718 base vs S - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hi all, am looking at the base vs the S in terms of performance is there much difference or anything else to bear in mind when choosing between the two? The GTS 2.5 seems to be really holding its price which is too high for me but I may be able to stretch to an S if it's worth it. Any advice gratefully received if you have driven the cars. Thanks

Very little difference between base and S in performance terms: Porsche 718 Cayman 0-60 — 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster 0-60 – 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 0-60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 0–60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT 4 0-60- 4.2 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT4RS 0-60- 3.2 seconds

thompson9745 said: Hi all, am looking at the base vs the S in terms of performance is there much difference or anything else to bear in mind when choosing between the two? The GTS 2.5 seems to be really holding its price which is too high for me but I may be able to stretch to an S if it's worth it. Any advice gratefully received if you have driven the cars. Thanks I think the general rule is the base in all model ranges is the best as you can push it more at legal speeds. Some models you'd be hard pressed to get out of 3rd gear.

Had a half day session in a base at PEC Silverstone, absolutely loved it (significantly more than the 992S!). Had an S for a week on loan, and real world difference was not especially 'prevalent'. Chose to buy a GTS undriven (OPC ex-dealer principle car) and haven't looked back. GTS has 3 radiator set-up which is less likely to suffer from overheating, and can be added to the S I believe. My advice? - test drive as many as you can. The base can be chipped (as can the others) if you get one and decide more power is required. Enjoy the search, where are you based roughly?

I have an S and have been on a number of spirited drives with base owners and the only real world difference will be the driver and not the car.

IMO the PDK with its very rapid shuffling of gears makes an excellent job of masking the modest output of the base car. PDK can keep the engine right on the boil. If you're trying to achieve the same thing with a 6-speed manual you haven't got a prayer. But if you've got the added grunt of an S gear selection is less critical.

I had a base 2.0 for about 18 months which I had as an interim car while waiting for a PDK 4.0 to be delivered but I've not driven an S. I think the base is probably the best value 718 Porsche make and I'd have no hesitation in buying another one. It's got more than enough power for everyday use and can be as docile or manic as you will probably ever need especially if it's got PDK and Sports Plus. Ultimately though only you will know if its enough to satisfy what you want so as always suggested, you need to go and drive them to see. Regardless of which one you choose just make sure it has some essential extras to make the ownership experience more civilised. Again these will vary on personal preference but for me I would want as a minimum: Upgraded Xenons or even better, LED headlights Auto Dim interior mirror Dual Climate Control Heated seats/steering wheel (heated seats weren't standard on the early cars if buying secondhand)

Forgive me for raining on the parade (if I am). I tried a base PDK 718 and loved the chassis and feel, but it did feel under-powered vs what the car was capable of. If you're going to hang on to the car and can just about stretch to an S without compromising too much re the rest of the spec / condition, I'd go for it. They're great cars, and the extra shove will help you have more fun with the sensational chassis. All subjective, I appreciate.

I think I've driven most of the recent ones, in both PDK and manual, base and S. I'm currently on my second base 718 Cayman with manual box, but have hung onto my 981 GT4 as a summer daily drive, hopefully forever. I like the base model for value for money, good manners when it gets slippery on the road, but most of all because it's engaging to drive at speeds where I might get to keep my driving licence. The S is very noticeably quicker in the low-mid range, probably a fair bit quicker than the GT4 at lower revs if I'm honest. But for whatever reason, I developed such a soft spot for the base 718 that less than 3 years after trading one in on a GT4, I ordered another new one. It's not underpowered, it's a little short of brakes for the track, but as a road car, I just love the way I need to think about it to make it go quickly. As a total weirdo, I like the base 718 manual, with standard race-tex centred seats (so even though I wanted extended leather, I couldn't have it), standard 18" wheels, but also with PASM and PTV, and sports steering wheel. And of course proper air con and the other things that are kind of obvious. It's an odd take on pov. spec. I know, but if I could only have one car, that would be it. There are definitely no wrong choices in all this, because they are all great. Fortunately I have never driven a 718 GTS 4.0, so I get to keep both of the ones I have now. My current excuse is fuel consumption, because at least the base 718 is really quite amazing on fuel. Makes up for the 981 GT4, which really isn't. I'm guessing the 4.0 has similar challenges. Liam

LiamH66 said: There are definitely no wrong choices in all this, because they are all great. Fortunately I have never driven a 718 GTS 4.0, so I get to keep both of the ones I have now. My current excuse is fuel consumption, because at least the base 718 is really quite amazing on fuel. Makes up for the 981 GT4, which really isn't. I'm guessing the 4.0 has similar challenges. Liam The GTS 4.0 is amazing on fuel, but in a good way. I have seen high 30s mpg on admittedly gentle motorway runs. I reckon I am getting 40-50% more miles from a tank than I did with the 997 GTS I had before on the same kind of driving.

