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I have to admit having two 991’s that I have never been 100 feet from a Cayman or a Boxster and am curious. In general what are major differences to a 991 and why would one possess a 718 over a 991? Serious answers please.
Having both a Boxster 981S and a Coupe 991.1GTS, I can confirm that the 981 is more fun and nimble and the 991 is the more serious canyon drive. And for some reason the 981 feels much smaller and my preferred choice for errands, fun short trips and sunny days. And the sound of the PSE in the 981 is just phenomenal. Also the 981 has less traction than the 991 (which I guess adds to the fun factor?)
I traded a Cayman 718S for a 991.1 TTS. While I am in awe of the power of the TTS, as well as the handling qualities, I do miss the feedback and feeling of lightness in the 718S. There is no doubt, which would be quicker around a race track, but it's more fun in the 718S, and it's a much better car to learn how to be fast on a race track.
I have a 992 GT3, 991.2 C4 and a 981BS. I've also driven 718s on the track. My favorite car to drive is my Boxster by far. It's red, mid-engine, naturally aspirated, manual, two seater, convertible, PSE, not over powered for the street but still plenty of zip. It looks fantastic. It makes me feel alive when driving it or looking at it. Handles way better than my C4 (no where near as good as my GT3 of course).
991.2 is still a great car. It's a turbo which robs the sound. Big, heavy (since it's a C4), serious under steer. 2+2 seater, coup. Love the low end torque. It's a totally different experience than my Boxster. It's car I would take my wife to for a nice dinner. The Boxster is for me to be alone in and enjoy the car and life in solitude.
I think the 981 looks a lot better than the 718s. Opinion of course. Most of the 718s are turbo four bangers which is a turn off for me. They don't sound as good. Lot more pep though and low end torque.
The 718 turbo 4s have a lot of advantages over the 981 NA cars. The low-end torque of the 4s is vastly superior, and they don't give away any power. In fact, they offer opportunities for much more, while retaining the magical handling of a true mid-engine lightweight car.
I think the criticism of the 4s comes from people who have little or no experience with them. I also prefer the cleaner looks of the 718.
Don't forget when talking about the 718 platform that the Spyder and GTS4 have 4.0 litre flat six motors. Combined with all the attributes of a mid-engine platform, these are serious performers.
Yes, of course, but I was talking about the turbo 4s, which are also serious performers. Moreover, they have low-end torque advantages for street fun.
A common observation on the 718 forum is from folks who upgrade from the 2.0 and 2.5 turbos to the NA 4.0 and miss the low-end torque. You have to keep the revs considerably higher in the NA 4.0 to get the same kick in the butt.
I have to admit having two 991’s that I have never been 100 feet from a Cayman or a Boxster and am curious. In general what are major differences to a 991 and why would one possess a 718 over a 991? Serious answers please.
718s, really Boxsters and Caymans in general, don't hold their value like a 911. The depreciation curve is much steeper.
While the mid-engine layout can help the cars feel more nimble, they don't put the power down like a 911 -- completely different feel at the rear.
Regardless of how good the cars actually have gotten, they can't shake the "I couldn't afford a 911" stigma. The cars are excellent and it's not a fair characterization, but it's reality.
You can make the argument that you can carry the kids in the back seat of a 911. A 718 is purely a two seater.
If you've got a 911 budget, and can only have one or the other, I can't think of any reason that you'd pick a 718 over a 991. If you can have more than one, it's not unusual to have both a 911 and a 718 in the garage, especially if that 718 is a Boxster of some type. Again, great cars, but if you've got 911 money, you get a 911.
718s, really Boxsters and Caymans in general, don't hold their value like a 911. The depreciation curve is much steeper.
While the mid-engine layout can help the cars feel more nimble, they don't put the power down like a 911 -- completely different feel at the rear.
Regardless of how good the cars actually have gotten, they can't shake the "I couldn't afford a 911" stigma. The cars are excellent and it's not a fair characterization, but it's reality.
You can make the argument that you can carry the kids in the back seat of a 911. A 718 is purely a two seater.
If you've got a 911 budget, and can only have one or the other, I can't think of any reason that you'd pick a 718 over a 991. If you can have more than one, it's not unusual to have both a 911 and a 718 in the garage, especially if that 718 is a Boxster of some type. Again, great cars, but if you've got 911 money, you get a 911.
I think the first bullet point is because of the third bullet point … The posers and the people have to buy the most expensive everything (even though they can’t drive / ski / boat / tell time) for beans are the ones perpetuating the myth that the only Porsche is a 911. Real men don’t worry about what others think and buy what they want … One acquaintance recently picked up a new Boxter spider with a manual because he wanted something fun to throw around in the canyons and finds it hard to put miles on his C-GT or pristine 993 TT, or 993 4S cab, or other now ungodly appreciated car.
I probably would’ve gotten a 4.0 Boxster GTS if I actually fit in the car comfortably, but I don’t. And the 911 is better for road trips as it has more in-car storage/room for stuff. I have a lot of acquaintance who are now using Caymans for track cars because the car is smaller, and the other aforementioned reasons.
718s, really Boxsters and Caymans in general, don't hold their value like a 911. The depreciation curve is much steeper.
While the mid-engine layout can help the cars feel more nimble, they don't put the power down like a 911 -- completely different feel at the rear.
Regardless of how good the cars actually have gotten, they can't shake the "I couldn't afford a 911" stigma. The cars are excellent and it's not a fair characterization, but it's reality.
You can make the argument that you can carry the kids in the back seat of a 911. A 718 is purely a two seater.
If you've got a 911 budget, and can only have one or the other, I can't think of any reason that you'd pick a 718 over a 991. If you can have more than one, it's not unusual to have both a 911 and a 718 in the garage, especially if that 718 is a Boxster of some type. Again, great cars, but if you've got 911 money, you get a 911.
Totally agree with the power down point. I feel that traction on my 991.1 is substantially superior than that of my B981S. Which makes the 981 more fun for casual sport-ish driving, and the 991 a more focused weapon. Agree?
I agree about the 2.5L. Low end torque is great. Throw on a tune and it's very strong. Of course can say that same about the 3.0L in the 991.2. The motorsport 4.0 has to be taken to 9k, and it's unreal when you do.
Cayman having two trunks is easier for me to pack for the track vs the 991 and the back seat.
Not sure if it's worth anything, but my timeline went Macan Turbo (gateway drug), 991.2 Targa, 718 Boxster 2.5 (wife's), GT4rs.
Thanks! Much appreciated. The TJ was my dad's, original owner, 2000 with 128k miles. Driving it today
Rarely seen...
Few other comparison notes. I personally think a Boxster looks better than a 991 cab. The rear end and rear 3/4 in the cab isn't small. My wife wanted a convertible and the 718 fit the bill better. Regarding the 2.5L, Cobb tune really opens it up. After doing it my wife said, "I'm having a hard time keeping the car straight, the tail is wagging all the time". That was with the 265 rears now it has 295 rears....
I've had non Porsche people tell me how much they like the exhaust sound of the 2.5L thinking it's an aftermarket exhaust when it's stock. I think the 2.5L Cayman or Boxster is the best deal going right now. The 991.2 is definitely a beast. It gets out of corners really well as mentioned above. With the GT4RS you can't get on the gas coming out of corners as early as you can the 991. I think 911 snobs are ridiculous. Both cars are fantastic in and neither one is a bad option.
02-18-2024, 10:34 PM
718’s and 991’s
