718 GTS or base 911

[edo]

As RMJ891 says, the used versus new point is a completely different one; generally worse interest rates, cant spec as you want it, older comms tech, less warranty etc.

[RMJ891]

But presumably (including as many will have buckets), the lower levels of sound deadening and firmer ride will make it significantly worse on a 5+ hour journey...

[Twinfan]

Indeed, but that's a personal preference thing. From a practicality point of view there's no difference.

[RMJ891]

Yup agreed, but I was asking about a comparason between the 718 and the 992, as those are the only two in which I am interested (as edo says, the old v new is a different topic).

I do need / want a car that can be fun on a twisty B-road, but it is also important to me that I don't feel like I've been hit round the head (and back) after a long drive (i.e. needs comfortable ride and to be capable of settling down noise-wise at motorway speeds).

[edo]

GT4 asside from being unavailable new is not realistically a daily proposition for most people whilst I appreciate it has the same luggage capacity. I personally would feel a massive tit driving to a meeting or the shops with something with a sodding great wing on the back..

[GT4P]

edo said:

GT4 asside from being unavailable new is not realistically a daily proposition for most people whilst I appreciate it has the same luggage capacity. I personally would feel a massive tit driving to a meeting or the shops with something with a sodding great wing on the back..

Thing is some even use there gt3 RS as a daily and what about the 997gt3 which sold recently with 150k miles! So any Porsche can be used as a daily depends on the individual! The op wants comfort might be better off with a saloon car(joking)
So if op wants something new he can spec himself well I would compromise a bit and save a few quid and ring around the dealers for a delivery miles new or new pre registered 991.2 with a nice discount on list! Still getting a new car plus 3 year warranty did this on my previous 2 cars and saved 15-17%.

[RMJ891]

But with interest rates being more like 12-13% on used rather than around 6% on new, you actually end up losing out.

I was just asking for the differences and pros / cons of a fully loaded 718 GTS vs a base 911.

[GT4P]

RMJ891 said:

But with interest rates being more like 12-13% on used rather than around 6% on new, you actually end up losing out.

I was just asking for the differences and pros / cons of a fully loaded 718 GTS vs a base 911.

Not sure how finance works on cars as I have always found in the past that my less than 1% mortgage deal was the best way for paying for new cars, but I can understand why people use finance if business related so really not sure if you end up paying such high percentage rates,but anyway I was talking new ,OPC order in cars that haven't been privately specd to keep there quotas up hence they have new cars in stock (although not advertised)and this tends to rise with announcement of a new model as fewer cars are privately ordered and as the new car hits the showrooms older models are then preregistered although technically still new!
Back to comparison I cannot see the 718gts arriving until end of year or early 2018,but the base 991.2 would IMHO would be the better choice for your needs with rear wheel steer(if that can be specd on a base model).
But the big questions are do you prefer mid engine or rear engine and are you emotive over a 6 cylinder v 4 cylinder and the noise they each make which some suggest the 4cylinder sounds like a beetle!

[Andrew911]

RMJ891 said:

But with interest rates being more like 12-13% on used rather than around 6% on new, you actually end up losing out.

I was just asking for the differences and pros / cons of a fully loaded 718 GTS vs a base 911.

Its worth shopping around on interest rates. I got 4.5% from an OPC on a new 981 Spyder. My current 997 turbo is higher at 6.8% as its an older car, but still no bad. I'am pretty sure i would get a 4.5% interest rate for a used GT4/991.1.

Some valid points made by GT4 above.

Edited by Andrew911 on Friday 28th April 16:02

Edited by Andrew911 on Friday 28th April 16:03

[1964]

Back to the original question

I looked at a similar thing when I bought my 718 S. I could have bought a 991. The performance of each was more than adequate for my needs and I am not worried about turbo or not, what the sound is within reason etc. I preferred the appearance of the 718, more sculptural, neater rear. Internally the 991 is quite a bit more airy and the back seats add to usable space. Overall I rationalised it that I would pay say £25k more for something which to me looked less good and had more luggage space so felt the 718 was much better value. I have had two 911's in the past so had scratched that itch and have a Golf R as well for the more practical side of life. Totally happy with my decision !

[GT4P]

Had a play on the configurator and a nice spec 991 with pdk comes in at circa £85k which seems vfm to me considering a 718 Gts will be circa £70k plus and a 991gts is roughly £105k!
Code is PJ8M7DT3
But sadly no rear steer for base model but you could argue that it makes it more pure 911!

[edo]

Would anyone really notice rear steer on the public road?

[dreamcar]

RMJ891 said:

Just wondering what people's thoughts would be between these two cars, assuming that the GTS arrives at the end of the year as effectively a trim package (sport chrono, interior pack, sports exhaust etc., plus a handful of horsepower).

A specced up CGTS will likely come in around £70k, and a decent spec base 911 (to my tastes) around £95k - or in other words around £300pcm on the deposit that I want to put down. (These assumptions are broadly irrelevant to my question).

So just to compare for now to a 718 CS (since they actually exist and will be very similar to the GTS), will the 911 feel more special, or more refined on long journeys etc.? Is it worth the extra money? What would make you go for one over the other? The base 911's 0-60 and MPG specs are identical to the 718S - but will the Cayman (by being smaller etc) feel more rapid and urgent than the 911, which is more 'GT-style'?

