718 review - test drove today
Discussion
RSVP911 said:
Looking at this thread I'd say the jury is very much against - sounds to me like everyones fears have come to fruition and Porsche have ruined the Boxster - crying shame 
I did say of those who have actually driven the car - not those who haven't. I think at the moment it's 6:1 in favour with only Dreamcar against, but I may have missed someone. Sure many others feel some reports confirm their preconceptions, but of those who were prepared to give it a try most clearly were impressed overall... So FarHaving driven 981's and 718's in recent months (both fantastic cars)I'm more than happy I ordered the 718. The power, breaks,steering,handling, all have the edge over the 981. As far as the sound, yes I will miss that after 14yrs of Boxster ownership, but the pluses more than makes up for the loss.
bcr5784 said:
I did say of those who have actually driven the car - not those who haven't. I think at the moment it's 6:1 in favour with only Dreamcar against, but I may have missed someone. Sure many others feel some reports confirm their preconceptions, but of those who were prepared to give it a try most clearly were impressed overall... So Far
Ok , I must admit I haven't followed it in forensic detail - but the general tone gives an impression that the opposite of your stats is true - I stand corrected , but unconvinced - I guess I need to drive one , but I can't be bothered as , on point of principle , I will never own a 718 unless they put a 6 cylinder naturally aspirated engine in one 
RSVP911 said:
on point of principle
that's fair enough. but i can't help asking myself why the total focus on the engine and none - whatsoever - on the chassis?does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
on point of principle, isn't the chassis, if anything, more important than the engine? and does a convertible even have a place on the race track?
this isn't aimed at you specifically BTW RSVP911. just genuine curiosity.
Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 25th May 14:29
JasonSteel said:
RSVP911 said:
on point of principle
that's fair enough. but i can't help asking myself why the total focus on the engine and none - whatsoever - on the chassis?does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
on point of principle, isn't the chassis, if anything, more important than the engine? and does a convertible even have a place on the race track?
It's so sad to think what could have been. To make an even awesomer (sic!) Cayster, all they had to do was go back to 2.9 litres for the base model, give the new S the GTS tune, the new GTS the 991 Carrera tune, put the 7 speed manual box from the 991 GTS in as the manual option (ideally with a slightly shorter final drive for both that and the PDK), the steering they used for the 718 and a slightly firmer brake pedal. Then whatever cosmetic/PCM work to keep it fresh and job jobbed. 981 Cayster turned up from 10 to 11.
JasonSteel said:
why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
The 981 Boxster shows no more scuttle shake than a carbon tub Mclaren and is almost as rigid as a 981 Cayman.Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 25th May 14:29
981 Boxster is not very much floppier than a 981 Cayman.
All this talk of "better brakes" makes almost no sense. Brake feel is what matters on the road, and that has only ever got worse over time. If you are running out of braking in a 981 or 987, you are on track and driving very hard.
The brakes in any of these cars will stop you within the distance the tyres will allow, so any difference in theoretical stopping power is immaterial. Fade, which is the real problem with brakes, will only be an issue on track or very hard road driving.
The kind of drivers that want a "easy torque" for "real world driving" are hardly likely to use more than half the pedal travel, let alone experience brake fade.
All this talk of "better brakes" makes almost no sense. Brake feel is what matters on the road, and that has only ever got worse over time. If you are running out of braking in a 981 or 987, you are on track and driving very hard.
The brakes in any of these cars will stop you within the distance the tyres will allow, so any difference in theoretical stopping power is immaterial. Fade, which is the real problem with brakes, will only be an issue on track or very hard road driving.
The kind of drivers that want a "easy torque" for "real world driving" are hardly likely to use more than half the pedal travel, let alone experience brake fade.
JasonSteel said:
that's fair enough. but i can't help asking myself why the total focus on the engine and none - whatsoever - on the chassis?
does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
I'm sure the chassis is great and better than any of the previous iterations but the problem with the 718 is not just the engine. The styling is an issue too. The Cayman 718 in particular now looks like a 'sporty hatchback' (like a scirocco) rather than a sports car. People used to recognize Porsche styling from a distance. With the 718 many won't know what make of car it is until they see the badge.does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
boxsey said:
The styling is an issue too.
WRT to styling from where i'm looking the new car improves on the outgoing model. the 981 certainly doesn't want for looks, but i always had, and still have, issues with the rear of the car. the 718 improves on this considerably, though it still needs work. it's not a deal breaker though by any means, and overall i don't think there's much that comes close to the Cayman in terms of style or substance for the same money. take the new TTRS for example, samish money as the Cayman S, but that one i do think looks a lot more like a hot hatch and i wouldn't even consider it over the Cayman.again, it's a matter of to each his/her own.
boxsey said:
JasonSteel said:
that's fair enough. but i can't help asking myself why the total focus on the engine and none - whatsoever - on the chassis?
does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
I'm sure the chassis is great and better than any of the previous iterations but the problem with the 718 is not just the engine. The styling is an issue too. The Cayman 718 in particular now looks like a 'sporty hatchback' (like a scirocco) rather than a sports car. People used to recognize Porsche styling from a distance. With the 718 many won't know what make of car it is until they see the badge.does an improved chassis, brakes and so on not add something to the drive, and why aren't you all driving Caymans instead of Boxsters anyway? the former has a much more rigid chassis and so from a 'purist' point of view should be chosen over the latter.
Back to your point. I don't see have the 718 Cayster could not be recognised or mistaken for anything else, certainly not a TT/Scirocco or Bettle. They are still recognisable as Porkas to me.
Twinfan said:
Look at the bumper design - use of reflectors and the general blown out/soapbar shape. The 981 is much more distinctive with the spoiler extending into the lights and no additional reflectors. The 718/Beetle/Scirrocco all look far more similar to me...
I can see what you are getting at but there is no way I'd think, oh... is that the new Beetle or Scirocco. The 718 definitely has a softer look about it though. I don't feel it has dated the 981 one at all.Twinfan said:
Look at the bumper design - use of reflectors and the general blown out/soapbar shape. The 981 is much more distinctive with the spoiler extending into the lights and no additional reflectors. The 718/Beetle/Scirrocco all look far more similar to me...
strange. looking at your own examples my eyes tell me the exact opposite - the 981 is closer to both of those other cars WRT the look of the rear lights and the car in general. but there's hardly any resemblance in either case anyway and the shape (of the Cayman in particular) can only be Porsche. as for the new car dating the old, i've been looking at the 718 a lot for obvious reasons, and the 981 is indeed starting to look a bit dated to me now, but only in the same way the 991 makes the 996/7 look dated. to some that makes the 996/7 more appealing, to others only the 991 will do.
i prefer the more aggressive and masculine look of the 718. it may not be your thing but for me it's just what the Cayman needed.
Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 25th May 17:33
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