Climate control not optioned - conscious choice?

[DRH986]

Of all the 718 GT4s currently advertised on AT, 50% don't have the dual zone climate control option. For the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, 40% are lacking. I know it's shocking that this isn't standard on these cars but it's a must-have for me.

I'm pretty staggered that 40-50% of the original owners who specced these cars new seemed to be happy without this and stuck with the standard spec basic (no climate) aircon. Given many of the cars without it are otherwise very well specced, I wonder how many original owners didn't realise how crude the basic setup is and simply thought they didn't need the dual zone aspect, which I can much more easily relate to?

[Scrump]

When I have played with the configurator I have never clicked dual zone climate as see no need for the dual zone function. I did not realise that (single zone) climate is not standard.

[Freakuk]

To be honest on my 981GTS I had it and on my 718GT4 I don't. Do I notice no, it's a 2 seat car with a small cabin and 99% of the time it's literally me in the car.

Yes, it feels like a nice to have option but I never really noticed it within my 981.

[Beaver]

I used to think it was extra for dual zone rather than climate, and couldn't see much point in separating temps in a small 2 seater, and specified accordingly.

My GT4 (used) has regular AC and I soon got over it, I think it suits its character as mine's buckets/clubsport/fire extinguisher etc.

[kmpowell]

I consciously didn't spec it on my car (718 GT4), as I didn't think I would need it.

My car is used as an occasional 'fun' dry-day and high-day weekend car.

2.5 years on (mixture of road and track in all climates), I have no regrets not speccing it, the standard A/C is fine.

I genuinely don't understand what all the fuss is about 'needing' it. On a daily used GTS, yes, but not on an occasional use fun car GT4.

Edited by kmpowell on Monday 10th February 14:49

[TDT]

Not having it always seems like a bit of an oversight, as even basic cars now have fully automatic climate control.
The dual-zone bit isnt the important part as such.

It’s not the end of the world but it is a convenience that a car of this level should have as standard tbh.

[kmpowell]

TDT said:

a car of this level should have as standard tbh.

That I totally agree with. Same with (when I was speccing) cruise, folding mirrors, rear camera, auto wipers etc, were all £options.

I played a couple of the Porsche tax game options (Cruise and folding mirrors) because I use/need them, but I declined to play the climate Porsche tax game as I didn't think I'd need climate, which I haven't.

[elan362]

I had a 718 Boxster S that only had manual A/C and I found it to be a pain. Obviously not such a big issue with the roof down, but I found it hard to get the temperature and fan just right when the roof was up.
My 981 Boxster S has auto climate and it is a big improvement in my view and I would not be without it.

[Techno9000]

Totally agree with the OP. My belief is many of the original owners didn't realise how basic the non-dual zone system is (in essence manual heating controls with air-con) when specifying their cars.

Edited by Techno9000 on Friday 14th February 09:01

[981Boxess]

I don’t have it, I played around with the settings years ago when I first got the car and have not touched it since.
I certainly wouldn’t let not having it put me off an otherwise perfect car and I didn’t.

One thing I think they should have thought of is to automatically disable air con when the roof is down.

[keepup]

DRH986 said:

Of all the 718 GT4s currently advertised on AT, 50% don't have the dual zone climate control option. For the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, 40% are lacking. I know it's shocking that this isn't standard on these cars but it's a must-have for me.

I'm pretty staggered that 40-50% of the original owners who specced these cars new seemed to be happy without this and stuck with the standard spec basic (no climate) aircon. Given many of the cars without it are otherwise very well specced, I wonder how many original owners didn't realise how crude the basic setup is and simply thought they didn't need the dual zone aspect, which I can much more easily relate to?

In a small car I don't have any interest in climate control and have previously specced cars without - saloon or SUV I'd have a different view but that's more front/back.

[ChrisW.]

To be honest, the totally amazing thing to me is that climate control is not standard ...

[scrounger73]

It's not about the dual bit but the 'set and forget' function.

I had a demo without dual zone and I was constantly turning the ac on and off, adjusting the heatine etc. Total PITA. for on both my 718s I specced it. Set to the temp you like and let the system do the rest. Too hot inside and it cools, to cold and it warms without me having to do a thing.

It should really be standard on a car at this price point but Porsche make money on their options so, as they say, Vorsprung Durch Optional Extra!!

[981Boxess]

scrounger73 said:

Too hot inside and it cools, to cold and it warms without me having to do a thing.

That should be our biggest worry in life and the single biggest reason I don't own a 250GTO

[philj]

kmpowell said:

I genuinely don't understand what all the fuss is about 'needing' it. On a daily used GTS, yes, but not on an occasional use fun car

This. A nice to have but definitely not needed.

[Koln-RS]

I’m pretty sure, if someone did a poll on here, the verdict in favour of Climate over A/C, as a ‘must have’ on a Porsche, would be pretty overwhelming.

[CantDecide]

I think the dual zone element is a bit OTT, unnecessary, however the climate part is useful in that you can pretty much just leave it set on say 21 degrees and forget it. I only have AC and will often bump the temp up to high when I first get in the car and then drop down to a lower level once the car has properly warmed up. Hardly the end of the world, but just a little more effort and yes it should have been standard equipment.

[Voodoo Blue]

This came up on another thread recently. We've got a 981 Cayman with the standard system and a 718 Boxster with the duel system. While the standard system is capable it is very fiddly to use, especially on the move and difficult to set as the display is pretty poor. With the duel system you set the temperature you want and forget about it. So much easier.

If you're driving through southern Italy in 40C heat there's a chance you'll want the best system available but appreciate not everyone drives their car that far.

I think the description Porsche use on the configurator doesn't help, which is probably why a lot of people don't spec it. Personally I'd choose a car with the duel system every time.

Edited by Voodoo Blue on Friday 14th February 15:50

[SV_WDC]

I had it on my old 987.2 and wasn't that impressed with it.

If I was speccing a car from new it wouldn't be a 'must have,' and would invest the money into something else.

[Snowy999]

I probably stand alone as someone who could not care either way. My std 981 GT4 works nicely as does my dual climate 4RS. 981 could be delivered sand air con….saving 10-12kg. A step too far for me.

So my dual zone auto has a fan switch, fiddle it up
Or down to make it huff more or less. So does my basic.

My dual zone had a max aircon setting and clean tje screen option….so does the basic one.

So the difference is just whether you dial a number for each side or press a hot/cold button and judge if you are toasty warm or not.

So i get totally why 50% of the world saw it as pointless.

BUT I also think placcy dashes are lovely and more GT. But i specced leather fir the 4RS as its non WP and already a niche spec car!

Pause waiting for AV185 to tell me Im an idiot!!!!

Snowy

Edited by Snowy999 on Friday 14th February 16:27