[Traveler 3465]

I have MT and find the controls of the center console and temperature to be poorly located. Stops signs, lights just plain driving it is soo close to the shifter. More annoying for passengers but not great as a driver. Temp controls lacking and feel like chicklett gum.

Gripe 2. The overhead interior light a bit small and generally useless. Doesn't do much. I keep a small powerful led flashlight in car just to see things as needed.

Gripe 3. Bose system...meh. perhaps it is due to lack of speakers in the boxster. Adjusting levels dont get that great bass sound like I find in my BMW. Will wait a while and then change the system out.

Gripe 4. Covid-19 pandemic guilt and comments. I just got my 718 a few days ago. A deal I have been trying to wrap up since early Feb. Now I feel like a bit of an ass because people are losing jobs, business and income. Then I show up with my shiny new Boxster. Had rude comments and even friends that knew about my plans of buying a Porsche before crisis have and issue. One person said its a bit tone deaf. Can't really drive her now, but also if I could, would have to think of where I am going and whom might be offended. Generally don't care what people think but this grates. Im sensitive to all that is happening..worldwide. it affects me as well (family affected hard and lost a lot in stocks) Just want to enjoy my purchase without the negative commentary.

 

[jimmuller]

As I recall from your introductory post, you were thrilled to find the near-perfect car. Too bad it suddenly developed faults. Perhaps we can remedy them or at least mollify you.

Controls differ depending on what package you have so maybe my experience isn't the same as your. At least with the PDK and the dual climate control w/ automatic feature the buttons are just fine. I can't see the passenger's side temperature control because the shift lever is in the way, but I don't need to see it much anyway. Same for the vent override buttons. Don't need to operate them very often.

The brightness of the overhead LED's may be adjustable somewhere in the Settings screen in the right-side instrument nacelle. You may have to search for it.

Can't offer much re the sound system except that the Bose does just fine in a Cayman.

As for where to drive it, there will always be people who don't understand your motivations for driving a "Porsh". Ignore them. Be polite and drive smart. Don't let them get in the way of your enjoyment.

Eventually this covid-19 stuff will go away. Then you can drive your nice Boxster.

Cheers!

 

[Third]

I have MT and find the controls of the center console and temperature to be poorly located. Stops signs, lights just plain driving it is soo close to the shifter. More annoying for passengers but not great as a driver. Temp controls lacking and feel like chicklett gum.

Gripe 2. The overhead interior light a bit small and generally useless. Doesn't do much. I keep a small powerful led flashlight in car just to see things as needed.

Gripe 3. Bose system...meh. perhaps it is due to lack of speakers in the boxster. Adjusting levels dont get that great bass sound like I find in my BMW. Will wait a while and then change the system out.

Gripe 4. Covid-19 pandemic guilt and comments. I just got my 718 a few days ago. A deal I have been trying to wrap up since early Feb. Now I feel like a bit of an ass because people are losing jobs, business and income. Then I show up with my shiny new Boxster. Had rude comments and even friends that knew about my plans of buying a Porsche before crisis have and issue. One person said its a bit tone deaf. Can't really drive her now, but also if I could, would have to think of where I am going and whom might be offended. Generally don't care what people think but this grates. Im sensitive to all that is happening..worldwide. it affects me as well (family affected hard and lost a lot in stocks) Just want to enjoy my purchase without the negative commentary.

There are plenty of local businesses that benefit from your patronage right now, and frankly that includes your Porsche dealer.

As for your first gripe, I have been beating this drum for a long time. I tell anyone who will listen to option the multifunction steering wheel. It doesn't solve the tight-space problem completely, but it helps.

 

[Traveler 3465]

As I recall from your introductory post, you were thrilled to find the near-perfect car. Too bad it suddenly developed faults. Perhaps we can remedy them or at least mollify you.

Controls differ depending on what package you have so maybe my experience isn't the same as your. At least with the PDK and the dual climate control w/ automatic feature the buttons are just fine. I can't see the passenger's side temperature control because the shift lever is in the way, but I don't need to see it much anyway. Same for the vent override buttons. Don't need to operate them very often.

