But a 'well equipped' 991.2 is going to be a lot more than $10-15k additional. Similar spec, the 991 is going to be about $40k more than the 718.

 

You have no idea what you're talking about. 996 Turbo. Period.

 

Grown men bickering over this vs. that Porsche. Good grief. Just be thankful Porsche makes an awesome midengined sports car and even more thankful if you are able to own one of any generation.

 

What would a Porsche forum be if there were no bickering over "this vs. that Porsche?"

 

If you have a 27-year-old 996 Turbo engine, you have an interesting piece of hardware indeed.

 

Chris made many positive comments in his review of the 718 CS on TG, but he made it very clear he did not like the sound of the engine, exhaust and intake both (said there was minimal or no intake sound IIRC). He did say basically an overall thumbs down but later in the studio shot he said for the price bracket being discussed, it was the new sports car to buy.

 

Fond memories of my 996 turbo. Only car I ever owned that needed a quart of oil every time I filled the gas tank (and was told it was normal). And the sweet smell of anitfreeze leaks from the poorly designed couplings. But on the positive - I had one of the first in my area and they were hard to get. When I traded it in, I got more than I paid for it.

But a 27 year old 996 turbo engine might be hard to find

 

Fair point. But some folks act like a turbo 4 banger marks the end of the world. Same hogwash went around when pcars became water cooled.

 

"Fair point. But some folks act like a turbo 4 banger marks the end of the world. Same hogwash went around when pcars became water cooled".

Sounds like the inside 285 outside 285 controversy.

 

There were valid technical reasons for the move to water cooling.

The flat-four turbo was designed for marketing and regulatory reasons. It needed to be more affordable in markets subject to certain tax laws, and it it needed to be less competitive with the 911 in all markets.

 

The main detraction of the new 718 (981.2, really) was the turbo engine. I just don't like the power curve of them on a sports car. But going from 6 to 4 was right below that. The soundtrack on a sports car is almost as important as its performance, for many of us. And the overall performance of my GTS is not lacking at all in any department, so absolutely no interest on the new platform, as good as it may be. But I wish Porsche success with it, but I won't be contributing to that. The only hope for another Porsche for me (my second), would be a GT3 with more creature comforts, which they appear to get with the 991.2 (memory, parking sensors, nice stereo, etc), like all other competitors have as either standard or optional. But still didn't like the last one I drove, how they feel with the engine at the rear. Maybe the RWS will sway me? We'll see. For now, will keep enjoying the excellent CGTS.

 

This isn't apples to apples and Porsche's are generally quite dynamic, but the same argument was applied to the new M3. Faster, better handling, etc. - worse sound. The reality is that, although fast, the car is boring as hell except on a track. I.e., those qualities don't define if the car is engaging and fun. Not to **** on your point because I drove the 718 Cayman S and quite enjoyed it...it's just that I thought of my boring F80 M3 (relative to other offerings in the same price range) when I read the qualities you listed. My money would still go to the 981, however.

 

All Porsche sports cars are now turbo charged except GT cars. I just don't get all the false outrage. I have owned three NA Porsche's including a 981s. 718s is better in every way and I like the sound. I frankly don't care that folks might like the 981 better, just acting like one has "soul" and the other doesn't is just juvenile. Like their is something virtuous about a NA car. Same people decry the death of the manual (that is slowly coming). I like fast. And the 718s is faster than a GT4 when they are wearing the same tires. Now that is fun as hell unless you are just a hater. But then again, I do agree that a facsimile was a good toy once upon a time and made a nice noise as it spat out paper. However, I'll take the silence of an email with a scanned document. Progress, it seems, is very difficult for many Porsche owners.

Heck, I also own a turbo charged Macan GTS and I like that one as well. Viva la Porsche. Keep making better, faster cars and I'll keep buying em.

 

You are only addressing the turbocharged part of the change. The change that most dislike is the downgrade from a flat 6 to a flat 4. I'm happy with my car for now (2012 Black Edition Boxster S). If I do get another Porsche sports car in the future, it will have a flat 6, even if it means buying it used instead of new.

 

I would argue that one's opinion in aspects of our "toys" is reflective of the fact that these cars are emotional, not rational purchases. Thus "juvenile" isn't the adjective I'd use in describing anyone's opinion on any aspect of our attachment to these discretionary purchases. You should be thankful that emotions play into the equation, otherwise we'd only have such choices as Toyota Camry cars available as strict transportation appliances.

I'm a NA lover, but while at the dealer buying a Cayenne yesterday, I heard a 718S at idle and thought it sounded just fine. I could totally live with that car. But my juvenile opinion is my 981 Spyder is so much better. :-)