New to the Porsche world - 718 guidance
Discussion
All
I'm looking for a little insight into the world of 718 S models, and am after a few answers from those who have been hands on. Test drives will be had, but I'd like to lean on the collective knowledge here and be aware of any grumbles from those in the know, or whether someone has a great idea and points me in another completely different direction!
I'm looking to make the move away from hot hatch into my first two-seat sports car so I've inevitably found myself looking at either Caymans or Boxsters (I'm not sure if the soft-top will win out with when the OH wants to put her two-pence into the decision making process).
Is the S variant the sweet spot in terms of price vs. performance? Coming from an S3 where power is the least of its issues, I have a feeling a standard 718 might feel a little lethargic. Whilst I'm not inclined to (financially) push up towards more powerful GTS models.
Can those in the know advise how you get on if you're c.6'3 in terms of space and comfort in the car over long distances? 90% of the drives will be short-distance or weekend hoons, but there will be those odd trips to see family where it's an easy two+ hours of motorway based cruising.
I assume options wise you aim for the usual acronyms/items in terms of PASM & Sport Chrono, is there anything else to avoid/ensure for quality of life/ease of re-sale when the day comes?
Thanks in advance
MPC
I'm looking for a little insight into the world of 718 S models, and am after a few answers from those who have been hands on. Test drives will be had, but I'd like to lean on the collective knowledge here and be aware of any grumbles from those in the know, or whether someone has a great idea and points me in another completely different direction!
I'm looking to make the move away from hot hatch into my first two-seat sports car so I've inevitably found myself looking at either Caymans or Boxsters (I'm not sure if the soft-top will win out with when the OH wants to put her two-pence into the decision making process).
Is the S variant the sweet spot in terms of price vs. performance? Coming from an S3 where power is the least of its issues, I have a feeling a standard 718 might feel a little lethargic. Whilst I'm not inclined to (financially) push up towards more powerful GTS models.
Can those in the know advise how you get on if you're c.6'3 in terms of space and comfort in the car over long distances? 90% of the drives will be short-distance or weekend hoons, but there will be those odd trips to see family where it's an easy two+ hours of motorway based cruising.
I assume options wise you aim for the usual acronyms/items in terms of PASM & Sport Chrono, is there anything else to avoid/ensure for quality of life/ease of re-sale when the day comes?
Thanks in advance
MPC
Ruddy marvellous, thanks to all those that replied.
A few observations from my end:
1. Go and drive both the entry-level and S variation of the car: it sounds like the entry-level model is not to be sniffed at.
2. Thankfully, some of you taller folks have managed to get in without issue. My second problem is that I'm a rugby second-row kind of build, so whilst height sounds like I'll be okay, squeezing them thighs under the wheel might be another thing! Trying to get in/out of a Jag F-Type R when I had one for 24 hours was not a sight to behold.
3. I appreciate the 718 may have lost some aural appeal, but coming from a 2.0T in an S3 I'm starting from a very low point in terms of audio quality!
Some follow-up questions for you folks seeing as you've been so helpful so far:
@Twinfan & Cabsi
Why is the S a bit of a no-mans land? Is it cost for the car vs. what you receive in return? Does re-sale factor into this point of view too?
Cabsi, you mentioned you preferred the 2.0 engine, why is that - does it rev a little more freely or want to be driven harder?
@Porsche718S
Thank you for the input. Any reason why I shouldn't bother with SC? Or just one of those things in terms of cost vs. benefit?
Sounds like you've really got the miles in during your time with your car - what seats did you go with in yours? On the assumption you were either Sports or Sports Plus, can you advise on why you went for one over the other?
Good luck with the 992 - that's next on the list, once other life things need to be paid for (she wouldn't be happy if I blew my half of the wedding fund on upgrading and going straight into a 992!)
@oo7ml
I have considered the 981 - and will continue to do so. I'm likely taking the 'Porsche Approved' route as my entry in the Porsche world and whilst my online searches haven't been totally expansive, I haven't spied any 981s on any recent searches - not that I can't ask the question, obviously.
@churchie2856
I'd say almost identical when thinking about Golf R vs. S3!
Great insight into the cars that you considered and what you finally went with. Did you buy new from Porsche? How did you find the experience with the staff?
As mentioned above, I'm likely going the 'Approved Porsche' route on my first entry into Porsche ownership.
Looking at price lists and specifications, am I correct in thinking that most owners put somewhere between £4-£7k in options on their cars when they were first specced? From enough online lurking, I appreciate that the Porsche options list can get out of hand pretty quickly.
And finally, whilst I appreciate depreciation is happening; I've always thought Porsches hold onto their values pretty well vs. others in the market place (and not just the GT variants). Is that a fair assumption?
Again, thanks for the input so far - very helpful.
MPC
A few observations from my end:
1. Go and drive both the entry-level and S variation of the car: it sounds like the entry-level model is not to be sniffed at.
2. Thankfully, some of you taller folks have managed to get in without issue. My second problem is that I'm a rugby second-row kind of build, so whilst height sounds like I'll be okay, squeezing them thighs under the wheel might be another thing! Trying to get in/out of a Jag F-Type R when I had one for 24 hours was not a sight to behold.
