[ClawHammer]

Hi All,

Signed up to the forum to get more information as trying to decide whether to purchase a 718 Boxster GTS. I was close to buying a Boxster S back in 2016 but having only two seats meant it wasn't going to work for me at that point in time. Three years on and things have changed so this is not an issue. Currently in an M4 convertible so would be interested to hear from anybody that's come out of one and into the 718 Boxster.

I've yet to test drive the 718 and in the process of arranging an extended test drive over a couple of days when I'm off work at Easter. I've done this with the two previous cars I've purchased but has anybody been able to have an extended test drive with Porsche? It's seems crazy to drop £60-70k on something I've only driven for 20 minutes. Maybe it's just me :|

Anyway, hope to enjoy some good banter on this forum and gain further knowledge of the 718.
Cheers,

CH

 

[kmacuk]

HI,

Totally agree with the extended test drive. We had 3 test drives across 3 different weekends - 2 boxters and 1 Cayman This is 100% the way to confirm the car is awesome, which it is, but more importantly to determine the options you really need/want. We changed on several (adding and removing) after driving. PASM was a must but not after our drives - Standard seats went to plus and 19" wheels to 20"'s. Bose dropped to Standard sound system and auto climate needed to stay after we found the limitations with the manual.

We found extended test drives were offered when we had 2 dealers involved, prior to that we got a short test drive only offered; we also managed to get it by indicating lights were very important to us (matrix on our Audi), which they were and we needed to test at night. LED lights are excellent and we also drove with standard, which for us were very poor - fine if you dont drive unlit roads.

 

[ClawHammer]

Hi Kmacuk,

Funny that somebody from the Glasgow area should reply. I live in the North West of England but my family live near Glasgow so it's the Glasgow dealership I'm in touch with re. a test drive. Can I ask which dealerships you used and salesperson? Feel free to PM if you prefer.
Thanks,

CH

 

[Scubaregs]

Also in Paisley. Bought a 718 Boxster from Glasgow OPC, dealt with Neil.

Happy to have a chat if you wish.

 

[Nosmo]

Welcome. Building a relationship with your SA is important, I believe. Conveying that an extended test drive is a must for you clearly strikes me as something to state early on. A savvy salesman will recognise that investing time will (in all likelyhood) earn him or her a commision. Spending this much money on a car isn't an everyday occurance for most of us (I assume) and getting to grip with the options and what they do to the car / comfort seems sensible. Without commenting on the optical options, try to get into a car with smaller and larger wheel sizes. The difference on (crappy) UK roads is enormous I discovered. The GTS comes with 20" as standard. If you can try them back to back with 18, or 19" wheels do it. From a pure driving pleasure perspective you already have made the best choice. I'm biased driving a 718 but hey ho, it's a forum. Good luck.

 

[Scubaregs]

My 718 is on 20's, ride is far better than my GT86 was with smaller wheels.

 

[Porsche2018]

It's seems crazy to drop £60-70k on something I've only driven for 20 minutes. Maybe it's just me :|

Very sagacious, that is the way we all should have approached our purchases. Having said that, I purchased my current car before ever having driven it..................they wouldn't let me. Though, if I had driven it I would have bought straight away. Let us know how your experimentation goes........best of luck!

Oh yeh, we all extend our warmest welcome! We are always looking for quality people.

 

[Nosmo]

My 718 is on 20's, ride is far better than my GT86 was with smaller wheels.

Not trying to be glib, but a GT86 is not a 718. There is about 632 difference :nerd: (Sorry taking cover now)

 

[Scubaregs]

True, but my point is 20's on a 718, IMHO, are not a "harsh" ride.

 

[GregW]

If your roads have pot-holes at all then the 18" and 19" wheels protect they tyres and the wheels better than the 20".

 

[jimmuller]

Since this has become a discussion of wheel size... My 718C has 20" wheels. It does not ride particularly harsh. I have no experience with 718 on different wheels so I can't compare. The car itself is firm but comfortable.


