Honest guide | How to spec a Porsche 718 Cayman S | Living with a Porsche Cayman S

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I scoured KZbin for so long to find any advice on honestly how to spec a Porsche Cayman but could never find a video which gave me the info I needed. So, I decided to make one for myself! Hope this is useful, make sure to comment below so that other Cayman owners / perspective buyers can get the benefit of your advice and know which options to pick.
Special shout out to Chris for lending me his 718 Cayman S and to BOTB from the previous video.
Thanks to you guys for being Car Friends and joining me on my adventure into the future of driving x

[@UKCarReview]

Let me know which options you guys would recommend speccing and what video I should film next. Subscribe for free for more Porsche content as well :)

[@UKCarReview]

Here’s the video of us surprising Chris will his brand new Cayman S - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2TEpWxvebB_qZo

[@HansDelbruck53]

It's spec'd, not "speced"

[@simonbussey7530]

Some extra options I speced that you didn't mention 1) BOSE Sound system -The standard isn't great, this is better but not amazing. If you listen to music it's pretty useful. 2) Light Package - Lots of extra cabin lighting, in a nice white LED colour rather than the yellowish bulbs 3) Folding mirrors - Useful protection when parking, looks cool, and includes integrated down pointing illumination. 4) Dimming mirrors - The car sits low and it's nice not to be blinded my headlights behind you. These also include auto wipers. 5) Heated Seats - Essential in the Winter

[@UKCarReview]

Perfect! Thanks Simon. Completely agree on the dimming headlights; mine had those and that odd green colour really helps to dampen the light. What are your thoughts on the Cayman vs the Cayman S?

[@simonbussey7530]

So I tested both and bought the base model. The S is noticeably quicker, and perhaps more important is the variable vane turbo tech from the 911 which significantly reduces the turbo lag which you feel much more on the base model. The brakes, I couldn't tell the difference personally. Despite all that I still bought the base. My budget meant either a vanilla S or a base with a ton of options. The cayman is my daily driver, so I really needed all the options just to make it liveable and pleasurable all year round. Mine is kitted out with all the usual tech that should be standard on a car that costs this much. If it had just been a weekend or track toy then I would have gone with a stock S.

[@UKCarReview]

Haha, agree. I think PASM and the LED lights should be standard. Did you go for manual rather than PDK? Looking to take another Porsche out soon but not sure which one. Alfa Romeo 4C is on the channel very soon so make sure to subscribe to see it first :)

[@simonbussey7530]

I actually went manual which is pretty rare. The PDK is one of the best auto boxes you can buy, but the Porsche manual box is also probably one of the best manuals you can buy. A real pleasure to use.

[@KPAX00]

If you are looking for good sounds in a car, don't buy a 718 S. Way too noisy. Upgrading the stereo would be a waste. I quickly gave up on listening to the sound system and changed my focus to the sound of the marvelous 2.5 engine. If you want really great tunes, take a 718S on the track. Now that's music.

[@theman4884]

I can't speak for the Porsche but I have driven Audi's with and without the limited slip differential, and I can say it is must. So I would definitely go for the PTV. It is not just for track days it feels so much better going around curves.

[@darrenhawthorne2258]

Lava orange is the best Color along with purple of the GT3 RS you can get !

[@UKCarReview]

Agree on lava orange, especially for GT3. What are your thoughts on the crayon (grey) colour?

[@maxmartz4665]

Spec on boxster S is led, 18way seats (comfort)Sport Chrono Package (dynamic mounts); 19 in wheel (less damage to rims, better daily ride), 6 spd manual (because I like 3 pedals), PASM (ride), PVT (track days), Bose, Apple connect. Light design, power fold mirrors (fit in tight space)

[@UKCarReview]

Interesting spec choices and great insight, thanks Max. Personally I’d switch out PTV for the PDK gearbox but that’s only because I never put my Cayman on a track day. Was the video of any value? I’m debating doing a similar video for the Boxster but the info is relatively transferable

[@johndavid1861]

Superb !, paying my deposit in the next few weeks on a Cayman , should of mention yellow, red, white rev counter dials I've gone for yellow , will match the yellow brake calipers , Agate grey body work

[@UKCarReview]

I ended up getting the 981 Cayman GTS (in yellow!) in the end. How's the 718 going? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WmmnprhpV_rq8

[@christopherlogsdon1628]

Planning on buying a GTS and I’m having all the bells and whistles and it’s a big investment and I wanna be completely happy

[@UKCarReview]

Do it! Heard nothing but great things about it! What spec are you considering?

