981S vs 718 base

Author
Discussion

Foundthecure

91 posts

72 months

Saturday 1st September 2018
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AJB88 said:
I went for a 2015 Cayman S 3.4 over a slightly newer 718 Cayman S 2.5T simply for the noise.
Can’t beat AMG when purely for the noise imo.

1964

56 posts

158 months

Saturday 1st September 2018
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I had this choice 2 years ago - a 2 year old 981 GTS or a new 718 S for similar money
I went for the 718 S. Planned to keep it for a reasonable time, not worried about fuel consumption or depreciation and wanted exactly the spec I wanted not what someone else had chosen previously. Styling is personal taste and either are fine; handling is very similar (for what I do) so not a deciding factor for me. Agreed the 981 sounds better but the 718 is quicker and the cabin more up to date.

In the end newness and exact spec choice were the deciding factor for me. Almost 2 years later I am still very happy with the 718 and have no regrets !

James McScotty

457 posts

145 months

Saturday 1st September 2018
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1964 said:
I had this choice 2 years ago - a 2 year old 981 GTS or a new 718 S for similar money
I went for the 718 S. Planned to keep it for a reasonable time, not worried about fuel consumption or depreciation and wanted exactly the spec I wanted not what someone else had chosen previously. Styling is personal taste and either are fine; handling is very similar (for what I do) so not a deciding factor for me. Agreed the 981 sounds better but the 718 is quicker and the cabin more up to date.

In the end newness and exact spec choice were the deciding factor for me. Almost 2 years later I am still very happy with the 718 and have no regrets !
Similar choice recently - I chose used 981 CGTS manual. Certainly easily as fast as I'll ever need on public roads. Sounds glorious as well.

dreamcar

1,067 posts

112 months

Saturday 1st September 2018
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There is no doubt if the turbo lag (however big or small you believe it to be) and sound are not a priority, clearly the 718 is a better car. I’ve not driven the 718 GTS yet - hopefully will do next week - but even the 718S feels stronger at low to mid range than our 981 GTS. For me, the sound and character of the flat six trump the undoubted other attributes of the newer car, and the performance of our GTS is more than adequate.

dan1275

1 posts

68 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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My first post too.

I'm in an interesting position in that I will be buying my first Porsche at the end of September. Yesterday I drove my first Porsche and it was the 2015 Spyder. This was on my radar due to the noise and potential of steady depreciation. I absolutely loved it but this will be my main car and will be used daily. Due to this I'm worried that it might not be practical in a world of speed bumps. Having pdk and am electric roof might also be better for everyday use.

I think I'm going to have to drive a GTS version to compare, I'll probably also have to have a go in the 718 GTS too. Decisions decisions!

AJB88

12,451 posts

172 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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I've got a 2015 Cayman S with PASM amongst other options, the ride height is perfectly fine for daily use!

I don't use it daily however.

bcr5784

7,118 posts

146 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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AJB88 said:
I've got a 2015 Cayman S with PASM amongst other options, the ride height is perfectly fine for daily use!

I don't use it daily however.
The nose of the GTS projects and reduces ground clearance considerably. I found the 981S Ok but even it did ground occasionally.

AJB88

12,451 posts

172 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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My S has the GTS body kit on it from factory

dreamcar

1,067 posts

112 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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AJB88 said:
My S has the GTS body kit on it from factory
Never grounded our BGTS yet - but we have PASM not sport suspension. I grounded our much missed 987/1 Boxster S (19” wheels + PASM) more than I have our current car!

Twinfan

10,125 posts

105 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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I have a 981 GTS with PASM. I clip my brake ducts occasionally on speed bumps etc but I never ground the nose out. The ducts are pretty low and catch first.

JayK12

2,324 posts

203 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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OPC offered me 10K less than I paid on my BGTS 2 years ago against a GT4. No doubt they'd turn it around quickly with 5K profit. I've also done 8.5K on it. Great for maintaining value.

I have X73, never caught the nose on a speed bump, can't remember catching it anywhere. Just the wheel arch bits that stick out when cornering hard.

testdrive_tv

2,908 posts

196 months

Sunday 2nd September 2018
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Op, most of the arguments for each car have been covered but I'll add a couple of points for your consideration. The first involves the manual gearbox, the regular 981s suit pdk because the ratios in the manual are ridiculous. This has been resolved in the 718 so what you lose in drama you can gain in terms of involvement if you see my point.

I think most of the 718 negativity comes from the S model but to me the base car is the sweet spot as you can work it in a way that makes the experience fun.

I own a 981 but I can see both sides.

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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testdrive_tv said:
I own a 981 but I can see both sides.
Yup, me too, and the base 718 looks an absolute sportscar bargain. There's nothing to touch it for the money.

Trevor555

4,457 posts

85 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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rockin said:
testdrive_tv said:
I own a 981 but I can see both sides.
Yup, me too, and the base 718 looks an absolute sportscar bargain. There's nothing to touch it for the money.
New TTRS got my money at the time after adding a decent spec on a 718

But I deeply regretted selling my 981

Saving my pennies for a GT4


Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 3rd September 12:41

bcr5784

7,118 posts

146 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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rockin said:
Yup, me too, and the base 718 looks an absolute sportscar bargain. There's nothing to touch it for the money.
Just keeping saying that doesn't make it true. The Alpine is faster (at any sensiible speed), and cheaper, more comfortable, economical ...and most importantly more fun (imo of course).

Twinfan

10,125 posts

105 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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bcr5784 said:
Just keeping saying that doesn't make it true. The Alpine is faster (at any sensiible speed), and cheaper, more comfortable, economical ...and most importantly more fun (imo of course).
The PH homepage agrees and prefers the Alpine.

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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bcr5784 said:
The Alpine is ... cheaper
Now that's plain dishonest.

testdrive_tv

2,908 posts

196 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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Twinfan said:
The PH homepage agrees and prefers the Alpine.
Headline grabber

n12maser

581 posts

93 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
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testdrive_tv said:
Op, most of the arguments for each car have been covered but I'll add a couple of points for your consideration. The first involves the manual gearbox, the regular 981s suit pdk because the ratios in the manual are ridiculous. This has been resolved in the 718 so what you lose in drama you can gain in terms of involvement if you see my point.

I think most of the 718 negativity comes from the S model but to me the base car is the sweet spot as you can work it in a way that makes the experience fun.

I own a 981 but I can see both sides.
Are the ratios revised in the 718 Vs the 981 or is it more that they're the same, however turbo torque means you can shift lower down the rev range without a performance punishment,therefore more shifting (and more fun)?

bcr5784

7,118 posts

146 months

Monday 3rd September 2018
quotequote all
rockin said:
Now that's plain dishonest.
Configure the two cars to the same spec and say that. The Alpine comes with dual clutch box, keyless entry, climate control, lightweight bucket seats, cruise control, automatic wipers, LED lights, E-diff (read LSD), Launch control, part of Sport Chrono all as standard (Pure). Add pretty much what options you like to the car and the Alpine has the advantage. Comes with a free all-aluminium chassis and (aluminium) double wishbone suspension. Of course the 718 comes with free cupholders, doorbins and glovebox - take your pick.

And please don't say you CAN buy a 718 cheaper - true - but if you look at the second-hand ones in the real world no-one does.