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I've posted this elsewhere but just pointing out that 982 Cayman Sales/Production were up worldwide and in the US compared with 981 sales for equivalent production years, so not sure where you get your data from.
However, Boxter sales have been on a steady decline in specifically the US since 981/982 release, although 911s also saw a drop in sales in I think 2016/2017. I assume it is back up with the 992.
Presumably 718/982 sales are on a steady decline now given Porsche is extending the life cycle to I believe 2023. Nevertheless there have been many many more 982/718s sold compared with 981s for equivalent years and now growing numbers which actually is evidence to how good the revised platform is and that it has been well accepted by the market, NA fans aside.
Cayman sales always sucked, so if the 982 sales are better than the 981 it's not saying much. And the emergence of the China market is the only reason sales of the 982 are decent. In the US, they aren't decent and the US is still Porsche's most valuable non-domestic market. Honestly I would attribute poor sales of the 982 more to the fact it's aesthetically a 981 refresh with extended years beyond the typical Porsche product life cycle. If you arrive on Porsche lot today can honestly look at any new 982 and think wow (less the upcoming Spyder and GT4 of course)? It's (981/982) an old and tired design aesthetic since 2013, regardless of anything else. It's past time for a replacement Boxster/Cayman. Something incrementally more, and fresh. Or perhaps Porsche is simply showing us they're done with pouring R&D into next gen ICE cars? Even the 992 is no leap forward.
Interesting read, a little too artsy (wind over his forearms--vomit), but mostly he leaves out the obvious and best alternative for the 718 Spyder, which is the 981 Spyder. The extra power isn't needed, and the 981's X73 suspension is the best Porsche ever offered on the platform for real world driving. Plus a 981 Spyder can still be had under $100k with next to no miles and CPO, and it'll hold most of that value over time and give you 99% of the thrills of the new car--everything but Apple Car Play. Porsche got the 981 Spyder concept right, which was to make the most viscerally and aesthetically rewarding roadster. It's only flaw was the Pirelli PZeros, which is easily rectified. I know it was an economic decision to make the Spyder an open-top GT4. But I believe a mistake for all but the few pretenders who think having a super stiff road car somehow is a better option than one that soaks up real world undulations while still giving table flat cornering.
Where do you get your data from? This is contrary to what I've read so I decided to look it up. Carsalesbase.com, US sales. 718 Cayman has not outsold the 981 in any year. You can still find brand spanking new 2018 Cayman GTSs sitting on dealer lots.
Porsche
Cayman
2018 3.179
2017 2.800
2016 3.590
2015 3.561
2014 3.417
2013 3.322
Originally Posted by donR
I've posted this elsewhere but just pointing out that 982 Cayman Sales/Production were up worldwide and in the US compared with 981 sales for equivalent production years, so not sure where you get your data from.
Where do you get your data from? This is contrary to what I've read so I decided to look it up. Carsalesbase.com, US sales. 718 Cayman has not outsold the 981 in any year. You can still find brand spanking new 2018 Cayman GTSs sitting on dealer lots.
I believe worldwide 718 production was up ~ 10% compared with 981 production for equivalent years:
This is what I posted before from Carsalesbase.com. So in the US Cayman sales were up in 2016 presumably following the 718 launch in June and then back up again in 2018 like 911 sales.
I agree there is an overall decline in the US particularly Boxters, but it really has followed the decline of 911 sales so I think it is something unique to US economy rather than necessarily a fault of the cars.
This is what I posted before from Carsalesbase.com. So in the US Cayman sales were up in 2016 presumably following the 718 launch in June and then back up again in 2018 like 911 sales.
I agree there is an overall decline in the US particularly Boxters, but it really has followed the decline of 911 sales so I think it is something unique to US economy rather than necessarily a fault of the cars.
Again, you can thank China for improved sales. If you stripped out China you'd see a very different story. THE issue with the Boxster/Cayman is price. Who would have ever thought these cars would enter into triple digit pricing (USD). Boxsters and Caymans are niche cars, very impractical, and often used seasonal at best. Not to mention (at least in the US) the desire for 2 seat sports cars are on the decline. Today's youth enjoy sporty vehicles, but want practicality too, and most don't even understand how a motor works nor can differentiate quality. Power has a bigger affect on sales than handling/cornering. This puts Porsche in a weaker position, especially factoring in cost. What's disheartening of late is that 982/991 pricing has really gone through the roof, and their values on the second market are at a much lower percentage point than previous models. In other words, the days of buying a Porsche and it retaining very good value are going bye-bye. The 982 is perhaps the worst Porsche ever in that regard. If you can't sell them in the same model year it will crash future value. Plus I can spend under $40k USD on a mint 2008 RS60 Boxster and have a car every bit as fun as a new Boxster. Tough times for Porsche. They now have the issue of being relevant in the age of electric cars. Porsche expects the Taycan to outsell the 911. It's all going to hell.
I will not be trading soon for a 718 Spyder or GT4. The 718 Spyder and GT4 were available at PCA 2019 Porsche Parade, Boca Raton, Florida. Both 718's were very similar to the 981's, with no stand-out interior or exterior features, as is Porsche's policy. The X73 suspension is preferable for street driving, however, the GT3 suspension available on the 718 Spyder makes it preferable for HPDE's. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway the 981 Spyder had no problem obtaining better lap times than the 911 S,4S,GTS and Turbo's. GT2, GT3 and GT4's were another issue!
2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder: GT Silver Metallic, Leather Interior with Alcantara in Garnet Red/Black, 6MT, PCCB, Platinum Satin Wheels, Full Bucket Seats, 2-zone Automatic Climate Control, BOSE Surround Sound System, European and North American Navigation System, etc.
As I said above, my 718 GTS is screaming fast on track. The turbo 4 sounds odd, but is shockingly fast. My experienced track friends in GT4s cannot keep up with this little monster, especially when I mount my downsized HREs with Cup 2s. My only complaint with the car after quite a few track days over the last 12 months are:
1. PTV is too intrusive, I have gone through a lot of rear pads
2. steering feel and feedback are great at driving around town speeds, but once on the track the steering gets alittle numb.
Overall, if somebody wants a bargain fast track toy, pick up a CPO 718 GTS. I usually drive my RS for track events, but its nice to switch it up at times.
Disden,
What size of wheel/tire combo are you using for track days?
08-06-2019, 01:20 PM
