718S, owners view - 1 year on
Discussion
To put this into perspective my previous two cars were a Megane 250 RS Cup Trophy, and a Cayman S 987.2 My 718 S is a Cayman with a manual box, PASM and PTV.
Of the three the 987.2 was arguably the most disappointing, mainly because the PDK gearbox just lacks driver involvement for me.
Given that so many people, particularly in the UK, seem to be so hung up about sound I should address that first. I actually didn't find the sound of the 987.2 particularly exiting - too much induction noise. I can see (hear?) where some are coming from about the 718S though. The noise is bit more of a growl, and could perhaps have been pitched an octave or two higher. At lower revs though when cruising, or around town the sound is actually very refined and smooth, and I think particularly nice. So, overall the noise is nice enough to me, but nowhere near as pleasant as the best sounding petrol engine of all time, the Rolls Royce Merlin.
The 718S just demolishes my previous two cars in every other respect. Steering feel pretty much equals the hydraulically assisted predecessor but offers greater accuracy. The body is hugely stiffer which translates to body control that is just amazing - the ride is firm enough, yet never crashes nor is there any judder in the body. Bumpy roads, to a point, add to the fun because the steering just feels alive.
Engine response is also outstanding. I don't buy that there is any real turbo lag. The only way I can get any is in top gear at say 100 km/h when flooring the throttle from a cruise. It picks up immediately but full torque is delayed slightly. Otherwise the huge mid range torque makes it far easier to use on public roads when it is not always possible to be in the perfect gear at all times. Unlike the older car there is enough there that at least in 2nd, it is easy enough to kick the tail out in the right conditions.
(I should point out that the although the gear ratios are carried over from the previous model, they are effectively shorter. This is because max torque and max power come in at lower revs. This actually addresses one criticism from the press that the gear ratios are too high.)
I've had a few track drives (I'm competent enough to be getting pretty quick now, but still not a great deal of track experience yet), and have found it be very rewarding. The more I drive it the more I realise how capable it is. Holding a drift flat out in third is an amazing feeling, something I just getting used to, and still finding frighteningly fast! I think it is a great reflection of the overall set up that it can be so rewarding, has great handling balance and wonderful tactile feedback, including the best gearbox/clutch combo I've ever tried.
Of course like most owners I find it hard to criticise my car, but if I have to offer criticisms it would be that it is too expensive. Other than that the tactility of the car for absolutely any type of driving is without peer.
Of the three the 987.2 was arguably the most disappointing, mainly because the PDK gearbox just lacks driver involvement for me.
Given that so many people, particularly in the UK, seem to be so hung up about sound I should address that first. I actually didn't find the sound of the 987.2 particularly exiting - too much induction noise. I can see (hear?) where some are coming from about the 718S though. The noise is bit more of a growl, and could perhaps have been pitched an octave or two higher. At lower revs though when cruising, or around town the sound is actually very refined and smooth, and I think particularly nice. So, overall the noise is nice enough to me, but nowhere near as pleasant as the best sounding petrol engine of all time, the Rolls Royce Merlin.
The 718S just demolishes my previous two cars in every other respect. Steering feel pretty much equals the hydraulically assisted predecessor but offers greater accuracy. The body is hugely stiffer which translates to body control that is just amazing - the ride is firm enough, yet never crashes nor is there any judder in the body. Bumpy roads, to a point, add to the fun because the steering just feels alive.
Engine response is also outstanding. I don't buy that there is any real turbo lag. The only way I can get any is in top gear at say 100 km/h when flooring the throttle from a cruise. It picks up immediately but full torque is delayed slightly. Otherwise the huge mid range torque makes it far easier to use on public roads when it is not always possible to be in the perfect gear at all times. Unlike the older car there is enough there that at least in 2nd, it is easy enough to kick the tail out in the right conditions.
(I should point out that the although the gear ratios are carried over from the previous model, they are effectively shorter. This is because max torque and max power come in at lower revs. This actually addresses one criticism from the press that the gear ratios are too high.)
I've had a few track drives (I'm competent enough to be getting pretty quick now, but still not a great deal of track experience yet), and have found it be very rewarding. The more I drive it the more I realise how capable it is. Holding a drift flat out in third is an amazing feeling, something I just getting used to, and still finding frighteningly fast! I think it is a great reflection of the overall set up that it can be so rewarding, has great handling balance and wonderful tactile feedback, including the best gearbox/clutch combo I've ever tried.
Of course like most owners I find it hard to criticise my car, but if I have to offer criticisms it would be that it is too expensive. Other than that the tactility of the car for absolutely any type of driving is without peer.
I am sure any moment now you'll get a range of counter critism for your post. Don't let them get to you!!!
However, can I say thank you for your very open and honest appraisal of your 718. Well done.
