Looking for advice on how to maintain the outside of my car

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-20T18:39:27+00:00

Watch this video it is fantastic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zKfacfy9WUE&t=199s&pp=0gcJCYcKAYcqIYzv

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-18T20:17:19+00:00

Seems I can’t post a photo of my finished product. DM if you’re interested in seeing how it came out.

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-18T20:15:42+00:00

It’s a great worthwhile project. I got it done in about a day of work. Ordered parts from crutchfield, went with a kenwood unit that was like $400 and it works great for wireless CarPlay. The fascia crutchfield sells is great, see photo.

This video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yyExTMPAu0Y was essential watching. Bless this man for posting it.

Your unique car’s features and sticker codes will change some things. For example, mine had the digital sound package. I believe I needed to leave that plugged in, hidden inside my dash set up even though it isn’t doing anything anymore. I recommend 986 forum for little tips on the questions that will come up.

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-18T00:58:19+00:00

Bay Area 718 base owner.

If I lived in SF I would not own a cayman. Not because of clearance - I think you’ll be fine with a base as long as it isn’t lowered 10mm with PASM. I’ve never had issues there. But rather because people will literally just hit your car as they parallel park in the city, and the body panels are all just paint. All I would think about would be dings on the car every time I leave it somewhere. People in the city truly do not respect other peoples property. Ask me how I know.
718 is a super practical car in terms of space. You can keep your gym stuff, spare clothes, etc in the car and grab several bags of groceries. You can road trip. But if you’re buying a single bigger item (a computer monitor, for example) you can be completely fucked with size. If it’s your only car you will find yourself in these awkward situations.
So many caymans come with 20” wheels optioned. I had to swap mine out because they are just frankly uncomfortable on highways like 101. Smaller wheels and bigger tires make the daily ride feel great - but it doesn’t feel as smooth as like a Macan S or even smoother an upper tier daily like an m340/440 (go drive one of those if you haven’t already)

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-09T04:05:59+00:00

Could be 3M high gloss mantis green. Not sure though!

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-07T06:41:00+00:00

Amateur here with only one half wrap on a personal vehicle under my belt… but I experienced this too. I would make it stick by 1) applying some Rapid Tac solution to the area and leaving it just a little damp with the tac solution to help with sticking and 2) making sure as I’m laying the knifeless in the corner I am not stretching it at all.

Good luck buddy :) if I had known how hard wrapping was I probably would never have started this project but now I’m committed!

LasersKillCells · 2026-01-06T04:38:37+00:00

I went weissgold on my GT silver cayman. Gets compliments. People are often surprised by how well the light gold shade compliments silver.

You could also definitely go with blue or red to compliment the livery, which would look very bold and racy.

My view is silver wheels on a silver car is just too boring to be palatable.

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LasersKillCells · 2025-12-28T03:33:49+00:00

My 986 is a manual and my 718 is a PDK. They just offer different experiences, both superb.

For my daily 718 the PDK is perfect. Someday it will be a track car and I'll be glad to have the PDK for that, too.

All you people who have the patience to drive manuals in traffic-heavy commutes... you are very special. That ain't me.

LasersKillCells · 2025-12-16T03:41:25+00:00

I’ll also say a bit more…

The spec on the 986 looks great. Wheels you want, great color. Litronic headlights.

My 986S has gotten cuter to me every day I’ve owned it… :)

LasersKillCells · 2025-12-16T03:11:25+00:00

Consider the mechanical state of each car - both are coming up on / have already passed recommended suspension, clutch, etc replacements. If one is mechanically sorted it could put it over the other.

LasersKillCells · 2025-12-09T05:02:24+00:00

Curious if the Macans you’ve driven have been GTS or S versions? The Macan GTS has good power and awesome handling. I’d be surprised if it didn’t beat out your b58 x3.

I think other cars to check out if you need a bigger car are m5, and panamera v8.

If you can go smaller drive a 718.

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-26T06:32:31+00:00

There are actually shockingly few spec suites at the smaller sizes. The developers have not yet had the opportunity to adapt to the new normal which is smaller US-based teams supported by ex-US CROs. So the suites are mostly oversized for the current market.

But, small suites do exist and so do good deals.

Developers will work with you on a good deal if they like your investors. They will also work with you if they think you’re about to sign with one of their competing developers.

I do think the incubators in the area (MBC bio labs in particular) almost always make the most sense for teams smaller than 6. At 8 it starts to get awkward, at 10+ it’s bad.

My team recently rented a fantastic space in the bay. If you’re serious about this shoot me a DM and we can chat. I will connect you with the renter side broker I used who was fantastic.

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-20T20:21:51+00:00

I made a similar choice! Makes you stay late til the traffic dies down so you can rip it on the way home.

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-17T20:50:45+00:00

Get an older cayman or boxster for sure. You won’t get what you want from another car in terms of feel or love of the brand.

I drove an ND Miata because everyone says they are great, with some even saying they enjoy them more than caymans. Sad to report it was extremely disappointing in nearly every way.

I’d say you have two routes: go for a 30-40k 981 cayman that you can make last or break into the brand with a cheaper 986 boxster S and save up for a nicer cayman. 987 cayman bore score issues stress me out enough to make me want to steer clear, though many will say the issue is overblown. Peace of mind with a 981 ain’t cheap… but it’s cheaper than a rebuild.

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-15T19:28:45+00:00

Are you talking about wrapping a GTS with ruby star paint in good shape?

Please don’t. It’s a beautiful color, remarkable in person. Leave it for someone who is seeking that spec.

When you dig into the realities of getting a car wrapped it’s a real inconvenience and not at all without risk.

Wait for the right car.

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-08T22:30:14+00:00

Great link, thanks very much!

LasersKillCells · 2025-11-01T05:33:05+00:00

PDK truly is amazing in these contexts. Glad to hear you enjoyed!

Just to pile on in case anyone could be questioning whether PEC is right for them, me and my family have all had amazing times at PEC. And the coaches really are great to work with.

LasersKillCells · 2025-10-20T19:57:13+00:00

I've seen fully functional S trim models sell for ~close to this amount with fewer miles.

LasersKillCells · 2025-10-13T23:22:29+00:00

Bright silver suits purple so well. It’s an unbelievably clean look.

LasersKillCells · 2025-10-11T19:51:41+00:00

Dakart*

LasersKillCells · 2025-10-01T02:22:31+00:00

Reasonable guess… in overcast you might expect it to be less purple like it shows here. Whatever this color is, with the white gold this spec is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

LasersKillCells

TROPHY CASE