2023 718 Boxster S: Does a convertible top make the 718 better? | One-Mile Review

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Damon drives a brand-new 718 Boxster S with a PDK transmission. Earlier this year he drove a 718 Cayman S with PDK. Does a convertible top enhance the driving experience, or is it just different?
#Porsche718 #porscheboxster
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[@tompierson8488]

Regarding investment value, I had a 2017 718 Boxster S (Rhodium Silver) and traded it two-plus years later for a similarly equipped 2019 version (CPO) in Racing Yellow. The Porsche dealer gave me as trade-in exactly what I'd paid for the 2017, essentially meaning I drove it free. They sold the 2017 within five days. IMHO, the "purists" who decry the flat four turbo don't necessarily reflect the market. The 718 is a stellar driving experience.

[@vancity2349]

I have a 2017 S, its fantastic!

[@MrRoyck10]

They are all Porsches: flat four, flat six, air cooled or water cooled pick what suits you, they all part of the rich heritage, pedigree and craftsmanship of the brand. If don’t like the flat four noise then go either 718 flat six or 981 S, who cares which version is superior that is just a subjective opinion to fuel social arrogance and snobbery. Flat fours are intrinsically part of Porsche history so is mid engine and not just rear engine. Porsche club UK every Porsche matters and are welcomed without focusing on divisive issues.Go out and kdrive the hell out of your BoxEngine, driven not hidden in garage gassing about what’s better. Enjoy your Porsche folks!

[@AM-uk7jv]

People who don't even own Porsche act like the Flat 4s are some economy biased engines or something. ALL Porsche flat engines ARE 100% performance engines. Porsche isn't Ford or Toyota. Each Porsche sportscar is 100% sportscar through and through. It's not the difference between a 2000s Celica GT and Celica GT-S. Or the difference between a V6 Mustang and a V8 Mustang. Porsche doesn't make take-down engines and poser sportscars. Each and every flat Porshce engine is worthy of being in a Porsche. They're just made for a price point.

[@damonlowney]

If I were in the market for a mid-engined Porsche in the $45,000-$60,000 range, a pre-owned 718 Cayman or 718 Cayman S would be on the top of my list. Or even the short-lived 718 Cayman GTS with the 2.5-liter flat four. Underrated, and they some of the best-driving cars around. And think of the bang-for-your-buck tuning possibilities compared to the NA flat sixes.

[@cozmicsoull]

The best comment about the Porsche brand ever written!

[@boston3801]

Great review! I own a 2018 718 Boxster S which I bought new. Just love this little car. It is fast, fun, comfortable, practical, and very reliable. I was comparing the performance numbers with a 718 Boxster 4.0 GTS, and they are very similar. The 4.0 liter has a better-sounding engine; however, I cannot justify its cost over a 718 Boxster S. I also love the previous 981 flat 6 engine, the engine sound is nicer, however, I prefer the 4-cylinder turbo engine as it is much faster off the line, easier to drive fast as well as the new PCM is far superior to the 981.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@AM-uk7jv]

I think the 718 S are the best performance bargains if you spec them with PTV, SC, and SPASM while keeping the other options minimal. My 718CS is just a tick under $95k with a manual. It handles just like a 4.0 GTS and is a bit lighter, but over $15k cheaper. In the real world, the S and 4.0 are just as fast as each other. Aside from sound, I don't think there's much to lose when going with a performance optioned S over a 4.0 GTS. Is the 4.0 GTS worth $15k-20k+ over the S? I'm not that convinced that it is. But I'm not a flat 6 purist nor a noise snob.

[@thespectralsorrows]

great take and I agree even if the sales figures don't align with it.

[@AM-uk7jv]

@@thespectralsorrows Sales figures of what 4.0 vs 4 cylinder? Base and S outsell the 6 cylinder by a huge margin. Only reason why you ‘see’ so many of the 4.0s is because of social media and the internet. Don’t let what you see on instagram fool you. There are a lot more 4 cylinder 718s out in the wild than there are flat 6 718s.

[@offsideundo]

"S" on the Boxster gives you the "Sport" button. Sport Chrono option adds the "Sport Plus" button (as well as some other dynamic enhancements). Signed: a 981 Boxster S w/Sport Chrono owner who is ridiculously in love with my car.

