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I think this is the best outcome we could realistically hope for. My guess it that it will get a slight face lift for the 982.2, similar to the Macan (rear brake light that goes across the whole back and updated/larger infotainment screen), Maybe, since this is most likely the last generation of the Boxster/Cayman as we know it, they will finally release a GT4 RS or other cool special editions.
One thing the 981 Spyder and GT4 had going for them was their prices weren't huge leaps from decently optioned 3.4l models. I've seen 981 GT4s with MSRPs in the mid-$80ks up to as much as just under $120k. Lots of Spyders hovered around $100k on average unless w/PCCB. Consumers are only going to pay so much for a Cayman/Boxster, no matter how exclusive. 718s are already at the 997.2 price point.
That Automobile article from almost a year ago points to the gas particulate filter (GPF) and the quieter mufflers as the reasons Porsche is considering dropping the 718. Does that strike anyone else as ludicrous? We know the 2019s are being delivered with GPFs in Europe and the UK, so it seems Porsche has been willing to bite the bullet for that design and production expense. Quiet mufflers and GPFs are something every manufacturer will have to deal with, so Porsche is on a level playing field with everyone else on dealing with the issue.
If you compare the 718 sales with Boxster sales, they've nearly doubled what the Boxster was managing in the US. (See same site for the details.)
I'm smelling a lot of FUD around here…
Not sure I get your point? US Boxster sales surged with the release of the 987 in 2005 (7846 units) and 981 in 2013 (4632 units) and have been sliding downhill ever since culminating with the poorest showing to date in 2018 with an abysmal 782 units. The 982 Boxster had no such surge in sales comparatively upon release and the outgoing 981 Boxster outsold the incoming 982 Boxster same year. I don't see a refresh having any positive effect. Ironic that the Boxster saved Porsche from extinction and now it's bleeding them dry. China may still have Porsche making Boxsters but sales won't be any better here in the US in 2019 than 2018 and beyond until Porsche does something significant to make it desirable again.
Last edited by MidEngineRules; 03-06-2019 at 12:01 PM.
Not sure I get your point? US Boxster sales surged with the release of the 987 in 2005 (7846 units) and 981 in 2013 (4632 units) and have been sliding downhill ever since culminating with the poorest showing to date in 2018 with an abysmal 782 units. The 982 Boxster had no such surge in sales comparatively upon release and the outgoing 981 Boxster outsold the incoming 982 Boxster same year. I don't see a refresh having any positive effect. Ironic that the Boxster saved Porsche from extinction and now it's bleeding them dry. China may still have Porsche making Boxsters but sales won't be any better here in the US in 2019 than 2018 and beyond until Porsche does something significant to make it desirable again.
I'm not sure where you got your numbers if 782 units - it sounds very wrong to me. In 2018, in the USA only, they sold 2097 718 Boxsters and 3179 718 Caymans. It's true that over the last decade, roadster sales have seen a gradual decline. Cayman sales have held steady though. 718 Cayman US sales volumes are roughly double the 987.2 Cayman sales volume. 718 Cayman US sales are slightly down compared to 981 Cayman sales, but still fairly close.
Aside from that, the 718 GTS gives linear power delivery with a near flat torque curve from 2000 RPM to 6000 RPM on manual models. 981 cars feel dead under 3500 RPM, while a 718 GTS gives decently usable response at say 2500 RPM, and without too much lag due to VTG. It's not a torque monster, but it's a much more usable torque curve day to day. I know you hate the 718, but most here agree that the 718 GTS is a nice car. I do agree that the turbo lag of the base 2.0L 718 is disappointing, and the sound of a 718 is a downgrade from a 981.
I am hoping to get a 718 Spyder rather than buying a 718 GTS now as a big 4.0 NA motor should give enough low end torque, more exciting sound and power at the top end, look cooler than a regular 718 GTS, and probably depreciate less too. However, the 718 GTS is by no means a bad car to most people, and worldwide sales of the 718 are just fine. Is it a cash cow like the Macan: no. No Porsche sports car ever was. However, it's still profitable to sell as is, so they'll keep making them.
Aside from that, the 718 GTS gives linear power delivery with a near flat torque curve from 2000 RPM to 6000 RPM on manual models. 981 cars feel dead under 3500 RPM, while a 718 GTS gives decently usable response at say 2500 RPM, and without too much lag due to VTG. It's not a torque monster, but it's a much more usable torque curve day to day. I know you hate the 718, but most here agree that the 718 GTS is a nice car. I do agree that the turbo lag of the base 2.0L 718 is disappointing, and the sound of a 718 is a downgrade from a 981.
The 718 GTS is a nice car, but after owning one I don't share the view on how wonderful is the torque or throttle response. I disagree with the 982's power delivery as linear and on the 981 feeling dead under 3500 rpms, since I've owned 3 of them ('14 CS, '16 Spyder and currently a GT4).
Ultimately I mostly appreciate power delivery that invokes driver involvement, is linear, and screams. At some point in time if I don't think my GT4s stock power is enough I can buy FVD Brombacher's tune kit which yields 412 hp and 335 Tq for $1300.
I'm not sure where you got your numbers if 782 units - it sounds very wrong to me. In 2018, in the USA only, they sold 2097 718 Boxsters and 3179 718 Caymans. It's true that over the last decade, roadster sales have seen a gradual decline. Cayman sales have held steady though. 718 Cayman US sales volumes are roughly double the 987.2 Cayman sales volume. 718 Cayman US sales are slightly down compared to 981 Cayman sales, but still fairly close.
Numbers I used were from the source given in post #11. As for 987.2 sales, production was purposely limited due to the worldwide recession which began in 2009. Numbers don't tell everything. The 987.2 is a great car, although the PDK shifting speed was really enhanced with the 991/981.
Interesting that the Cayman has overtaken the Boxster in US sales. Would be also interesting to see the age and gender groups purchasing each.
Given that I am unimpressed with the overly techy 992 , particularly its interior, and will not pay its price increase from the 991.2, I am considering my options when the warranty on my 2017 991.2 S expires next year. I was planning to simply purchase an extended warranty and keep the 991.2 S. I am now also considering replacing it with a 718 Boxster S instead. I sincerely hope that Porsche will not make the same "improvements" to the Boxster that they made to the 911 before I have a chance to make a move, probably in mid to late 2020.
03-06-2019, 11:22 AM
