new Cayman - 981 or 718?
Discussion
I borrowed a 718 Cayman S for the weekend about 3 weeks ago with the intention of making my mind up whether to order one to replace my 981 Cayman S.
I went out for the majority of the day on the Sunday around some of South/Mid Wales's great driving roads, taking the opportunity to drive the 718 and 981 back to back for a real comparison.
My conclusion/opinion was this: The 718 excels in every way - speed, torque, steering, handling, ride etc. but the sound! The unique sound and experience of the F6 N/A engine of the 981 is something hard to beat. The 718 F4 turbo is a bit too Subaru Impreza like (cliche, I know), which isn't a bad thing. It's a bit like Apple taking away the headphone jack - you could get used to it, but do you want to?
Prior to driving the 718, I honestly thought I would have been sold on it and was prepared to put a deposit down to place an order. But, I just couldn't, I told the salesman I needed more time to think. I've had that time and the more and more I drive my 981, the more and more I love it as a complete package. I never thought the sound of the 718 would really bother me that much, but it does, and I've decided I'd rather keep my 981 for longer or think about getting a 981 GTS. Come to think about it, I do need to ring my salesman back as he has left me two messages :-)
I think I've been spoiled by having the 981 and getting used to the theatrics of the engine, if I went straight into the 718, I'd have absolutely no problems choosing it and it is definitely the superior car, but not for me at the moment.
Out of curiosity has anyone let their 981 go, in favour of the 718? I suspect this is a step hard to take for many.
I went out for the majority of the day on the Sunday around some of South/Mid Wales's great driving roads, taking the opportunity to drive the 718 and 981 back to back for a real comparison.
My conclusion/opinion was this: The 718 excels in every way - speed, torque, steering, handling, ride etc. but the sound! The unique sound and experience of the F6 N/A engine of the 981 is something hard to beat. The 718 F4 turbo is a bit too Subaru Impreza like (cliche, I know), which isn't a bad thing. It's a bit like Apple taking away the headphone jack - you could get used to it, but do you want to?
Prior to driving the 718, I honestly thought I would have been sold on it and was prepared to put a deposit down to place an order. But, I just couldn't, I told the salesman I needed more time to think. I've had that time and the more and more I drive my 981, the more and more I love it as a complete package. I never thought the sound of the 718 would really bother me that much, but it does, and I've decided I'd rather keep my 981 for longer or think about getting a 981 GTS. Come to think about it, I do need to ring my salesman back as he has left me two messages :-)
I think I've been spoiled by having the 981 and getting used to the theatrics of the engine, if I went straight into the 718, I'd have absolutely no problems choosing it and it is definitely the superior car, but not for me at the moment.
Out of curiosity has anyone let their 981 go, in favour of the 718? I suspect this is a step hard to take for many.
i started this thread last year as i couldn't decide whether to go with the newer model and its F4T, or stick with the outgoing model and the F6.
long story short:
i put a deposit down for a pretty basic spec 718CS but had to cancel a couple of months later.
i think that was a blessing in disguise though because it gave me some time to calm down and think about things objectively and finally a couple of months ago i became the lucky owner of a CGTS with sports suspension, manual box, buckets, PTV, interior pack and lots of extras.
completely thrilled with the car and have to say i'm glad i went with the F6. i think when i first tried the 718 i was so excited about being in a great car that i didn't really get just how different the F4T and the F6 experiences are. thought the 718S was great (and still do) but the drama of the F6 and the extra sense of occasion offered by the GTS bits add so much to the whole experience for me.
long story short:
i put a deposit down for a pretty basic spec 718CS but had to cancel a couple of months later.
i think that was a blessing in disguise though because it gave me some time to calm down and think about things objectively and finally a couple of months ago i became the lucky owner of a CGTS with sports suspension, manual box, buckets, PTV, interior pack and lots of extras.
completely thrilled with the car and have to say i'm glad i went with the F6. i think when i first tried the 718 i was so excited about being in a great car that i didn't really get just how different the F4T and the F6 experiences are. thought the 718S was great (and still do) but the drama of the F6 and the extra sense of occasion offered by the GTS bits add so much to the whole experience for me.
JasonSteel said:
i started this thread last year as i couldn't decide whether to go with the newer model and its F4T, or stick with the outgoing model and the F6.
long story short:
i put a deposit down for a pretty basic spec 718CS but had to cancel a couple of months later.
i think that was a blessing in disguise though because it gave me some time to calm down and think about things objectively and finally a couple of months ago i became the lucky owner of a CGTS with sports suspension, manual box, buckets, PTV, interior pack and lots of extras.
completely thrilled with the car and have to say i'm glad i went with the F6. i think when i first tried the 718 i was so excited about being in a great car that i didn't really get just how different the F4T and the F6 experiences are. thought the 718S was great (and still do) but the drama of the F6 and the extra sense of occasion offered by the GTS bits add so much to the whole experience for me.
I'm not sure if it's a re-post but this video sums that up nicely.long story short:
i put a deposit down for a pretty basic spec 718CS but had to cancel a couple of months later.
i think that was a blessing in disguise though because it gave me some time to calm down and think about things objectively and finally a couple of months ago i became the lucky owner of a CGTS with sports suspension, manual box, buckets, PTV, interior pack and lots of extras.
completely thrilled with the car and have to say i'm glad i went with the F6. i think when i first tried the 718 i was so excited about being in a great car that i didn't really get just how different the F4T and the F6 experiences are. thought the 718S was great (and still do) but the drama of the F6 and the extra sense of occasion offered by the GTS bits add so much to the whole experience for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPlK0ULHHk4
Great car but 'tragic' engine.
JayK12 said:
That is the perfect spec, very nice, i basically have the same spec BGTS but without buckets .
i jumped at the chance when i saw the spec, putting down a deposit over the phone even though i wasn't sure on the buckets (which i'd never seen before) or the colour (carrara white). fell for the buckets as soon as isaw them and was sold on them as soon as i sat in them. was sold on the car as soon as the sales guy started the engine cherry on the icing on the delicious cake is that the carrara white has grown on me and now i love it.
JasonSteel said:
i jumped at the chance when i saw the spec, putting down a deposit over the phone even though i wasn't sure on the buckets (which i'd never seen before) or the colour (carrara white). fell for the buckets as soon as isaw them and was sold on them as soon as i sat in them. was sold on the car as soon as the sales guy started the engine
cherry on the icing on the delicious cake is that the carrara white has grown on me and now i love it.
Sounds like you ended up with a great car.cherry on the icing on the delicious cake is that the carrara white has grown on me and now i love it.
I'm sure every time you you get in you feel that you have yourself a very special motor (not sure it would be exactly the same feeling in a new 718).
I was fortunate enough to get a new Spyder, but if not I would have had a BGTS with pretty much your spec.
Enjoy
JasonSteel said:
JayK12 said:
That is the perfect spec, very nice, i basically have the same spec BGTS but without buckets .
i jumped at the chance when i saw the spec, putting down a deposit over the phone even though i wasn't sure on the buckets (which i'd never seen before) or the colour (carrara white). fell for the buckets as soon as isaw them and was sold on them as soon as i sat in them. was sold on the car as soon as the sales guy started the engine cherry on the icing on the delicious cake is that the carrara white has grown on me and now i love it.
Boxster7 said:
Sounds like you ended up with a great car.
I'm sure every time you you get in you feel that you have yourself a very special motor (not sure it would be exactly the same feeling in a new 718).
I was fortunate enough to get a new Spyder, but if not I would have had a BGTS with pretty much your spec.
Enjoy
thanks - yes, definitely feels great I'm sure every time you you get in you feel that you have yourself a very special motor (not sure it would be exactly the same feeling in a new 718).
I was fortunate enough to get a new Spyder, but if not I would have had a BGTS with pretty much your spec.
Enjoy
there was a Spyder in the showroom when i picked up the GTS - really lovely car too.
JayK12 said:
If you ever think of selling, be sure to message me please!
will do OOI, why the preference now for the Cayman over the Boxster?
