[@GaryInMotion]

"I have an answering machine in my car. It says, I'm home right now, but leave a message and I'll call when I'm out." - Steven Wright

Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted a Porsche, but the timing was never quite right. I've been in the Lexus family for 20 years (5 different models) and this was a big step! Not only that, the process (and quite frankly, the options) completely overwhelmed me. So I took about 3 months, did all my research, figured out exactly what I wanted, and started the process of building my dream car online. It didn't take long to realize that If I really wanted the car I wanted, I would need to wait... for many months. I mean, I waited this long for a Porsche... what was a few months, or 6?

As I pondered my decision, I decided to first head over to my local dealership. Maybe just to look around and see what they had that I might like instead of the custom one I'd built (yes, I was probably kidding myself). As I entered the showroom, right there in the middle, as if to showcase for my visit, was nearly the EXACT configuration I was building online. The model, the color and just about every option (save for a few items that once I saw, I decided I didn't like/need). I guess the timing was right. The dealer was awesome and when I told him my story he said, "Welcome to Porsche. Here are your keys."

Attached are a few photos of my new, pure white, 2018 Cayman GTS
I've already done a few mods that you might notice:
- Removed the rear badging model logo "718 Cayman GTS". It came painted in white, but was an absolute dirt magnet. So I did a thorough and clean removal and it looks so much better.
- Swapped out the factory orange side marker lights (seen in the first two photos) for the lighter LED lights which have a slick black background.
- Front plates are required in this state, and not wanting to drill holes in the bumper of this beautiful ride, I also found a brilliant solution that I'll highlight in a later post.

Finally, I've listed my full options below (skip if you don't care). I'm only including it as reference to my amazement that this was 99% spec'd to the model I was building:

7-speed (PDK)
Sport Chrono Package
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Leather/Alcantara® Interior in Black/Chalk i.c.w. GTS Interior Package
Premium Package Plus i.c.w. Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)

Porsche Entry & Drive
Automatically Dimming Mirrors with
Integrated Rain Sensor
Light Design Package
2-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Seat Heating
​

Deletion of "GTS" Decal on Doors
LED Headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus
Front/Rear Lights Tint
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors
"PORSCHE" Logo in Satin Black
Wheels Painted in Satin Platinum
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Steering Wheel in Leather
Heated Multi-function Steering Wheel Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) with Memory Package
Smoking Package (for the lid)
PDK Gear Selector in Aluminum
Smartphone Compartment
BOSE® Surround Sound System
Apple CarPlay
Navigation including Porsche Connect

Thanks for letting me share and for reading this far!
I'm thrilled to be a part of the Porsche family!
GaryInMotion

 

[GregW]

Great buying experience--let us know how the driving goes.

 

[porkey]

"I have an answering machine in my car. It says, I'm home right now, but leave a message and I'll call when I'm out." - Steven Wright

Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted a Porsche, but the timing was never quite right. I've been in the Lexus family for 20 years (5 different models) and this was a big step! Not only that, the process (and quite frankly, the options) completely overwhelmed me. So I took about 3 months, did all my research, figured out exactly what I wanted, and started the process of building my dream car online. It didn't take long to realize that If I really wanted the car I wanted, I would need to wait... for many months. I mean, I waited this long for a Porsche... what was a few months, or 6?

As I pondered my decision, I decided to first head over to my local dealership. Maybe just to look around and see what they had that I might like instead of the custom one I'd built (yes, I was probably kidding myself). As I entered the showroom, right there in the middle, as if to showcase for my visit, was nearly the EXACT configuration I was building online. The model, the color and just about every option (save for a few items that once I saw, I decided I didn't like/need). I guess the timing was right. The dealer was awesome and when I told him my story he said, "Welcome to Porsche. Here are your keys."

Attached is a photo of my new, pure white, 2018 Cayman GTS
If you look closely, you may notice 1 of the 2 mods I've already done... the lighter LED side marker lights which replace the factory orange ones. Love the look of the black background. The second is the front plate solution (yes, it's required in this state). It's a brilliant solution that I'll highlight along with the installation of the side lights in a later post.

Finally... Skip this Options List below if you don't care. I'm really only listing it as reference to my amazement that this was 99% spec'd to the model I was building:

7-speed (PDK)
Sport Chrono Package
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Leather/Alcantara®️ Interior in Black/Chalk i.c.w. GTS Interior Package
Premium Package Plus i.c.w. Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)

Porsche Entry & Drive
Automatically Dimming Mirrors with
Integrated Rain Sensor
Light Design Package
2-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Seat Heating
​

Deletion of Model Logo
Deletion of "GTS" Decal on Doors
LED Headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus
Front/Back Lights Smoke Tint
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors
"PORSCHE" Logo in Satin Black
Wheels Painted in Satin Platinum
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Steering Wheel in Leather
Heated Multi-function Steering Wheel Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) with Memory Package
Smoking Package (for the lid)
PDK Gear Selector in Aluminum
Smartphone Compartment
BOSE®️ Surround Sound System
Apple CarPlay
Navigation including Porsche Connect

Thanks for letting me share and for reading this far!
I'm thrilled to be a part of the Porsche family!
@garyinmotion

...Wow!...Congratulations and a big welcome! What a story. You've heard it before I'm certain..."it was meant to be".This definitely applies to the experience with your beautiful GTS. Color, specs...well done!(although if you ever read any of my posts you'll find my color preference is Lava Orange and I doubt I'd be as lucky as you finding one so close to my specs as you did). I cannot wait to hear what you have up your sleeve for the front license plate! We in Maine (actually all of New England) are also required to bare front plates. So please, dont wait too long! I understand the clear markers are an easy process. Also...more photos! Congrats again. Enjoy!

