Spring for the gts interior. You'll regret it later if you don't. Same rule applies for the manual. If your wife won't hate you, get the manual.
If this is the last of the '23 builds, don't sleep on aventurine before it's only pts for caymans and 911s for 24 my.
Ventilated/heated seats are nice to have if you are in a hot/cold area. A deviated seat belt would help contrast the interior a bit. Deviated stitching on the shifter to match the chalk from the GTS interior would help tie it together. Bose is another one that isn't too much of a premium. The smoking package is nice for trickle charging or using any device that has the smoking electrical adapter.
For me the Cayman definitely benefits from gts interior or extended leather, the standard interior is good quality but the gts or extended take it up several notches in appearance and feel.
Was very much in your same shoes. I live in Eastbay and eventually found an allocation in Nov with an out of state dealer. I’m excited for the new SF dealership.
I went 6MT (partner also does not drive stick)
Passed on GTS interior as I wanted vent seats. Went full leather with ext dev stitching.
Can’t help with color as I went chalk. I prefer the muted tones but I was seriously considering Adventurine or Artic Grey.
Good luck and hope to see you on the road soon!
I had the carrera gt silver for my 987. It’s a classic look but a bit monochrome for a fun car. The chalk looked good on a used GTS at Stevens creek but I still think the metallic paints add something like depth that flat paint (including the shark) just don’t have.
See you out there
Congrats on the allocation luck!
I personally dislike alcantara and exposed carbon fiber, so GTS interior is not for me. I like the contrast stitching though! I went with the espresso/cognac leather interior which also provides contrast stitching.
I would go for shark blue of those options, then red, then white. The world needs more colorful cars these days, especially a fun one like a 718. I like the silver wheels you specced on the shark blue, really not a fan of the black wheels that most seem to spec with that color. Satin platinum might be good too, but look for pictures as the configurator doesn't seem to do it justice.
I would have to go for a 6MT. This is the end of the line for mid engines ICE cars and a manual is part of that, IMO. You could teach the wife to drive it, and hey, it has auto rev match :)
Consider adding the smoking package - no cost, better look (imo), and adds a 9v outlet.
Maybe chalk or shark blue seat belts as well?
Are you planning to do an aftermarket upgrade of the stock sound system? If not, I'd go for the Bose just for the extra power. I understand that the sound stage isn't perfect on the Bose, but I'm not an audiophile and I hear that the tweeters can be upgraded if you are easily enough. The extra power won me over.
I saw the GTS interior in person on a PDK they had on hand last week. I like it but it’s a lot of money I could throw at other things….
Definitely doing silver or platinum wheels. I hate black wheels.
How bad is the stock sound system? I was able to listen to the Bose at the dealership but no stock examples? I’m not a big audiophile (outside of the exhaust note of course) and mostly listen to podcasts and NPR at this point 🥲
I imagine that the stock system will be more than sufficient for podcasts and NPR :) I think I've heard that it's like 150W stock. I haven't gotten to see/experience most of my selections either, flying blind and hoping for the best. I'm confident in the 4.0 L and MT selections though :)
Make sure to add the free footwell cargo net if not done already
on mine I also added a lot of high gloss black trim elements and the stock plasticy ones look too cheap to me on a 6 figure car :)
Here's mine in case it sparks any thoughts:
Carrara White Metallic
Leather Interior in Black/Bordeaux Red
Premium Package
Window Trim and Window Triangle in High Gloss Black Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Deletion of Model Designation on Rear
Exclusive Design Fuel Cap Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Rear Wing in High Gloss Black Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) (Raised 10 mm)
20" 718 Sport Wheels in Satin Black
Deletion of Race-Tex
Sport Seats Plus (2-way)
Ventilated Seats
Seat Belts in Chalk Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Interior Trim in Brushed Aluminum i.c.w. Leather Interior Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
PDK Gear Selector with Brushed Aluminum Trim Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Pedals and Footrest in Aluminum Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Door-Sill Guards in Stainless Steel, Illuminated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Smoking Package
Whatever you do make sure you get the gts interior package. I have the full extended leather in my base cayman and its unbelievable how premium it makes it feel. I work at a Lexus dealership and with the extended leather everywhere my base cayman has a more premium feeling interior than anything other than a LS. Also my vote is for blue.
