New member and new 718 Cayman

[PaulJ]

Hello, welcome and happy motoring.

 

[Just_J]

Hi everyone!



I'm new to the club and to Porsche ownership. I received my 718 Cayman at the end of June and I'm slowly putting the miles on and running her in at the moment, thought I'd just pop in to say hello!

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Jamie,

Welcome to Cayman ownership, the Club and this forum - we look forward to hearing from you on here in the future.

Enjoy your new car.

Jeff

 

[Fudgie]

Hi, nice colour / wheel combo, look forward to hearing your thought on the car as the miles build, I'm just about to clock 10k on mine!

 

[Just_J]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

I ordered mine last October 2016 and received delivery on June 27 so it was a looonnnnngggg and impatient wait but I stuck it out and I'm so glad I did. It's everything I wanted from a Porsche.

I tried copying my spec into my signature but it looks like it didn't work so here it is:

Graphite Blue Metallic Black standard int. i.c.w. sports seats plus or sports bucket seats in leather 6-speed manual gearbox Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) incl. mechanically locking rear differential Sport Chrono Package including mode switch 19-inch Boxster S wheels Wheel centres with full-colour Porsche Crest GT sport steering wheel Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric) Digital radio Connect

I decided to go with all the things that I deemed would focus the car to the driver and nothing that wouldn't. I've got a fair few miles to go before running it in but so far my decision seems to have come good.

Looking forward to being part of this community and seeing some gorgeous cars on here!

 

[Fudgie]

Nice spec, I order one in Nov but got impatient by Dec & bought my OPC's demo car!

Interested to hear your thoughts on the chassis options you spec'd especially with 19's as everyone seems to go for 20's. I found 20's on standard suspension to harsh but 19's a good compromise so yours must be fantastic.

 

[Motorhead]

PASM equipped cars should ride better than base spec and more of the chassis development work will have been done with 19" wheels.

Although you may be able to generate more lateral-g, 20" wheels are more for show. But they look better and fill the wheel arches nicely too.

Jeff

 

[Just_J]

Nice spec, I order one in Nov but got impatient by Dec & bought my OPC's demo car!

Interested to hear your thoughts on the chassis options you spec'd especially with 19's as everyone seems to go for 20's. I found 20's on standard suspension to harsh but 19's a good compromise so yours must be fantastic.

Thanks Fudgie and sorry for the late reply!

I've always gone for function over form when it comes to ordering and speccing cars, so when I read similar reports that the 20" wheels rode harshly and I confirmed this when I test drove a 718 Boxster S with 20's, it was a no brainer for me when speccing my Cayman. Baring in mind that I've only just cracked 450 miles or thereabouts I haven't really had the chance to stretch its' legs but it does feel fantastic, exactly what I wanted from the car. I generally tend to keep it in Sports mode with normal suspension mode engaged and it feels great but as soon as I put it into the Sport Suspension setting it tightens things up nicely without feeling crashy. I also love how the Sport setting on the Sport Chrono package changes the exhaust tone and makes things more poppy and cracky on the overun! The pedals are in the perfect position for a bit of heal and toeing too. It's just a proper, well sorted driver's car, which is what I've always wanted from a Porsche. I've done the M3 (V8) thing and disliked it, I've never found any joy from fast Audis and I've had my fair share of Jap Crap, but this thing is on another level to anything I've had in the past.

I'm intending on using this car on one or two track days a year so one of the things I had in mind when choosing the options was - how could I make this the most focussed version of the car I was looking at? I'm happy with the choices I made although not having any parking sensors does mean that I have to try a few times when backing it up to my garage now and again!

I'll be able to post more thoughts, when I've had my fair crack at the whip with it, it's early days now and I'm about 3 months away from running it in I'd guess as I use my Transporter T6 as my daily driver or my wife's GTD Golf, when I'm not riding my bikes!...

 

[Fudgie]

Glad your pleased with the car so far, they do feel fantastic compared to most other premium brands offerings, I've had several fast Audi's in the past and apart from that last 10% of cabin build quality (imo) the Porsche walks it! Unfortunately (or you could say fortunately, as I get to enjoy it every day) mines a one car 'has to do all' daily driver / weekend blaster, so a lot of the options on my demo car are things not everyone needs but makes life just that little bit easier. Couldn't live without front & rear parking assist as my flats off street parking area has narrow stone wall entrance & usually atrocious double parking which makes life difficult, same applies to the rear wiper & folding mirrors. Then there's the heated seats for cold & frosty early morning starts, auto climate control (why is this not standard on a £40k+ car is beyond me) & cruise control that makes it as comfy as a 3-series.

I would love to have the chassis options you've spec'd and maybe if I can be patient enough next time I'll get my perfect all-rounder, in the mean time I'll continue to enjoy the things Porsche do best - offering driver enjoyment better than anyone else (apart from Lotus maybe, but without the compromises associated with the brand).

Finally I have to say that I totally agreed with you regarding the pedal position, by far the easiest car I've ever driven to carry out perfect heel & toe down shifts, especially with the sports button pressed as the increased throttle response makes perfect rev matched blips a doddle! There are occasions when I regret not holding out for a PDK car (usually when I'm travelling through a city at rush hour & my left legs about to fall off) but my love of manually changing gear will never die as long as there are still cars like this available.

 

[Motorhead]

Jon,

Always good to hear from someone like you who uses his Porsche like any other everyday car. For many like myself - having a daily run around - the Porsche is just a limited mileage fun car and tends to be over-pampered as a result. I've never used a car so little, which is a shame because the Cayman really is a very practical car; more so than the 911 because of its twin luggage areas and the additional space on the engine cover.

Keep us posted on your every day experiences with the latest addition to the excellent Cayman range.

Jeff

 

[Just_J]

Glad your pleased with the car so far, they do feel fantastic compared to most other premium brands offerings, I've had several fast Audi's in the past and apart from that last 10% of cabin build quality (imo) the Porsche walks it! Unfortunately (or you could say fortunately, as I get to enjoy it every day) mines a one car 'has to do all' daily driver / weekend blaster, so a lot of the options on my demo car are things not everyone needs but makes life just that little bit easier. Couldn't live without front & rear parking assist as my flats off street parking area has narrow stone wall entrance & usually atrocious double parking which makes life difficult, same applies to the rear wiper & folding mirrors. Then there's the heated seats for cold & frosty early morning starts, auto climate control (why is this not standard on a £40k+ car is beyond me) & cruise control that makes it as comfy as a 3-series.

I would love to have the chassis options you've spec'd and maybe if I can be patient enough next time I'll get my perfect all-rounder, in the mean time I'll continue to enjoy the things Porsche do best - offering driver enjoyment better than anyone else (apart from Lotus maybe, but without the compromises associated with the brand).

Finally I have to say that I totally agreed with you regarding the pedal position, by far the easiest car I've ever driven to carry out perfect heel & toe down shifts, especially with the sports button pressed as the increased throttle response makes perfect rev matched blips a doddle! There are occasions when I regret not holding out for a PDK car (usually when I'm travelling through a city at rush hour & my left legs about to fall off) but my love of manually changing gear will never die as long as there are still cars like this available.

I can't fault you using it as an every day driver, they are perfect as long as you don't need to cart kids around and everything that goes with them.

 

[Just_J]

Jon,

Always good to hear from someone like you who uses his Porsche like any other everyday car. For many like myself - having a daily run around - the Porsche is just a limited mileage fun car and tends to be over-pampered as a result. I've never used a car so little, which is a shame because the Cayman really is a very practical car; more so than the 911 because of its twin luggage areas and the additional space on the engine cover.

Keep us posted on your every day experiences with the latest addition to the excellent Cayman range.

Jeff

You are right, the over-pampering is already getting to me! I even have an outdoor car cover that goes on as soon as it has been cleaned and tends to stop me driving it even more!!! LOL

 

[Motorhead]

Start of a slipery slope I'm afraid Jamie..!

I've had my CS for nearly 8-years and still I'm guilty of pampering the damned thing. However, I do like to take it on the occasional track day which I'd certainly encourage you to do so you can get to drive the car as intended.

Your 718 looks great. Enjoy driving it and welcome to the Club and to the Cayman forum.

Jeff

 

[Just_J]

Start of a slipery slope I'm afraid Jamie..!

I've had my CS for nearly 8-years and still I'm guilty of pampering the damned thing. However, I do like to take it on the occasional track day which I'd certainly encourage you to do so you can get to drive the car as intended.

Your 718 looks great. Enjoy driving it and welcome to the Club and to the Cayman forum.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, much appreciated! I'm definitely intending to take it to a couple of trackdays a year, if it was ran in (just hit 500 this morning!) I'd have taken it to Croft yesterday but it will have to wait! It has been a while since I've taken my own cars on track, that all stopped when the kids all started!

