911 Man gives the new 718 a go!

[Lancerlot]

I've been driving a 718 Cayman around for the last couple of days and I must say to me it's much better than its predecessor. It feels like a proper sports car and goes very well too. There’s more comfort in the cabin, roomier and it has some nice modern features. The handling is very good and it’s a pleasant drive with a good front end and plenty of grip at the rear (even with PSM switched off on a greasy road). The motor is a little harsh and it’s busy when cruising on the motorway and rather noisy, but I put that down to the mid-engine location, right behind your ear plus the 20" wheels shod with Pirellis P-Zeros, that were the option on mine.

Impressive stance
It’s true you do notice the engine difference from the earlier 6 cylinder model, which pulled smoothly from low revs, whereas the new 4 cylinder lacks a little low-down torque and is reluctant to accelerate away from bends without piling on plenty of revs. In fact, you need to keep the engine revs up most of the time if you’re keen to hustle it along, but the engine does rev very sweetly up to 7.5k and without much fuss.

It's very yellow!
Mine is a manual (6 speed) version, but personally if I were considering one, I would plump for the 7 speed PDK since nowadays, I’ve lost the knack of operating all 3 pedals simultaneously when cornering. It’s much easier keeping the revs up and the turbo spinning to overcome lag with just the 2 pedals.

I’ve nothing against yellow – I once owned a speed yellow 911, but this latest racing yellow is very bright indeed and apart from most of the region’s flying insects trying to pollenate me, it’s in the cabin too with painted panels, door strips, yellow dials and yellow seat belts. Whoever specc’d it had a wonderful imagination (or was having a laugh!) and it’s not the sort of thing you’d want to drive nursing a hangover! ??

Now I’m a dyed-in-the-wool 911 man - have been for nearly 40 years, so I am quite surprised this latest kit is as good as it is. In fact I find I have looked forward to jumping into it every day so far and I even took it out yesterday with no other purpose in mind other than just the pleasure of the drive - and that's a good sign since I don’t do that often with most of the loan cars I have been given over the years. Turns heads too - maybe that's just the colour, but it is a fine looking piece of kit!

If you have one or are thinking of buying one, you should be very pleased. Mine’s going back later this week and I shall be sorry to see it go. []
Regards,

Clive
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[Brian_Innes]

A very fair review Clive. Especially for a 911 man......

I'm a Cayman man having owned 3 Caymans over 8 years, last one an "R" manual for over 4 years and 30k miles. A tough act to follow.

By co-incidence, I'm also collecting a demo 718 Cayman S PDK for a weekend at the beginning of November, just to whet my appetite before I take delivery of my individual spec Graphite Blue 718 Cayman S PDK in mid December. Your comments on the manual versus the PDK I thought very apt with regard to the 718's engine characteristics.

You have made such a good job of reviewing your impressions of the 718 Cayman that there will be little left for me to add. Apart from my opinions on the PDK and Sport Chrono Plus with mode switch option which I'm hoping the demo model will have. My own spec has these included, among other keen driver's options.

By the way, I have great respect for the 911. For me, it's just become too big and bulky for the narrow Highland roads where I do most of my driving. The agile 718 CS PDK should be ideal........I'm hoping.

Brian

 

[POR_NT]

Hi Clive.

"its predecessor"...do you mean the 981 or the 987C?

It's great to hear 911 owners (I used to be one) giving it the respect it deserves as I've heard too many people say "it could never be as good as 911, Porsche would never do that", but it's very different, so it depends on what an individual wants from his/her car.

[]

 

[MrDemon]

I could not spend £70k on a 4 pot Porsche

I have always stuck up for the Cayman and Boxster when people say "poors mans Porsche" and that comment was always a bug bare of mine

But I do really think the Cayman is now the "poors man Porsche" esp now it is the cheapest in the range with only 4 cylinders, and you pay more for a Boxster ! , It would not get a look in from a Cayman lover like myself.

I would rather a base spec 911 over a top end 718 now, where before I have bought 4 Caymans to date and saw no point owning a 911.

