981S vs 718 base
Discussion
I had 3 very enjoyable years with a 981s and test drove a 718 as an intended replacement. I admit to being suspicious of the change to a turbo 4 pot as the 6 was very much the heart and soul of the driving experience. However, I thought a little more power and torque would be welcome so tried to be open minded. I came away thinking that I could get used to the engine note even though it very definitely contributed to a less thrilling experience but I was shocked by the turbo lag which fundamentally changes the character and driving experience. No longer the razor sharp A/B road scalpel, more of a blunt instrument. I stumped up for a 991.2 Carrera S instead which has far less lag and a 6 pot which shows that the 718 didn't have to be that way.
Si-3PO said:
tedblog said:
Can i ask why turbo lag would cause issues in daily use?
It doesn’t often, but I did get caught out in my 718 a few times when trying to pull out from a turning or roundabout quickly if I hadn’t come to a complete stand still first. tedblog said:
fmnjg said:
I was shocked by the turbo lag which fundamentally changes the character and driving experience.
Can i ask why turbo lag would cause issues in daily use?That said the 981S has an irritating dip in the torque curve between 2500 and 4000 revs and you will have to drive around that to make serious progress. That wouldn't be such issue if the gearing was lower - over 80 in second and 115 in third on manual cars - a fair bit less with PDK.
So If you are happy keep the engine on the boil the 981 may be the better choice, if you want more accessible grunt at more modest road speeds you may prefer the 718.
fmnjg said:
I had 3 very enjoyable years with a 981s and test drove a 718 as an intended replacement. I admit to being suspicious of the change to a turbo 4 pot as the 6 was very much the heart and soul of the driving experience. However, I thought a little more power and torque would be welcome so tried to be open minded. I came away thinking that I could get used to the engine note even though it very definitely contributed to a less thrilling experience but I was shocked by the turbo lag which fundamentally changes the character and driving experience. No longer the razor sharp A/B road scalpel, more of a blunt instrument. I stumped up for a 991.2 Carrera S instead which has far less lag and a 6 pot which shows that the 718 didn't have to be that way.
Time for some conspiracy theory: Porsche realised the 98x was far too much competition to the 911s and decided to install an underwhelming engine in the 781 to get people to stump up towards a 911 
That's what the rev counter is for. Keep the revs in the sweet spot and it will pull like a train and it's very responsive. I haven't found the lag to be an issue (Base 718 w/ PDK and sport chrono).
Take a test drive in both and make your own mind up.
A low optioned 718 with either manual or PDK makes for a great value sports car. Just make sure you add on the options that are important to you which has been covered but I recently had a 718 Boxster loaner with standard air con and a sports exhaust. I'm glad I went with the climate control and omitted the sports exhaust. Whilst it was great a lot of the time and added a bit more to the sound, at steady dual carriageway/motorway speeds, it got on my nerves. However, I think this goes for most optioned sports exhausts. It's not needed IMHO.
Take a test drive in both and make your own mind up.
A low optioned 718 with either manual or PDK makes for a great value sports car. Just make sure you add on the options that are important to you which has been covered but I recently had a 718 Boxster loaner with standard air con and a sports exhaust. I'm glad I went with the climate control and omitted the sports exhaust. Whilst it was great a lot of the time and added a bit more to the sound, at steady dual carriageway/motorway speeds, it got on my nerves. However, I think this goes for most optioned sports exhausts. It's not needed IMHO.
tedblog said:
Ok i understand that scenario, but the open road?
The open road is fine. But to get to the open road you have to stop at junctions, traffic lights, roundabouts, and that's where you really notice it bogging down. Plus, the open road accounts for perhaps 10% of any trip and so it's an issue 90% of the time.I managed 15 months with my 4 pot, turbo petrol, TTS before I'd had enough of its engine not actually being connected to my right foot during most journeys.
Gets a little frustrating pulling away at lights in a "sports" car when you get left behind.
Blink982 said:
That's what the rev counter is for. Keep the revs in the sweet spot and it will pull like a train and it's very responsive. I haven't found the lag to be an issue (Base 718 w/ PDK and sport chrono).
Surely the only way you can keep the revs in the sweet spot when pulling away from a standstill (that's where the lag manifests itself mostly) is to use launch control, if you have SC? Don't you find that a bit of a faff each time you stop? A little embarrassing too no doubt?I had 3 very enjoyable years with a 981s and test drove a 718 as an intended replacement. I admit to being suspicious of the change to a turbo 4 pot as the 6 was very much the heart and soul of the driving experience. However, I thought a little more power and torque would be welcome so tried to be open minded. I came away thinking that I could get used to the engine note even though it very definitely contributed to a less thrilling experience but I was shocked by the turbo lag which fundamentally changes the character and driving experience. No longer the razor sharp A/B road scalpel, more of a blunt instrument. I stumped up for a 991.2 Carrera S instead which has far less lag and a 6 pot which shows that the 718 didn't have to be that way.
bcr5784 said:
tedblog said:
fmnjg said:
I was shocked by the turbo lag which fundamentally changes the character and driving experience.
