The new 718 Gt4/Spyder are here!
Discussion
TDT said:
I think Ford were amongst were first to coin the term ‘sound symposer’ in this context..a tube with a diaphragm to bring the real sounds through the engine wall into the cabin....this is exactly what Porsche do.
Since then others have bastardised the term and play sound tracks through their speakers...
Ah, cool - didn't know that. Cheers!Since then others have bastardised the term and play sound tracks through their speakers...
A tale of woe 
So, I stupidly sold my 718 Spyder (& JCR exhaust) as I planned to put the funds towards another car, which I have now decided not to buy.
I then decided that price delta between the 718 with JCR and a 981 meant rather that rather than re buying a 718, I’d buy myself a 981 instead - I owned one for about 2.5 years, did 12k very enjoyable miles in it.
So I found a lovely looking 981 and went to see it; coincidently the dealer also had a 718 Spyder in the same colour sitting next to it in their showroom.
The 981 Spyder is a very pretty car and on it’s own, is a real thing of beauty. However, put it next to a 718 Spyder and suddenly it looks less appealing - Porsche are very clever, the design move on’s are very subtle, but taken as a whole, i personally think it’s a far prettier, more purposeful car. This subtle move on is equally noticeable inside the car too. However the price gap still makes the 981 a far more sensible purchase.
As such, I was just about to buy it as I know exactly what they are like to drive, but I thought I’d better take it for a spin as it felt like the prudent thing to do.
This is where it got a bit messy ;
So, first things first - the 981 is partially defined by it’s noise; I have no idea how this got signed off from a regulatory perspective tbh, but it’s a screamer. It’s a lovely thing, however when pushed it felt very soft & it didn’t bite like the 718 ; perfect for a Sunday morning, roof down cruise, but after the 718 it felt really compromised dynamically - now in fairness, it was wearing old Pirelli’s and maybe the geometry needed a tweak, but it was more than this; the 718’s GT chassis has ruined the 981 for me, which is highly annoying as I would have been very happy with it otherwise.
So a word of warning; if you are thinking of buying a 981 or already own one, don’t park next to and definitely don’t drive, the 718 Spyder with a JCR mod and you’ll be absolutely fine & dandy.
However, IMHO speaking objectively, after owning both, the 718 is a massive move on - whether it’s worth the price delta is another thing entirely - I’d have to say objectively, probably not. But since selling mine, I’ve learnt two things about me.
1. I’m an idiot; selling your car to help fund another purchase that you subsequently don’t bother with is administratively onerous, time consuming & expensive.
2. To me, I now know that the price delta between the two IS absolutely worth it.
So, I stupidly sold my 718 Spyder (& JCR exhaust) as I planned to put the funds towards another car, which I have now decided not to buy.
I then decided that price delta between the 718 with JCR and a 981 meant rather that rather than re buying a 718, I’d buy myself a 981 instead - I owned one for about 2.5 years, did 12k very enjoyable miles in it.
So I found a lovely looking 981 and went to see it; coincidently the dealer also had a 718 Spyder in the same colour sitting next to it in their showroom.
The 981 Spyder is a very pretty car and on it’s own, is a real thing of beauty. However, put it next to a 718 Spyder and suddenly it looks less appealing - Porsche are very clever, the design move on’s are very subtle, but taken as a whole, i personally think it’s a far prettier, more purposeful car. This subtle move on is equally noticeable inside the car too. However the price gap still makes the 981 a far more sensible purchase.
As such, I was just about to buy it as I know exactly what they are like to drive, but I thought I’d better take it for a spin as it felt like the prudent thing to do.
This is where it got a bit messy ;
So, first things first - the 981 is partially defined by it’s noise; I have no idea how this got signed off from a regulatory perspective tbh, but it’s a screamer. It’s a lovely thing, however when pushed it felt very soft & it didn’t bite like the 718 ; perfect for a Sunday morning, roof down cruise, but after the 718 it felt really compromised dynamically - now in fairness, it was wearing old Pirelli’s and maybe the geometry needed a tweak, but it was more than this; the 718’s GT chassis has ruined the 981 for me, which is highly annoying as I would have been very happy with it otherwise.