I've driven a 718 base and S back to back a few years ago and the biggest difference I found was the S engine vibrated far more than the base model. So I ordered the base model.

oscmax said: LiamH66 said: There are definitely no wrong choices in all this, because they are all great. Fortunately I have never driven a 718 GTS 4.0, so I get to keep both of the ones I have now. My current excuse is fuel consumption, because at least the base 718 is really quite amazing on fuel. Makes up for the 981 GT4, which really isn't. I'm guessing the 4.0 has similar challenges. Liam The GTS 4.0 is amazing on fuel, but in a good way. I have seen high 30s mpg on admittedly gentle motorway runs. I reckon I am getting 40-50% more miles from a tank than I did with the 997 GTS I had before on the same kind of driving. Yes, I agree. I've previously had a 718 2.0 and now six months with a GTS 4.0. I'm sad enough to keep a fuel economy spreadsheet and there's hardly anything in it when you calculate the average, the Base only 1mpg or so more economical. Saw over 40mpg on our 300 mile run down to the PEC with the GTS.

mabosh said: oscmax said: LiamH66 said: There are definitely no wrong choices in all this, because they are all great. Fortunately I have never driven a 718 GTS 4.0, so I get to keep both of the ones I have now. My current excuse is fuel consumption, because at least the base 718 is really quite amazing on fuel. Makes up for the 981 GT4, which really isn't. I'm guessing the 4.0 has similar challenges. Liam The GTS 4.0 is amazing on fuel, but in a good way. I have seen high 30s mpg on admittedly gentle motorway runs. I reckon I am getting 40-50% more miles from a tank than I did with the 997 GTS I had before on the same kind of driving. Yes, I agree. I've previously had a 718 2.0 and now six months with a GTS 4.0. I'm sad enough to keep a fuel economy spreadsheet and there's hardly anything in it when you calculate the average, the Base only 1mpg or so more economical. Saw over 40mpg on our 300 mile run down to the PEC with the GTS. Best I managed with the base. If you're getting 40s+ mpg out of the 4.0 you must not be driving it right...

I got 29.4 mpg average over a 100 mile trip yesterday in my GTS 4.0 which is the highest I have ever seen! (my car is manual)

My wife has a base 718 Boxster on the standard wheels and tyres. It’s plenty quick enough for UK roads and is an absolute delight to drive. My car, which has over 500bhp, is a bit much most of the time, if I’m being totally honest.

Does the base gives pops and bangs when in sport mode with sport exhaust at rev 4000 to 6000 rpm, just as it does in my 718S? I love driving my PDK S in this setting in manual mode when driving spiritedly in out of town B roads. The PDK 718S is also faster (in straight line) to 60mph, 100mph and ¼ mile than 718 GT4 manual which is faster than base 718 Cayman PDK. So for me 718S with PDK is the sweet spot especially with all the performance options: Sport Chrono, PASM, PSE and PTV However, I would rather buy a base 718 Cayman with all the performance options (Cayman T) rather than 718S with no performance options

TPC recently suggested that the waiting time for the base and S were longer than the GTS. Maybe I shouldn't have specifically expressed an interest in the GTS... BTW, 'some' years ago, EPC suggested that most owners were only keeping (pre-SUV) Porsches for about 18 months: TPC suggested it was now 6-12 months. Aside from keeping one's hand in with the PC while waiting for the next GT3/4 to drop - why?

john41901 said: Very little difference between base and S in performance terms: Porsche 718 Cayman 0-60 — 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster 0-60 – 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 0-60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 0–60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT 4 0-60- 4.2 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT4RS 0-60- 3.2 seconds A difference of 0.5seconds from 0 to 60mph is a significant difference between the base 718 and 718S

LamedonM said: john41901 said: Very little difference between base and S in performance terms: Porsche 718 Cayman 0-60 — 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster 0-60 – 4.9 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster S 0-60 – 4.4 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 0-60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 0–60 – 4.3 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT 4 0-60- 4.2 seconds Porsche 718 Cayman GT4RS 0-60- 3.2 seconds A difference of 0.5seconds from 0 to 60mph is a significant difference between the base 718 and 718S but in what scenario in life would that have any tangible benefit? in my opinion 0.5secs is a totally insignificant difference.

julian987R said: but in what scenario in life would that have any tangible benefit? in my opinion 0.5secs is a totally insignificant difference. Really, red light drag race on a 70mph road.

LamedonM said: julian987R said: but in what scenario in life would that have any tangible benefit? in my opinion 0.5secs is a totally insignificant difference. Really, red light drag race on a 70mph road. well thats what I mean. Totally inconsequential. If you are in a situation where 0.5s is going to be make or break then I think there are bigger issues going to to address.

The 0.5s is irrelevant. The added feeling of acceleration is another matter. It may not matter. Or it may be something you enjoy and therefore entirely relevant.