JediRocker

I am looking into buying a pre-owned Cayman for the purpose of making it a dedicated track car. I am finding the 2013 & 2014 Cayman S pricing is in alignment with used 718 base. For budgetary reasons, I need to stay under $45k. I had already decided to pursue a 2013/14 model S, but recently I stumbled upon a 718 base for $35k at BMW dealer recently when picking up wife's SUV from service. I almost walked back into the dealer to buy it. When I checked next day, it was gone. Looked at the specs on the 718 base and thought maybe that torque would be better coming out of the turns, whereas the 6-cyl will be better in the straights.

I haven't found much on folk tracking a 718 base model.

Thoughts?

grrrmonster

Have you driven a 981? Drive both it and the 718 back to back at Porsche experience center. Would never want the 718, much prefer the boxer 6

trayvon

this. We can all give our opinions but really you just have to drive both. I bet the answer will be clear

garfunkle

981 is proven and has aftermarket support. 718 is a better street car [objectively] in every way but you'll spend more on cooling and maintenance for the track plus the lack of aftermarket when needed. The 718 is easier to drive on the street with the torque but if you're tracking then lets assume you're interested in learning how to drive and keeping the engine in the right rev range and gear is a whole lot of fun and rewarding. Lets not pretend its really that hard to keep these cars revved since they love it so much and just sing so well when doing so.

MidEngineRules

Find a 981 with X73 if you can. Porsche elected to not make a sport suspension for the 718. In the end it really doesn't matter what you choose. You're the variable that matters most. Look to see how much 997 you can find for the same budget.

raidersfan

You can do what I did: find a car that someone put significant money into to turn it into a track machine. I was able to find a 2014 CS manual with 12,000 miles for $49,000, with 997 carbon buckets, race wheels, roll bar, harnesses, MCS 2-way shocks, GT3 LCAs and sways, and Tarrett everything else (joints, drop links, monoballs, camber plates), and a tune. The car is making an easy 355hp right now (more when I get catless race headers installed) and puts nearly any other car out there to shame in the corners. I got most of the original parts, so it won't be that hard to take back to stock if I ever decide to sell, but why would I want to? This car is a dream to drive, both daily and at the track/AutoX.

MidEngineRules

^^ Good to take advantage of others' efforts and expense. Or just buy a 997 S (.1 = 355 hp; .2 = 385 hp) for much less than $50k and box stock it's a pretty good performer. I owned both the .1 and .2. The 3.8 is a good start.

JediRocker

I greatly appreciate each of you taking the time to respond and share your perspectives. I have some things to think about and more research to conduct.

SoCal-NSX

718 for $35k ???? Did it have salvage title or 90k miles or something?

Should have jumped on it.....there isn't one under $40k right now nationwide on Autotrader.com

JediRocker

It was clear title. It was on pre-owned lot at Sewell BMW of Grapevine (Sewell doesn't sell salvaged cars). I was pulling out of service with wife's X7 and spotted the black 718 in the parking lot. I stopped and looked it up on my phone. I was stunned at the price...mileage was low (don't recall now). Figured for that price, it could be my dedicated track car for a few years. So next day, I checked on it again and it was sold. I had a similar situation in 2013...was leaving an Audi service center with my S4 and spotted a yellow 2003 Porsche Turbo for $34k. I decided next day to get it and it was sold. Next time I find such a deal, I'm not waiting til the next day.

lowbee

997.1er visiting the Cayman forum..... looking at an extremely low mileage 2018 CPO 718 GTS at a decent discount but seeing the above comment.... I am having a second thought of trading in my 997.1S for the 718 GTS..... hum.... this is driving me mad..... haha

Schroedinger

I own and track a 981 CS. This weekend I did the Porsche Experience Center in a base 718 Boxster. The 718 is a fine car and I had a lot of fun; however, I strongly prefer my 981S. The turbo lag was noticeable in the 718, and I felt like it peters out above 6000rpm. By comparison the 981 just gets stronger all the way to the redline. On the track I’m almost always running above 4000rpm. Maybe the 718S is better than the base, but I’m really happy with my 981S.