new Cayman - 981 or 718?

[Krobar]

I got 3.5 on a to order 981 Cayman (Inc PCP discount). It was weird to see the options figure as negative.

[Prospective]

Hi What delivery dates are prospective new owners of the 718 Cayman being quoted??
Will help me decide whether to wait or look at something else.
thanks

[NBTBRV8]

Prospective said:

Hi What delivery dates are prospective new owners of the 718 Cayman being quoted??
Will help me decide whether to wait or look at something else.
thanks

Production begins in September.

[nsm3]

Just looking at the 718 and can't detect these panel changes from the 981? Light clusters, mirrors, obvious, black thing on back not as bad as I thought, but prefer back of 981, interior changes barely perceptible apart from the slightly nicer wheel. I expected more dramatic moves, like 987 to 981 TBH?

The choice really does come down to this engine swap? Pretty sure if I was changing and the drive proves to be as anticipated, I would look at RS/S3 and gain practicality/save some money?

[HighwayStar]

nsm3 said:

Just looking at the 718 and can't detect these panel changes from the 981? Light clusters, mirrors, obvious, black thing on back not as bad as I thought, but prefer back of 981, interior changes barely perceptible apart from the slightly nicer wheel. I expected more dramatic moves, like 987 to 981 TBH?

The choice really does come down to this engine swap? Pretty sure if I was changing and the drive proves to be as anticipated, I would look at RS/S3 and gain practicality/save some money?

The 718 might look like the 981, but every panel is different. I do like the look of the 718 but I don't think dates the 981 at all. Having not long bought my Cayman I could've gone the 718 route but I wanted the F6. That's it, I'm not interested in the why would you go turbo question... each to their own. I got what I wanted. Others will do the same.

Re 'if I was changing and the drive proves to be as anticipated, I would look at RS/S3 and gain practicality/save some money?' I not really sure about that statement. If it drives as anticipated...? Not one review has criticised the way the 718 drives. The basic conclusion is although it has lost it's heart and soul, it is still by some margin thee best sports car in it's segment.
The RS/S3... Is that RS3/Focus RS? Either way, 2 seat, purpose built from the ground up sports car or 4 seat hatch back, they are not going to compare in the slightest.

[nsm3]

Audi RS/S3, but to be fair, I did the most drooling over the Macan S in the showroom, so I guess the practicality thing is riding higher up the charts for me nowadays?

[HighwayStar]

nsm3 said:

Audi RS/S3, but to be fair, I did the most drooling over the Macan S in the showroom, so I guess the practicality thing is riding higher up the charts for me nowadays?

That's what I thought... 718 is a nice idea but in the needs must stakes S3?RS3 or Macan S is really where you need to be shopping. And if you're drooling over a Macan you don't have much want for a 718 eh
I'm no fan of SUV's but if I had then need and he wedge they are lovely up close.
You could make a case for the 718 and a lesser practical motor I'm sure.....

[JasonSteel]

Prospective said:

Hi What delivery dates are prospective new owners of the 718 Cayman being quoted??
Will help me decide whether to wait or look at something else.
thanks

i'm hoping Sep/Oct for mine but no definite date yet.

nsm3 said:

Just looking at the 718 and can't detect these panel changes from the 981?

for me the major difference is at the back with the new lights and the spoiler change.

changes to the front and sides are more subtle, though the ends of the front spoiler have different indentations which make quite a difference... not sure if i prefer the 981 or the 718 in this regard. in the end, even though the 981 looks great overall i just don't like the rear lights in particular, and the way the spoiler cuts into them.

this thread on Planet9 has a good overview of the differences (Boxster though, not Cayman):

http://www.planet-9.com/news-items/116640-here-off...

nsm3 said:

gain practicality/save some money?

but you would have a completely different type of car...

[bcr5784]

HighwayStar said:

That's what I thought... 718 is a nice idea but in the needs must stakes S3?RS3 or Macan S is really where you need to be shopping. And if you're drooling over a Macan you don't have much want for a 718 eh
I'm no fan of SUV's but if I had then need and he wedge they are lovely up close.
You could make a case for the 718 and a lesser practical motor I'm sure.....

Agree, I really don't get the SUV thing either unless you go off road, tow horseboxes or caravans etc. There are surely cars that just as practical and spacious, that are more fun, more economical and cheaper than (any) comparable SUV - accepting that the Macan is best of (for me) a rather compromised breed.

For some reason (probably blame Range Rover) SUVs have an image/status above estate cars and people carriers which I find difficult to fathom. It is a fashion thing - in days gone by Reliant gave Estate cars credibility with the Scimitar GTE, Renault gave people carriers credibility with the Espace and now it's SUVs turn - despite the fact that many (most) are pretty ugly.

[cypriot]

JasonSteel said:

i've been reading some of the loooooong threads on the new 718 with interest. i'm looking to get a Cayman but can't decide whether to buy now and go for the F6, or wait a while longer and get the updated 718.

i should say from the outset i'm no racer. i just an average guy, finally in a position to treat myself to a decent car and i've settled on the Cayman for a number of reasons.

one of the things (actually, the only thing) that makes me want the 981 is the engine. partly for the different response but mainly for the noise. i'm still lamenting the lack of noise in F1 and for me noise is part of the drama of driving a sports car. otherwise it's a bit like watching an action movie on a huge screen and listening through a phone speaker.

however i also have an eye on resale value, so i'd like ask some advice:

1. resale value - if i buy new, in 3 years time is a 981 likely to be worth less/more/roughly the same as a 718?

2. sports exhaust - PSE has only just appeared on the list of options for the Boxster, so does that mean the reviews that are out were on cars without this option? will PSE improve noise?

3. any school boy errors i should be avoiding?

Haven't read the full thread on here, so here are my 2 cents: you can't go wrong with either cars! For me, I would be thinking about how much money I am willing to lose. A new 718 will see the full hit of depreciation in the first 3 years. Whereas you could buy a 2yr old 981 as see less depreciation over the next 3 years. Both cars are excellent in their own right. One goes faster, one sounds better. Thats basically all there is to it. As for school boy errors, the only thing I will say is make sure you get a car with the climate control (dual zone) as the standard air con is NOT climate control. Its like the aircon in 90's cars that don't maintain a constant temp, and i find it ridiculous that the 981s come with this as standard. other than the above, enjoy!!

[HighwayStar]

bcr5784 said:

HighwayStar said:

That's what I thought... 718 is a nice idea but in the needs must stakes S3?RS3 or Macan S is really where you need to be shopping. And if you're drooling over a Macan you don't have much want for a 718 eh
I'm no fan of SUV's but if I had then need and the wedge they are lovely up close.
You could make a case for the 718 and a lesser practical motor I'm sure.....

Agree, I really don't get the SUV thing either unless you go off road, tow horseboxes or caravans etc. There are surely cars that just as practical and spacious, that are more fun, more economical and cheaper than (any) comparable SUV - accepting that the Macan is best of (for me) a rather compromised breed.

For some reason (probably blame Range Rover) SUVs have an image/status above estate cars and people carriers which I find difficult to fathom. It is a fashion thing - in days gone by Reliant gave Estate cars credibility with the Scimitar GTE, Renault gave people carriers credibility with the Espace and now it's SUVs turn - despite the fact that many (most) are pretty ugly.

I wasn't particularly getting into the whole what are SUV's for thing...
It was more if he went for a lesser car and have his 718 cake and eat it if lightly optioned.

[JasonSteel]

cypriot said:

you can't go wrong with either cars!

yeah my conclusion was similar, and in the end it came down to looks over engine so i chose the 718.

cypriot said:

For me, I would be thinking about how much money I am willing to lose. A new 718 will see the full hit of depreciation in the first 3 years. Whereas you could buy a 2yr old 981 as see less depreciation over the next 3 years.

this was also a major consideration for me and in the end my conclusion (right or wrong) is that the overall cost of ownership over 3yrs is about the same. if you look at 987 prices vs 981, it gives some kind guide as to what the additional hit is due to the model no longer being current. there might be 2/3k in it but over 3 years i figured that's a fair price to pay to be in a brand new car with full warranty and no previous thrashing.

cypriot said:

the only thing I will say is make sure you get a car with the climate control (dual zone)

thanks - i didn't realise that but will add to my order

Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 8th June 18:37

[FrankCayman]

nsm3 said:

Just looking at the 718 and can't detect these panel changes from the 981? Light clusters, mirrors, obvious, black thing on back not as bad as I thought, but prefer back of 981, interior changes barely perceptible apart from the slightly nicer wheel. I expected more dramatic moves, like 987 to 981 TBH?

The choice really does come down to this engine swap? Pretty sure if I was changing and the drive proves to be as anticipated, I would look at RS/S3 and gain practicality/save some money?

To me, the 718 is just a 981 facelift with new engines - not a new car.

[cypriot]

JasonSteel said:

thanks - i didn't realise that but will add to my order

Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 8th June 18:37

Good on you! Enjoy the car and congrats on choosing!

[nsm3]

FrankCayman said:

To me, the 718 is just a 981 facelift with new engines - not a new car.

It would seem so, I guess we are seeing the 986/7 and now 981/718 mods. Perhaps the next car will be a complete redesign?

[FrankCayman]

nsm3 said:

FrankCayman said:

To me, the 718 is just a 981 facelift with new engines - not a new car.

It would seem so, I guess we are seeing the 986/7 and now 981/718 mods. Perhaps the next car will be a complete redesign?

Most car manufacturers tend to produce a car for 4 years.....give it a mid life facelift and run with that for another 4 years before bringing out a completely new car.

Guess Porsche wanted to get these 4c turbo engines out quick into the midlife facelift.

I wished they'd carried on with 6c for another 4 years then brought out a completely new car with new engines and new name all in one go!!!

Edited by FrankCayman on Friday 10th June 07:36

[EDDIE B]

Iv driven all the Porsche caymans the best is from 2014 to 2016 flat 6, 3.4 gts manual or pdk with a cup chassis this girl puts a very big smile on your face have a look at steve Sutcliffe Porsche gts vid on youtube

Edited by EDDIE B on Sunday 18th December 12:30

[roger1361]

I've driven a few Caymans and, well, my view is that the 981 is the very best, see my little vid here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5sJwi9NAvA

[John-b6kp4]

I own a 996 Turbo cabriolet which has just had a full service plus a replacement turbo and new radiator ....cost 6k! I decided that if I sell it with 87k miles I may achieve the cost of a brand new Cayman 2 litre in basic form.I love the look of the Cayman and do believe they will get classic status too.I asked the chap at Porsche how long it would take to get delivery and he stated by the end of the year! ..... can anyone verify that that is the case or should I try a different dealer?

I was also surprised that I had been driving my car with a seized Turbo since I purchased it 2 years ago, on taking it home I put my foot down and it took 12 cars in around 3 seconds I just could not believe the speed so if anyone out there wants a 911 turbo 2004 cab with hard top in black I want around 39k for it and am told by the experts that it will be worth over 100k in 5 years time.
Regards
John

[neilf]

John-b6kp4 said:

I own a 996 Turbo cabriolet which has just had a full service plus a replacement turbo and new radiator ....cost 6k! I decided that if I sell it with 87k miles I may achieve the cost of a brand new Cayman 2 litre in basic form.I love the look of the Cayman and do believe they will get classic status too.I asked the chap at Porsche how long it would take to get delivery and he stated by the end of the year! ..... can anyone verify that that is the case or should I try a different dealer?

I was also surprised that I had been driving my car with a seized Turbo since I purchased it 2 years ago, on taking it home I put my foot down and it took 12 cars in around 3 seconds I just could not believe the speed so if anyone out there wants a 911 turbo 2004 cab with hard top in black I want around 39k for it and am told by the experts that it will be worth over 100k in 5 years time.
Regards
John

Hi John. Your dealer is probably correct. It seems 718 Cayman allocations are in short supply at present. Depending on which theory you believe it's either as a result of currency fluctuations, Porsche retooling a new factory, Brexit, aliens or a combination of all four.