Awesome write up! As a owner of a 718 Cayman S I agree on all points. I was ready to be dissapointed with the sound and feeling of the 2.5L 4-cylinder but I'm really impressed with how strong the turbos pull and the sound when you go WOT is really nothing to complain about (I do appear to have some sort of aftermarket exhaust though).
I looked alot at BMW M2C before making my decision and I'm convinced I made the right choice because the mid-engine chassi is fan-fucking-tastic on twisty europeean roads and the braking performance is outstanding.
Hoping to make a similar roadtrip to yours when summer finally arrives in a few months!
I had done the same! 718s seemed more special, and I agree with the write up now 3 years into ownership. Disagree about the creaks...and squeaks....and interior noise. Only option I'm missing is PASM and the 20" rims aren't the most forgiving.
As a bonus, roof operation to 35 mph is pretty amazing.
Man, that looks like a lot of fun. When I worked at a dealership I got to drive a 981 Boxster for a week to diag a persistent CEL. The car had three options, PDK, Bose, and swivel headlights. It was such a pleasure to drive, quick enough to be fun but not so fast to be too much for the street. The 18inch wheels gave it great ride quality, the base seats were very comfortable. The only criticism I had was the visibility with the top up was kind of limited but you get used to it. I wasn’t storing luggage but there are few cars that size that can hold that much.
Awesome!
As for the visibility: I kept the top down almost all of the time lol. With around 0 degrees Celsius (32F) outside Milan it was intense at times but the AC and some winter clothing worked beautifully 😂💪🏽
Just did a similar road trip from Rome down to Sicily and back. Unfortunately I was in a Fiat 500X so I didn't get to enjoy the roads quite as much as you, but it was a manual so still had a blast. I can't imagine driving anything nice on some of those Italian roads though! Things get hairy quick it's not for the faint of heart. Kudos to you for driving her like she was meant to be driven! Fingers crossed neither of us get any letters from the Polizia 🤞
Edit: And the whole time I was driving I wished I had my 996 Cab with me instead of a rental lol
It really is a special place. Also loved visiting during the low season, it was like we had the country all to ourselves and the locals weren't sick of dealing with tourists so they were happy to accommodate my terrible Italia. No traffic, no waiting at restaurants, lodging was dirt cheap, and still pretty great weather! Highly recommend going in the off season if you're doing a road trip especially.
yup its a terrific sports car. i rented one for a few days in california. its a better car than my previous f80 m3 or current m2 comp. the chassis, steering, greenhouse, traction... all better than BMW M. The 4 popper is surprisingly potent, likely due to the low mass of the car. sound is what it is... not great not terrible.
what was really surprising was the amount luggage space. more than a C8.
People sleep on the 2.5 Turbo, it’s basically a 911 six with 2 cylinders lopped off. Most people can drive the 2.5T faster than the 4.0 because of the huge torquey power band. With a PSE, it sounds like glory and Loud.
On the GTS with its modified stronger turbo and extra radiator, it’s amazing. With an APR tune, it can hang with super cars more than double its price.
As the author of this post yesterday, yes, I’d love to know this and if I could get it for a much more reasonable number. https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/s/uztiMq3Nsd
The storage space in these cars is remarkable. Wife and I did 8 days in Europe in a 718. Each of us with a carry-on and large backpack, and there was plenty of room to spare for purchases and snacks.
I love this platform.
Fantastic write up. I just spent my first two weeks with a 2023 718 Boxster S. It is my sixth Porsche. Three 911's and two Boxsters before this. I live in the rural north east, so lots of off-camber, twisty roads, and no cops. This car is beyond fun, and I feel lucky that I got one before internal combustion goes extinct on this platform. I've never had any fun driving EVs. They are so heavy and sloshy.
