718 vs 981 Boxster, which one?
01-31-2019, 11:31 AM
#31
No doubt. I've popped mine off of the rev limiter, just to see what it feels like. She's definitely had plenty of 7K+ shifts, just because it's fun! Of course, you can hit 100MPH reeeaal fast playing around like that. I can't wait to get it on the track!
01-31-2019, 11:44 AM
#32
If Mazda ever puts their cooled seats in the Miata it's game over for me. Won't be a better weekend car on the road from my perspective.
01-31-2019, 01:20 PM
#33
Compared to mine, that GTS
+rides nice and a bit sharper (it had sport PASM, mine regular PASM) which is a plus
-sounds not so good which is a minus
+/-is much faster, which I don't really need.
Conclusion: it was not worth trading mine in for it.
Last edited by Yellow Submarine; 01-31-2019 at 01:36 PM.
01-31-2019, 09:07 PM
#35
Burning Brakes
We all like different things. That doesn't make you wrong and me right, or vice-versa.
I come from 15+ years of driving a Honda S2000, many of those years competing at a high level in National-level autocrosses. When I was finally ready to try something new, I knew the Cayman was the car for me, as it is also an incredible driver's car. I drove the 981 S and the 718 S, and to me, there was no question which car was better. Being a competitive, driving enthusiast, the 718 is definitely faster, and more engaging. And that's coming from someone who has defended the joy of revving to 9,000 RPM's for over a decade and a half. So to answer "who needs more?" I do. I'm not particular with what it sounds like. I'm particular about what it goes like. That's not to take away from the 981 or previous generations. They're all brilliant cars. But at the end of the day, I'll give up a little bit of sweet engine noise to go faster.
Guess what though, just as much as I want to go faster, I also want the pure joy of rowing gears the old fashioned way. If you haven't mastered heel-toe downshifting, you're missing out on a pretty magical experience. Because of that, I made the compromise of a little bit of speed for a manual transmission. Isn't it grand that we have such great choices in life!?
I come from 15+ years of driving a Honda S2000, many of those years competing at a high level in National-level autocrosses. When I was finally ready to try something new, I knew the Cayman was the car for me, as it is also an incredible driver's car. I drove the 981 S and the 718 S, and to me, there was no question which car was better. Being a competitive, driving enthusiast, the 718 is definitely faster, and more engaging. And that's coming from someone who has defended the joy of revving to 9,000 RPM's for over a decade and a half. So to answer "who needs more?" I do. I'm not particular with what it sounds like. I'm particular about what it goes like. That's not to take away from the 981 or previous generations. They're all brilliant cars. But at the end of the day, I'll give up a little bit of sweet engine noise to go faster.
Guess what though, just as much as I want to go faster, I also want the pure joy of rowing gears the old fashioned way. If you haven't mastered heel-toe downshifting, you're missing out on a pretty magical experience. Because of that, I made the compromise of a little bit of speed for a manual transmission. Isn't it grand that we have such great choices in life!?
01-31-2019, 09:19 PM
#36
01-31-2019, 09:44 PM
#37
Instructor
01-31-2019, 10:34 PM
#38
Race Car
The 718 is a world class sports car. I get the sound thing it's important too, 718 sounds good to me and recently drove 23,000 miles in a 500hp Flat Plane Crank V8 with an 8,250RPM redline. Love the N/A Flat Six sound also (as long as it's not a weak Cayman or Boxster) and love the turbos from Porsche. No reason to try to convince people here who own multiple examples of each car to stop liking one of the cars they added to the stable..how silly.
01-31-2019, 11:15 PM
#39
981 Ss are even better buying and if you get in and like the drive then you should look no further otherwise you will just end up spending more money.
However, I wouldn't say GT4s are fastest and put GT4 Cup 2 tires on a 718 S or GTS and it will romp all over the GT4, let alone putting on GT4 wheels as well and the added aero and PDK. Add a stage 2 tune aswell and with 450 hp/398ft/lb torque you will be messing with a lot of 991 GT3 drivers.
Check out Matt Farah's video comparing tuned GT4 with stock 718 GTS (S is not much different):
But seriously I have heard that maybe the PDK is a little smoother on the 718 than the 981 with some revisions but I didn't notice any issues on the 981 personally.
