[Wakka]

get the 6 cyl. i would if i could swing it

[raddoc]

I went the other way - 2018 718 Boxster S MT 6 to 2020 230iX 'vert. 718 was a bit more fun to drive, but punishing for 3-6 hour rides. I would have been totally satisfied if the 230iX had an MT option, but obviously not the case in the States. The ONLY Porsche I'd go back to is a CPO 911S cab, MT7. Will wait for one to show up as new prices are ridiculous and Porsche's CPO warranty is great.

[PDM5]

Thanks all for the responses. I think I'm going to set up an alert for a 718 Cayman S and GTS (more likely) and see if one pops up with the options I want. I'm going to be very picky as I have a great car for the time being! Hopefully I can make the switch by the end of the summer. With the 4.0 coming out, hopefully the values of the 4 cylinder plummet! That way in a couple of years, I'll decide if I want to "upgrade" to the 6 cylinder.

[Oldbay]

Originally Posted by baege

In terms of driving experience, there is no comparison. The cayman is much more of a connected, visceral, engaging experience. Of course that was with a flat six, but it sounds like the flat four doesn't bother you. But I suspect you've never driven a flat six S or GTS. You might be surprised how much more that engages you.

I agree 100%. I had the 2011 Spyder with the 6 and it was freaking amazing.

The only downside is that there's no place on public roads to really let it do it's thing. All of that handling is a bit wasted. My Spyder was overkill in the handling department for public roads in the Washington DC area. There's no place to really stretch that car out unless you head over into WV---but that will create other problems for you:-)

Many of the local police departments in WV will give you massive amounts of trouble if they spot you driving in a "spirited" manner. This is a pretty well known thing. There's some YouTube videos from some of the bloggers detailing their experiences.

Anyways...yes the 718/Cayman is a good car...but no place to really let it shine unless you are tracking it. Trust me. Been there done that.

[bmw1010]

Any thoughts about the difference in comfort between the M240i and the Cayman?

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by bmw1010

Any thoughts about the difference in comfort between the M240i and the Cayman?

The stock suspension isn't that bad and any 718 I'd get would have PASM (or SPASM) for the adjustability aspect. I'd yank off any wheels larger than 18" anyway and throw on some meaty tires on the smaller rim, but I know that look is not for everyone.

Plenty of folks on 718 Forums and Rennlist DD this car (in varying forms of weather conditions) with no real complaints. Porsche seemed to knock the 718 out of the park, save for the engine sound. I'm one of the few who doesn't mind the engine sound of the turbo flat 4 and am a fiend for low end torque, so pretty much any version of the 718 will work for me.

I'm not in a rush like I was before on making the switch. It will still happen, but I want at least a year with the 240 before making the move. Finally being able to put the summer wheels on reminds me of why I got the car in the first place. It truly is a fantastic car.

[Wyldstyle]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Sorry I didn't word that correctly. I'm 34, but am an old soul who feels like a crotchety 70 year old (apologies to 70+ year olds - I'm referring to the grumpy old men, not every 70+ year old).

This made me laugh. My husband and I long ago determined that instead of an "inner child," he has an "inner old man."

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Wyldstyle

This made me laugh. My husband and I long ago determined that instead of an "inner child," he has an "inner old man."

Wait till you get your bangin M240i and take him for a ride "The Curious Case of Wyldstyle's Husband"

[PDM5]

Finally got a chance to test drive a local 718S with a manual transmission. Wow. The steering feel(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), brakes, ride, transmission, clutch, etc. were fantastic. I never understood the "BMW manual transmissions are rubbery" sentiment as I've never had an issue with the feel before, but I get it now. Changing gears gave me the feeling that I didn't think was possible for a car to elicit. The entire time driving it, I was thinking in my head how fantastic it would be to take it on the track. And the complaints about the sound are completely overblown in my opinion. Saying it sounds like a Subaru is just pure laziness and a regurgitation of the talking heads. It doesn't have the immediate power my B58 has and it feels like a more traditional turbo, but it created a bit of drama and theater, so no real complaints from me.

Love my 240 for what it is, but I'm 100% sold on taking my time to find the 718 in the exact spec that I want. Might wait it out for a bit for a T as this will be my DD and I'd like the base engine for the more use-able daily power.

[Miata13]

Yep...heated seats and heated steering wheel go a long way to making winter top down driving fun!