The brightness of the overhead LED's may be adjustable somewhere in the Settings screen in the right-side instrument nacelle. You may have to search for it.

Can't offer much re the sound system except that the Bose does just fine in a Cayman.

As for where to drive it, there will always be people who don't understand your motivations for driving a "Porsh". Ignore them. Be polite and drive smart. Don't let them get in the way of your enjoyment.

Eventually this covid-19 stuff will go away. Then you can drive your nice Boxster.

Cheers!

I appreciate that. Thank you for the tips. Self quarantine now and reading the manual. Having fun learning about her. Dont get me wrong... I loooooooovvve my new car. Always didnt like the controls but all else outways the gripes. She excedes wildest dreams and expectations. Just sharing.

 

[Traveler 3465]

There are plenty of local businesses that benefit from your patronage right now, and frankly that includes your Porsche dealer.

As for your first gripe, I have been beating this drum for a long time. I tell anyone who will listen to option the multifunction steering wheel. It doesn't solve the tight-space problem completely, but it helps.

I bought car used has a lot of options but the steering wheel multifunction wasnt one of them. Baffling, but def not deal breaker. Most my gripes not major. Just very very minor. Last one, just miffed at moment. Got piled on in last 24 hours. Over now. Part of reason it took long is I got a PPI and there were a few items that came up on inspection. Porsche took car of me and fixed it all under the warranty. Love them. Also made some friends. Nice talking about cars ans learning tips and tricks etc. Its a whole new beautiful ball game.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Two of your issues are inherent to most Convertible cars. Little to no place for over head lights and open top cars have less than desirable stereo output.

The perception thing is real and I deal with it all the time. Being in sales, it's a touchy situation when a customer or coworker asks about my car. So for the most part I try not to let them know. On the flip side I don't feel I should have to hide success, but perception and opinion out weigh my desire to share.

The controls... yea, they just kind of suck for placement. If you have dual climate control, what most do is set a sync'd temp and leave it be.

 

[Traveler 3465]

I agree. My 93 GT 5.0 mustang is a red convertible as well and same issues. Not really much can do about it. I am just a lot more mindful and generally not a braggart or showboat type. More so now things have changed drastically for a lot of people and I get why it may be upsetting. Being on this site prior to buying my boxster helped me to understand the hate and negative comments. I knew what kind of car I wanted. Planned and made my move Times are touchy. Once this all blows over.. which eventually it will.. things will start to calm down. Might be a new normal but will calm down.

 

[MLJJ]

This is my first Porsche. I expected more frills than what it has. I bought it anyway regardless of that, mostly because of emotions and the desire to own one at some point in my life. Hopefully, all of those minor annoyances will go away when you have a chance to test it's capabilities. You will figure out where toggles and buttons are soon enough and it will be second nature before you know it. Try to overlook the idiosyncrasies and enjoy your new ride. Time heals!

 

[Traveler 3465]

This is my first Porsche. I expected more frills than what it has. I bought it anyway regardless of that, mostly because of emotions and the desire to own one at some point in my life. Hopefully, all of those minor annoyances will go away when you have a chance to test it's capabilities. You will figure out where toggles and buttons are soon enough and it will be second nature before you know it. Try to overlook the idiosyncrasies and enjoy your new ride. Time heals!

Everytime I get behind the wheel.. just makes my day better. Instant joy. Looking for any excuse to drive her.

 

[Graustark]

Gripe #4 on COVID-19. Well, haters going to hate. I am sure that when you show up to a restaurant in your wonderful Porsche and patronize the service industry after this economic struggle, they will LOVE the sight of every customer they see returning.

 

[Traveler 3465]

Gripe #4 on COVID-19. Well, haters going to hate. I am sure that when you show up to a restaurant in your wonderful Porsche and patronize the service industry after this economic struggle, they will LOVE the sight of every customer they see returning.

Agreed. I plan on patronizing the service industies etc? Socal has its charms for having a lot of Mom n Pop shops and eateries. Hopefully the businesses can hold on.

