Porsche 718 Cayman S - vs 981 sound and base Cayman 

How unfortunate, the American's with Disabilities Act doesn't protect blind people from getting tricked into buying yellow cars.

So many Caymans, this is literally my dream video.

I had a Cayman 987 S for 2 years, a Cayman 981 S for 2 years and I currently have a 981 GTS. I have been loaned a 718S Cayman and a 718S Boxster, both for a day, and taken them into the mountains. The 718 chassis is excellent. The 718 steering moves back towards the 987, which was like driving by "thought transference", and better than the 981 (and the 718). The 4 cylinder engine has loads of torque but it has no soul at all. My wife's comment was "it's like driving along in a lawn mower". That's about right. And on most roads, even twisty roads, you never get to use the revs before you have to take your foot off the throttle because of that torque coming in so low down. It is like driving with an on-off switch. So "fun" in a 718 is a few seconds every now and then, instead of continuously with the 6 cylinder 981. I could have had a 718 but I went for one of the last 6 cylinder 981's available instead. My 981 GTS has the sports chassis lowered 2 cm and yes it can be hard day to day. So was the 987. My 981 S had PASM and was easier to live with day to day. But the sports chassis also has some advantages - it is much more stable at speed and at reasonable speeds the car settles down wonderfully anyway (as did the 987). It is also at least 10% better on fuel (which Porsche told e would be the case.). The 981 steers better with the sports chassis as well. The 718 is great car in so many ways, but what a shame about the engine. I agree with Nick the 718 styling is better than the 981, but if you are only about looks and not driving feel then Porsche is not for you anyway. Why doesn't the Cayman sell? Well I am lucky enough to have a 991 911 S as well. On all roads the 911 is an absolute joy. As smooth as silk, and such pleasure with so much driver feedback. But once I get into the mountains (and I am also lucky enough to live near some serious mountains) the 911 is brilliant and the extra power is very nice (400 vs 340) but you do not really need it. It is the immediacy of the lighter mid-engine Cayman that astounds. I could drive it all day in the mountains. On an ordinary road the Cayman does not come alive, so on standard test drives it is outshone by the smoother longer wheelbased higher powered 911. Yes Porsche do also make the 911 deliberately better, so for example for no reason the sports exhaust on the 991 911 sounds better than the sports exhaust on the 981 Cayman. If you do not get a Cayman on some seriously twisty roads you will never find out what the Cayman is all about. This is why despite the lower power it holds its own against more pwerful 911's on circuits; it takes curves, corners and hairpin bends so well. Which the 718 also does extremely well, but overall I found the 718 suspension too soft, too giving, in any mode. It does not quite have that typical Porsche "planted" feel of stabiity. The 718's steering and brakes are better than the 981's. PS: I never wanted a Porsche. I took the 987S Cayman for a test drive for a laugh, simply because I had never driven a Porsche. As we left the dealership my wife said "you've got to go back and buy that car - I have never seen you so happy driving a car." The badge could have been a Ssangyong or a Dacia or anything, so long it felt like that to drive. It put all the fun back into driving. So if you have never driven a Porsche, see if you can wangle a drive somehow, somewhere. Then you will know it not just badge engineering. Even the Panamera is pretty good in the mountains. Even so I have had some quality problems with Porsche. Not as bad as Nick, but the dealer response was disappointing. I never wanted a third Cayman either. But when I took my 981S in for its first service, the Porsche dealer's mechanic crashed it on the test drive .... That's another story.

The flat 6 sound is raspy and lovely. Would go F6 for the sound alone.

Yes 718 doesn’t sound as nice as the 6s but it wouldn’t stop me buying one

Damn I love Nick, I get fed up when people say my 2010 Cayman S is a poor mans 911, I could afford a 911 even a GT3 but the Cayman felt more of a drivers car in the corners to me and I liked the idea of it being a 2 seater with a ok sized boot and parcel shelf.

Few years later, Porsche noticed the flat 4 is not selling as well as it should so they are now looking to putting a de-tuned GT4 flat six into a new model range above GTS and below GT4.

Well done, Nick. One of the most interesting videos yet. It's great to see both new models and the last model compared.

Best review of the 718 so far! Appreciate the negatives and the reality check on the diff between S and base.

Great episode Nick - I have owned a 718 Boxster for 15 months now and just love it . Really looking forward to your next video as your 911 option video was really informative. Keep up the good work !