I am pretty hooked though, I almost bought a 2009 2.9 Boxster the other day for an "every day runaround"! LOL

 

[Brian_Innes]

Jamie,

Welcome to 718 Cayman ownership. Graphite Blue metallic is an easy colour to keep and you have chosen a nice spec to suit your needs.

My 718 CS has the 20" Carrera Sport alloys which are also wider than the other 19" and 20" options. Regarding your comments on 20" wheels, I don't find the ride jarring at all, even with the -20mm sports PASM. Maybe that's because I came from 4 years in a Cayman R which is quite firm on the suspension. It's all a matter of personal taste.

I have a post elsewhere on this forum, "My new 718 Cayman S PDK" which gives updated views and comments on my experiences with the 718 since taking delivery in December 2016, so I'll not repeat myself here.

One thing I would recommend is considering applying Xpel film to the sills, side air intakes and rear wheel arch areas as stone chips are an issue. My 20" wider wheels exacerbate this problem of course, but maybe it's something you may wish to consider. The cost of fitting the Xpel film was £474 from a specialist car valeting service. I would also recommend you consider applying Xpel on the bonnet and front bumper as well. I should have done this. Too late now as I have a few stone chip hits already on these areas.

You will find your 718 a pure joy to own and drive. It gets better and better with every 1000 miles, and there is a noticeable improvement in mpg after 6500 miles in my experience.

Brian

 

[Just_J]

Jamie,

Welcome to 718 Cayman ownership. Graphite Blue metallic is an easy colour to keep and you have chosen a nice spec to suit your needs.

My 718 CS has the 20" Carrera Sport alloys which are also wider than the other 19" and 20" options. Regarding your comments on 20" wheels, I don't find the ride jarring at all, even with the -20mm sports PASM. Maybe that's because I came from 4 years in a Cayman R which is quite firm on the suspension. It's all a matter of personal taste.

I have a post elsewhere on this forum, "My new 718 Cayman S PDK" which gives updated views and comments on my experiences with the 718 since taking delivery in December 2016, so I'll not repeat myself here.

One thing I would recommend is considering applying Xpel film to the sills, side air intakes and rear wheel arch areas as stone chips are an issue. My 20" wider wheels exacerbate this problem of course, but maybe it's something you may wish to consider. The cost of fitting the Xpel film was £474 from a specialist car valeting service. I would also recommend you consider applying Xpel on the bonnet and front bumper as well. I should have done this. Too late now as I have a few stone chip hits already on these areas.

You will find your 718 a pure joy to own and drive. It gets better and better with every 1000 miles, and there is a noticeable improvement in mpg after 6500 miles in my experience.

Brian

Hi Brian

Thank you for your kind words and advice, they are very much appreciated!

Yes, I agree, the 19 vs 20" wheels thing was very much down to personal preference, I suppose my last car was a Touareg though so I'm sure that might have had something to do with my decision!

I will definitely look forward to putting those miles onto the car and I'll also have a look into the Xpel film as I definitely don't want any chips etc, thank you. I'll also go and have a look for your posts in regard to your car too.

Thanks again, Jamie

 

[Fudgie]

No pampering here, especially when my partners driving (distinct lack of mechanical sympathy as she roars away barely letting the engine warm up...), I also have the 'pleasure' of regularly reminding my 6 year old daughter not to put her feet on the dash... Then there are the nice men at tesco that wash her, they do have a proper jet wash bay though, not just a dirty bucket of water - I'm not a complete heathen...!

The days of spending all Sunday washing & waxing my pride and joy seem a distant memory, but then that's life I suppose, one day that may return but in the mean time more daily driving, if only on the school run its still Porsche time

 

[Just_J]

No pampering here, especially when my partners driving (distinct lack of mechanical sympathy as she roars away barely letting the engine warm up...), I also have the 'pleasure' of regularly reminding my 6 year old daughter not to put her feet on the dash... Then there are the nice men at tesco that wash her, they do have a proper jet wash bay though, not just a dirty bucket of water - I'm not a complete heathen...!

The days of spending all Sunday washing & waxing my pride and joy seem a distant memory, but then that's life I suppose, one day that may return but in the mean time more daily driving, if only on the school run its still Porsche time

But im betting you're having the most fun so far! I'm sure my pampering will take a back seat once familiarity sets in and the novelty has worn off a bit, but right now mine's freshly hand cleaned by my fair hands (only took an hour or two though!) and wrapped up in its cover!