This is my first Porsche and my first high-end sports car, so I can’t offer an expert assessment, but the handling is simply excellent. The low center of gravity and minimal body roll make the lateral G-forces feel smaller. It made me wonder whether a lot of what I’d previously thought was lateral G-force was actually the effect of gravity as the car rolled.
It’s very good considering the power on offer. I get 8–9 km/L in city driving, including my commute; 9–12 km/L in the suburbs and on mountain roads; and 13–15 km/L on the highway. I only tested this during the break-in period, but at a steady 80 km/h, it can reach 16 km/L. Fuel economy does vary with the seasons, though. Running the air conditioning flat out in summer can reduce it by more than 1 km/L.
For comparison, my previous car, a Subaru B4(naturally aspirated 3.0-liter flat-six), averaged 7 km/L in the city, 9 km/L in the suburbs and 13 km/L on the highway.
The 2.0-liter Cayman’s fuel tank holds just 54 liters, but that’s enough for more than 700 km on a long highway trip, which I find perfectly adequate.
My car has standard ride height and no PASM, but it has excellent composure and offers a comfortable ride for a sports car. Before the Cayman, I drove a Subaru B4(with Bilstein dampers and 18-inch wheels), and I’d say the firmness is about the same. (The Cayman has much less body roll, though.)
That said, the suspension doesn’t have a lot of travel, so you’ll feel some movement over larger bumps in the road.
The brakes are powerful, just as I expected. The car’s stable body control gives me the confidence to brake firmly, and it’s easy to sense when the ABS is working.
Visibility is better than I expected, and the side mirrors give me a particularly wide field of view. I was surprised to find that, because of the relationship between the mirror position and the rear fenders, they can be angled farther outward than on a typical sedan.
My wife is more eager to ride in the passenger seat than she was in our previous car.
By today’s standards, it’s not a particularly large car to begin with, but I love how it feels even smaller once I’m behind the wheel.
・Electrically folding mirrors
・Rear window wiper
・Connect Plus (standard on models such as the 911)
Reversing camera
Lane Change Assist… When a faster or slower car is approaching on the highway, it unquestionably helps with safety, so I’d probably choose it if I were driving on the Autobahn. In Japan, though, I don’t think it’s necessary. In congested city traffic, following its alerts can make it difficult to change lanes, and on mountain roads or narrow streets, it can react to guardrails and other objects, which can be distracting.
The doors are thick, and the Cayman’s body has a pronounced character line, so I’m careful not to hit the car parked beside me when opening the door.
I’m not sure the engine and exhaust note at low speeds really suits the Cayman. To me, it sounds more like a large-displacement V8, so it’s not quite what I’d expect from a downsized, small-displacement turbo engine.
This isn’t unique to the Cayman, but the standard brakes produce a lot of brake dust. I don’t need PCCB, but I wish PSCB(Porsche Surface Coated Brakes) could be retrofitted.
This may not be unique to the Cayman, but there are lots of chrome accents on the steering-wheel spokes, around the shifter and on the glovebox. Direct sunlight often reflects off them and becomes dazzling. It would be nice to have an option to finish those parts in matte black, but even the darker trim seems to have a glossy surface. To cut down on the glare, I’ve applied black matte masking tape used for photography.
＊Anti-glare treatment around the shifter and on the steering wheel: matte black masking tape
＊Additional note (2019.1.15)
【There are two things I still don’t know for sure.
① The GT steering wheel seems to have black spokes, so reflections might not be an issue, but I haven’t tried one.
② The trim around the shifter may be finished in smooth leather matching the interior if you choose the “Leather Interior Package,” which might reduce reflections. I haven’t seen this in person, either.
This option is also easy to miss in the configurator, and I only noticed it recently. What’s more, there are two options with the same name, but they include different things. The first one can be selected on its own without upgrading the seats or other interior trim to leather, and is probably synthetic leather…】
The 911 was the Porsche I dreamed about first, so I can’t help thinking about it.
＊Additional note (2019.1.15)
【After writing this review of the 718 Cayman, I actually placed an order for a 911 Carrera. I tried both of the interior options mentioned above when I ordered it.】
My daily commute has become a pleasure, and I look forward to heading out on my days off. I can’t imagine life without a Porsche now.
A dream
That’s what Porsche means to me. When I’m driving the Cayman, it’s a dependable companion. It also has a cute, almost pet-like quality to it.
【Editor’s note】
You don’t see many 718 Caymans in Rhodium Silver Metallic around town, but it’s a beautiful color that looks fantastic both in the city and on mountain roads. The 718 with a manual transmission feels like a true companion, and this review reminded me what an engaging, appealing car it is. Thank you, Porsche Dreamer!
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