[@johnyacoub69]

Sounds like you’re saying that Sport Mode is a standard feature added to the car when you buy an S model? That’s incorrect; the base engine cars include Sport mode.

[@user-qw5fl9dw6k]

Not complaining, but on approach to the Eisenhower tunnel (elevation 11,158ft) the 310hp 3.4L engine in my 987.2 Boxster S is only wheezing out approx. 208hp. I've driven a 718 Boxster S here in Colorado and 350hp at ANY elevation is a game changer.

[@rayborg7378]

The 718 is a great way to motor top down.If I would hunting for an open top its got to be a Boxster and nothing else this 718 will do nicely.A manual worth looking for this model.

[@chrisbennett812]

I have never driven a PDK (or a Boxster for that matter) but all I hear is people talk about how great it is. How much faster it shifts, yada yada. If I were to daily a car like this I might consider the PDK if I lived in an urban setting. Otherwise, I would rather have a manual. It requires the driver to engage with the car in a manner an automatic can’t. Thanks for posting! Cheers!

[@callelindstrom4789]

PDK is way overrated. In town, slowdriving, trafficjam etc. its horrible, strange no one talk about it?! They all praise the manual fast shifting, wich is great. BUT. In automatic mode. The constant down shifting ”clunk” from gear 2 to 1 when slowing down, the ”Clack” sound when give it throttle is faaar saying its fantastic. Its realy bad!

[@tractionsavant6062]

I own a 2007 987 S from new and found your review quite interesting. I have been curious as to how satisfying the new ones are compared to my old flat 6. Glad to see your favorable review. My question is about your ratings. You graded a C as a daily driver, B minus for road trips and B for fun factor. So what cars would garner A or A+ in your rating system? By the way, my wife's and my own largest suitcases fit in the two trunks with plenty of room left over for smaller bags and stuff. We have taken is as far as South Dakota, the Colorado Rockies and the wilds of Ontario and loved it on these trips. I would rate ours higher. jeff

[@rich3318]

Shame the Cayman does not have sunroof. Would increase sales for those who do not want a convertilble.

[@hbullock]

This is totally a "do you prefer ragtop or not" question. Being designed as a cab, the boxster has never given up performance to caymans. You either like top down cars more or you don't. Also, the weather / camera didn't do the python much favors. It is a much richer color, most of the time. FWIW, my PG spyder always gets parked up front. :)

[@M_IkeLeBlanc]

Can’t go wrong with Python Green! 😜

[@mkdrum20]

Beer in the front, pizza in the back. It’s even got a nice flat shelf to put your pizza box, but watch out for greasy boxes! Cold stuff you definitely want in the front. That’s where I put the cooler on my 100mi twice a week commute. If it’s a tiny cooler you can put it in the passenger footwell, but that’s just awkward. 981 Boxster in Sapphire Blue Metallic and it’s been awesome. I’m very curious to see what Porsche does with the electric Boxster.

[@miker7776]

Can 718 Boxster run SSCC without heat soaking the intercooler? Either 125 or 150 MPH classes are what i’m aiming for but that seems to be the limiter. Everything else seems delightful, potential daily driver, DE days, etc. Thx

[@phwhitefly]

I think you could make a pretty good argument that this is the absolute best four cylinder 2.5ltr turbo engine ever put into a stock car. Engine noise is subjective, low end torque is not, it's either there or it isn't. I own a 987.2 BS and that engine needs to be wound out to make torque, I need to be in the right gear when passing and it has 40HP less than this car. Fun factor for any Boxster no matter what generation is through the roof and Damon's subdued drive on that crappy road does not reflect how much fun these cars can be on a twisty country back road. The 718 generation is holding it's value very well compared to other brands and with the 2015's being launched as an EV will make any ICE Boxster a collectable in the future.

[@frankiebpr]

Thank you. Have you driven the GTS 4.0?

[@damonlowney]

Yep, here’s that video. I compared the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 to a 718 Cayman S PDK: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aabEmomvh7l1l9Usi=rF3gejD82pVM8eQB

[@olasek7972]

Yes he has, he even compared them side by side (Caymans)

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

718 Cayman S PDK vs 718 Boxster GTS 4.0: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aabEmomvh7l1l9Usi=iiDCXZ6Qhwt2RZyk

[@oscarocampo4575]

The cayman and the boxter are both beautiful, the convertible is gorgeous to look at , i just wonder if it is a feaurure that often gets used , i kean driving drop top in the heat of summer sounds so uncomfortable.