Nick, thank you for all your videos! This one in particular is outstanding as it directly applies to my situation (getting a base vs S model). Much appreciated.

Excellent review Nick and thanks for the comparisons. I am looking forward to the options video.

i used to have 987.2 S for 5 years and the engine sound was absolutely fantastic. it was like listening to a symphony, every time you hit over 4k rpm.

Good video Nick, it's nice to hear people talk about the base models! It's hard to find.

you produce amazing videos. thanks for all the time and effort you put into them. 5 stars.

Nothing better than driving my 981 Cayman S each day to and from work. Every time I hit the pedal down the highway it leaves me with a smile. I feel like a kid each time. That's what makes these cars amazing. A big part of that is the sound, which is irreplaceable. So sad that Porsche moved away from the Flat-6. I'll keep mine as long as I can.

Hi Nick, just want to say thank you for all of your great video content, you definitely helped me decipher a lot of the options and and packages on my new purchase. A nearly $100k 2014 981 Cayman S.

Loving my 981 Cayman S! I drove the flat 4, but it didn't do anything for me in terms of driving enjoyment. It's fast, very fast, but I've owned fast cars before, I wanted something I got chills from while just starting it up each morning! :D

thanks nick. definitely you kind of instructed me about my purchase

nick thank you so much for the infor on the cayman i really need advise before buying keep putting out more awesome video

Great review as always Nick!!!

My dream car is a base 718 Cayman with a manual transmission in Miami Blue. Great video Nick!

This video (specifically, 2:43 ) drove me to buy a '13 Boxster S. Man, what a car...and it sounds even better in person!

Overall drop in sales after the 4 cylinder engine introduction: 20% for Boxster and 42% for the Cayman.

Love this rising yellow Porsche Cayman

Hello Nick I’ve just taken my 911.2 manual Carrera in for its first service ie 2 years old already I was give a new boxster S pdk and I just couldn’t believe the performance/handling.. Ps love 💖 your videos they are very honest Regards a guy from the 🇬🇧

More 718 videos needed Nick.

I'm glad I found this video. Haven't driven the 981 yet because they aren't so easy to find in Michigan. But I did drive the 718 just recently and was really impressed. Based on the comments and content in this video, I'll like the 981 even more. Good news for me!!

2:42 My God, those 1st gear high revs are the thing I love very much in Porsche for a very long time now.

Love the looks of these things

Nick great video. Cheers!

Enjoyed this video... Learned that the jump up from Cayman Base to S is not significant (except for price) compared to the 911. As a huge fan of the Cayman series Porsche, my heart shattered when I heard they loped two cylinders and added a turbo. The Cayman was a purist/driving pleasure car and the flat-4 turbo surely takes away from that experience. Looking forward to the options video!

Some would say i'm a fan of WRXs but even I prefer the old flat 6 sound. This sound would be great in the new STI but doesn't fit the Porsche look to me. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time. Call me crazy but honestly I'd rather see an NA 6 cylinder motor with a mild hybrid setup over a turbo setup. Great overview of the 718 and good to hear the S isn't absolutely necessary!

This is a fantastic review. Very through!

Luv your work mate!

Great video nick !

Excellent review especially differences between base and S models.

Thanks for the probably the best sound comparison between the two generations of the Caymans I've heard. FWIW, I'll take the old engine over the new one any day of the week and twice on Sundays, no matter how much more torque-rich the new turbo-4 is. I'm not in agreement with you regarding the new "improved" styling upgrades, especially the interior ones, but it's a good looking car regardless, even if that rear isn't as sweet as the 911's. The GT4 is the best looking mid-engined Porsche ever made, though. Its road presence is far beyond the other Caymans, much as the GT3 looks like a different animal on the road when next to its lesser 911 brethren.

Nick, I am the proud owner of a Boxster Spider, in addition to a 911-50 and a 2016 Targa 4 GTS, the Spider, despite its simplicity, with the 911S engine and stick shift gearbox, is by far the funniest to drive..

Even on the 981S Cayman, illuminated vanity mirrors on the sun visors are available only as part of an optional upgraded light package.

Great vid Nick

Really love new Cayman styling. It now looks like a baby 918 especially in silver color.

"Less is sometimes More". I've got a base, 2018 718 Cayman. Only a few options, 6 speed manual, etc. VERY happy with it. Some great suggestions on options here from Nick.

Very informative, thank you. I really thought that I "needed" an 'S' model. You've explained it well enough that I can make a smarter buying decision.

