iPhone and a Happy Wife minus $8k?

Please keep in mind that whatever you say may be used to incriminate you in a Court of Law!...

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

Not dumb questions at all.
I was the opposite really, went to buy a Cayman (Despite years in MR2 spyders) and noob mistake, took the gf. She saw the Boxster as we walked into the showroom and that was it.

To be fair, I never realised the later Boxsters, 981/718 looked so good so it was an easy choice.

You have a first world problem here, no not choosing between Porsches, keeping your wife happy.?

LOL. Well, she was on board with me getting a fun car in the first place, so if she's more excited about the car if it's a convertible, it seems a small price to pay. Definite first world problem, agreed.

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

Well, what do YOU prefer?

a) Vented seats, Lane Change Assist and 8 Grand, or,

b) A better sound system, a new iPhone and a Happy Wife minus $8k?

Please keep in mind that whatever you say may be used to incriminate you in a Court of Law!...

I see what you did there. Having been divorced once prior, $8K is a drop in the bucket. ?

Real questions, though, is there a noticeable difference between the base and Bose systems? Do the base systems kind of suck (which seems odd for this caliber of car) or is that kind of odd?

And, does it make more sense (any sense) to use a spare iPhone just for nav and audio support in the Porsche (and does it work well) or is buying some third part Garmin or something a better solution?

 

[antennahead]

Please keep in mind that whatever you say may be used to incriminate you in a Court of Law!...

Because there's no such thing as subjective choices ................ don't believe us? Wait until you get a beat down for thinking differently

 

[antennahead]

Real questions, though, is there a noticeable difference between the base and Bose systems?

If you think you "might" spend that $3000 to $3500 you reference on an aftermarket upgraded sound system, get the base system ...... much easier to integrate an aftermarket system with it. If you are not going aftermaket eventually, or anytime soon, the Bose system should give you a little more volume with the top down so you can hear your music. For me, the Bose runs out of steam, top down, at around 45 to 50 mph. After that, it's just background filler. YMMV

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

If you think you "might" spend that $3000 to $3500 you reference on an aftermarket upgraded sound system, get the base system ...... much easier to integrate an aftermarket system with it. If you are not going aftermaket eventually, or anytime soon, the Bose system should give you a little more volume with the top down so you can hear your music. For me, the Bose runs out of steam, top down, at around 45 to 50 mph. After that, it's just background filler. YMMV

Thank you. Good to know. Can you tell a marked difference between the base and Bose system with the top up? I didn't think to check out both at the dealer, so I have no frame of reference. I'm just underwhelmed by the base system in the Cayman I have now.

 

[antennahead]

Thank you. Good to know. Can you tell a marked difference between the base and Bose system with the top up? I didn't think to check out both at the dealer, so I have no frame of reference. I'm just underwhelmed by the base system in the Cayman I have now.

I think you can tell a difference, but how much of a difference becomes subjective, and somewhat tied to styles of music and how loud you listen. If you like rocking a good sound system while you drive, both are gonna leave you wanting more, IMO.

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

I think you can tell a difference, but how much of a difference becomes subjective, and somewhat tied to styles of music and how loud you listen. If you like rocking a good sound system while you drive, both are gonna leave you wanting more, IMO.

Thank you.

 

[Third]

So, I originally purchased a lovely 2017 Cayman 718 from Carvana. 12K miles, excellent condition per pre-purchase inspection. I have two days left to decide whether to keep it or to return it. Sorry for the ramble. Questions at the end.

It has Porsche Lane Change Assist, Nav, Heated and Vented Seats, sports exhaust, sports suspension, base sound system, PDK, 19" wheels, among others.

My better half, after originally saying that a convertible wasn't of interest, now really prefers a convertible. (We had an Audi A5 convertible a couple of years ago and found the vehicle not that practical, with it often being too hot to ride with the top down in summer and, at the time, with NJ winters, too cold much of the rest of the year. Plus, at 6'1", I always felt like there was next to no headroom. However, in the 718 Boxster, there's actually several inches of clearance.

I found a 2019 Boxster 718 with 6K miles on it that I could swap. It's about $8K more than I paid for the Cayman. It does have the Bose sound system (we felt the base sound system for the Cayman is kind of meh, and I'm not an audiophile). It has heated seats but no vented seats (we live in warm North Carolina now). It doesn't have Blind Spot Detection/Lane Assist (which I kind of like), has the smaller 18" base wheels, no navigation system, but does have Apple Connect (unfortunately I have an Android phone). It does have the sports exhaust also.

So here are my thoughts/rambles:

Does either car jump out as a better buy and why or why not?

Is the Bose sound system a noticeable step up from the stock sound system? ....

