718 Engine - This made me think...

[Andyoz]

I cut my teeth in the 90's with 4 cylinder turbo's (not boxster engines) so want to try one of the 4 cylinder Boxster/Cayman before making any judgement...but this video did make me think.

These guys are obviously playing the shock/entertainment value as that;s what gets views but the noise and turbo lag...hmmm

https://youtu.be/6BPSmUB7rpQ

[Andyoz]

It seems it may be left to the aftermarket tuners to get anything out of it sound wise but a 4 pot Boxster has a certain character to the sound compared to a 6 pot.

It strikes me as a modders paradise once depreciation gets to the right spot.

[Andyoz]

Yep, the two lads really got stuck in with the hatchet

Don't think many turbos would do well planting it in 2nd gear from 15mph.

Their channels generally entertaining though. That chubby ones just bought a 718 Spyder.

[Andyoz]

Looking at the lads YouTube channel the chubby one is a big Porsche fan, he's got new and old flat 6's

This video's entertaining... https://youtu.be/Fa0Inn_DTqE

I agree with previous post that Porsche are in a bit of a pickle. The main difference between Cayman and the 'rest' is now the mid engine (which is a big one). It used to be that plus the unique sound and inherent high revving engine balance (no balancer shaft required!).

Take one of those away and along with the price creep it's letting other makes into the mix for new buyers. I imagine other makes are rapt as Cayman was/is killing them...

I was never a new car buyer so am only interested in how it effects used car prices. Losing a few years production of flat 6's certainly isn't helping ...

[Andyoz]

Miopyk said:

Well I picked my base 718 up yesterday and as it only had 16 miles on the clock I've not been to harsh with the accelerator so far.

First impressions are the engine note is quite subdued on start up but definitely has a Porsche sound initially before it settles on tickover. As the revs build it seems to sound a bit like a VW flat 4 from the 70s and then it comes over all Subaru. None of that could be described as unpleasant and in fact after a while you tend to forget its there so I guess the best description I could give it right now is that it is nondescript. I certainly don't get the agricultural bit at all but then I've never worked on a farm so what do I know.

Then as I got home and opened the door I heard the wife coming up the road in the Cayman and realised what was missing. Am I disappointed, no not at all. I really like the way it drives and feel its a step forwards from the 981in every other area and I guess that's the point. Sometimes progress has a downside and if you can embrace that then that's all that matters.

It still seems to me you have to 'get over' the engine noise to enjoy the car and that depends on the individual I guess.

I'll try to get a listen to one in the new year.

Edited by Andyoz on Sunday 22 December 18:47

[Andyoz]

PMacanGTS said:

I watch the car guys videos on a regular basis, and while they chase eyeballs like most youtubers, I think their reviews are usually pretty balanced. These two are more Clarkson than Catchpole and might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re clearly passionate about the cars. And their garage is pretty impressive, the pick of which, for me, is a GT3 Touring. They also have a thing for Ferrari, but that’s lost on me.

Yes, I've gone back and watched a lot of their videos.

One of them sold a company and is obviously properly cashed up. Seems a self made guy too and the thing I like is he drives the hell out of the 15+ cars in his garage. He puts 10's of thousands of miles on his Ferrari including an F40.

He's got a lovely 930 Turbo and he gives that a good whack as well. Respect him for that and he's clearly passionate about Porsche.

The 2nd gear demo of turbo lag was a low blow though and they lost a bit of cred with me in that one though.

[Andyoz]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Why does Porsche continue to handicap the Boxster/Cayman.
The market for smaller/nimble cars must be really dead. A darty Cayman with more modern version of the original 3.4 would have sat nicely below the 911 (more fuel efficenct, revvy, etc).
Obviously marketing and engineering forces at play here that's way beyond our knowledge.

[Andyoz]

Yeah, I don't understand the whole power competition thing. I'm obviously in the minority.

I know a medium weight car with about 300hp is more than enough for me and it will take me alot of learning to get anywhere near its real limits.

Shame,, as the Cayman is such a special thing that just makes you want to be a better driver.

[Andyoz]

PMacanGTS said:

I watch the car guys videos on a regular basis, and while they chase eyeballs like most youtubers, I think their reviews are usually pretty balanced. These two are more Clarkson than Catchpole and might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re clearly passionate about the cars. And their garage is pretty impressive, the pick of which, for me, is a GT3 Touring. They also have a thing for Ferrari, but that’s lost on me.

