alexxs

Hi,

As per the title I'm looking at either a 981 base or S. It will officially be my wife's car, but her road mileage will probably equate to what I put on the car while tracking it. It's going to be a PDK box, but other than that I'm lost trying to decide between the two.

I've read everything I could find on the subject , but it seems my use case is so specific that all the threads I found are a bit off. Mainly because traditionally a track car gets heavily modded, while I want to keep this as close to stock as possible. I'm currently signing out of a turbo miata and I definitely don't want the whole track car maintenance routine. There's also the added twist that, in my country, the annual tax on the S is about double compared to the base. Around 500$ for the base vs 1100$ for the S.

PS: It's going to be a PDK with sport chrono. I don't think any other options are a must have, but happy to reconsider.

PPS: My daily is a W205 C63s, so I'm kinda already doing the V8 turbo muscle car dance, but at the same time a bit worried that the 265hp in the base are going to feel slow. My current miata turbo runs 240hp and feels really lively. If the Cayman can deliver the same kind of power dynamic when accelerating, I'm more than happy with it

Thanks!

Kitc2246

Started tracking with an 09 Boxster PDK Bought a 2013 BS PDK in Nov 2019. I added adjustable LCAs to the 09 and also the 2013. The amount of negative camber without adjustable LCAs or camber plates is limited. You will quickly wear the outside left of the front tire with additional negative camber. I added the third radiator. Solid Sebro slotted rotors, racing brake fluid and track pads IMO are a must. I bought a set of 18" wheels and Hankook RS4s from Tire Rack. Michelin PS4S are good enough to begin with. There is definitely a HP difference between the base and the S. The base is no slug. There will always be someone with more HP, a GT4 or 911 Turbo.

You will pay a premium, but a GTS includes a third radiator, SC, PASM and other goodies. PTV is a popular option. X73 is the sport suspension that is a no cost substitute for PASM

edmaverik

S for the track would be ideal.

Mark Dreyer

Agreed. It won’t matter if you are just getting into the hobby, but as your progress and get in faster run groups, you want as much hp as possible on most tracks. So many GT cars out there nowadays in advanced run groups. The more performance you can have in your car the better off you’ll be. On some tracks slower hp car can hold it’s own with higher hp cars, with the driver variable being equal. I drive one such track, Roebling Raceway for instance. So if you were going to mostly drive a track like that, the base car may be adequate.

txbdan

A base Cayman will feel slower than the Miata because it delivers power much more linearly and won't have the turbo torque push. Even an S might feel unless youre wringing it out 5krpm+.

You don't HAVE to do anything. It's a Porsche, tire it and fire it.

vicrc

If you boosted a Miata, you will want an S for sure!

CarAholic

You will have a blast for both but if it must be PDK then for me it's the S no question. The base is more fun in a manual due to its shorter gearing over the S.

alexxs

Thanks all! Prices are crazy over in Europe, essentially a 981 CS only lost like 10% of its value in 10 years. Incredible. As a side note I bought my C63s last year with a 50% depreciation with just 20 000 miles and just 2 years from first registration.

I'll definitely be looking for an S model, also considering the 718s, I don't think I would mind the 4-cylinder on the track and the newer tech should make it more pleasant for my wife as well.

alexxs

This is exactly why I want a Porsche. I'm tired of fixing stuff on the Miata. They're reliable cars for what performance you get out of them, but I really want a car that can do both light track days (just getting back into the hobby) and function as a car to do some groceries, go out for food etc.

txbdan

A 718 base would be a great option. They have a lot more torque and most reviews say they're a little tighter and more raw than the 981 stock. The base has a lot of power compared to the base 981. They're probably a great value since since the four bangers are poo poo'ed by the Porsche religious.

alexxs

So I have my first two candidates. I can buy the first at the net price.

Candidate 1: https://m.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/detail...ShareExtension

The things that would put me off are the lack of a sport exhaust and the steering wheel shifter buttons.

Candidate 2:
https://m.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/detail...ShareExtension

Quite a high mileage. No sport chrono. Is there any way around the milder shift mapping on the pdk?

txbdan

Sport Chrono is a must-have for a tracked car, especially if its a PDK.

As discussed, PSE and the steering wheel can be added/replaced, just a matter of money.

MMaynard

To bad you are not in US I have a car for sale I think you would like.
https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1291134

9eight7

I agree, Sport Chrono is a must with PDK. The rest can be added later and be done DIY (I think there was a thread where someone added Sport Chrono to their 981, however it was an arduous process).

I vote for the S if there are long straights at your tracks and your buddies have fast cars.

bjo71

Your thinking is why I sold my M3 for my Cayman S. I wanted a nice car to go out in and then still have fun at the track.