718 Sound and Constant Whinging !

[bob2146]

IS anyone else tiring of the constant whinging re the 718's engine note ?

Maybe it's just me but some reviews and comments seem to exaggerate this out of all proportion. A lot of these tests are not always balanced either. Chris Harris's comparison of a 718 at cruise vs an accelerating 981 is a good example. Not a fair comparison, at all. Having driven both I can say I definitely liked the F6, but at cruising speed it droned as well.

Carfection's latest review was the final straw, I mean come on ! Great road and all but please stop the whinging ! It is really misleading, I've read so much commentary on this it really detracts from what is a great car.

[bob2146]

DJMC said:

OP... which do you own? 981 or 718?

Hi All. So many responses ! I was in the market for one and trying to decide on a 981 vs a 718 for some time before deciding on the newer car. My point was there is so much written about this topic that if you are in the market for one it really detracts from what is a great car. I also think the perspective on this is somewhat lacking (at least for a regular person like me vs an "enthusiast".) It definitely caused me pause for thought (potentially no bad thing) but when IMO there is really no need because a lot of this issue is blown out of all proportion.

What is interesting is the "perceived" unpopularity of the noise despite the higher global sales figures seems to have led to some great finance deals, so with Porsche underwriting high residuals I guess shouldn't complain too strongly. Carfection just grated with me most recently as I usually enjoy their reviews.

Thank you for all your responses (either agreeing or not!), enthusiasts and purists obviously have very strong feelings about this. My intention here is not to dredge up an old thread for "amusement" but to make some genuine comments and gauge opinions from people about the purchasing experience at present.

[bob2146]

A Quick word from the OP, (sorry to interrupt ):

When I started this thread yesterday I had no idea how strongly people clearly feel about this. The sound discussion is almost a misnomer, when I think it is change that we are really discussing. Somebody mentioned the term “nasp dinosaurs” earlier, many pages back, and I think that is very true. We are all a dying breed to some extent, privileged in our ability to enjoy what is presumably the last of the era of internal combustion, and I for one am not looking forward to the next chapter of all electric cars. No matter how good the acceleration or how great the handling of future versions something will be lost. That is not to say they will not be a better all round product, with faster lap/0-60 times and power output. We should not disparage these when they appear, because in a way they will be better/quicker, improved and advanced. Just not to some of us.

Something has been lost in the move away from nasp to turbo charging, again no doubt, and people clearly feel very strongly about this. Whether cynically driven by emissions regulations or just changing customer preferences as the market evolves into producing more homogenized white goods cars for the masses (please not more Audis! , what is clearer to me now is that time is running out. Great products like the naturally aspirated V8s, flat sixes and even turbo flat fours will soon be replaced, we clearly need to enjoy them now while we still can. That said I would probably suggest waiting a few days given the weather..

Thanks again all, so many comments, colourful views and all in all a very interesting read .

Bob

[bob2146]

BE57JAM said:

Substantiation here:
http://carsalesbase.com/european-car-sales-data/po...

Looks like the idea that the car isn’t selling is a bit of a myth

Sales figures are interesting, although I also take the point that popularity is not necessarily a [the only] measure of success.. What struck me was that whilst global sales are up six percent on the 718, if you look at the individual markets the North American sales are clearly not as strong as the growth from the Far East, namely China. What that says to me is that the NA market is old school where n'asp and cylinder count are clearly preferred, (as with some on here.) What that also says to me is that Porsche is investing in a global product and there will be homogenisation of that product between markets. Personal preference may be for an F6 nasp, but if it can't sell globally across different markets they won't invest.

[bob2146]

I think we should settle this around a track. The 981s sound good but are they quick enough? Maybe their drivers’ loyalty to the old technology will set the better lap times. Or maybe not. Who’s up for that ?

[bob2146]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

https://www.porsche.com/uk/models/718/718-cayman-models/718-cayman/finance/

[bob2146]

BE57JAM said:

Wouldn’t want you to disagree to violently. You might break your keyboard

This thread really needs a ‘highlights reel’. That one was my personal favourite ..

Snow has melted down here at least so we can finally get out, away from these forums, and drive..

[bob2146]

It amazes me how people think posting the same thing repeatedly can possibly win an argument ! Can you post that again , I think I may have missed it on the other fifteen occasions...

PCGB are clearly not the target market, so clearly you are missing the point entirely. I think it's time for the parrot !!

[bob2146]

I think you'll get more mileage out of the engine argument, and that's just down to personal preference as has been said. This guy just seems to like posting random car review scans, I'm pretty sure he suggested Jeremy Clarkson had done a 718 review in one of his previous posts, to which I'm pretty sure he hasn't. Maybe he just likes posting general nonsense?

Anyhow I've just put my 718 order in and can't wait. The picture of the two-tone interior in one of the other threads looked superb, and the rougher engine sound is just fine with me!

