718 Cayman S PDK- The best value for money used? - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I know it is a 4 cylinder 2.5L. However in terms of straight line acceleration, it is faster than any other cayman past and present except 718GTS and probably equal to 718 GTS 4.0 On tracks, it holds its own, matching 718 GTS and it is only the GT4s that are clearly superior to it. Otherwise it is faster than Cayman R and 981 GTS and M2 competition on tracks Apart from the engine sound not as good as the flat six engines, any other reason not to go for it? especially if it were to be used for daily driving (also gets good mpg) Comparison from fastestlap.com. dragrace.me and Zeperf [url |https://thumbsnap.com/U5K1EHBB[/url]

Honestly, I am having the same dilemma myself. I don’t have an existing Porsche ownership background, so I probably don’t know what I am missing. I am also a manual gearbox fan for my fun and track cars, but I have had high powered auto daily’s. My Budget currently currently catches: 987.2 R and S 981S 917 2,0T 917 S I am probably going to have to test drive one of each, in reverse order, to see if I dislike anything. Edited by Hol on Friday 28th January 08:09

Hopefully, those with Porsche’s experience would chip in.

Agreed, and also had a similar dilemma. My budget covered (amongst cars I really liked from other brands like the Giulia Quadrifoglio): 718 Base / S / GTS 2.5 981 Base / S / GTS I went for the 981 GTS in the end, as it represented a type of engine, sound and throttle response I hadn't had before. I was coming from a highish power turbocharged car and wanted something completely different. If I fancy a newer Cayman at some point, though, I can definitely see myself swapping to a 718 GTS 2.5. For me the noise is just different, not worse, and you certainly can't argue with its power As always, have a good think and test drive them all. The one that's right with you will just click. Some lovely options at that price point either way.

If it were me I’d probably go for the base model. I could never really tell the difference in acceleration between the base, S or GTS models, because they all suffer from the same non linear power delivery you get with turbocharged engines (although the numbers on the dial increases more quickly with the latter two). More importantly though I found the base model smoother. You can feel the variable valve timing kick in quite a bit on the 2.5 models. Which to me feels like constant misfiring/hesitation.

Apologies to the OP for the slight highjack, but I am also intending to track mine 2-3 days of the year. ^^ I’m not sure if that influences peoples views on whether the 981 trumps the 917. But, it’s not every week, and I have a lot of mechanical sympathy for my cars on track.

Hol said: Apologies to the OP for the slight highjack, but I am also intending to track mine 2-3 days of the year. ^^ I’m not sure if that influences peoples views on whether the 981 trumps the 917. But, it’s not every week, and I have a lot of mechanical sympathy for my cars on track. The 718 steering and suspension is light years ahead of the 981, so that will pay dividends on track. The other option is to get a 981 and fit X73 to it, in fact I need to make a thread about that.

I had a 718 Cayman S for 2 years before my current 718 GTS 4.0. They are great cars. Fast, brilliant chassis, very easy to daily with PDK, etc. The sound was never an issue for me really and I think the only thing I didn't like was the feeling when coming off throttle (difficult to describe but you don't get the same engine braking compared to a larger capacity engine). I sold mine to my dad and he still has it.

You only have to look at that gt4 vs Mustang V8 vs Cayman base video I posted up last week to see these are really quick cars. Interestingly, they always seemed to be predicting a massive crash in values of the 2.5s which just never materialised (fortunately or unfortunately depending whether you are a buyer or seller). There's a great looking GTS in the OPC network I have my eye on, but it's currently £60k at four years old - and January's usually one of the the cheapest months for prices! Just amazing really.

Another former 718 2.0 PDK owner and as I've said elsewhere the flat fours are quite brilliant for what they are. There was an awful lot of guff when they first came out mainly about the noise out the back which is actually pretty good in my opinion. Some people don't like the power delivery which is fair on a personal level but pound for pound what they deliver and the way they deliver it at the price point they're at is pretty hard to beat. If you get one I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed, I certainly wasn't.

Voodoo Blue said: Another former 718 2.0 PDK owner and as I've said elsewhere the flat fours are quite brilliant for what they are. There was an awful lot of guff when they first came out mainly about the noise out the back which is actually pretty good in my opinion. Some people don't like the power delivery which is fair on a personal level but pound for pound what they deliver and the way they deliver it at the price point they're at is pretty hard to beat. If you get one I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed, I certainly wasn't. Agreed. The comments from the YouTubers when they first came out was borderline laughable. Loads of performance cars these days come with a potent 2.0 4 pot and they don't get any of the flack the 718 got. It was disappointing to see some even fairly well-respected YouTubers just flagrantly dismissing the Base, S and GTS, all singing from the same hymn sheet. Clickbait guff at its finest.

Thanks for the reply all. Please keep them coming. The straight line acceleration and track performance metrics of 718 S PDK from the websites I uploaded are based on the averages of real world performances. The pops and bangs coming from them in video reviews are also attractive to me. I like overrun pops a lot My current budget is not up to the budget for the GT4s and Cayman R interior and lack of modern technology and external light makes it unattractive for me to use as a daily drive as I commute on rural winding roads

Voodoo Blue said: Another former 718 2.0 PDK owner and as I've said elsewhere the flat fours are quite brilliant for what they are. Looks to me that the "what you gt for what you pay" is stunning compared with other sports cars, including more expensive cars from the same manufacturer.

Loving my 69 plate 2.5 GTS, if you're worried about the sound just unplug the Soundaktor fuse (no CEL or any other detriment). Goes like stink, handles beautifully and returns good MPG for what it is. Those who tramp out its a 4 pot its not worth shiite either haven't driven one, haven't looked at the market which after all dictates the prices, or are just plain unwilling to accept they are wrong. A friend with a 4.0GTS cannot escape when I'm in pursuit... Enjoy, do it now... Edited by Fnumber1user on Sunday 30th January 17:07

SkinnyPete said: Hol said: Apologies to the OP for the slight highjack, but I am also intending to track mine 2-3 days of the year. ^^ I’m not sure if that influences peoples views on whether the 981 trumps the 917. But, it’s not every week, and I have a lot of mechanical sympathy for my cars on track. The 718 steering and suspension is light years ahead of the 981, so that will pay dividends on track. The other option is to get a 981 and fit X73 to it, in fact I need to make a thread about that. Visibly the 981 and 718 look the same? I didn’t realise they had changes much other than the drivetrain.

Has anyone got experience of the 718 2.0 T? According to the articles they have some good upgrades, but the pictures in the classified look the same. Price wise they seem similar to a base spec S.

Had a 981 BOXSTER S with circa £22k in options including PTV, SC, PASM, PSE & PDK. Loved the car, sounded absolutely fantastic and more then quick enough for the road. Got into a 69 reg CGTS 6 months ago. The 718 just feels significantly sharper everywhere but the performance is just on another level to any 981. It really is seriously quick and the way it just comes out of a corner and hooks up (if you get it right) is just so much fun and frankly astonishing! Sound wise, yeah I preferred the 981s flat 6 but I couldn’t go back to a 981, any variant for that matter. Much prefer to stay with the 718 and maybe a 718 GT4 PDK when they come into budget but until then this GTS is a fantastic thing! If you check out the Carwow video of the only time they raced a CGTS 2.5 or their published drag list, 11.7 1/4 mile is fast in most peoples book. Also, check out YouTuber Sebastian Vittel to see how impressive the GTS is on track. Fantastic car, love the looks of mine in Carmine Red with the full GTS/Carbon interior, Sports Design body kit and Carrera Sport wheels. Can you tell I like it a lot haha

Hol said: Visibly the 981 and 718 look the same? I didn’t realise they had changes much other than the drivetrain. Tail lights and rear spoiler/wing treatment different, also vary slightly depending on model. I think the 981s look better. Front end similar, and having both, I probably ought to take more notice. I chopped my base 718 (bought new in 2017, but ordered around launch time in 2016) for a 981 GT4 in 2018, when the 718 was about 18 months old. I'd done 17k miles in the 718 and loved every one of them. In fact loved it so much that I recently took delivery of a base 718 in identical spec. to my first Porsche, but have kept the 981 GT4 as well. A GT Porsche was just an itch that I needed to scratch, and its impracticality as a daily drive just added to that. Personally I'm not sure the 718 is "light years" ahead of the 981 in ride and handling. I know my daily comparison is a GT4 against a 718 base model, but they are pretty similar in feel (PASM, PTV for both). I do love the sound of the 981 GT4, but actually the 718 turbo 4 cylinder engines also sound great to me. The OP clearly notes that they also go pretty well too. Haven't tracked prices to see if a Cayman S is a bargain just now, but was pleasantly surprised by the resale value of my base Cayman. Whatever price they hold for a buyer, they don't seem to be too disastrous for a seller a while later. I have driven 981 Cayman S, and 718 Cayman S, the latter at the PEC at Silverstone, but the former only on the road, both PDK. Both my cars are manual. PDK is definitely better, faster, technically astonishing and the right choice. For whatever reason I like the anachronism of seeing out the end of the internal combustion engine with a manual gearbox even though I know it's not the optimal solution. Weird and middle-aged maybe. I think the 718 Cayman S is a great car. If I wasn't keeping the GT4, certainly would have considered one of them instead of base model. For 5th/6th gear roll-on acceleration on the motorway, the 4 cylinder turbo engines are much easier to live with than the 6 cylinder, even though they don't sound anything like as dramatic. Massively underrated cars, and as many have said, took a kicking from reviewers for no real reason other than being "different" in having a flat 4 engine. Given it's where the brand started, that seems massively unfair to me. Liam

LiamH66 said: Tail lights and rear spoiler/wing treatment different, also vary slightly depending on model. I think the 981s look better. Front end similar, and having both, I probably ought to take more notice. I chopped my base 718 (bought new in 2017, but ordered around launch time in 2016) for a 981 GT4 in 2018, when the 718 was about 18 months old. I'd done 17k miles in the 718 and loved every one of them. In fact loved it so much that I recently took delivery of a base 718 in identical spec. to my first Porsche, but have kept the 981 GT4 as well. A GT Porsche was just an itch that I needed to scratch, and its impracticality as a daily drive just added to that. Personally I'm not sure the 718 is "light years" ahead of the 981 in ride and handling. I know my daily comparison is a GT4 against a 718 base model, but they are pretty similar in feel (PASM, PTV for both). I do love the sound of the 981 GT4, but actually the 718 turbo 4 cylinder engines also sound great to me. The OP clearly notes that they also go pretty well too. Haven't tracked prices to see if a Cayman S is a bargain just now, but was pleasantly surprised by the resale value of my base Cayman. Whatever price they hold for a buyer, they don't seem to be too disastrous for a seller a while later. I have driven 981 Cayman S, and 718 Cayman S, the latter at the PEC at Silverstone, but the former only on the road, both PDK. Both my cars are manual. PDK is definitely better, faster, technically astonishing and the right choice. For whatever reason I like the anachronism of seeing out the end of the internal combustion engine with a manual gearbox even though I know it's not the optimal solution. Weird and middle-aged maybe. I think the 718 Cayman S is a great car. If I wasn't keeping the GT4, certainly would have considered one of them instead of base model. For 5th/6th gear roll-on acceleration on the motorway, the 4 cylinder turbo engines are much easier to live with than the 6 cylinder, even though they don't sound anything like as dramatic. Massively underrated cars, and as many have said, took a kicking from reviewers for no real reason other than being "different" in having a flat 4 engine. Given it's where the brand started, that seems massively unfair to me. Liam Thanks. Looking again at my saved adverts I can now see the differences. This will be my first Porsche so I don’t have any hang ups on the sound. To me a car is always about how it connects me to the tarmac and how it makes me feel….good. I do keep clicking the manual only boxes in the search engines, though. It’s going to be hard to let that one go.

As I recall the 718 had a whole heap of upgrades over the 981 like brakes, suspension and steering. If interested, this is from the original U.S. press kit but details most of the changes applicable to the global models. https://press.porsche.com/download/prod/presse_pag... I think the 718 base got the brakes from the 981 S, the 718 S got brakes from the 911 (presumably 991) and all 718s got the better steering etc.

Demhcs said: As I recall the 718 had a whole heap of upgrades over the 981 like brakes, suspension and steering. If interested, this is from the original U.S. press kit but details most of the changes applicable to the global models. https://press.porsche.com/download/prod/presse_pag... I think the 718 base got the brakes from the 981 S, the 718 S got brakes from the 911 (presumably 991) and all 718s got the better steering etc. As I said earlier, the 718 is light years ahead of the 981, and that press release gives some fantastic information as to why. Thanks for sharing.

Is the 728 Boxster S actually worth such a high premium over the regular 718 Boxster? Reading the release the lower power car sounds just superb anyway. Extra 50 bhp…. Is it worth it?

TTmonkey said: Is the 728 Boxster S actually worth such a high premium over the regular 718 Boxster? Reading the release the lower power car sounds just superb anyway. Extra 50 bhp…. Is it worth it? In direct comparison, used, the premium is less than when buying new from my general feel from adverts. But I agree, it looks a big premium on the new car if it's just 17% more power and 0-60 in 3.6s instead of 3.9s. It isn't just that though. It comes down to what you really want from a car, and the 2.5T has more differences than just 50 more bhp. 310 lb.ft of torque doesn't seem like too much more, but you can definitely feel the difference from the 280 lb.ft of the base model. Perceptibly less turbo lag, at least to me, but that might just be because I know the 718 S has a VVT turbo. The 718 S also comes with posher 19" wheels rather than 18", leather rather than Race Tex (Alcantara) seat centres, and uprated brakes (thicker front discs) as standard. Also has cool looking twin tailpipes which are a £380 option for the base model. For me, personally speaking, none of the "S" features appeal in the slightest. Base model brakes are fine; I like Race Tex seat centres; I live in the sticks, so lower profile tyres and big rims are best avoided; most of all I like to feel that I can use all that an engine has occasionally, and it's hard enough to do that at anything like legal speeds with the 718 base models. For me, less than worth it, the base model just suits me better. (Cayman rather than Boxster, rains too much round these parts to be paying for roof that can fold back). I can see why others would like the Cayman S enough to pay a bit extra. They're all good. Liam

When I’ve had 718S loan cars I must admit I’ve never noticed a huge amount of difference in power between the two. The 2.5 engine sounds more ‘hollow’ but I also wondered if the S loan car was running 95 unleaded vs my base running 99 so not a 100% fair comparison. Either way the base is certainly quick enough, and I can’t say I’ve ever needed more power on the road, on the track (or if chasing GT4s) perhaps would be different.

LiamH66 said: TTmonkey said: Is the 728 Boxster S actually worth such a high premium over the regular 718 Boxster? Reading the release the lower power car sounds just superb anyway. Extra 50 bhp…. Is it worth it? In direct comparison, used, the premium is less than when buying new from my general feel from adverts. But I agree, it looks a big premium on the new car if it's just 17% more power and 0-60 in 3.6s instead of 3.9s. It isn't just that though. It comes down to what you really want from a car, and the 2.5T has more differences than just 50 more bhp. 310 lb.ft of torque doesn't seem like too much more, but you can definitely feel the difference from the 280 lb.ft of the base model. Perceptibly less turbo lag, at least to me, but that might just be because I know the 718 S has a VVT turbo. The 718 S also comes with posher 19" wheels rather than 18", leather rather than Race Tex (Alcantara) seat centres, and uprated brakes (thicker front discs) as standard. Also has cool looking twin tailpipes which are a £380 option for the base model. For me, personally speaking, none of the "S" features appeal in the slightest. Base model brakes are fine; I like Race Tex seat centres; I live in the sticks, so lower profile tyres and big rims are best avoided; most of all I like to feel that I can use all that an engine has occasionally, and it's hard enough to do that at anything like legal speeds with the 718 base models. For me, less than worth it, the base model just suits me better. (Cayman rather than Boxster, rains too much round these parts to be paying for roof that can fold back). I can see why others would like the Cayman S enough to pay a bit extra. They're all good. Liam Thanks Liam. You missed one thing… it has an ‘S’ badge, and I think many buyers make the choice on that extra letter alone without considering if it’s really worth the difference. I’d want a sports exhaust on a base I think. Other than that I can live with all the other differences. I’m going to do the 0-60 rarely, and I wouldn’t be timing it. I’m grown up so wouldn’t be racing anyone. I wouldn’t be doing track days and you wouldn’t catch me racing anyone on the road. So not sure when I would see that extra 50bhp. 18 inch v 19inch…. . ? I live with 20 inch on the wife’s TTS and it’s like bone crushing hard, always trying to steer around pot holes. 18s might be refreshing. And we virtually never use the available power on that, despite the safety of 4wd. I think my ideal trip in a Boxster would be a three week trip to Italy and back. We did this two years ago in a 4 series bmw Conv and loved it despite the car being dull. Roof down, relaxing, enjoyable. I don’t see the S makes that better than non S. I hadn’t previously thought I’d prefer the base car. Always said buy the S because it’s just better. Maybe that much better is no longer important to me. Thanks.