[raddoc]

My '018 718 S MT 6 was just okay. Better handling but 20" wheels & sport suspension w/o PASM were brutal on 200+ mi trips. Borrow one from a dealer over a weekend if you have a chance. Would be fine as a track day ride but not comfy enough for city streets or long rides. Get a 6 cylinder Boxster S for a better exhaust note and a lower price, need to be sure CPO'd unless you are made of $$$.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Finally got a chance to test drive a local 718S with a manual transmission. Wow. The steering feel(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), brakes, ride, transmission, clutch, etc. were fantastic. I never understood the "BMW manual transmissions are rubbery" sentiment as I've never had an issue with the feel before, but I get it now. Changing gears gave me the feeling that I didn't think was possible for a car to elicit. The entire time driving it, I was thinking in my head how fantastic it would be to take it on the track. And the complaints about the sound are completely overblown in my opinion. Saying it sounds like a Subaru is just pure laziness and a regurgitation of the talking heads. It doesn't have the immediate power my B58 has and it feels like a more traditional turbo, but it created a bit of drama and theater, so no real complaints from me.

Love my 240 for what it is, but I'm 100% sold on taking my time to find the 718 in the exact spec that I want. Might wait it out for a bit for a T as this will be my DD and I'd like the base engine for the more use-able daily power.

718 is hard to beat. I had one for over a year and loved it. Excellent drop top, excellent clutch and shifter, a pure precision tool.

[Rayscott]

Don't fret that it's not a grocery getter. It was not designed to be one. That's what my X3 is for. It's a fantastic vehicle and it's a Porsche. Go with your gut and make it be your decision.

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by raddoc

My '018 718 S MT 6 was just okay. Better handling but 20" wheels & sport suspension w/o PASM were brutal on 200+ mi trips. Borrow one from a dealer over a weekend if you have a chance. Would be fine as a track day ride but not comfy enough for city streets or long rides. Get a 6 cylinder Boxster S for a better exhaust note and a lower price, need to be sure CPO'd unless you are made of $$$.

Yeah if I got one with 20" wheels, those are coming off ASAP for a nice set of Apex 18s. The one I test drove had the stock 19s and I purposely went onto a horribly bumpy and uneven road to test the car out and honestly, it wasn't any worse than my 240. Took about an hour test drive. I'd only be getting one with PASM, so that would help as well. I also didn't mind the flat 4 sound and I know I'm in the HUGE minority here, but I actually liked the sound compared to my 240 with MPE. Does the flat 6 sound better? Absolutely and I would never argue otherwise, but I went into the test drive expecting it to sound like a run of the mill Subaru (it doesn't) based off of all the hate it gets. The 981s are missing some of the upgrades/tech I've grown accustomed to, so I'm looking solely at 718s. I know the GTS 4.0 just came out, but I'm a sucker for low end torque ever since I've been introduced to turbos, so I don't think I can go back to NA unless it's a V8. I may have to end up ordering to get the exact car I want.

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by jstein55

718 is hard to beat. I had one for over a year and loved it. Excellent drop top, excellent clutch and shifter, a pure precision tool.

Thanks jstein! I always appreciate your posts!

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

Don't fret that it's not a grocery getter. It was not designed to be one. That's what my X3 is for. It's a fantastic vehicle and it's a Porsche. Go with your gut and make it be your decision.

Thanks! Anytime I need more than 2 seats, there is always the wife's car! Plus we're DINCs, so no need to worry about trips to Costco and everything I would generally pick up would fit in the frunk.

[Arominus]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Yeah if I got one with 20" wheels, those are coming off ASAP for a nice set of Apex 18s. The one I test drove had the stock 19s and I purposely went onto a horribly bumpy and uneven road to test the car out and honestly, it wasn't any worse than my 240. Took about an hour test drive. I'd only be getting one with PASM, so that would help as well. I also didn't mind the flat 4 sound and I know I'm in the HUGE minority here, but I actually liked the sound compared to my 240 with MPE. Does the flat 6 sound better? Absolutely and I would never argue otherwise, but I went into the test drive expecting it to sound like a run of the mill Subaru (it doesn't) based off of all the hate it gets. The 981s are missing some of the upgrades/tech I've grown accustomed to, so I'm looking solely at 718s. I know the GTS 4.0 just came out, but I'm a sucker for low end torque ever since I've been introduced to turbos, so I don't think I can go back to NA unless it's a V8. I may have to end up ordering to get the exact car I want.

Start bribing your dealer for an allocation as soon as you can, Porsche dealers tend to be stingy on them if you're not trying to order a fairly larded up car. Get over to rennlist and the pelican parts boards and start nerding out hard on tactics to get one.


I'm on a strange end of the porsche to BMW adventure here. I got my 228i 6mt w/ THP earlier this year, while it is faster, more comfortable and a great daily, it doesn't nearly have the soul of my Porsche. I have an 89 944s2 that I purchased from my father about 7 years ago, it has a 968 engine swap (variocam! woo!), konis and big sways, turbo brakes and even at 185k on the clock its the most engaging car i've ever had the pleasure of driving for a long period of time. The steering is excellent and communicative, it slides delightfully on its 16" OE wheel/tire sizes, the intake howl of the 968 is glorious. I'm having a really hard time convincing myself to sell the 944 to be quite honest.

