Driving the first and last ICE Porsche Caymans | 718 Style Edition

[@milogger7556]

The curves and seductive lines of a 987 only get better with age. It's a design with character that's modern and classic. Park a 987 next to a 356, and you see the heritage. Park next to a 964 or 993, and you'll appreciate the evolution. The 3/4 rear view is stunning on a 987. Future versions just became more subtle in design while pushing tech, performance, comfort, and durability. All Caymans are amazing and have their place and purpose. For me, it's my 987.1S. I could, and do stare at it for hours! I love the shape and the fun fact that the rear haunches are 1.5" taller than a Boxster's. Now go out and drive! 😎

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing. Particularly that fact about the Cayman’s rear fender height!

[@thedamonlowney]

Rear quarter is king on a 987

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Absolutely agree! I'm on my second Cayman a 987.1 5sp and it's more fun than the previous 987.2 6sp as the gear ratios and the free revving 2.7l make driving the narrow twisty back roads a more engaging experience. It's going out tomorrow for a spirited drive.

[@Cajundaddydave]

The 987 is the most attractive modern Porsche since the 993 to my eyes. I just love the smooth sexy lines as opposed to the more harsh-edged lines of later variants. I also love the sound of a flat 6 although the power and scoot of the newer 718 cannot be denied.

[@bluesky9093]

I still love the rear haunches on the original Cayman, I always thought Porsche should have retained more of that original look in the 718. Either way, both are wonderful cars. The 718 in particular offers incredible value IMHO in the handling and performance space. Smart collectors will add a 718 Spyder RS to their stable while they can get one.

[@thedamonlowney]

Same! The original Cayman’s rear end is to die for!

[@joek2488]

Thanks for sharing this. I have a 2018 718S but after watching this I think I'll have to give the 987.1 a try.

[@thedamonlowney]

Expand your horizons! If you’re used to 718 torque, I’d try to sample a 2.7 and definitely an S. My car has stiffer everything and transmits a bit of noise into the cabin compared to stock mounts, etc., which comes through in the video. (Good noise, imo)

[@JeffJacquesmd]

As the owner of a 2022 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 I find this comparison truly interesting. The Cayman/Boxster are considered the less accomplished younger siblings to the 911 while actually being the Mid-engine evolution of those first 911s

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

It was fun to learn the ways they’re so different, yet still have so much in common nearly 20 years on.

[@RichardStrahota]

Love the 718!

[@RichardStrahota]

I feel the four cylinder engine is very under rated!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

We feel the same way!

[@smiffyLevel6]

I have the 718 Cayman GTS 2.5L 20 bhp less than the GT4, it’s an amazing sports car, sticks to the road like you would not believe, plenty of power all the way to the red line. It’s great all rounder, daily to track very underrated.

[@amac8487]

Agree. I have the same and absolutely love it! I wish everyone had an opportunity to drive one of them to realize how awesome it is lol

[@OldYagamikun]

Excellent overview, and great send off to an awesome car. Glad to have joined the 718 club when I got my 2019 S model (with PASM Sport and PTV) last year. The car makes an excellent daily, an incredible drive on the backroads out where I live, and is a beast on track days with my local PCA chapter. No matter what I'm doing, the car is up for the challenge of providing a thrilling and fun ride. ^_^

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Welcome to the club! We agree 100% regarding the 718!

[@rosgoncharuk2403]

ICE Cayman will be back once Porsche realizes that EV is a flop and there's not even nearly as much interest in it.

[@512TXSDIY]

987.1 for me. It just has better angles for sure and the flat6 is glorious. 718 looks like it had too much to eat. 987 is tone, fit and manual box.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

The rear of the 987 looks like a front with headlights Like a double ended car And yes they made many changes to make the 718 appear wider and brawnier

[@thedamonlowney]

Interestingly, the 718 and 987 have almost exactly the same length and exactly the same width. But the 718 does look a little brawnier. Might be the 20-inch wheels contributing to that?…

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

@@thedamonlowney Hopefully this link isn't deleted He discusses the 718 body design choices and aims kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWPHo5lomLd5hsksi=-9AxhEPwQvqq1AUu

[@MrRoyck10]

You certainly missed the sweet spot 981, it has the same chassis of 718, a direct fuel injection flat six engine that is a remarkable improvement over the 987.1.

[@512TXSDIY]

@@MrRoyck10 Maybe, but 981 is to round for me. They are all good looking cars… I just like the 987 platform better.

[@ElCid_86]

Thanks for sharing. I don’t know why Manny and Vu didn’t talk about 987/981 as affordable entry level cars on the last podcast-shame on them for only thinking 911 and SUV. Cayman is an affordable, enjoyable Porsche. I love my 981C. I hope to see you at SCCA in the near future, I missed the last one due to family.

[@Scifo321]

The more i watch these cayman videos, the more i want an older gen like the 987. I want emotion rather than specs.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

We understand!

[@brianbirkinbine2054]

Thanks for the video comparison, I own a 987.1 Cayman S and love it, but having driven other turbo 4 cars, I understand the low end torque appeal (and perhaps weight savings from a smaller flat4 engine)

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Each car had its benefits, but hard to argue with more performance and drivability vs sound preference. We’d need to look it up, but the turbo four might not be as lightweight as you think with the turbo, intercooler, and plumbing. The 718 Cayman is fairly light: 3,104 lbs. w/PDK. 3,040 lbs. w/manual. The 987.1 is 2,976 lbs. with the manual (weighed with the 5-speed, presumably) and 3,064 lbs. w/Tiptronic.

[@bfrides7800]

I had a 2006 987.1 Boxster base with P04 Sport package (PASM + 6 speed manual) for 14 years. P04 package made it almost S priced so it sat in the dealer showroom and lot until fall 2007 when they discounted it to sell. In 2021 I traded it for a 718 Cayman S. The interior is much more spacious for tall people so that was the great for 6’5” me. The 2.5 turbo was a beast. Power everywhere in the range except 2-3K rpm as you note. Sport and Sport+ modes mostly hid that issue. I missed the flat 6 so in late 2022 I traded out to a one owner, low mileage 2015 Cayman S. I did the rear camera and CarPlay hacks and have most of the 718 tech now too. Horses for courses as they say, but the 981 variant is the best mix from my sampling.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thank you for chiming in with this info!

[@danmeifert2469]

To my eye, the 987.1 has better styling, cleaner lines, an actual key, no touchscreen, manual gearbox & N/A. EV has no appeal to me.

[@512TXSDIY]

@@danmeifert2469 exactly! Not engaging.

[@thedamonlowney]

Note that the 987 in this video (my car) is lowered with spacers. And while Cayman S-sized tires are fitted, the rear wheels on my car are 10 inches wide. So the stance is maybe a little more OE+ than Porsche even went with the Cayman R. I’m sure the 718 would get that look with similar mods (though keep those Spyder wheels!).

[@512TXSDIY]

@@thedamonlowneyLooks great though. My 987.1 is pretty much stock except Bilstein B6 on stock coils.

[@thedamonlowney]

@@512TXSDIYThanks! The main thing is I bet your car handles a bit better than stock on your setup.

[@thedamonlowney]

And, my personal opinion is the 987.1 Caymans are the best looking ;)

[@RicBergstrom]

I'll stick with my 987.2 2.9 Base 6 speed poverty spec. All you need. All you'd ever need.

[@WalterBuckley-q8b]

I too own a base 987.2 Cayman with the 2.9, 18 inch wheels. Best car I've ever owned, keeping it for ever.

[@Gary-wo3yh]

I'm in love with my 5-speed '07 Base 987.1 and I don't care who knows it ❤ For many reasons, I'm not sure I'd feel the same engagement with a 718. Great work on the video as always, Damon!

[@thedamonlowney]

Thanks! Pretty sure I love mine too much to ever get rid of it.

