Chris Harris Drives: the Porsche 718 Boxster

[Pinball]

Magic919 said:

I expect you could implement an 'ignore' function or ban a few individuals and the forum use would increase.

+1

[FourPotPorsche]

ags11 said:

I don't think the criticism is directed at the 718 buyers, it's more towards the broader direction of the industry, and the negative effect on an enthusiast's sports car.
There's no doubt the 718 improves on the 981 in many areas. I think it looks better, having not driven or heard it, by all accounts the steering & handling are a step up too.
The engine change obviously isn't if it's compared with what went before- to quote AP-"atmospherical". The so called improvements here don't match with the latter- they're obviously driven by a whole other agenda. Personally the sound I'd get over, turbo characteristics possibly not!
However if anyone's in the market for a new car in the cayster mould,it's still probably the best all round package available.
So enjoy,and health to drive everyone!

A very rational synopsis. Well said sir.

[ORD]

I agree too.

I cannot think of a proper road car, other than a Lotus, that I would choose over the 718 if I had to buy a new 2-seater. Not many people would consider a Lotus.

[Sparkyhd]

I guess the acid test will be sales volumes. High sales won't appease those that prefer the 981 but Porsche is a business, not a club, so if the 718 attracts a bigger market it'll be the correct decision.

I'd still prefer my KitKat wrapped in foil but no point in hankering for days gone by.

[nsm3]

_Leg_ said:

ags11 said:

(Leg - referring to the 718) having not driven or heard it, by all accounts the steering & handling are a step up too.

It's no different to a 981 in terms of steering and handling. Nothing different at all. Back to back on the same roads at the same pace on the same day, it felt identical.

ags11 said:

if anyone's in the market for a new car in the cayster mould,it's still probably the best all round package available.

Agree with that.

I agree with that assessment. I couldn't detect any difference between the 2 cars other than one had a slight lag to throttle inputs and was a little bit faster, say 3/4 mph faster on any given section of road?

Edit to add: I hope my comments don't cause anyone to seek a 'PH Safespace'?

[ags11]

I guess the majority on here are at the more enthusiastic end of the spectrum - more interested in the dynamics of the thing.
What proportion of Porsche buyers that value the same things, is another question.
I'd assume relatively few? Maybe I'm wrong in that,I dunno!

[_Leg_]

TB303 said:

_Leg_ said:

ags11 said:

(Leg - referring to the 718) having not driven or heard it, by all accounts the steering & handling are a step up too.

It's no different to a 981 in terms of steering and handling. Nothing different at all. Back to back on the same roads at the same pace on the same day, it felt identical.

Not true. The 718 has a 10% faster rack - the same as the 981 Spyder (derived from the 911 Turbo):

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/porsche/718-ca...

When you drive one back to back with a 981 like I did as per the video I posted, what differences did you perceive?

I found none and I drove one immediately after the other on the same roads at the same speeds.

[Sparkyhd]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Like I said "High sales won't appease those that prefer the 981..."

I genuinely feel (honestly, not being sardonic) for the enthusiasts who can no longer get what they want from the Cayster range. Hope the GT4 is NASP with the right sound then everyone can get what they want.

[TB303]

_Leg_ said:

When you drive one back to back with a 981 like I did as per the video I posted, what differences did you perceive?

I found none and I drove one immediately after the other on the same roads at the same speeds.

I've driven the 718 but not next to the normal 981 (mine's a spyder).

Not arguing you didn't feel a difference, merely quoting the specs.

[Sparkyhd]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm assuming proposing a Toyota GT86 is offensive?

[Twinfan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They are WORLDS apart in every way. We've just sold ours after having it for four fun years, but driving it back to back with my CGTS you can understand why one is half the price of the other...

[Sparkyhd]

Twinfan said:

They are WORLDS apart in every way. We've just sold ours after having it for four fun years, but driving it back to back with my CGTS you can understand why one is half the price of the other...

