718Porsche

I just drove a 2017 Boxster.. As a long time Porsche owner (356C, 912 Targa, and 1997, 2001, and 2010 Boxsters) I have always valued them for their combination of sports car handling and just general exhilaration with the GT convenience of a long distance tourer Having said that, I’m baffled by the 718. It’s as if the whole corporation simultaneously took stupid pills.

The good news.

The stick is as satisfying as ever and the electric steering is pretty good; it feels really solid and the suspension just the right combination of road awareness and driver comfort; and it is fast. Oh yes, as a 356C and 912 Targa person, there’s something really cool about a strong four cylinder.

The stupid:

(a) Here is a four cylinder engine–turboed no less–only one gallon more efficient (EPA) than my 2010 and less efficient by one than the 2016, a turboed four less efficient than a naturally aspirated six. (For those of you who sniff at concern with fuel economy as being irrelevant or some Ralph Nader plot, try driving at two in the morning from Las Vegas to Ely, Nevada, watching the fuel tank empty with no gas stations, seemingly, forever.) (b) Not only is the fuel efficiency down but the gas tank is more than two gallons smaller. (Again, think about that deserted desert road.) (c) Finally, my 2010 rear trunk could swallow a standard airline roller bag, my soft briefcase and a garment bag. Only the garment bag and roller bag fit in the 718 trunk.–Good by 2 week vacation road trip with my wife (who take sup the front compartment).

The bottom line:

Porsche took an incredibly unusual car, one that was both practical as a long distance tourer and wonderful fun in the twisties. It left the latter and destroyed the former.

VGM911

Here are the specs for the 2017 Boxster from Porsche.com:

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/71...turesandspecs/


The 2017 base model mileage figures of 22/30 for PDK are lower than the previous PDK base model (2013-2016) figures of 22/32. Frankly, I'm surprised (and disappointed) that the 4-cylinder engine doesn't match or exceed the 6-cylinder engine in fuel economy. Here's a link for the 2013 PDK base model for comparison purposes:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg//bymo..._Boxster.shtml


The previous base model (2013-2016) also has a 16.9 gallon gas tank, while the new 2017 base model has a smaller 14.3 gallon gas tank. See the first link above. This is very, very disappointing, too.


These shortcomings might or might not be deal breakers for me if I were in the market for a new Boxster - I haven't made up my mind.

extanker

honda should have something that will fit your needs

Noah Fect

Remember that this car was not built for you. It was built for the Chinese. Unless you're buying a car in China or some other Communist hellhole that taxes cars on the completely-arbitrary basis of engine displacement, stick with the six.

Noah Fect

The 981 had a near-500-mile cruising range, making it the ideal tool for desert work. Don't sell that attribute short, like Porsche did.

Marine Blue

It might be possible that the engine hasn't fully broken in and thus mileage isn't the greatest. My Volvo has a 4 cylinder turbo that puts out 250hp which is plenty for a DD but the first 10k miles I wasn't overly impressed with the mileage. It was around 29mpg up to 30 at best. At around 30k miles I noticed the mileage creeping up and it's not getting between 34 and 36 depending on the type of driving I do.

Give it some time and see if it improves.

KBell

Agree with above.
On my 2014 Cayman S, I can go over 500 miles on a tank.
(Highway cruising and low RPM's)

Marvinta

Uh oh, now the 718 has been linked to Communism! Run away!

beefchopper

If Porsche designed the 718 for the Chinese buyer it is indeed a strange strategy. Porsche sold a total of 2500 Boxsters plus Caymans in China in 2015. The company said it has a GOAL of raising that to 4500 per year with the 718. In 2015 Porsche sold 6700 Caymans and Boxsters in the US which was down from 7300 in 2014.

So in what way does it make sense to design the 718 for a market that is much smaller, and you had to come out with a cheaper model to attract buyers in, at the risk of a much bigger market which generates MUCH bigger revenues?

rloggie

I drove a 718 PDK Boxster last week. First time I've been in a Boxster and was duly impressed. Tight, fast and handled like it was on rails. Waiting for upcoming drive in a 981 Spyder to compare apples and oranges, but I'll end up with one or the other. It's in the 718's favor that I can order it as I'd like and it comes with PDK. But the Spyder looks so good....and a six. I'll be selling my 996TT cab tip with 12Kmi which isn't easy for me.

Noah Fect

Don't ask me. But they seem to know what they're doing.

Keep in mind that China's not the only market that taxes displacement. There were a number of legislative and marketing-driven reasons to stop equipping the 98x cars with the 911 engine. ("Bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for them.")

Suicide Jockey

Porsche has recently announced that they will sell less powerful versions of the 718 in China.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/2...odels-in-china

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/08/09/p...boxster-china/

centerisl

Just curious - why the change?