02-01-2019, 03:16 AM
#40
Rennlist Member
Porsche, arguably the best performance car manufacturer on the planet, decided a turbo 4 was better than a naturally aspirated 6. And it's faster than the 981.
Max torque is almost immediately available, which helps make it faster than the 981.
Turbo lag is almost nonexistent (especially if you get the sport chrono). And it's faster than the 981.
Max torque is almost immediately available, which helps make it faster than the 981.
Turbo lag is almost nonexistent (especially if you get the sport chrono). And it's faster than the 981.
Porsche didn't choose to go turbo, but was forced to put turbo engines in 98% of their cars by tree hugger controlled governments, particularly liberal European governments
Turbo lag is extraordinarily obvious in a 718. Annoying so. Amazes me that you don't notice it.
02-01-2019, 08:30 AM
#41
02-01-2019, 10:28 AM
#42
I see why they have a 718 only forum. To each his own. But I will say, many Americans have experienced the strong torque of a V8 in Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, and even vintage Cadillacs. The feeling of effortlessness is an addiction. If you haven't experienced strong low end torque you really don't know when its missing.
02-01-2019, 10:44 AM
#43
Burning Brakes
My fault. You said you wanted the fastest Cayman, so curious to why you didn't buy the fastest, especially for your application. I'm on my 6th Boxster/Cayman, a 2018 718 Boxster GTS. It's actually my wife's new toy, and truthfully I don't personally find it very exciting. I guess I just prefer a more linear power band. My primary Porsche these days is a 2017 Targa 4S, not for all out performance, but for fun in the sun and the car is a joy to drive and enables more family fun than my 981 Spyder allowed. Of all my Boxsters/Caymans I've owned, I rate my Cayman R as the best driving. Didn't have the raw power of the 981 Spyder, but was the most balanced, best steering, and the motor (330 hp) pulled very hard and never spun up the wheels. It was also the lightest I've owned, about 200 pounds lighter than your 718S. BTW, I lived in Germany from 2004 to 2009, which is one reason don't find low end torque of much interest. Upper end power is what sets these cars apart from other makes. Truth is in the US, we barely use what these cars are capable of.
02-01-2019, 11:01 AM
#44
Burning Brakes
Sorry, but your response gave me a chuckle.
Porsche didn't choose to go turbo, but was forced to put turbo engines in 98% of their cars by tree hugger controlled governments, particularly liberal European governments
Turbo lag is extraordinarily obvious in a 718. Annoying so. Amazes me that you don't notice it.
Porsche didn't choose to go turbo, but was forced to put turbo engines in 98% of their cars by tree hugger controlled governments, particularly liberal European governments
Turbo lag is extraordinarily obvious in a 718. Annoying so. Amazes me that you don't notice it.
Let's face it, the only reason Porsche went to turbos was so they could keep their incremental power increases without suffering fuel economy. Can't really argue with that. Unfortunately some of the Porsche character long time owners/enthusiasts appreciate was sacrificed. But this argument that the 718 somehow fixed torqueless past Porsches is laughable. When some argue then need a wall of torque yet must have a 6mt for an engaging drive, I wonder if they realize how unengaging a wall of torque is. NA is far more engaging than turbo, and balance is key in this platform. All this banter is making me want to go out and find another 987.
02-01-2019, 11:22 AM
#45
Burning Brakes
IMO GT4s are great buying at the moment and arguably more engaging but are more track oriented for those in the need. In our area a low miles 2016 GT4 is about the same price as a new base 718 GTS, an S is a little cheaper.
981 Ss are even better buying and if you get in and like the drive then you should look no further otherwise you will just end up spending more money.
However, I wouldn't say GT4s are fastest and put GT4 Cup 2 tires on a 718 S or GTS and it will romp all over the GT4, let alone putting on GT4 wheels as well and the added aero and PDK. Add a stage 2 tune aswell and with 450 hp/398ft/lb torque you will be messing with a lot of 991 GT3 drivers.
981 Ss are even better buying and if you get in and like the drive then you should look no further otherwise you will just end up spending more money.
However, I wouldn't say GT4s are fastest and put GT4 Cup 2 tires on a 718 S or GTS and it will romp all over the GT4, let alone putting on GT4 wheels as well and the added aero and PDK. Add a stage 2 tune aswell and with 450 hp/398ft/lb torque you will be messing with a lot of 991 GT3 drivers.