Could you get equal fun from both? Did you get twice as much fun from the Porsche?

[JayK12]

_Leg_ said:

TB303 said:

_Leg_ said:

ags11 said:

(Leg - referring to the 718) having not driven or heard it, by all accounts the steering & handling are a step up too.

It's no different to a 981 in terms of steering and handling. Nothing different at all. Back to back on the same roads at the same pace on the same day, it felt identical.

Not true. The 718 has a 10% faster rack - the same as the 981 Spyder (derived from the 911 Turbo):

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/porsche/718-ca...

When you drive one back to back with a 981 like I did as per the video I posted, what differences did you perceive?

I found none and I drove one immediately after the other on the same roads at the same speeds.

I found the steering of the 718 better than the 981, felt sharper and had more feel. But blasting through the twisty lanes I didn't find it smooth driving, left more on an off, with some lag making it like that. Not impressed with the throttle response.

[Twinfan]

Sparkyhd said:

Could you get equal fun from both? Did you get twice as much fun from the Porsche?

Define "fun".....

GT86 was fun for hooning about - back end out round roundabouts etc - but you were always aware of the lack of grip. Stickier tyres would have fixed that but then you lose what the car was designed for. The engine is rough, agricultural and gutless - fuelling is not smooth, it's jerky and abrupt. Ride quality is also very bumpy and crashy.

It was certainly enjoyable on the right day and when I was in the mood to steal the keys from my wife (it was her car). The CGTS is better in every single way and makes me smile more to drive

[n17ves]

JayK12 said:

_Leg_ said:

TB303 said:

_Leg_ said:

ags11 said:

(Leg - referring to the 718) having not driven or heard it, by all accounts the steering & handling are a step up too.

It's no different to a 981 in terms of steering and handling. Nothing different at all. Back to back on the same roads at the same pace on the same day, it felt identical.

Not true. The 718 has a 10% faster rack - the same as the 981 Spyder (derived from the 911 Turbo):

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/porsche/718-ca...

When you drive one back to back with a 981 like I did as per the video I posted, what differences did you perceive?

I found none and I drove one immediately after the other on the same roads at the same speeds.

I found the steering of the 718 better than the 981, felt sharper and had more feel. But blasting through the twisty lanes I didn't find it smooth driving, left more on an off, with some lag making it like that. Not impressed with the throttle response.

I also found the steering in 718 better than the 981 (yes I did drive them back to back) - sharper turn in (probably the quicker rack) and more feel when compared to the 981 S. Annoyingly it felt similar to my GT4....if it wasn't for the dull 4 cylinder engine, it would be an outstanding car for the price.

[_Leg_]

Twinfan said:

Define "fun".....

Nailed it.

I own this. It's 2 cylinders, sounds like a lawnmower, won't do more than 65 and that's if I can find a straight long enough to get to 65. I have just as much fun in this as I do in my F12. No, I lie, I laugh a great deal more on this than anything I own. I'm laughing looking at the picture. Silly car.

[Sparkyhd]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Using the same process as for measuring the quality of sound I guess.

[_Leg_]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Lol. Spat my coffee then.

[Malo]

JayK12 said:

I found the steering of the 718 better than the 981, felt sharper and had more feel. But blasting through the twisty lanes I didn't find it smooth driving, left more on an off, with some lag making it like that. Not impressed with the throttle response.

I actually found the steering less involving on the Cayman I borrowed. Maybe something to do with that car having standard suspension, and my 981s having PASM.

[dreamcar]

JayK12 said:

I found the steering of the 718 better than the 981, felt sharper and had more feel. But blasting through the twisty lanes I didn't find it smooth driving, left more on an off, with some lag making it like that. Not impressed with the throttle response.

I also found 718 steering noticeably quicker than my car, at least at Silverstone PEC. Although quicker didn't feel quite as precise as my BGTS but that maybe down to PCCB on my car.