Cayman 718 or F Type V6/V8

[m3coupe]

Evening folks, looking to see if someone has any views or better, owned either and can give some perspective.

I’m looking for a weekend toy, something to go for a blast in but also something that the wife and
I can take for weekends away places so a bit of luggage space is handy.

I want a hardtop so not interested in convertibles. I quite like the idea of a project to make something of my liking, think GT4 or SVR styling.

Can’t see me doing many, if any track days but still want it to handle well and go well. Pretty sure there similar in spec.

In my eyes, pros for the 718:

Slightly newer
Handling
Reliability

Pros for the f type

Performance
Soundtrack
Storage space

I know ones more of a sports tourer than a sports car as such but both tick a lot of boxes.

Anyone have any views from ownership?

Cheers

[bompey]

m3coupe said:

In my eyes, pros for the 718:

Slightly newer
Handling
Reliability

Pros for the f type

Performance
Soundtrack
Storage space

I know ones more of a sports tourer than a sports car as such but both tick a lot of boxes.

Anyone have any views from ownership?

Cheers

If storage space is important that’s a pro for the 718. Having both front and back boots gives a lot of space, and large road trips are very easy to do.

[m3coupe]

bompey said:

If storage space is important that s a pro for the 718. Having both front and back boots gives a lot of space, and large road trips are very easy to do.

That’s a fair point, thanks for that.

[mikef]

Any cayman is rather small, although the available space is well managed. Going away for much longer than a weekend, or shopping trips abroad, is going to be a challenge

On the other hand, it drives better than any other small car and is rock solid

Depends on your priorities

[LunarOne]

mikef said:

Any cayman is rather small, although the available space is well managed. Going away for much longer than a weekend, or shopping trips abroad, is going to be a challenge

On the other hand, it drives better than any other small car and is rock solid

Depends on your priorities

I don't agree at all with this. I have a 981 Boxster S and the Cayman has more space as you can put things on top of the engine cover which you can't in a Boxster. Yes, The 718's rear boot isn't as wide due to the DPF nonsense, but I regularly do a 3-4 week road trip in mine and always end up taking much more luggage than I actually need. It's plenty of space for two people for as long as you need, unless you are planning on doing a lot of shopping while you're away.

Edited by LunarOne on Sunday 22 February 21:32

[mikef]

LunarOne said:

I regularly do a 3-4 week road trip in mine and always end up taking much moore luggage than I actually need.

I need to show this to my wife

[ABMA]

The Jag will be more drama (and beautiful) specially if the V8 (I had the V6S AWD) and it was all about pops and bangs.
The Porsche is more engaging to drive though.

[bcr5784]

The 718 Cayman has loads of storage space - about the same in total as a midrange hatchback. The front boot takes a large suitcase and odds and ends, the rear boot isn't that small either and there is space over the engine for even more. In that respect the car is outstanding.

I think you should be looking at other things, which truly separate the cars.

The 4 cylinder engines in the 718 are effective, but uninspiring (some might say unpleasant) and F-type engines will be nicer. On the other hand the Porsche 4.0 flat six makes very nice noises - but is spoilt by overlong gears - and won't match the subjective grunt of the F-type V8.

Beyond that the F-type is more of a grand tourer than a sportscar, the Porsche is the sharper tool. The Porsche (indeed all Porsches) suffer from high levels of road roar on course surfaces - not such an issue on the continent, but definitely a source of annoyance on British motorways.

If you go the Porsche route I would definitely get PASM - makes a big difference on UK roads at modest speeds.

[vdn]

I have a 981 Cayman and whilst the drive is as legend would have it... some shoddy attention to detail and questionable build quality would perhaps have me choose the F-Type were I doing it all over again. If the 718 you are considering has the little engine, I'd go F-Type in any case.

[Ezra]

I've had numerous Boxsters and Caymans and found myself wanting to scratch the F-type itch a few years ago. The local main dealer had a lovely P380 that I took out for a drive and I knew after 30 seconds it wasn't for me. Despite a lovely cabin and looks, compared with the Porsches, it felt nowhere near as nimble. Just felt heavy, wide and far too GT ish.

I'd also say Me and Mrs E never found space wanting in the Porsches, esp the Caymans, and regularly took them on road trips in UK and Europe.

[m3coupe]

Thanks for the replies so far. For the Cayman, it would be either a 2.0 or 2.5. Budget won’t stretch to a 4.0.

Now as for smaller engine, I’ve already researched power upgrades and you can get the 2.0 up to circa 450bhp. Jag wise, V6 can get to just over 500bhp easily as well with a good bit more in development. If it’s a V8, it probably has more than enough power but 700bhp is easily achievable as well if really needed.

Interior wise, I feel the jag wins it for looks.