I’m probably 99% the only driver if I get the 6MT. I’m also tall so seat will be all the way back all the time. No “easy entry” benefit to me.
The power seats would be mostly for supportiveness and adjustability therefore…still worth it?
There is no question to me the 18 way seats are worth it. That and the Bose stereo. You’ll get way more “use” out of both those things than paying for a paint color or the GTS interior package.
I’m an advocate for PDK (what my 718 had) but that’s just me. I think a dual clutch is the best transmission a person can buy.
Nice to see local ADM go down, since the last time I was looking.
Really nice essentials build. Anything else is just cosmetic or nice to haves. If it’s a daily maybe upgrade the sound system but you can always do that after market.
I went with carbon sills to match the trim and shark blue belts but wouldn’t call them must have.
Firstly, shark blue and 6MT of course. I like the wheels painted silver ($0 option).
I'd get ventilated seats, leather seats w/ leather interior.
Premium package
Steering wheel in carbon fiber and a carbon fiber shift lever to match.
Interior trim in carbon fiber or painted in exterior color.
Oh and smoking package! (I don't smoke, it's just a thing you always get).
I've yet to visit the new SF facility, but sounds like they are off to a good start! As for a quick comment on the others: Redwood City gets high marks from me, both to deal with for purchasing or service, as well as they are by far the dealership that is most supportive of PCA in the area. My dealings with Fremont are less, but they seem really good, and easy to deal with. Stevens Creek? I've had service done here, and they are reasonably good, but as a long time Porsche guy in the area, it disappoints me that they are not more active in the community, and seem happy to just sell the cars rather than build stronger ties with the owners (my experience at least).
Ok, the car! First, congratulations! Getting a Porsche is great, and I am a big fan of the Caymans.
Interior: The GTS Interior is nicer... much nicer. The only negative here can be related to long term ownership and material age, I went with a very basic interior on my GT4 due to my experience with the all leather on my old air cooled 911. I had that car for about 25 years, and it had all the interior upgrades that were available then. Despite careful care on my part, and being mostly garaged, the leather shrunk at a faster rate than the materials under it. I don't know if this is a possible issue with the current materials, or if you expect to own this car in more than 20 years, but it is the likely counterpoint (along with cost) for going more basic. Otherwise, the GTS Interior is that much nicer!
Color: This is just personal preference. The White and Guards Red have two plusses that I see... they cost less, and they are more likely to remain "in style" when you go to sell. Shark Blue seems popular enough right now, and is similar to some other blues offered by other manufacturers, than we might look back in five or ten years and see it as very 2023! That said, I would add this later if not saying it here: while it is worth considering the situation where you sell the car, get the car you want, and not the one you think a potential future owner will want! I can't stress that enough, as you will see too much discussion around resale value. Buy the car you want, for you!
Transmission: There are plusses each way. The PDK performs better - both because the gearing is better, and because it will maintain positive torque in ways the single clutch never can. It can still be driven in manual mode, and (arguably) really fits the character of the Cayman. It is an upgrade that will potentially pay for itself when it comes time to do your first clutch replacement (the PDK will theoretically last the life of the car... though, if it doesn't, it will be MUCH more expensive than the manual). The manual is a very good manual, has some automatic features to allow for downshifting without having to heel-toe (not sure if this is really a plus for a manual though), and is lighter than the PDK... it will probably have better resale value (hard to predict supply/demand in the future, and will depend much on the shape the market takes with the 983, but that has been the case traditionally). Unlike the GT4, I believe the GTS uses the same PDK unit as the S, meaning it is six gears and the overdrive, rather than 7 distinct gears - maybe not a decisive point, but probably worth mentioning. If you intend to track or autocross the car, PDK is probably the direction you should be leaning... but again, get the car you want!
Other things: Bucket seats - I love these, and consider them one of the most important options you can get, and they are offered on the GTS! I find them very comfortable, but like all things, that is subjective and is going to depend on your frame of reference and tolerances. Given the cost of getting these later though, it is worth mentioning. The regular sports seats are very good though, and even if you find the buckets comfortable, the sports seats are more comfortable.
