718 review - test drove today
Discussion
truck71 said:
I've always liked low spec, prefer cloth seats to leather, have no time whatsoever for inbuilt nav and don't feel the need for big wheels. Clearly I don't fit onto the typical Porsche marketing type or hype but then they don't make a car right now that I'd actually want to buy.
Agree in general - can't really think of a less suitable material for sports car seats than leather - cold in winter, hot in summer and slippery all year round. Great for Porsche who can then flog you seat heating, seat ventilation and expensive bucket seats that at least have half a chance of holding you in place. Not keen on big wheels either - particularly the ones that are a sod to clean.All that said basic Porsche specs are pretty basic compared with anything else comparable - the fact that they have only just made bluetooth standard, and climate, auto wipers and much else that you would expect are still optional. Even BMWs and Mercs have noticeably more kit as standard.
You can't have cloth seats, so that's irrelevant.
It is a pretty rare person that wants to spend that much money on a car and not have the kind of basic kit you would get in a Fiesta.
It's not a track car or even a sports car, so the few extra kgs are neither here nor there.
I would quite like a decent radio, for example!
It is a pretty rare person that wants to spend that much money on a car and not have the kind of basic kit you would get in a Fiesta.
It's not a track car or even a sports car, so the few extra kgs are neither here nor there.
I would quite like a decent radio, for example!
ORD said:
You can't have cloth seats, so that's irrelevant.
It is a pretty rare person that wants to spend that much money on a car and not have the kind of basic kit you would get in a Fiesta.
It's not a track car or even a sports car, so the few extra kgs are neither here nor there.
I would quite like a decent radio, for example!
The fact that you can't get cloth seats (though you can get alcantara which is at least better functionally than leather) doesn't actually make the point irrelevant -it's just another case of Porsche putting form/image/bling - call it what you like - before function. But I agree that not getting the sort of basic kit you get in a family hack is appalling and then having the cheek to charge over the odds to bring it up to spec just rubs salt in the wounds.It is a pretty rare person that wants to spend that much money on a car and not have the kind of basic kit you would get in a Fiesta.
It's not a track car or even a sports car, so the few extra kgs are neither here nor there.
I would quite like a decent radio, for example!
I just hope that someone - be it Merc/BMW or Alpine produces a car as dynamically capable as the 718 and Porsche get their comeuppance over standard kit.
Collected the new car on Friday from Porsche Tonbridge. Have to say I just love the car. Also like to mention that the dealership kept me up to date from the time of ordering to collection, Have been dealing with them continuously for over 14yrs. and rate them very highly.
Edited by Dyffed on Tuesday 5th July 11:22
Dyffed said:
Collected the new car on Friday from Porsche Tonbridge. Have to say I just love the car. Also like to mention that the dealership kept me up to date from the time of ordering to collection, Have been dealing with them continuously for over 14yrs. and rate them very highly.
Congrats!Get the camera out and snap some pics please!
Porsche Tonbridge eh?
Edited by Timbola on Tuesday 5th July 13:37
Dyffed said:
Collected the new car on Friday from Porsche Tonbridge. Have to say I just love the car. Also like to mention that the dealership kept me up to date from the time of ordering to collection, Have been dealing with them continuously for over 14yrs. and rate them very highly.
Glad you're enjoying it! Keep the updates coming.Edited by Dyffed on Tuesday 5th July 11:22
I test drove the 718 at the PEC earlier this week, both S and non-S. Having read all the reviews and comments, both good and bad, I remained open minded as a current 981 owner. There are obviously a lot of small tweaks in the new car, which combine to improve the overall experience. Throttle response is good, there's a broad spread of power and although the NA6 sound is missing, the new backing music isn't so bad. Although my 981 sounds better at high revs, there are so few occasions in my real world driving when I can get to hear it over 4000rpm, such is the gearing.
Or, perhaps I was concentrating too much on the driving in a track environment and things would be different on the road? Certainly, I wouldn't be able to judge the ride quality without a road test. I swapped between cars with 18" and 20" wheels. Again, both rode well in this environment, with the 18" wheels offering a bit less bite/sharpness.
I also sampled manual and PDK. This was my first experience of PDK and again, surprising myself, I really enjoyed it. OK, so less involving in terms of overall vehicle control. But, still involving in terms of dictating what happens and when. And I'm a sucker for all that geeky tech stuff. Also, and this might be because I'm not a practised track driver, I really valued being able to keep my hands on the wheel during the session! Again, back on familiar roads I might crave a manual. Don't know - ideally have one of each.
Not sure about the quicker more feelsome steering - still very little texture but I could leave my hands at quarter to three all the way around the track. But since I haven't driven my 981 in that environment....
I won't comment on the styling/gadgets as I can see pluses and minuses.
So overall, more shove more of the time, less tuneful. PDK surprisingly fun. Brakes, handling balance, build quality all as you would expect - superb.
Would I like one? Yes. Would I like to trade in my 981 and add the same again? No. Congratulations to those who have ordered one though, I'm sure you'll love it.
Or, perhaps I was concentrating too much on the driving in a track environment and things would be different on the road? Certainly, I wouldn't be able to judge the ride quality without a road test. I swapped between cars with 18" and 20" wheels. Again, both rode well in this environment, with the 18" wheels offering a bit less bite/sharpness.
I also sampled manual and PDK. This was my first experience of PDK and again, surprising myself, I really enjoyed it. OK, so less involving in terms of overall vehicle control. But, still involving in terms of dictating what happens and when. And I'm a sucker for all that geeky tech stuff. Also, and this might be because I'm not a practised track driver, I really valued being able to keep my hands on the wheel during the session! Again, back on familiar roads I might crave a manual. Don't know - ideally have one of each.