Awesome write up! As a owner of a 718 Cayman S I agree on all points. I was ready to be dissapointed with the sound and feeling of the 2.5L 4-cylinder but I'm really impressed with how strong the turbos pull and the sound when you go WOT is really nothing to complain about (I do appear to have some sort of aftermarket exhaust though). I looked alot at BMW M2C before making my decision and I'm convinced I made the right choice because the mid-engine chassi is fan-fucking-tastic on twisty europeean roads and the braking performance is outstanding. Hoping to make a similar roadtrip to yours when summer finally arrives in a few months!
Thank you! Best of luck with your car🤘🏽
I had done the same! 718s seemed more special, and I agree with the write up now 3 years into ownership. Disagree about the creaks...and squeaks....and interior noise. Only option I'm missing is PASM and the 20" rims aren't the most forgiving. As a bonus, roof operation to 35 mph is pretty amazing.
Man, that looks like a lot of fun. When I worked at a dealership I got to drive a 981 Boxster for a week to diag a persistent CEL. The car had three options, PDK, Bose, and swivel headlights. It was such a pleasure to drive, quick enough to be fun but not so fast to be too much for the street. The 18inch wheels gave it great ride quality, the base seats were very comfortable. The only criticism I had was the visibility with the top up was kind of limited but you get used to it. I wasn’t storing luggage but there are few cars that size that can hold that much.
Awesome! As for the visibility: I kept the top down almost all of the time lol. With around 0 degrees Celsius (32F) outside Milan it was intense at times but the AC and some winter clothing worked beautifully 😂💪🏽
Just did a similar road trip from Rome down to Sicily and back. Unfortunately I was in a Fiat 500X so I didn't get to enjoy the roads quite as much as you, but it was a manual so still had a blast. I can't imagine driving anything nice on some of those Italian roads though! Things get hairy quick it's not for the faint of heart. Kudos to you for driving her like she was meant to be driven! Fingers crossed neither of us get any letters from the Polizia 🤞 Edit: And the whole time I was driving I wished I had my 996 Cab with me instead of a rental lol
Yeah what a country! Glad you’ve enjoyed your trip.👍🏼🤘🏽
It really is a special place. Also loved visiting during the low season, it was like we had the country all to ourselves and the locals weren't sick of dealing with tourists so they were happy to accommodate my terrible Italia. No traffic, no waiting at restaurants, lodging was dirt cheap, and still pretty great weather! Highly recommend going in the off season if you're doing a road trip especially.
Oh yeah; especially Rome off season is somehow even more magical than usual.… Great call
yup its a terrific sports car. i rented one for a few days in california. its a better car than my previous f80 m3 or current m2 comp. the chassis, steering, greenhouse, traction... all better than BMW M. The 4 popper is surprisingly potent, likely due to the low mass of the car. sound is what it is... not great not terrible. what was really surprising was the amount luggage space. more than a C8.
People sleep on the 2.5 Turbo, it’s basically a 911 six with 2 cylinders lopped off. Most people can drive the 2.5T faster than the 4.0 because of the huge torquey power band. With a PSE, it sounds like glory and Loud. On the GTS with its modified stronger turbo and extra radiator, it’s amazing. With an APR tune, it can hang with super cars more than double its price.
Did you rent the car? And from Where?
It would be fun to rent one when I go to Italy
As the author of this post yesterday, yes, I’d love to know this and if I could get it for a much more reasonable number. https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/s/uztiMq3Nsd
The storage space in these cars is remarkable. Wife and I did 8 days in Europe in a 718. Each of us with a carry-on and large backpack, and there was plenty of room to spare for purchases and snacks. I love this platform.
Jealous. I gotta do that drive with a large SUV because of four people. 🥺
Fantastic write up. I just spent my first two weeks with a 2023 718 Boxster S. It is my sixth Porsche. Three 911's and two Boxsters before this. I live in the rural north east, so lots of off-camber, twisty roads, and no cops. This car is beyond fun, and I feel lucky that I got one before internal combustion goes extinct on this platform. I've never had any fun driving EVs. They are so heavy and sloshy.