 

[aeronca65tl]

Welcome!

I'm in an American state that requires front license plates too. My "solution" was a bit creative and possibly not Kosher....I'll be interested to see what you have worked out.

You are now in a member of a sub-set of people here who belong to the "White 718 Porsche Cayman PDK Club" (yes.....I'm a member too ).

Enjoy!

 

[Porsche2018]

Beautiful car! My solution to our two state license plate requirement was to just mount the rear plate. Had the car for ~9 months and 7.3K miles and no issues. I still have have the tow hook plate I purchased in the box.

 

[@GaryInMotion]

Beautiful car! My solution to our two state license plate requirement was to just mount the rear plate. Had the car for ~9 months and 7.3K miles and no issues. I still have have the tow hook plate I purchased in the box.

Thank you! I've included the solution I've found below (as trying to post in another part of the forum is still subject to approval).

It's called a, "Universal Front License Plate Bracket" from Craig's Custom Mustang Brackets (not yet allowed to provide a link, but a simple search should land you in the right place). Also, I am not advertising for them, I'm simply a satisfied customer. This is specifically for Mustangs, but us Porsche owners benefit from the "Universal" designation. Installation is pretty straight forward and there are excellent instructions included with all the items for prepping the mounting area.

I can tell you that I am so happy with this solution. I think it looks great and certainly is solid! The adhesion is very strong and there is no vibration or noise coming from the mount while driving (that I can detect). There are similar plate mounts that have this basic geometry in variations, but at $50, I found this to be perfect for my GTS!

I've included the manufacturer's product photo, as well as my in-process and final photos (note: the only reason I'm not showing my plate is I'm waiting on the personalized ones to arrive - happy to share when they do).
Hope this has been helpful. Let me know if you all have any questions. Until my next mod... safe driving!

GaryInMotion

 

[Porsche2018]

@garyinmotion, clever solution but my feeling is that the front plate is just unsightly, and fortunately Texas does not make the lack of a front plate a major issue. Though, your solution avoids the need to drill into the front bumper.............something I just refuse to do.

 

[Guaji]

Congratulations @garyinmotion. I ended up finding my GTS at a local dealer that I preferred to the one I originally ordered. The purchasing manager knew how to spec it better than I could. Only thing I don’t care for and turned off is the rain sensing wiper. I also debadged the “718 Cayman GTS” on the rear.

 

[RandyAc]

Congratulations. I had the same experience - spent time online configuring my ideal Cayman GTS (also white) then found and bought one at my local dealer that same day. It was nearly an exact match. Given the the number of options and choices possible, the match was spooky. The very few minor differences were things I hadn’t even thought about (black door handles, for example) and after seeing them, I prefer the dealer’s choices.

I drove my previous Cayman for several years before I got a fix-it ticket to mount the front license plate. This time, I went ahead and had the front plate mounted. It is the law, and the plate is going to get mounted sooner or later anyhow.

 

[Porsche2018]

There are Porsche owners with >11 years without an issue here in Texas.....have my fingers crossed.

 

[aeronca65tl]

As some of you already know, I "bent" my front plate and fit it into the "mouth". My cop-friends have informally told me it will pass muster 99% of the time.

I wish we used the longer, skinnier Euro plates.....one of those would have fit right in with no trouble.

 

[Porsche2018]

I wish we used the longer, skinnier Euro plates.....one of those would have fit right in with no trouble.

I think the Euro plate, as plates go, are more esthetic than those in the US.

 

[Getgoing]

Interesting solution! I'm getting my Cayman in about a week and am agonizing about the front plate marring a beautiful nose of the car! Years ago I had a RX-7 with no front plate an got pulled over once in the year I had it. Now I'm older and don't want to deal with cops with nothing better to do. I live in Ontario Canada so not sure if I'll take the risk. I assume I can let the dealer put the fron plate on then remove the mount easily if I want to change it at a later date...

 

[porkey]

Interesting solution! I'm getting my Cayman in about a week and am agonizing about the front plate marring a beautiful nose of the car! Years ago I had a RX-7 with no front plate an got pulled over once in the year I had it. Now I'm older and don't want to deal with cops with nothing better to do. I live in Ontario Canada so not sure if I'll take the risk. I assume I can let the dealer put the fron plate on then remove the mount easily if I want to change it at a later date...

...yes you can but....once the holes are drilled by the dealership...

 

[GregW]

Here in South Australia we have a range of different sizes/shapes in our custom plates and we can also swap black numbers on white for white numbers on black in the most basic category.

My dealer gave me the choice of what numbers he had in stock and the plates were the smallest size, European shape, and white on black. The front plate sits neatly on the European mount.

No front plate is a sure ticket, and the plate does cover the screw holes.

 

[geemman]

I have the euro plate for the front that I have not mounted yet. Haven't had the time to see how I should mount it.

And yes, it fits perfectly in the front

As some of you already know, I "bent" my front plate and fit it into the "mouth". My cop-friends have informally told me it will pass muster 99% of the time.

I wish we used the longer, skinnier Euro plates.....one of those would have fit right in with no trouble.