718 2.0 Boxster Vs 981 2.7 Cayman - An Owners Perspective

718 2.0 Boxster Vs 981 2.7 Cayman - An Owners Perspective

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Miopyk

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Monday 6th January 2020
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Right so after having the new 718 Boxster for a couple of weeks and covered a few hundred miles I thought I'd share my views on how it compares with our 981 Cayman.

Background - We've had the Cayman for 4 years from new and is mainly used by my wife. I get to use it when I want some driving fun on my own. I also had an SLK 250d for 2 years as a commuter but decided I wanted to get another Boxster when we heard the 718-6 was coming out. The current 718 was bought due a decision that I'm shortly going to pack in work, was offered an extremely attractive end of year/quarter deal from our local OPC to replace the SLK and that it will serve as an interim car until our 718-6 arrives.

Please take into account that the following review is my first hand opinion which you're free to agree or disagree with as you see fit, I'm not a driving god and do not have any superior driving credentials but just enjoy driving cars. I'm also being a bit gentle on the 718 at the moment so am expecting it to improve as it gets more use.

The Cars

981 Cayman - 2.7 PDK is a standard car with 19" Wheels and PSE

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718 Boxster - 2.0 PDK is a standard car with 20" Wheels and PSE

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Performance - Both cars are lacking lower in the rev range. The Cayman has always required frequent use of the gearbox to keep it in the sweet spot when pressing on and bizarrely the 718 is very similar due to the noticeable lag up to around 2500 RPM. However the extra torque and horses in the 718 means it feels significantly faster that the 981 in normal road use and that includes keeping the revs down. I suspect this will feel even better once I start to use the full range.

Handling - The 981 has always felt a bit telepathic through the twists and turns on my favourite roads and I know that the car has way more talent than me. The 718 is very much the same although it did feel like it was generating more grip through quick changes in direction and made me feel more confident in pushing on. Neither cars steering feels quite as connected as my old 987 Boxster but on balance I'd say the 718 feels better.

Suspension/Comfort - Both cars have standard suspension and I've always felt quite refreshed after a 2-3 hour drive in the 981. I was worried the larger wheels on the 718 would be a problem but actually felt really good over broken surfaces, firm but not uncomfortable so equally good to the 981. In fact my old 987 Boxster on 18" wheels was worse in terms of overall comfort than both of the current cars in day to day use on anything but smooth A roads and Motorways.

Gearbox - Both cars have PDK. I used to hate automatics and years ago vowed I would never have one in a performance car. Now I'm older and wiser and have to say PDK gives you the best of both worlds, lazy auto mode when your in the dreary commute and lightning fun when you want to enjoy yourself.

Engine/Exhaust Noise - The 981 sounds glorious on song with PSE switched on and in my opinion is easily comparable to some much more exotic and expensive machinery. I've wanted a Ferrari since I was a kid and saw (and heard) a 246 Dino in an underground car park in London. The 981 stirs similar emotions in me. The 718 is very quiet even with PSE switched on. That might be because of the PPF they've now started fitting or not using the full rev range or the fact it's an F4. I did get a few pops and bangs on overrun on a 3 hour cross country drive but based on my experience to date it is nowhere near as good as the F6 on a practical or emotional level. Oh, and while I still want a Ferrari I just can't bring myself to buy one :-)

Interior/Equipment - Apart from options both cars are obviously very similar as you'd expect. The biggest difference is PCM. Whilst not the best system overall the 718 is way better than the 981 especially as you can use Waze or Google Maps. The 718 also has full leather as opposed to partial in the 981 which does make the interior feel a much nicer place to be although this was purchased. One more thing I noticed was that the standard Bi-Xenons in the 718 are better than the Halogens in the 981 but still not as good as LED's.

Value/Residuals - This is somewhat subjective but we think the value of the Cayman has pretty much bottomed out over the last year or so. This is obviously good news especially as we think it'll be a long term keeper. The deal I got on the 718 was exceptional but does have a potential downside, if they felt the need to do a deal that good how will that impact residuals down the road. For me I decided it was worth the risk and I get to drive a Boxster instead of a diesel SLK so it was a win/win.

Conclusion - Both cars are brilliant but in different ways and on that basis whichever one you own, lust after or prefer you're pretty much on a winner. The 718 is still highly rated by most of the car magazines and rightly so despite the obvious and worthy mourning at the demise of the Flat 6.

The 981 while not the fastest provides exceptional driving pleasure with an emotional (noise) attachment that still makes me smile every time I drive it. The 718 feels faster and more capable and in my view is a step up from the 981 in pretty much every way except for the noise and maybe the turbo lag.

But ultimately I suppose that personally it comes down to this, which one would I choose to go out in for the Sunday morning drive. And that's not an easy question to answer. Right now it's the 718, probably because it's new and I want to put the miles on it so I can experience all its capabilities. Will that last, I'm not sure but will update you at some point once I think I've come to a conclusion.




JayK12

2,324 posts

203 months

Monday 6th January 2020
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Miopyk said:
The 981 while not the fastest provides exceptional driving pleasure with an emotional (noise) attachment that still makes me smile every time I drive it. The 718 feels faster and more capable and in my view is a step up from the 981 in pretty much every way except for the noise and maybe the turbo lag.


I think that really does sum things up. You've summed up 981 using the words, "driving pleasure", "emotional" "smile", and you've summed up the 718 using "faster", "capable".


I get what you mean about the Ferrari thing, I am a big Ferrari fan and owned a 360 Spider Manual, and the 981 Boxster GTS in the same colour combo and manual really did come close to that feeling, great fun car with all the modern bits.

Don't bother with a 718-6, get a nice 360 Manual or 430 for that money and enjoy, tick of the dreams. They are great cars, older, raw, bag loads more character and do feel special.

Edited by JayK12 on Monday 6th January 13:23

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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So I thought I'd post an update on this since the Boxster is now a year old, has covered 6k miles (including a roundtrip to Western France in the summer), and I need to make a decision on buying the 4.0GTS (or a Ferrari wink ).

I love the sound the Cayman makes and its still a fantastic car to drive but the the Boxster is quite brilliant and has now become my default choice on most occasions except where space is needed. The engine has now loosened up and feels pretty epic when changing down to overtake which it does effortlessly. Turbo lag is actually not that bad once you learn how to keep it in the sweet spot and it pulls and pulls all the way up to the redline. And as for the noise, I've got used to it and shockingly now think it sounds pretty good, just not flat 6 good. That combined with what feels like better steering, more compliant suspension and the cabin updates including the ability to use Waze on CarPlay just make the 718 feel like a step up from the 981. In a nutshell I've really enjoyed every opportunity I've had to get out and stretch its legs over the year.

Looking at the 4.0GTS, we're not convinced it offers a significant benefit over what we already have for the extra cash it would take to get one. Yes, its a bit faster, sounds different/better than my current 718 Boxster (but not as good as the Cayman), is likely to be the last N/A engined Cayster before the EV version comes along and should hold its value a bit better because of that. But on top of my positive comments above on our Boxster our Cayman sounds epic comparatively speaking, still drives brilliantly, is likely to depreciate at a snails pace in the next few years and the other half loves it to bits.

So no 4.0GTS for us, yet.

We're going to keep what we've got for another couple of years and then have another look. In the meantime I'm going to keep on enjoying my 2.0 Boxster, the wife will keep her beloved Cayman and hopefully if we get Covid 19 under control in the next few months the world will be a better place for everyone to enjoy whatever they have to drive.

Merry Christmas.





T1547

1,100 posts

135 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Nice one - thanks for the update - interesting to read your thoughts over an extended period and comparison with both cars.

I think the difficulty with ownership of the boxster/cayman platform is that they are so good in all guises, including 'base' form it can be hard to justify the cost in trading up.

I just have a 987.2 S and sometimes consider a move to a 981 or 718 GTS but wonder what it will do/bring in terms of enjoyment that my current one doesn't. A few grand spent on mine in the future would refresh the suspension nicely and could always make some upgrades/tweaks to make it even better than it is standard. Not fussed about interior gadgets, have a daily for that kind of thing.

If you came to p/x or sell one of yours do you think it would be the 981 or 718 that would go?

paralla

3,536 posts

136 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Voodoo Blue said:
Merry Christmas.
I used to have a Voodoo Blue GT4, great car, fantastic colour.


Royal Jelly

3,688 posts

199 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Interesting to hear a nice balanced view from running both side by side.

As mentioned, they’re all so accomplished as road cars, it’s hard to know where to look to improve - while weighing up cost vs benefit. A close friend has just traded his weekend 981S for a base 718 to use as a daily. His remarks are similar to yours, with the 718 power delivery and updated PCM more suited to daily duties, at the expense of a bit of what makes a weekend car epic.

In your enviable position, (and depending on how you plan to use it), I’d consider a 981GT4 against the GTS4.0, but equally, having a 981 and 718 is a great ‘spread’.

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
T1547 said:
Nice one - thanks for the update - interesting to read your thoughts over an extended period and comparison with both cars.

I think the difficulty with ownership of the boxster/cayman platform is that they are so good in all guises, including 'base' form it can be hard to justify the cost in trading up.

I just have a 987.2 S and sometimes consider a move to a 981 or 718 GTS but wonder what it will do/bring in terms of enjoyment that my current one doesn't. A few grand spent on mine in the future would refresh the suspension nicely and could always make some upgrades/tweaks to make it even better than it is standard. Not fussed about interior gadgets, have a daily for that kind of thing.

If you came to p/x or sell one of yours do you think it would be the 981 or 718 that would go?
Oooo, that's a hard one.

I had a 987 Boxster for 8 years, drove it all over Europe and loved every moment in it so you're already in a good place to be fair. But to answer your question:

The original plan was to buy a 4.0GTS Boxster and not a 2.0 but the deal I was offered last year was so daft it was impossible to refuse. Then the plan was to get a GTS once they released them with PDK and a firm order was placed with our local OPC. The order is still there but has been put on pause pending the outcome of Brexit as I refuse to pay any extra tax because politicians can't get their act together. Now that point is coming we've pretty much decided to cancel either way. But by default it should be the 718 that would go if it was to be replaced by another 718.

However, if I was starting from scratch and was looking for say a late 981 2.7 PDK or early 718 2.0 PDK I'd probably buy the 718. Yes the 981 sounds epic especially with PSE switched on, drives brilliantly and is one of the best looking 2 seat coupes I've ever clapped my eyes on but to me the 718 just feels better. Some people can't get past the engine noise or the way the power is delivered and that's fine we're all different. But if you can accept that difference the reward is something quite astonishing for the money.

Of course the only way you'll know for yourself is to try both and make your own mind up and to be honest which ever one you prefer there really is no wrong answer. They're both brilliant and I feel very privileged to own the 2 we have.

If you ever need to ask any other questions please feel free to do so.

Good luck and have a safe and Merry Christmas.



Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
paralla said:
Voodoo Blue said:
Merry Christmas.
I used to have a Voodoo Blue GT4, great car, fantastic colour.

That is gorgeous. I'm not sure I could have sold that if it was mine smile

I've got a Voodoo Blue Macan as well so absolutely agree is is a fantastic colour.

paralla

3,536 posts

136 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Voodoo Blue said:
That is gorgeous. I'm not sure I could have sold that if it was mine smile

I've got a Voodoo Blue Macan as well so absolutely agree is is a fantastic colour.
I thought it was a keeper but then I got a GT3 allocation.

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
paralla said:
Voodoo Blue said:
That is gorgeous. I'm not sure I could have sold that if it was mine smile

I've got a Voodoo Blue Macan as well so absolutely agree is is a fantastic colour.
I thought it was a keeper but then I got a GT3 allocation.
Enough said. And if that's Guards then we're in good company smile Congratulations

paralla

3,536 posts

136 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
Voodoo Blue said:
Enough said. And if that's Guards then we're in good company smile Congratulations
Cheers. It is Guards Red.

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
Royal Jelly said:
Interesting to hear a nice balanced view from running both side by side.

As mentioned, they’re all so accomplished as road cars, it’s hard to know where to look to improve - while weighing up cost vs benefit. A close friend has just traded his weekend 981S for a base 718 to use as a daily. His remarks are similar to yours, with the 718 power delivery and updated PCM more suited to daily duties, at the expense of a bit of what makes a weekend car epic.

In your enviable position, (and depending on how you plan to use it), I’d consider a 981GT4 against the GTS4.0, but equally, having a 981 and 718 is a great ‘spread’.
10 years ago if I had been offered the chance of a GT4 I'd have bought it without thinking.

This year I've been told I could have one if I wanted it but to be honest I've realised that it would probably be wasted on me as I don't have the talent to get the most out of it over the cars I already have and the current driving environment of speed cameras, poor road maintenance and generally poor driving skills of the great British public mean that exercising a GT4 on Her Majesty's Highways would likely get very frustrating or end up in court/hospital. For me it seems less really is more.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Royal Jelly

3,688 posts

199 months

Friday 18th December 2020
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Voodoo Blue said:
10 years ago if I had been offered the chance of a GT4 I'd have bought it without thinking.

This year I've been told I could have one if I wanted it but to be honest I've realised that it would probably be wasted on me as I don't have the talent to get the most out of it over the cars I already have and the current driving environment of speed cameras, poor road maintenance and generally poor driving skills of the great British public mean that exercising a GT4 on Her Majesty's Highways would likely get very frustrating or end up in court/hospital. For me it seems less really is more.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
I hear you, VB. As a 981S owner, there really isn’t much more I want from a car in the U.K. either. I live overseas and it’s my only car in the U.K., and I find the balance it strikes between utilitarian dry-cleaning/grocery store runner and delightful b-road toy quite hard to beat.

I’d probably be dead-keen on a GT car if I had a fleet of cars, but if it’s for routine duties as well as a good weekend blast, I’d likely stick with your idea, too.

