So, the wife and I take several long distance road trips per year and for the past 6 years they have been in my trusty 2006 Boxster S MT. But it’s 20 years old now so I’m a little afraid something unexpected will break 400 miles from home. I’d keep her forever but I’m thinking of getting a 2017 or so 718. Probably a base unless I want to save up for another year. Has anyone here gone from a 987 S, to a 718 Base (or an S) and if so do you have any regrets?

 

Have you considered a 981 Boxster S?

I think one of those in good shape is hands down the best sports car value out there right now.

 

I have, the choice occurred to me a 981S or a base 718. But the 981 would only be about 6-7 years newer than my 987, that’s why I was leaning towards the 718.

 

i went the opposite way but for track use. spec'd a brand new '17 S with every performance option other than pccb as a new track toy. eventually started getting the heat soak issue so i changed to a '12 987.2 S.

it was a completely different animal. i missed the low-end torque of the turbo. to me it really made a difference in the overall feel of the car. the 718, for lack of a better description, just felt more refined somehow. if i had the option to do it all over again i would go 718 for street use but another version for track, and that is exactly what i did.

 

All other things being equal, you will pay more for the older 981S than for a 2.0L 718. There's a reason for that.

 

that may be true in some instances but not as a rule. just for S&G i just looked on pca classifieds and there is a '11 for $29, a '14 for $40, a '16 for $42 and a '18 for $53. those are just the base models currently available, and a tiny sample size, but it is telling. there is also a '14 S at $52.5 but it has been highly modified and will not be of interest to most pcar owners (my WAG). there is also a '15 @ at $40 but it has 84k miles.

 

What are the “equal things”?

981S start around $30K or lower.

 

I wanted a Cayman for a daily. Test drove 987, 981, and 718s. Found the 718 with a 4 banger to be a better daily option, due to the low end torque and the more modern, yet modest interior. Good luck in your search.

 

I have a 2018 Cayman 2.0 that I daily. Bought it in NH and cannonballed it back to San Diego. I also drove it from SD to Park City, Utah and back, for one of the Everyday Driver Adventures. I love this car, but there are a couple of caveats about road tripping it.
Mine is equipped with the 2-way Sports Seats Plus, they’re great for holding me tight in the twisties, but after 3-4 hours I’m wishing for some thigh & lumbar support.
I came to Cayman ownership after previously having a 911 as my daily, the mid-engine gives you much more NVH in the cabin. It’s not “bad”, but it is more fatiguing.
Also, the passenger can’t recline their seat and nap.
Coming from a Boxster, I assume you’re used to some of these aspects.
Hopefully you are able to try an extended test drive to see if it’s for you. People love to trash-talk the flat-four, especially the 2.0. I’ve come to appreciate it for what it is (a boosty little puppy).

 

I tried all non-GT trims, and couldn't be happier with my (fully loaded) base Cayman. Used to own a 981 CGTS, and this time, I got it right. It drives way better than any 911 IMO, so I decided to put up with the extra cabin noise, and get another Cayman, since I was really after the driving experience. But turns out it's not as bad as I thought. My solution to overcome unwanted cabin noise is my AirPod Pro2s in 'adaptive' mode, which bring the drone to luxury car levels, while not having to even raise the radio volume (and hearing everything else around me). But have only used them twice in over 5K miles... but I always carry my AirPods when traveling, just in case. And have a dedicated charging cable inside the glove box (my phone is always connected to the center console). The little 2.0T bugger is all you need for the streets; it's more than quick and fast enough, even in manual trim (like mine). And a darn pleasure to drive, with basically all performance, AND luxury options. The only 2 mandatory things to do immediately is turn off the Soundaktor (or disable it, by removing the fuse), which is the source of A LOT of cabin noise, and not the nice kind. And disconnect the PSE valve, so it's always open (I capped both the line, and the valve). It sounds awesome that way...and all the time. So far my longest trip has been a week (to NM and CO), and about 2.5K miles, with long driving days, and zero discomfort. It's an amazing cruiser (with PASM) IMO. Hope this helps.

 

On my 3rd 718 now, first 2 were base and no regrets going with the base, just on the options they had. I just found a super low mileage (4800 miles) 1 owner CS and although it does not have every option it most. For me is 14 ways, PASM, Bose, Carrera S wheels. The 16.9 gas tank would have been nice, I would like the Porsche crest on the seats and would have preferred the smaller GT wheel, but I got the color I wanted.

Anyhow, I’m coming fresh off a year with a great 911 (991.2) and am surprised how much quieter and more comfortable the cayman has been.

 

I had a 987.2, loved that, then a 981 and loved it - couldn't imagine owning a different car. Circumstances changed and I ended up road testing a 718 base car to buy. I went in with a negative attitude - how could a Boxster / Cayman be any good without that glorious flat 6 wail ....and came back from the road test loving the 718.

Sharper handling, better tech, Apple car play, reversing camera etc. And power everywhere from down low due to the turbo. No regrets going to a 718.

TLDR - go and drive a 718 - you'll know straight away whether it's the car for you. And that engine sound people love to hate - its absolutely fine by me, still Porsche, just different. No need to save more for an S - the 300hp turbo base engine is fine for both street and touring.

 

That'd be because the oldest 981S cars are 4 years older than the oldest 718 base models. Nothing wrong with either, of course, but if you compare 2016 981S models on BaT to 2017 718 base models, the story is fairly clear.

 

why are you comparing S models to base? seems like you want one to win since you keep bringing it up...

 

Because that was the choice that the OP was considering.