RE: Porsche 718 Boxster S: Review
Discussion
Some right cack posted in here about Boxsters being hairdressers cars and what have you. I suspect by people who have never been driven in one properly.
I love my 981S and I have plenty of cars to choose from including much more exotic and powerful stuff. Classics, Super, Sports and a race car. My Boxster isn't seen by me as a poor relation to any of them, quite the opposite.
It's a perfectly balanced sports car with a superb engine and gearbox, great pedal layout for heel toe and a drive as involving as much more expensive kit.
As for the 315bhp my S has, as much as I own cars with nigh on double that I'll be the first to admit, it's more than enough for the road. Any more is cock waving and we all know it.
On a public road, of course in a world where there are no speed limits officer, you would have to have a serious lack of interest in other people's safety and not care about being an utterly rude b*stard to drive faster than is possible in a 981 Boxster S frankly.
I doubt I'll go for the new one but I'm gonna be a weirdo and test drive one before I decide. Mad idea eh. Rolls eyes, wanders off muttering.
Oh, and I like the new MX5RF too. Very brave of Mazda to do something so unusual. Well done them. That's a hairdressers car too I believe? Maybe I need to consider a new career? Short back and sides anyone? Now then Sir, where are you going on your holidays this year? See, I've already got the banter down.
I love my 981S and I have plenty of cars to choose from including much more exotic and powerful stuff. Classics, Super, Sports and a race car. My Boxster isn't seen by me as a poor relation to any of them, quite the opposite.
It's a perfectly balanced sports car with a superb engine and gearbox, great pedal layout for heel toe and a drive as involving as much more expensive kit.
As for the 315bhp my S has, as much as I own cars with nigh on double that I'll be the first to admit, it's more than enough for the road. Any more is cock waving and we all know it.
On a public road, of course in a world where there are no speed limits officer, you would have to have a serious lack of interest in other people's safety and not care about being an utterly rude b*stard to drive faster than is possible in a 981 Boxster S frankly.
I doubt I'll go for the new one but I'm gonna be a weirdo and test drive one before I decide. Mad idea eh. Rolls eyes, wanders off muttering.
Oh, and I like the new MX5RF too. Very brave of Mazda to do something so unusual. Well done them. That's a hairdressers car too I believe? Maybe I need to consider a new career? Short back and sides anyone? Now then Sir, where are you going on your holidays this year? See, I've already got the banter down.
This could be interesting for the competition.
The Jag and Lotus offerings are the two bookends - one sharp and dynamic, the other sounds immense and is more wafty. The previous generations seemed to go closer to the Lotus in the drive, with the NA6 loving revs and being driven. Now it's shifted closer to the Jag, with loads of torque and a much 'easier' pace to cross country.
I wonder if this will help Lotus sell more, and Jaguar less?
The Jag and Lotus offerings are the two bookends - one sharp and dynamic, the other sounds immense and is more wafty. The previous generations seemed to go closer to the Lotus in the drive, with the NA6 loving revs and being driven. Now it's shifted closer to the Jag, with loads of torque and a much 'easier' pace to cross country.
I wonder if this will help Lotus sell more, and Jaguar less?
leglessAlex said:
The F-Type Convertible is a direct competitor and I think it can also be compared to the Exige S Roadster.
I think the Exige S would maybe only be considered by enthusiasts but I would be surprised if someone was looking for a £50-60k convertible and didn't consider the F-Type. Sure, it's still forced induction but to my ears it has a nicer sound than the flat four of the Porsche.
Crank driven supercharged are rather different than turbochargers - there's no restriction in the exhaust to muffle the exhaust pulses. Aside from a slight whine from the supercharger itself spinning so fast, there's usually no appreciable difference in sound between a supercharged engine and a naturally aspirated one. I think the Exige S would maybe only be considered by enthusiasts but I would be surprised if someone was looking for a £50-60k convertible and didn't consider the F-Type. Sure, it's still forced induction but to my ears it has a nicer sound than the flat four of the Porsche.
There should be an Evora convertible coming out fairly soon, although it'll be a fair chunk more expensive than the Boxster.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 5th April 07:52
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Were it that simple, eh!Simply, is the 718 s
t? No. Is it faster, sharper and more flexible than the six-cylinder cars while using a bit less fuel? Yes.
Do you sacrifice some of the previous car's character for this? Yes.
Does it cost a lot of money and even more if you put together a half decent options package? Yes.