[@melaniezimmermann-jv7th]

Steering feel IS WAY better in yours. 😉

[@thedamonlowney]

To expand my thoughts a bit on the 718 Cayman, whether a Style Edition or not. If budget were not an issue, presented with the 987 in the video (if I didn’t own it) or a non-Ruby Star Neo 718, I’d likely go 718 Cayman, preferably manual but maybe PDK. Lower it, DSC Sport, anti-roll bars maybe, sticky tires.

[@fjpdds]

Well done!

[@oliverradcliffe7974]

Those are great looking roads!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

They are! Good for a 5/10ths cruise in spurts and not during rush hour. And close to a good spot to park multiple cars for filming and photos.

[@foreducationalpurposes9178]

Where/what backroads did you film this?

[@thedamonlowney]

Around Patapsco Valley State Park. Near Old Elicott City.

[@fiorious12]

Only because it hasn’t been said here yet, but I would argue that the true ‘sweet spot’ is the 987.2 S. 987 timeless stying / hydraulic steering / 981 reliable flat 6. Mine is a 6spd, but PDK also available for this gen if an auto is what you crave.

[@russellking546]

You got it exactly right. I have a 2011 987.2S PDK sport chrono and it is epic, perfect and achingly gorgeous to stare at and to drive. Owned and loved for 7 years and counting. Drive on!

[@Anonymous-k5r3b]

Both are fun, the 718 is better. Elephant in the room is $$$$.

[@westrx7]

Having had the 987.1 S Cayman, followed by a 718 S Cayman, the 718 is more refined. The cars feel similar, but the 718 is crisper and quicker.

[@mikehintoncpa]

I’ll go out on a limb here and predict that there will be more ICE 718s.

[@joeharris3810]

In Australia last orders taken in May 2024

[@Grandmasterroy]

Love my (first) Porsche Boxster 981 2.7 from 2014 with PDK & PASM. Drove a 986 2.5, love them both. Love the sound of the flat 6. (See my video’s)

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@morganvon5664]

It will be interesting to see what the real world range of the EV Cayman will be. If it gets driven hard and heaven forbid, over 100 mph, I can't imagine the range will be more than 150 miles.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

You have a very good point. At the same time, rang does go down quite drastically on both the 987 and 718 when driven hard at length. In the 987, one tank could drop to below 200 miles. Food for thought.

[@MrJeepmarine]

​@@PorscheClubofAmericawith an ICE vehicle you can just pop into the nearest gas station and be back motoring in no time, unlike EVs.

[@porsche4k]

I’m thinking of ordering the 718 GTS 4.0 before they are discontinued. I’m torn between Boxster or Cayman version 🤔

[@johnbee7729]

Not sure I like a turbo 4 from a longevity perspective

[@Dave-White]

Great review!

[@wraedeohed9988]

981 > 718 I know it's beating a dead horse, but the 981, to me, is still the last great generation of these cars. The 987's were perfectly go-kart-like, but the 981 brought a better engine, interior, refinement, and passion to the car. Every 718 I've driven is faster, and perhaps the steering is marginally better, but good gawd NOTHING replaces that 3.4L Flat Six, except more displacement. No matter how it's tuned the flat four sounds flaccid at best. Any decent sounds that it does have are heard at idle, or a cold startup, after that... Souless.

[@bruceccorwin]

But the 718 is also available with the 4.0L Flat Six. So if you choose a model with that engine (GTS 4.0, GT4, GT4 RS, etc.), then 718 > 981.

[@wraedeohed9988]

@@bruceccorwin it's really not, because that engine and engine note is completely different. The Spyder in the 981 is a 3.8 while the 718 is a 4.0, and if you'd driven them you'd know that the engines are very different in characteristics. 🤷🏾‍♂️ It is what it is, both very exciting cars, but the 981 was the better send off. That's why the chassis holds its value better.

[@brax2u391]

They are all great - a bit like a wine vertical. My 987 delivers fun and the speed yellow gets lots of waves and comments. My 981 delivers speed and balance in a way that makes it more competitive on the track. Beyond fun and into thrill territory. 982_4.0 is certainly a further step up - at 2X price point. When someone makes that offer, I'll contemplate it. Until then, the 981 is my keeper Cayman.

