Highway2Hell

I was curious to know if Cayman / Boxster sales have decreased since the introduction of the turbo 4 cyl. It also may be different depending on US vs. Europe and other market regions due to displacement taxes etc.. As I've been exploring dealer inventory on Cayman and 911's, I noticed there seems to be a lot of Caymans on the lot at this time. Then there are some dealers who do not even have 911's in stock. Could be an allocation issue on the 911's or maybe they had a good year and waiting on the 2018's to come in.

Any one got the sales numbers by region?
Does anyone work at a dealership to share there perspective on what they've seen on the sales since turbo 4 cyl. or even the turbo 6 cyl. on the 911's? Maybe a hard sell or people hoping they put a 6 cyl. back in the Caymans.

Please don't make this thread about NA vs. turbo engines. At this moment in time I understand the reasoning due to emissions and fuel economy. Or... at least the way to go until they come up with that Flux Capacitor!

TMc993

Panorama, the Porsche Club of America's publication, has an update every month on Porsche sales by model. I would think that if you took the time to do a little research, you could find the answer to your question.

Highway2Hell

Thanks. I currently don't have a membership with PCA.
I was hoping that someone had been following the change out of similar curiosity or had actual insight from working at dealerships. I've seen on the forum that overall sales are up for the year, mainly driven by other models.
Usually all I find is the debate on NA vs. turbo and people touting how they'll never buy due to its sound and loss of soul. However, the comments on the good power and fantastic handling still shine through.
I was hoping for some sales by region numbers and from those actually working experience have seen around the different regions.
Again this is just curiosity... and we know curiosity killed the cat!

conceptDawg

According to the numbers in Panorama 718 sales started very slow but have picked up in recent months. They are still 10%+ below 2016 981 numbers for most months although Sept. 718 orders were 26% higher than Sept. 2016.

I think early 718 numbers were hurt by the idea of a flat-4 and sound complaints in reviews. Maybe we're seeing that, over time, those concerns will become a non-factor for "casual" buyers because the performance is certainly there. I'll still take my 981 and be quite happy about it....but I wouldn't turn down a 718 if somebody gave me one.

DBH

Here you go, straight from Porsche:

nowakm99

According to the December 2017 issue of Panorama, Boxster sales are down 15.5% and Cayman sales are down 25.9% Oct YTD (first 10 months of 2017 vs. first 10 months of 2016). As an aside, 911 sales are down -3.6% while overall Porsche sales are up 2.7% (this is driven by strong growth in the Macan and Panamera)

These figures actually underestimate the decline as orders of the previous models usually drop off before new models are introduced.

White South

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...ws&date=010418

Sports car segment had a rough year in 2017 and it's being forecast that the auto industry will have a bad year in 2018.

2800 Caymans sold in 2017.

2013 = 3322
2014 = 3417
2015 = 3561
2016 = 3590
http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales...orsche-cayman/

dgrobs

Wow, those are rough numbers.
I have a 2014 981S that is strictly used for track duty. I test drove a couple of the 718S Caymans (my dealer let me take a few out when they first arrived), and I can tell you this, when I pushed the 718 on the highway, I thought the engine was going to blow up. That little 4 cylinder (although turbocharged) seemed like it had to work A LOT harder to get up to speed.
I honestly think it might be a bit quicker than the 981S, but it seemed like it had to work a lot more and harder in performance type situations.
The 981S was built for the track. I did not get that same feeling while driving the 718's. I think that has at least a little something to do with the decline in Cayman sales from the 6 to the 4. Most folks I track with say the same thing about the new 4 cylinder engines.
That being said, I have never really "tracked" a 718. I'd be afraid to "hurt" it if I ever did.
It is still a beautiful car and handles like a dream with the mid engine and all. I just couldn't get over how hard the engine had to work at high speeds, and while getting up to those high speeds.
Just one P guy's honest opinion. No offense to any 718 owners...

Highway2Hell

Wow! CarSalesBase is quite the site. I looked at the European numbers and was shocked! Are sales that bad? Or is that site not up to date? Looks like only about 100 caymans for the year.
Got to love Rennlist. I learn more and more everyday. And drool a lot too dreaming of getting the perfect one for me.

White South

https://newsroom.porsche.com/default...ten-14713.html

Fortunately globally Porsche appears to be doing much better.

"the 718 models have also significantly exceeded the previous year’s figures. Around 25,000 of the mid-engine sports cars were delivered, marking an increase of six per cent. The fascination with the 911 also lives on: In 2017, more than 32,000 vehicles were once again handed over to customers worldwide. The Macan is the best-selling Porsche and maintains the high figures from the prior year with more than 97,000 vehicles delivered (+2 per cent)."