Will a 718 Camyan S make me happy?
Discussion
So after years of yearning for a Porsche, I'm about to take the plunge with the first of what I hope will be many more.
Yes! - I'm excited.
I'm looking to go for a 718 S PDK. It will be in daily use, probably 10K /year. I never experienced the 6 pot, so don't have the worry of the 718's 4 cyl being a disappointment - I have no benchmark to make me sad.
My main concern is whether this car with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension will really prove to be too harsh over the bumps. Several reviews mention this and high road noise. Are they being picky, or it is a REAL problem?
Thank you and hope I can contribute positively to the forum some day.
Yes! - I'm excited.
I'm looking to go for a 718 S PDK. It will be in daily use, probably 10K /year. I never experienced the 6 pot, so don't have the worry of the 718's 4 cyl being a disappointment - I have no benchmark to make me sad.
My main concern is whether this car with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension will really prove to be too harsh over the bumps. Several reviews mention this and high road noise. Are they being picky, or it is a REAL problem?
Thank you and hope I can contribute positively to the forum some day.
The main controversy of the 718 is the 4 pot. Next to the old 6 pot (and I had a 981) it lacks the aural appeal, but on its own it's a cracking engine - very fast, decent sound and very useable performance. It also has quite a dual personality, in comfort mode the engine is very lazy and relaxed, in sport there is much less lag (although still there). You are right that without experiencing the old engine, I don't think it would be a problem.
The ride really depends on what you're used to. To me a 718 with PASM rides wonderfully. Without PASM the 981 still rode quite well on 20s - although you do feel the road. Compared to something like an M Sport 3 Series I wouldn't say it's any worse, and the seats actually make it a more comfortable car overall.
Tyre noise is quite high, especially at motorway speeds. Not so loud that you can't have a conversation at a normal volume but definitely noticeable when compared to, say, your average saloon/non-sports car.
The above is all very subjective. You really have to take a decent drive in one to know. For me the 718 is comparable to its competitors in its worst areas (engine, tyre noise) and better at everything else (steering, 'feel', interior quality, gearbox).
The ride really depends on what you're used to. To me a 718 with PASM rides wonderfully. Without PASM the 981 still rode quite well on 20s - although you do feel the road. Compared to something like an M Sport 3 Series I wouldn't say it's any worse, and the seats actually make it a more comfortable car overall.
Tyre noise is quite high, especially at motorway speeds. Not so loud that you can't have a conversation at a normal volume but definitely noticeable when compared to, say, your average saloon/non-sports car.
The above is all very subjective. You really have to take a decent drive in one to know. For me the 718 is comparable to its competitors in its worst areas (engine, tyre noise) and better at everything else (steering, 'feel', interior quality, gearbox).
GT4P said:
A Camyan may not make you happy a Cayman will!
As for suspension test drive a few set ups to see which you prefer a non pasm car rides fine on 19" wheels not sure about 20s although 981 spyder is sports suspension and 20s with no complaints
Ha! - thanks... yeah couldn’t edit the ‘Camyan’ title, only the main text - still that’s one way for a newbie to make a mark and be seen as dumb from the outset. As for suspension test drive a few set ups to see which you prefer a non pasm car rides fine on 19" wheels not sure about 20s although 981 spyder is sports suspension and 20s with no complaints
You’re right of course on trying some out, but also thinking there’s a lot of good experience in the forum who will have lived with cars for longer. Thanks!
Ive driven a couple of base 718s with 20s and standard passive suspension and the ride was perfectly fine to me. My last car was an Audi with s-line suspension which was also meant to be rock hard and again I got on fine with it. I did spec PASM on my base 718 though and the 20 inch sport wheels but if I was spec'ing one again, I'd probably not bother. A test drive is the only way to ensure you are happy with it. Porsche know how to set up a car and a lot (most) of the options have you doubting whether you could live without them or if the car would be better with them. I'll bet most of us could live without most of them.....
A friend of mine recently bought a 718 GTS and absolutely loves it. It's his first Porsche, so he isn't making any comparison to the old 6 cylinder engines.
That being said, I think he was mad to drop 75k on a 718 with options when a low miles 981 GTS could be had for 15-20k less, further down the depreciation curve and with a flat 6 lump.
But hey, its his money and it is a lovely looking car which he is over the moon with.
A nice low miles 981 S could be yours for 40k-45k? Surely the better buy?
That being said, I think he was mad to drop 75k on a 718 with options when a low miles 981 GTS could be had for 15-20k less, further down the depreciation curve and with a flat 6 lump.
But hey, its his money and it is a lovely looking car which he is over the moon with.
A nice low miles 981 S could be yours for 40k-45k? Surely the better buy?
