[MidEngine-Fan]

So I am the guy who is considering the gt350. I suppose it is telling that I don't even really consider the 718. But that isn't just a function of the turbo lag, coarser feel of the engine, and the less inspiring sound. It's also a function of the fact that I am on my second 981CS and am really looking for a significantly different and BETTER experience. I've test driven the vantage v8, a base 991.1,2 jag f types, an evora, and I've yet to get that "I WANT THIS" feelin that I had when I first test drove the 981S. I haven't driven the 718 but from everthing I've read and see about it...I am 99% sureit won't give me that feeling. I think Chris Harris's review spoke to me the most about the loss of soul in the718. I am happy for those who enjoy their 718...I just don't think that would be me.

A friend has a GT350R and absolutely loves it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Seinsmeld13]

Actually pretty good for a U.K. reviewer.

As a glass-half-full guy, I'd say this belongs in the "assemble reviews" thread, rather than as a "worse review"

Why not say, pretty good review? Who cares where he is from. I thought it was excellent. I say, CHEERS.

 

[Mike_in OH]

May sales and YTD figures confirm the current trends:

May sales--Boxster/Cayman sales off 20%; 911 sales off 15%
YTD figures--Box /Cay sales off 24%, 911 sales off 11%

Macan/Panamera sales way up.

No getting around this--either due to trends in the market place, the bump in sales prices or the power plant changes, the sales of the sports car line at Porsche are way off.

 

[RandR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKueX_rGud4

The other part of the drivetribe review by Jethro Bovingdon

I put him on the spot at drivetribe by asking, in effect, if the engine is so poor how come the performance is so good - he more or less ended up saying "because sound." (it is more tractable and more responsive than the engines in the M2, TTRS and 981, there are some simple and good reasons for this - another way to look at it is the iconic EJ207 is iconic because it has been in cars that have won the WRC, ARC, CRC, Rally America, adac 24hr rennen - all multiple times). just a thought

 

[fast1]

May sales and YTD figures confirm the current trends:

May sales--Boxster/Cayman sales off 20%; 911 sales off 15%
YTD figures--Box /Cay sales off 24%, 911 sales off 11%

Macan/Panamera sales way up.

No getting around this--either due to trends in the market place, the bump in sales prices or the power plant changes, the sales of the sports car line at Porsche are way off.

Just have to wonder how long the Boxster/Cayman line will last if the numbers don't improve. The 718 sales are down over 50% when compared to the 987 launch months. There may not be enough market to accomodate both the 991 and 718.

 

[daschtick]

I think this is an industry wide problem, as demand for sports cars (and cars in general) is being replaced by SUVs and crossovers.

 

[photonscience]

Just have to wonder how long the Boxster/Cayman line will last if the numbers don't improve.

I was looking at the Audi numbers.

Audi TT: total sold this year 974; down 21.8% from 2016
Audi Q5 total sold this year 21249; up 20% from 2016

You do have to wonder how long VAG will continue to support the sub 100K sport car market.

BTW, last year when I was visiting the Porsche dealers in my area (4 of them), I heard the same spiel from the SA's: "Have you tried the Macan? It's just like a Cayman with 4 seats". I tried it; no it's not.

 

[RandR]

It is clearly an issue that faces all sports cars - this has been well reported.

 

[ralarcon]

It is clearly an issue that faces all sports cars - this has been well reported.

Sports cars are impractical and go against the norm , more is mo better. (more metal better value). However the sales figures of the 718, have been dismal in the USA.Much worse than it's predecesors, which were low,themselves, in comparison to the SUV's and sedans.

Cheers

 

[Seinsmeld13]

I think this is an industry wide problem, as demand for sports cars (and cars in general) is being replaced by SUVs and crossovers.

In the States I agree but most other countries pay way more for gas so they are looking for economical cars not trucks.

 

[ralarcon]

In the States I agree but most other countries pay way more for gas so they are looking for economical cars not trucks.

That may be so , but the USA, is the #1 sports car market for Porsche. The Chinese are buying mostly SUV's and sedans. Very few sports cars.

"Porsche – Record Sales Worldwide and in China in 2016

Porsche had another record year in 2016 with worldwide deliveries up near 6% to 237,778 cars and sales in China at a new record 65,246 cars (+12%). In the USA, Porsche sales increased by 5% to 54,280 deliveries.

The top-selling Porsche model worldwide was the Macan with 95,642 deliveries (+19%). Sales of the iconic 911 increased by 2% to 32,409 cars worldwide." Car Sales Statistics Magazine.

Cheers

 

[fast1]

I was looking at the Audi numbers.

Audi TT: total sold this year 974; down 21.8% from 2016
Audi Q5 total sold this year 21249; up 20% from 2016

You do have to wonder how long VAG will continue to support the sub 100K sport car market.

BTW, last year when I was visiting the Porsche dealers in my area (4 of them), I heard the same spiel from the SA's: "Have you tried the Macan? It's just like a Cayman with 4 seats". I tried it; no it's not.

Maybe the sports car market will be divided into the $100K+ and $35K and under segments. On the low end I was thinking that the Miata and its clones still have a following. The mid range market $50K - $80K seems to be crumbling.

 

[Ratchet]

EVO: Porsche 718 Boxster 2-litre PDK review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | Evo

 

[fast1]

EVO: Porsche 718 Boxster 2-litre PDK review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | Evo

It's a year old review, but I never read it before. It's about the most negative review of a Porsche that I have ever read. The following is a snippet which captures the spirit of the review:
Disappointing. Underwhelming. Soul destroying. All words and phrases I never thought I’d write about a Porsche sports car, but the 2-litre Boxster is a poor Porsche and the disappointment focuses on the moment the engine starts.

If you, or a friend, ever owned an air-cooled VW Beetle you’ll immediately recognise the unsophisticated clatter when you hear a 2-litre Boxster for the first time. Unfortunately it’s no better from inside, where the tone switches from that of a Beetle run on a student’s budget to an Impreza turbo with a blown exhaust

 

[chows4us]

EVO: Porsche 718 Boxster 2-litre PDK review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | Evo

It's a year old review, but I never read it before.

And we come FULL CIRCLE to POST #1 that started this with being shocked at the journalists review. Only took a year :hilarious:

Decide for yourself regarding 718 Boxster, date May 30, 2016 from Evo

why everything Porsche touches doesn’t always turn to gold

 

[photonscience]

And we come FULL CIRCLE to POST #1 that started this with being shocked at the journalists review. Only took a year :hilarious:

Decide for yourself regarding 718 Boxster, date May 30, 2016 from Evo

why everything Porsche touches doesn’t always turn to gold

Thank you Ratchet and Fast1 for making a slightly boring day far more enjoyable.

 

[engnr1]

The Macan is not a Cayman with 4-seats, sorry. Is it a great small SUV? Sure, it's the Porsche of small SUV's. Now, a mid-engine Macan? Food for thought.

 

[fast1]

Thank you Ratchet and Fast1 for making a slightly boring day far more enjoyable.

But now I understand why 718 sales may be lagging. Lots of people must have read that review.

 

[engnr1]

The strange thing is in May of last year, the 981 was ramping down. The 718's were just entering production and the Cayman was not released until November.

 

[photonscience]

But now I understand why 718 sales may be lagging. Lots of people must have read that review.

I think you're right - it kept alot of people busy on this site; nobody had time to buy any car