981S vs 718 base
Discussion
jonttt said:
I don’t dislike the 718 because I have a NA 981, I have a NA 981 because I dislike the 718, there is a world of difference in those statements ;-)
That sums it up very well. I took a 718 albeit cayman out and not long after a 981 Boxster S. A month later I'd had a boxster S in the garage and couldn't be happier. the 7 made very quick pace but I just couldn't warm to its character (or lack of). Sound, response, it's all such a visceral component of owning a sports car and the 718 for me just didn't tick the boxes.I had the reverse experience on test driving a 718 coming from an F6. The car is certainly improved in most areas over the 981S and damn it's also fast. Kind of makes me think there's a lot of bulls
t written about it all on the internet but there you go. Sound is indeed different, but is still aggressive and sports car like in my view. I guess the only way to decide is to drive them both yourself.
t written about it all on the internet but there you go. Sound is indeed different, but is still aggressive and sports car like in my view. I guess the only way to decide is to drive them both yourself.
Lexington59 said:
I had the reverse experience on test driving a 718 coming from an F6. The car is certainly improved in most areas over the 981S and damn it's also fast. Kind of makes me think there's a lot of bullst written about it all on the internet but there you go. Sound is indeed different, but is still aggressive and sports car like in my view. I guess the only way to decide is to drive them both yourself.
I guess we're all different! I had a 718 loan car and I couldn't see a single area where it was an improvement over my 981!t written about it all on the internet but there you go. Sound is indeed different, but is still aggressive and sports car like in my view. I guess the only way to decide is to drive them both yourself.When my 986 was is for a service last year I was given a 718 Cayman S for the day.
Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
LordGrover said:
When my 986 was is for a service last year I was given a 718 Cayman S for the day.
Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
The base car is much quieter and probably better for it. Most of the bad press comes from the 2.5 imo.Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
LordGrover said:
When my 986 was is for a service last year I was given a 718 Cayman S for the day.
Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
How did you get on with your test drives?Now I stop to think about it, I quite enjoyed it at the time except for the exhaust. Not for the usual reason - I didn't mind the note or volume. It was the pops and crackles. Don't get me wrong, I like pops, bangs and crackles as much as the next man - but I expect to work for it - driving hard, feathering the throttle on overrun or just sudden lifting-off throttle. This darn thing did it all the time pottering about in traffic. Felt like a 'look at me' gimmick.
I'm to test drive 718 Boxster tomorrow, not S. Hopefully that'll be not quite so brash.
Sorry, completely forgot about this.
Had a great couple of hours driving both, though they were PDK which wasn't my first choice - my preference was for manual.
The 718 boxster was very nice but a bit sparse options wise. The seats, driving position and cabin all very good and I felt at home immediately. It felt familiar as I could see the similarities with my old 986, but much improved. Driving it was on another level - way sharper than my 986 and so much faster. The roads were a little damp so was cautious at first, but it just gripped relentlessly encouraging me to press on in bends and roundabouts. I guess 265mm rears help a bit there. Having said that, whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't feel the need to push very hard - it wasn't until much later that I realised it was 'just' very competent, but didn't move me the way it should.
The 981 on the other hand... after the 718 the interior feels a little dated - not bad by any means but the newer model is a definite step up. But... it had most of the options on my desires list, including Sport Chrono pack, PSE, xenon headlights and the obligatory heated sports plus seats. Just turning the key it just sounded right. If it'd been a manual I'd probably have signed the deal there and then. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the test drive, especially playing with the Sports Plus mode - for the humble 2.7, it was biblical. Nowhere near as quick as the 718, probably not very fast at all in the grand scheme of things - but fast enough to have a little fun.
Sat down with the guys from Porsche Centre to discuss how it went, and the old question 'what can we do to help you sign today' was asked. I wanted a manual and both were PDK - so there was nothing they could do. I thanked them and said if they get a similar manual to let me know.
It wasn't until later that night I realised how much I'd enjoyed driving the 981; whether despite, or possibly because of the PDK I don't know.
Anyway, long story short I now own the 981 Black Edition I tested, and thoroughly loving it.
Had a great couple of hours driving both, though they were PDK which wasn't my first choice - my preference was for manual.
The 718 boxster was very nice but a bit sparse options wise. The seats, driving position and cabin all very good and I felt at home immediately. It felt familiar as I could see the similarities with my old 986, but much improved. Driving it was on another level - way sharper than my 986 and so much faster. The roads were a little damp so was cautious at first, but it just gripped relentlessly encouraging me to press on in bends and roundabouts. I guess 265mm rears help a bit there. Having said that, whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't feel the need to push very hard - it wasn't until much later that I realised it was 'just' very competent, but didn't move me the way it should.
The 981 on the other hand... after the 718 the interior feels a little dated - not bad by any means but the newer model is a definite step up. But... it had most of the options on my desires list, including Sport Chrono pack, PSE, xenon headlights and the obligatory heated sports plus seats. Just turning the key it just sounded right. If it'd been a manual I'd probably have signed the deal there and then. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the test drive, especially playing with the Sports Plus mode - for the humble 2.7, it was biblical. Nowhere near as quick as the 718, probably not very fast at all in the grand scheme of things - but fast enough to have a little fun.
Sat down with the guys from Porsche Centre to discuss how it went, and the old question 'what can we do to help you sign today' was asked. I wanted a manual and both were PDK - so there was nothing they could do. I thanked them and said if they get a similar manual to let me know.
It wasn't until later that night I realised how much I'd enjoyed driving the 981; whether despite, or possibly because of the PDK I don't know.
Anyway, long story short I now own the 981 Black Edition I tested, and thoroughly loving it.
Twinfan said:
Couldn't agree more. The 981 vents just look so right and the 718's so wrong!
Shame they moved the Sports Chrono clock too, that annoys me as well.
Quality and materials are very different. I would say better materials used in the 981 as now a percentage has to be made of recycled materials which doesnt have the same feel. I think the 718 pcm fits the space better than the 981 so doesnt look so small . Switch gear same and vents and steering wheel different. Demist buttons in crap position on both cars.
718 Centre console switchbank looks empty because of the rotary switch on the steering wheel. Chrono moved to a position so in eye vision with other dials . Well thats what i read in a Porsche mag. Never noticed reflection only dash in windscreen
718 Centre console switchbank looks empty because of the rotary switch on the steering wheel. Chrono moved to a position so in eye vision with other dials . Well thats what i read in a Porsche mag. Never noticed reflection only dash in windscreen
Edited by tedblog on Thursday 28th February 14:44
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