[JakiChan]

I've only got a day or two left to change anything, and I have (at MSRP) $25k of options on this car. (A Cayman S for the record, and I'm not paying MSRP for this car.) I keep upselling myself, and I'm starting to freak out a little. I went and checked out the GT steering wheel, for example, and was like "Yes, this is a worthwhile upgrade - I'll feel this wheel every second I'm driving". The LED lights I told myself "I'll see them every time I drive at night."

The only thing I'm sweating now is PTV. On the one hand everyone who hasn't owned Cayman is like "Oh, LSD is mandatory, gotta get it." When I read reviews it's like "Oh, if you track a lot you'll want it!" And I don't think I'm gonna track this car that much. I mean I've had my R32 for something like 14 years and never tracked it. I don't know how close to "the edge" I'm going to get where this thing will kick in. My Porsche guru friend who has had it and not had it (Boxter S vs Spyder) says he liked it, but he doesn't view it as "make or break" and he's a much better driver than I am.

So am I crazy for not being thrilled about something that I almost will never notice (and can't really tell if it's working)? I mean I could drop something, like the LED lights, but I don't wanna do that either. I'm just feeling kinda stressed and tapped out.

 

[Porsche2018]

Unless your intending to be a track rat....my car without PTV handles amazingly. Save the money for all the Suncoast goodies.

 

[johan]

I have PTV on my Cayman S but havent been able to test it so much before winter wheels went on the car.
There is a difference to the better how the car turns in to corners and how i handles out of corners under load.


Is it Worth it if your not gonna track, Nope but its a nice feeling when the car almost behaves as a pivot :
Save the Money for gas or Another option.
I will track (two tracks within 10min) and i have the roads around to realy slam the cars in to corners.

 

[RussellHodgson]

I don't have PTV on my 718 CS and I don't feel like the car is missing anything. If you were going to track the car a lot then it may be worth it for that extract second of lap time. But I highly doubt you'd notice it on the street where you never come anywhere near this car's abilities.

I did get the GT steering wheel and absolutely love it. It is by far the best steering wheel I've ever had in a car. And as you say you touch it every time you are in the car. It is definitely worth it IMO.

 

[Porsche2018]

I don't have PTV on my 718 CS and I don't feel like the car is missing anything. If you were going to track the car a lot then it may be worth it for that extract second of lap time. But I highly doubt you'd notice it on the street where you never come anywhere near this car's abilities.

I did get the GT steering wheel and absolutely love it. It is by far the best steering wheel I've ever had in a car. And as you say you touch it every time you are in the car. It is definitely worth it IMO.

Agree; love the GT steering wheel and also love the multifunction steering wheel. I know some people differ but I also like LCA on the Porsche CS it is unobtrusive, quiet, and helpful. I test drove a Mazda with it and it was positively annoying....noisy as heck.
Though, if your budget is tight step away from the configurator..........

 

[JakiChan]

Agree; love the GT steering wheel and also love the multifunction steering wheel. I know some people differ but I also like LCA on the Porsche CS it is unobtrusive, quiet, and helpful. I test drove a Mazda with it and it was positively annoying....noisy as heck.
Though, if your budget is tight step away from the configurator..........

I've already got LCA on my config. My partner has a Mazda 3, and I like his LCA version (he's older, and needs the help). That car is AMAZING value for money. Once Mazda offers CarPlay...game over for cheap fun cars.

Anyway, here are the options I have right now (that cost money):

Lava Orange
Leather Interior (Black)
Premium Package Plus + LEDs
Power Folding Side Mirrors
PDK
PASM
Sport Chrono
LCA
GT + Multifunction wheel
Navi
Bose
Porsche Connect
LA Delivery

The only thing I could drop that would "pay for" PTV would be the LEDs...and I want the LEDs. I know that $1300 doesn't seem like much at this level, but the "value for money" proposition doesn't seem there to me like it does for LEDs. I'm just having decision anxiety.

 

[JakiChan]

I do think I might track once or twice for the experience, but regular tracking? I don't feel like I have the time. When PCA does Laguna Seca I can be there, but Thunderhill is a trip.

 

[GTS Daddy]

You should talk this over with your trusted Porsche Brand Ambassador at the dealership. We are excessively trained and leveraging our knowledge is invaluable.

