Cayman R vs 718 GT4
Discussion
At a local OPC today, I went with my son and we showed an interest in a 2021 718 Cayman GT4 and 2011 Cayman R. Though we were not able to test drive the cars, they were switched on for us, I was surprised how much better the exhaust note for Cayman R was compared to the 718 GT4, both outside and inside the cars. Is that the usual experience for others. Is Cayman R also a better backroad car compared to the 718 GT4. I know on tracks, 718 GT4 would be better. Where does 981 GT4 stand in all this?
Well I own both an R and a 718GT4 and yes the R sounds way better in every possible way especially with the optional sports exhaust. Blame the Petrol Particulate Filter on the GT4.
As far as a back roads car, that’s a more difficult question. An R in good health is a lovely, sweet handling well balanced little thing. The GT4 is a fair bit quicker, and a much more solid, heavy feeling, bigger feeling thing. Fundamentally though in outright terms they are very similar, good grip, nice balance, pivot around the middle sort of feeling.
The newer car is a lot more modern inside although it is also still very dated compared to the latest sports cars.
The 981GT4 is more similar to the 718GT4 that the R. The 981GT4 has the worst engine of the 3 by some margin.
Drive them both and decide if one is worth twice the price of the other.
As far as a back roads car, that’s a more difficult question. An R in good health is a lovely, sweet handling well balanced little thing. The GT4 is a fair bit quicker, and a much more solid, heavy feeling, bigger feeling thing. Fundamentally though in outright terms they are very similar, good grip, nice balance, pivot around the middle sort of feeling.
The newer car is a lot more modern inside although it is also still very dated compared to the latest sports cars.
The 981GT4 is more similar to the 718GT4 that the R. The 981GT4 has the worst engine of the 3 by some margin.
Drive them both and decide if one is worth twice the price of the other.
LamedonM said:
At a local OPC today, I went with my son and we showed an interest in a 2021 718 Cayman GT4 and 2011 Cayman R. Though we were not able to test drive the cars, they were switched on for us, I was surprised how much better the exhaust note for Cayman R was compared to the 718 GT4, both outside and inside the cars. Is that the usual experience for others. Is Cayman R also a better backroad car compared to the 718 GT4. I know on tracks, 718 GT4 would be better. Where does 981 GT4 stand in all this?
I’ve owned x2 Cayman Rs (one currently) and a 981 GT4. Firstly, both are fabulous cars. The GT4 felt more grown up, powerful, solid and heavy. I found it needed a proper set up to remove some of the inherent understeer. The clutch pedal was on the heavy side and the gearing too long IMHO. The R is more delicate, smaller and up-on-its toes. It now feels like a modern classic, in a good way. LamedonM said:
At a local OPC today, I went with my son and we showed an interest in a 2021 718 Cayman GT4 and 2011 Cayman R. Though we were not able to test drive the cars, they were switched on for us, I was surprised how much better the exhaust note for Cayman R was compared to the 718 GT4, both outside and inside the cars. Is that the usual experience for others. Is Cayman R also a better backroad car compared to the 718 GT4. I know on tracks, 718 GT4 would be better. Where does 981 GT4 stand in all this?
All modern Porsches have been restricted by regulations that impact the exhaust volume/note/roar. The R did not have the same level of regulations at the time. The 981 not so much as the 718 has to abide by, therefore many with a priority on sonics will prioritise the 981GT4 over the 718Gt4.I can't say I have driven both, but as an R owner it sure is nimble and all you could ever wish for on backroads. Its size is perfect for backroads and ground clearance. The R is a classic whereas the 718 is generic.
Th R has analog mechanical steering, whereas 718 is electronic steering - some will say this is a big thing, can't claim otherwise.
Presume that is the Red R you have seen. That is a great PDK R but note it has no AC. Main R thread for ref https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
bigmowley said:
Well I own both an R and a 718GT4 and yes the R sounds way better in every possible way especially with the optional sports exhaust. Blame the Petrol Particulate Filter on the GT4.
As far as a back roads car, that’s a more difficult question. An R in good health is a lovely, sweet handling well balanced little thing. The GT4 is a fair bit quicker, and a much more solid, heavy feeling, bigger feeling thing. Fundamentally though in outright terms they are very similar, good grip, nice balance, pivot around the middle sort of feeling.
The newer car is a lot more modern inside although it is also still very dated compared to the latest sports cars.
The 981GT4 is more similar to the 718GT4 that the R. The 981GT4 has the worst engine of the 3 by some margin.