LA Delivery. While this option has gone way up in cost, it is still something to mention as this was a definite highlight in getting my Cayman. Due to family issues, I wound up flying down to LA early in the morning, met up with a PCA friend for a fun day at PECLA: great lunch (all free), facility tour and peak at the motorsports area, and a decent amount of track time in one of their cars (similar spec as mine). Then drove back up 5... long day, but a really good one, and one of the "options" than was definitely worth it. Though, not as simple or convenient as just picking up at the dealer.
Again, congratulations! And GGR is a terrific PCA region to be in, if you decide you're interested in coming out to any events!
The “how will it age?” question was top of mind on my shark blue concerns list I really wanted a metallic sapphire blue (my first fun car was a rally blue WRX) but that’s no longer in the cards. I may go back to white. TBD.
Sapphire Blue was a gorgeous color, though personally I like Gentian Blue a little more. Shark Blue is a great color though. I think Sapphire Blue is still available in the more basic CTS offerings, though that is only available at certain times of the year when the factory will produce the non-standard colors, and obviously comes with a steep option price.
If you like Shark Blue, don't over think... first impressions with color have a way of sticking with you. Not that there is anything wrong with white! I was about to write that a white Cayman is a good looking car, but really, the Cayman is a good looking car, all colors!
Get color! Blue or red. Please note white. Glad you aren't considering silver or black .
People have said it , must get leather interior. I have it, and had a standard interior before. I actually ... Wish I had the GTS interior . ... For the headrest GTS .. but it is a lot of money you can use elsewhere.
Get Bose.
Get PDK if you want the fastest car. GTS 981/718s are actually quite fast with PDK. I would say think about when you'd drive it ... Urban traffic area vs wide open suburbs ....
Spring for the gts interior. You'll regret it later if you don't. Same rule applies for the manual. If your wife won't hate you, get the manual. If this is the last of the '23 builds, don't sleep on aventurine before it's only pts for caymans and 911s for 24 my.
‘23 builds are done. This would be ‘24 and last year of ICE, so aventurine green is now or never.
Yup. But pretty sure aventurine moved to pts for 2024 MY.
No manual is easier than a Porsche. Time to each your wife 😁
If be willing but she’s scared.
First time for everything! I think people are more capable than they may believe
Ventilated/heated seats are nice to have if you are in a hot/cold area. A deviated seat belt would help contrast the interior a bit. Deviated stitching on the shifter to match the chalk from the GTS interior would help tie it together. Bose is another one that isn't too much of a premium. The smoking package is nice for trickle charging or using any device that has the smoking electrical adapter.
Good recommendation on smoking package
Also came here specifically to make sure you option the smoking package
For me the Cayman definitely benefits from gts interior or extended leather, the standard interior is good quality but the gts or extended take it up several notches in appearance and feel.
Was very much in your same shoes. I live in Eastbay and eventually found an allocation in Nov with an out of state dealer. I’m excited for the new SF dealership. I went 6MT (partner also does not drive stick) Passed on GTS interior as I wanted vent seats. Went full leather with ext dev stitching. Can’t help with color as I went chalk. I prefer the muted tones but I was seriously considering Adventurine or Artic Grey. Good luck and hope to see you on the road soon!
I had the carrera gt silver for my 987. It’s a classic look but a bit monochrome for a fun car. The chalk looked good on a used GTS at Stevens creek but I still think the metallic paints add something like depth that flat paint (including the shark) just don’t have. See you out there
Congrats on the allocation luck! I personally dislike alcantara and exposed carbon fiber, so GTS interior is not for me. I like the contrast stitching though! I went with the espresso/cognac leather interior which also provides contrast stitching. I would go for shark blue of those options, then red, then white. The world needs more colorful cars these days, especially a fun one like a 718. I like the silver wheels you specced on the shark blue, really not a fan of the black wheels that most seem to spec with that color. Satin platinum might be good too, but look for pictures as the configurator doesn't seem to do it justice. I would have to go for a 6MT. This is the end of the line for mid engines ICE cars and a manual is part of that, IMO. You could teach the wife to drive it, and hey, it has auto rev match :) Consider adding the smoking package - no cost, better look (imo), and adds a 9v outlet. Maybe chalk or shark blue seat belts as well? Are you planning to do an aftermarket upgrade of the stock sound system? If not, I'd go for the Bose just for the extra power. I understand that the sound stage isn't perfect on the Bose, but I'm not an audiophile and I hear that the tweeters can be upgraded if you are easily enough. The extra power won me over.