If you've never owned a Porsche, its truly a revelation. Learn to DIY, get a durametric for it, change your own oil. Its 2 5qt jugs of 0w-40 from walmart for $50 and a $10 filter that way. This is what we do for Dads 997.1, it saves a lot of money in the long term as does most DIY.


My dream build? 18way sport plus manual seats, PTV, Burrmeister stereo (don't skip this) PSAM and the LED headlights in a base 718 cayman. Miami blue please.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Arominus

I got my 228i 6mt w/ THP earlier this year, while it is faster, more comfortable and a great daily, it doesn't nearly have the soul of my Porsche.

It's apples-to-oranges, isn't it.

These conversations always remind me of an interchange I had with a grey-market importer from whom I bought an M635CSi in 1985. While it was his BMWs I was interested in, he pointed out that he could provide every current Porsche model, too. As an aside, he said "...but they're just four-wheel motorcycles."; if that's not clear, he was being dismissive when he said it.

The irony is that he was right, and I understood this because I was a BMW owner who had owned and raced bikes from the late 60s through the mid-70s.

As far as street and street/track cars go, every Porsche I've been in has offered a much more visceral feel and sound than any BMW I've ever been in. That's what Porsche is about, and they do it very well. I think that BMW is doing something very different; which they must, as they don't have a giant the size of Volkswagen AG standing behind them.

[Edslittleworld]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Yeah if I got one with 20" wheels, those are coming off ASAP for a nice set of Apex 18s. The one I test drove had the stock 19s and I purposely went onto a horribly bumpy and uneven road to test the car out and honestly, it wasn't any worse than my 240. Took about an hour test drive. I'd only be getting one with PASM, so that would help as well. I also didn't mind the flat 4 sound and I know I'm in the HUGE minority here, but I actually liked the sound compared to my 240 with MPE. Does the flat 6 sound better? Absolutely and I would never argue otherwise, but I went into the test drive expecting it to sound like a run of the mill Subaru (it doesn't) based off of all the hate it gets. The 981s are missing some of the upgrades/tech I've grown accustomed to, so I'm looking solely at 718s. I know the GTS 4.0 just came out, but I'm a sucker for low end torque ever since I've been introduced to turbos, so I don't think I can go back to NA unless it's a V8. I may have to end up ordering to get the exact car I want.

Let us know if you get it. I have both an M240i and a new Miata. For the same money combined, I could have a new(er) Boxster/Cayman S. I drove a 2013 Boxster S from Turo and really like it. However, I feel my Miata is a more pure driving experience. Smaller, lighter, more rigid, more visceral and a one-handed manual top. Plus, I still have my 240i for a more performance drive. Good luck with your decision.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by PDM5

Sorry I didn't word that correctly. I'm 34, but am an old soul who feels like a crotchety 70 year old (apologies to 70+ year olds - I'm referring to the grumpy old men, not every 70+ year old).

Funny, I thought I had encountered a kindred spirit. I am that 70 year old that views the world as through a 30 year old's eyes (until I look in the mirror).

FWIW, keep that 34 year mindset throughout your life and you will never truly get old.

[jliuod]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

Let us know if you get it. I have both an M240i and a new Miata. For the same money combined, I could have a new(er) Boxster/Cayman S. I drove a 2013 Boxster S from Turo and really like it. However, I feel my Miata is a more pure driving experience. Smaller, lighter, more rigid, more visceral and a one-handed manual top. Plus, I still have my 240i for a more performance drive. Good luck with your decision.

I am with you on the Miata(mine has suspension upgrade). For the money and fun factor the Miata is up there with Porsche. I had a 13 Boxster S and a 15 Cayman. Both were 6sp manual. The Boxster S had all the wonderful options and the Cayman was pretty bare bone. Both were the 981 flat 6. Don't get me wrong the driving experience with the Porsche was second to none. In stock form it has a perfect balance between comfort and performance. With my Miata RF I can drive it anywhere without having to worry about it. Not so much with the Porsche. I too agree with someone who pointed out one needs to own a Porsche in his life time. Life is too short.....

[PDM5]

Originally Posted by jliuod

I am with you on the Miata(mine has suspension upgrade). For the money and fun factor the Miata is up there with Porsche. I had a 13 Boxster S and a 15 Cayman. Both were 6sp manual. The Boxster S had all the wonderful options and the Cayman was pretty bare bone. Both were the 981 flat 6. Don't get me wrong the driving experience with the Porsche was second to none. In stock form it has a perfect balance between comfort and performance. With my Miata RF I can drive it anywhere without having to worry about it. Not so much with the Porsche. I too agree with someone who pointed out one needs to own a Porsche in his life time. Life is too short.....

I assume you moved from the Cayman to the Miata RF, correct? If you had to choose only one, which one it be?