[@billdillon3886]

How about a turbo flat 6? I would get one. But, not a 4.

[@tonykono5225]

I’m disappointed my favorite car is being discontinued before I can afford it 😥. I think the four cylinder is an amazing engine, especially the S model. I have absolutely no interest in an electric vehicle. Except the Taycan cross tourismo, but I’ll never be able to afford that one.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

There’ll always be these four-cyl 718s on the used market. And we’re sure the 718 EV will be a step in the right direction for EV sports cars (at the least). Will be interesting to see how they do as used sports cars years from now.

[@kerosenefilms]

@@PorscheClubofAmericaif they’re anything like the Taycan, they will lose most of their value in the first year. Nobody is asking for an EV Boxster. Porsche will walk EVs back like the rest of the car manufacturers.

[@_que]

Like the 911, a hybrid 718 should have been attempted before going 100% EV. Suspect they will back step a hybrid shortly after...

[@512TXSDIY]

I would love to get 987R!

[@heelntoe3982]

They're great, but not enough improvement over a 987.2 S to justify the price difference, IMO.

[@512TXSDIY]

@@heelntoe3982 Yeah… but it’s so cool and not as common. Which makes me want it more.

[@heelntoe3982]

@512TXSDIY 987.2's are pretty rare as it is, especially S cars with a 6-speed manual. I added the center radiator and X73 suspension to my 987.2 S, so halfway to an R. Unless you're gonna garage an R for appreciation, you should drive a regular S and see how you like it.

[@512TXSDIY]

@@heelntoe3982Yeah… I drive all my cars. My 987.1 is not a garage queen at all.

[@stormymonday1492]

still nothing about Boxsters from PCA.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Noted. It had been several months since we’ve had a video specifically about the Boxster. A lot of what you see in this video can be applied to the 987 Boxster and 718 Boxster Style Edition. I know at least one in our office was hoping Porsche would lend us a 718 Boxster Style Edition, but the Cayman is what was available. Thanks for the feedback, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for a good Boxster story to tell.

[@Anonymous-k5r3b]

Boxster is my favorite Porsche product.

[@kevbecker672]

Like all those before them Porsche will find nobody buys EV's......Sad but the learning curve on this seems to take a while.....You can't mandate shit we refuse to buy...

[@billdillon3886]

The later Caymans looked like Z cars from the side.

[@johnwilliams727]

My favorite car is the Cayman, and I own a 987. I have watched as Porsche gave it worse steering, a worse engine, and added weight. Now with the ICE engine being replaced with electric, i am out. I am rooting for you to fail Porsche.

[@hughmann1908]

“First of the last ICE Cayman’s” I’m sad 😢 Love my launch year Cayman S, will never sell it, best driving car ever! This not a good comparison, no offense…

[@Nam-id7kj]

Going EV! Porsche is losing sight of its marker & doesn't have a clue of the Porsche aficionado. If we wanted a Dyson, we'd go to Lowe's. The purchase of a Porsche is its heritage, handling, long-range touring & its magnificent sound. EV, they didn't learn from the Taycan stacking up in the rear lot? Knock, knock, knock, is this on? Really, EVs?

[@jnngrn]

Tragic. The demise of the 718 is a huge mistake.

[@Conversus]

Later Caymans look alot more like Austin Martins and not like Porsches.

[@Gadfly2025]

EV ? 😆😆😆😆 USA dropped the EV mandate and few will buy a battery 🪫 sports car . Expect 1/3 less claimed milage per charge no Matter what u buy battery powered

[@claudioremonti6740]

half claimed milage, best case scenario

[@danmeifert2469]

Love the 987.1 base. Not a fan of EV or hybrid.

[@pcar5]

My guess is the Supra will be the peoples choice over the 718 EVs. Not much to not like about it.

[@Gadfly2025]

@@pcar5 it’s a great car , I had one 2019 A91, my only gripe auto but now can get manual . Dealer paid me $3k more than I paid for it in shortages . Was looking for 911 but bought C8 vette and ///M4 manual for less than 1 overinflated 911.