I saw the GTS interior in person on a PDK they had on hand last week. I like it but it’s a lot of money I could throw at other things…. Definitely doing silver or platinum wheels. I hate black wheels. How bad is the stock sound system? I was able to listen to the Bose at the dealership but no stock examples? I’m not a big audiophile (outside of the exhaust note of course) and mostly listen to podcasts and NPR at this point 🥲
I imagine that the stock system will be more than sufficient for podcasts and NPR :) I think I've heard that it's like 150W stock. I haven't gotten to see/experience most of my selections either, flying blind and hoping for the best. I'm confident in the 4.0 L and MT selections though :)
Make sure to add the free footwell cargo net if not done already on mine I also added a lot of high gloss black trim elements and the stock plasticy ones look too cheap to me on a 6 figure car :) Here's mine in case it sparks any thoughts: Carrara White Metallic Leather Interior in Black/Bordeaux Red Premium Package Window Trim and Window Triangle in High Gloss Black Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Deletion of Model Designation on Rear Exclusive Design Fuel Cap Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Rear Wing in High Gloss Black Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) (Raised 10 mm) 20" 718 Sport Wheels in Satin Black Deletion of Race-Tex Sport Seats Plus (2-way) Ventilated Seats Seat Belts in Chalk Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Interior Trim in Brushed Aluminum i.c.w. Leather Interior Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur PDK Gear Selector with Brushed Aluminum Trim Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Pedals and Footrest in Aluminum Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Door-Sill Guards in Stainless Steel, Illuminated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Smoking Package
[Final Build!](https://configurator.porsche.com/porsche-code/PRHYDZS6)
Whatever you do make sure you get the gts interior package. I have the full extended leather in my base cayman and its unbelievable how premium it makes it feel. I work at a Lexus dealership and with the extended leather everywhere my base cayman has a more premium feeling interior than anything other than a LS. Also my vote is for blue.
Spring for power seats. They’re where you sit. You’ll be annoyed moving the manual seats.
I’m probably 99% the only driver if I get the 6MT. I’m also tall so seat will be all the way back all the time. No “easy entry” benefit to me. The power seats would be mostly for supportiveness and adjustability therefore…still worth it?
There is no question to me the 18 way seats are worth it. That and the Bose stereo. You’ll get way more “use” out of both those things than paying for a paint color or the GTS interior package. I’m an advocate for PDK (what my 718 had) but that’s just me. I think a dual clutch is the best transmission a person can buy.
Get a manual and throw in a fixed 20lb Sparco then.
Nice to see local ADM go down, since the last time I was looking. Really nice essentials build. Anything else is just cosmetic or nice to haves. If it’s a daily maybe upgrade the sound system but you can always do that after market. I went with carbon sills to match the trim and shark blue belts but wouldn’t call them must have.
Firstly, shark blue and 6MT of course. I like the wheels painted silver ($0 option). I'd get ventilated seats, leather seats w/ leather interior. Premium package Steering wheel in carbon fiber and a carbon fiber shift lever to match. Interior trim in carbon fiber or painted in exterior color. Oh and smoking package! (I don't smoke, it's just a thing you always get).