As some superfluous side detail, I've taken out a 2 year lease (finishing start of 2019) on another car to wait for the 718 GTSs, as my OPC was so sure that you couldn't get your hands on one before the end of next year, but it's looking like they'll be announced towards the end of 2017, with availability at the start of 2018. If I don't get my hands on one until end 2018 / start 2019, the GTS will be replaced soon after me buying one, which I have to say I'd find a little difficult to stomach. Meanwhile, the new 911s will be out at that time / shortly after, and I'm guessing will be broadly the same as the existing model (plus a few bits and a few grand).

Would welcome thoughts on the comparison...

It's a no brainier. It would have to be a 911. The heart and soul of a sports car is it's engine. You get a proper heart in a 911, albeit turbocharged in the latest version, but it still sounds like a proper pedigree sports car, not like some Subaru / Beetle cocktail.
And this from a Porsche enthusiast that until now has always preferred Boxster / Cayman. Definitely not now.

[bcr5784]

dreamcar said:

It's a no brainier. It would have to be a 911. The heart and soul of a sports car is it's engine. You get a proper heart in a 911, albeit turbocharged in the latest version, but it still sounds like a proper pedigree sports car, not like some Subaru / Beetle cocktail.
And this from a Porsche enthusiast that until now has always preferred Boxster / Cayman. Definitely not now.

I could argue that the heart of the sports car is it's handling.... Just as valid? Personally wouldn't be buying either.

Edited by bcr5784 on Thursday 18th May 19:35

[dreamcar]

bcr5784 said:

I could argue that the heart of the sports car is it's handling.... Just as valid?

Both important, but if one is bad it negates the appeal of the other. That was exactly my assessment of 718. 718 GTS will presumably be a faster, probably noisier version of 718 and an amplified version of that uncouth clatter is not something to be relished IMO.

[bcr5784]

dreamcar said:

Both important, but if one is bad it negates the appeal of the other. That was exactly my assessment of 718. 718 GTS will presumably be a faster, probably noisier version of 718 and an amplified version of that uncouth clatter is not something to be relished IMO.

Couldn't disagree - but neither a 911 or a 718 appeals to me over the 981 one I have. Frankly there one or two hot hatches that I would prefer to drive than either.

[dreamcar]

bcr5784 said:

Couldn't disagree - but neither a 911 or a 718 appeals to me over the 981 one I have. Frankly there one or two hot hatches that I would prefer to drive than either.

Absolutely agree! To be honest if I had to replace our BGTS - and I have absolutely no plans to - an Audi RS3 would quite likely be on the very short list. I was merely responding to OP's quandary over choosing 718 GTS or 911.

[RMJ891]

Thanks - and yes, for me the choice is between those two cars - I wouldn't go for a 981. I have done the Audi thing, and fell out of love with it literally within weeks of owning it. I know people like to make a point about not liking the 718's engine, but to say you'd rather a RS3 to a 718 GTS is incredible!

[Grantstown]

My early experiences of my 991.2 base carrera are broadly very positive. It certainly isn't a GT car, as some journalists seem to be putting forward, but it's comfortable enough for longer journals assuming you don't have any pre-existing back complaints! It took me a while to settle on it as I was considering a 991.1 S for the NA engine, but actually with the sports exhaust I have no complaints with the sound and the extra torque definitely adds something. The cold start noises are great and there is still a howl at the top end. No complaints for now, but who knows we'll see in the longer term.

[DJMC]

RMJ891 said:

Thanks - and yes, for me the choice is between those two cars - I wouldn't go for a 981. I have done the Audi thing, and fell out of love with it literally within weeks of owning it. I know people like to make a point about not liking the 718's engine, but to say you'd rather a RS3 to a 718 GTS is incredible!

Yes, Audi 4WD and turbo charging are two hateful things, as I found over 15 months with my TTS. Each of these, equally, sent me looking for RWD and NA, something I had enjoyed in my E46 330ci for nine years prior. I realise now that I fall into the turbo petrol "hater" camp; the 4WD "hater" camp; and also the "less than 6 cylinders is poor" camp.

I did an extended test drive of the 718S on road and on track in July last year, having had my base 981 as a daily driver for 8 months (and on the PEC track), and my two "hates" above were confirmed. After that test drive I could 100% confirm I would never buy a 718 in favour of my 981, and that was comparing 350hp to my 275. Don't like the 911 layout, or shape, so that's never been an issue.

Have you asked for an extended test drive in a 981? Moving from Audi to Porsche, my OPC lent me a 981 for a day and a half to see if it was what I wanted.

Or do you HAVE to buy new? Bear in mind personal loan rates are as low as 2.8% (TSB) and many at just over 3%, plus you will be buying a 2 year old 981S or GTS, under 10k miles, for £10-20k less than either of your choices and with a 2 year warranty if bought from a Porsche dealer.

Also, unlike PCP, a personal loan means you have extra value in the car at the end of the term and don't get sucked back in to the endless PCP cycle.

But it sounds like you're not a turbo/4WD/4cyl hater like I am, and your 2yr temporary lease is most likely on a car with some or all of these features, correct? Just don't discount a lightly used 981 until you've driven one alongside the 911 and 718.