718 Cayman road test review in Porsche Post (PCGB magazine)

[Twinfan]

Yes, another 718 thread (sorry!) but the road test review in Porsche Post of the base 718 Cayman gives quite a different slant on the 718 than others. I was expecting a positive spin, obviously, but for those who aren't members of the Owners Club here are some key points:

• Boxster/Carerra platform and engine sharing was a cost saving exercise but has made product differentiation more difficult as time goes on
• The product planners have now won, and the 718 (4-cyl) vs 911 (6-cyl) is a result of marketing strategy
• The 718 is now positioned where Porsche's entry level sports car should be (as the 924/944/968 was before it)
• The "repositioning" that has taken place makes perfect sense
• The phrase "entry level" is used several times in relation to the car
• The 981 series was too long geared and too revvy for the road
• The author advocates a base 718 with minimal options as the true spirit/DNA of the Porsche brand

To me, it's almost as if the author is implying that the previous 986/987/981 Caysters were punching above their weight, were too 911-like and should have had 4-cyl engines from the start. Rather than lamenting the loss of a more affordable 911 alternative he almost seems to be saying they were a mistake in the beginning which has now been "corrected".

Has anyone else read the article? What are your thoughts?

[Porsche911R]

sounds like the 718 is now that nasty saying, by people who can only afford a Ka

"the poor mans Porsche"

Agggg

but I have to agree, it really is the poor mans Porsche, and where before the Cayman was just a good a car if not better than a 911, the wise choice in fact and why I have had 4 of them.

The 718 Cayman is the entry level 4 pot now :-(

you could say the 986,987,987.2 and 981 were really pushing above the price range and were amazing value sports cars with a real flat 6 as used in the 911's.

[DJMC]

Not read it, but it does seem likely that Porsche frightened itself with the GT4 and now wants to reset the gap between the "entry level" Box/Cay and the 911. BUT... how has it done that when the 718S is faster than the GT4?

Is it purely that they know Porsche "fans" won't touch a 4cyl car? I'm not sure they've thought that through, as many "entry level" buyers will be new to the brand and couldn't give a hoot what engine is in there, so long as they can hoon around. Which they can, lots!

[Twinfan]

Yep, that's my issue with the article. It's implying to me that we should embrace and enjoy the 718 as a "poor man's Porsche" and that it's a good thing

I think regardless of speed or lap times they've separated 911s and 718s rather well. They reckon beardy types won't touch a 4-cyl and are probably hoping they spring for a 911 instead - therefore, more profit for Porsche. However, at twice the price for a new one I'd be buying used 911 not new Cayman like I did earlier this year.

Edited by Twinfan on Friday 28th October 10:41

[Cheib]

Porsche911R said:

"the poor mans Porsche"

Maybe taking it a tad far but probably a question of when not if its marketed as a "you can have this car for £XXX a month".

My 997 GTS is going in for it's MOT etc in a couple of weeks, I'm getting a 718 Boxster as a loan car. Quite looking forward to giving it a go.

[Twinfan]

The change to a smaller capacity turbo will be emissions led, but the choice of a 4-cyl (and the associated 718 badging) is most likely to be marketing led is it not?

Ah - just re-read and noticed the packaging issue. Good point.

[bcr5784]

I suspect (know in many cases) that much of the general public can't tell the 981 (and very probably the 781 too) apart from the 911 - either inside or out. When you have much (most?) of the motoring press saying that the 981 is dynamically the better car, you can't expect Porsche to feel comfortable.

It may well be that the turbo 6 won't fit in the Cayster - but had it retained the NA 6 I could see the Cayster having become the "purist" choice this side of a GT3 or 911R. Given that image is a large part of the Porsche appeal, I could see Porsche marketing wetting themselves at that prospect.

So I have no doubt that limiting the kudos of the Cayster and "positioning" it away from the 911 was a primary driver in the move to a turbo 4.

[Cheib]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Is that Cayster sales sliding or is it Porsche deliberately producing more 911's as they're more profitable ? Total sales volumes were relatively flat (actually down a bit)....so I imagine they're actually making higher profits by making less cars. The decrease in Cayster sales from 2013 to 2014 has nothing to do with the 718 does it ? They could sell everything they could get their hands on in those years couldn't they?