At last someone compares an apple with an apple (or in this case lemon with lemon). The six compared to the turbo four is a stark contrast. Thanks Nick

You're right. The sound isn't close. I bet it drives great though. And that yellow is gorgeous! 😃

I recently picked up a used 2016 Cayman S with PDK and Sport Chrono. The last year of the Naturally Aspirated Flat 6. It's only a 3.4 liter with 325 HP, but man is it fun to drive. And what everyone says about the exhaust note is true, it is like a symphony. If you are thinking about a newer 718 with the turbo boxer 4, it would be worth your while to find a 2016 Cayman S and take a drive. You won't be disappointed.

Great and accurate review ! (Proud 981 owner 😀)

racing yellow is a great standout color! IF my Type R came in Phoenix yellow, I would have gotten it in that color

...best 718 review on youtube!

enjoy your work .... thanks

Hi Nick! Thankyou!!! You couldn't have made this at a better time. I've put a deposit down for a Cayman 718 base and have been on the fence about flipping to the S model. Your vid has convinced me to stay with base and go for some options instead (Sport-tex seats 18-way, PASM, sports exhaust) and with manual over PDK. Its about a 14k difference in Canada for the S model so cheers and thank you for this video. I'll be keeping an eye out for the options vid later this week!

The 981 just sounds so much more like a sports car!

Nice honest video comparing the 718 Cayman against the 981 engine/exhaust noise. Fully agree with you... every Cayman is a great Cayman compared to the competition.

I do not know why, but I like the sound of the 2.5 T more than the F6. Sounds a lot like a mini V8 turbo.

Another great review

Boxster 981 GTS, baby! 24 hours to collection!

Great video, Nick. The side-to-side comparison with the 981 Cayman is superb. No comparison, actually - the 718 doesn’t even come close sound wise...🤨 I think I’ll take the GTS, thanks!

Nick Porsche have to pay you a fortune your videos a outstanding

Thank you for the video! I’m interested in a cayman and wanted to hear your thoughts on it.

Awesome video, Nick! If you were in the market for a convertible Porsche to use as a third/fun car, would you recommend the Boxster or the 911?

Very entertaining mate, thanks.

Nick - great video, possibly your best?

Very good review Nick. In some European Countries such as Greece, the annual financial cost because of Taxes are huge between the "old' 981 and the new 718 (base models). The 981 costs 2.043,76 Euros/year and the new 718 costs 851,60 Euros/year. All that because of the diference in cc's and Co2 emissions. So, the new 718 its obviously a welcome improvement!

Great video Nick. I was thinking of sending you a message and request for you to build a Cayman on your channel and happy to hear you are planning on doing so soon; many thanks!! When you make the build Cayman video please advise any options that you would do on the Cayman and not on the Boxster and vice versa...

56k for a new Porsche is unbelievable. The same thing here in Australia is well over 100k. Aaargh, so sick of getting screwed!

Great video Nick, when the time comes, I may inquire for the car help.

I agree about the 718 engine. I drove one on the course at PEC in Atlanta. It was surprisingly fast as hell but the engine sound is just weird. I wound up buying a 981 CS and I love it. My take on why the Boxster and Cayman don't sell very well is the price. My Cayman S has a few options and had a sticker of around $85k. You can configure a 718 for $100k and the 981 was no different. You mentioned the American market being a surprise and I don't think it is a surprise at all. Whenever I go to a car event, which is not often, there are Mustangs and Corvettes everywhere. You can buy a Corvette Grand Sport for the same money as a Cayman S. You can buy a Z06 for under $100k. I know they are totally different experiences than a Porsche and I've also driven the Corvettes. I don't buy into the old argument about build quality either when talking about the C7 Corvette. That really doesn't hold water anymore. My 2017 Macan GTS at 5 mos old had pieces of the window track falling out and the driver's side window would not close. Then, everything on the PASM system went nuts and basically put it into limp mode. That all happened w/in two weeks. Not to mention the recalls. I do love my 981 CS and I plan to keep it a long time. It is black with 911 Turbo Wheels (very expensive option) and it gets a lot of attention every time I take it out. Doing it over, I'd probably go with a different color since black is a PITA to keep clean and I hate swirls.

Hey Nick, How does this 718 cayman compare to your previous BMW. Im currently in a 2017 m3 but have an itch for this baby

Great review of the 981's Nick, Just wondering if there is any chance of you reviewing the first model Caymans, the 987's. Would be interested in hearing your thoughtson that model Porsche.