I don't have an iPhone and kind of prefer my Android. Without an in-car navigation, what is everyone using that's an elegant and accurate (including map and traffic updates) solution? ....

I've seen a few conversations here and elsewhere about the vented seats. ...

For those that have the Lane Assist, how much is the Blind Spot detection helping and is it a must-have or wouldn't-even-consider feature? ....

Most of these "which would you pick" posts compare different builds and/or years of the same car. As such they come down to best value for some, and/or a priority option or two. By comparison, this one is easy in my mind as long as the difference in price isn't an issue. It simply comes down to the answer to this question: Do you want a convertible? When forced to compromise, most of us likely soon forget how much we would've preferred this creature comfort or that. Not so when it comes to wishing you could put the top down. If that's important, that's the one to get.

 

[DriveInHouston]

...and a Happy Wife minus $8k?

Please keep in mind that whatever you say may be used to incriminate you in a Court of Law!...

Because there's no such thing as subjective choices ................ don't believe us? Wait until you get a beat down for thinking differently

@antennahead , the good doctor has already informed us of one divorce experience. What is there to be learned from us, that he doesn't already know?

 

[antennahead]

@antennahead , the good doctor has already informed us of one divorce experience. What is there to be learned from us, that he doesn't already know?

??

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Maybe pull the soundakator fuse before giving up on the base stereo system. While I agree the base system pretty much blows, it was a marked improvement once I disable the soundakator removing the noise it was making.

Just a suggestion to try

 

[GregW]

IMO
Sound system:
Boxster with top down sounds much better up to 40mph--sound system off so I can hear the exhaust. Sound system works well if on a commute rather than a sporty drive.
Top down over 60mph the wind noise is such that I turn the sound system off and save my hearing.
Top up, Boxster is remarkably quiet and sound system copes well up to 70-80mph. (I don't regularly drive over that speed--it's too expensive!)

Boxster/Cayman?: I had to have a convertible, there were no Cayman thoughts at all. Top down weather is great here for at least 8 months of the year!

$8000: Nothing if you are going to keep the car a while.

 

[chester7]

@Spin. Take care of your wife and you will be rewarded ten-fold. Women make the world go round! My biggest mistake in ordering my 718 Cayman was not getting Bose or Burmeister.

 

[JazzCatGab]

After 39 years of happy marriage, I'm not arguing with any of the advice above, which seems unanimous. The question of Apple CarPlay (not Connect) and a used iPhone I can address. Being old and chunky, getting a phone in to or out of the center armrest is a PIA. So, based on the advise of others here, I got on eBay and bought a slightly scratched up, well-used iPhone 7 for $200-$250. Added it to my wife's Consumer Cellular account. During the consistently warm days of spring, summer and fall, when I'm taking my toy out for drives in the country, scaring the local chicken population, I leave the iPhone in the car. If I know I'm not going to be driving it within a few days, I'll leave it in there but turn it off. You still have to pull it out on occasion for system and application updates. I am an Apple Fanboy so my usual iPhone is newer and in normal use. When I prepare to take the car out, before I sit down in the car, it takes less than 30 seconds to forward my usual iPhone to my Cayman's iPhone. I'm kind of a stickler for accurate location, so I use the car's iPhone with a Dual XGPS160 on the dashboard via Bluetooth. Hope this helps.

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

Thanks, everyone. Really appreciate the advice. Gave me a lot to think about.

The Boxster arrived today and after a short drive, both the better half and I decided to keep the Cayman 718. The Boxster and top-down was nice but there were so many features missing that our slightly older Cayman had that we agreed it wasn't worth paying almost $60K for a pre-owned convertible with almost no upgrades. The manual lever to adjust the seats -- compared to our current memory seats with lumbar support -- was what even rubbed my wife wrong and she complained about during our short ride, so it was a relatively easy decision.

 

[phroenips]

I know your decision is made, just wanted to say that for me, I think the ventilated seats has become a requirement for me on any future vehicle

 

[SpinDoctor Mario]

I know your decision is made, just wanted to say that for me, I think the ventilated seats has become a requirement for me on any future vehicle

Yeah, my wife actually pointed that out as well and given we live in very humid and hot (summer) NC, I think it will be a very nice to have.

I finally have everything configured, a nice Android phone mount, and I also noticed that when I play music off CD or off the SD cards, the sounds IS MUCH better on the base stereo system than via Bluetooth (to an extent that I've never noticed in any other care I've owned -- streaming has always been pretty decent to quite good). But I'll happily dump my favorite music on a 128GB SD card for me and my wife's favorite on the other and everyone wins without needing to spend $3K to upgrade the sound system.

Trying to figure out the whole WiFi/Porsche Connect Plus to see what it actually costs, what it gets me, and whether it's worth it. The only downside to not buying from a Porsche dealer.