09-18-2021, 11:26 PM | #1 |
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Boxster GTS4.0: Do not meet your heroes
Do not meet your heroes.
I got a chance to take the Boxster GTS4.0 on a bit of an extended test drive today and I’ll get straight to the point - I was kind of disappointed. Looks: I’m not really a big fan of the boxster design (love the Spyder) but I thought the python green color would rock and it did. Love it. Would def buy in this color. Cabin/Seats: Typical Porsche - solid. Otherwise same as all 718s. The seats felt tight though, and I couldn’t get the side bolsters to expand enough. I am by no means portly (more on the slim side) so I found this a bit weird. Chassis/Suspension: This is by far the trump card of the 718 generation. It’s just superb and leagues better than the M2’s. The chassis can handle even more power. However, you can tell that it’s heavier than the 4 cylinder variants. It’s not bad, and the firmness is reassuring, but you do feel that it’s not as sprightly. It’s a more ‘serious’ 718. Sound: The exhaust can get loud. Really loud. It’s a good noise - better than the 4 cylinder turbos and there wasn’t the high speed drone those ones have, but it’s not a really great noise either. I first noticed this when I started a 718GT4 a while back but thought then it must have been me, the sound features of the dealership floor etc, - but I confirmed it today. It’s a good but not great sound. The M2 makes a more melodious, sonorous tone and it’s not as loud. There was a 991.2 Carrera driving by the other day and that had a much better sound. I had to switch off sports+ in some neighborhoods cos I just felt it was too obnoxious. I’ve never had that problem in the M2. Engine - I know it’ll sound odd but this is actually where I was disappointed - mainly with the throttle response. I get that its NA and all that, but this car feels almost lethargic in the low revs. And because the noise factor is up, it’s like drama without any substance until you get up in the rev range, and then it moves. It’s just today I understood the frustration with the long gearing that folks have been talking about (I had the pdk by the way). There isn’t much else but noise in the low revs and then when you to where the excitement starts, you’re already past the speed limit and have to slow back down. It’s like power that you just can’t use and it was frustrating. I don’t know why it has to be this way. The Miata is just a 4 pot NA and is very peppy in the low revs and I think more fun than this as a result. Also, the pdk in the 718 is nowhere near as good as in the new 992s. For the 911, I would be torn between the pdk and manual, but here, definitely the manual. All in all, this is the third time I really went into the 718 with a view to seeing if I had found the car to replace or perhaps add to the M2. And each time I’ve come away with a clear sense that the M2 is the better car - at least for me. Weirdly, the GTS4.0 is to me, the biggest conundrum of the lot. The only thing I didn’t like about the 4 cylinder GTS was the sound and the drone. In the 4.0, the chassis feels like it wants to be on the road, but the engine feels like it wants to be on a track, or be a GT car which I know sounds weird - but that’s how it felt. There was something unresolved about it. One thing I will say though is that with the exhaust left in normal, it’ll be a way better daily driver than the M2. As it stands now then, the 911 is the only car that really appeals to me in the Porsche line up (the 992 Carrera S is the best car I have ever driven in my life). It’s kinda sad cos I’ve always loved and looked up to the Cayman/Boxster series. Maybe, really, do not meet your heroes. NB: FWIW to anyone here, I was flabbergasted by the Cayene GTS. It's an absolute stonker of a car. |
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09-20-2021, 12:15 PM | #2 | |
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As a previous 718 CS owner, I think you pretty much nailed it, especially with the ^bolded statement. The problem with the chassis is that the rear is not multi-link like you get with the 718 GT4. This makes a HUGE difference on track. the car can get very unsettled under braking especially if coming over a rise into the braking zone. This was the reason that that I sold it after 2 yrs and why I'm now back to BMW in the M2C. |
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09-21-2021, 04:21 AM | #3 |
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The 4.0 liter is more of a party trick Porsche used to sell these cars to folks who would focus on the displacement. So it is not surprising about the feedback. Porsche is hedging bets since the 4.0 they've developed will be around for a while. It'll be a lot better in a few years once they open it up some over time.
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09-21-2021, 06:08 PM | #4 |
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Peak TQ arrives at 5500. There's your lethargic feeling at low revs. These moderately displaced N/A engines are more fun being wrung out. Modern BMW engines are great for poking around town with their flat torque curve maxing out at very low rpms and holding onto that into the midrange. It's all about what you really prefer.
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09-22-2021, 07:14 AM | #5 |
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wow this post really hits home for me
I currently have a deposit on an allocation for a CGTS 4.0. I've had 2 Cayman 981 S's in the past. I currently have an M2C. I like cars with good low end torque (I think my affinity for this started way back with fox body 5.0 mustangs I had). My preference for low end torque has showed itself over the years, one clear example being my purchase of a mx6 with a torquey 2.5 v6 over a prelude with a vtec. The prelude was better looking, had a better manual and handled better, but it was weak in the lower rev ranges compared to the 2.5 v6. Your review makes me seriously consider whether the 4.0 GTS is the right move for me. I always felt like the 3.4 caymans had decent enough low end torque, but that was before I had an M2. it may well be that the 4.0 compared to the S55 feels like the prelude did as compared to the mx6. sounds like I need to drive a 4.0 and I really would like to hear your review of a 992S as compared to the 4.0, the size of the 992 makes me hesitate but it's something I've thought about. |
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09-22-2021, 07:18 AM | #6 | |
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we have had a few cars in common lately and followed a somewhat similar trajectory e86 to cayman to M2C how do you like the M2C? |
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09-22-2021, 08:08 AM | #7 | |
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09-22-2021, 08:38 AM | #8 |
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I echo some of the things you are saying in this post OP. I dipped my toe into P car ownership a couple of years ago through a new 2018 Cayman S. Obviously the handling characteristics of that car were truly sublime, and the way the car rotated and steered through a corner was telepathic. But there was also a lot that I couldn't accept, including: very sub par build quality which was a shock to me after hearing about how P cars are the best in the world, rough sounding 4cyl turbo (not an issue with the NA 4.0), and an incredibly loud cabin roar that was ever present. I am glad I scratched that itch, and maybe a 911 would have been different but I was underwhelmed overall.
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09-22-2021, 09:36 AM | #9 | |
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I just sold the Z4MC a few days ago and wasn't really planning to jump right away. I then found out that the G87 is moving to Mexico and will be out of production for a while. I needed something for next season; found an M2C in HS that was still in the system, so I snagged it. BIG change for me was opting for the DCT. I think these are going to be in really short supply with the production delays. |
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09-22-2021, 10:35 AM | #10 | |
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When you say "not good low end torque", compared to a modern turbo, yes...you're not getting that thrust at 1500 rpm. I will say this though, I never had a problem in the lower rev range when my Cayman was stock. It spun up quickly to where the meat of the powerband was. As great as the S65 is, it has a commonly known shortfall which is lack of torque (295 lb-ft) for daily driving. I've never driven an E9x M3 but, I'd have to chalk that up to the mass of the car at roughly 3600+ lbs as being one reason. The Cayman/Boxter never had a problem with being fat so perhaps that's why only 258 lb-ft was sufficient. I'm confident that I could daily a GT4 and not complain about the low end. Others would.
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09-22-2021, 12:19 PM | #11 | |
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congrats on the M2C, I think you will quite like it, I do! |
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09-22-2021, 03:03 PM | #12 |
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09-22-2021, 05:31 PM | #13 | |
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09-22-2021, 05:38 PM | #14 | |
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09-22-2021, 05:53 PM | #15 | |
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Thanks for the review Spydert. This gives me the sads, as I've been telling myself that a Cayman GTS 4.0 is the only car that I would leave my OG M2 for. I used to own a 987 Cayman S and loved it, although not enough to trade it in and get myself installed in a manual M2.
I went to the local Porsche dealer for the launch of the 4 cyl 718 and just could not get past the gorgeous lines of the car....only to hear that nauseating drone from the exhaust. The 4.0 will fix that! (I thought). The long gearing always concerned me, and the thought of needing to take a brand new Porsche to Sharkwerks to resolve that problem seemed ludicrous. I'd still like to drive one myself to confirm my fears, but yeah, I think 911 has replaced the Cayman in my brain-garage. My wallet doesn't approve of this change!. Quote:
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09-22-2021, 11:28 PM | #16 | ||
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09-23-2021, 03:50 AM | #17 | |
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09-23-2021, 12:10 PM | #18 | |
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09-23-2021, 01:17 PM | #19 | |
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09-23-2021, 08:28 PM | #20 | |
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Using the revs is a problem on the street. The tall gearing issue has been beaten to death for a reason. The tall gearing also hinders torque. |
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09-23-2021, 08:33 PM | #21 |
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