So a word of warning; if you are thinking of buying a 981 or already own one, don’t park next to and definitely don’t drive, the 718 Spyder with a JCR mod and you’ll be absolutely fine & dandy.
However, IMHO speaking objectively, after owning both, the 718 is a massive move on - whether it’s worth the price delta is another thing entirely - I’d have to say objectively, probably not. But since selling mine, I’ve learnt two things about me.
1. I’m an idiot; selling your car to help fund another purchase that you subsequently don’t bother with is administratively onerous, time consuming & expensive.
2. To me, I now know that the price delta between the two IS absolutely worth it.
Edited by RSVP911 on Saturday 1st August 13:39
RSVP911 interesting comments. I own a 981 Spyder which I love. Driving dynamic, looks and of course the engine sound is a 6 cylinder symphony. I’m not someone who would play with the 718 Spyder GT suspension so would be wasted on me. I haven’t seen the 2 side by side which would be interesting but not a lot in it. I do prefer the rear of the 718. Would I pay circa 35% premium for it? This is roughly the delta between what I paid for my car with less than 4000 miles on it and 718’s of similar spec on the market. That’s a big jump. Had I got a 718 at list maybe a different proposition.
T2TC said:
RSVP911 interesting comments. I own a 981 Spyder which I love. Driving dynamic, looks and of course the engine sound is a 6 cylinder symphony. I’m not someone who would play with the 718 Spyder GT suspension so would be wasted on me. I haven’t seen the 2 side by side which would be interesting but not a lot in it. I do prefer the rear of the 718. Would I pay circa 35% premium for it? This is roughly the delta between what I paid for my car with less than 4000 miles on it and 718’s of similar spec on the market. That’s a big jump. Had I got a 718 at list maybe a different proposition.
Absolutely - you have a lovely, lovely car - enjoy T2TC said:
RSVP911 interesting comments. I own a 981 Spyder which I love. Driving dynamic, looks and of course the engine sound is a 6 cylinder symphony. I’m not someone who would play with the 718 Spyder GT suspension so would be wasted on me. I haven’t seen the 2 side by side which would be interesting but not a lot in it. I do prefer the rear of the 718. Would I pay circa 35% premium for it? This is roughly the delta between what I paid for my car with less than 4000 miles on it and 718’s of similar spec on the market. That’s a big jump. Had I got a 718 at list maybe a different proposition.
I had a chance of buying a brand new 718 Spyder from an OPC so at list price but no PTS no CXX options for interior and after fitting a JCR still not as exciting or loud as my 981 and a good £30k to add to the deal I decided if it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it keep the cash for other 4 wheeled things like the daily driver upgrade as and when 
Very interesting to read, my 981 spyder is currently with me in northern Italy but once i return it will be up for sale as we need to go down to 1 car, does make me twice about selling it even whether i will regret it or not.
Suppose I'll advertise it and see as the market seems slow compared to whats moving and whats hanging around.
Andy718 said:
Very interesting to read, my 981 spyder is currently with me in northern Italy but once i return it will be up for sale as we need to go down to 1 car, does make me twice about selling it even whether i will regret it or not.
Suppose I'll advertise it and see as the market seems slow compared to whats moving and whats hanging around.
The picture looks great, Spyder looking super pretty...
Just some advice as you sound like your in two minds - I sold my 981 Spyder after 3.5 brilliant years, and went to an M2 then Boxster GTS (981) - while waiting for my current 718 Spyder (which is equally awesome)
They were both fun stop-gap cars, but until I got my 718 - I honestly missed that car every single day - and yes - regretted selling...
Down the line, I hope to have my 718 and another 981 Spyder in the garage.
Unless you have a 718 lined up, or something similarly special - or just really need to - I would def think twice about selling
T2TC said:
RSVP911 interesting comments. I own a 981 Spyder which I love. Driving dynamic, looks and of course the engine sound is a 6 cylinder symphony. I’m not someone who would play with the 718 Spyder GT suspension so would be wasted on me. I haven’t seen the 2 side by side which would be interesting but not a lot in it. I do prefer the rear of the 718. Would I pay circa 35% premium for it? This is roughly the delta between what I paid for my car with less than 4000 miles on it and 718’s of similar spec on the market. That’s a big jump. Had I got a 718 at list maybe a different proposition.
Side by side front view 981 v 718.
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