Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. That is something to keep in mind when specifying new cars. The manufacturer might give you basically unlimited customization in every color, but that doesn’t mean you should use them. Unfortunately for this 718 GT4, that seems to be the case here. Buckle up!
This is a way to make an entrance. I’m all for fun colors, but if you go for one, you have to own it. This is especially true for colors like we are checking out today — Viola Purple Metallic. Needless to say this is a Paint to Sample option, and a pricey one at that, and even more crazier when you put it on a convertible. Still, this is much better than another black or grey car, even at it’s current crazy pricing considering this is still just a Boxster S. Love it or leave it?
The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is one of the few new Porsche’s that launched with a thud. Everyone wanted the classic 3.4-liter flat-six, maybe even a 3.6-liter, but instead they were served up a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. To make it even worse, it sounded like a Subaru WRX. Porsche owners don’t want Subaru sounds. The numbers on paper were mightily disappointing as well, given their performance in the real world was nearly identical to the 718 Cayman S. That means you paid over $12,000 more just to get the standard GTS stuff like brake-based torque vectoring, the Sport Chrono package, adaptive dampers with a lower ride height, 20-inch wheels, and sport seats that are otherwise optional on the Boxster S. In that light I suppose that was a good value? Either way, Porsche knew they screwed up so went back to the drawing board and thankfully gave us the GTS 4.0. However, that doesn’t mean the flat-four versions suddenly fell off the face of the earth.
Today, we have a 2018 up for sale in New York with the great color of Sapphire Blue Metallic and just 6,200 miles. But I hope you aren’t expecting a deal on this one.
It is hard to believe that the original Porsche Boxster is turning 25 years old in 2022. When the concept was pitched back in the mid-90s, lots of people thought it was going to be a modern 550 Spyder, but in reality it was more like a 914. Performance was extremely lacking and the styling that was shown during the concept ending up getting beaten to death by the engineers and accountants when it was all said and done. Now 25 years later, the Boxster is a serious performance car with the GTS 4.0 and the 718 Spyder hatched by the GT department. Of course, Porsche never being one to pass up a special edition, they launched the Boxster 25 Years. Yeah, that is the name.
Just 1,250 will be made in either GT Silver Metallic to mimic the original concept, as well as Jet Black and Carrara White. All have the gold wheels and gold accents, and the interior can either be black leather or the Bordeaux Red. From there, go nuts with your typical 718 options – although the carbon buckets aren’t offered. For the powerplant, they went with the 4.0 from the GTS, not the 4.0 from the GT4/Spyder. Still, that is absolutely nothing to complain about with 394 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque, along with a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.1 seconds with the PDK gearbox. That is really fast. Starting price is just over $100,000, which is just $2,000 more than the 718 Spyder if you can believe that. This example up for sale in North Carolina with just 36 miles? We might have a new leader in the clubhouse for mark-up.
Very few new cars I examine here get me really going. Usually I take a look at them because they are interesting in one way or another, but after that they are somewhat forgettable. Today’s car however, a 2021 Porsche 718 GT4, speaks to me in every way. It is paint-to-sample Oak Green Metallic with silver wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, and the carbon bucket seats with yellow deviated stitching. Where do I sign?
Oh Ruby Star – a color that would draw attention at a clown convention. Some look at it and say it’s a lighter shade of red, while others will tell you it is straight up pink. To me it sure seems to brush right up against pink, but others will disagree. Personally, I love that this color exists and applaud Porsche for keeping it in the paint gun over all these generations of cars. Today, we have one of the hottest new Porsches, the 718 Spyder, sprayed in this very expensive paint-to-sample color. Although, I’m not sure I love it on this body. Let’s take a look:
If you’re looking for ‘bang for your buck’, Porsche probably isn’t going to be your brand. You pay a lot for Porsches compared to equivalent vehicles from other brands, but on the other hand you do get a that badge. How much value that brings is naturally up to you. You could argue that it is worth it in many cases, but sometimes the numbers don’t lie.
If you want to start entry level, the 718 chassis is going to be launching point in the low $60,000 range; the base 911 is $40,000 more. However, buying a 718 for that $60,000 and change is nearly impossible given the options and how quickly they add up, and the dealer probably won’t order you one unless you are the best customer they have. The solution? Looks in the used market and hope something turns up. That is what we have today in a 2019 Cayman that had an MSRP of $73,000. Three years and 20,000 miles later? Well, I bet the used car discount isn’t going to seem as much as you’d think.
Introverts need not apply! This is a 2021 Porsche 718 Spyder finished in Python Green. Don’t get your snakes mixed up, as this is a slightly different shade than the always favorite Viper Green. Believe it or not, this is a not a $12,830 paint-to-sample color, but rather just a “special color” for $2,580. That’s a bargin if you think about it. It is a tough color to pull off, but if being flashy and noticeable is what you want, tough to go wrong here. The problem is, it seems like this specific car is priced like the paint has little flakes of gold embedded in it.
I’ve been harping on and on about the new Porsche 718 GT4 and for good reason, it is a really great car. I love it and if they ever dropped about $25,000 off the sticker price, I’d find a way to make that happen. I doubt that will ever be the case, so they just aren’t worth it to me yet. However, there is a really great option if you want a 718 to feel special without spending over $100,000 just to get in the door. The 718 Cayman T. The best part? It starts at $69,000. Nice.
Usually when manufacturers start pumping out ‘special editions’ it is either at the beginning of the generation or knocking on death’s door as a last grasp to get people to buy the aging model before retooling for the next model. Today, we have the former. This Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is already a huge hit for Porsche fans as everyone guessed, and the European-market already has a ‘special edition’ to go with it. What is it? The Sports Cup Edition. You might be looking at that photo and thinking it is a track-focused model with a bunch of lightweight parts and more hardcore suspension. That would make total sense, right? Nope. Just some stickers.
