[worf]

The answer to the question posed in the thread title: “yes”

Why?

718 better in front.
981 better in rear.

 

[Targa_luv]

So… which one looks better?
View attachment 70176

The middle one... but more importantly, Why didn't you lead with "I'm the guy with three hands"?

 

[Dan12R]

I prefer the 718. The two big things that cause me to say that are...

The rear. I'm not a fan of that tapered point where the rear hatch meets the back of the car. It just has a strong 1930's vibe to me. Having that thin black bar where we see "Porsche" written breaks it up just enough. Additionally, I prefer the 718 taillights. I like it when they're not just giant red blocks.

Then the interior. I prefer the placement of the sport chrono on the 718. The vents also look more modern. However, I wish the whole interior was updated to match other modern Porsches. It just looks so dated compared to the interiors found on the 911, Panamera, etc.

In the end though, I feel like we have to get nitpicky to really critique the look of either. I'd happily drive or own either.

 

[Hal H]

side note -

I prefer the 718. The two big things that cause me to say that are...

The rear. I'm not a fan of that tapered point where the rear hatch meets the back of the car. It just has a strong 1930's vibe to me. Having that thin black bar where we see "Porsche" written breaks it up just enough. Additionally, I prefer the 718 taillights. I like it when they're not just giant red blocks.

Then the interior. I prefer the placement of the sport chrono on the 718. The vents also look more modern. However, I wish the whole interior was updated to match other modern Porsches. It just looks so dated compared to the interiors found on the 911, Panamera, etc.

In the end though, I feel like we have to get nitpicky to really critique the look of either. I'd happily drive or own either.

I was surprised that the 982 didn't get a mid-cycle refresh to incorporate the lighted center bar as the '19 992 series has - even the 991.2 models ('17+) gained the lighted center bar
-due to the lower volume for the mid-engine models it was another cost decision that precluded that

 

[TooTurbo]

side note -

I was surprised that the 982 didn't get a mid-cycle refresh to incorporate the lighted center bar as the '19 992 series has - even the 991.2 models ('17+) gained the lighted center bar
-due to the lower volume for the mid-engine models it was another cost decision that precluded that

Those mid cycle refreshes are definitely more than visual. They change a lot of mechanicals. The 981 to 718 change was their equivalent of 911 991.1 to 991.2 for the boxster/ cayman imo

 

[Hal H]

Those mid cycle refreshes are definitely more than visual. They change a lot of mechanicals. The 981 to 718 change was their equivalent of 911 991.1 to 991.2 for the boxster/ cayman imo

whenever new body parts (due to styling changes) bumpers, impact systems and impact energy management require new crash tests - and mechanical updates get incorporated at the same time - crash testing / certification is very expensive

and emissions testing / certification / durability testing (emissions system) is another high-cost procedure if any engine / driveline components are involved

a lighted center bar could have done with a re-design using the same dimensions as the existing part.

even the aftermarket hasn't produced anything (yet) and being for a P-car it would be $$$ and not a high volume part

 

[jcarboy]

the middle one

Ah so another vote for the 981! 😆

I think the 981 frankly was more heavily designed. The level of detail it introduced was higher than the steps taken by the 982. Biggest example of that to me are the rear tail lights/spoiler line.

Personally I prefer the 982. It feels a bit less busy and thus more functional/sporty. The 981 looks more luxury. By now the 981 steering wheel is slightly aged as well.

I agree however, the 982 front bumper in the yellow comparison shots above is pretty rough compared to the 981.

Still one of the most beautiful cars out there though!

 

[Hal H]

keep in mind that the 987 generation went back many years with origins starting with the 986 series ('96-'04).

the 982 is more of refresh of the 981 series with incremental changes to suspension, steering and the big change of course was the introduction of the flat 4 turbo engines.