[@gsk5161]

Great color

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

We agree!

[@davedovala2700]

Not specific to this article, but it seems the PDK use case is rarely if ever explained by journalists while the enjoyment of a manual is always mentioned. On track, I learned that PDK autonomously downshifts to the proper gear to maximize corner apex acceleration while cracking off split second redline upshifts down the straights with no pause in forward momentum. I thought my heel/toe skills were pretty okay, but no match for the PDK robot!

[@johntadich7585]

I look forward to and enjoy your one mile reviews. Some minor suggestions include a portion driving at highway speeds. Warm the car up before starting the review, and do your best to find winding roads. Once again, thank you.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for watching!

[@SpeedYellow]

The reviewer subconsciously keep referring to “engine noise”. If this car has a Flat-6 he’d be saying sweet music. This one is a very good car, but the previous generations Boxster’s were brilliant.

[@damonlowney]

I love the sound of a naturally aspirated flat six. I really like the sound of the turbo flat four. I'd call the 718 line brilliant, but then I think every generation of Boxster/Cayman has been brilliant in their own way. A 718 Cayman T with the buckets and manual or a 718 Cayman GTS 2.5 are the top models for me, barring the GT4 and RS.

[@lifeonvanisland]

Great review. I own a 981 Boxster S, and the sound from the flat six is way nicer than the 718. I think the 981 is perhaps the best value Boxster considering you need to spend a fortune to get the new 4.0 six on a 718

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Valid points!

[@olasek7972]

I own Python green manual 2021 718 Boxster S, espresso/cognac, love the car sounds included

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

The problem is prices of 718 and 981 are getting very close so you have to REALLY want the 6cyl sound to justify buying an older model for similar money I still can't decide if I'd regret living with the 4cyl sound every day 😄

[@jessedaniel5142]

Top down makes any Porsche sports car better. But I’m a little biased

[@panagiotismichalopoulos97]

I don`t want a flat six! I`ll stick with my 718S!

[@lancejohnson7253]

Hey Vu, that doesn't look much like A Red 986 to me?!?!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

You got it!

[@grecopena]

If you lived in San Diego, Cayman or Boxster?

[@damonlowney]

I was born and raised in San Diego, and I'd still go Cayman. I like coupes, that is one of my biases. But looking at it from from the perspective of somebody who lives in San Diego and likes coupes and convertibles equally, I think that person owes it to themselves to give a Boxster a try. It's one of the few places where you could easily daily drive a Boxster year round. They make great daily drivers if you don't have to worry about weather too much.

[@thespectralsorrows]

Boxster all day, same car essentially and actually quieter when the roof is closed...only reason to buy Cayman is if you want a color matched roof or to be able to put in a clear engine cover.

[@mpp9964]

That looks far lighter than Python green Does it’s best impression of a torque converter automatic?! Wha???

[@olasek7972]

it is Python green, in his video it’s correct, the photo is perhaps overexposed

[@rogerbrinkman3509]

Loved your review. I totally agree with your comment about the 718 S being a "great road trip car". I have a 2017 Boxster S in speed yellow ... it has great performance and wonderful handling- it has been on many a road trip. Try taking a vehicle like this on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the spring with the top down. It doesn't get much better than that!!

[@mkdrum20]

@@rogerbrinkman35092015 Boxster. I did that! Drove all the way from Houston for a Great Smoky Mountains vacation. Blue Ridge Parkway, ATL Porsche experience center. Speed Yellow would look great with the fall colors.

[@kiphenrie2291]

I'm battling between the Boxster S vs the F-Type S Spyder. F-Type sounds so good! Lets put the V6 engine into the Boxster. Job done.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

4.0 liter GTS Boxster might be for you.

[@Opposed_Motoring]

Couldn’t deal with the tone sounds like a gti. I’ll keep my 981. Great sports cars otherwise. I think Porsche just needed to differentiate more from the 911 to justify charging the premiums they do

[@themonster921]

che bel colore