Damian's story about buying his F40 is entertaining.

https://youtu.be/W0um3PqsHls

[Andyoz]

homerdog said:

Those guys videos are okay, but they clearly think their opinions are based on fact rather than prejudice.

Which is pretty much what this thread is all about, as per normal on here. Loads of posters claiming their subjective opinions are more important than anyone else's.

Having owned cars with V8s, V6s, straight 6s and flat 6s, I do like a great sounding engine. My 718 doesn't sound anywhere near as good as any of them, but I don't think it sounds terrible either. It certainly doesn't spoil the car, which is great to drive, for all sorts of reasons. Most of the criticism of the sound is just people repeating the hysterical mutterings of spoilt motoring journalists and YouTube 'influencers'.

Have you seen those guys car collection
They seem to have owned driven/alot of cars.

It's all entertaining enough but the ringleader (Damian) definitely puts his money where is mouth is. He made his money in tech magazines. Even owned Total911 for a bit.

I'll make my judgement when I get a go in one though. Hard where I live as it's a Porsche wasteland unfortunately

[Andyoz]

homerdog said:

Andyoz said:

Have you seen those guys car collection
They seem to have owned driven/alot of cars.

Of course I have, but that doesn't make them experts, any more than it does you, me, or anybody else. I'm guessing that they don't like 'poor' people buying lesser Porsches, as it devalues the brand. There are enough comments in that video to suggest that's the case, but the irony is that one of them is wearing a Lee Cooper hoody, while at the same time criticising the Porsche for having cheap and nasty plastic vents!

Yes and no. I watched him walking around Ashgoods and he was thrilled at the 987 Boxster Spyder (and also excited when his hoodie mate surprised him with a drive in it a few weeks later).

Anyway, he's an entertaining (rich) geezer and I do find the English humour great. I'll get a rip in a 718 and I'm sure I'll love it.

[Andyoz]

GaryF said:

Andyoz said:

Damian's story about buying his F40 is entertaining.

https://youtu.be/W0um3PqsHls

Thanks.

"I love the noise. Despite the fact it's a turbocharged engine, it still sounds incredible".

They omitted that line from the 718 review. Maybe they just forgot.

Ha..true!

Just watched their Ferrari F12tdf video.
Giving it some stick around the English lanes. I've nothing better to do over Xmas.

It'll probably be Spring until I get to hear a 718 f4

[Andyoz]

Prices on used 718 Cayman 2.0 are starting to get silly. Lots hovering at very low £30k like this one that's barely 2 years old.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

I really need to have a go in one as they're still abloody mid engined cars...

Late, lower mileage 987S aern't a whole lot cheaper than these base 718's.

[Andyoz]

Anyone plonking down £30k on a new Toyota GT86 needs their head read...

Cayman has the 2.0lt flat 4 but with turbo, engines in the right place and it won't fall apart.

[Andyoz]

rockin said:

Base 718, particularly with PDK which suits the engine very well, is a full-on sports car bargain.

If you want a bit more grunt then pay more for an "S" - with manual gearbox if that's what floats your boat. In an "S" you'll leave johnny frenchman for dead as he potters to the shops with his string of onions and clutching his baguette....

For lads that already have a nice flat 6 (like a GT for the weekends) a 2yo base 718 would be a good fresh daily that sips fuel and gives a few years cheap maintenance.

[Andyoz]

Excluding the engine, that's the positive 718 Vs 981 comments I'm hearing

I've just looked at my local Porsche dealer (Belfast) and they have no used 718's apart from ones with delivery miles (customers not completing on their orders?). I can't blame OPC's not wanting 2 year old 718's on the premises. How can they sell new ones when punters see the depreciation first hand?

[Andyoz]

Where are the aftermarket guys with equal length header options?

Modding lads going to have a field day with these cars in just a couple of years (a few years ahead of the normal cycle due to the 718's unusual depreciation curve).

[Andyoz]

Why did the 981 Black drop so much -
It's not like the 718's hammered it in the engine stakes?

[Andyoz]

Looking at the 981 and 718 depreciation stats shows how well 987.2 Caymans are holding up after nearly a decade. The lower 'recession' 2010/11 sales volumes helps of course.

987.2 Boxsters not doing so well.

[Andyoz]

There's loads of others at similar prices with other specs.

Markets been dead since summer. I wouldn't rely on spring bounce as details of the flat 6 718's (if any) will be known soon