 

[cbracerx]

981 Dash
View attachment 70167

982 Dash
View attachment 70168

981 rear view
View attachment 70169

982 rear view
View attachment 70170

981 side view
View attachment 70171

982 side view
View attachment 70172

981 front view
View attachment 70173

982 front view
View attachment 70174


side note: when looking for Racing Yellow Caymans...the majority of them tend to be GT4 (or look-alikes)!

I was trying for S models for continuity (no Sport Design bumper vs. standard bumpers, etc)

Thanks for this. Helps to review.

Interior - 718 (the inset Chrono is more like the 997 wart version but improved). Vent shape is a meh but overall with the wheel better.
Rear - draw - like the 718 current design language but the creases in the rear bumper cover on 981 should have been retained in some way - more character
Front end and mirrors - 718 - more modern and sleek

I do think the 981 is good looking, but 718 even better.

 

[TooTurbo]

whenever new body parts (due to styling changes) bumpers, impact systems and impact energy management require new crash tests - and mechanical updates get incorporated at the same time - crash testing / certification is very expensive

and emissions testing / certification / durability testing (emissions system) is another high-cost procedure if any engine / driveline components are involved

a lighted center bar could have done with a re-design using the same dimensions as the existing part.

even the aftermarket hasn't produced anything (yet) and being for a P-car it would be $$$ and not a high volume part

Body panels are not crash structures. Manufacturers can change the style without invalidating the crash capability. Yes the body panels dissipate energy but they act more of an additional buffer to the actual underlying crash structure that are designed to crumple and absorb energy. Race cars do this as well. Rolls cages and carbon fiber monocoques with their crash structures are distinct from the exterior body panels as it allows a lot more design flexibility. Like the aerodynamics can be tweaked and not impact the structure of the vehicle

This is the crash structure

 

[Hal H]

Thanks for this. Helps to review.

Interior - 718 (the inset Chrono is more like the 997 wart version but improved). Vent shape is a meh but overall with the wheel better.
Rear - draw - like the 718 current design language but the creases in the rear bumper cover on 981 should have been retained in some way - more character
Front end and mirrors - 718 - more modern and sleek

I do think the 981 is good looking, but 718 even better.

I remember being smitten with the '06 Cayman when I sat in one during Fall '05 at the San Francisco International Auto Show
- and watching it evolve over the years from 987.2 to 981 series... I remember seeing the '17s being announced, but the major changes with engines...

and then the 4.0 flat 6 coming out - I pondered my decision between Christmas < - > New Years Eve 2021 and told myself "not letting this get away, again"
(this was my most expensive vehicle to date)

I have so many magazines with articles of the 718 model that I had been (subconsciously) saving in stacks...only after going forward with the allocation request did I realize since the '20 models (Fall '19) were announced I had been saving these in various stacks in my home...

some of the ones that "got away" in past years

VW Corrado SLC (VR6)
BMW M Coupe ("clown shoe") - actually looked at one during '00
VW Golf MK IV R32

this was my first new car '84 Chevy Citation X-11 (2.8 V6 135hp / 145ft.lb.) 4 speed manual
fiberglass functional cowl induction hood - one of the models that was 'under the radar' and a unique version of the 2.8 (standard versions were 110hp)
- I've had a "thing" for performance hatchbacks (and the ones which "got away" were hatches as well
(apologies for the angled image - it was the best one I could find that had the correct details for the '84 /'85)

keep in mind the "best" engine option in '84 Camaro / Firebird was the 5.0 liter 190hp / 240 ft.lb. (only with automatic)
and the '84 Corvette was 5.7 liter 205hp / 290 ft.lb.
(this was 80s remember, when things were chocked back with more primitive emissions systems and the approach the OEMs used then)

 

[ILSTR8R]

Looks may be subjective but I’m pretty sure that it’s an objective fact that the 981 is aesthetically a much more pleasing package than the 718, this is especially true when you compare the base 718 to the base 981! Absolutely hands down, the 981 wins! The front of the 718 base and GTS models are just too shallow to suit the car in my opinion! I don’t know why Porsche would make the newer Cayman uglier than it’s predecessor

