Porsche 718 Cayman (981) - The Ultimate Guide

The fourth-generation Porsche 718 Boxster, internally designated as the 982 series, was designed by Peter Varga in 2015. Varga's work introduced a refreshed aesthetic while maintaining the classic mid-engine proportions that define the Boxster lineage. His design incorporated sharper lines, reworked headlights, and a distinctive rear light bar that connects the taillights, giving the car a more modern and aggressive appearance.

The Porsche 718 Cayman (type 982) has been produced from 2016 up to 2025. If you meant the model years, they typically go from 2017 through 2025 for the North American market.

See our Porsche 718 Cayman Buyer's Guide for lots more information.

The Porsche 718 Cayman (982) has a wide price range depending on trim level, year, and condition. Brand-new 2025 models start at about $75,000 for the base Cayman, while the Cayman S comes in closer to $88,000. If you want the naturally aspirated flat-six, the GTS 4.0 starts around $103,000, making it the sweet spot for many enthusiasts seeking a purer Porsche experience. Special trims such as the Style Edition sit slightly above the base model, offering cosmetic upgrades and a more premium spec without stepping all the way up to the S.

On the used market, prices vary dramatically. Early 2017–2018 base cars with higher mileage can be found in the mid-$30,000s to $50,000s, making them one of the more affordable ways into a modern Porsche sports car. Well-optioned, low-mileage examples—especially GTS 4.0 and GT4 variants—command far higher prices, often in the $90,000–$120,000+ range, depending on rarity and demand. Certified pre-owned examples from Porsche dealers also tend to carry a premium but come with extended warranty coverage, which is highly desirable for peace of mind.

Overall, the 982 Cayman lineup offers options for nearly every budget—whether you want a relatively attainable, four-cylinder daily driver or a high-revving flat-six track machine. Your ideal price point will depend on whether you value new car warranty coverage and the latest tech or are willing to hunt for a clean, earlier example to maximize value.

Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between the Porsche Boxster/Cayman 981 generation vs. the 982 (aka 718) generation:

Key Mechanical & Powertrain Differences

The 981 uses naturally aspirated flat-six engines (e.g. 2.7 L, 3.4 L, up to 3.8 L in some models) throughout its lineup. The 982/718 switches to smaller displacement turbocharged flat-four engines in the base and S models (2.0 L & 2.5 L turbos), which offer more torque at lower RPMs and better fuel/efficiency, though the exhaust note and engine character change significantly. For high performance versions (like GTS 4.0, GT4, Spyder), the 982 generation brings back naturally aspirated flat-six engines, but those are special trims rather than the core model.

Design, Handling & Features

The chassis rigidity, suspension, steering, etc., are refined in the 982. Even with fewer cylinders in many models, the 718 (982) tends to accelerate faster, handle better, and deliver improved responsiveness. Visually, there are subtle but noticeable differences: rear bumper designs, headlights/tail lights, minor exterior styling tweaks. The interior updates include a newer infotainment system (PCM 4.0), updated instrumentation, and in many cases more modern tech and optional performance features.

Overall, the switch from 981 → 982 is a shift toward greater efficiency, modern tech, and more torque-oriented driving, at least in the base/S models, with the trade-off being a different character in the engine sound and feel. If you want I can sketch a pros vs cons list so you can see what you might prefer depending on what drives matter most to you.

The Porsche 718 Cayman (982 generation) delivers serious performance across the lineup, with each trim offering its own distinct flavor. The base Cayman, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four producing about 300 horsepower, can sprint from 0–60 mph in around 4.5 to 4.9 seconds depending on whether you choose the manual gearbox or the quicker PDK dual-clutch transmission. Adding the optional Sport Chrono Package trims that time further, making it a genuinely quick sports car that is still approachable for everyday use.

Step up to the Cayman S, and you get a larger 2.5-liter turbo flat-four good for roughly 350 horsepower. This drops the 0–60 mph time to the 4.0–4.2 second range with PDK and Sport Chrono, while raising the top speed to around 177 mph. The added torque from the bigger turbo makes it feel much more urgent in real-world driving, especially during mid-range acceleration.

For enthusiasts who crave a naturally aspirated flat-six, the Cayman GTS 4.0 is the sweet spot. Its 394-horsepower 4.0-liter engine delivers a sharper throttle response and a spine-tingling sound, with 0–60 mph runs in about 3.8 seconds and a top speed near 179 mph. At the top of the range sits the GT4 RS, a track-focused weapon with a screaming 4.0-liter GT3-derived engine that rockets from 0–60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and pushes close to 196 mph. This makes it one of the most capable and thrilling mid-engine sports cars Porsche has ever built.

There’s no single “best year” for the 982 Porsche 718 Cayman that works for everyone, but there are certain model years and trims that tend to stand out in terms of reliability, performance, and owner satisfaction. Which is best really depends on what you value most (sound, driving feel, cost of ownership, etc.), but here’s an overview of standout years and what to watch out for. Happy to narrow further based on your priorities (speed, sound, maintenance, etc.).

Standout Years & Trims

2020 onward — These tend to be strong picks because Porsche made a number of refinements by then. The infotainment and interior tech are improved, and the “T” and GTS 4.0 variants started showing up. If you want better engine sound, smoother cabin tech, and fewer early production teething issues, these later years tend to be safer bets.

GTS 4.0 (2020-2025) — If you value the naturally-aspirated flat-six motor (for its sound and feel) but still want the 982’s improvements in chassis, suspension, and tech, the GTS 4.0 is frequently called out as one of the best blends. It gives you much of the visceral experience of the older Caymans, but built on the newer platform and with many of the incremental fixes Porsche implemented over time.

Later “Style Edition” / Final Production Years (2024-2025) — These years are desirable for collectors or those who want one of the last ICE Caymans, often with good options, tidy usage, and increasing rarity. Because 2025 is being marked as the final year of production for the ICE 718s, cars from 2024-25 may hold value better and be more “complete” in terms of what Porsche was able to squeeze in.

What to Watch Out For / Trade-Offs

The earliest years (2016-2017) had some reliability concerns, especially in the S trims, around overheating, water-pump issues, and such. If you go early, make sure service history is solid.

Turbo engines (especially the 4-cylinder ones) bring complexity: more components that can need services, higher maintenance in some cases. If you’re less interested in having that choppy or “turbo raspy” sound, a later GTS or a 6-cylinder might suit you more.

Manual vs PDK: manuals tend to feel more analogue and are simpler (fewer potential electronic issues), whereas PDKs are smoother and faster in many driving situations but may cost more over time (software, servicing, etc.). Later PDKs had improvements and updates, so newer cars often have better transmissions.

My Opinion: Best Year

If I were picking one, I’d lean toward a 2021 or 2022 GTS 4.0 (or a clean 2022 “Style Edition” if you don’t need the flat-six) as the sweet spot. You get mature production (post early issues), good tech, strong performance, and near-end model desirability without the full collector premium on a 2025.