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Came back Sunday from a one week vacation in the Smokey Mountains.
Did 3100 miles in 7 days, of which 1000 miles is highway (getting there and back).
I did this trip multiple times before with a 2016 Cayman S.
Compared, 2018 Boxster GTS manual to the 2016 Cayman S PDK;
- Faster in every way. Faster and more stable in the turns, faster acceleration.
- More comfortable, except on the highway.
- No rattles or squeaks at all (drove me crazy in the Cayman).
- Love the convertible (always top down, except on highway).
- Love the manual (although also loved the PDK, still torn on that one).
This was also the first time I got it on the highway since I got it in July and that was a bit of a disappointment. I was looking for a 7th gear actually, the engine sounded 'on edge' at 70-80, although I realize it is, of course, not. Both my wife and I had a 'buzz' after the 500 mile highway jaunt. So much so that we are thinking about trailering it the next time. I believe the PDK will run lower RPM in its 7th gear, so if you do a lot of highway cruising, get the PDK.
The sound driving in the mountains is of course from the 6 cylinder (which also had the sports exhaust), but still very good. Opened it up from slow second gear in a tunnel, following a minivan with its windows open, and the minivan driver almost lost it. He let me pass right after
Overall, extremely pleased. Personally I would take the manual again, so much more fun to drive on the mountain roads and shift yourself.
Did not squeal the tires or slide once. As solid as a train on rails.
Wonderful girl, favorite car, great American roads. 1000 miles of highway, rest mountain roads. Driven like you should drive a Porsche: fast, but responsibly.
Last edited by Bughunter; 10-24-2018 at 06:18 AM.
Reason: Double pics
I was planning to drive to western North Carolina on my way back to Miami from Pennsylvania, during my vacation . Unfortunately Hurricane Michael changed those plans. I too have a manual which is much more fun on the twisty roads compared to the boring roads in South Florida.
Completed the first 1000 miles on my 2019 BS with a "spirited" drive down the twisting CA1 along the coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and back.
Perhaps my favorite thing about this car is how much math and planning has been taken out of the "When is a good time to pass" consideration. Clutch, shift, gas... and they're all behind me.
I made that exact same trip earlier this year with the Smokies GT group in my Cayman R, it was a phenomenal experience to say the least. The Cherahola Skyway was by far my favorite drive there out of the 700 miles in the Smokies I did in two days haha.
Very interesting feedback on the 718 driving experience on highway, the gearing in particular I also found to be a bit high up there at cruising speed. That said, in blasting music to stay awake for the drive back to Ft. Myers I didn't really notice it all that much haha. How do you like the sound of the 718 so far? We have some things in the works if you ever want to tweak it a bit
- John Gaydos
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Agreed about manual on the highway. In my daily commute I find myself craving a 7th gear at those high, stable speeds. My only guess as to a rationale is well, it’s a Cayman, and gets less than a 911. Kind of silly as there’s no real logical reason for that omission...
I We have some things in the works if you ever want to tweak it a bit
- John Gaydos
Anything coming out soon? Can you give us any hints? I'm hoping for a Turboback exhaust from you guy's to compare against the FabSpeed offering. If you do make one, try and create some before and after sound clips!
Anything coming out soon? Can you give us any hints? I'm hoping for a Turboback exhaust from you guy's to compare against the FabSpeed offering. If you do make one, try and create some before and after sound clips!
Oh it's coming, we have a full system and modular cat upgrades in the works. It should be ready for the public by the end of next month. I'll mention the before and after clips to our marketing extraordinaire, that shouldn't be a problem given we have enough time with the car haha.
I don’t use sport mode on the hwy. 6th spins 3k 65 and barely moves to 80mph. Acceleration is amazing. Mileage is good at 27mpg. Top up best on hwy unless late on a NC summer night. Headed to mountains tomorrow to drive the fully broken in 19 Boxster S