718 review - test drove today
Discussion
Mario149 said:
Monkey reviews the 718, pretty balanced but it does get a bit of a slating.
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/chris-ha...
Interesting last line though:
"Despite the extra speed, I’d prefer a nearly new six-cylinder car from last year, but here’s the bit that will really stick in the craw of the opposition: even though Porsche has made the new Boxster less desirable than the old Boxster, it is still by far the best car of its type."
Good article! the line about improving it ways that would be laudable in a family saloon, is in my opinion, spot on.http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/chris-ha...
Interesting last line though:
"Despite the extra speed, I’d prefer a nearly new six-cylinder car from last year, but here’s the bit that will really stick in the craw of the opposition: even though Porsche has made the new Boxster less desirable than the old Boxster, it is still by far the best car of its type."
Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 21st June 08:59
Mario149 said:
even though Porsche has made the new Boxster less desirable than the old Boxster, it is still by far the best car of its type.
Excellent summary IMO.Insofar as I drove the Lotus cars before choosing a manual 981'S' I'm sure Cayman buyers would have to think harder before swerving away from a manual Lotus to, say, a 4-pot Porsche in the almost default PDK spec'.
Nonetheless, that 9-second Porsche roof on the Boxster remains a big draw for convertible buyers. To my mind Z4 and SLK aren't really in the same game but others may prefer to lean that way if they want a 6.
Can't help thinking Mr P will eventually find a way to stick a 911 engine in the back of 718 - at a price. i.e. GTS/Spyder.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Can't help thinking Mr P will eventually find a way to stick a 911 engine in the back of 718 - at a price. i.e. GTS/Spyder.
I'd bet good money the 6cyl will return in the next GT4. And to be able once again to buy a 6cyl Cayman in a year or two's time will cost an extra £20k.Ozzie Osmond said:
Excellent summary IMO.
Insofar as I drove the Lotus cars before choosing a manual 981'S' I'm sure Cayman buyers would have to think harder before swerving away from a manual Lotus to, say, a 4-pot Porsche in the almost default PDK spec'.
they've made the engine less desirable but clearly those that are buying the car find it more desirable overall. yes, the noise is nowhere near as accomplished as it was, but the handling is better, it's faster, quicker and has some standard equipment that used to be optional.Insofar as I drove the Lotus cars before choosing a manual 981'S' I'm sure Cayman buyers would have to think harder before swerving away from a manual Lotus to, say, a 4-pot Porsche in the almost default PDK spec'.
the styling is what it is. some (me included), think it's an improvement over an already great looking car. others will prefer the outgoing model... that's pretty much normal isn't it?
as far as the comparison to the Lotus is concerned, they could put a V12 in it and i'd still be going for the Cayman because i prefer the styling, the presence and the build quality, which is in a different league.
JasonSteel said:
DJMC said:
I'd bet good money the 6cyl will return in the next GT4. And to be able once again to buy a 6cyl Cayman in a year or two's time will cost an extra £20k.
how does one increase the likelihood of securing a GT4 at list price? or is that wishful thinking?
:Mario149 said:
it is still by far the best car of its type."
I am just hoping the new Alpine provides a real alternative. They are (for me) saying the right things - more mainstream/practical than an Elise or 4C but lighter and (hopefully) more compact than a Cayman. To introduce it just after the 718 has produced mixed reactions seems to be ideal for Renault (in marketing terms).Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 21st June 08:59
Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 22 June 08:44
Blame Alfa - they started it with their 4-pot 4C at well over £50,000!
But more muppets are queuing up to spend that money on a 4-pot diesel Evoque...
http://listers.co.uk/New/Cars/Land_Rover/Range_Rov...
But more muppets are queuing up to spend that money on a 4-pot diesel Evoque...
http://listers.co.uk/New/Cars/Land_Rover/Range_Rov...
Ozzie said:
Blame Alfa - they started it with their 4-pot 4C at well over £50,000!
But more muppets are queuing up to spend that money on a 4-pot diesel Evoque...
http://listers.co.uk/New/Cars/Land_Rover/Range_Rov...
Go for the far more stylish convertible surely?: http://www.landrover.co.uk/vehicles/range-rover-ev...But more muppets are queuing up to spend that money on a 4-pot diesel Evoque...
http://listers.co.uk/New/Cars/Land_Rover/Range_Rov...
DJMC said:
Go for the far more stylish convertible surely?: http://www.landrover.co.uk/vehicles/range-rover-ev...
Oh yes! But I think I'll wait for the version with automatic parking. Unlike the system fitted to current Mercedes models, which parks the car inconveniently at the kerb, Range Rover are perfecting one which parks the car "off road", exactly half a metre up on the pavement outside the shops...
Drove both 718 models today at the PEC. It's really not a bad car. I still prefer the flat 6s, but it doesn't sound *that* bad. The S is very quick indeed. The chassis is undeniable of course, but we knew that....
That said, I was very happy to get back in the flat 6 981 Spyder which just feels so right.
If they were 5k cheaper they'd sell like hot cakes but it'd feel wrong to hand over this kind of money for a flat 4 turbo.
That said, I was very happy to get back in the flat 6 981 Spyder which just feels so right.
If they were 5k cheaper they'd sell like hot cakes but it'd feel wrong to hand over this kind of money for a flat 4 turbo.
TB303 said:
Drove both 718 models today at the PEC. It's really not a bad car. I still prefer the flat 6s, but it doesn't sound *that* bad. The S is very quick indeed. The chassis is undeniable of course, but we knew that....
That said, I was very happy to get back in the flat 6 981 Spyder which just feels so right.
If they were 5k cheaper they'd sell like hot cakes but it'd feel wrong to hand over this kind of money for a flat 4 turbo.
Agree - I enjoyed a drive in the 718 S a couple of weekends ago at the local OPC. I must say I was impressed with the chassis and the updated tech. The car was good and would make a great daily driver. I went on to the configurator and the spec of the one driven was in excess of £70K. I also had a C2S for a couple of weeks before that and I must say the 718S felt more of a sports car. Are Porsche moving the Cayman / Boxster ranges to a more sporty segment and the 991 more to the Grand Tourer / higher end luxury segment? It would be interesting to see their marketing plan for the cars in the range and what they are expecting the buyers perception to be.That said, I was very happy to get back in the flat 6 981 Spyder which just feels so right.
If they were 5k cheaper they'd sell like hot cakes but it'd feel wrong to hand over this kind of money for a flat 4 turbo.
av185 said:
Buy a few vanilla Porsches first....which show normal to horrific depreciation....:
:
yeah that would make sense, as do the other takes on this. sounds like it's unlikely that someone like me will be able to secure one...
Mario149 said:
Monkey reviews the 718, pretty balanced but it does get a bit of a slating.
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/chris-ha...
does Mr Harris ever post on here?http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/chris-ha...
He tested the M2 on Topgear at the weekend and concluded that it was brilliant (turbo engine included), whilst the 718's F4T got a slating.
noise aside, if the engine characteristics of the M2 are so great (according to Mr Harris), why is the almost identical delivery of the 718 so bad?
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