Drive them both and decide if one is worth twice the price of the other.
I agree with the R / 981 GT4 comparison ... but the 981 engine can be opened up very nicely to 430bhp and 340 ft/lbs whilst removing the hole in the torque curve, the 718 engine resolved most of Porsche's hobbling of the 981GT4 but this engine still hasn't been used in the GT4 Clubsport ...As far as a back roads car, that’s a more difficult question. An R in good health is a lovely, sweet handling well balanced little thing. The GT4 is a fair bit quicker, and a much more solid, heavy feeling, bigger feeling thing. Fundamentally though in outright terms they are very similar, good grip, nice balance, pivot around the middle sort of feeling.
The newer car is a lot more modern inside although it is also still very dated compared to the latest sports cars.
The 981GT4 is more similar to the 718GT4 that the R. The 981GT4 has the worst engine of the 3 by some margin.
Drive them both and decide if one is worth twice the price of the other.
Of course if you aren't planning high speed runs the revised final drive which is now available for the 981GT4 offers more engagement and acceleration ... for anybody wishing to experience the practicality at motorway speeds just cruise in 5th rather than 6th, my car is actually more comfortable at 75-80 in 5th than 6th due to a resonance in my M&M (Manthey) exhaust ... but it costs a few mpg.
Porsche have dampened down the external exhaust noise on the 718 GT4 by the gpf yes BUT the car makes up for this in spades by far greater internal induction sound across the superb increased 8k rev range which is really all that matters. Just like the 992 GT3 in fact.
Exhaust modifications are available but quite frankly unless you are into ott and rather farty external exhaust sound this is uneccessary and mine is stock.
A truly superb contemporary Porsche GT especially at the price.
Exhaust modifications are available but quite frankly unless you are into ott and rather farty external exhaust sound this is uneccessary and mine is stock.
A truly superb contemporary Porsche GT especially at the price.
Thanks All. I am a restless soul. Myself and my son have just completed driver's driving of both my BMW M6Comp and Cayman 718S (with almost all options including PTV, PASM, PSE, sport chromo, PDLS and 2 tone leather apart from adaptive cruise control and reverse camera) and he says the V8 of BMW is far far superior to Cayman 718S. Also it makes more financial sense for me to hold on to the BMW M6
Though the engine sound of the 718CS might not be the best, I usually drive it in Sport mode that activates loud exhaust note and pops and bangs and driving it in sport+ leads to magical handling in corners. I must confess the BMW is not far off in corners either. I thought I would not want it, but I still want to tick off the flat 6 of Porsche.
Would anybody part exchange their highly optioned 2016 718CS for 2011 Cayman R (without AC as just pointed out) PDK with bucket seat and PCCB?
Though the engine sound of the 718CS might not be the best, I usually drive it in Sport mode that activates loud exhaust note and pops and bangs and driving it in sport+ leads to magical handling in corners. I must confess the BMW is not far off in corners either. I thought I would not want it, but I still want to tick off the flat 6 of Porsche.
Would anybody part exchange their highly optioned 2016 718CS for 2011 Cayman R (without AC as just pointed out) PDK with bucket seat and PCCB?
av185 said:
Porsche have dampened down the external exhaust noise on the 718 GT4 by the gpf yes BUT the car makes up for this in spades by far greater internal induction sound across the superb increased 8k rev range which is really all that matters. Just like the 992 GT3 in fact.
Exhaust modifications are available but quite frankly unless you are into ott and rather farty external exhaust sound this is uneccessary and mine is stock.
A truly superb contemporary Porsche GT especially at the price.
My exhaust is 3db quieter than standard, is worth a genuine 10bhp, and sounds magnificent. No farts outside the car ... it's only on the inside that it can get farty Exhaust modifications are available but quite frankly unless you are into ott and rather farty external exhaust sound this is uneccessary and mine is stock.
A truly superb contemporary Porsche GT especially at the price.
baronbennyt said:
The GT4... gearing too long IMHO.
The manual gearbox in all three cars is the same, minor gearing differences are present due to wheel/tyre combos and final drive changes but they're pretty much the same give or take a few mph when comparing like for like. The headline differences in max in-gear speeds are because the newer cars rev higher than the previous model - more rpm in each gear, so more speed in each gear.If you have a problem with the gearing of a GT4, and how that affects the engine, then you'll also have a problem with the gearing of an R. The newer cars with more torque and bhp can pull the gearing more easily so I really don't get why people seem to think the older cars have better gearing than the newer cars...