Sorry, but as a professional artist for the last 40 years or so, I have to disagree. There's nothing objective about aesthetics

 

[Targa_luv]

I remember being smitten with the '06 Cayman when I sat in one during Fall '05 at the San Francisco International Auto Show
- and watching it evolve over the years from 987.2 to 981 series... I remember seeing the '17s being announced, but the major changes with engines...

and then the 4.0 flat 6 coming out - I pondered my decision between Christmas < - > New Years Eve 2021 and told myself "not letting this get away, again"
(this was my most expensive vehicle to date)

I have so many magazines with articles of the 718 model that I had been (subconsciously) saving in stacks...only after going forward with the allocation request did I realize since the '20 models (Fall '19) were announced I had been saving these in various stacks in my home...

some of the ones that "got away" in past years

VW Corrado SLC (VR6)
BMW M Coupe ("clown shoe") - actually looked at one during '00
VW Golf MK IV R32

this was my first new car '84 Chevy Citation X-11 (2.8 V6 135hp / 145ft.lb.) 4 speed manual
- I've had a "thing" for performance hatchbacks (and the ones which "got away" were hatches as well
(apologies for the angled image - it was the best one I could find that had the correct details for the '84 /'85)
View attachment 70188

keep in mind the "best" engine option in '84 Camaro / Firebird was the 5.0 liter 190hp / 240 ft.lb. (only with automatic)
and the '84 Corvette was 5.7 liter 205hp / 290 ft.lb.
(this was 80s remember, when things were chocked back with more primitive emissions systems and the approach the OEMs used then)

When I was in HS two pretty girls rented a house across the street. I think they were both into cars at least a little as one drove an X-11 just like yours and the other drove a '90 Z24 Cavalier. Sometimes, I couldn't tell the difference between the two girls and only identified them by their rides.
It looked just like this:

 

[Titansquare]

Sorry, but as a professional artist for the last 40 years or so, I have to disagree. There's nothing objective about aesthetics

Maybe not, but beauty is absolutely objective… taste is subjective!
The point of the post is to determine how many 718 owners feels tho 981 looks better.

 

[Titansquare]

this bumper looks less aggressive that the 981 GTS, but more grown up what is nice. For me this signs with every generation that Porsche thinks the Cayman more close to the 911 in the hierarchy as the time goes.

Couldn’t agree more but the 981 is much closer to the 981 than the 718 is to the 992!

 

[Hal H]

When I was in HS two pretty girls rented a house across the street. I think they were both into cars at least a little as one drove an X-11 just like yours and the other drove a '90 Z24 Cavalier. Sometimes, I couldn't tell the difference between the two girls and only identified them by their rides.
It looked just like this: View attachment 70190

those "graph paper" square wheel centers - I remember back then of "what were they thinking"

 

[Treemagnet]

those "graph paper" square wheel centers - I remember back then of "what were they thinking"

Same with the wheels on one of my girl friend's (way back when...no girl friends now) Renault Alliance. The Renault's wheels were consistent with the overall boring design theme. That said, the design bested the car's overall mechanical quality by a factor of ten.

 

[Zeichen311]

Maybe not, but beauty is absolutely objective… taste is subjective!

Still no. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

You apparently feel that the 981 is more attractive than the 718. That's fine but it is your opinion. Please stop insisting that anyone who disagrees is in some way wrong to do so.

 

[Hal H]

View attachment 70191

Same with the wheels on one of my girl friend's (way back when...no girl friends now) Renault Alliance. The Renault's wheels were consistent with the overall boring design theme. That said, the design bested the car's overall mechanical quality by a factor of ten.

the Renault "Appliance" as I nicknamed it - my aunt had an '83

the only vehicle I remembered where turning on the high beams would slow the engine idle speed down

a good friend had an '81 Le Car (from new) - the French and their obsession with 3 lug wheels...(among other odd things)

 

[Boxster Annie]

The 718 is the best looking Boxster/Cayman. Each iteration got better than the last. If you don't think so, you probably should join a different Forum. Nuff said.