I don't think we shirked from any of the above in the story! And exploring the nuances around the above points isn't copping out or sucking up to Porsche, it's where the real interest is. There are plenty of boring cars in the market; this isn't one of them. Better/worse? Both, as it goes but whether or not it appeals to the likes of us is something to be debated here and I'm enjoying reading what people think.
Cheers,
Dan
Compared to the old 981 Boxster for people like us, its not as good but there is more to the car buying public and car buying world than us. It'll sell and even some of us will buy a second hand one in a few years.
Around £40k+ for a four cylinder car is not unusual and hasn't stopped people buying them - Merc A45, New Merc E220 diesel, base Macan.
Some countries have an engine size based tax system and the base 718 with a 2.0 litre engine opens up a new markets to Porsche.
There are some buyers who just want the newest car, because newest is best. Or there are people who want to buy a Porsche and hang everything else.
To me a spec'ing up base Boxster to £50k makes more sensethan the 944 Turbo did last week for the money.
& the Boxster still sits in its own unique place in the market - useable every day but a proper sports car (for most people) - unlike the TT or a Lotus.
Around £40k+ for a four cylinder car is not unusual and hasn't stopped people buying them - Merc A45, New Merc E220 diesel, base Macan.
Some countries have an engine size based tax system and the base 718 with a 2.0 litre engine opens up a new markets to Porsche.
There are some buyers who just want the newest car, because newest is best. Or there are people who want to buy a Porsche and hang everything else.
To me a spec'ing up base Boxster to £50k makes more sensethan the 944 Turbo did last week for the money.
& the Boxster still sits in its own unique place in the market - useable every day but a proper sports car (for most people) - unlike the TT or a Lotus.
Seems like they have the polished it quite well on the chassis side etc.
For the engine, forgetting the sound and lack of cylinders just for one moment, it's interesting it seems to feel more turbocharged than the 991.2 turbo engine, more old school with it more non linear and boosty.
I don't see too many of these driven quickly, on a B road you are more likely to have an ST200 or such blasting about, and it seems they still are a nice car and nice drive at 7/10th so will suit the middle class and middle aged drivers who flock to them. Might need a bit more money though.
Shame Porsche did not do a downsized 6 cyl with downsized weight and size and shorter gearing. Just for the PH folk. 1100kg with high revving 2.4 and 4th topping out at 110mph for instance. Rose tinted glasses and all that.
Mind you, think of the remaps on this ....
At the end of the day, still a good car.
For the engine, forgetting the sound and lack of cylinders just for one moment, it's interesting it seems to feel more turbocharged than the 991.2 turbo engine, more old school with it more non linear and boosty.
I don't see too many of these driven quickly, on a B road you are more likely to have an ST200 or such blasting about, and it seems they still are a nice car and nice drive at 7/10th so will suit the middle class and middle aged drivers who flock to them. Might need a bit more money though.
Shame Porsche did not do a downsized 6 cyl with downsized weight and size and shorter gearing. Just for the PH folk. 1100kg with high revving 2.4 and 4th topping out at 110mph for instance. Rose tinted glasses and all that.
Mind you, think of the remaps on this ....
At the end of the day, still a good car.
Dan Trent said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Were it that simple, eh!Simply, is the 718 s
t? No. Is it faster, sharper and more flexible than the six-cylinder cars while using a bit less fuel? Yes.
Do you sacrifice some of the previous car's character for this? Yes.
Does it cost a lot of money and even more if you put together a half decent options package? Yes.
I don't think we shirked from any of the above in the story! And exploring the nuances around the above points isn't copping out or sucking up to Porsche, it's where the real interest is. There are plenty of boring cars in the market; this isn't one of them. Better/worse? Both, as it goes but whether or not it appeals to the likes of us is something to be debated here and I'm enjoying reading what people think.
Cheers,
Dan
Your piece tallied with other reviews, though your said it rev'd out well and some others say best to stick to midrange as does not. I guess it makes a fist of it up at high revs but not quite as scalpel sharp ?
You'll have to test drive the base Boxster against the new BBR MX5 when they turbocharge it up to about the same bhp figure .. cars are similar now
From sniff petrol
Porsche has released some early information about its next generation Boxster and Cayman range, including crucial details about how defensive its owners will be.
The biggest change is that the cars will be powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine which Porsche says offers efficiency benefits and more than adequate performance or, as owners will put it, ‘better economy, actually’ and ‘faster than an old generation 911 in the real world, actually’.
