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Porsche 718 Boxster: More Performance For Less Soul

3732 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  dave22, 
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Reviews for the new Porsche 718 Boxster have been streaming in recently and they all seem agree that its performance has improved but at the cost of the soulful flat-six engine.

It’s just inevitable with the increasingly strict international emission standards and going turbo seems like the best way to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Every exterior panel besides the bonnet, boot and windscreen is new and the interior has been updated too with a new infotainment system and smaller steering wheel. Performance has been improved with faster steering from the 911 Turbo and upgraded rear suspension inspired by the Cayman GT4. When you’re driving the 718 Boxster you’ll be treated to a steering system that is 10% faster, great throttle that’ll push you back into the seat in any gear and it’s just an overall balanced car.

Of course in exchange for an overall better performing vehicle the 718 Boxster has lost the sound that only a flat-six can produce. This seems to be a sore point with purists who are up in arms about the switch to Turbo but Matt Prior from AutoCar does make a good point about this; every time Porsche comes out with something new you’ll get people complaining about one thing or the other. Could be the water-cooling or the electric power steering but overall, people forget that Porsche has been improving with each new model.

The question is, do you think it’s worth it?

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C
Depends on the person, I think the improved handling and reduced throttle lag is worth it. It's an overall better car and all you lose is the noise, fair trade off I would say.
If someone wants a more involving car then they should get a 1996 Boxster, a car that was designed before electric bow steering was added.
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D
gotta be kidding

Is there anything worse than a middle aged guy driving around in a loud car?

That stuff is for teenagers and 60 something guys with gold chains on their third wife

Porsches sound like sewing machines (yes even the 911 GTS turbo RS special edition exclusive...whatever Ive heard them there is one at every traffic light in NE scottsdale). Who knew people bought them for the sound?

You buy a 69 Chevelle with a cammed 427 for the sound right?
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C
I too wonder why a reasonable Porsche guy would want a louder exhaust just because of the more impressive sound. I do think mine (stock exhaust) does sound a bit like a turbo sewing machine on steroids and wish it were smoother sounding and quieter... dare I say more like my previous BMW M3! Back in the days when I drove a Volvo 544, a buddy had a Chevelle SS 396 with cam and shorter rear gearing, and it did indeed sound real impressive. And it scooted right along too. Speaking of scooting, I'm impressed to note that the Cayman S runs in the quarter mile at similar time/speed as my old Yamaha XS1100.

Doug
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D
exactly
my 2014 BMW GS 1200 was one amazing bike arguably the best cross country bike ever made
the sound....yawn ...dont even remember the boxer twin sound sure had some torque holy smokes
yamaha R1, sewing machine
GSXR 1000 sewing machine

all 10 -11 seconds in the 1/4 easy off the showroom floor
I'll take quiet smooth and fast all day
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Sonny
Sound is a subjective judgment. I drove my 2012 Boxster for 5 years and was never impressed with the sound. I love the sound of the 718, especially with Sport Exhaust. To each his (or her) own.
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Viffermike
dave22 said:
Is there anything worse than a middle aged guy driving around in a loud car?
Click to expand...
Oh **** yes:
- Young pup driving around in a coffee can-muffled Honda "R" (in quotes 'cause it's a fake)
- Young pup driving around in a Camaro SS with temporary tags (meaning he'll crash it before he gets his actual plates)
- " " " " Mustang GT (" " " " ")
- " " " " jacked-up Bro-truck
- Absolutely anyone of any age riding a straight-piped Harley, particularly without a helmet ... except possibly for Peter Fonda, Mickey O'Rourke, or Vin Diesel.
- " " driving a car with bass so loud and bad the trunk rattles louder than the bass sounds

shall I go on?

Bottom line: Most of those car reviewers who are complaining about the 718's sound are middle-aged guys. That tells you something ...
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D
Viffermike said:
Oh **** yes:
- Young pup driving around in a coffee can-muffled Honda "R" (in quotes 'cause it's a fake)
- Young pup driving around in a Camaro SS with temporary tags (meaning he'll crash it before he gets his actual plates)
- " " " " Mustang GT (" " " " ")
- " " " " jacked-up Bro-truck
- Absolutely anyone of any age riding a straight-piped Harley, particularly without a helmet ... except possibly for Peter Fonda, Mickey O'Rourke, or Vin Diesel.
- " " driving a car with bass so loud and bad the trunk rattles louder than the bass sounds

shall I go on?

Bottom line: Most of those car reviewers who are complaining about the 718's sound are middle-aged guys. That tells you something ...
Click to expand...

haha you must make the same commute I do
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