tomc_mets

Auto express. Steve Sutcliffe. Did not see this linked. Sorry if it's a re-post.


Likes car. Doesn't like the sound. Final conclusion - he wouldn't spend his own money to buy one.

Seems like a recurring theme here...T

JCtx

Porsche can't expect universal praise when the car was downgraded to an H4T now, especially with turbo lag, artificial power curve, and an uninspiring sound. Like the reviewer said: 'The GTS is just as quick, plus the hair on the back of my neck stand up'. Until future buyers forget or never sample 981s, the 781 will continue to live in the shadow of the 981. But I predict it'll eventually be a success with the millennial crowd.

PhilNotHill

Thanks for posting. But not dying for a 718.

Why doesn't it say 718 S on the back?

Suicide Jockey

Porsche 718 Cayman S: 2nd Place - 2017 Motor Trend Best Driver's Car

http://www.motortrend.com/news/porsh...6367D7C98F9792

Certainly no shame coming in second to the F 488!

billwot

Hmm,,,maybe if enough folks feel that way, I'll be able to pick one on the cheap in a few years.

I love my flat 6 Cayman, but the 7 years I spent with an MR2 turbo made be fall in love with that wide, flat torque curve. Yeah, it didn't sound exciting, but it sure felt exciting.

Selo

I love this car and everytime I see another article like this, or drive the car for that matter, I get excited about it. But then, when I build one on the configurator, I just have a hard time getting over the prices. Probably too close to my 981Spyder too. If I decide to pay this kind of cash for another car, it makes sense to cover a different base.

pc4ever

Sutcliff's review was fairly similar to that of others in the U.K. press back in the spring/summer of 2016. More recent reviews by world-wide journalists have gotten past the sound issue and focused more objectively on just how great the 718 Cayman/Boxster versions are. Example: chosen as 2017 World Performance Car winner (over R8, DB11, NSX, 570s). Those who love 98x cars, but denigrate the 718 are making a mistake.

JAhmed

True. Have definitely noticed journalists changing their tune...having driven the car, all of the praise it receives is right on the money, IMO.

terbiumactivated

Hatred of fours isn't new, the 944 was a phenomenal car and hated by Porsche enthusiasts. Same with the 914 which I am also fond of, some will never embrace the notion of a Porsche four banger.

clutchplate

I can't remember any new Porsche model ever being so universally panned for the sound of its engine. Also can't remember Porsche ever executing a quick fix for issues with their cars. Doubt we'll see a great sounding 718 over the next several years.

Suicide Jockey

Me too, although I'd like to believe dealers are aggressively pricing these cars due to how much 718 sales are off. I'd like to think the M$RP that results on the configurator is a far cry from what one could actually buy the car for, but maybe that's not the case.

+1

JCtx

Because most Porsche sports cars 'alive' are H6s. But take that away, and all hell breaks lose. Ha ha. For me it's a double-whammy. A 4 will never sound great, no matter what you do (but yes, the 718 could sound better), and that's very important to me on a sports car. And second, just can't get over the power delivery of ANY turbo engine on a sports car, period. The wave of non-linear torque is great for a family car, but not for a sports car, at least in my case. Having said that, I have no doubt the Caymans/Boxsters will continue to do great because they're still great cars. Once the memory of H6 981s die off, sales should climb. Plus millennials seem to be much less of car enthusiasts anyway, most not particularly caring about nuances like engine sound, steering feel, and other mechanical features (all my kids and extended family millennials included). But no, I'll never own a turbo or 4-banger sports car, no matter how good, so this might be my last, since most are turbos now.

pc4ever

I think you're right about this and the negativity was magnified by how great the 6 sounded, and what was lost. Porsche 996 and 997 turbos were also panned for their sound, which was likened by many to a Hoover vacuum cleaner. Lots of $5K+ aftermarket exhausts on those cars. The 991 Turbo/S sounded a bit better, but I just don't think Porsche does turbo sound well, in general.

Selo

Very true that I've never heard a 4 sound very good, although I have to say, I've never heard a six that sounds nearly as good as a gnarly V8.

fast1

A Porsche flat 6 has a very distinctive sound, which can easily be recognized by any Porsche enthusiast. For many, certainly not all, sound is an important factor in driving pleasure. Other than using artificial sound enhancements, there's just so much an Engineer can do with a small 4 cyl engine. So I expect that the 718 may sound better with the 2018 release, but nothing dramatic.

Given the disappointing 718 sales in the US for 2017, it appears that many may have misgivings with the 718. I suppose that there aren't too many buyers who are willing to pay $80k+ for a 4 Cylinder Boxster S, regardless of the HP. OTOH maybe the 4 cylinder 718 will be replaced by an Electric car in the not too distant future.