Archimedes

And there's that little thing that the 3.0l motor won't fit in the 718 chassis with two turbos attached...

Archimedes

Back on topic, I can't see anyone hating the 718's dynamic performance. The polarizing elements are the looks and the sound. Those two things are what separates those who like it and don't.

beetleything

Just saying mate.

Yep i get that - BUT 981/ 987 are mid engine - so different enough - guess the 911 is such an institution now - they dare not compete with it...

Agreed
Ehmm not a pissing match yet - just saying - not raining on anyone's parade - i think the video's i have seen - it looks like a lot of fun - but there is something special about the Flat 6 Boxster engine that was unique to Porsche.

GregWormald

Actually neither the 718 4 cylinder (which I have) nor the previous versions' 6 (which I've heard) can carry a tune next to my old 1963 215 cu. in. V8 Buick Skylark convertible. So there.

manifold danger

That's not an even comparison. That's like saying Steve Perry can't carry a tune next to Frank Sinatra.

edit- in this analogy, the 718 is Axl Rose.

lajoiedp

This has all been said a million times before mate.

lajoiedp

What made me choose a 718 over a 981 were better performance (especially at the low end) and the interior seating choices (love the Black/Bordeaux all leather seats). Those two factors combined outweighed any difference in engine note for me.

cobalt

Can't seem to come to this forum and learn anything other than mine is better than yours?

Agreed I think we need to separate these. It is getting stale.

I wanted to love the 718 in the worst way. When I saw the orange one they had at Parade in 2016 I was set to buy on the spot. My wife and i both drove a number of 718BS's and both came to the same conclusion. To our chagrin we walked away far from enchanted and got far less out of the experience than we do our older and slower 964 C2. The 981 is one of the few modern cars that has some similarity and that is why I purchased one. The older cars might not be as fast or easy to drive but offer an experience that these newer cars have lost. A car like this, especially a Boxster the sound is critical. I had a base 981 and I would take that over the 718S I found it a more engaging experience. Slow no doubt but interactive and engaging. These are not cars about ultimate speed (at least not for me) and the experience should be well rounded and sound is as important as performance and handling. I have driven them both on closed courses and the handling might be a bit quicker but not enough to make a difference IMO some of the styling is an improvement and some not to my taste. I was well above 6 figures to get what I have in my 981BGTS and that is way overpriced for what it is IMO.

US sales speak volumes and right now it is not selling as well as the 981 did even at its worst, although the Cayenne was a hard sell in 2003 and 2004. It took time to become a huge success and kept Porsche in the money. No doubt the potential is there for a track rod but I have seen more pumped out of the Audi and VW 2.0L four bangers than these so far and not sure how far you can push them.

Drive what you like but as I see it the 718 has become the entry level (beginner) Porsche all over again as where we seemed to be getting away from that with the 981.

lajoiedp

I hate to tell you this but the Cayman/Boxster has always been, and will probably always be, an entry level Porsche. Look, it's pretty simple, if you like sound over increased performance, handling and braking, then the 981 is for you.

Semitone

As has been said, the Cayman/Boxster have been the "entry level" Porsches. Nothing wrong with that.

The only difference is that with the whining about the sound of the 718, it is now clear that Porsche has final proof that they have made the complete transition from a performance car company to an aspirational lifestyle brand company. They have been working on it for years. Mission Accomplished.

cobalt

I love novices

lajoiedp

I love people who feel like they need to list all of their current and previous vehicles in an obvious attempt to try and impress people.

cobalt

The wealth of info I provide to most of the forums is what impresses people. I help countless people each and every day and have decades of experience. I am not here to impress you or anyone else. I am proud of buying the right cars at the right time and if you grew up and understood what Porsche meant and means to so many than we wouldn't be having these conversations.

I have said the 718 is a very capable car but it does not follow IMO the key aspect of what Porsche stood for or their product was intended to do. It is all about sales and performance specs vs making the ultimate engaging road car and IMO they missed the mark with the 718.

The classic department which is huge with Porsche now tests their employees and one question I have used before is

Understanding the Porsche philosophy of building cars is a major part of appreciating the uniqueness of owning a Porsche. A central point in this is that Porsche
A- Is the best transportation you can buy
B- is entertainment that enriches your life
C- is the most advanced concept in automotive design
D- is the best value in sports cars.

The 718 IMO falls more under A or C. If you disagree that is up to you but the answer is B- is entertainment that enriches your life. The 718 for me does not do this as much as the 981 does.

Another question is

Porsche's engineering philosophy is that Porsche must be
A- A pleasure to drive
B- A pleasure to look at
C- A pleasure to own
D- All of the above.

The answer is D- All of the above. I think it clearly covers B, I am assuming C as well. I won't say A is out of the question by any means however I find the 981 to offer more of A than the 718.

No doubt these are the low end of the product line and the base cars are the entry level for both 981 and 718. Although there is a huge difference between being an entry level car vs part of the product line and the 981 was becoming an accepted part of the Porsche line as an equal. The 718's are attracting new owners primarily and to me this makes it more of an entry level car (a very expensive one at that) vs part of the product line. Not much different than the 914 and 924 was back in the day.

Not sure why we have to keep addressing this we are at a stalemate here and for some reason the 718 owners need the 981 owners to concede that the 718 is better (whatever that means). It is IMO a lateral move at best and not a forward one you seem to want us to admit to.

PorscheAddict

Agreed on all points.

lajoiedp

Other than sound, how is the 981 the more engaging road car than the 718?

How would you know? Do you own one? How long of a test drive did you take in order to make that opinion?

Again, do you own one? If not, how would you know? I drove a base 981 and thought it was awful to drive at low RPM's. For my money, I couldn't justify owning one that had such poor low end torque. I wasn't looking for Vette torque but was more than the 981 provided.

I don't agree at all that 718 owners are trying to get 981 owners to say the 718 is better, rather most are merely pointing out the differences. All I hear from 981 owners is "sound, sound, sound". IMO, sound is just a fraction of the driving experience. For me, a very small fraction. I get that for other it means more - all the power to them. IMO, performance, handling, braking, exterior and interior styling are just as, if not more, important. Personally, I don't need a ton of top end HP to enjoy a sports car but I just couldn't live with the poor of low end torque the 981. Others have no issues with it, and that's fine. We all have our own priorities as to what a sports car should be, and the 981 didn't meet those priorities for me, or I would have purchased one.

Let's just agree to disagree, and move on. It's getting tiresome.