Living with the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS: A high spec Porsche 982 or a low spec Porsche 991?

Kumo and MotoMan get their hands – and paws - on the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 982 which they proceed to take to some of the glamorous places of Los Angeles – like the freeway, to find out which Porsche they want to live with . . .

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[JM-wubh]

Love my 2019 718 Cayman GTS. The engineers at Porsche knocked it out of the park creating a car that is sub 4 seconds 0-60 while getting 22MPG around town.

[anthonymartino]

I have a 718 GTS with PDK. It's an unbelievable car! I've had 3 prior 911's which are also great cars, but the driving characteristics of this car are spectacular. It's absolutely sublime!

[humorsourceincturner]

I ordered a 2015 Boxster GTS manual from the factory intending to track it and I have--many days on a handful of tracks in the Southeast, U.S. The car loves it. Nothing has ever failed or malfunctioned. Yes, by tracking the Boxster I feel I'm getting my money's worth out of the car. The risk in tracking it, to me, is less than driving in stop and go traffic and against on-coming cars. If you're a good driver, track it!

[MyUtubefreak]

Reasons for PDK: 1) city traffic 2) 7 speed vs 6 speed long ratios 3) launch control 4) quicker acceleration 5) better mileage. I normally go for a manual (1987 944) but technology has improved!

[rudolfvanderven]

Knows his planes, knows his Porsches, has awesome dog. Subscribed.

[OMGz]

I think Porsche just casually makes up the prices on their options while drinking beer after work

[ckneasel]

My choice would be PDK, but frankly I’m just “over” manual gearboxes... PDK is marginally quicker, shifts are lightning, requires no work and still offers as much satisfaction...

[jimlucier]

Track it!
Why buy a race car to dodge pickups and Toyotas.
I track my 2016 Cayman S where it is right at home.
Also, the PDK lets you concentrate on driving not shifting.

[SteveC-Shaman]

I have had my Turbo S out on the track a dozen times in the past year. Just do it.

[KidNIki]

I own a 2018 718 GTS and love it! Before I bought it, I drove it and a upgrade base 911 and I felt like the 718, was more fun and more “special”. It’s a great car! Love ya motorman!!!

[michaelschneider-]

+1. . Fast Foreward Jan 2021. .Current seasonal driver is an ole '98 Carrera 2S (993). . Since delivery in November 1997, the coupe is used on occasion. . A silver understated Uber ski-Kombi, a USA '96 Audi UrS6 Kombi served as the daily driver followed by a Euro '06 VW GTI MkV. . In 2016, the DD '06 GTI was handed down to a niece. . Thereafter an "as-new" '94 E-Class E320 coupe (W124) has the daily driver roll. . (Uncles E coupe). . My wife's/family car is an MB Kombi with a '22 MB Kombi in the queue for a Fall Euro delivery.
.. The Porsche Cayman - For me, a good, well optioned, used 1-owner 981 S/GTS could be a 4-season daily driver, no problem. . While the 4.0l 6cyl 718 Cayman GTS is in production, at about half the cost ($115K) of an ordered 4.0l GTS, , , a $50K to $60K-ish model-year '14 thru '16 Cayman S/GTS 3.4l can be found. . While many/most 981s are PDK spec'd, the 6sp manuals are out there. . An abundance of MY14 Cayman Launch Cars are options "Loaded", , , being spec for spec like the higher trim GTS Caymans. .
For kicks a 2021 718 Cayman GTS 4.0l spec./build as follows;
Agate Grey Metallic, Std. wheels in no-cost silver, Full Two-Tone Leather Interior (Agate grey w/pebble grey), Sports Seats (18way) w/Memory, 6sp manual, PASM, PTV, Chrono Pkg, LED PDLS Lighting, Lighting Design Pkg., Parkassist (rear), Burmeister Infotainment Pkg., Lane Change Assist, Leather Sun Visors, Leather Steering Column, Leather R. Mirror, Sport Steering wheel. > Approx. $115, 000 USD .. Cheers, Vail, Colorado

[grisa]

Mine was $97k, and yes I track it. It’s also a badass and fun daily driver with a manual transmission.

[JD-zefy]

I bought a 718 GTS specifically for a track car. Yeah, I got the PDK and would never get a sunroof in this car. You want the sun, stick with a Boxster or cabriolet. I never open the sun roof on my other cars.

By the way, I also kept my 987 Boxster S as a summer weekend car. Never had any real interest in a 911. For me, Porsche history was all about the 550. The 911 was a squashed Beetle, now it seems like a giant GT car. Maybe if I did a lot of highway miles, I might find the 911 desirable but for twisty roads the Cayman/ Boxster is the way to go, IMO.

Nice that you didn’t spend half the video whining about the sound( like some others). Congrats for moving one.

[RC-bxjo]

@motoman, i've driven manuals all my life, and yes, in traffic it is a bloody pain. What you were into wasn't traffic:) First gear foot on the clutch for 2hrs is horrible. If you have just the one car, i totally agree auto is the way to go.

[gauchegaucho]

I have a 2016 Boxster Spyder, love it. But just drove a 991.2 base 911 w/PDK last week and it blew my mind. If the Spyder wasn’t such a “special” model I would’ve probably traded it in for a 991.2. It’s WICKED FAST

[tbone]

I track my M2 and it does great and have considered a 918 Cayman S for track work but I think your suggestion of the MX-5 Cup car is probably the best way to go, the only downside is when you get a dedicated track car like that is you then need a trailer and a truck so it is a bigger commitment in terms of space and money. BTW, I am so tired of hearing the PDK versus manual debate. We should be celebrating the fact we have a choice instead of shaming people who want a PDK (for any reason). Journalists have really worn this debate out. Unless your paying for my car you don't get a vote so stop telling me what transmission to get!

[alanbooth]

Looking to buy a 718 Cayman s myself as a daily car. At that price point you could also get a GTS 981 Cayman or a 5 year old 991 here in the uk. Having thought long and hard, I am going for the newer vehicle because it will be used daily. As an occasional use car, I would get the 991

[ShiniGamiVII]

After driving a 991 Carrera S and a 981 Cayman, the 718 is the only one that has truly gotten under my skin. The grumbly lil monster is my pick for the price range you spoke of. However, used 991 911 Turbos also go for what a new 991.2 Carrera T goes for and they are great used as well. And they come with a sunroof....

[toddgersh]

How much time did you spend brushing him out before putting him in that?

[KirkKreifels]

Beautiful color! I can't wait to review my first Porsche 😉