The other day, I had the chance to drive both the 718 Cayman (base model) and the 718 Boxster T, so I’d like to share my reviews of each and report on their differences.

718 Cayman (Base Model)

First up is the base model 718 Cayman. This particular car had almost no sporty options and was the most basic 718 Cayman. I’ve reviewed the 718 Cayman several times before, but this time I want to share my impressions anew.

The suspension is a conventional setup, not the electronically controlled PASM, with standard 18-inch wheels. It also lacks the Sport Chrono package, so there’s no electronically controlled engine mounts (PADM). It’s a straightforward, ordinary 718 Cayman.

The GT Silver body pairs beautifully with the red seat cushions, creating a great atmosphere inside the car.

The engine is a 2.0-liter flat-four turbo producing 300 ps and 380 Nm of torque. When it was first released, Porsche fans had mixed feelings about the engine sound and the four-cylinder feel, which led Porsche to quickly release the flat-six GTS 4.0, a memory still fresh.

When you start the engine, it wakes up with a bold ignition sound and a slightly throbbing idle, putting the 718 in battle-ready mode.

This car has the PDK transmission, but some blog readers have told me that the 2.0-liter manual version can be tricky to launch due to weak torque. Since this is the PDK, I had no complaints.

Driving through busy city streets, the PDK quickly shifts up to 4th and 5th gears. This control is typical of recent Porsches, but with this 2.0-liter Cayman, you often feel a bit off unless you drive in one gear lower. For example, even if you want to accelerate more nimbly, it might already be in 4th gear at just over 1000 rpm, so you have to wait for a kickdown.

In contrast, the 992 Carrera engine picks up turbo torque very quickly even at 1000 rpm, allowing acceleration in 4th gear. However, the 718 Cayman needs to be above 2000 rpm to feel satisfying acceleration. (By the way, this is no problem for normal eco driving; this is only when you want to fully enjoy Porsche’s agility.)

Also, when accelerating in 2nd gear from around 1000 rpm, you have to wait a moment for the turbo boost. So the best way to drive this car is to pull a bit in 1st gear before shifting to 2nd.

In other words, it’s best to drive the 718 Cayman in Sport mode from the start. Actually, this is a car you should drive in Sport mode. Normal mode is fine only for traffic jams.

In Sport mode, the idle rpm is a bit higher, so the turbo spools up faster, and more importantly, the PDK shifts down a gear and holds it longer, which is just right.

Heading onto winding roads, the suspension without PASM still feels a bit bouncy. It’s not especially stiff, but I wish it would absorb vibrations more decisively. I was reminded again how clear the difference is compared to PASM. Cars with PASM feel like a class above, with quicker and smoother vibration damping.

Attacking tight corners, the Cayman’s balance is impressive—clearly different from a typical modified car. You can feel the steering feedback, tire direction, and load distribution as if you were holding it in your hands.

The engine’s response is completely different from city driving: it’s quick and accelerates aggressively with 380 Nm of torque in any situation. It’s so fast you wonder if it really only has 300 ps. Even my 981 Boxster GTS can’t keep up.

The suspension without PASM allows moderate body roll while smoothly keeping the tires on the road. For drivers with some sports driving experience, this might even be more fun than PASM. Without electronic controls, the car’s behavior reflects the driver’s skill more directly, making it very enjoyable to feel the car’s movements and load.

Standard 18-inch wheels on the 718 Cayman

Driving the option-free 718 Cayman made me think it might be a Cayman for more advanced drivers in a way.

To bring out the engine’s charm, you need to understand the torque delivery and keep the revs up, and the suspension is very forgiving but clearly reflects the driver’s skill. For example, with the top-grade 718 GT4 RS, anyone can press the accelerator and turn the wheel to go fast, but the base 718 Cayman doesn’t work that way.

If you want to drive fast, you have to faithfully follow the basics of line choice, load transfer, braking, and throttle work. So, if you want to improve your sports car driving skills, this base 718 might be the perfect choice.