Can i ask why turbo lag would cause issues in daily use?That said the 981S has an irritating dip in the torque curve between 2500 and 4000 revs and you will have to drive around that to make serious progress. That wouldn't be such issue if the gearing was lower - over 80 in second and 115 in third on manual cars - a fair bit less with PDK.
So If you are happy keep the engine on the boil the 981 may be the better choice, if you want more accessible grunt at more modest road speeds you may prefer the 718.
fmnjg said:
I agree with what you say in principle and keeping the engine on the boil all the time would certainly be the solution but the reality is that you are frequently taken by surprise on unfamiliar roads or even on familiar roads by other road users which makes it difficult. The PDK box helps with lightening changes but there is nothing quite like the instant throttle response of a good naturally aspirated engine. As ever it does boil down to personal preference, it was just spoiled for me.
I think we are on the same page - I couldn't live with a 718 engine either and much preferred the 911.2. Just don't like the 911 chassis. So went for an Alpine A110 which doesn't have such intrusive lag.bcr5784 said:
fmnjg said:
I agree with what you say in principle and keeping the engine on the boil all the time would certainly be the solution but the reality is that you are frequently taken by surprise on unfamiliar roads or even on familiar roads by other road users which makes it difficult. The PDK box helps with lightening changes but there is nothing quite like the instant throttle response of a good naturally aspirated engine. As ever it does boil down to personal preference, it was just spoiled for me.
I think we are on the same page - I couldn't live with a 718 engine either and much preferred the 911.2. Just don't like the 911 chassis. So went for an Alpine A110 which doesn't have such intrusive lag.You will never get a balance view. We 718 owners tend to stay quiet because the Flat 6 fanboys disregard everything we say. check other threads where there is a debate. There is a truly biased people towards the 718.
I have a 718 GTS and it gives me goosebumps. The torque from accellerating with make you hold yor breath and you feel much more than a F6. Steering is very sharp and precise. Turbo will never sound like a F6 or V engines but this F4 sounds very good for what it is.
718 base has more noticable lag whereas S and GTS have very minimum but once you taken off there is no lag on all the cars. its just there is like a half sec flat spot until 2k rev
I have a 718 GTS and it gives me goosebumps. The torque from accellerating with make you hold yor breath and you feel much more than a F6. Steering is very sharp and precise. Turbo will never sound like a F6 or V engines but this F4 sounds very good for what it is.
718 base has more noticable lag whereas S and GTS have very minimum but once you taken off there is no lag on all the cars. its just there is like a half sec flat spot until 2k rev
Edited by alan718Gts on Thursday 30th August 17:46
Lag is more noticeable to some than others, but it's always there. It's physics, Jim!
Bottom line is you have to drive both engine types and see which you personally prefer. I've driven 981s and 718s and there's no bias involved in my opinion - there's no way I'd ever buy a 718. Other opinions are of course available and equally as valid
Bottom line is you have to drive both engine types and see which you personally prefer. I've driven 981s and 718s and there's no bias involved in my opinion - there's no way I'd ever buy a 718. Other opinions are of course available and equally as valid
OP have you actually specced up a 718 on the configurator. You may think you can make do with no options but once you add some pretty essentials you can easily add £5k + to that.
I went through similar over two years ago, my absolute minimum spec worked out at £47k. I drove both cars, I liked both, for a daily driver the 718 power delivery is easier to drive fast lazily, the 981 does really require you to be in the zone to get the performance. 718 lag is noticeable but you can drive around this.
Ultimately I went for a very well specced year old 981S for £48k and have no regrets. I’ve borrowed 718S courtesy cars since and it hasn’t changed my mind.
As for issues with the 981 ive had both dynamic engine mounts replaced under warranty, these seem to be a not uncommon failure, I am led to believe that the design has been tweaked to prevent this in the replacement items though can’t confirm when this change was made.
I went through similar over two years ago, my absolute minimum spec worked out at £47k. I drove both cars, I liked both, for a daily driver the 718 power delivery is easier to drive fast lazily, the 981 does really require you to be in the zone to get the performance. 718 lag is noticeable but you can drive around this.
Ultimately I went for a very well specced year old 981S for £48k and have no regrets. I’ve borrowed 718S courtesy cars since and it hasn’t changed my mind.
As for issues with the 981 ive had both dynamic engine mounts replaced under warranty, these seem to be a not uncommon failure, I am led to believe that the design has been tweaked to prevent this in the replacement items though can’t confirm when this change was made.
alan718Gts said:
718 base has more noticable lag whereas S and GTS have very minimum but once you taken off there is no lag on all the cars. its just there is like a half sec flat spot until 2k rev
Edited by alan718Gts on Thursday 30th August 17:46
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