Test Driving the Base Grade 718 Cayman

My husband had been writing on his blog and Twitter that he was “curious about the base grade 718 Cayman,” and in response, a blog reader kindly reached out saying, “If you like, would you like to test drive my 718 Cayman?”

The owner’s Cayman was a base grade model equipped with options like “PASM,” “Sport Chrono Package,” “Sport Exhaust,” and “20-inch wheels.” My husband said,

This is amazing!!! It’s so rare to see the three holy grails of sporty options properly equipped on a base model! I definitely want to drive it!

So recently, we arranged to test drive it on the Royu Driveway.

I have written several articles about test driving the 718 Cayman before, and my husband will also write a review about this test drive later. So from my perspective as a wife who often rides shotgun, I want to share my thoughts on whether PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) is really necessary.

PASM is an electronically controlled damper system, an option that enhances driving stability, comfort, and performance. With PASM, you can switch between two damping modes: “Normal” and “Sport.” Normal mode is tuned for a balance of performance and comfort, while Sport mode firms up the suspension for a more dynamic driving experience.

In other words, PASM improves ride comfort during everyday driving, and when switched to Sport mode, the suspension stiffens for a sportier feel.

Previously Tested 718 Cayman Without PASM

To get straight to the point, I believe PASM is an absolutely essential option when it comes to ride comfort and overall comfort. If you’re someone who drives alone, rarely has passengers, and prefers a firmer ride, you might not need it. But if you consider that your wife or girlfriend will be riding shotgun, it’s definitely a must-have option.

I was surprised at how much of a difference PASM made in ride comfort.

I once borrowed a base Cayman without PASM as a loaner from the dealer. My husband drove first, and I sat in the passenger seat. My first impression was, “The ride isn’t very comfortable…” I said,

It feels very bumpy, and every little road imperfection is transmitted through. I don’t think I could handle a long drive in the passenger seat like this… it would be tiring…

My husband replied, “Really? It’s firm but not that bad! It’s easy to drive!” But I realized then how different the experience is between the driver’s seat, where you’re engaged and having fun, and the passenger seat, where you just sit and feel every bump.

At higher speeds, the ride smooths out somewhat, so it might be okay if you’re mostly on the highway. But on national roads with many traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic, it can be a bit tough.

I also took a turn driving that Cayman and felt, “Sure, the bumps are less harsh than in the passenger seat,” but my impression was, “Our 981 Boxster feels more supple and nicer.”

718 Cayman with PASM

This time, I got to ride in a 718 Cayman equipped with PASM. My husband drove first, and I followed behind in our 981 Boxster GTS (MT).

Looking at it from behind again, the 718 Cayman’s design is really cool, and the jet black body color with the brake lights shining looked fantastic.

And above all, the 718 is fast (or maybe I’m just slow…).

When my husband got out of the car, I said, “The 718 is really fast—the acceleration feels completely different!” He said,

I could press the accelerator without any fear, and the sense of security while driving was amazing.

I kept that in mind while driving, and after the test drive, my husband asked me, “So, how was PASM?” and I suddenly realized I hadn’t even consciously noticed the ride comfort this time.

Porsches generally have quite firm suspensions, so usually the first thing you notice when you get in is, “Oh, it’s firm,” “It’s a bit bumpy,” but this time, the ride was so comfortable that I didn’t even think about it.

We drove on the Royu Driveway, so there were no traffic lights or congestion, but it had rained recently, and there were many slow sections on wet roads. Even so, the ride comfort was never an issue.

The 718’s suspension felt solid and planted, but the harshness from road imperfections was well controlled, greatly improving comfort. I had imagined that “20-inch wheels might worsen ride comfort because of thinner tires,” but that wasn’t the case at all—in fact, the ride was pleasantly smooth and left a very good impression.

With this setup, you can drive anywhere comfortably, and long distances are no problem.

We accelerated and drove a bit faster at times, and the engine revved up delightfully. I understood well the feeling my husband often talks about: “The raw power feels just right, and it’s fun to rev it up.”

The corners on the Royu Driveway are quite tight, but switching to Sport mode and driving allowed us to corner confidently and enjoyably while maintaining a good pace. The 718’s handling and suspension have evolved significantly compared to the 981, and I wonder if this sense of security is partly thanks to PASM.

If my husband ever buys a Porsche again, this test drive convinced me that I would definitely ask him to make sure PASM is included.

As usual, my “rain woman” luck was in full effect this time, and I felt really sorry that the owner had come all the way from Yamaguchi in the rain. But luckily, it cleared up suddenly after the test drive (I really am a rain woman…), so I hope they enjoyed the drive home.

Thank you so much to the owner for letting us drive such a precious car!