The Porsche 718 Reliability – Causes For Concern?
You may have heard rumors that the Porsche 718 has a few reliability issues, and while there is certainly some validity to that, you might not be seeing the whole picture.
We’re going to break down the Porsche 718 reliability, where it came from, why it is the way that it is, and most importantly – what the Porsche 718 reliability is like and why there are those that are a little concerned.
Don’t worry, as always, we will give you both sides of the aisle, the pros, and the cons, so you know you are getting all the information you need to decide for yourself – When it comes to the Porsche Cayman 718s reliability – is there cause for concern?
Highlight
- The Porsche 718, while generally reliable, has gained some reputation for reliability issues.
- It was introduced in 2005 as the 987 Cayman and has undergone multiple generations with various improvements.
- Reliability issues include reported problems with the PDK transmission, which works well for most but can be problematic for some.
- Some owners have reported electronic and infotainment system problems that can be costly to repair.
- Overall, the 718 is considered reliable when well-maintained, but its reliability may decline after reaching high mileage.
- The key to reliability is proper care and maintenance, as the car was built to handle road and track use at a relatively high performance.
History of the Porsche 718
The Porsche Cayman/Boxster 718 is a highly sought-after high-performance car, the Cayman was first introduced from 2005 to 2006 and is also technically known as the 987 Cayman.
It was originally based on the Porsche Boxster as it was essentially supposed to be the fixed roof version. The second generation was introduced in 2013, which gave us an updated handling and suspension system and a much-needed improved interior design.
Then, in 2016, Porsche introduced the third generation (718 – why we are all here), with updated styling and a new turbocharged engine.
At the heart of the base 718, it’s powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as well as many improved and (for the time) advanced features.
The Porsche Cayman 718 has a rich history of delivering exceptional driving performance and handling. But, it also has developed a bit of a reputation in the community for some reliability issues.
What’s The Porsche 718 Reliability Like?
Here’s the catch, the 718 Cayman as a whole is actually pretty reliable. There are more people praising the Porsche 718 reliability than are worried that it doesn’t hold up to Porsches incredibly high standards. But, when it comes to a car as expensive and sought-after as the 718, you expect it to be bulletproof.
And it sort of isn’t. There have been a ton of reports of people having issues with the PDK transmission, which is supposed to be the hallmark of modern Porsches. They constantly talk about their new 7-speed PDK transmission, so you would expect the damn thing to work.
In fairness, it does for most people, but that still leaves many that have had nothing but headaches. There is also a frustrating issue with PCCB brakes becoming frustratingly loud. Like, really loud. This doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t working, as they tend to be quite loud anyway, but it certainly doesn’t sound good!
Why Are People Worried About Porsche 718 Reliability?
Its reputation for unreliability is pretty mild at best, its no more unreliable than most of the other cars Porsches has come out of within the last decade. Building off of the 991 and 992 frames as a base has allowed Porsche to branch out in terms of engineering and style while using a secure, tried, tested, and proven framework in the 991/992.
However, some owners have reported issues with the electronics and infotainment systems/media centers, which can be frustrating and costly to repair. It’s not going to cause you to crash, but it’s pretty poor for a car that comes with this kind of price tag.
Some have also criticized the car for having a relatively small fuel tank which means you end up filling up often. Which also contributes to its feeling/being quite expensive to maintain. That being said, you don’t buy a Porsche because they are cheap to run. Also, this isn’t really a reliability thing, I just hear people talk about it from time to time.
While it is recommended that you use V power fuel, you don’t have to. But your engine will thank you if you do. And so will your wallet when averaged out over the next decade.
Is The Porsche 718 Reliability Cause For Concern?
If you feel that the Porsche Cayman 718 doesn’t meet your needs in terms of reliability, then that could certainly be considered a valid cause for concern. However, the amount of people that have had issues with the 718 is far outweighed by the people who think they are a safe bet.
At the end of the day, we are talking about a car that could potentially be seven years old with a hundred thousand miles on the clock. Any car that age is going to suddenly feel a lot more unreliable. The 718 isn’t any more reliable than any other Porsche.
Is the Porsche 718 Worth The Hefty Price Tag?
Here’s the crux of the issue. From new, the 718 certainly wasn’t unreliable. Sure, it had some issues with the PDK transmission, and the brakes didn’t always sound/feel as nice as they should. But overall, across the entire line, they were pretty solid.
The frame had once again proved to be a resounding success. So, what does that mean? The 718 can start to have some minor problems after 100k miles because the PDK transmission has seen some real use and is starting to become looser, inefficient, and perhaps even faulty.
The problem though, is that not every mile was created equal. If I was to drive a Cayman 718 to 50k miles, short to medium journeys only, keep it steady, never really tested its limits, etc. And we compared that to you, who drove your 718 to death, took it to track days, used and abused it to the absolute limits of its potential, but you still only drove 50k miles, whose car is going to be more reliable?
What we are getting at here is that the 718 is perfectly reliable so long as it has been well-loved and well-maintained. Given they were literally built by a company that prides itself on its racing pedigree and reputation, that isn’t often the case.
Our Verdict On Porsche 718 Reliability
Overall, the Porsche 718 reliability is decent, so long as it has been well cared for. Sure, there are a few potential issues that seem to crop up from time to time.
But, for the most part, it does a good job of running just as well as when the line first hit the streets seven or so years ago.
If you are in the market for a second-hand Porsche Cayman 718, the best thing to do is request all of the service records for the car and do your best to eye up the seller and see whether your gut believes that they have truly cared for the car.
Because if they haven’t, that PDK transmission won’t last long. And it won’t be cheap to replace.
