718 review - test drove today

[pencil9]

Had a 718 overnight did 220 miles in it. It's the first boxer I have ever driven! Did everything well sounds good, very very fast pops and bangs steers well brakes well,etc nicely finished, all that power from a 2.0l ! Funny how the auto box "drops" out when off the gas, but soon catches up, a good car and good value too! Now picked up my spyder!! 150 miles in today! It's all about that flat 6 nasp engine, even the wife agrees and that's something! It rides smother too without the stop start nonsense !! Very happy day!!

[finestjammy]

I could be seriously tempted with a base 718 Cayman. In the real world I imagine the performance between a base 718 and my 987.2 S is minimal. The only thing putting me off, is the fact it's a two litre, but not for the reasons people might think. I specifically looked for an over 2.0 car as the advisory fuel rate is so much better. I have to get circa 25 mpg to break even with business mileage for my 3.4, on a 2.0 it's over 40 mpg. I don't mind in the slightest for private mileage but it grates a little if it costs me money to travel on business.

Unless the engine size is 2001? Best check

[action09]

Drove the 718 2.0 yesterday, very impressed. Was a manual.

Firstly - it sounds great (no PSE) and nothing like a Subaru that detractors mention.

Really pulls well, seems to carry momentum during a gear change, hard to explain but its not chromo rev matching I mean it just seems to have a little surge when off the power - as I said sounds strange.

Performance wise - I had a 981 Cayman S - which this feels just about the same, definitely no noticeable lag.

Handling - nothing to say, just so well balanced.

New PCM makes a huge difference, look so much more modern.

Only downside - I was overtaking by a Ford GT, tbf I let him past so I could hear it :-) But to be really fair - he'd have got past anyway!

Verdict, great car that looks a little it better than 981 - roll on 17th June when mine arrives.

[Cpb1702]

So a brand new S for non S money? Cant help but think sounds like a bargain!

For people wanting a new car this is a serious proposition.

Specced mine on the configurator to £47500 k

19 wheels
GT silver
Parking sensors
Cruise
Sat nav
Pdk
PSE

Everything you need. Just need to understand the numbers.

Approx £2k down. Sub £600 a month. Anyone else had a finance quote?

[JasonSteel]

Cpb1702 said:

Approx £2k down. Sub £600 a month. Anyone else had a finance quote?

sub £600 sounds too low with only £2k down. did you click the 'update' button on the configurator?

i found when using it that the initial quote was always wrong and i needed to update to get the correct figure.

one quote came in at £150/month and as you can imagine i was looking for the 'buy' button

[ORD]

finestjammy said:

I could be seriously tempted with a base 718 Cayman. In the real world I imagine the performance between a base 718 and my 987.2 S is minimal. The only thing putting me off, is the fact it's a two litre, but not for the reasons people might think. I specifically looked for an over 2.0 car as the advisory fuel rate is so much better. I have to get circa 25 mpg to break even with business mileage for my 3.4, on a 2.0 it's over 40 mpg. I don't mind in the slightest for private mileage but it grates a little if it costs me money to travel on business.

Unless the engine size is 2001? Best check

Your current car has a vastly better engine and is otherwise almost identical. This would be an extreme version of changing cars just to change cars.

[chrispmartha]

ORD said:

Your current car has a vastly better engine and is otherwise almost identical. This would be an extreme version of changing cars just to change cars.

The 987 is not almost idential to a 718 surely?

[AndyCGTS]

dreamcar said:

JeffC said:

Twinfan said:

I was out in my CGTS today and Porsche can make all the minor interior and exterior 'tweaks' they want, the utterly glorious-ness of a naturally aspirated flat six will never be equalled by a turbo'd flat four. It's the heart and soul of car, and so much more than just the power plant.

The 981 is just a fabulous platform for a road car...

+2

+ 3

+4

[ORD]

chrispmartha said:

ORD said:

Your current car has a vastly better engine and is otherwise almost identical. This would be an extreme version of changing cars just to change cars.

The 987 is not almost idential to a 718 surely?

I misread that as 981.2.

Still, not terribly different! A lot of people would struggle to tell the difference between a 981 and a 987.2 in terms of how it drives.

