Evolution: ’87 944NA to 2018 718 GTS

[OK-944]

I was beyond thrilled to have spent five wonderful days with my daughter Erica and son in law Dennis in southern Washington state last week.

I was also more than thrilled to have covered nearly 500 miles with Dennis, in his 2018 718 Boxster GTS…with the majority of these miles featuring both extraordinary scenery plus a large number of great sweepers and mind-blowing twisties. At several intervals over the course of those miles, Dennis managed to achieve lateral g-force readings approaching 1.2 - not bad considering this car’s lateral g maximum of 1.4!

I was also truly honored to have Dennis hand over his keys for nearly half of those miles…and while I didn’t exactly come close to achieving his lateral g-force readings, I still had and absolute blast…reveling in this cars remarkable behavior. Most impressive to me was the perfect balance of liveliness and composure when pushing this car around curves featuring multiple dips and bumps…with the “sticky” Michelin Pilots remaining perfectly planted while under the influence of second level “sports mode” suspension bias. Oh - and the “sports-mode” downshift rev-matching…what a trip! Nor could I exactly complain about this car's 365 wonderful horses - with a truly impressive pull from around 2Krpm and up (and up and up!)...Wow!

But perhaps what amazed me most about this whole “Boxster GTS” experience was the aspect of lineage…with the all-around driving characteristics of the 718, while miles ahead of those of my 944, nonetheless viscerally sensed as a direct and linear evolution from the earlier car. The same liveliness, the same urge to be pushed just a bit harder…but only much (much, much!) more so.

Put in another way…if I were to have driven the 718 without knowing its identity, it would have been the nearly instant, “yup - this is a Porsche!” recognition of its shared DNA that would have left no question.

But - in some wonderful universe where I could trade my 944 for a 718 GTS…would I? Hmmm…I’d hate to give up the practicality of my 944, which offers (at least to a guy pushing 70) a great balance of driving pleasure and fun, with the ability to carry lots of stuff (like groceries and camera gear), and/or to go “car-tent/canoe camping” as I’d posted about recently. While the 718 actually has a fair amount of (front and rear) trunk space, I'd be hard pressed to strap on a canoe, to say nothing of a car-camping tent!. I guess the obvious answer would be, in an even more wonderful universe…to own both!

At any rate…I close with a photo of my son in law Dennis and his wonderful 718 GTS, along with myself…the old guy taking up too much space:

[aschen]

2.5L 718 GTS is a great car, and a lot faster / better handling than many people think. A love mine and seems like y'all had a great time doing car guy stuff together

[3rd_gear_Ted]

The 4.0 Cayman GTS is a fantastic car. and next level compared to my Cayman S

[aschen]

18 is the 2.5l Turbo 4cyl, otherwise basically the same as 4.0.

365hp VTG turbo, some like to make fun of poverty 4cyl in a porsche but it is a very strong motor. Went to 4.0 H6 in 2021

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aschen

18 is the 2.5l Turbo 4cyl, otherwise basically the same as 4.0.

365hp VTG turbo, some like to make fun of poverty 4cyl in a porsche but it is a very strong motor. Went to 4.0 H6 in 2021

I'm sure that the 2.5L-T, 365hp coxster GTS is much faster and all around more capable than my 3.4L, 303hp boxster S. But I have to say, if I could pick, I'd prefer the H-6 over the H-4. Still, if my only option was the H-4 I'm sure I'd enjoy the heck out of it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by OK-944

Put in another way…if I were to have driven the 718 without knowing its identity, it would have been the nearly instant, “yup - this is a Porsche!” recognition of its shared DNA that would have left no question.

Great post! I've not driven a 718 or a 944, but it's cool to hear your perspective on them. I love my 987, and I loved my old '88 911 targa, and yes, they definitely share DNA, although the difference feels pretty big - rear engined vs mid, bottom hinged pedals vs top, more mechanical vs more modern (like hvac controls and other dash stuff), and more function vs form.

[Dantilla]

My 944S has been sitting in storage up on jackstands under a cover for a few years now.
Kinda tempted to give it a new timing belt and get it back on the road.
I've had quite a few desirable cars, but I think my all-time favorite as a daily driver is a 944.

Great seating position, excellent visibility, wonderful driving dynamics, not so powerful that I can use plenty of throttle without committing a felony, and that wonderful space under the rear hatch.
Plenty of building materials and car parts have been hauled around in that car.

"Hey, Dan- I saw a Porsche in the Home Depot parking lot with an air compressor and hoses in the back. Was that You?"
"I dunno. Probably..."