And a very merry Christmas to you, too smile

nickv8

1,348 posts

84 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Voodoo Blue said:
Royal Jelly said:
Interesting to hear a nice balanced view from running both side by side.

As mentioned, they’re all so accomplished as road cars, it’s hard to know where to look to improve - while weighing up cost vs benefit. A close friend has just traded his weekend 981S for a base 718 to use as a daily. His remarks are similar to yours, with the 718 power delivery and updated PCM more suited to daily duties, at the expense of a bit of what makes a weekend car epic.

In your enviable position, (and depending on how you plan to use it), I’d consider a 981GT4 against the GTS4.0, but equally, having a 981 and 718 is a great ‘spread’.
10 years ago if I had been offered the chance of a GT4 I'd have bought it without thinking.

This year I've been told I could have one if I wanted it but to be honest I've realised that it would probably be wasted on me as I don't have the talent to get the most out of it over the cars I already have and the current driving environment of speed cameras, poor road maintenance and generally poor driving skills of the great British public mean that exercising a GT4 on Her Majesty's Highways would likely get very frustrating or end up in court/hospital. For me it seems less really is more.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
Seconded - really nice, balanced thoughts.

Did you ever consider the CarPlay upgrade that’s available outside the OPC network? Invalidates any warranty, but overcomes the understandable feel that PCM in the 981 is a bit... naff. A cheaper change than a whole car? (I realise that wasn’t the entire argument wink )

paralla

3,536 posts

136 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
nickv8 said:
Seconded - really nice, balanced thoughts.
Thirded - I changed from a 981 S to the GT4.

The S was my daily driver and only car, I was able to park it on the street at home without any problems and generally enjoy it on every journey. When I changed it for the GT4 insurance meant I couldn't keep it on the street at home which meant I have to rent a garage 10 minutes walk away from home meaning it couldn't be my daily so I had to buy a second car to daily (Golf R Estate, recommended) which then meant the GT4 was only for occasional use. When you only get to use something occasionally you only get to enjoy it occasionally.

I changed the GT4 for the GT3 when I got an allocation and it really feels like something special, even compared to the GT4. I live in central London driving it in the city feels like I'm not letting an animal out of it's cage, a bit cruel or something, like it's wasted. Makes me feel guilty for not driving it like it's supposed to be driven. I never had this guilt with the 981 S.

Mark-ri571

515 posts

108 months

Friday 18th December 2020
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Good to hear your views after one year with the 718. I’m enjoying being back in a Boxster. Would love to get the exhaust a bit louder though. Merry Christmas and here’s to lots of top down motoring in the New Year.

Xfe

257 posts

77 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Voodoo Blue said:
the current driving environment of speed cameras, poor road maintenance and generally poor driving skills of the great British public mean that exercising a GT4 on Her Majesty's Highways would likely get very frustrating or end up in court/hospital
IMO if you're not tracking your GT4 it's not worth owning one. A GTS or S is a much better road car

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
Xfe said:
Voodoo Blue said:
the current driving environment of speed cameras, poor road maintenance and generally poor driving skills of the great British public mean that exercising a GT4 on Her Majesty's Highways would likely get very frustrating or end up in court/hospital
IMO if you're not tracking your GT4 it's not worth owning one. A GTS or S is a much better road car
Thats pretty much the conclusion I came to as well except I've now gone a step further and realised that for me the base 2.0 is probably the best all rounder that Porsche produce for UK road use right now so that's why I'm going to keep mine.

Voodoo Blue

Original Poster:

870 posts

146 months

Friday 18th December 2020
quotequote all
nickv8 said:
Seconded - really nice, balanced thoughts.

Did you ever consider the CarPlay upgrade that’s available outside the OPC network? Invalidates any warranty, but overcomes the understandable feel that PCM in the 981 is a bit... naff. A cheaper change than a whole car? (I realise that wasn’t the entire argument wink )
Yep, we looked at the kit you install into the existing PCM unit and from memory it was around £1k fitted from a local Car HiFi dealer but as the car is under extended warranty we decided against it as I didn't want to take a chance with the Porsche Police if we had a problem in the future. If we do need to use Waze in the Cayman I stick my phone in a cup holder which is just about acceptable.


supersport

4,066 posts

228 months

Friday 18th December 2020
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Get a Ferrari you will love it biglaugh Sits ok along side a Boxster/Caymen just nicely.

I have to say the GTS 4.0 is a lovely bit of kit, and I think where I will end up. But I also suspect you are right, maybe it's not worth the difference. All Porsches are pretty damned quick and capable. Even our 987 S Tip.

They just get faster and faster, and I am not sure it's worth it. Having said that a friend has a Boxster 4.0 and came from a 987.2 S. He loves it and says it was worth it.