I am not a turbo hater either, but the 911 wins now by a country mile where before I always saw the Cayman as the clever mans choice ,today it just feels like the cheaper choice :-(

handling in any new car the last 15 years has been too good for most people, so any handling upgrade is a moot point for most, as is more comfort, the flat 6 was a great unit in the Cayman and will be missed, I have no desire to spend my hard earned on a 4 pot engine car. like the advert "it's like a golf"

 

[tscaptain]

Presumably the "S" would give power delivery more akin to the 911, Clive, with the VTG turbo - not to mention the extra wellie? I would be interesting to compare the two back to back.

 

[Buddy]

I've not yet driven a 718 but the figures do sound impressive and having owned a 944 turbo I got rather hooked on the power delivery and found how to ride the turbo boost by feel which is no doubt the way to get the best from the 718's. Having had six Porsches and each being better than the last in most ways I like the flat six and find it a pity that Porsche took so long over bringing the long time rumoured four cylinder to the table, coming from the front engined cars which were four pots it would have seemed quite normal to got to a flat four turbo but now not so, the flexibility of the six is a much better driving experience but then the technique of getting the best from a turbo is as much in the feel as the boost gauge. It is no doubt a pity they didn't see fit to turbo the six in the Cayman saying there wasn't space as simply changing the boot floor level could have provided sufficient volume to include an intercooler and others have fitted turbos although I haven't seen an installation. Would I pay £70K? Maybe if I wasn't retired but instead I'll stick with my 987.2 PDK PASM etc and observe how things develop.

 

[Lancerlot]

Closing minds to development is unwise, since without it we would all still be on cross-ply tyres and using 3 speed column-change gearboxes. [] The motor industry is reacting to a global desire to cut emissions. Smaller, turbo-charged engines seem a small price to pay for continuing to produce great high-performance sportscars, without which IMHO the world would be a much poorer place.

Ignoring environmentalists' demand for more efficient ICE cars will eventually lead to their ban and the all-electric car being imposed upon us - but not in my lifetime, hopefully! [&:]

Turbulent Jet Ignition systems currently employed by Mercedes and Ferrari in F1, is another method of making the ICE more efficient and this will hopefully find its way into future passenger cars to prolong production. [8D]

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]

 

[MrDemon]

"Closing minds to development is unwise"

Not when development is co2 driven because that makes for dull cars.

I don't like any new car atm ,even the super cars are a bit dull.

EPS is the big killer for me as a fun interactive sports car, people go on how great the new EPS is but back to back it's crap vs the older system.

Engines again are very dull these days.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Is it the clock change miseries kicking-in here I wonder?

Do I detect the seasonal onset of SAD, by any chance David?

At my age I'm so pleased to still be here and enjoying my cars, regardless of current engine developments.

My take on life is, that I'm awaiting my new 718 CS PDK next month with relish, which provides the perfect antidote to the dreaded SAD.

You can count on me being honest with my opinions on the car following my test drive weekend coming up soon.

Brian

 

[MrDemon]

If I wanted a softer car ,and I think I do need one as owning the 3 I own is a bit daft.

Top of the list is a 981 GTS Boxster really, that's about all the comfort I need but keeps the flat 6 and still cheaper than a new 2.5 Boxster.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Looked at a 981 Boxster GTS belonging to R2 member at recent club meet. A lovely car and a great choice if you like soft tops. Alas, not for me.

I can understand your position David. Owning a CR, 987 Spyder, & GT4 is certainly a pretty hard core motor pool.

My "soft car" choice following the CR is the 718 CS PDK I am eagerly awaiting next month. Enhanced comfort, updated technology, and possibly more grip and pace, is what I am expecting. Time will tell.

This new car is fulfilling a different role in my life compared to my CR, which had a predominately motor sport and track day purpose with some touring thrown in. All of which, I may say, it accomplished with relish over 30k miles and 4 years ownership.

I shall be extremely surprised if the 718 CS PDK even comes close to my much lamented CR, despite the keen driver's options and the spare set of Spyder alloys and Michelin Cup 2's I have standing by which I may, or may not use. I'll see what 2017 brings.

Brian

 

[Lancerlot]

With nearly 800bhp currently being produced from a 1.6ltr engine, I'm not sure I would describe modern engine development as being "dull".

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]

 

[AndrewCS]

^ ... still lacking in character though, which is the primary complaint as regards the 4T over the H6.

 

[Lancerlot]

Always refreshing to get the views of owners new to the Porsche marque. []

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]

 

[AndrewCS]

Appreciate the welcome Clive ... []

Regards

Andrew