{"id":37166,"date":"2021-12-22T06:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T21:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37166"},"modified":"2021-12-22T07:11:37","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T22:11:37","slug":"cayman-718-981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/cayman-718-981\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Difference Between the 981 Cayman and 718 Cayman? Which One Suits You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The other day, I had the chance to borrow a base model 718 Cayman as a loaner. And just about a month ago, I also happened to drive a base model 981 Cayman.<\/p>\n

This time, rather than a test drive report or review, I want to focus on the characteristics I feel these two 98x-series cars have, and what exactly sets them apart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 718 and 981 Caymans<\/h3>\n

To be precise, 718 is the model name, but the development code for the 718 is actually 982.<\/strong> So, it\u2019s more accurate to refer to them as 981 and 982.<\/p>\n

The 981 was introduced in 2012, and the 718 (982) came out in 2016, so you can think of it as a major facelift. While the basic exterior and interior shapes are carried over, there are differences in details \u2014 for example, the design of the rear tail lamps and the shape of the air conditioning vents inside differ noticeably.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

The biggest difference, however, lies in the engine. Comparing the base models, the 981 has a 2.7L naturally aspirated 6-cylinder, while the 718 uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine,<\/strong> so you can think of them as fundamentally different in character.<\/p>\n

Other major changes include the suspension and chassis, such as the addition of a rear transverse strut, larger diameter pistons and cylinder tubes in the shock absorbers, and changes to the steering ratio, among many other updates.<\/p>\n

Impressions of Driving the 981 and 718<\/h3>\n

First, let me clarify this is just my personal impression, but if I had to sum it up in one word, the 981 feels \u201csupple,\u201d while the 718 feels \u201crigid.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Characteristics of the 981<\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s start with the 981. When I say \u201csupple,\u201d it might sound like the 981 is weak or fragile, but that\u2019s a misunderstanding. Here, \u201csupple\u201d refers to the engine\u2019s lightness, the suspension\u2019s smoothness, and the handling\u2019s fluidity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2.7L naturally aspirated 6-cylinder boxer engine really spins up lightly. This feeling is completely different from the 718. From low revs, the tachometer needle rises smoothly and lightly, continuing through mid and high rev ranges.<\/p>\n

The engine sound also rises in pitch and quality in proportion to speed and engine load, giving the driver an incredibly pleasant sensation.<\/p>\n

Even without the sport exhaust, while it lacks bubbling sounds, it produces a very satisfying tone, reminiscent of the early 991 Carrera.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"981<\/p>\n

\"981<\/p>\n

\"981<\/p>\n

On the other hand, it\u2019s not very powerful.<\/strong> When you start off in first gear and quickly shift to second, even if you press the accelerator hard, don\u2019t expect violent acceleration. Of course, it\u2019s much faster than an ordinary car, but compared to the 718, the difference is huge.<\/p>\n

In cornering, when you turn the steering wheel, there\u2019s a slight delay before the car rotates smoothly into the turn,<\/strong> so some might feel the response isn\u2019t sharp. However, this actually makes it easier to sense the weight transfer and gives a higher level of control.<\/p>\n

So, while advanced drivers might appreciate this, beginners might find it a bit lacking for a sports car.<\/p>\n

The charm of the 981 lies in its light-feeling engine, the corresponding sound and tone, and the handling characteristics that match that lightness.<\/strong> The balance of engine, power, sound, and handling is excellent, making it a car with superb overall tuning.<\/p>\n

Characteristics of the 718<\/h4>\n

So, what about the 718? The word \u201crigid\u201d fits well. From the moment you start the engine, the sound is deep and throaty, with an uneven-length exhaust note that exudes power.<\/p>\n

In normal mode, there is noticeable turbo lag, so there\u2019s a slight pause when you want to accelerate quickly, but in sport mode, the idle speed is higher and the turbo is on standby, allowing for relatively smooth acceleration.<\/p>\n

Once the turbo kicks in, it\u2019s very fast.<\/strong> Many people will think, \u201cWow, this is quick!\u201d In terms of speed, the 981 simply can\u2019t compete. To match it, you\u2019d need at least an S model and to push it hard at high revs.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

