kayjh

Lately I’ve been thinking about a 718 instead of a C2. Why? It seems I need an all around daily driver (summer and winter) and am considering a 2021 Cayenne S or GTS, so a new 911 is out of the question. I think I can justify the Cayenne plus a 718 though.

I’ve looked for lightly used but with the way the cars are optioned up the used asking prices are close to a base new car. I’m not settled on model though and my dealer only has one car left in stock (base 718 without PASM). I haven’t driven a Boxster in 10 years and recall a fairly stiff ride at that time. I found the base was a bit weak in the power department as well with the S being much better.

Fast forwarding to today, I’m wondering what will serve as a good summer sports car that might see 3,000 - 4,000 kms a summer (1,800 - 2,400 miles). Does the base have good power for fun driving or do I need an S? And an equally important question has to do with PASM. Many cars I see in inventory don’t have this option. Can anyone comment on ride quality of these cars with and without PASM.

The 718 will replace a restored 1976 TR6 that I’ve owned for 28 years as my wife doesn’t want our kids in it due to lack of safety features and it’s next to impossible to find someone to tune it so it isn’t getting much use these days.

Thoights?

LehmanZ06

I think the S engine noise is annoying personally. Drive both and see what you like. PASM cars I believe have stiffer springs.
Cushier ride on base car, with no PASM.

kayjh

I wish I could drive both but dealer has one base and that’s it. Also with snow starting to fly, test drives are difficult, hence my post. Looking at the configurator, it looks like PASM lowers the car 10mm as well - is that stiffening the ride? Any thoughts on performance difference between the versions S vs Base)?

.2PDK

I went from the exact same issue when deciding what to get.

I test drove both, base PDK without PASM and S with PASM.

I knew immediately I would take the S and so far ride stiffness has not been an issue.

I drove 5000kms this summer.

seahack

When I traded my 981 base Cayman, I wanted more power and I bought a 718 Cayman S. I also wanted PTV. In order to get PTV, you had to also get PASM (10 mm drop). So I got PASM and PTV. It is a wonderful combination, and the ride is very comfortable. I have not driven a 718 base Cayman in several years, so I can't really comment on that. If you get a 718 Cayman S, I would suggest removing the Soundaktor fuse in order to disable it. Otherwise the engine drones. The performance is amazing and the mid-range torque is addictive. It sounds like a goblin. Hope this helps.

seahack

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wizee

The S with the bigger engine and VTG turbos has much less turbo lag, and more immediately available torque. The base never felt particularly fast to me the three times I’ve driven one, but an S feels respectably quick.

You definitely want PASM. With PASM on, the car feels much more precise as agile than one without PASM. I drove a base and S with PASM, and two bases without PASM. The PASM equipped ones were much sharper handling when the shocks were in stiff mode, whereas the base without PASM only felt marginally more agile than my old 987.1 base.

Get a used 2.5L GTS if you can swing it, as it has all the performance goodies as standard, available SPASM suspension, and better cooling.

kayjh

Thanks for the replies. I'd definitely want to avoid an exhaust drone (had that in my 991.2) so I'd have to drive a 718 S before buying. If the 781 base had no drone and I couldn't get rid of it in the S, I'd take a base.

@wizee, thanks for your comments. I think both 718 version probably handle pretty well. When considering PASM, I'm not so much concerned about getting it stiffer to handle like it is on rails as I ma hoping to get a more comfortable ride with the sport in the off position. It will be a weekend and evening cruiser, not a track car.

Dgkli

This is not the direct comparison you asked, but is close. I traded a 981BS with standard suspension and 20 inchers, for a 718 BGTS with regular PASM, and I think the 718 both rides and handles noticeably better than the 981. I never use stiff mode. My driving is suburban commuting for the most part. I find the ride to be excellent, and the roads are not the best. I do keep the tires at 30 lbs, which is important for a comfortable ride.

if you feel the 718S drones when you test it, you really should drive one with the Soundaktor fuse pulled before you give up on it. It makes all the difference in the world.

Z06jerry

The base 2.0 turbo is surprisingly quick. Car and Driver reviewed the PDK equipped base 2.0 turbo (300hp) with a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds and 1/4 mile @ 12.5 @ 112mph! so yes it has plenty of power for fun driving

kayjh

I can't seem to find that road test. The closes I could find as a raid test showing 5.3 0 - 60 for the base 718.

Z06jerry

Here you go ... BTW, I'll have my nicely optioned 2018 Boxster PDK Graphite Blue for sale soon since I placed my order for a Boxster GTS 4.0 about 2 months ago for spring delivery

Z06jerry

and here's a link to the full Car and Driver review https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...c-test-review/

kayjh

Thanks, I hadn't look that far back. I'm sure the S is a more engaging drive, but kind of getting away from what I am trying to accomplish (at least budget wise). I was originally considering a 2021 Cayenne GTS which is about $137,000CAD lightly configured. Now I'm thinking I can sacrifice a bit on that and get a nicely equipped Cayenne S at $115,000CAD and then pick up a low mileage 718 base used for around $60,000CAD. I really wanted another 911 C4, but budget wise, that means a Subaru for a winter car. With 2 younger kids (10, 13), I'm thinking the Cayenne, used 718 is the better combo. It will just come down to a question of ride quality of the 718 (2018 - 2019)

AF330i

I have a base 2019 Cayman and find it a very engaging car plus I love sport mode in this car, the sport exhaust(standard on 2019 models at least in the US) and aggressive attitude of the transmission (pdk) makes it a lot of fun to drive, it is also very comfortable to drive as well locally and on the highway. I do not think pasm is a must have at all, I have it in my 991.1S which I purchased new and I find I rarely ever put it in sport mode it just seems harsh/choppy imo.

i know it’s hard to read everyone’s opinion to make a decision but all I can tell you is I am a very picky person who over analyzes each option when making a car purchase and if it wasn’t for the dealer giving me a base Cayman as a loaner I would have never got one ... I just got lucky because once I had that loaner I knew I had to get one.