Current cayman experience - base model?

[ramonesfreak]

So I’m thinking of selling my 911. I want a cayman. A new one. Not interested in buying a used car. I want a GTS 4. I can’t swing this. I’m considering the base model. Manual transmission only.

The 4 cycl turbo is a huge turn off to me. But, I have not driven one. I know it doesn’t sound great, but other than that…I’m not sure why I am so against it.

I’ve watched all the YouTube videos. The most interesting to me so far are on Forever Manual’s channel. A Russian auto journalist who sets out to buy the base model and then creates a series of vids about it. His videos got me thinking about doing the same….buying a bare bones cayman, not making videos


Do any of you have the new base model cayman or test drive one or have a friend with one? What are your thoughts about it?

[masraum]

I can't give you any first hand experience with the 718. A base 718 should be at least as fast or faster than my 2008 Boxster S.
2022 Cayman 718 300hp, 170mph, 4.9s 0-60
2008 BS RS60 Spyder 303hp, 171mph, 5.1s 0-60

I'm sure the 718 is probably faster in most situations since it's got years of engineering advances on my car.

I suspect you'd get used to the sound, and most of what you hear from inside the car is probably going to be intake noise vs exhaust noise anyway. Even in my car which is a boxster, unless I have the top down (rare) or the windows down (also pretty rare) I don't hear the exhaust that much. I hear it more when I have the PSE turned on, especially if I'm driving past a building or something that reflects the sound back at me.

I just went to Porsche and "built" what I would want as a minimum build and it came to $69k. But that does include things like the limited slip dif with torque vectoring which requires PASM, and sport chrono.

[ramonesfreak]

PASM and sport chrono are the only options I would consider

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

PASM and sport chrono are the only options I would consider

My boxster's got both. I know that the more modern PASM is improved over the version that I've got. There are also aftermarket controllers (maybe not for the newest cars, I'm not sure) and shocks that do the same thing but better. I rarely turn PASM on to the stiff setting, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't do anything. My understanding is that even when "off" it is still active and makes changes as you go faster or drive more aggressively.

Sport Chrono is, IMO, huge. The throttle mapping in sport mode is much better, IMO.

I'd like a torque biasing diff in my Boxster, so I checked the box for the "locked diff with torque vectoring" or something like that.

I also checked the "sport plus (2-way)" seats (versus "sport 2-way"). I'm sure the 14 way adaptive seats are great, but if you're trying to be thrifty and sporty, then I'm also sure the sport plus (more supportive than the regular "sport") are better and probably much lighter than the 14-way seats.

I think I went with the bi-xenon lights, and for cost's sake, went with the standard yellow and partial leather. If I was willing to splurge a bit more, I'd have gone with the more expensive lava orange and full leather seats. I'd probably also budget something for a stereo upgrade whether aftermarket or maybe the Bose system (I'm curious about the Burmeister system, but not likely to ever pay $6k for it). What am I saying, I'm not likely to ever order a new Porsche unless I win the lottery.

[ramonesfreak]

I wouldn’t order a new one either except….if I got $50k for my 911….ordering a new base cayman becomes a possibility.

I’m not even sure why I asked this question except that I do know that if the base model came with the 6 cyl non turbo, I wouldn’t even ask the question


I guess I’ve heard too many people online complain about the 4 cyl or rather, say one should spend the extra and get the gts 4.0 for it’s amazing engine. Problem is, the difference is almost $30k

In reality, I should probably be more concerned with the tall gear issue of the manual in either car

[svandamme]

if you aren't taxed on displacement like here (15K taxes first year), i'de go GTS 4.0
they will hold value much better

I don't think the tall gear is an issue in the GTS..It'll still be faster then a fart4 base with a short gear

[look 171]

I have an 987S with Olins, and now a tune and ti exhaust. The cobb tune really changed the way the car runs. Its not an aggressive tune that pump out 500 hp and blow up motors. Its mild, just about 25 hp bump, but changes the shift points on the PDK making it a bit more rev happy. Power comes on earlier and smoother. I can feel it being faster. I have driven the 4 banger once for about 10 min through the city. Didn't get to really open it up but did a few fast runs down the big street and threw it around a couple turns that I know very well. Its felt faster then my 987 before the tune for sure. I say its still a bit faster then my car now with a tune. People say the exhaust note was bad. Tell you the truth, I find it to be acceptable since I no longer like loud pipes. Given the chance, I still buy the 6, but I wouldn't throw that 4 banger out of bed. Its a fine car and fun too. Give it a try, you might like it. Sure there's the resale value if you are concern about that. If I am on the market for one, I am sure going to give that 4 banger a hard look. GT4, that's a totally different animal.

[Arizona_928]

I'm waiting for a roller to land in my lap. Ls swap.

[David]

One of the local PCA instructors tracks a base 718. It's plenty fast for what it is.

Really the only drawback is the engine sound. You'd still have one of, if not, the best handling car available.

Have you considered a 718T? Too many options?

[ramonesfreak]

I would consider the T but I haven't really compared the options vs. what I would get as options on the base model...I just see that the T starts a bit over $70K. That means im getting into GTS territory.....

In all my research, it appears to me that those complaining about the flat 4 turbo are driving the PDK. I think that with a manual, you could keep the revs where they need to be in order to make the flat 4 turbo feel alive. Since I would only consider the manual, this might be ok. There is no doubt the flat 4 turbo is fast.....but how does it feel? I really don't care one bit about how fast a car is on paper. I spend all my time in my 911 in 2nd or 3rd gear puttering around at 45 MPH. Its the way it feels doing that, that I love.

My concern is, I am looking at this purchase as being probably my last. My 911 is 40 years old. I see no reason why the Cayman cant outlive me. In 10 or 20 years, will I still be happy with a flat 4 turbo? Probably not. With each passing day, I am convincing myself that the base model is not the right one for me which either means, no Caymans for me, or I buy a used GTS 4.0

[GH85Carrera]

Getting a really nice used GTS4 is a possibility. If you can find one with the color and options you want. I had to look for 14 months to find my 911, but that was pre-internet days.

Go to the local dealer, and tell them what you want. Test drive the different models if they have any in stock, and have them call you when the get the right model in, even if it is not optioned to your taste. Drive them.

First hand driving is the only way to know what makes the right body parts tingle, and makes you have to have one.

[Nate2046]

I sold my 997 to get into a 981 Cayman. The Cayman is, without a doubt, the most fun car I’ve owned. The way the car rotates makes it feel so much more nimble than my 911. The flat six exhaust note brings a smile every time I wind it out, I can’t imagine the car without it. That being said, I don’t think boxer fours sound ‘bad’, just different. If you’re absolutely committed to new only, you should look at the T. For a few grand more you’ll get the PASM and SC you want plus the seats, wheels, and exhaust that will contribute to the performance experience. I’m sure the T will hold value better as well.
If you open up to consider used, the 981 is a pretty compelling value proposition to a GTS 4.0. No wrong answers really, they’re all fun cars. Cheers

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Buying a poor mans 911 is not a bad thing. I really wanted a Carrera S, but I now have the Cayman S with the sport chrono package. The ride @ higher speeds is phenomenal compared to my 80 SC.
You also get about 15 more HP than the base model. Truly a luxury Go-Kart and a lot of fun, strange part is not ever seeing the engine, my first oil change I made sure car was still on the lift so I could see some of the engine.

[ramonesfreak]

I know what your saying, but I dont see it as a poor man's 911. To me, the current design of the Cayman is the very best looking interior of any car, period. Far better looking inside than the 992. Exterior, it looks more like a 911 than a 911. The cayman drives the way a 911 used to drive. not too big, not too small. I just love the cayman. I think its the ultimate spots car.

Not seeing the engine is pretty lame. But, same on the 992...so, it is what it is

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by svandamme

if you aren't taxed on displacement like here (15K taxes first year), i'de go GTS 4.0
they will hold value much better

I don't think the tall gear is an issue in the GTS..It'll still be faster then a fart4 base with a short gear

All 50 states have their own tax codes, so it varies from place to place. In Oklahoma it is just a straight 4.5% percentage of sales price for the first year, and then the other taxes every year thereafter. My old cars are a whopping $21 bucks per year for the new sticker. I just put the new year's sticker in the corner of the same old tag. Displacement is not even looked at as far as I know. My wife's 2017 Macan is just over a $100 per year to renew.

[David]

The problem with a used 4.0 is they don't depreciate. You'll pay new price or more for a used one for years to come. My 2014 (bought new in 2013 for $75K) would sell today for $55K which is really low depreciation for a 9 year old car.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

All 50 states have their own tax codes, so it varies from place to place. In Oklahoma it is just a straight 4.5% percentage of sales price for the first year, and then the other taxes every year thereafter. My old cars are a whopping $21 bucks per year for the new sticker. I just put the new year's sticker in the corner of the same old tag. Displacement is not even looked at as far as I know. My wife's 2017 Macan is just over a $100 per year to renew.

Interestingly, (im sure everyone knows this but I just started learning about Caymans) I just read an article that discussed the flat 4 turbo being created for the Chinese market to avoid the tax/penalty issue he is referring to...im sure there are other reasons as well, like emission requirements of the fleet etc...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15345826/keep-em-china-getting-less-powerful-porsche-caymans-and-boxsters/


https://www.motor1.com/news/426223/boxster-cayman-survived-4-cylinder/

[David]

The options I got on my 2014 Cayman S are Sport Seats Plus, PASM, PTV, PDLS head lights, 20" wheels, auto AC, dimming mirrors, and BOSE.

I'd still get these today with the possible exception of 20" wheels since 19" are plenty good and headlight upgrade since stock are now good enough. One thing I would add is light design package so my wife would have lights in the sun visor mirror.

The turn-in in my car is beyond great and I think a lot of that is due to the PTV so I recommend it.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Nate2046

The flat six exhaust note brings a smile every time I wind it out, I can’t imagine the car without it. That being said, I don’t think boxer fours sound ‘bad’, just different.

The problem to me is not the F4, but that they turboed it
It ruins the sound
And changes the power curve
I like peaky engines. where you gotta work em in the revs to get in the fun zone
Behave, stay low, not to much sound , not to much drama..
Want fun.. REVS And at 5000 the car starts to come alive.
Progressive power delivery that peaks with sound track

The Turbo's don't do that, they max out torque at 2500 and flatline till 5000 ands then taper off. It's the opposite.
Sure for racing, all makes sense. But for a fun drivers car on public roads
Nope.. It doesn't do it for me..

Same reason I'de never want a 992 with the 3.0 turbo




I'de much rather have a 2.5 F4 Non turbo.. with 260 something horses and a higher redline then a 2.0 F4T 300 horses .
They would have sold a boat load more 718's if they had done that.. IT would have opened up the Entry Level Porsche market up to a lot of people who now only buy second hand , or who buy higher end Other brands

[Superman]

If I were to buy a new Porsche today, it would be a Cayman. And I would "find a way" to get the 6-cylinder.