\"Porsche<\/p>\n

The engine is that powerful. The sound has a V8-like deep bass tone that grows louder with revs, but the quality and pitch don\u2019t change much.<\/strong> It\u2019s like the flat torque curve is directly reflected in the sound, so the balance between torque and sound is well achieved.<\/p>\n

And the handling has evolved significantly compared to the 981.<\/strong> First, the rear stability is incredible compared to the 981. When cornering hard, the 981\u2019s rear can feel a bit twitchy, but the 718\u2019s limit is much higher. So, for most drivers pushing it enthusiastically, nothing untoward happens, and it delivers very stable driving.<\/p>\n

If you install the 718\u2019s transverse strut on a 981, you can get close to this behavior, but the 718 is still a step ahead.<\/strong> The high-speed stability is also better on the 718, making it easier to push hard with confidence. The steering response is quicker too \u2014 I\u2019d say about 10% sharper than the 981.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

The 718\u2019s appeal is its cyborg-like high performance. Anyone can drive it fast, and its power and handling are straightforward, impressing most people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, gaining these advantages means losing something compared to the 981: the sensory feel.<\/p>\n

While the engine has torque and power, you can sometimes feel a notchiness or torque dip caused by turbo lag depending on how you operate the accelerator.<\/p>\n

Also, compared to the 981, the engine\u2019s lightness, the build-up of sound, and the sensuality are honestly a bit lacking.<\/p>\n

Who Are the 981 and 718 Suited For?<\/h3>\n

Based on my experience, here\u2019s who I think each model suits best. You don\u2019t have to match all points, but the more you do, the more satisfied you\u2019ll be after purchase.<\/p>\n

Who the 981 Suits<\/h4>\n
    \n
  • People who enjoy manual gear operation and revving the engine hard<\/li>\n
  • Those interested in classic Porsches<\/li>\n
  • Fans of high-pitched, well-textured engine sounds<\/li>\n
  • Those who prefer winding roads over circuits<\/li>\n
  • People who find joy in the car\u2019s feel and their own driving input<\/li>\n
  • Those who believe driving enjoyment comes from their own experience behind the wheel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Who the 718 Suits<\/h4>\n
      \n
    • People who prefer letting the car handle gear changes and enjoy driving in low to mid rev ranges<\/li>\n
    • Fans of the latest Porsche models<\/li>\n
    • Those who like deep, throaty engine sounds<\/li>\n
    • Circuit enthusiasts rather than winding road lovers<\/li>\n
    • People who find speed and power the main source of driving pleasure<\/li>\n
    • Those who prioritize car design and modernity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Of course, design preference is a big factor beyond this, so consider that separately. Excluding looks, these points are key.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Currently, both the 718 and 981 are soaring in the used car market, reaching price ranges that are almost out of reach, as you probably know. However, the reasons for their price increases differ greatly.<\/p>\n

      The main reason the 718 is rising in value is due to supply shortages caused by long new car delivery times.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Meanwhile, the 981\u2019s rise is driven by its 6-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, which predates noise regulations, and by expectations of future value appreciation.<\/strong> This is true worldwide in the used market, so it\u2019s likely accurate.<\/p>\n

      If you\u2019re thinking of buying a 981 or 718, consider this information carefully and find the Cayman that best fits your style and preferences. I hope this article helps you in that process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The other day, I had the chance to borrow a base model 718 Cayman as a loaner. And just about a month ago, I also happened to drive a base model 981 Cayman. This time, rather than a test drive report or review, I want to focus on the characteristics I feel these two 98x-series cars have, and what exactly sets them apart. The 718 and 981 Caymans To be precise, 718 is the model...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":25191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=27209"},"categories":[268,72,60],"tags":[186,195,218,219],"yoast_head":"What\u2019s the Difference Between the 981 Cayman and 718 Cayman? Which One Suits You? - \u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - \u30aa\u30fc\u30ca\u30fc\u30ba\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An article explaining the differences between the 718 Cayman and 981 Cayman based on multiple driving experiences. 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