[bob2146]

mabosh said:

Cheshirecat65 said:

Obviously they are wrong then, along with all the others, including 75% of Porsche GB OC.

Edited by Cheshirecat65 on Friday 2nd March 22:04

Edited by Cheshirecat65 on Friday 2nd March 22:04

You've made the same tedious 'point' over and over again.

I don't lie awake at night fretting that 75% of the Porsche GB OC think I'm a knobber for ordering a 718. I don't give a flying fk what they, or anyone, thinks. No doubt some of them are currently stalking this thread while knocking one out. I'm very happy for them.

Sensible and mature adults will appreciate there is room for both persuasions without the need for rabid brainwashing.

Goldfish memory Mr Cat, what was that number again ? 75% of Porsche GBOC ? Maybe if you post a few more scans we'll believe you.... Then again perhaps not.

Edited by bob2146 on Monday 5th March 18:56

[bob2146]

Six cylinder turbo with some reworking would be my random bet (since nasp is clearly dead..) That said if they did that I'd be amazed if they also call it a '718', since I thought the 718 moniker was all about the four cylinders.

Anyway I thought you guys had a separate GT4 thread going for all the speculation & conjecture around that..

[bob2146]

You can't fight the tide of turbocharging ! Cling on to the hope CM, and I hope it happens for you, I really do. FI six is my bet, is all, but isn't this hypothetical really as you just can't put any mileage on these cars without it costing £££s in depreciation? I'd hate to have a car I loved but couldn't use regularly. The millionaire car collectors amongst you obviously exempted from that because your garages are full and you probably aren't going to drive them much due to having so many options!

Can we bet on this stuff anywhere, any sweepstakes going for the next GT4 engine at William Hill ?

Edited by bob2146 on Wednesday 7th March 13:41

[bob2146]

Let's face it the 'inferior engine' quote seems like a bit of a snide comment to me. In any case no need for personal insults IMO he makes a valid point.

[bob2146]

I think BE57JAM may have hit a nerve there. 'Times they are a changing', and IMO there was a bit of provocative commentary from the 981 owners back there also. Clearly strong feelings run on both sides.

As a general comment in reading the latter pages of this thread I'd say a slightly more 'inclusive' approach from some of the 981 owners towards the 718s would go a long way. Rejoice in owning the last of the NA F6's, hate the general market trend to turbocharging, but don't hate the 718 !

[bob2146]

Shock horror, millionaire super car owner doesn't like the 718.

I think I actually saw your review on Planet 9 ages back (or some other site) but didn't consider it relevant to me personally so just went out and test drove both myself. In the interests of balance I think it would be good to hear any reviews from the 718 owners, (super car ownership certainly not a prerequisite, and is probably far more relevant if you are actually in the target market.) When I started this thread it I wanted to highlight the whinging about the 718 is out of proportion to the issues at hand and you've certainly done that.

The bashing and complaining is getting a bit stale now and the debate has moved on - i.e. any current reviews with some actual balance in them are most welcome.

Edited by bob2146 on Thursday 8th March 15:11

[bob2146]

So far I've sat on the fence and only very recently ordered a 718. As somebody recently in the market and reading reviews what shocked me was the sheer word count and amount of whinging.

Somebody made a similar point elsewhere but I think it is also relevant here:

To the 981 owners I'd say this : nothing is going to change. Porsche isn't going to think "Oh yeah, lets go back and build NA flat 6 engines". Not going to happen. Whine all you want. Its good to get it out of your system but my god you have definitely done that. Also, please let the new owners (of which I will soon be one) enjoy their cars too.

And vice versa, for the 718 new owners, one day you too, SOON, will be whining as the only sound you will be hearing is .... nothing.

A chilling thought..

[bob2146]

_leg_ fair comment and as it happens I did think that was a balanced review. Jtt too much whinging ! Some objectivity (if it exists on PH) would not go amiss.

Btw _leg_ we need some more reviews. Something like a 981 vs 718 road trip.. Harry’s Garage Testarossa to the Sahara style!

[bob2146]

_leg_ just buy the cars and review
Jtt I hear you Sir, I get that 100%. Delegate as much as you can.
BCR: 4 cylinders ! Twinfan & CM will never speak to you again. Respect. A true purist’s choice & willing to sacrifice the badge ! We look forward to the review.

[bob2146]

dreamcar said:

I think you are onto something here. The Porsche board have seen this coming, and they’ve decided to build a sports car, that sounds so horrible that when eventually legislation forces them to build cars that sound as exciting as a milk float the customers will say thank God for the silence in this new sports car after that awful racket we had to put up with in 718!

Wait for incoming......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oShTJ90fC34

[bob2146]

DJ is just sore because I was joshing with him over his economical driving style yesterday