BlueNorther

I ordered a 2019 base 718 Boxster (PASM/PTV/PSE, 6MT) to compliment a 2018 991.2 GTS Coupe w MT. The base Boxster, once above 3000 RPM is immensely pleasurable to drive. Once you are above that level, turbo lag and is no longer an issue, and it sounds good too. It rips. I got the PASM because I wanted the PTV (I use the car year round including Vermont winter on snow tires) . On 18 inch wheels, it is a very comfortable daily driver, much more so than my 911 with SPASM and 20" wheels. It still feels and handles like a sports car. The base is a great car, again if you drive it properly with the revs up (something that is easy to control with a manual, not so sure about the PDK experience, no interest there for me).

Be sure to read this car and driver review

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster Manual

It's official: All 718s are quick.
: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...tested-review/

Z06jerry

I currently drive a Boxster Base with PDK transmission. Sport mode keeps the rpm above 2000 and there is no perceptible turbo lag. however if in normal under 2000 rpm there is lag. When I drive in normal I downshift to accelerate which immediately overcomes the lag. (but I usually drive in sport )

ritchieg

I have a base 2017 Boxster and had a 981 Base Boxster. The 718 is superior in every aspect. I live in a city and most of my driving is on city streets with a little hwy driving. Our streets have dips at each intersection for water drainage and if I lowered my Boxster 10 mm I would have to almost stop when crossing any street. I continually keep bottoming out the front of the car all the time. It has a rubber skid on under the front to protect it and it continually gets knocked lose when I go over a dip too fast or move to far forward when approaching parking barriers. I just don't see any advantage for lowering the car for normal driving conditions. Racing is another situation.

jimmex

Picking up a '18 Base Boxster in a couple days. Very excited as I've never owned a convertible. Should be fun. This car has few options and will not break the bank.

Dr.Bill

Or go with an Audi Q8 and a 911. Make the sports car the star, not the SUV.

rasetsu

PASM for sure. I had test driven a base manual non-PASM car and then my CS manual PASM car. Non-PASM rides firm. PASM when in PASM sport mode on is even firmer than that. But PASM in comfort is more forgiving and actually feels more planted than non-PASM. Keep in mind that PASM is always working.

As for the drone, pull the 7.5amp fuse and no more drone.

Max718-19

I drove the base and S. VTG turbo eliminates lag below 3000. Very easy to daily. PASM w 19in wheels was my choice for GT ride. I have driven my 19 718 BS 500 miles on VA, WVA, and PA back roads in one trip. No problem with the ride. I only added PASM to get PVT. Base suspension was great in my test drives. The final reason I prefer the S is the red brake calipers match the fire extinguisher under the passenger seat. My two cents are base or S is a personal choice, drive both and see if the S is $15k better.

jimmex

Just acquired the base Boxster with std suspension/PDK and drove it back home across 400 mi. of Texas I-10. The car is very engaging and fast. When I punched throttle to dust some nitwits I was going 105mph in nothing flat. The engine has a split personality: down low below 3000 rpm it has a little lag, and once up in revs it goes like a P car. Happy to say the least.

GregWormald

The consensus seems to be that the PASM cars ride a bit softer in normal mode but stiffer in sports modes. There is also a considerable difference between the ride on 18" tyres vs 20"—the extra sidewall of the 18" softens and quietens the ride considerably. All the 718s have a superb suspension that manages all but the sharpest of bumps in a very flexible and supple way and corner very flat and fast. IMO for a weekend car or daily driver any of a base to an S with or without PASM will be exciting.

If you wanted to track at all then the larger engine and the upgraded suspensions would be worthwhile. This is what my dealer recommended to me and I'm very happy with my base Boxster. There really isn't much turbo lag at all, most of the critics confuse turbo lag with low rev lag (before the torque comes on). In reality, compared to a large V8 where the torque comes on very low it does take it's time below 2000 rpm or so, but as mentioned above, once that range is reached (all the time in Sport with PDK) the response is addictive. BTW the older 2017 models are quicker than the later models due to the ongoing increase in pollution preventing gear.

bswift

I drove a 981 Base, 981 S, 718 Base and 718 S back to back and ultimately decided on testing the waters with a stripper 718 Cayman Base PDK as a daily. Going in I expected to replace it with a 718 S or GTS eventually, but after nearly two years with the car I can't think of a single day that the little 2.0 hasn't put a huge smile on my face. I almost always drive in Sport mode and only see 2000 RPM when leaving a stop light or parking - turbo lag is a non-issue. Same holds true in my (limited) experience on track, where I had no issues keeping up with my fellow novice 981/718 GTS drivers.

I even took the 718 GTS out a few times at PECLA thinking that I would order a GTS if it offered a significantly improved track experience. Ended up ordering a 718 T as the biggest improvements from my stripper Base to the GTS were PTV/Sport Chrono, not the engine. Look forward to revisiting that comparison when it shows up next month.

My .02 cents - find a Base with SC/PTV/PASM and pocket the difference. It's more than sufficient for daily driving, weekend use or occasional track use.