[@joem.8935]

@@UKCarReview Fully agree! I have had my 718 Cayman GTS for 3 weeks now and love it. There are rumors that Porsche will bring back the flat 6 but the flat 4 still has a 0-60mph under 4 sec. (I have never pushed my car but it is very responsive.)

[@daniel166hue]

My 718 boxster S spec are sport chrono (must have)you’ll get riding mode switch in the stering wheel and sport response button if you choose PDK gearbox, PDLS+, PTV (it’s nice if you have one), full leather interior coffee brown color also matching soft top color, BOSE audio (should’ve chose Burmeister instead, but hey this is sport car who cares), Light package (dunno if it’s important), Porsche entry and drive (not a must option) but it reduce the hassle to reach for a key..PASM (maybe you should get one, not sure cause I’d never drive one without), PSE (it makes the exhaust sound better, the different is noticable, it also has pop n bang in sport mode). 20” turbo wheel (I love it)

[@UKCarReview]

Awesome, thanks for sharing. How do you find the 20" wheels on the 718? I hear it's a balance between looks and comfort? On my 2012 Cayman the ride was super firm because of my wheel choice.

[@daniel166hue]

Craig TV I haven’t see 19” or 18” in 718 in person but in my opinion, the 20” in 718 is fabulous..I can stare my car for long long time to admire its beauty ;) ..For ride comfort, I think it’s still comfortable, Porsche done very fantastic job in their suspension and chassis. Once in circuit, I compared it back to back with my friend’s M2, its different were day and night regarding the agility and ride quality..

[@UKCarReview]

Nice. I’m so torn now to be honest! I’ve also been looking at the Alfa Romeo 4C as an alternative to the Cayman. What are your thoughts? I’ve got a company car so I don’t really need to drive the Cayman / 4C daily - Should I buy an Alfa Romeo 4C or a Porsche 718 Cayman kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYrbnKeuo5JlhdE

[@daniel166hue]

Craig TV I really don’t know about the Alfa Romeo, but Porsche is a big brand, it hold the most if not among the best reliable car in the world..my dealer even said you can drive like you steal it right away without breaking in the vehicle lol.. My experience with Porsche World Road Show in Sepang last March, there is one car, a 991.2 Turbo S got tortured by doing launch control dozens times in a day, imagine a Nissan GTR doing the same only limited to 3 or 5 times by its factory, safe mode occurs if you exceed that ;) So the Porsche is unbelieveable piece of machine..my next car should be also from the Porsche, that’s how good is the brand ;) My daily car is a Subaru by the way lol

[@UKCarReview]

Wow! Proper petrol head! A Subaru and a Porsche. I kind of like the 4C because it’s untamed and not too sensible. The Cayman is great for exactly all of the reasons you mentioned. Make sure to subscribe as there’s more videos coming out from both the Cayman and the 4C :)

[@zoolook888]

I have had a 986 (98)...then onto a 987S (06) ...now back in the market for a Cayman 718 or 718S?? (I prefer the S) ...but not 100% sure about the new turbo versions v's the naturally aspirated ones? ...

[@UKCarReview]

Nice collection! To be honest, I'm having exactly the same debate. I do really love the naturally aspirated (13 onwards) Cayman and personally I think I'd choose that as a long term investment. The prices have been holding steady for a long time now, probably because it's the last of the six cylinders, and as a daily it's perfect. I suppose it depends if you want the upgraded interior? What are your current thoughts?

[@x-guardbrandinfo4630]

How do you feel about the standard speakers vs upgrading to the Bose speakers?

[@UKCarReview]

Standard speakers are very good on their own. If you really love your music then worth upgrading but it’s not as if there’s a poor version as standard. Are you speccing it at the moment?

[@HansDelbruck53]

Can I spec it with the steering wheel on the left as we don't drive on the wrong side of the road here?

[@UKCarReview]

Haha! Absolutely! Fully aware (and agree) that we drive on the wrong side! :)

[@michaelbarrett8803]

It's expensive but I think the rear side vents look plastic and cheep; I would paint them to match the body color.

[@UKCarReview]

I ended up getting the 981 Cayman GTS in the end - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WmmnprhpV_rq8

[@Ashhollie]

That’s car is so nice I want that car

[@UKCarReview]

Awesome, right?! Think I'd very likely get one as my next car. Which colour would you choose?

[@Ashhollie]

Craig TV blue it’s my favourite colour

[@iangraham7317]

I have the manual gearbox which in my opinion is so much better than the PDK, I spoke to the dealership regarding the sports krono package, their recommendation was not to go for it with the manual gearbox. A truly awesome car the 718 Cayman S.

[@UKCarReview]

Interesting, not heard that before. What’s the thinking behind that? Do they work better individually?

[@itsalex.720]

That’s particularly strange since you would get auto rev match with sports chrono with a manual. Very useful feature,

[@iangraham7317]

With the manual you can auto rev match yourself. The Sports chrono is more suited to the PDK for that reason.

[@jwlee4925]

Matt Gooden yes, totally agree. A manual gearbox with sports chrono pkg were ‘must haves’ for me. I love the auto rev match feature. If I want to rev match myself, it gives me that option as well.

[@KPAX00]

My experience is that PDK is outstanding on the track. Around town, not so much if you like to keep your RPMs up.

[@maxmartz4665]

Parking sensors standard on 718.

[@UKCarReview]

Are they? I didn’t know that. I thought they were optional extras. I know the camera was spec’d in but had no idea that they’re standard. Thanks for keeping me honest 👍

[@simonbussey7530]

Not in the UK. Standard options vary depending on region.

[@doriangray2347]

Mostly still relevant

[@UKCarReview]

I bought the 981 Cayman GTS and I’m happy with the spec on that 👌

[@UKCarReview]

Here's the 981 Cayman GTS review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WmmnprhpV_rq8

[@gsthree9534]

I'd option the 6-cylinder engine and drop the turbos.

[@KPAX00]

You sixers just don't get it. The turbo four is faster top end, faster 0-60, and faster 0-100, better mileage, (I get 9 mpg on track and 31+ mpg at 70 highway) and the turbo lag is essentially non-existent. On the straights this weekend, the Carreras could not walk away from my car, even with all their six cylinder glory. Turbos and superchargers, fewer moving parts, and smaller engines is the future. Don't get left behind due to some romantic notions about six cylinder exhaust tones.

[@gsthree9534]

@@KPAX00 - happily left behind in a car that sounds great and stirs positive emotions. I rarely need to do a 4 second 0 to 60 and I don't buy sports cars for the gas mileage.

[@UKCarReview]

I ended up getting the six-cylinder 981 in the end! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WmmnprhpV_rq8

[@gsthree9534]

@@UKCarReview - Excellent choice! The NA 6 is so much more entertaining than the 4. Enjoy!

[@UKCarReview]

GS Three Thank you! Completely agree. Really loving the engine sound 🙌

[@jasonkent3658]

I made it 10 seconds in its a PDK not interested

[@UKCarReview]

Lol. I bought the 981 Cayman GTS last year (still got it) and I still disagree. Sorry

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Why would anybody buy an automatic sports car? You might as well be driving a Toyota Prius.

[@UKCarReview]

I can see your point. If the PDK wasn’t so fantastic then I’d have reservations but it’s ability to rev match and find the gear you want so effortlessly means that I can just get on with enjoying the driving experience. I think you’d really enjoy this video, let me know what you think - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZK4dJd3mcaUoJo

[@utubejoe11]

@@UKCarReview - I enjoyed the GT3 video very much.

[@NazimUddin-yk2tz]

PDK are just as fun to drive as a manual and shifts way quicker than manuals even if your are the best race car driver lol

[@BounceHeaven]

Step one: don’t buy an S, buy a GTS.

[@UKCarReview]

Haha! So true! I bought the GTS in the end but it's the 981 Cayman because the sound and the residuals are better. How about yourself?

[@UKCarReview]

Here's the GTS review, as promised - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WmmnprhpV_rq8

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Unspec that engine first lol

[@UKCarReview]

Amen! Just bought the 981 Cayman GTS so will be making vids with that soon

[@HIOP0]

LET'S CALL IT "SPASM"... COZ IT'S FUNNY... IT IS REALLY NOT FUNNY IF YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM DURING YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE. EXTREMELY PAINFUL, SOMEWHAT EMBARRASSING IN PUBLIC AND GENERALLY DEBILITATING, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT FUNNY. WHAT RESPONSES THAT ARE DEVOID OF RATIONALISING, DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER, IF ANY AT ALL?.

[@UKCarReview]

Sports Porsche Active Suspension Management (SPASM) 🙄

[@HIOP0]

@@UKCarReview YOU ARE NOT OVERBURDENED WITH GRAY MATTER... ARE YOU?