As echoed above, PTV is fantastic but mostly at the limit. It is good every other time when driving spirited. At the same time, it is an enhancer and building off of an already excellent platform. Not necessary, but certainly appreciated.

From the looks of your build, do you really need NAVI with Connect plus? Could you do just Connect and forego the NAVI? Since you mentioned Apple CarPlay, it sounds like you have an iPhone. iPhone with Connect can use your phone's apple maps feature in lieu of NAVI. The only potential setback is if you are in a remote spot that you aren't getting cell signal then the NAVI with on-board map data would come in handy. Also, Porsche NAVI is excellent, but with Connect, not necessary. That'll save you thousands!

 

[trusted]

Totally agree with this. If you can, ditch the Connect+ and Nav. Add PTV and Connect and save some money in the process. If not, you have a nice build either way.

*if you keep the Nav make sure to check the no cost voice control option.

 

[Anthonyf202!]

I've only got a day or two left to change anything, and I have (at MSRP) $25k of options on this car. (A Cayman S for the record, and I'm not paying MSRP for this car.) I keep upselling myself, and I'm starting to freak out a little. I went and checked out the GT steering wheel, for example, and was like "Yes, this is a worthwhile upgrade - I'll feel this wheel every second I'm driving". The LED lights I told myself "I'll see them every time I drive at night."

The only thing I'm sweating now is PTV. On the one hand everyone who hasn't owned Cayman is like "Oh, LSD is mandatory, gotta get it." When I read reviews it's like "Oh, if you track a lot you'll want it!" And I don't think I'm gonna track this car that much. I mean I've had my R32 for something like 14 years and never tracked it. I don't know how close to "the edge" I'm going to get where this thing will kick in. My Porsche guru friend who has had it and not had it (Boxter S vs Spyder) says he liked it, but he doesn't view it as "make or break" and he's a much better driver than I am.

So am I crazy for not being thrilled about something that I almost will never notice (and can't really tell if it's working)? I mean I could drop something, like the LED lights, but I don't wanna do that either. I'm just feeling kinda stressed and tapped out.

I feel you with the options struggle. At first glance, I want everything!.. The sales agents I've spoken to indicate that unless you're tracking, PTV is not needed. The handling of the 718 without PTV is incredible. Enjoy whatever you choose. BTW, if you option PTV, you must also option PASM. Either the standard PASM or the 20mm lower PASM. Cost for both, $3,110.

 

[JakiChan]

You should talk this over with your trusted Porsche Brand Ambassador at the dealership. We are excessively trained and leveraging our knowledge is invaluable.

Well, I would say that the dealership I started with this wasn't the case. The sales guy I originally dealt with was clearly in a good place for Macans, but this car...not so much. I clearly knew the options list better than he did. (I'm now dealing with a different dealership.)

From the looks of your build, do you really need NAVI with Connect plus? Could you do just Connect and forego the NAVI? Since you mentioned Apple CarPlay, it sounds like you have an iPhone. iPhone with Connect can use your phone's apple maps feature in lieu of NAVI. The only potential setback is if you are in a remote spot that you aren't getting cell signal then the NAVI with on-board map data would come in handy. Also, Porsche NAVI is excellent, but with Connect, not necessary. That'll save you thousands!

I don't trust CarPlay for Navi. I have it in my Ridgeline (via the Kenwood DNX-893S). I've also used it in Mercedes and Audi. It can be crashy. It may seem like overkill, but I do like having factory Navi as well as CarPlay. Again, that's something I would miss often when using the car, as opposed to PTV which I'm not sure I'd notice.

 

[Yipekiye]

Sounds to me like you would miss the navigation and not miss the PTV. I love the Steering Wheel and LED headlights, you will use those almost every day. I have most of your options and love them all, and am very satisfied without the PTV or navigation, for reasons noted above.

 

[JakiChan]

Sounds to me like you would miss the navigation and not miss the PTV. I love the Steering Wheel and LED headlights, you will use those almost every day. I have most of your options and love them all, and am very satisfied without the PTV or navigation, for reasons noted above.

That's how I feel. But I'll call my current Advisor. I just worry she's sick of me. I keep adding ****.

 

[GregW]

The basic 718 handles superbly well. My dealer recommended that unless I was going to track it then ANY of the performance options were indeed, optional.

Despite a fair bit of spirited driving (I'm retired and 90% of my driving is just for fun:laugh I've never even managed to squeal the tyres.

