718 GTS 4.0 - is it special enough as a 'last' ICE?

[AndrewGP]

With the imminent demise of the 718 ICE cars, I've found myself thinking about 718 GTS 4.0 litre cars, both Boxster and Cayman.

I recently sold my daily driver 987.2 Cayman and I'm picking up it's replacement, a lovely aqua blue 981 Boxster 2.7 PDK, this Thursday. I also have a very track focussed Caterham R300, it's a special spec that's taken me a long time to upgrade and it's incredible to drive on track and throughout the summer, especially given I live near to some amazing driving roads.

Despite being excited about the Boxster's arrival, I can't help thinking the time is fast approaching to get that 'last' ICE car to store away for good, especially as I have the funds to do it and MrsGP is on side. I'm tracking the Caterham less and less and my attitude to the risks driving it are changing as I get older, in short I worry about the consequences of being hit by another car and it diminishes the fun factor.

If I sold the Caterham (and there would be no going back, I'd struggle to get anything like mine again without spending a disproportionate amount) would swapping it for a manual GTS 4.0 be in any way comparable? I wouldn't want to track it, but I would want to have a similar sense of occasion and that 'special' feeling when taking it out on an early morning run in the summer.

If not, should I stretch to a 718 Spyder or GT4? It's obviously a great problem to have but I'm prone to over-thinking/obsessing about these sorts of decisions so any guidance is appreciated

[AndrewGP]

Thank you all for the replies and insights so far. To answer some of the points made...

I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether a GTS 4.0 (or Spyder/GT4 if I were to stretch the budget) would be special enough to compete in any meaningful way with the driving experience of the Caterham and if I would be happy to swap it out. With the 718 going to EV shortly and other sports cars following suit (Lotus, Caterham etc) I feel it's getting closer to the time when I settle on the best ICE car my budget allows and keep it very long term. I've always had a sunny day/weekend car in the garage as well as my daily driver so naturally I want something that has that sense of occasion and specialness the daily lacks.

I accept C3m's point that we might have a bit more time to do this than I might think right now and that it's hard to predict what will happen in the future.

Part of the appeal of the 718 GTS/Spyder/GT4 is that it's doable and I love the way the Boxster and Cayman drive. Unfortunately I don't have the budget for a GT3

I also fully accept I need to go and drive them as av185 says before I make a final decision.

[AndrewGP]

Thanks again all, great advice all round (especially LiamH66) and it's all very helpful.

Lots for me to think about and it's obvious that this isn't going to be decided until I drive the cars in question. I just don't like wasting mine and dealer's time doing test drives on cars I'm not going to buy, so a bit of PH insight in to the choices to narrow things down is great.

I also know I'm a bit guilty of wanting to have cake and eat it here, in that I want to mix a raw driving experience with refinement so my expectations have been suitably managed

Grantstown, enjoy the Clio 172, I also had a 182 in my younger days and they're hilarious little cars!

Finmac, thanks for the suggestion on the Exige 410, I hadn't considered this, so I'll do some reading.

I'll update this thread again as and when I've done some test drives and arrived at more of a decision.