JasonSteel said:
Boxster7 said:
Sounds like you ended up with a great car.
I'm sure every time you you get in you feel that you have yourself a very special motor (not sure it would be exactly the same feeling in a new 718).
I was fortunate enough to get a new Spyder, but if not I would have had a BGTS with pretty much your spec.
Enjoy
thanks - yes, definitely feels great I'm sure every time you you get in you feel that you have yourself a very special motor (not sure it would be exactly the same feeling in a new 718).
I was fortunate enough to get a new Spyder, but if not I would have had a BGTS with pretty much your spec.
Enjoy
there was a Spyder in the showroom when i picked up the GTS - really lovely car too.
JayK12 said:
If you ever think of selling, be sure to message me please!
will do OOI, why the preference now for the Cayman over the Boxster?
Any opinions on whether 981 residuals are likely to stay strong? Currently trying to decide between a used 981 or a new 718. Don't want to be left with a lot of negative equity buying at the current high prices if they're likely to take a tumble after more of the 718 role out. Were 981 boxsters always much cheaper than the caymans used as there seems to be a fair difference between current used values?
rianos said:
Any opinions on whether 981 residuals are likely to stay strong? Currently trying to decide between a used 981 or a new 718. Don't want to be left with a lot of negative equity buying at the current high prices if they're likely to take a tumble after more of the 718 role out. Were 981 boxsters always much cheaper than the caymans used as there seems to be a fair difference between current used values?
i think you will lose less on a 981 than a new 718 unless you get a pre April 17 718 which will have strong used demand due to VED. The reason why 981 boxters tend to be cheaper is mainly due to the numbers built.
The boxter came out in 2012, the Caymans came out in late 2013 and 14, depending on where you read the info?
So, there are far less Caymans about which makes them rare, and therefore worth a bit more.
Just depends on what you like in the end.
So, if you want a Boxter, you can get a better deal from some dealers.
I suspect there won't be much in the loss area either way from now.
But people who bought a Cayman for a similar price in the past might make a bit more return than a Boxter.
Gadgit.
The boxter came out in 2012, the Caymans came out in late 2013 and 14, depending on where you read the info?
So, there are far less Caymans about which makes them rare, and therefore worth a bit more.
Just depends on what you like in the end.
So, if you want a Boxter, you can get a better deal from some dealers.
I suspect there won't be much in the loss area either way from now.
But people who bought a Cayman for a similar price in the past might make a bit more return than a Boxter.
Gadgit.
Hey Guys... very good thread... I was doing just a general 'favorite internet search' search this morning on 981CS vs 718C. I have one of the last 981 Caymans to make it to the US. Bought it in Oct 2016. I'm a chronic car trader and thought that perhaps I could get the 718 base, and with the turbo, and get the performance of the 981 (with known differences) at the same price and be able to spec the car exactly like I've always wanted a Porsche. I bought the 981CS off the floor. Gray/Black with not much else.
Without driving the 718 I don't think I will be able to determine (of course I couldn't) if the turbo torque of the 718 could replace the 6 cylinder power and sound of the 981. It's quite a debate. Prior to the 981 S, I had a base 981 and didn't like the power curve. Yes, you can tach it up to 7000 but then you're going 60MPH down your neighborhood street.
So, I may just have to go test drive the 718 base Cayman. Get it in Guards Red, tan leather, with mahogany trim and that's about it. Our just hang on to one of the last 981s. I have a feeling that the 981s may just hold their value better than a new 718. As they say, 'they ain't makin' 'em no more' and you can't replace the sound you get when you hit 6000RPM in the 6 cylinder.
By the way, I just did my first oil change on the 981 at 7500 miles and was pretty surprised with the ease of the change/access to the drain and filter. So on full syn oil, I'm good for another 7500 miles to make up my mind.
If I do drive the 718, I'll get back to you all with an update. I'm pretty sure I haven't contributed anything meaningful to the OP but it's a good thread and wanted to get in on it. I may have more later.