[Mario149]

ORD said:

finestjammy said:

I could be seriously tempted with a base 718 Cayman. In the real world I imagine the performance between a base 718 and my 987.2 S is minimal. The only thing putting me off, is the fact it's a two litre, but not for the reasons people might think. I specifically looked for an over 2.0 car as the advisory fuel rate is so much better. I have to get circa 25 mpg to break even with business mileage for my 3.4, on a 2.0 it's over 40 mpg. I don't mind in the slightest for private mileage but it grates a little if it costs me money to travel on business.

Unless the engine size is 2001? Best check

Your current car has a vastly better engine and is otherwise almost identical. This would be an extreme version of changing cars just to change cars.

Ref engines, I started this thread the other day....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[finestjammy]

Mario149 said:

Ref engines, I started this thread the other day....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Yes, I know I know As a daily though (if it was a tiny bit over 2000cc) I think it would be a good bet? I'm not doing anything immediately, I'll wait for the dust to settle, reviews and experiences to come in, be my usual indecisive self and probably not do anything

PS
Love the BMW V10...if only it had been paired with a manual it would have been perfection

[Mario149]

finestjammy said:

PS
Love the BMW V10...if only it had been paired with a manual it would have been perfection

It was, but it was only available in the USA!

[Bennachie]

Looking more and more like a truck for me next..........

Macan or RS Q5

at least they have 6 pots

[gstev]

In response to ORD, currently have 987.2S and have recently test drove 718S and 981S, I think both are far better around cars. I bought the 981S as did not think was enough of a differentiator to justify 718 purchase.

[ORD]

I just cannot see it, I am afraid. The 981 has the same engine, worse steering, worse brakes and a slightly better chassis. It's marginal either way - perhaps slightly better; perhaps slightly worse.

I've not driven the 718 but understand that the chassis is noticeably better and the steering is improved.

[Porsche911R]

ORD said:

I just cannot see it, I am afraid. The 981 has the same engine, worse steering, worse brakes and a slightly better chassis. It's marginal either way - perhaps slightly better; perhaps slightly worse.

I've not driven the 718 but understand that the chassis is noticeably better and the steering is improved.

the 718 is the 981 SPyder with a new engine. ie all the same parts the 981 Spyder has, sus, steering brakes etc etc.

[ORD]

Porsche911R said:

ORD said:

I just cannot see it, I am afraid. The 981 has the same engine, worse steering, worse brakes and a slightly better chassis. It's marginal either way - perhaps slightly better; perhaps slightly worse.

I've not driven the 718 but understand that the chassis is noticeably better and the steering is improved.

the 718 is the 981 SPyder with a new engine. ie all the same parts the 981 Spyder has, sus, steering brakes etc etc.

Thanks. I didn't know that. Reviews have made it sound like a very substantial change, but it's really just a good 981 with a bad engine.

[castroses]

Porsche911R said:

ORD said:

I just cannot see it, I am afraid. The 981 has the same engine, worse steering, worse brakes and a slightly better chassis. It's marginal either way - perhaps slightly better; perhaps slightly worse.

I've not driven the 718 but understand that the chassis is noticeably better and the steering is improved.

the 718 is the 981 SPyder with a new engine. ie all the same parts the 981 Spyder has, sus, steering brakes etc etc.

LOLOL - cool story bro.......

[Porsche911R]

castroses said:

LOLOL - cool story bro.......

I think my bother now lives in Countesthorpe. Odd !

But back to the 718 using the same parts, that bit seems true :-)

Same sus set up, same 991 turbo steering, same new 991 brakes and calipers etc etc.

All these cars just now all use the same parts.

[action09]

ORD said:

Thanks. I didn't know that. Reviews have made it sound like a very substantial change, but it's really just a good 981 with a bad engine.

Bad engine, what is your basis? Have you driven a 718? Have you heard it? Or are you like the majority on here believeing everything you read?

Yes it is only 4 cyclinders but really are you that steeped in Porsche history you cannot take the change?

I previously had a 981 Cayman S and drove the 718 (2.0) at the weekend and that engine is far from bad, its maybe bad if you dont want a car that pulls from idle right through the rev range.

Forums are all about opinions but have your own opinion and not that of some journo.