Despite the loss of two cylinders, the company says these new engines will be tuned to make a pleasant exhaust sound that will cause owners to write at length on internet forums about how ‘it doesn’t bother me, actually’.
As before, the Boxster and Cayman will be mid-engined or, as owners will put it, ‘better balanced, actually’.
Porsche has also revealed that the new cars will be grouped under the new 718 model designation which it believes will bring logic to the range while allowing owners to say ‘it’s an historic badge, actually’ and claim that it appeals to ‘people who actually known their stuff, actually’.
Prices for the new cars have yet to be confirmed but are likely to be around the ‘I could have easily afforded a 911 but I chose this, actually’ mark.
Porsche has released some early information about its next generation Boxster and Cayman range, including crucial details about how defensive its owners will be.
The biggest change is that the cars will be powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine which Porsche says offers efficiency benefits and more than adequate performance or, as owners will put it, ‘better economy, actually’ and ‘faster than an old generation 911 in the real world, actually’.
Despite the loss of two cylinders, the company says these new engines will be tuned to make a pleasant exhaust sound that will cause owners to write at length on internet forums about how ‘it doesn’t bother me, actually’.
As before, the Boxster and Cayman will be mid-engined or, as owners will put it, ‘better balanced, actually’.
Porsche has also revealed that the new cars will be grouped under the new 718 model designation which it believes will bring logic to the range while allowing owners to say ‘it’s an historic badge, actually’ and claim that it appeals to ‘people who actually known their stuff, actually’.
Prices for the new cars have yet to be confirmed but are likely to be around the ‘I could have easily afforded a 911 but I chose this, actually’ mark.
Gandahar said:
Hi Dan,
Your piece tallied with other reviews, though your said it rev'd out well and some others say best to stick to midrange as does not. I guess it makes a fist of it up at high revs but not quite as scalpel sharp ?
You'll have to test drive the base Boxster against the new BBR MX5 when they turbocharge it up to about the same bhp figure .. cars are similar now
I was impressed at how keen it was to rev but, given the long gearing and the speeds you'd be doing while exploring this end of the performance scale, let's just say opportunities to enjoy this on the road are limited. Meaning you inevitably spend more time in the mid-range, but then the same was true of the six-cylinder too. And here the turbo engine has a clear advantage in terms of usable performance, if not emotional appeal. I'd suspect given it runs less boost and has the variable vane turbo the 2.5 *might* be keener to work higher in the rev range than the 2.0 too but we'll have to see I guess. They're both oversquare so you'd hope this has a bearing on their willingness to rev. Your piece tallied with other reviews, though your said it rev'd out well and some others say best to stick to midrange as does not. I guess it makes a fist of it up at high revs but not quite as scalpel sharp ?
You'll have to test drive the base Boxster against the new BBR MX5 when they turbocharge it up to about the same bhp figure .. cars are similar now
Cheers,
Dan
Sway said:
This could be interesting for the competition.
The Jag and Lotus offerings are the two bookends - one sharp and dynamic, the other sounds immense and is more wafty. The previous generations seemed to go closer to the Lotus in the drive, with the NA6 loving revs and being driven. Now it's shifted closer to the Jag, with loads of torque and a much 'easier' pace to cross country.
I wonder if this will help Lotus sell more, and Jaguar less?
Interesting point. I have seen more people driving Porsches up to Lotus dealerships and making a purchase. Additionally, one of the biggest Lotus dealers, Bell & Colvill, do have quite a few Porsches on their forecourt taken as px.The Jag and Lotus offerings are the two bookends - one sharp and dynamic, the other sounds immense and is more wafty. The previous generations seemed to go closer to the Lotus in the drive, with the NA6 loving revs and being driven. Now it's shifted closer to the Jag, with loads of torque and a much 'easier' pace to cross country.
I wonder if this will help Lotus sell more, and Jaguar less?
With the new Elise and Exige expected in a couple of years, which are rumoured to have much better egress due to significantly lower sills, may be the space being vacated by Porsche can be filled by something British? (Please excuse the blasphemy)
MyCC said:
A 3-cylinder turbo would have at least had more character and would actually be closer in sound to the early early 911s! 4 Cylinders are just so unlovable in a sports car, Honda VTec in S2k the exception.
Regards,
MyCC.
Would an inline-3 really be any more "exotic" than a boxer-4? I'm not sure it would fit anyway; the Boxster's engine bay isn't very tall. Regards,
MyCC.
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