3. I appreciate the 718 may have lost some aural appeal, but coming from a 2.0T in an S3 I'm starting from a very low point in terms of audio quality!
Some follow-up questions for you folks seeing as you've been so helpful so far:
@Twinfan & Cabsi
Why is the S a bit of a no-mans land? Is it cost for the car vs. what you receive in return? Does re-sale factor into this point of view too?
Cabsi, you mentioned you preferred the 2.0 engine, why is that - does it rev a little more freely or want to be driven harder?
@Porsche718S
Thank you for the input. Any reason why I shouldn't bother with SC? Or just one of those things in terms of cost vs. benefit?
Sounds like you've really got the miles in during your time with your car - what seats did you go with in yours? On the assumption you were either Sports or Sports Plus, can you advise on why you went for one over the other?
Good luck with the 992 - that's next on the list, once other life things need to be paid for (she wouldn't be happy if I blew my half of the wedding fund on upgrading and going straight into a 992!)
@oo7ml
I have considered the 981 - and will continue to do so. I'm likely taking the 'Porsche Approved' route as my entry in the Porsche world and whilst my online searches haven't been totally expansive, I haven't spied any 981s on any recent searches - not that I can't ask the question, obviously.
@churchie2856
I'd say almost identical when thinking about Golf R vs. S3!
Great insight into the cars that you considered and what you finally went with. Did you buy new from Porsche? How did you find the experience with the staff?
As mentioned above, I'm likely going the 'Approved Porsche' route on my first entry into Porsche ownership.
Looking at price lists and specifications, am I correct in thinking that most owners put somewhere between £4-£7k in options on their cars when they were first specced? From enough online lurking, I appreciate that the Porsche options list can get out of hand pretty quickly.
And finally, whilst I appreciate depreciation is happening; I've always thought Porsches hold onto their values pretty well vs. others in the market place (and not just the GT variants). Is that a fair assumption?
Again, thanks for the input so far - very helpful.
MPC
churchie2856 said:
MPC09 said:
@churchie2856
I'd say almost identical when thinking about Golf R vs. S3!
Great insight into the cars that you considered and what you finally went with. Did you buy new from Porsche? How did you find the experience with the staff?
Given it was impossible to find a used one on 18s with PASM, yes I bought new from Porsche Colchester. I've never bought anything from them before (well I did buy a 996 coolant cap many years ago). However, they were exceptionally helpful (both Rob the sales exc and Gary the business manager) and the experience was great. They didn't judge (even when I collected the first of the many demo loan vehicles in my knackered old Forester!!), just very professional all the way. Even did me a cracking deal - who says no discounts on factory orders!!I'd say almost identical when thinking about Golf R vs. S3!
Great insight into the cars that you considered and what you finally went with. Did you buy new from Porsche? How did you find the experience with the staff?
I appreciate you've answered this question with your own specific specification requirements, but is there a reason to buy a new car, aside from the obvious 'spec it how you want it'? I appreciate that might be one of the more daft questions on PH right now, but I may as well cover all my bases here as I rather rushed into my previous purchase as I can be impulsive with my buys!
I've always thought the sweet spot would be going via an 'approved used' route, aiming to pick up a car 1-2 years old, getting the manufacturer warranty but letting the owner before you deal with the worst of the depreciation in those first 12/24 months. Not to mention with the exception of an outlier spec, i.e. 18s & PASM, with enough digging I'm sure there will be plenty of 718 specs to choose from in the second-hand market as it's not exactly limited production...
Or is my assumption far too simplistic? Are there discounts in the dealer network on new stock that negate some of that initial hit? FYI this car would not be a 100% cash purchase.
Interestingly, I did hear from a friend who is far closer to this world, that a few West London and surrounding dealerships are providing discounts right now to help shift some stock. Not sure how true that is, but putting it out there anyway.
A quick thread revive from me.
Good news, I fit - which was ultimately my biggest concern. The Sports Plus seats did the trick and I still had space on the runners to slide the seat back further if I wished. My concerns were borne from barely being able to get in/out of an F-Type R I drove last year, but the 718 was positively palatial by comparison. It was a nicely defined balance of feeling cocooned in (rather than 'sitting on') the car, not feeling claustrophobic and still having enough space between me and passenger.
I drove a 718 Boxster S, and I'll continue to search down that path as I like the thought of being able to drop the roof on those brief moments we can in the UK.
Now it's just a case of finding the right car, right time, right cost and all that jazz.
Thanks to all that contributed.
Good news, I fit - which was ultimately my biggest concern. The Sports Plus seats did the trick and I still had space on the runners to slide the seat back further if I wished. My concerns were borne from barely being able to get in/out of an F-Type R I drove last year, but the 718 was positively palatial by comparison. It was a nicely defined balance of feeling cocooned in (rather than 'sitting on') the car, not feeling claustrophobic and still having enough space between me and passenger.
I drove a 718 Boxster S, and I'll continue to search down that path as I like the thought of being able to drop the roof on those brief moments we can in the UK.
Now it's just a case of finding the right car, right time, right cost and all that jazz.
Thanks to all that contributed.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff