spyderphile

Nice review, GTS Daddy! Auto journalists are usually jaded types. However, they also get to drive all sorts of makes and models; and, compare. But, it's also refreshing to read an enthusiast's review. 718s must really be good since you are a changed man; and, willing to buy one!

Succeeding generation almost always pushes the boundaries. It's amazing how Porsche manages to find new limits in dynamics, and yet, maintain model hierarchy.

One question: Is auto rev-match present in both Sport and Sport Plus modes? I remember reading so.

JCtx

Hey, thought I was the only one. Ha ha. And that's exactly what a flat-crank V8 is: 2 inline-4s with a common crank. I'd also never buy a 4-banger turbo Porsche, period. I never had a doubt the new car would be quicker, but it'll never be for me. But I agree with somebody's comment that people not familiar with H6s might, and will eventually find them acceptable. The best sounding engine of any street car is Porsche H6 with PSE IMO. And I don't know why, but I think the 3.4 sounds the best, including the GT3. I have several friends with 991 GT3s and even at idle they sound a little rough IMO. But any 911 sounds better than a 4, even without PSE. But Porsche will continue selling Caymans and Boxsters... just not to me.

Keadog

I drove my BGTS today. One of my best purchases ever, IMO. I don't usually keep cars terribly long anymore, but I think I'll hang on to this one.
I'm sure the 718 is a fine car and I won't say I would never buy one. But I'm not rushing in to test drive one either.

lunarx

+1 on GTS Daddys statements.
I did not get to do a track drive, but test drove a 718 & 718s.

The 718 is worse than any flat 6.
Typical jerky Turbo 4 feeling and rattle can sound.

However, the 718s was amazing.
Great low end torque and no detectable lag, very pleasant sound.
I did not get to try the top end, so waiting to hear more on that (or get a better test drive).

I am also considering a 718s Cayman.
However, I might wait for the GTS version.

patdonahue

lunarx, please elaborate a bit on the 718S throttle response from a stop. You had mentioned no detectable lag but not knowing the conditions under which you drove it, was the "tip-in" throttle response from dead stop or low speed satisfying?
TIA, Pat D

lunarx

It was a typical cautious test drive.
The response off the line was fantastic.
Car just took off and pulled strong, no hesitation.
While rolling, at low revs, the car responded quickly, to the point of feeling more responsive than my 991s.
As you know, the 991s is about the top end, with not much happening below 3K.
I did not get to try the 718s top end.

fhp911

Chris Harris says,

But is it true that the 911 6-cyl engine won't ft into the 981/781 engine bay? People (including me) have put them into the 987 and 986

GrantG

Of course the NA Flat-6 from the 991.1 fits (witness Spyder and GT4), but the claim is that the turbo-6 (and its extra plumbing) from the 991.2 doesn't fit...

CAlexio

Or marketing/product separation reasons don't let it fit.

Noah Fect

Another claim is that the 718's sheet metal and chassis have both been revamped extensively. So if a given engine "doesn't fit," it's because they didn't want it to fit.

JCtx

It's absolutely obvious Porsche wanted to 'downgrade' the Cayman/Boxster to 4 cylinders to further differentiate the 911, but why the hell they don't admit it, is a mystery to me.

erik_plus8

They have admitted it. Although not officially. One of the project leader, Jan Roth, told a journo during some test driving earlier this year that marketing wanted engineering to do exactly this, and that a 4-cyl was the obvious way forward. Should be googleable.

lunarx

I think 981 was more downgraded with the 3.4 (it should have got the 3.8).
The 2.5T has a fighting chance.
I think you will see some fast 718s, when tunes get released.
Le Mans was won with a 4cyl.

erik_plus8

Again - how "fast" it is has nothing to do with it. If you're only interested in straight line acceleration there are a ton of other cars to buy.

And the Le Mans win? Come on.... I don't care if NaziGermany was beaten with the 718 T/C flat 4 - I still wouldn't want it in my car with its clearly noticeable lag, dreadful sound and surpringly excessive vibrations...

lunarx

Those negative 718 statements are interesting, because the 718 has handling improvements and is lighter than 991.2.

The negative engine comments definetly apply to the 2.0T.
However, the 2.5T is great.

I like that 718 is doing its own thing now, to improve its game.
I'm curious if people who actually drive the 2.5T find, it a satisfying engine.