 

[GTS Daddy]

GT Sport wheel and LED's are great! LED's are not really a necessity but they are better than the PDLS Xenons. How you ask? The color of the LED's at night more closely resembles natural daylight. They are also slightly more luminous.

GT Sport wheel is one of the best steering wheels currently available in the market. It's that good. I personally wanted something sooner than later. That was the one option that was hanging me up for the longest. I was considering sacrificing exterior color, wheel option/color/heated steering wheel for the GT Sport wheel in Alcantara! Ended up making the choice into mostly the build I want but without the GT Sport wheel. I will be going ahead with a pull-ahead on a custom build something in about 12-14 months.

I'd say your build is spot on but would reflect once more on the importance of LED's and PTV if price is getting too high. I won't argue your NAVI conundrum as Porsche's NAVI is a solid system whereas i do agree that CarPlay can be inconsistent at times. Most people don't mind the CarPlay inconsistencies because they don't use their in-car navigation as much as they use their phone's.

 

[Guaji]

Not sure if this was mentioned, but having the Nav system included is nice when traveling in areas of poor phone reception. With Carplay, the map just becomes a grid (with a blue dot as your position) when out of range from a cell tower. Having the no cost voice control option would be nice too. I just have Porsche Connect, wish it had voice control like my lil Ford Fiesta.

 

[JakiChan]

GT Sport wheel and LED's are great! LED's are not really a necessity but they are better than the PDLS Xenons. How you ask? The color of the LED's at night more closely resembles natural daylight. They are also slightly more luminous.

Yeah, excited for them.

GT Sport wheel is one of the best steering wheels currently available in the market. It's that good.

I loved the feel, so I'm glad I have that too.

I'd say your build is spot on but would reflect once more on the importance of LED's and PTV if price is getting too high.

I'm fine with the LEDs, and excited for them. I don't give them up for PTV. And I just spoke to the Advisor I've been working with and she agreed, based on how we think I'm going to use the car. I'm fine with the build where it's at, but PTV feels like it would "break the bank".

Most people don't mind the CarPlay inconsistencies because they don't use their in-car navigation as much as they use their phone's.

I was glad to get CarPlay after getting in trouble using the phone's Navi.

 

[TheLip]

Anyway, here are the options I have right now (that cost money):

Lava Orange
Leather Interior (Black)
Premium Package Plus + LEDs
Power Folding Side Mirrors
PDK
PASM
Sport Chrono
LCA
GT + Multifunction wheel
Navi
Bose
Porsche Connect
LA Delivery

The value of each option is highly subjective, so here are my thoughts. I live in LA as well. I have the LEDs and love them. They are without question the best lights I have ever had in a car and well worth the money. My car is my DD, so the Premium Package Plus was a must have and well worth it. Since I don't have a tight parking space, I would have no need for the power folding side mirrors and would drop them. Also, I would ditch the PDK. I screwed up my order and left LCA off and was really concerned. If you are getting a Boxster, you need it because of the blind spots. I have a Cayman and it turns out it is unnecessary. I got the Bose and think it was a worthwhile upgrade over the base stereo. I did not get navigation. My prior car was an Audi A5 and, I am told, the navigation system in the 718 is essentially the same system from my A5. To be blunt, it sucked. To be more specific, when it worked it sucked, and it didn't work too often. The system kept putting me about 2 miles from my actual location. They replaced my antenna twice, the head unit once and the whole navigation system once. Google maps has gotten so good that the system in the car is redundant. And, since we live in LA, there really is no worry about loss of signal. Oh, and the Lava Orange is an amazing color.

 

[TEST DRyVer]

I looked at your build above, end of the day, it's your car obviously. Choose what makes you happy. For me, I'd delete the multifunction steering wheel, but still get the GT steering wheel, I would not add PTV (unless you're fairly certain you're going to spend several track days a year, if you plan to track the car 2-3 times a year, the non opted PTV will work just fine) I would drop Nav if you get connect and have an IPhone, I would get PDLS, but not LED. Again, it comes down to preference. Some would agree with me, I'm sure many would disagree. I didn't see any wheel option..? Are you going with the standard wheels?

 

[NXM]

Have you looked into buying the GTS instead of the S?

A number of the options come as standard with the GTS so you may find very little price difference in getting the GTS over the S once you have added all the options on your list.