When you say the f type feels big and heavy, how do you mean? Just in general or when B road or track days?

[deeen]

For me, the Jag feels much more special inside, especially if not all in black, and that's what you see when you're driving!

The Porsche is sharper, lighter, more of a sports car, so if it's ever going on the track, it has to be the Porsche.

However it would have to be a flat 6 for me, even if it meant getting an older car!

[vdn]

Watch the Harry's Garage love-in on the F-Type if you haven't already:
https://youtu.be/DXCfADxDHrc

[Hol]

Everyone s exact particulars are different, but I went through this exact choice five years ago and went for a manual 718S in the end.

I liked the Jaguars sense of grand touring ability but the 718 was nicer to drive and I just wanted a manual before they disappeared completely.

Contrary to the opinions of people who never owned one, the Frunk space can hold a lot of luggage, but not golf club level.



Also, it fitted In garage easier

Edited by Hol on Monday 23 February 07:10

[Techno9000]

m3coupe said:

Evening folks, looking to see if someone has any views or better, owned either and can give some perspective.

I m looking for a weekend toy, something to go for a blast in but also something that the wife and I can take for weekends away places so a bit of luggage space is handy.

I want a hardtop so not interested in convertibles. I quite like the idea of a project to make something of my liking, think GT4 or SVR styling.

Can t see me doing many, if any track days but still want it to handle well and go well. Pretty sure there similar in spec.

In my eyes, pros for the 718:

Slightly newer
Handling
Reliability

Pros for the f type

Performance
Soundtrack
Storage space

I know ones more of a sports tourer than a sports car as such but both tick a lot of boxes.

Anyone have any views from ownership?

Cheers

Had just this dilemma a couple of years back, was bouncing between the two.
Like yourself I was focusing on a Coupe and had a penchant for a V8, so why did I end up with a Boxster S?

Well, to go through your points in order, luggage space in the Boxster will take two hard carry on cases up front, plus more squashy stuff around and above it. Another hard carry on will go in the boot plus more. Three cases at least, two did us for over a week touring in France last summer.

I wasn't interested in a convertible, never had one and had images of 70's stuff in my head until I had a test drive.

PASM suspension on a 718 is simply the best I've had the pleasure of. Supple on a cruise, soaking up lumps and bumps with aplomb, but feels flat through corners, it's the aspect that passengers comment on as they find it surprising.

The soundtrack, to me in person, nowhere near as bad as the reviewers put it. It actually made me smile on start up and certainly has a character of its own. If you ever get to try it, note that there is an artificial sound generator (Soundaktor) in the cabin and (as usual with these things) it does no favours. Disabling it is a minutes work to pull a fuse.

My wife loves the convertible, looking forward to several trips away we already have lined up for '26.
Good luck.

[LunarOne]

I was also faced with the same choice and went for the Boxster S because I wanted a manual driving experience. It's also much more direct and feels sportier if not quite as epic as the bif V8 in the Jag. But I can fit a large hardshell case in the frunk (just!) buy laying it flat, and then you have rook for various soft bags on top. And then you still have all the room in the boot which will take a medium hard shell case and have space on both sides for more soft bags. And the Boxster's boot isn't encroached at all by the roof, unlike many convertibles. But a Cayman will give you even more packing space, and in my opinion, look better. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't hanker after a V8 F-type. The V6 did nothing for me.

[RandomCarChat]

Personally i'd find the nicest 981 S or GTS if budget allows, I loved my base 2.7 so it would be an even better experience with more grunt.

I looked at 718s but the flat 6 noise of the 981 is something that I couldn't go without, especially with the PSE.



They are hugely practical and will swallow an enormous amount of crap if you pack smart. We did 10 days in Ireland and didn't struggle for room or comfort at any time, having the two storage compartments and the shelf above the engine is brilliant.



I considered F type Coupes but the Porsche pipped it for me, that mid engine balance is magic.

[LunarOne]

One thing to consider is that the steering feel on the 718 is MUCH nicer than the 981's. I don't know whether it's software or hardware or both. But the flat-6 engine was the deciding factor for me as it's much more soulful (even if less powerful) than the 2.5 four of the 781. Of course what you want is the flat-six in a 781 body, but that didn't exist yet. Now it does and it's a compelling, yet expensive package. But I think if the OP hasn't driven a flat=six then he won't know what he's missing and will bve perfectly happy with the gruff flat-four. I still enjoy the flat-four, apart from the lack of go from very low revs due to the turbos.

[Honeywell]

You'll always regret not having the grunt of the 5.0 V8 and that gorgeous arse on the Jag. Yes its heavier and less nimble but be honest with yourself how often are you dabbing in a bit of oppo around an alpine hairpin pass really?