Why Did My Husband Say He Wanted a 718 Cayman?

When car enthusiasts buy a car, I think many of them struggle with the question of “Which model or grade should I choose from the many options available?” Especially with Porsche, each model has completely different charms, making it even harder to decide with thoughts like “That one’s nice, but this one’s also great…” running through your head.

But watching my husband, I feel that when you clearly define the scenes and purposes for which you’ll use the car, choosing a car often becomes much simpler.

A good example is the “base 718 Cayman” that my husband has been interested in and wanting for several months now. When I mentioned this briefly on Twitter and my blog, I received a comment like this:

I’m also interested in the base 718 Cayman, but people around me say “The 6-cylinder is better” and “It’s the end of the model’s life cycle, so it might be too late”. Now that there are options like the 6-cylinder GTS 4.0, what appeal do you think remains in the 4-cylinder? Personally, I believe the base model still has charm that rivals the sound and feel of the others.

I thought, “Ah, I see…!”

So I asked my husband about it again, and after thinking for a moment with a “Well…” he answered like this:

The reason I want the base 718 Cayman is clear: it’s because I want to drive on the circuit. I’ve long thought, “I want a car I can drive on a circuit,” and in that sense, the GT3 was also appealing, but the GT3 is just too fast and its performance is so extreme that my mindset shifts to “I have to master this car no matter what”, which makes me focus more on driving fast than enjoying the circuit itself.
Also, the 981 Boxster GTS isn’t really suited for circuits. Its suspension is supple, and being a convertible, I think the 981 Boxster is better suited for touring.
On the other hand, the 718 Cayman has firmer suspension than the 981, better handling, a coupe body with solid rigidity, and just the right amount of power, so I think I can really push it hard on the circuit and enjoy the driving experience itself. Plus, prices in the used car market have dropped quite a bit, making it easier to buy.
For this performance at this price, I feel the cost-performance ratio is very good.
That said, as many people say, the base Cayman does lack a bit of low-end torque for city driving, so in that case, the “S” model might be better. But since my main focus is enjoying spirited driving on the circuit, that doesn’t bother me.
If low-end torque in town is a concern, you can just drive it in sport mode and keep the revs up a bit; the base Cayman actually runs quite nicely that way.

That’s what he said.

If You Choose for Touring, Go for the GTS 4.0

I asked, “If you’re thinking about driving on circuits, the base 718 makes sense, but what would you choose if your main use was touring?” He replied:

In that case, it would be the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. I really enjoy touring all over Japan, and I want to focus on the comfort and fun of touring trips. That means a convertible is better, and I prefer the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder GTS 4.0 with its easy-to-handle torque and sound.
Honestly, I like the Spider’s design better, but for my touring needs, I carry camera gear in the car and stop at roadside stations, convenience stores, and restrooms. Closing the soft top every time for security is a bit of a hassle, especially since I do it many times a day.
Also, when it comes to transmission, I’d choose the right-hand drive PDK. When I bought the 981 Boxster GTS, I wanted a manual, so I got a left-hand drive MT. Back then, the production slots for left-hand drive MTs in Japan were very limited, and I waited about 10 months.
But now, since I already have an MT car, and the GTS 4.0’s NA engine has quite a lot of torque from low down, the torque-rich engine and the dual-clutch PDK transmission go well together. So I think PDK suits it well and is fun, and I don’t necessarily need a manual.
Also, if it’s not a manual, I’m perfectly fine with right-hand drive, and I think right-hand drive PDK models are rare, so resale value might improve in the future.
With Porsche, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better car; even the base grade is incredibly well made. So, it’s important not to get caught up in price or model hierarchy but to really buy the car that suits you best.

That was his take.

I see.

Which car is best really depends on what purpose and use you have in mind. So I think the first step in choosing a highly specialized sports car like a Porsche is to clearly define the situations in which you want to use it.