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Switching to 2018 718 Cayman GTS from 2017 911 Carrera S
I know this will be considered asinine by some, but I have decided to switch from a 2017 911 Carrera S to a 2018 Cayman GTS.
Put in the order last week. Specs of both are below. Love my 911, but test drove a Cayman S, and couldn’t believe how much fun it was. So fun that I started to think about the relative cost of building a Cayman GTS to my preferred specs relative to the trade in value of the 911 (which I bought at a significant discount from my local dealer) – the 911 is very nice, but not to my preferred spec (I was missing the MT) and colour scheme. Turned out to be a pretty even deal.
Some other considerations:
- The loss of the backseat (only used for storing bags in the 911 anyway);
- Moving from a 6-cyl to 4-cyl… yes, there is a difference in sound, but not a deal breaker for me, and the fun factor more than compensates;
- Loss of the “911 prestige factor”, i.e. that the 718 is entry level, the 911 more refined. In some ways I suppose this has some truth to it, but the 718 is not a “lesser car”, just fundamentally different. Must be driven to be understood.
I’d be interested in the views of the Rennlist community on the switch… from what I’ve read, there are those that just won’t ever entertain a 4-pot over a 6, and I get that. I guess in the end we all buy the cars that speak to us…
2017 911 Carrera S
Guards Red
Power Sport Seats (14-way) with Memory Package
Seat belts in Guards Red
Sport Chrono Package
Sport Exhaust System
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)
Premium Package Plus i.c.w. Power Sport Seats (14-way)
Luggage net in passenger footwell
Smoking package
Porsche Crest on headrests
SportDesign exterior mirrors
Wheel center caps with colored Porsche Crest
Multifunction and Heated Steering Wheel
20" RS Spyder Design Wheels
Electric Slide/Tilt Sunroof in Glass
Power Steering Plus
BOSE® Surround Sound-System
SportDesign Exterior Mirrors (Lower Trim) Painted in High Gloss Black
PORSCHE Logo and Model Designation Painted
Bi-Xenon™ headlights with four-point LED daytime running lights and dynamic headlight leveling
2018 718 Cayman GTS
Night Blue Metallic (interior: TG Leather Interior with Sport-Tex Seat Centers in Graphite Blue/Chalk)
Premium Package Plus (Adaptive Sport Seats Plus, 18-way) - Porsche Entry & Drive; Automatically Dimming Mirrors with Integrated Rain Sensor; Light Design Package; 2-Zone Automatic Climate Control; Seat Heating
Deletion of Model Designation on Doors
Window Surround and Window Triangle Painted in High-Gloss Black
Bi-Xenon main headlights in Black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
SportDesign Package Painted in Black (high-gloss)
Rear side air intake grilles painted
Performance 480 6-speed Manual Transmission
Power Steering Plus
20" 911 Turbo wheels
GT Sport Steering Wheel (Heated, Multifunction)
Deletion of Alcantara®
Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) withMemory Package
Smoking Package
Luggage Net in Passenger Footwell
Instrument dials in White
Sport Chrono stopwatch instrument dial in White
Seat Belts in Silver Grey
Porsche Crest on Headrests
Navigation Module for Porsche
Communication Management (PCM)
Burmester® High-End Surround Sound System
Connect Plus
- Loss of the “911 prestige factor”, i.e. that the 718 is entry level, the 911 more refined. In some ways I suppose this has some truth to it, but the 718 is not a “lesser car”, just fundamentally different. Must be driven to be understood.
I’d be interested in the views of the Rennlist community on the switch… from what I’ve read, there are those that just won’t ever entertain a 4-pot over a 6, and I get that. I guess in the end we all buy the cars that speak to us…
Definitely not a "lesser" car and with the MT surely a blast to drive.
I will be definitely be test driving one and given that I drive the woefully underpowered 991 3.4 I suspect it will impress.
It is not asinine at all. How one options these cars makes a big difference in the fun factor as well as usability. I don't care for your 911 options either. Don't want PDK and don't find the 14-ways comfortable at all. And I traded in a GR Boxster S for my Nightblue MT 991.2 4s with the same chalk and blue interior but in leather. I am able to use my 911 much more than my Boxster.
Can understand your changes, and glad to see that someone besides me did a quick change. I had a 2016 Black Edition 911 that was purchased new in Dec 2016
with 3.4 350hp in order to stay in a new NA car at a decent price. Found that black wasn't my color, and the mid rev range felt weak. Spotted a 2017 991.2 911S in March 2017.
Carmine red had my name on it. Great performance options including rear wheel steering. Mid range power right now- yes. 18 way seats fit me. PDK satisfied wife.
Financially sound (141 sticker) no. Happy now - yes! Smiles abundant! Recommendation for others: Get front end lift if your included options drop ride height.
I'm with you. The handling of the 718 Cayman GTS should be superb, and it'll be a joy to drive. As a 991 TTS owner, I think so much of the 718 Cayman/Boxster that I've ordered a Boxster GTS (traded in my Corvette), and I'm as excited about its impending arrival this spring as I was about my TTS.
Seems like a sensible choice. I have a 987 Cayman S that I absolutely love and actually enjoy driving it more than the 991.1. Both are manual so that's not a factor, but the Cayman seems more sports car and less GT car than the 911. My only complaints about the Cayman are the lower power and lack of interior storage space and both of those are vastly improved in the 911, but I've lost some of the fun of a small nimble sports car.
I had the opportunity to drive a 991.2 and a 718 back to back on a tight AX style track. Yep, 991.2 had more power. It felt like I was using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. The 718 felt like a dancer, very nimble. Both great cars just different. If I am honest with myself a 718 GTS would probably be the best car for me over anything in the 991.2 range. Enjoy.
I need to spend more time with one of these to see if I can stomach the noise. By all accounts it's an amazing car. Saw one at a recent GTG with an aftermarket exhaust, not a great note. Wonder if it was just that exhaust.
I often think maybe I would have preferred to have ordered a 981 Boxter Spyder MT exactly how I wanted it instead of my 991.1, but now that they went 4 cyl that ship has sailed and I have no interest in switching.
I had the opportunity to drive a 991.2 and a 718 back to back on a tight AX style track. Yep, 991.2 had more power. It felt like I was using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. The 718 felt like a dancer, very nimble. Both great cars just different. If I am honest with myself a 718 GTS would probably be the best car for me over anything in the 991.2 range. Enjoy.
interesting comment I get the feeling that the Cayman is a better to own than a 991.2. ? Did Porsche make Cayman a better car or am I missing something? I thought the 991 brand was the icon but has Cayman taken its place? I have a 991.2 and love the lines over a Cayman let alone the sledgehammer or slingshot affect. Would I trade in a 991.2 for a Cayman guess time will tell.
12-17-2017, 03:17 PM
Switching to 2018 718 Cayman GTS from 2017 911 Carrera S
