[photonscience]

I picked up my Boxster late yesterday and initial reaction is I couldn't be more pleased. The GT silver simply glows in the sun - like liquid metal - and really sets off the curves of the car. The black/Bordeaux red leather interior is beautiful and what a vast improvement in the infotainment interface. Not surprisingly, the most noticeable thing about driving the car is the torque and near instantaneous response of the engine. Turbo lag is non-existent. As other owners have reported, the exhaust sound is fine - different than that of my 2015 Cayman GTS - much more guttural/growling. I'm one of those who likes the snap, crackle and pop of the PSE in sport mode - never liked my neighbors much anyhow.

One big difference in comparison to the CGTS is how the 718 virtually leaps off the mark when starting off in first gear - I love torque. I've had limited seat time, but so far the steering/ride/handling feel great. I've owned 986/987/981 Boxsters and Caymans - I think this 4 cylinder turbo engine really fits the character of these cars. I've also owned a 991 Turbo S and a gen. 1 Audi R8 V10 Plus - one take-away is that you don't need the high hp/expensive sports cars to just have fun driving. After owning a number of 911's through the years, I no longer feel the need to go that route - these "entry level" Caymans and Boxsters are just so darn much fun.

I'll post some pictures soon.

Here's my build:

718 Boxster S
GT silver
black/Bordeaux red full leather
6 speed manual
14 way seats
premium package
PDLS lighting
20" Carrera S wheels
tailpipes in black
Bose
PSE
PASM
PTV
SC

 

[agent 86]

Nice build. I appreciate your comparisons to the other sports cars you've owned. Enjoy!

 

[Matt]

I had a 2012 R8 V8 for a short period of time and it was far less entertaining to drive than the 718.
Turning radius was awful while ride quality was ok, although less comfortable than the Porsche by far.
In addition the cargo capacity is a huge plus on the 718 the Audi was not practical.
On the driving experience front, the V8 was great but the semi automatic gear box was an ordeal since gear ratios were clearly not well configured.
The car never felt as light as the 718. Should I mention about the understeer ?
Agreed I am comparing a CAR developed circa 2004-2005 with the most recent Porsche but still ... the 718 is a bargain if you factor in the chassis, transmission, cargo ... look

 

[Shark]

I had a 2012 R8 V8 for a short period of time and it was far less entertaining to drive than the 718.
Turning radius was awful while ride quality was ok, although less comfortable than the Porsche by far.
In addition the cargo capacity is a huge plus on the 718 the Audi was not practical.
On the driving experience front, the V8 was great but the semi automatic gear box was an ordeal since gear ratios were clearly not well configured.
The car never felt as light as the 718. Should I mention about the understeer ?
Agreed I am comparing a CAR developed circa 2004-2005 with the most recent Porsche but still ... the 718 is a bargain if you factor in the chassis, transmission, cargo ... look

That might by why they're launching the R6 since it sort of responds to what you're talking about.
It will be the 718 equivalent but hopefully more than that on some trims

 

[photonscience]

...I had a 2012 R8 V8 for a short period of time and it was far less entertaining to drive than the 718...

I owned 2 different generation 1 R8's. I had a V10 spyder with manual transmission, which got rear-ended in an accident (somebody texting). I then got the V10 Plus which had a dual clutch transmission. I never felt either were great driver's cars, especially for the price. On the other hand, the V10 engine was amazing and the gen 1 R8's are beautiful. I disliked the attention I got driving the R8 - much prefer to be anonymous on the road. Once the 991 turbo S became available, I moved back to Porsche. I enjoyed the turbo - far better handling, steering and far less understeer than the R8. I had the turbo in for service and they lent me a Cayman. The "light bulb" went on - I loved the handling and steering of the Cayman and it became clear that I could get into a great Porsche sports car for less than half the price of the turbo. I bought a Cayman GTS and and now the 718S Boxster. The 718 has the marvelous steering, handling but also the missing torque of the Cayman GTS. Incidently, for all the complaints of the 718 exhaust sound, it actually sounds a lot better than the 991 Turbo S did. The latter car was quiet (especially compared to the R8 engine and exhaust sound). I always thought that the V8 R8 had an even better sound than the V10.

 

[agent 86]

I owned 2 different generation 1 R8's. I had a V10 spyder with manual transmission, which got rear-ended in an accident (somebody texting).

Hopefully, you didn't have any lasting physical injuries.

This probably sounds naive, but what happens (insurance wise) when your supercar gets totaled in an accident where you were not at fault?

I consider myself a very good driver. I'm extremely conscience of what the drivers around me are doing, but I find that I'm on higher alert to bad drivers when I'm driving my "first" Porsche.

 

[GregW]

This probably sounds naive, but what happens (insurance wise) when your supercar gets totaled in an accident where you were not at fault?

That's when you need a good insurance company and a top line policy--hopefully one that provides "new for old" for at least a few years. DO NOT get the cheapest insurance you can find. There is a reason they're cheap: they don't pay out as much.

Greg

 

[photonscience]

Hopefully, you didn't have any lasting physical injuries.

This probably sounds naive, but what happens (insurance wise) when your supercar gets totaled in an accident where you were not at fault?

I consider myself a very good driver. I'm extremely conscience of what the drivers around me are doing, but I find that I'm on higher alert to bad drivers when I'm driving my "first" Porsche.

An interesting question and I have some insight as I was able to get the Audi fixed by the at-fault guy's insurance company, plus they paid me $25K for depreciated value.

Here's how we (i.e., my lawyer) did it: I got two Audi dealers to write me letters stating what my V10 spyder would have been worth on trade-in before the accident and what it was worth after the accident on trade-in. My lawyer presented these letters to the at-fault driver's insurance company, who told us that they don't pay depreciated value, since their are so many factors involved. I then took a chance and traded in the repaired R8 for the brand new V10 Plus, thus locking in the depreciated value. That was the proof that the insurance company accepted, and they agreed to pay me the extra $25K. So, a rear-ending at less than 10 mph became a $50K hit for that insurance company. Also interestingly, the reason the damage was so bad after a minor hit is the way the R8 was built. Behind the bumper cap is the real rear bumper - an aluminum bar that sits directly behind the transmission case. When the guy struck my car, the aluminum bar bent and was forced into the transmission. Bottom line: the car needed a new transmission. Not brilliant engineering design, if you ask me.

 

[photonscience]

P.S. Here' what a $50K accident looks like

 

[agent 86]

I guess an insurance company's willingness to grant depreciated value depends on the state laws and the insurance company.

$50k. I wonder if the insurance company continued to carry the texting driver.

Glad things worked out for you and it sounds like you were not injured.

 

[agent 86]

That's when you need a good insurance company and a top line policy--hopefully one that provides "new for old" for at least a few years. DO NOT get the cheapest insurance you can find. There is a reason they're cheap: they don't pay out as much.

Greg

What if the driver at fault has "sub-standard" insurance and you live in a state that does not follow "no-fault" guidelines?

 

[photonscience]

... it sounds like you were not injured.

Not injured, but sure pissed off - both at the texting driver, the overall annoyance and inconvenience of dealing with insurance companies, Audi for such a dumbass design and the loss of that beautiful spyder.