LOve the Yellow Cayman!

I've got a '14 981 and I love it. I had some doubts about it not being the S but it hasn't lacked for zippy fun. I've noticed the same bogging down tho on non-sport mode acceleration. I'll try keeping it in sport. Is it a huge downgrade in mileage tho?

I love the Cayman and Cayman S. I have a Panamera 4 and will be purchasing a new addition to the family with a Cayman S. :)

Hey Nick, can you comment more about the power difference between the 718 s and the base model? how's power on and off boost and the in-between? thanks

Drove both at Pocono Racetrack, the 718 Cayman S I drove was also yellow

u re awesome nick!

Just FYI, but I think Albert is making fun of you at times... Not sure if you noticed... Ahhh, but the sound of that six... It is half a twelve, so... Only problem with the Cayman is that the top won't go down... If Porsche only made a convertible version... F

Was the proud owner of a 981 CS for 3 years beautiful cars!! Just wanted more power in the end and had no way of doing that with the f6. Thought about moving to a gt4 or 911 but after seeing what tuners were doing with the T4 for considerably less cost it just got me excited. The numbers lm getting now are just absurd with the T4 and everything l missed with my 981. My 718 is actually alot easier to drive at speed and the high amount of torque at low rpm is very satisfying. With its upgraded chasis and lighter weight its truly something special. After 4 years of clubbing, tracking and touring l would buy another 2moro!!

That 981 flat 6 sounds gorgeous compared with that horrible, tinny, turbo 4

I just fell out of my chair lol! I have a 993 and am looking at Boxsters-ugggg, I think I’ll be looking for the 981S lol

How is called the extension mount for go pro on passenger's window? I want to buy one but i can't find...

Nick, that yellow suits you. Time to wrap the 991.2!

Fantastic video Nick. I agree that the base model with minimal options is the way to go. Many of the comments talked about the sales of the 4 cylinder model being much lower. Can anyone comment on what kind of a discount can be had on a base Caymen? Is there a particular dealer that can be recommended?

Do you think a new exhaust could help the WRX sound? I am really interested in the new 718 Cayman to replace my Corvette.

Yeah the 981 kind if puts the power on the top end. I noticed on mine u kind of have to time it to know when the car really starts accelerating. Kind of like step on it a second before the time u want it to speed away. But I actually like that. Haha.

Im looking at getting an 07 Cayman S? Have you by chance driven one of those? The sound from the 4 cylinder is just so weak and pitiful on the new ones...

Another good one, Nick - but my gosh - to you see you in a yellow car. I had to take extra medication when I first saw this post. :-) ... have a great rest of the week.

Last time I was this early Nick was still smashing his vanity mirror.

The 718 switched to a 4 cylinder to improve the ever tighter regulations on fuel economy. I have gotten up to 36mpg on a road trip with my base Cayman. A mild tune will take some of that PDK lag out and dial in more boost too. Also the throttle by wire is setup for economy too, adding a peddle tuner like a Sprint Booster makes the car much more responsive. Those two mods transforms the car. Yes they sound similar to Subaru's, but as a previous owner of two STi's the 718 has a lot better sound to them.

Nice Video Nick!!! I’m from CT as well would love to Collab with you eventually!

Racing yellow is the best color Nick… my friend just bought this exact car in “yes” Racing Yellow to match my Racing Yellow 911 😂😂😂

Hey Nick, question. Do you think that 981 Cayman's will go up in value due to their natural aspiration? Going to buy one for sure, but don't know when to buy along the depreciation curve.

Sooooooo happy I was lucky enough to get the 6 when I did

very informative....thanks

Can you make a extended review of that base black 718 cayman it would be interesting.

Yellow.... a solid 3/10...! 😇 Thx Nick for, again, a Porsche vid. Cheers, Irwin

Considering buying a Cayman 981 not sure if i should get the base or the S? pros and cons please. Great video as always!

Great video. I’m debating on 981 or 718.

I drove a 991 carrera s, GTS and a 981 cayman s and GTS, and I would hands down, take the cayman GTS. It feels lighter on it's feet and more willing to rotate and honestly has just the right amount of power. Its' too bad Porsche ruined the cars with turbos, but they will always pay 2nd fiddle to the 911 because of the heritage. Spot on as always Nick.

Nick, wich music is under this video?