I have a 987.2 Manual Cayman S ( I'm not aloud to say that it's for sale) but I have just bought a 997.2 Carrera S (personal choice to satisfy the 911 itch)
I have driven a very wide range of Porsche models (I am lucky to do that in a work capacity)
I think you are spot on with your feedback on the 718.
For me ( personal opinion) it's just the sound I can't get past with the 718. Otherwise it is as you say, very quick, very agile, very pointed and very fast! It is a very nice car. It is superb compared to much in the past.
I'm not a die-hard but it has to be for me a Flat 6 NA
A good feedback. Thanks.
However, can I say thank you for your very open and honest appraisal of your 718. Well done.
I have a 987.2 Manual Cayman S ( I'm not aloud to say that it's for sale) but I have just bought a 997.2 Carrera S (personal choice to satisfy the 911 itch)
I have driven a very wide range of Porsche models (I am lucky to do that in a work capacity)
I think you are spot on with your feedback on the 718.
For me ( personal opinion) it's just the sound I can't get past with the 718. Otherwise it is as you say, very quick, very agile, very pointed and very fast! It is a very nice car. It is superb compared to much in the past.
I'm not a die-hard but it has to be for me a Flat 6 NA
A good feedback. Thanks.
Well written RR, and I think your comment about the USP sums it up for me too.
I differ from davidc1's view regarding the 718 engines in that I find that I wince whenever I put my for down "enthusiastically" as it just doesn't feel good for them! There's no denying their speed though, they're pokey things for sure and their handling is arguably better than ever in the Cayster range (GT4 excepted).
I differ from davidc1's view regarding the 718 engines in that I find that I wince whenever I put my for down "enthusiastically" as it just doesn't feel good for them! There's no denying their speed though, they're pokey things for sure and their handling is arguably better than ever in the Cayster range (GT4 excepted).
Interesting views, I personally wanted to experience owning a flat 6, so the 718 was never a serious consideration. I have noticed base 718 cayman pricing is similar to late 981 2.7's, I think that speaks volumes.
Dynamically the car is no doubt an improvement in everything bar the engine, but for many the engine is integral to the experience, and very few would argue the 4pot unit is anyway near as enjoyable. Retaining the flat-6 for the 718 GT4 would imply Porsche also agree. I think as time moves on and 4 pots are more widely accepted in performance cars, we may see a shift in opinions.
Dynamically the car is no doubt an improvement in everything bar the engine, but for many the engine is integral to the experience, and very few would argue the 4pot unit is anyway near as enjoyable. Retaining the flat-6 for the 718 GT4 would imply Porsche also agree. I think as time moves on and 4 pots are more widely accepted in performance cars, we may see a shift in opinions.
j8bbk said:
I think as time moves on and 4 pots are more widely accepted in performance cars, we may see a shift in opinions.
I think there are only a few years before the 718 series is either killed off, becomes hybrid or becomes full electric. I'm sure it will have its fan base, but I think the flat six models are likely to have more of a following in the future as they seem to have now.davidc1 said:
Twinfan , i know what you mean about revving the 4 , but i am used to roughish 4's (clio 197 / 200 for 7 years) so used to it!
Mrs Twinfan has a mk3 Focus RS but that loves to be revved. There's just something about the boxer four in the 718s that makes me cringe when I boot it!anonymous said:
[redacted]
Slightly disagree as i think the handling and grip does it fot me. Not all about the engine as American cars prove that ." I'd agree from reports that the new Z4 isn't the sharpest tool in the box, but everyone has a different opinion." Somes up the boxster debate
Am currently considering an upgrade from a 987, and sure the 3.4 engine is great (apart from the bore score), but that you can get more power from a 2.0 is testament to how good it is, the car I test drove was ridiculously quick - from my point of view at least. All the complaints of NA vs turbo by bitter 981 owners just seem really overblown, if you'll excuse the pun, of course !
Lexington59 said:
All the complaints of NA vs turbo by bitter 981 owners just seem really overblown, if you'll excuse the pun, of course !
No bitterness here, just a dislike of the F4T engines in 718s.Lexington59 said:
I wonder how you'll cope when it goes electric...
I'll cope just fine with our existing ICE cars as I won' t be buying a battery powered toy car 
Lexington59 said:
Am currently considering an upgrade from a 987, and sure the 3.4 engine is great (apart from the bore score), but that you can get more power from a 2.0 is testament to how good it is, the car I test drove was ridiculously quick - from my point of view at least. All the complaints of NA vs turbo by bitter 981 owners just seem really overblown, if you'll excuse the pun, of course !
From what I have read, the only people that bring up the engine sound these days are 718 owners. The 981 owners then refute some of the comments. If people didn’t try to justify there purchase so regularly you wouldn’t get disagreementGassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff