Rented a 718 Boxster last weekend thru Turo. Was considering replacing my C4S with a Boxster, but after driving it I have a new respect for my 996. While the 718 was quick and handled amazingly well, I just couldn't get over the sound of the Turbo 4 engine. It's just noise, and not a good one. It completely detracts from the experience. Also, I found the interior felt cheap (worse than the 981 I drove a couple years ago). Lots of tacky plastic, especially the shifter and fake aluminum stickers covering some of the switchgear. I can't fathom paying $67k base for one of these. The 996 engine sounds miles better and IMO, the interior with the full leather is actually better. Just my 2 cents.

 

try a 981 cayman GTS or GT4. Helluva car and sound very nice.

 

Totally agree, drove a friends brand new base Cayman, same experience. The engine sounds like a sick duck...

 

Lots of flat 6 boxsters and caymans out there.

 

I sold my 981 Boxster to move into a 996. I have very fond memories of that car. The flat-6 engine sounded great and had just enough power for driving around town. The rear trunk was super convenient. It's a great roadster - quiet with the top down, and it opens and closes super quickly even while driving. It never felt "cheap" to me, but it just didn't really feel special.

The 996 is more charming, more feeling through the steering, and definitely more sporty (more powerful, LSD).

I agree that they ruined the Boxster with the flat-4 turbo. It sounds broken, like there's bolts rattling around in the engine.

 

I rented a 718 Boxster some time ago in LA and had a great time with it -- it's still a Porsche and drives and handles really well. But I would never trade my 996 for one. The exhaust sound is decent if you keep it out of Sport. The additional pops and bangs are just too fake.

 

I drove a base 718 cayman PDK at the experience center. The 4 cylinder doesn’t sound as good as the 6, but I wouldn’t say that it sounds bad. The PDK is worlds away from tiptronic and I’m one of those people that would turn their nose at anything with an automatic.

If I could only consider a brand new car and a base 718 is the highest trim I could afford, I wouldn’t hesitate on it because to me that car felt every bit a true Porsche. For my ~$67k though is get something else. 997.2 S, 987.2 R, or 996 turbo

 

^^ Exactly

 

I actually really enjoyed the 981 I drove a couple years ago. I think the body lines, especially the rear end and the way the tail lights taper into the quarter panels are much prettier than the 718. The 981 has elements of Carrera GT from the side view. Also, the 996 steering feel is superior to the 718. You do notice the vagueness/disconnected feeling from the electric system. Speed yellow is one of the best colors on any Pcar!!

 

Anyone see the GT4 RS videos recently? Wow, just wow. That's also for the price.

 

I'm probably in a minority camp, but I like the 718 for the one reason being (to the best of my knowledge) the 4-cyl is the first Porsche engine in years that does not seem to have an inherent weakness for catastrophic failure. First we worried about IMS bearings, then we worried about bore scoring that seems to have carried over to the 9A1 engines. I've heard of no issues to date on the 718 except for recalls on the 4.0 flat sixes.

I love my 996 and have had it for 5 years. But at some point when the 718s drop into range (maybe sooner rather than later if the 4-cyl is shunned by the Porsche faithful) I'd pick one up.

 

The Boxster/Cayman are an amazing chassis . Excellent balance with good feedback . With a six they also have a lovely exhaust note . The turbo 4 does nothing for me . I will keep my 02S with FSI 3.6 as a stablemate to my 99 C4 with FSI 3.8 . They can coexist nicely 😁

 

Ok, stirring the pot. Say what you want about a base 718. Compare that car to a base M3/M4. Same $$$ class. Is there more Bimmer bang-for-the-buck vs 718 until you get to GTS trim?

I’ve never driven the base 718, but have ripped up some rubber with 718 Cayman GTS and GT4…holy bejeesus what cars! M4 CS/CSL is just ok compared against them in my opinion.

 

At one point I had the base 981 and base F80 M3 together. The M3 is an extremely entertaining car - it's key driving characteristics are a TON of low end torque, immediate throttle response, and an incredible rear differential that always seemed to turn your right foot into a steering instrument. It felt like driving a muscle car, and even the shifter would rumble a bit in your hand.

The M3, even in base form, is a brutal wild animal. The base 981 Boxster is a bit more of a scalpel. Really lacks the torque to break the rear end loose, and mine did not have a LSD, which limited it's "sporty driving characteristics." I'd hope a torquey turbo 718 with a LSD would be a different story.