The lower tire profile means you can scrape the wheel against a curb more easily. (I have, but fortunately I had purchased the tire&wheel protection plan which includes 100% coverage on cosmetic damage to wheels.) The guys at the dealership told me that the slight side bulge on the tire is meant to provide audible warning by rubbing against a curb before the wheel does. But what with the engine noise and the fact that the Cayman is so tightly sealed I've never been able to hear it. Then again, I've been super careful about curbs ever since that first episode.


Just something to think about.

 

[ClawHammer]

As I plan on ordering a GTS and all four wheel options are 20" I have no choice in this although I've always ordered the largest wheels I can and never found them too harsh. I like a hard ride!! Yet to test drive the GTS but hoping the PASM gives a comfortable ride if I ever require it.

 

[UKGTS]

I bought my 718CGTS from Silverstone and they were very happy to do extended test drives. Came from an M4. The GTS is head and shoulders about the M4 in handling, power delivery and connection to the road. I also found it more comfortable (on 20's). It gives you confidence Vs and M4s unpredictability. Although I loved the M4, but the GTS is wonderful in comparison.

I also prefer the sound... Sounds like a racing car in my opinion, mechanical and angry

 

[kmacuk]

Agreed on the 20" ride comfort; we had 19's on our TT and they were too harsh for me with same profile as Porsche 20's, however on test drive I was so impressed and still am with how well they soak up our crappy pot holed roads. Didn’t test the smaller size because we were happy with the ride comfort (same reason we didn’t get PASM) on the bigger more aesthetically pleasing wheel size

 

[kmacuk]

We thought that about PASM and drove with and without on our 2 test drives. What we found was PASM off was slightly harder setting than no PASM and PASM on (Sport) was far too harsh for road driving - not sure if others concur, but I think PASM is a performance extra for lowered ride and firm track biased setup rather than a comfort extra to soak up the bumps.

 

[alf_17]

I have only tested a 718 with 20" and I must say I was quite impressed with the ride quality, I did however order mine with 18" just for the extra comfort and to save some money, I also really like the look of the fat tires on the 18" wheels.

 

[Nosmo]

My point of reference is the standard 20" on the GTS versus the winter 18" which I am currently on. There is a big difference. Admittedly the roads in the South Eastern UK (especially rurally with lots of twisties) are beyond the joke, but the difference is there still. I suppose all of this is academic if you're ordering a GTS @ClawHammer.

 

[Basaltbox]

My only real comparison is that the 718 GTS on 20s is a far better ride than 986S on 18s

 

[ClawHammer]

I bought my 718CGTS from Silverstone and they were very happy to do extended test drives. Came from an M4. The GTS is head and shoulders about the M4 in handling, power delivery and connection to the road. I also found it more comfortable (on 20's). It gives you confidence Vs and M4s unpredictability. Although I loved the M4, but the GTS is wonderful in comparison.

I also prefer the sound... Sounds like a racing car in my opinion, mechanical and angry

Thanks, it's good to get perspective from somebody that's moved from an M4, especially regarding the engine sound. I've watched a lot of reviews now and it's a bit tedious hearing all the moaning about the engine sound. Some reviewers do love it though. Regardless, I wouldn't purchase a car, or not in this case, based on YouTube reviews. Just need the dealership to come through and arrange my test drive so I can see/hear/feel for myself.

 

[JazzCatGab]

Thanks, it's good to get perspective from somebody that's moved from an M4, especially regarding the engine sound. I've watched a lot of reviews now and it's a bit tedious hearing all the moaning about the engine sound. Some reviewers do love it though. Regardless, I wouldn't purchase a car, or not in this case, based on YouTube reviews. Just need the dealership to come through and arrange my test drive so I can see/hear/feel for myself.

"Question everything!" is a good rule of life, IMHO. The sound issue is definitely something to consider if you have spent time in a six-cylinder Porsche at high RPMs, have done that a lot, and would miss that magical sound. If not, then like me you will enjoy the sound of your 718. Disconnect the Soundaktor and you will enjoy even more engine noises! My 2019 Cayman came with PSE as standard so I use the quieter mode in my condo's garage and parking lot and then switch to sport mode for the rest of the time I'm driving. As I have the SC, it also turns off the auto start/stop mode.