Without driving the 718 I don't think I will be able to determine (of course I couldn't) if the turbo torque of the 718 could replace the 6 cylinder power and sound of the 981. It's quite a debate. Prior to the 981 S, I had a base 981 and didn't like the power curve. Yes, you can tach it up to 7000 but then you're going 60MPH down your neighborhood street.
So, I may just have to go test drive the 718 base Cayman. Get it in Guards Red, tan leather, with mahogany trim and that's about it. Our just hang on to one of the last 981s. I have a feeling that the 981s may just hold their value better than a new 718. As they say, 'they ain't makin' 'em no more' and you can't replace the sound you get when you hit 6000RPM in the 6 cylinder.
By the way, I just did my first oil change on the 981 at 7500 miles and was pretty surprised with the ease of the change/access to the drain and filter. So on full syn oil, I'm good for another 7500 miles to make up my mind.
If I do drive the 718, I'll get back to you all with an update. I'm pretty sure I haven't contributed anything meaningful to the OP but it's a good thread and wanted to get in on it. I may have more later.
Johnny Pflattsichs said:
Hey Guys... very good thread... I was doing just a general 'favorite internet search' search this morning on 981CS vs 718C. I have one of the last 981 Caymans to make it to the US. Bought it in Oct 2016. I'm a chronic car trader and thought that perhaps I could get the 718 base, and with the turbo, and get the performance of the 981 (with known differences) at the same price and be able to spec the car exactly like I've always wanted a Porsche. I bought the 981CS off the floor. Gray/Black with not much else.
Without driving the 718 I don't think I will be able to determine (of course I couldn't) if the turbo torque of the 718 could replace the 6 cylinder power and sound of the 981. It's quite a debate. Prior to the 981 S, I had a base 981 and didn't like the power curve. Yes, you can tach it up to 7000 but then you're going 60MPH down your neighborhood street.
So, I may just have to go test drive the 718 base Cayman. Get it in Guards Red, tan leather, with mahogany trim and that's about it. Our just hang on to one of the last 981s. I have a feeling that the 981s may just hold their value better than a new 718. As they say, 'they ain't makin' 'em no more' and you can't replace the sound you get when you hit 6000RPM in the 6 cylinder.
By the way, I just did my first oil change on the 981 at 7500 miles and was pretty surprised with the ease of the change/access to the drain and filter. So on full syn oil, I'm good for another 7500 miles to make up my mind.
If I do drive the 718, I'll get back to you all with an update. I'm pretty sure I haven't contributed anything meaningful to the OP but it's a good thread and wanted to get in on it. I may have more later.
I did more reading and saw the OP already made a purchase... that's great. I loved some of the CGTSs I was seeing but it was quite a bit of coin. I think the extra HP of the GTS might give it more of the turbo torque that's so nice. I might look at the the used GTS market in the future in addition to the 718s. Enjoy it...Without driving the 718 I don't think I will be able to determine (of course I couldn't) if the turbo torque of the 718 could replace the 6 cylinder power and sound of the 981. It's quite a debate. Prior to the 981 S, I had a base 981 and didn't like the power curve. Yes, you can tach it up to 7000 but then you're going 60MPH down your neighborhood street.
So, I may just have to go test drive the 718 base Cayman. Get it in Guards Red, tan leather, with mahogany trim and that's about it. Our just hang on to one of the last 981s. I have a feeling that the 981s may just hold their value better than a new 718. As they say, 'they ain't makin' 'em no more' and you can't replace the sound you get when you hit 6000RPM in the 6 cylinder.
By the way, I just did my first oil change on the 981 at 7500 miles and was pretty surprised with the ease of the change/access to the drain and filter. So on full syn oil, I'm good for another 7500 miles to make up my mind.
If I do drive the 718, I'll get back to you all with an update. I'm pretty sure I haven't contributed anything meaningful to the OP but it's a good thread and wanted to get in on it. I may have more later.
Johnny Pflattsichs said:
I think the extra HP of the GTS might give it more of the turbo torque that's so nice.
I think you're being a bit hopeful there. There is little between the S and GTS below 5k and even the BASE 718 has more torque than the GT4 below 4k. The 718S is something else until you get towards the rev limit.Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff