Gilbert Han

I know there have been many discussion which one is better, and answer always have been 'up to you'.
As a potential owner of one of these car, I would like to ask you guys personal opinion.

As I see the market, 718 Boxster cost approximately $14,000 more.
With that into consideration, which one would you go for?

For example, same speced car with same mileage, you can buy 981 for $35,000 and 718 for $50,000
Look forward to hear from you guys.

I am personally look for S model with PDK. This will be my weekend car. (I don't necessarily need a car in my daily life)

CaymanSinAR

Base? S? PDK? Manual? Daily driver or weekend canyon carver?

michaelscain

I would test both cars back to back. people always have different preferences. I don't know what yours are.

for example Some people hate the sounds of the 718, others don't mind it as much as its a 4 cylinder engine with a Turbo as opposed to the 6 in the 981 which has no Turbo.

If you can, make sure you test drive a 981S or GTS with the optional PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) fitted. Its what a Porsche should sound like.

You will not go wrong with either car. The 718 has a better Sat Nav and in-car entertainment package i.e. apple car play. Also the 718 is much more powerful, not too mention the steering has been improved as less lock to lock.

PorscheAddict

You have to drive both and decide for yourself. The engine differences make it drive a good bit different, and sound way different (with the tradeoff being bountiful torque). I like both. I would not pay more $$ for 718, but I'd consider having both in my garage.

shus2006croc

I drove both.

981 hands down.

grgallo

drive both then decide, if I were in the market I'd go 6 cylinders, the whole Porsche 4 cylinder thing is a harbinger for going hybrid then electric

evergreenbar

Owned a 981 and test drove the 718. The 981 is my pick. Good Luck.

jeanrabelais

I love the 981. I would buy a 981 Boxster or S or GTS in a second. One of the most beautiful cars in the world.

venom51

Personal preference. The NA 6 makes a lovely noise and is a great experience but there really isn't anything truly wrong with the Turbo 4 it just makes a different noise. Drive them both...see which one suits you.

minthral

MidEngineRules

I've had...
'08 RS60 Spyder
'11 Boxster Spyder
'12 Cayman R
'14 Cayman S
'16 Boxster Spyder
'18 Boxster GTS (just bought, not yet delivered)

My favorites so far are the '08 RS60, Cayman R, and '16 Spyder. Jury's out on the GTS. Will evaluate later.

jeanrabelais

I haven't driven the turbo 4 and I have a feeling I would love it too. Just the 981 is a better deal and last of the na sixes so there is that. But hell yeah a Porsche flat 4 is fine in my mind.

michaelscain

I bought my 981S based on these 3 videos;

1. Chris Harris Reviewing the 981; 2. EVO 981 review ; 3. 981 with the PSE Porsche sports exhaust sounds great here;
and this is the 981S I bought...

wizee

DrBillyD

My approach to buying a car is to rationally analyze what I'm going to use it for and decide what options I want. Narrow it down to several choices then do test drives. Whichever one puts the biggest smile on my face is the one I buy. So, in summary: be rational up to a point, then decide based on emotion.

I have a 981 BGTS and have driven a 718S. Here are my observations:

The exhaust note is different but not *that* much different, IMO. However I would say that, no matter which one you choose, you definitely want Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE).

Main difference I noticed was torque. The 718 torque is basically flat from around 2K (maybe even lower) to about 5K. (I'm sure you could look up the HP/torque curves somewhere), which means the 718 felt like it had a lot more low end torque than what I'm used to in my 981. In the 981, the torque really kicks in at a little under 4K, so you have to get the engine up there and spinning to have some fun. One is not "better" than the other, it just depends on what you like and what you're used to. Personally, I like the 981 because I like the non-linearity of the torque and I like to listen to the engine scream. If you're used to big American muscle V8's with tons of low end torque, you may prefer the 718.