The Porsche 718 Cayman S is a 2-seater compact sports car that slots between the 2.0L 4-cylinder Cayman models and the higher-end 6-cylinder Cayman models. The Cayman S gets a unique engine that makes more power and torque in order to separate the S from the entry-level Cayman. It may not be a flat-6 like most people hoped for, but the performance certainly makes up for it.
Reliability-wise, the 2.5L 4-cylinder is slightly different when compared to the entry-level 2.0L 4-cylinder and especially the larger 6-cylinder engines. It seems like the only mentionable issue with the 2.5L Turbo is the one associated with the turbocharger that sends the car into limp mode which is really frustrating.
Besides these engine issues, the Cayman S is known to suffer from A/C system issues, issues related to overheating, issues with the equipment, and issues with the transmission. It’s worth mentioning that the Cayman S seems to be a really reliable car and that there aren’t many common issues we can talk about.
It is true that these cars cost quite a bit of money to maintain and that that is not common in this segment, but a Porsche is a Porsche and that means high running costs, but great value retention which evens it up a little bit.
Porsche 718 Cayman S – Engine issues
In the beginning, we have said that the Cayman S gets a different engine than the rest of the Cayman range. The 2.5L turbo engine found in the Cayman S is more powerful and it comes with a larger turbocharger. However, some owners have complained about the turbo heat sink causing the car to go into limp mode.
These engines have relatively minor failure rates, but issues with the turbocharger are the ones that take the crown when it comes to the engine. All in all, be sure to always inspect the turbocharger if you are interested in buying a used 718 Cayman S because it costs a lot of money to replace one if that ever happens.
Porsche 718 Cayman S – A/C system issues
Issues with the A/C are sadly a common trait among pretty much all 718 models, but it’s worth mentioning that newer models are a lot better than older models. The most common A/C issues are associated with the A/C condenser, condenser lines, and the car losing the ability to cool down/heat up the inside of the car’s cabin.
The best thing you can do is inspect the A/C system before you decide to buy the car, and if you notice any issues, a qualified Porsche technician is likely going to solve them in no time. As such, these issues are minor when it comes to fixing them, but a faulty A/C is extremely uncomfortable, especially during the summer.
Porsche 718 Cayman S – Overheating issues
It seems like overheating issues are also often present within the Porsches 718 model lineup and that the Cayman S is not completely free from overheating issues either. A few owners have complained about the car needing a replacement water pump or a replacement thermostat because the car was reaching extreme temperatures even without going full tilt.
Some say that these solved their issues, but others said that replacing the water pump and the thermostat did not solve the issue completely. After a while, Porsche realized that some models were prone to coolant leaks which were only visible when the car was operating at temperature.
Porsche 718 Cayman S – Equipment issues
The 718 Cayman is known to sometimes suffer from equipment-related issues as well, and these are associated primarily with the rear spoiler which fails to go down flush with the rest of the car’s body. Issues such as these aren’t really noticeable to everyone, but they certainly do appear on many 718 Cayman models.
Besides these, the Cayman S seems to be relatively free of equipment issues which is not necessarily the case with many other 718 models.
Porsche 718 Cayman S – Transmission issues
Many people deem the Porsche dual-clutch PDK gearbox to be the best dual-clutch transmission in the industry because it is bulletproof and because it is incredibly fast and relatively smooth. This is the case with most newer Porsche PDK boxes, but older PDK’s were known to sometimes be jittery, lazy, or even hesitant to a point in which the car can stall.
Manual gearbox 718 Cayman S models are the ones most popular with those who cherish driver involvement above top speed and acceleration. These gearboxes are known to be bulletproof as well, but only if you know how to handle them properly.
FAQ Section
Is the Porsche 718 Cayman S a performance car?
The Porsche 718 Cayman S is a true performance car because it prioritizes the driving experience above everything else. Lower-end Cayman models are also performance cars, but they were also designed to be comfortable cruisers while the S in the Cayman name stands for Sport as that is the primary objective of the Cayman S.
Many people deem the Cayman S to be the sweet spot of the Cayman range while others simply can’t fathom buying a Porsche sports car that does not feature a flat 6-cylinder naturally aspirated engine like those found on the GTS, GT4, and GT4 RS models.
How long can a Porsche 718 Cayman S last?
According to many online sources, the 718 Cayman is able to last at least 100,000-miles without needing major overhauls, but a Porsche is a brand known for making cars that can easily last twice or three times as much.
The reality is that almost no one drives a car like the Cayman S to such high miles because it is not exactly a daily driver due to its size and available space.
How much does it cost to maintain a Porsche 718 Cayman S?
It seems like the Porsche 718 Cayman S costs about $500-$1,000 in maintenance costs each year, especially after it reaches the end of its warranty coverage. The 718 Cayman S is a Porsche sports car, and if you want it to be able to deliver exhilarating drives for the longest, you will have to pay that kind of money to maintain it.
