Today we took our Boxster GTS into our Porsche Centre today for its multi-point check and loaned an almost brand new 718 Cayman S PDK. Car equipped with standard seats with sport-tex upholstery and full leather interior with contrast stitching. The improvements over 981 are immediately obvious; much better navigation, screen graphics much clearer, sharper steering and gearbox response also faster. I like the new leather stitching across the face of the fascia and down both sides of the centre console, really nice. Even though the car was new and engine not loosened up I would say that low and mid range response is much more immediate than our GTS. I reckon the car is faster overall, the low down torque of the engine really tells here. The chassis balance and precision also shines through. Ride quality is superb, again an improvement over 981. The car had Porsche keyless entry, but the dummy key where the key normally goes seemed clumsy and pointless.
But oh dear that engine... 
I had hoped a newer acquaintance after the drives at the Porsche Experience Centre would have improved my opinion but i’m afraid it most definitely has not. Starting the engine from cold it is rough and uneven, it really sounds and feels as if it is misfiring. Once warmed up it booms and vibrates and sounds even worse in sport mode. At higher revs the dull drone gets even worse, and the uneven vibration does not go away. How could a car company with the reputation and pedigree of Porsche get it so wrong.......
718 feels a lower cost, budget version of 981 thanks to that agricultural engine - in reality like for like it is more expensive than our Boxster GTS was!.
needless to say we won’t be parting with our beloved Boxster GTS anytime soon!
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Porsche Boxster GTS Carrara white / Volvo V40 D4 R Design daily drive
Re: 718 Cayman S brief review
