Alcantara regrets

[Si-3PO]

bcr5784 said:

Tim718 said:

- why don't they just make the lid standard - and the smokers bit inside the optional extra.

The lid is a good thing - but so is the extra charging point, and if you need to light something (other than a cigarette) so is the other bit. Altogether an irresistible £0.00

It's £38.00 nowadays

[bcr5784]

Si-3PO said:

It's £38.00 nowadays

I noticed that - still one of Porsche's better value options. Wish the option was to move the handbrake to that spot. I'm a bit surprised that no bright spark offers that as an option - it cant be that difficult.

[rbh]

Whilst at the PEC it was pointed out to me that there is a power source located in the passenger foot-well near the top of the carpeted portion just below the centre console mounting , sort of hidden.

[bcr5784]

rbh said:

Whilst at the PEC it was pointed out to me that there is a power source located in the passenger foot-well near the top of the carpeted portion just below the centre console mounting , sort of hidden.

There are actually 3 as standard, the one you mention, one in the glove box and one under the central armrest, all potentially useful for different things. The one you mention is particularly useful if you use your phone for navigation and have something like a Brodit to hold the phone.

[rbh]

bcr5784, the only point that you can draw power, in the CGTS, if you don't have the smoker pack is the one in the foot-well, the other points are USB's only!

Rob

[bcr5784]

rbh said:

bcr5784, the only point that you can draw power, in the CGTS, if you don't have the smoker pack is the one in the foot-well, the other points are USB's only!

Rob

Bizarre! Why would they make the CGTS different from the CS? Mine definitely has 3 and has USB in the glovebox as well (but not in the armrest). It would have 4 if I had the smoker pack.

[Fizzbomb]

Tim718 said:

Hi

Does anyone with experience of Alcantara have an opinion/the power of hindsight to advise whether it was a better choice over leather?

I test drove a car last week with the Alcantara steering wheel (but leather seats) and it felt really nice. But then I watched this video https://youtu.be/aebUNgMhQV4 which kinda suggests it's not a wise medium/long term choice due to how quickly it wears.

Reason I'm asking is I'm fancying a 718 GTS and understand as standard it's going to be heavily Alcantara'd out - and then if I option the leather could it get pricy?

I had Alcantara in many of my Porsche cars, the material is hard wearing, but on the steering wheel, I tend to alternate where I hold it so that the wear is even...

[RDMcG]

Fizzbomb said:

I had Alcantara in many of my Porsche cars, the material is hard wearing, but on the steering wheel, I tend to alternate where I hold it so that the wear is even...

Exactly..I confess to the same habit.

[Pinball]

That is an interesting article, thanks for sharing it. It certainly raises good points regarding cost, practically and sustainability.

I'm going for the sport tex option in my 718. I've always thought that leather, or whatever masquerades as leather, being the more premium option, but I'm leaning more to practical and sustainable materials. I've also felt that the sport tex option is a lot more comfortable than leather.

[Twinfan]

rbh said:

bcr5784, the only point that you can draw power, in the CGTS, if you don't have the smoker pack is the one in the foot-well, the other points are USB's only!

Rob

Wrong. There is a 12v socket in the glove box in my CGTS, just above the USB socket. I haven't seen the one in the footwell though, I'll have to check it out.

There is one under the armrest too.

[rbh]

Twinfan, sorry I misled my car is a GTS 991.2, and the power points are as I indicated if the non-smoking pack is adopted

[Twinfan]

rbh said:

Twinfan, sorry I misled my car is a GTS 991.2, and the power points are as I indicated if the non-smoking pack is adopted

911s differ from Caysters in this regard then

[mdwpa]

I'm in the early stages of hunting for a 981 Cayman S or GTS and found this info regarding Alcantara interiors helpful.

I was regarding how hot alcantara seats can get in summer (I've only seen the Cayman alcantara seats in dark grey or black), and whether or not ventilation is an option with them in the Cayman.

Thanks for any info

[Twinfan]

Seat cooling was an option from new - never seen a UK car with it though!

The alcantara gets nowhere near as hot as leather does. It's absolutely fine in a UK summer, just open a window and enjoy the GTS soundtrack

[alan718s]

mdwpa said:

I'm in the early stages of hunting for a 981 Cayman S or GTS and found this info regarding Alcantara interiors helpful.

I was regarding how hot alcantara seats can get in summer (I've only seen the Cayman alcantara seats in dark grey or black), and whether or not ventilation is an option with them in the Cayman.

Thanks for any info

If it’s the same as the Subaru P1 then be prepare for sweaty back. Alcatara grips you very well so its not breathable and i always ended up with sweaty back in the Summer after a long trip, even with Aircon on!

[Krobar]

mdwpa said:

I'm in the early stages of hunting for a 981 Cayman S or GTS and found this info regarding Alcantara interiors helpful.

I was regarding how hot alcantara seats can get in summer (I've only seen the Cayman alcantara seats in dark grey or black), and whether or not ventilation is an option with them in the Cayman.

Thanks for any info

With the 981 Seat Ventilation option was for leather seats only (Requires the perforations).

[PhantomPH]

It can get warm in the summer, but it’s perfect the rest of the year and sooo much nicer in the winter as you don’t get that ‘chilled arse’ feeling that you do from leather.

Given this is the uk and we see a lot more cold/cool days than hot, I promise you it’s not an issue.

Plus, only a fool buys a GTS without the alcantara interior pack.

[Red 5]

Alcantara is nice and grippy, for racing gloves.
It tends to offer less grip against bare skin.

I find leather is way better for bare hands.
Hands naturally adhere slightly to the surface.
Gloves on the other hand, mostly tend to slip more on leather.

So we have twice taken the GTS Alcantara interior, but deleted on the wheel and gear knob.

The rest I like
Again the Alcantara grips fabric (clothes) and keeps you in place better.
Egress is a lot easier with leather seats though. You just effortlessly spin and slide forward.
Not that that’s any sort of problem, but noticed on a recent loaner.

I do like the look of the Alcantara wheel though. Just not for road use for me.

[spice]

This is very nice 👍

[spice]