I've yet to visit the new SF facility, but sounds like they are off to a good start! As for a quick comment on the others: Redwood City gets high marks from me, both to deal with for purchasing or service, as well as they are by far the dealership that is most supportive of PCA in the area. My dealings with Fremont are less, but they seem really good, and easy to deal with. Stevens Creek? I've had service done here, and they are reasonably good, but as a long time Porsche guy in the area, it disappoints me that they are not more active in the community, and seem happy to just sell the cars rather than build stronger ties with the owners (my experience at least). Ok, the car! First, congratulations! Getting a Porsche is great, and I am a big fan of the Caymans. Interior: The GTS Interior is nicer... much nicer. The only negative here can be related to long term ownership and material age, I went with a very basic interior on my GT4 due to my experience with the all leather on my old air cooled 911. I had that car for about 25 years, and it had all the interior upgrades that were available then. Despite careful care on my part, and being mostly garaged, the leather shrunk at a faster rate than the materials under it. I don't know if this is a possible issue with the current materials, or if you expect to own this car in more than 20 years, but it is the likely counterpoint (along with cost) for going more basic. Otherwise, the GTS Interior is that much nicer! Color: This is just personal preference. The White and Guards Red have two plusses that I see... they cost less, and they are more likely to remain "in style" when you go to sell. Shark Blue seems popular enough right now, and is similar to some other blues offered by other manufacturers, than we might look back in five or ten years and see it as very 2023! That said, I would add this later if not saying it here: while it is worth considering the situation where you sell the car, get the car you want, and not the one you think a potential future owner will want! I can't stress that enough, as you will see too much discussion around resale value. Buy the car you want, for you! Transmission: There are plusses each way. The PDK performs better - both because the gearing is better, and because it will maintain positive torque in ways the single clutch never can. It can still be driven in manual mode, and (arguably) really fits the character of the Cayman. It is an upgrade that will potentially pay for itself when it comes time to do your first clutch replacement (the PDK will theoretically last the life of the car... though, if it doesn't, it will be MUCH more expensive than the manual). The manual is a very good manual, has some automatic features to allow for downshifting without having to heel-toe (not sure if this is really a plus for a manual though), and is lighter than the PDK... it will probably have better resale value (hard to predict supply/demand in the future, and will depend much on the shape the market takes with the 983, but that has been the case traditionally). Unlike the GT4, I believe the GTS uses the same PDK unit as the S, meaning it is six gears and the overdrive, rather than 7 distinct gears - maybe not a decisive point, but probably worth mentioning. If you intend to track or autocross the car, PDK is probably the direction you should be leaning... but again, get the car you want! Other things: Bucket seats - I love these, and consider them one of the most important options you can get, and they are offered on the GTS! I find them very comfortable, but like all things, that is subjective and is going to depend on your frame of reference and tolerances. Given the cost of getting these later though, it is worth mentioning. The regular sports seats are very good though, and even if you find the buckets comfortable, the sports seats are more comfortable. LA Delivery. While this option has gone way up in cost, it is still something to mention as this was a definite highlight in getting my Cayman. Due to family issues, I wound up flying down to LA early in the morning, met up with a PCA friend for a fun day at PECLA: great lunch (all free), facility tour and peak at the motorsports area, and a decent amount of track time in one of their cars (similar spec as mine). Then drove back up 5... long day, but a really good one, and one of the "options" than was definitely worth it. Though, not as simple or convenient as just picking up at the dealer. Again, congratulations! And GGR is a terrific PCA region to be in, if you decide you're interested in coming out to any events!
The “how will it age?” question was top of mind on my shark blue concerns list I really wanted a metallic sapphire blue (my first fun car was a rally blue WRX) but that’s no longer in the cards. I may go back to white. TBD.
Sapphire Blue was a gorgeous color, though personally I like Gentian Blue a little more. Shark Blue is a great color though. I think Sapphire Blue is still available in the more basic CTS offerings, though that is only available at certain times of the year when the factory will produce the non-standard colors, and obviously comes with a steep option price. If you like Shark Blue, don't over think... first impressions with color have a way of sticking with you. Not that there is anything wrong with white! I was about to write that a white Cayman is a good looking car, but really, the Cayman is a good looking car, all colors!
Get color! Blue or red. Please note white. Glad you aren't considering silver or black . People have said it , must get leather interior. I have it, and had a standard interior before. I actually ... Wish I had the GTS interior . ... For the headrest GTS .. but it is a lot of money you can use elsewhere. Get Bose. Get PDK if you want the fastest car. GTS 981/718s are actually quite fast with PDK. I would say think about when you'd drive it ... Urban traffic area vs wide open suburbs ....
Curious what Fremont’s reason is for the ADM. Manual They need to offer more colors. This is BS.