Porsche hate is somehing else. Cost of ownership. Negative people will always be negative. I just live my life and mind my business. Happy to join the club (Porsche Ownership)

 

[jimmuller]

Interesting responses here. As for Porsche hate, just tell 'em you can't stand the sound of that tiny 4-cylinder engine either. Then point out how it can get 35mpg on the highway. And oh, by the way, still blow the doors off all the 60's era muscle cars.

As for frills, I like 'em but its real frill is in the driving. The only really useful frill? Real-time navigation with map display is such an incredible improvement over older generation cars that it does just fine as a frill. Automatic lights and windshield wipers are pretty cool but not essential. Other stuff like pass assist, adaptive cruise control? Don't need 'em.

And the multi-function wheel? Noop. I know some people here are strong advocates for it but I want my wheel plain. It's a steering wheel after all, not a starship control panel. You steer with it. YMMV, of course.

 

[DriveInHouston]

Re: The COVID-19 comments.

Just shrug and say,

'We may all end up dead. I wanted to experience a Porsche before I did...'

It is just too morbid for someone to come back after this...

 

[GregW]

The OP was interesting--I love the controls. For me they are logically laid out, easy to use (once I got familiar with them), and work well--including the interior lights in a Boxster.

And the multi-function wheel? Noop. I know some people here are strong advocates for it but I want my wheel plain. It's a steering wheel after all, not a starship control panel.

My Boxster IS a starship ?, and having controls at my fingertips is great--no need to take my hands off the wheel to do many of the starship tasks.

 

[johan]

At first i had issues with the placement of the controls since the stick is in the way.
But after som time i know where every button is, but yeas it is not very safe to have them hidden.

 

[Naptown]

Wife has multifunction wheel in her Macan. I find it annoying. Much prefer my plain old steering wheel in the Cayman. If Porsche or some aftermarket company would make some decent sun visors I'd be entirely happy with it.

 

[Naptown]

As for COVID, a 2 seater makes a good social isolation module. Bring a disposable nitrile (purple) glove for gas station stops if you don't want to touch the key pad or the nozzle on the pump.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Wife has multifunction wheel in her Macan. I find it annoying. Much prefer my plain old steering wheel in the Cayman. If Porsche or some aftermarket company would make some decent sun visors I'd be entirely happy with it.

Stupid Porsche and their shite Visors... irritates me to no end! On both of our cars (Macan and Cayman) they are basically useless. I just want it to slide further back when placed at the side. How can they make such an incredible car, yet outsource the visor design to the Accounting Department.

 

[jimmuller]

How can they make such an incredible car, yet outsource the visor design to the Accounting Department.

It's a little like the question of thread direction on a traditional bicycle bottom bracket. Right-handed threads on the right side can unscrew themselves if not sufficiently tight. So most of the world used left-handed threads. But the French standard used right-handed thread anyway for some strange reason no one knows. The Italians did too so they must have had a really good reason. Design of sun visors is the same. Porsche must have a very good reason for making them like that.

 

[aeronca65tl]

…..Temp controls lacking and feel like chicklett gum.

Agree. They are very unintuitive. It's like they went out of their way to make them awful.

But I have a base 2018 Cayman with no options (other than PDK) so I wasn't really that concerned. The plus side is that I bought this car for a killer price (it was under $55K new), so I've learned to tolerate these controls.

Also, I've seen worse. In my first street car (an Austin-Healy Sprite over 50 years ago), any adjustment of the heat required you to open the hood and turn a little faucet valve (you can see this valve in the center of the photo below)

I don't listen to the radio/sound system in my cars so I don't really care about the 718 sound system. The only vehicle that gets me to listen to the radio/sound system is my '18 GMC cargo van because it's so incredibly boring to drive.

Your comment about negativity is surprising. Friends and neighbors reacted positively to my Cayman. I get the occasional headlight flash from other Porsche owners, and sometimes the pathetic challenge from "spotty youths" in sport-compacts, but that's about it.
Overall owning the Porsche has been pretty low-key. I own several other classic sports cars and I drive the Porsche when I don't want to get noticed. One of my friends pointed out that during this COVID-19 pandemic, "At least you get to drive a cool car during all of this."