981S vs 718 base
Discussion
Just traded in a 981 3.4s against a 991 turbo s, but due to an issue I have had a 718s as a loan car for a week I believe if you have not owned a 981, then the 718 is a great car. Probably the best new sub £100k convertible.
As 981'er I missed the unbelievable 6 cylinder sound - we were spoilt. I always though the 981 needed more power as the handling was so impressive. However, I believe the lighter 718 with more power isn't as stable as 981. It's near impossible off track to get 981 to break loose, but it's alarmingly easy to get the back out in a corner with a 718S. I was always front of the pact with tours as I never had to consider if it would slide, just floored it.
The 981S with PDK and PASM s a perfect point in time car but times and emissions regs change.
If your buying a 718 get PASM as the normal suspension is too hard, oh, get PDK as well.
As 981'er I missed the unbelievable 6 cylinder sound - we were spoilt. I always though the 981 needed more power as the handling was so impressive. However, I believe the lighter 718 with more power isn't as stable as 981. It's near impossible off track to get 981 to break loose, but it's alarmingly easy to get the back out in a corner with a 718S. I was always front of the pact with tours as I never had to consider if it would slide, just floored it.
The 981S with PDK and PASM s a perfect point in time car but times and emissions regs change.
If your buying a 718 get PASM as the normal suspension is too hard, oh, get PDK as well.
718 owners people like the 718
981 owners people like the 981.
No surprises there.
I got the 981 out after 2 months, and you forget how loud it is when firing up in the garage (daily drives are 330e Msport/Macan). Then you start with the whole manual thing, feels great after 2 months of autos.
I agree though the 981 isn't fast, it's not slow either but in today's performance it's not really that fast. I only took it for fuel the other night as planning to go Wales tomorrow morning but wasn't pushing it, I came back longing for a fast straight line car, as that's all I drove. But it wouldn't be a 718 because that doesn't feel any faster and I don't like the characteristics of the engine which is most important for me, but an R8 V10 does. However when I drove the car in the twisties where straight line speed isn't really noticed I'll love it. Is there any perfect car?
Maybe 718 Spyder Manual will hit the spot.
Either way enjoy your cars whatever you own!
981 owners people like the 981.
No surprises there.
I got the 981 out after 2 months, and you forget how loud it is when firing up in the garage (daily drives are 330e Msport/Macan). Then you start with the whole manual thing, feels great after 2 months of autos.
I agree though the 981 isn't fast, it's not slow either but in today's performance it's not really that fast. I only took it for fuel the other night as planning to go Wales tomorrow morning but wasn't pushing it, I came back longing for a fast straight line car, as that's all I drove. But it wouldn't be a 718 because that doesn't feel any faster and I don't like the characteristics of the engine which is most important for me, but an R8 V10 does. However when I drove the car in the twisties where straight line speed isn't really noticed I'll love it. Is there any perfect car?
Maybe 718 Spyder Manual will hit the spot.
Either way enjoy your cars whatever you own!
Edited by JayK12 on Saturday 29th December 15:28
I liked this topic so much that I made a video.
Ever wondered how the 718 2.0 compares against the 981s 3.4?
Clicking subscribe would mean a lot. Thanks guys.
https://youtu.be/afKLty1i62I
Ever wondered how the 718 2.0 compares against the 981s 3.4?
Clicking subscribe would mean a lot. Thanks guys.
https://youtu.be/afKLty1i62I
And here’s another view by a 981 owner upgrading to a 718... except this one’s not endorsed by Jontt... 
https://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
https://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
Bob-2146 said:
And here’s another view by a 981 owner upgrading to a 718... except this one’s not endorsed by Jontt...
https://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
That review lost me when it stated “I am not feeling any 'dreaded' lag.” ie I buy sports cars to drive on B roads not motorways and traffic light Grand Prix lolhttps://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
Anyone who states they have not experienced lag in a 718 either does not know what lag is or does not drive a sports car as it is meant to be driven IMHO.
Nb that’s not to say that lag should stop you from liking the car if FI is your thing but to say you have not experienced it discredits any review IMHO. Because of that I did not really read the rest of the article but I also presume from the reviewers comments that he does not cover issues with the sound of the 4 pot either (I guess he does not experience that either lol)
jonttt said:
Bob-2146 said:
And here’s another view by a 981 owner upgrading to a 718... except this one’s not endorsed by Jontt...
https://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
That review lost me when it stated “I am not feeling any 'dreaded' lag.” ie I buy sports cars to drive on B roads not motorways and traffic light Grand Prix lolhttps://www.planet-9.com/718-chat/235097-first-imp...
Anyone who states they have not experienced lag in a 718 either does not know what lag is or does not drive a sports car as it is meant to be driven IMHO.
Nb that’s not to say that lag should stop you from liking the car if FI is your thing but to say you have not experienced it discredits any review IMHO. Because of that I did not really read the rest of the article but I also presume from the reviewers comments that he does not cover issues with the sound of the 4 pot either (I guess he does not experience that either lol)
Bob-2146 said:
Hi Jon, I think what he actually said is "Net net, I am not feeling any 'dreaded' lag" vs the 981 which "always had a bit of a flat spot off idle to about 1900-2,000".
I can only say that I don't feel the comments are coherent . The 718 clearly has quite a lot of lag until around 3000 rpm. My 981S didn't have a flat spot below 2000 revs which you could detect with PDK in auto (however it does go a bit flat if you exceed half throttle at those revs in "manual" - but PDK changes down at those throttle openings so you wouldn't notice it unless you drive "manual") So I think he is allowing pdk to drive round the lag of the 718 - which is pretty dire as others have pointed out below 2000 revs - but exaggerating a much more minor issue a the same revs with the 981 (or at least with my 981)bcr5784 said:
The 718 clearly has quite a lot of lag until around 3000 rpm.
Not the ones I've driven.bcr5784 said:
My 981S didn't have a flat spot below 2000 revs
That's odd, because my 918S is flat as a pancake unless you rev its nuts off.bcr5784 said:
I think he is allowing pdk to drive round the lag of the 718
Be fair, PDK is just as good at driving around 918's lack of torque as it is at driving around 718's characteristics. However, I don't favour auto in this type of car so mine's a manual.Base 718 with PDK looks great performance/value for money IMO.
bcr5784 said:
jonttt said:
Great video covering the main points with logical comments ;-)
+1Re the lag debate, it's there I assure you, but it's going to impact the enjoyment of the enthusiastic drivers more than the types commuting down the motorway, for that reason I feel there will always be a debate around it.
rockin said:
bcr5784 said:
The 718 clearly has quite a lot of lag until around 3000 rpm.
Not the ones I've driven.bcr5784 said:
My 981S didn't have a flat spot below 2000 revs
That's odd, because my 918S is flat as a pancake unless you rev its nuts off.bcr5784 said:
I think he is allowing pdk to drive round the lag of the 718
Be fair, PDK is just as good at driving around 918's lack of torque as it is at driving around 718's characteristics. However, I don't favour auto in this type of car so mine's a manual.Base 718 with PDK looks great performance/value for money IMO.
Regarding performance, I'd certainly agree that the base 718 has enough performance to make the case for the S much weaker than in the 918 era. To call it a performance bargain is stretching a point. It now has similar performance to other contenders at a similar price point - M2, Alpine, if a bit behind the TT. Previously the base 981 was well behind the competition in outright performance.
Edited by bcr5784 on Thursday 3rd January 08:44
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