Not sure about the quicker more feelsome steering - still very little texture but I could leave my hands at quarter to three all the way around the track. But since I haven't driven my 981 in that environment....
I won't comment on the styling/gadgets as I can see pluses and minuses.
So overall, more shove more of the time, less tuneful. PDK surprisingly fun. Brakes, handling balance, build quality all as you would expect - superb.
Would I like one? Yes. Would I like to trade in my 981 and add the same again? No. Congratulations to those who have ordered one though, I'm sure you'll love it.
Test drove a boxster718 2L PDK yesterday. Current Porsche is a Cayman R manual.
From the outside the new boxster looks a little bloated - I'm sure it's smaller than the F-type but without the 2 side by side it's not possible to tell.
Inside the car it feels smaller and seems to envelop the occupants. Bringing the engine to life it sounds nice, ok, it may not be as smooth as a 6-pot, but it did let you know this is a sporty engine. On the move it was peppy giving instant response when the throttle is blipped, acceleration was smooth without any noticeable turbo intervention. My last experience of a 2L turbo was a 1989 SX200 nissan which was a riot but it was evident everytime the turbo kicked in. The PDK gearbox itself is easy to adapt to although on a personal note I would prefer a manual. The steering wheel looked and felt cluttered with no less than 7 appendages on or behind it and that was not including the buttons for the improved PCM system. I think I must be old school, having not been brought up on a diet of PLAYTENDO devices these must be confusing in a fast attention needing series of fast bends.
Overall there is a lot to like about the 718. It does have its own numerical identity, it's a very attractive car and it drives like a smaller vehicle, I'm not sure it has the character of the GTS, or the presence of the 981 Spyder, I think it's appeal is with a new younger audience and for this reason alone I think Porsche have pulled it off!
From the outside the new boxster looks a little bloated - I'm sure it's smaller than the F-type but without the 2 side by side it's not possible to tell.
Inside the car it feels smaller and seems to envelop the occupants. Bringing the engine to life it sounds nice, ok, it may not be as smooth as a 6-pot, but it did let you know this is a sporty engine. On the move it was peppy giving instant response when the throttle is blipped, acceleration was smooth without any noticeable turbo intervention. My last experience of a 2L turbo was a 1989 SX200 nissan which was a riot but it was evident everytime the turbo kicked in. The PDK gearbox itself is easy to adapt to although on a personal note I would prefer a manual. The steering wheel looked and felt cluttered with no less than 7 appendages on or behind it and that was not including the buttons for the improved PCM system. I think I must be old school, having not been brought up on a diet of PLAYTENDO devices these must be confusing in a fast attention needing series of fast bends.
Overall there is a lot to like about the 718. It does have its own numerical identity, it's a very attractive car and it drives like a smaller vehicle, I'm not sure it has the character of the GTS, or the presence of the 981 Spyder, I think it's appeal is with a new younger audience and for this reason alone I think Porsche have pulled it off!
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/4jt0Ks6E.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/FCxk1xsu" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/FCxk1xsu.jpg)
brake2hard said:
Test drove a boxster718 2L PDK yesterday. Current Porsche is a Cayman R manual.
From the outside the new boxster looks a little bloated - I'm sure it's smaller than the F-type but without the 2 side by side it's not possible to tell.
Inside the car it feels smaller and seems to envelop the occupants. Bringing the engine to life it sounds nice, ok, it may not be as smooth as a 6-pot, but it did let you know this is a sporty engine. On the move it was peppy giving instant response when the throttle is blipped, acceleration was smooth without any noticeable turbo intervention. My last experience of a 2L turbo was a 1989 SX200 nissan which was a riot but it was evident everytime the turbo kicked in. The PDK gearbox itself is easy to adapt to although on a personal note I would prefer a manual. The steering wheel looked and felt cluttered with no less than 7 appendages on or behind it and that was not including the buttons for the improved PCM system. I think I must be old school, having not been brought up on a diet of PLAYTENDO devices these must be confusing in a fast attention needing series of fast bends.
Overall there is a lot to like about the 718. It does have its own numerical identity, it's a very attractive car and it drives like a smaller vehicle, I'm not sure it has the character of the GTS, or the presence of the 981 Spyder, I think it's appeal is with a new younger audience and for this reason alone I think Porsche have pulled it off!
I think your right. Im only 70yrs of age.From the outside the new boxster looks a little bloated - I'm sure it's smaller than the F-type but without the 2 side by side it's not possible to tell.
Inside the car it feels smaller and seems to envelop the occupants. Bringing the engine to life it sounds nice, ok, it may not be as smooth as a 6-pot, but it did let you know this is a sporty engine. On the move it was peppy giving instant response when the throttle is blipped, acceleration was smooth without any noticeable turbo intervention. My last experience of a 2L turbo was a 1989 SX200 nissan which was a riot but it was evident everytime the turbo kicked in. The PDK gearbox itself is easy to adapt to although on a personal note I would prefer a manual. The steering wheel looked and felt cluttered with no less than 7 appendages on or behind it and that was not including the buttons for the improved PCM system. I think I must be old school, having not been brought up on a diet of PLAYTENDO devices these must be confusing in a fast attention needing series of fast bends.
Overall there is a lot to like about the 718. It does have its own numerical identity, it's a very attractive car and it drives like a smaller vehicle, I'm not sure it has the character of the GTS, or the presence of the 981 Spyder, I think it's appeal is with a new younger audience and for this reason alone I think Porsche have pulled it off!
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