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I had not one but two Macan GTS's in the past (one was totaled within 3 months by an idiot driver). After that I moved to a 911. Within a month of buying the 911 I got my wife the Macan Edition, which is basically a base macan with SOME of the stock upgrades of the GTS like Sport Chrono, sport exhaust, 20" wheels, air suspension, etc.
I can honestly say it drives and rides beautifully. I've never felt it was underpowered. In normal mode it may feel less responsive, but put it in sport or sport+ and it is great.
Just make sure you have sport enabled and you will definitely enjoy it.
I'll chime in to echo what it seems like the consensus is. We bought a 2017 Macan back in 2016 for my wife, so we've had it for almost 5 years and it's coming up on its 120k mile service. We've taken it on countless road trips, and it served my wife well on her long highway commute. It's been a great car. If I were shopping for myself, I'd probably want the S version (just because I'm greedy), but the base Macan is objectively great as a daily driver and I've often found myself at 80-90mph without knowing it.
Last edited by ToasterThief; 06-01-2021 at 01:22 PM.
One more thing, we've had our for 3 years now, close to 25K miles, and one thing I LOVE about it is the engine's frugality. We drive Houston to Austin frequently (160 miles) and we can do a ROUND TRIP with half a tank. Yes, your read it correctly, 1/4 tank each way, driving 'spiritedly'.
One more thing, we've had our for 3 years now, close to 25K miles, and one thing I LOVE about it is the engine's frugality. We drive Houston to Austin frequently (160 miles) and we can do a ROUND TRIP with half a tank. Yes, your read it correctly, 1/4 tank each way, driving 'spiritedly'.
Forgive my ignorance but when people put tunes on their cars, does that cause the check engine light to come on? If it does, how do people know if there is a problem with their car?
I had the Cobb tune in my base 2.0T Macan and it made a world of difference. Car performed similarly to an S model with tune fitted. No CEL or problems. I sold the car shortly after the car went out of warranty - only issue I had was leaky cam covers which had nothing to do with the tune. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Cobb Tune.
One more thing, we've had our for 3 years now, close to 25K miles, and one thing I LOVE about it is the engine's frugality. We drive Houston to Austin frequently (160 miles) and we can do a ROUND TRIP with half a tank. Yes, your read it correctly, 1/4 tank each way, driving 'spiritedly'.
So you are saying you could get 640 miles on a tank?
We just did a Connecticut to Charlotte run in the Macan SE. Less then 10 hours, avg speed of 73 mph, 25 mpg avg. I have to say, this thing really rocks. On empty stretches, it wants to fly, and I ran as fast as I felt comfortable. Power aside, the car is rock steady at speed, rides like a dream and the 14 way seats are amazing. Range on a tank would be about 500 miles, but 400 is a good time to fill up. Very quiet too, with almost no wind noise at the highest speeds. Would I like an S, sure, no doubt. But very happy to have kept the difference in my bank account. My 911 is for the stupid fast runs.
Last edited by PJ Cayenne; 06-03-2021 at 09:19 AM.
Exactly. The base has never left me in a lurch when it comes to needed quick enough acceleration. As to 90+ mph,how many places do most people have around them (at least in the US) where this is even possible to do safely?
Recent cars in my fleet included a '14 Cayenne Diesel and a '18 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi, 0-60 in 7.2 and 6.5 secs respectively. No one has said either of those SUVs are slow. Not sure why their is so much doubt about the base Macan except it has a 4-cyl engine. It would run neck and neck with a BMW 530xi, is that slow too? There are just faster variants of the Macan, thats all there is to it.
let me tell you that I have installed forged internals into the base Macan's 2.0 TFSI engine, added a big intercooler, water-meth injection, IS38 Big Turbo, race plugs and coils and now have 421HP of power.
I test drove it first to make sure I would not feel under powered.
I drove it in Sport mode most of the time, early days, using the paddle shifters to short shift where Sport mode wanted to scream.
This trained the PDK (maybe I saved it in my settings on the door?) to short shift when driven at part throttle.
After my first service, it came back and Economy mode was much more usable (not sure what they did, but it was greatly! improved). Yes, there is some turbo lag when cold and in stop and go traffic.
I primarily use the car for spirited backroad driving since Covid sent me home to work (no more commute). I never wish for more power. Handling with the Michelin Latitude HP Tours is great, too.
It is all I need for real world performance and then some.
From what I can tell, many Porsche drivers are more interested in their spec sheet than actual driving, any way. nttawwt.
I think it would be a fantastic upgrade to the base model Macan with the new upcoming 2022 gen/facelift if Audi would share their EA888 version of the 2.0T from Audi’s S3 model. I’ve been very impressed with that motor. Long stroke 4 cylinder with reinforced block, unique head, upgraded connecting rods & pistons, etc…300hp. Performs like something with more cylinders for sure. Max torque available from 1900rpm through redline. I think that would be an excellent powerplant for the new base Macan, although I doubt Audi would share that one.
As it stands though, the 2.0T (also Audi sourced, like the current one) in the new 2022 base Macan is getting a decent power boost to 261hp and 317 torque.
As an owner of a .1 GTS and having driven several base loaners pretty hard, I think the best word to describe the 4 cylinder would be "adequate". For around town cruising around, it's fine. The main thing I was disappointed by was the body roll which has to do with my personal preferences and expectations that I have with a car. Those elements are due to the wheel and tire package and non-PASM suspension on these loaners. The other area that would put me off are the price of options on the base. As you may know, the same options get cheaper as you move up the model range. I would never buy a base new. I think the sweet spot would be a CPO sport edition but considering that was a one year special, they are probably hard to find. If your wife doesn't care about the handling, a non-optioned base will probably still handle better than a CRV but CPO is still the way to go versus buying one new.
I think the base Macan is good for a 4-cylinder SUV. It will feel heavier than something like the Audi Q5, but that has more to do with Audi's characteristic light steering feel and other things they do to make their cars feel particularly nimble and agile (which seems to be somewhat antithetical to the traditional German way of doing things but which some people, such as my wife**, really love).
The one thing I'll say is that the base Macan is much more fun to drive if you just leave it in Sport mode all the time.
** This is not me throwing my wife under the bus. I love Audis and the way they drive / feel. I've had a small bunch of them over the years.
Any Porsche, is a great Porsche.
For me it’s all about perspective.
I’ve had some terrible cars. 78 Volvo, am radio, 3 speed auto, stank of stale cheap cigars when it rained.
Lada Niva, no rear brakes, one front that worked, Am radio, no air, great heater.
A Macan that is safe, comfortable, that keeps up with traffic, and is reliable. I’m happy with that.
Macan 4 cylinder? Porsche builds the best of everything. There are no poor choices.
06-01-2021, 01:02 PM