jimbo761 said: <snip> Either way the base is certainly quick enough, and I can’t say I’ve ever needed more power on the road, on the track (or if chasing GT4s) perhaps would be different. +1, definitely quick enough. My base 718 is probably a quicker road car than my 981 GT4 in general use. From 2000 rpm to about 4000 rpm it just has loads more torque. The suspension is usefully more compliant. The 718 S is definitely quicker than either on the road, and probably up to 5000 rpm, but not by miles. So in the traffic light GP and on country A-roads might be someone's choice. I avoid lunacy for either of those. On the track, never bothered taking a base 718, as the 981 GT4 will comfortably outpace either, and has "all day" brakes even if you are hard on them. If there are any GT3s or even worse GT2s on the track, I definitely understand I'm driving a "supercar junior" rather than anything genuinely quick. 718 GT4 is definitely quicker than 981 GT4, I have to work to keep up with them. The GT4 is actually better mannered in slow traffic than either of the 718s. Tall gearing appreciates big engine capacity! Liam

I won’t be pulling the tigger for another month or two as I have a big holiday coming up, but I when I come back my current thoughts are a 718S Manual. I will do the obvious homework though and actually tests drive the base, T and S cars as well as a PDK, to see which one I prefer in reality. Edited by Hol on Tuesday 1st February 08:35

Pulling the trigger on what? I've been down this road. Used prices are insane at the moment and there is hardly anything to choose from, once you weed out the ones with a poor spec. 2018 cars are almost the same price as new. Delivery on a new car is basically 12 months, depending on which car you want, and there is talk of a face-lifted model for 2024, so be very careful.

LucyP said: Pulling the trigger on what? I've been down this road. Used prices are insane at the moment and there is hardly anything to choose from, once you weed out the ones with a poor spec. 2018 cars are almost the same price as new. Delivery on a new car is basically 12 months, depending on which car you want, and there is talk of a face-lifted model for 2024, so be very careful. A new car to the spec I would choose will be £74k , but I want it in April. So, i have already accepted the compromise in the perfect spec for my £50k budget.

And what is £50K buying you?

LucyP said: And what is £50K buying you? quote=Hol]I won’t be pulling the tigger for another month or two as I have a big holiday coming up, but I when I come back my current thoughts are a 718S Manual. I will do the obvious homework though and actually tests drive the base, T and S cars as well as a PDK, to see which one I prefer in reality. Edited by Hol on Tuesday 1st February 16:41

And therein lies your problem. There are currently under 10 manual Cayman S available for up to £50K and you are going to struggle to even get something from 2018. Most are going to be 2017. You can buy one brand new (if you are prepared to wait) for under £60K. So you are paying less than £10K under list for something that is 4 or 5 years old. That is just insane, and when the market settles down and you come to sell it, you will have lost a fortune.

LucyP said: And therein lies your problem. There are currently under 10 manual Cayman S available for up to £50K and you are going to struggle to even get something from 2018. Most are going to be 2017. You can buy one brand new (if you are prepared to wait) for under £60K. So you are paying less than £10K under list for something that is 4 or 5 years old. That is just insane, and when the market settles down and you come to sell it, you will have lost a fortune. I’m afraid that you haven’t bought anything new to the party. I have already stated that I won’t be waiting 12 months OR uying a base spec car.

Lovely PTS Viper Green one with £20K in options! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405179...

Very nice, and based on the other thread a myriad of tuning options available for those happy not to run a warranty.

Have any 718 owners with a MY2019 car had any issues with GPF?

We have a 2019 718 Boxster T. We’ve had it 2 1/2 years nearly. No issues at all.

rob.kellock said: We have a 2019 718 Boxster T. We’ve had it 2 1/2 years nearly. No issues at all. Interesting thanks. What mileage are you on?

Blimey, time flies. I bought that manual 718S, I was looking for back in 2022 and sold it last month after three years. The car was a 2018 reg with 20k miles and had no GPF issues in that time. Edited by Hol on Wednesday 23 April 09:18

M2C_Sussex said: Interesting thanks. What mileage are you on? I'm afraid a meagre 14k, of which we have done 9k. It's my wife's and it's had a mixed use with us, short runs in the week but longer runs out at weekends.