Why the Base 718 Cayman Has Caught His Eye

For the past few months, my husband has been browsing used-car listings on Carsensor, saying, “I think the base 718 Cayman is fantastic. I’d love one!” I’d mentioned it on Twitter and briefly in the blog, and one 718 Cayman owner got in touch with this question.

I bought a used 718 Cayman (MY2017) last October, and I’ve been completely hooked on Porsche ever since.
Your husband seems interested in the “base Cayman,” but as an owner of one, I can’t help wondering: why the base Cayman when you already have a 911 and a 981 Boxster GTS?
If you don’t mind, could you tell me what appeals to him about it?

That’s a fair question.

This isn’t so much my answer as a summary of what my husband often says about the base 718 Cayman:

For fast driving, everyday use, and value for money, the base 718 Cayman is a great choice.
The 718 Cayman is simply a highly capable car. Its handling is dramatically better than the 981’s, and its body feels stiffer than the open-top Boxster’s. It can take high-speed corners on track in its stride, and it’s quick. The PDK is clever, too. If you see “fast” as the fun part—not just the feel-good experience—then the 718 has the edge over the 981.
To be clear, by “fast” I don’t just mean straight-line speed, such as the 0–100 km/h time or top speed. I mean speed in the broader sense, including cornering performance made possible by its confidence-inspiring stability and precise handling.
And when you think about everyday driving on Japanese roads, there are very few places where you can use 400 or 500 horsepower. With too much power, you can’t rev the engine as often, which can make driving less engaging.
That’s where the base Cayman strikes a sweet spot: it has just the right amount of power and offers great value. It’s also versatile enough for all kinds of driving, which makes it a brilliant all-rounder.
Personally, I’d love a base Cayman with PDK as a track car. A Cayman T would be even better. In the best possible way, the 718 feels more like a speed-focused cyborg than its predecessor, so I’d love to try it on track. With power you can really use, plus a capable suspension and a stiff body, I think it would be fantastic.

So, Is He Actually Buying a Cayman?

Even after trawling used-car listings, my husband hasn’t found a Cayman with the specification he wants.

He says having both PASM and the Sport Chrono Package is essential, so he’s looking for a Cayman equipped with these performance options. But cars with both are hard to find—and when one does turn up, he often isn’t keen on the exterior color or interior. So far, none has felt like “the one.”

Lately, he’s also been saying, “It wouldn’t be practical to buy another car when I already have more than I can properly drive. But still…”

My husband seems to enjoy browsing listings and imagining what it would be like to own a car he wants, rather than searching because he’s definitely planning to buy one. So I have a feeling he’ll keep checking the used-car listings for a 718 Cayman for a while yet.