718 2.0 Advice
Discussion
Friend has been offered a 718 2.0 (2016 manual) at what seems to be a very good price.
Obviously I suggested a 981, but he is quite keen on this opportunity. Without getting into a 718 v 981 debate, three years on, is the 2.0 718 now more fondly regarded.
And, before I recommend it, is the PSE a worthwhile option?
Obviously I suggested a 981, but he is quite keen on this opportunity. Without getting into a 718 v 981 debate, three years on, is the 2.0 718 now more fondly regarded.
And, before I recommend it, is the PSE a worthwhile option?
I have a 718 Boxster S at the moment for the week and overall its a very good car, one thing that's stood out to me is the steering is a step on from the 981. However, it's the noise that kills the experience for me sorry to sound like a broken record. If it had the flat 6 of the old car or the turbo flat unit I would have upgrade my GTS to one.
Id drive both of them back to back and make the choice from that, as at the end of the day its down to personal choice.
Id drive both of them back to back and make the choice from that, as at the end of the day its down to personal choice.
It's not my choice, I have a 981, and I've only driven a 'courtesy' 718 briefly.I've just been asked for 'consumer' advice.
I know there was a lot of 'heads in hands', when Porsche went flat-4 turbo (as there was when they went water-cooled). Just wondered if the judgement had changed with the passage of time ?
IIRC, I've heard it said that the 2.0 was sweeter than the 2.5?
I know there was a lot of 'heads in hands', when Porsche went flat-4 turbo (as there was when they went water-cooled). Just wondered if the judgement had changed with the passage of time ?
IIRC, I've heard it said that the 2.0 was sweeter than the 2.5?
I had an hour test drive in a PDK 718 and an hour in a PDK 718 S and I genuinely think a manual 718 would be the sweet spot, they didn’t have any for my to try but I found the performance of the 718 perfect for public roads. The 718 S was too quick to enjoy and didn’t sound any better/worse than the non S.
I haven’t driven one without the PSE to make a judgment but both cars were equipped with the PSE and having the exhaust on was a laugh for the first 10 minutes of driving them but it got boring quickly and it’s not particularly a nice noise. It definitely didnt stop me from wanting the cars though!
I haven’t driven one without the PSE to make a judgment but both cars were equipped with the PSE and having the exhaust on was a laugh for the first 10 minutes of driving them but it got boring quickly and it’s not particularly a nice noise. It definitely didnt stop me from wanting the cars though!
I have owned a 2.0 manual 718 with PSE for around 6 months. Drove the 2.7 and 3.4 981 before purchasing.
My thoughts:
981 definitely sounds better, in fact both variants sound incredible and the na engines really are fantastic. Although, I did find the 2.7 a bit slow, coming from an M235i. The noise from the 718 isn’t anywhere near as bad as people make out and it’s definitey grown on me. And as I’ve taken the car from 3-6k miles, it seems to be sounding better - the pops/crackles on the overrun are addictive.
If you can get over the above, I can’t see why you wouldn’t buy a 718 over a 981, other than perhaps residuals - 981’s are really holding up well.
Simple answer... test drive them. There are arguments for both.
My thoughts:
981 definitely sounds better, in fact both variants sound incredible and the na engines really are fantastic. Although, I did find the 2.7 a bit slow, coming from an M235i. The noise from the 718 isn’t anywhere near as bad as people make out and it’s definitey grown on me. And as I’ve taken the car from 3-6k miles, it seems to be sounding better - the pops/crackles on the overrun are addictive.
If you can get over the above, I can’t see why you wouldn’t buy a 718 over a 981, other than perhaps residuals - 981’s are really holding up well.
Simple answer... test drive them. There are arguments for both.
Twinfan said:
Two answers to your two questions, both IMHO:
No, and no.
I'd go with this. Although a 718 and some noise cancelling headphones would be a good combo if you want a car that drives nicely but don't want the offensive racket. I genuinely think the 2.0 turbo sounds broken. And as an ex Impreza owner I know a 4 pot turbo can sound utterly fantastic. No, and no.
There are a few dinosaurs on this forum who still love banging their anti 718 drums at every opportunity, but I think that is generally much diminished compared to twelve months ago.
In all honesty there’s something for everyone still available with plenty of 981s and 718s in the dealer network and rumours of a possible 718 6 cylinder in the works to appease/(take advantage of?) the few (noisy) hardcore “purists”, Porsche have ensured they will be making money out of this for some time yet.
PSE is ultimately unnecessary in my view, I think it comes standard on the new cars due to the GPF but the engines do sound rortier as the miles go on, and I would say you are foolish indeed to discount anything based on a few overblown internet comments about “sound” when the reality is the car is much improved and actually sounds great !
In all honesty there’s something for everyone still available with plenty of 981s and 718s in the dealer network and rumours of a possible 718 6 cylinder in the works to appease/(take advantage of?) the few (noisy) hardcore “purists”, Porsche have ensured they will be making money out of this for some time yet.
PSE is ultimately unnecessary in my view, I think it comes standard on the new cars due to the GPF but the engines do sound rortier as the miles go on, and I would say you are foolish indeed to discount anything based on a few overblown internet comments about “sound” when the reality is the car is much improved and actually sounds great !
The OP asked whether the 718 was now more "fondly regarded". Based on internet chatter and the price of used 718s I said 'no', which I think is a fair assessement. I also said that "some people think the F4T is an OK engine in a Cayster", which they do. They do not appear to be the majority though.
Like it or not, that seems to be the picture regarding 718s.
Like it or not, that seems to be the picture regarding 718s.
Bob-2146 said:
PSE is ultimately unnecessary in my view, I think it comes standard on the new cars due to the GPF but the engines do sound rortier as the miles go on, and I would say you are foolish indeed to discount anything based on a few overblown internet comments about “sound” when the reality is the car is much improved and actually sounds great !
It's the 718's engine which is overblown. Your advising folks to make the matter worse by adding PSE won't help any buyer who ends up with a headache after the initial "fun" of the boy racer noise becomes an annoying drone. The 981 was the same in this respect by the way. Save our ears - ban PSE!
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