HarveySpecter said:
I never experienced the 6 pot, so don't have the worry of the 718's 4 cyl being a disappointment - I have no benchmark to make me sad.
i don't get this point of view - i'd never been anywhere near a flat 6 but when i experienced the 981CGTS i knew i'd found the Cayman for me.regarding the wheels with no PASM, i test drove the 718 with and without and without was definitely more crashy and not as direct steering wise. stance is compromised too if you like your cars more sporty looking.
HarveySpecter said:
So after years of yearning for a Porsche, I'm about to take the plunge with the first of what I hope will be many more.
Yes! - I'm excited.
I'm looking to go for a 718 S PDK. It will be in daily use, probably 10K /year. I never experienced the 6 pot, so don't have the worry of the 718's 4 cyl being a disappointment - I have no benchmark to make me sad.
My main concern is whether this car with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension will really prove to be too harsh over the bumps. Several reviews mention this and high road noise. Are they being picky, or it is a REAL problem?
Thank you and hope I can contribute positively to the forum some day.
Title: Will a 718 Camyan S make me happy?Yes! - I'm excited.
I'm looking to go for a 718 S PDK. It will be in daily use, probably 10K /year. I never experienced the 6 pot, so don't have the worry of the 718's 4 cyl being a disappointment - I have no benchmark to make me sad.
My main concern is whether this car with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension will really prove to be too harsh over the bumps. Several reviews mention this and high road noise. Are they being picky, or it is a REAL problem?
Thank you and hope I can contribute positively to the forum some day.
Answer: No
Ask yourself if you like turbo petrol engines?
If yes, buy a 718 S.
If no, don't.
If you have never owned a turbo petrol engined car, get an extended test drive over 2 days and "live" with a 718 for a while.
I would have been happy with a 981 on standard suspension. But the 718 suspension is that little bit harder, as is the PASM set up on the 718.
Try many. Try until you're happy.
Personally, after my turbo'd TTS, I vowed never to buy another turbo petrol car. I've driven 718 and 718S which confirmed I'm in the "don't like" camp. I'll keep my 981.
If yes, buy a 718 S.
If no, don't.
If you have never owned a turbo petrol engined car, get an extended test drive over 2 days and "live" with a 718 for a while.
I would have been happy with a 981 on standard suspension. But the 718 suspension is that little bit harder, as is the PASM set up on the 718.
Try many. Try until you're happy.
Personally, after my turbo'd TTS, I vowed never to buy another turbo petrol car. I've driven 718 and 718S which confirmed I'm in the "don't like" camp. I'll keep my 981.
I’ve been fortunate to enjoy many Porsche’s. If your heart is set on a 718 Cayman then you will make a mistake to discount the base model. IMHO this 300 hp motor is nicer than it’s big brother - and will allow you to book a nice holiday. Go GTS or base, I did not enjoy the S version as much as the other two. It simply has less character.
If it were my money - I’d go for a peachy 981S or a base 718. (PASM preferable on 20 inch wheels btw.)
If it were my money - I’d go for a peachy 981S or a base 718. (PASM preferable on 20 inch wheels btw.)
Edited by notsomadmick on Wednesday 30th January 23:22
The 718 Cayman S is the same as any other Porsche - it will make some people very happy, others less so.
It all depends what you are looking for in a car. An extended test drive, and perhaps PEC visit should help you decide
Personally, I like the Caymans - perfect size, great styling, practical, comfortable, fairly economical, steady residuals, superb handling and all the performance most people ever need. But, I would prefer the normally aspirated engine to be truly happy.
It all depends what you are looking for in a car. An extended test drive, and perhaps PEC visit should help you decide
Personally, I like the Caymans - perfect size, great styling, practical, comfortable, fairly economical, steady residuals, superb handling and all the performance most people ever need. But, I would prefer the normally aspirated engine to be truly happy.
The only answer really is to try one and see. Everything else is preference and opinion.
FWIW I don't think the setup you describe is overly harsh or crashy. Indeed these days I don't think any of the non GT Porsches are really crashy.
Road noise may be louder than other cars but unless you like to drive with no music or radio on in silence then you'll be fine.
Much as I personally can't stand the new engines, they are fast and the handling on these cars is very pleasing.
Go and try one and see what you think.
As for whether it will make you happy - well a 2 seater sports car probably won't be your answer if you are clinically depressed but you certainly might find a good thrash in one makes you smile.
FWIW I don't think the setup you describe is overly harsh or crashy. Indeed these days I don't think any of the non GT Porsches are really crashy.
Road noise may be louder than other cars but unless you like to drive with no music or radio on in silence then you'll be fine.
Much as I personally can't stand the new engines, they are fast and the handling on these cars is very pleasing.
Go and try one and see what you think.
As for whether it will make you happy - well a 2 seater sports car probably won't be your answer if you are clinically depressed but you certainly might find a good thrash in one makes you smile.
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