LamedonM said:
Thanks All. I am a restless soul. Myself and my son have just completed driver's driving of both my BMW M6Comp and Cayman 718S (with almost all options including PTV, PASM, PSE, sport chromo, PDLS and 2 tone leather apart from adaptive cruise control and reverse camera) and he says the V8 of BMW is far far superior to Cayman 718S. Also it makes more financial sense for me to hold on to the BMW M6
Though the engine sound of the 718CS might not be the best, I usually drive it in Sport mode that activates loud exhaust note and pops and bangs and driving it in sport+ leads to magical handling in corners. I must confess the BMW is not far off in corners either. I thought I would not want it, but I still want to tick off the flat 6 of Porsche.
Would anybody part exchange their highly optioned 2016 718CS for 2011 Cayman R (without AC as just pointed out) PDK with bucket seat and PCCB?
is it possible though that your son has watched one too many Archie Hamilton videos? BMW is cooler to kids and his POV might be swayed by influencers pushing the M Badge kool-aid.Though the engine sound of the 718CS might not be the best, I usually drive it in Sport mode that activates loud exhaust note and pops and bangs and driving it in sport+ leads to magical handling in corners. I must confess the BMW is not far off in corners either. I thought I would not want it, but I still want to tick off the flat 6 of Porsche.
Would anybody part exchange their highly optioned 2016 718CS for 2011 Cayman R (without AC as just pointed out) PDK with bucket seat and PCCB?
julian987R said:
is it possible though that your son has watched one too many Archie Hamilton videos? BMW is cooler to kids and his POV might be swayed by influencers pushing the M Badge kool-aid.
Not trying to boast here. My 18 year old son is an engineering student at Oxford University. I was the driver, he was the passenger when I was pushing both 718CS and M6Comp. Their interiors are similar (high quality two tone leather of similar colour), the M6 has surround cameras in addition whilst the 718CS has ventilated seats in addition. Based on his feeling regarding how they drove, sounded, accelerated, braked, the theatrics and his reactions of 'Oh my God' etc, I think he was as objective as he could be Although, I could not discount that an engineering student would have subconsciously prefer a 4.4L V8 engine to 2.5L 4 cylinder engine.
Rojibo said:
Are… are you deciding on your car purchases based on what your son prefers?
Couldn’t live with a car without AC though.
I am assuming they were shopping for his son as indeed it seems to be his POV that is most important, which is fair enough of course - a heck of a car for an 18 year old no matter which one.Couldn’t live with a car without AC though.
Firstly, I managed to read the responses to this thread and know who was responding in a few cases without reading the names. It feels like I've finally earned my PH Cayman section wings
A lot of people are saying about the 987 being smaller which I previously thought was the case as well. According to my research all versions are about the same width with the newer versions (981 and 718) being lower in height.
The newer versions are longer however.
My info could be wrong, I could swear 987's were smaller!
Dunc.
A lot of people are saying about the 987 being smaller which I previously thought was the case as well. According to my research all versions are about the same width with the newer versions (981 and 718) being lower in height.
The newer versions are longer however.
My info could be wrong, I could swear 987's were smaller!
Dunc.
Edited by dunc_sx on Tuesday 20th December 22:41
LamedonM said:
Not trying to boast here. My 18 year old son is an engineering student at Oxford University..
Brookes or actual Oxford?To answer your question, I’d go R if it was a manual.
718 GT4 won’t sound anywhere near as good but is a very good car. Either will make you happy I’d say
julian987R said:
I am assuming they were shopping for his son as indeed it seems to be his POV that is most important, which is fair enough of course - a heck of a car for an 18 year old no matter which one.
I dunno I’m pretty confused, I’d also suggest OP may not be cornering quick enough in the Cayman if it seems to handle the same as the M6, isn’t that 600Kg heavier? PGNSagaris said:
LamedonM said:
Not trying to boast here. My 18 year old son is an engineering student at Oxford University..
Brookes or actual Oxford?To answer your question, I’d go R if it was a manual.
718 GT4 won’t sound anywhere near as good but is a very good car. Either will make you happy I’d say
the car is for myself, not for my son
Rojibo said:
julian987R said:
I am assuming they were shopping for his son as indeed it seems to be his POV that is most important, which is fair enough of course - a heck of a car for an 18 year old no matter which one.
I dunno I’m pretty confused, I’d also suggest OP may not be cornering quick enough in the Cayman if it seems to handle the same as the M6, isn’t that 600Kg heavier? Attached is the comparison of their performances on tracks from Zeperf
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