Time to pour one out for one of the greatest sports cars on the planet. As of early this month, Porsche has pulled the plug on the 718 configurator, effectively closing the door on new orders for its beloved mid-engine masterpiece. As of February 10, Porsche's USA site has been changed and the 718 models now state that they are "Unavailable for configuration." The move may sting, but it doesn’t come as a shock as Porsche signaled the end was coming as far back as last fall, when it announced the 718 order books would soon be shutting.The 2025 model year will be the final curtain call for the current generation, including both the 718 Boxster convertible and 718 Cayman coupe. If you didn’t get your order in before the cutoff and still want a factory-fresh example, there’s still a chance: a limited number of new cars remain in dealer inventory, including highly desirable versions like the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The catch? You’ll have to choose from whatever specs are already on the lot. Down But Not Out PorscheThe current 718 line marks the fourth generation of the Boxster and the third generation of the Cayman, and dates back to the 2017 model year in the US, though much of its mechanical foundation traces back to the previous model launched in 2013. Porsche has been signaling that the current 718’s life cycle was approaching its end as early as 2022, when the automaker announced plans for an electric successor – but a lot has changed since then.Porsche has been extensively testing prototypes for the electric 718 in public view for some years now. The automaker actually previewed the design in 2021 with the Mission R Concept and had initially planned to launch the production version around 2025. However, the project has suffered several setbacks, from battery sourcing to other technical challenges – one of which is thought to be keeping the curb weight under 4,000 pounds.CarBuzz/ValnetOn top of that, shifting market dynamics have complicated Porsche’s plans. The automaker had been betting heavily on the EV transition, even planning for the 911 to be its sole model offered with internal-combustion power by the end of the decade. But EV adoption has progressed more slowly than Porsche anticipated, forcing the company to scramble to develop new ICE models alongside its electric ambitions. ICE-Powered Successor Locked In CarBuzz/ValnetThe need to develop previously unplanned ICE models extends to the 718 as well. Last fall, Porsche made it known that it is developing the next 718 to offer the option of a gasoline engine, though only for what it referred to as the top variants, presumably successors to the more hardcore GTS 4.0, GT4, GT4 RS, and Spyders. This may also help explain why the new 718 has been delayed.Interestingly, it was reported just this month that Porsche may cancel or scale back the electric version of the 718. The move is reportedly driven by rising costs, repeated delays, and lukewarm demand, especially in key markets like the US. New CEO Michael Leiters is said to be weighing whether the project still makes financial sense and may focus more on other powertrain options. While a final decision has not been publicly announced, the future of the electric 718 remains uncertain. Any decision may also affect the fate of a related Audi sports car in the works. The Last 718s You Can Buy New 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS - exteriorWhile the Porsche USA site states the 718 is a "Model currently not available in your country," there is still a broad inventory of new models available. That means you can buy a new (2025 model year) 718, but you can't spec it to your liking. Fortunately, the selection on offer is pretty varied.Across the US, there are 134 new 718 Caymans and Boxsters available in dealer inventory. These range from the base 2.0 turbo flat-four to the six-cylinder RS versions. The breakdown of available numbers at the time of writing is as follows:PorscheThe 718 Spyder RS and Cayman GT4 RS derivatives are among the rarest, as they're the most hardcore variants developed by POirsche's GT division, and are typically allocated well ahead of time. But they're also the most expensive, ranging from $177,000 to $246,000. Those at the latter end of the price spectrum are particularly special, though, as several are equipped with Paint To Sample (PTS) colors to make them stand out further.The cheaper models start at $83,000 with 300 hp on tap and a smattering of staid blacks, reds, whites, and silvers making up the bulk of the selection. However, there are a few of the 'Style Edition' models available for those who don't want a run-of-the-mill mid-engined Porsche.Inventory numbers accurate as of the time of publishing, based on available inventory listed by Porsche North America.
