It must be frustrating at times trying to please car enthusiasts. They want to feel a connection to their chosen brand's heritage, but also want each succeeding model to be better, faster, and more capable than before. Porsche, in particular, has often faced severe backlash for every deviation it made from the accepted norms.So, when it decided to replace the iconic Boxer six-cylinder engines in its Boxster and Cayman sports cars with flat-four turbocharged motors, all hell broke loose. In this article, we look into why this caused such an uproar and whether they are a solid used buy or one to avoid.All vehicle data is from reputable sources. Pricing excludes destination charges and tax unless otherwise specified. The Porsche 718 PorschePorsche sure loves its three-digit vehicle codes, and enthusiasts refer to each model using them, making it almost impossible for a casual observer to figure out exactly which model they are referring to. The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are no different. And to make things even more (or less) exciting, the current generation not only has the internal designation "982" but is also commonly called the 718, which harks back to 1950s Porsche racing cars. Great.Porsche However convoluted the numerical naming scheme can get, every Boxster and Cayman since the very beginning has had one thing in common: they handle superbly. But when the current generation cars were launched all the way back in 2016, Porsche made one big change to the formula: they introduced a pair of flat-four turbocharged engines into the mix. Gone was the sonorous, characterful, and much-loved flat-six, and in its place was a lighter, more powerful, and more efficient modern engine that promised to deliver an even more engaging experience.Porsche Except that these new engines sounded nothing like a Porsche. They farted and wailed in a most uncouth manner, not unlike the turbocharged four-cylinder Golf GTIs and other hot hatches that no Porsche owner would ever want to be compared with. And this, more than any other objective metric, is what the fuss was about.Porsche addressed these concerns in 2020 with the introduction of the GTS 4.0-liter flat-six model. It was – and remains – one of the most rounded Porsche driving experiences ever, but it wasn't cheap when new, and remains pricey as a used buy as well. The Cayman GT4 and GT4 RS were even more intense and demonstrated that Porsche was listening to its client base. But you needed very deep pockets to own one.That leaves us with four-cylinder cars. While sales have never been stellar, the four-cylinder 718 models have sold in decent numbers in the US, and used values are now in the "relatively" affordable range. Good ones are cheaper than a new Ford Mustang GT, and some higher-mileage examples cost significantly less.2021 Porsche 718 Cayman The table below compares the values of all the 2017 Cayman and Boxster models sold over the past year. Both the base and S trims are included here. Interestingly, this is the first time that the drop-top Boxster was priced higher than the Cayman, but used values seem to have reversed this, and the Cayman is once again a bit pricier on the used car market. On average, you'll be paying $50,000 for a solid 2017 Boxster or Cayman. V8 Versus Flat-Four Ford A 2026 Ford Mustang GT can no longer be considered a blunt, straight-line dragster. It corners well, has a good ride, and comes packed with just as much tech as many far pricier European rivals. What it can't do is compete with a Porsche Boxster or Cayman in driving feel or outright handling.But it is far more practical and has a superb 480-hp 5.0-liter V8 that makes the flat-four in the 718 sound like a washing machine on its spin cycle. Plus, you can have a brand new one for the price of a nine-year-old 718. Below is a table of the current base prices for the Mustang GT models, more as an interesting comparison, rather than an objective match-up. The big price discrepancy between the Fastback and Convertible models is partly because the drop top is only available in conjunction with the pricier Premium trim.Porsche Flat-Four Versus Flat-Six The used car market is clearly willing to pay a premium for the six-cylinder 718 models. Even taking into account the difference in base price. Below, we take a quick look at the difference between the values of the 2021 Boxster S and Boxster 4.0 GTS. Even accounting for the $12,900 higher base price in 2021, the 4.0 GTS commands a significant premium over the four-cylinder car. This discrepancy may be irritating to the first owner, but it certainly makes the four-cylinder cars great value as used buys. Both the 718 Boxster and Cayman have officially been discontinued since February 2026, and the future of these mid-engined cars is still uncertain. Diving into the Details PorscheViewed strictly by the numbers, the 718 turbocharged four-cylinder cars are a big step up from their six-cylinder predecessors. They make more power, way more torque, and use less fuel in all conditions. In the real world, the difference in torque is the most apparent, and this gives the turbo cars more mid-range grunt. But the older flat-six cars weren't exactly short on torque, and they offered quicker throttle response and a more explosive top end, not to mention an exhaust note that was in another league. Both variants use plenty of fuel when pushed hard, and good economy figures are less crucial to sports car owners anyway.PorscheWhile a six-speed manual has always been available, the vast majority of cars have been specced with the PDK automatic transmission. It suits the nature of the turbo engine better and masks some of the initial turbo lag, which is more noticeable when shifting gears in the manual cars.718 models with PDK and the Sport Chrono option are the quickest to 60mph, thanks to a very effective launch control, but regardless of whether you opt for the 300-hp 2.0-liter, or the 350-hp 2.5-liter, the 718 is a fast car. Even compared to the current batch of sports cars, the 718 twins are still one of the quickest ways to get from point A to point B in the real world. Especially if there are some corners in between. Porsche Is the Four Cylinder 718 Worth It? Porsche Let's put the uninspiring engine note and slightly laggy turbocharged power delivery aside for a moment and look at the rest of the package. The 718 may look very similar to the 981 Boxster/Cayman before it, but in a typically Porsche way, every aspect of its handling, refinement, and driving engagement was improved. The second-generation electric power steering was more feel-some, and the already telepathic handling response was that much sharper.Porsche Drive one of these cars today, and it is the superb grip, vault-like build quality, and effortless speed that you keep going back to. Yes, the 4.0 GTS is better, but it costs almost twice as much as a 2017 Boxster or Cayman, and it's certainly not twice the car. Then again, there is always the previous generation 981 model to consider. A 2016 Boxster S comes with a 325-hp 3.4-liter flat-six motor, and even though it is older, average prices are around $3,000 more than the 718 models. If you prefer more power and aren't fussed about the engine sound, the newer and more dynamically accomplished four-cylinder 718 is one of those rare things in the Porsche world; a good deal.