Pickup trucks; fancy leather-laden four-wheel drive quad cab beasts, have become the family car of the 21st century for many people. Not surprisingly, these monsters overwhelm many of the driveways in the townhome community we moved to a few years back. Whatever. Drive what you love.
But what about the 'old school' pickup truck? The kinda beat up, getting old, maybe a rust patch here and there, real truck? Do they have a place in a neighborhood that doesn't need a bed full of mulch or a load of sheetrock? Surprisingly the answer is a resounding, yes! Here's a few in my urban canyon neighborhood.
1970s Chevy C-10
This beauty, clearly a project in progress, lives over by the mailboxes. No idea what motor it may conceal, but the build is going in the right direction. The mat red is a perfect fit for the lowered stance and white steel wheels.
The light grill mod features LED headlights and a great combination of black and chrome. I've never managed to meet the owner, but I know we would be friends. And did you notice the fabulous side exhaust?
1976 Ford F-150
This near-perfect resto-stock F-150 first showed up a few years back, quickly establishing itself as the tough guy in the neighborhood. The owner brought it with him from Las Vegas and these days it mostly just stands ready for rough duty. The matte blue is a perfect color, contrasted with the black wheels and modest lift - a perfect balance of mods that make something already cool even better,
The bed is painted - or perhaps not painted - with a battered off white clearcoat. The diamond plate box and oversize steel bumper hint at real work usefulness, while the lift and wheels say fun.
1996 Ford F-150
Many of you may recognize this Ford pickup, some of you have borrowed it. And that's actually the answer to the question posed at the top of this post - you can always find a use for an old truck, and loaning it to friends is the best use for an old truck. Since we brought her in from the suburbs where it hauled all sorts of stuff on a regular basis, "Phil's Truck" has done regular duty in the hands of a wide variety of friends and neighbors for all manner of lumber, furniture, playsets, and an occasional '57 Chevy transmission. In fact as I write these words, it's hauling a friend's load of windows to Raleigh.
"Phil's Truck" is named for my late brother in law Phil Keller. Before his untimely death from cancer in the early years of the century, this Vietnam vet and NC Fish and Wildlife worker used his truck exactly as it was intended, hard - from the down east red clay mud of Pender County to the Blue Rock Marlin Tournament he managed. Phil was also responsible for the truck's perfect options; the unbreakable straight six 300 cubic inch engine coupled to a four speed manual overdrive transmission and four wheel drive. The behind the wheel experience is almost agricultural, in the best possible way. You can't help but grin, and feel a bit taller. And that bench seat is perfect for cruising to the dump with your best girl by your side.
CarMax is generally a good choice when you're looking for a fair deal on a decent used car. Need a Camry or a Grand Cherokee? It's a smart place to start. But what you may not know is that, amid that sea of Hyundais, Toyotas, Hondas, and assorted other bland suburban transport pods, there are occasionally offerings that get an enthusiast's attention. Here's what I found on a recent Sunday morning stroll of the lot at the CarMax in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Full disclosure - I worked as a part time associate at CarMax 20+ years back. It was a fun part time job and I learned a lot about the car business.)
2011 Ford Ranger XLT
Now I'll admit that a nearly ten year old pickup isn't usually cause for much more than a glance. But this one is different. First, it only has 57,000 miles on the odometer. Second, it is in immaculate shape and has every option an '11 Ranger could have. The bedliner doesn't have a scratch on it. My guess is this truck was owned by a 'gentleman farmer' who only drove it on Saturday mornings to join friends for coffee. In this condition and with such few miles, this little truck is a rare find. And CarMax knows it - look at the price they're asking.
2017 Mazda Miata Club Edition
For 30 years now the Miata has represented the best sports car value proposition available. And while the last few generations have been a bit on weak side in terms of design, the latest Miata is a great looking car, particularly in the Club Edition which adds special paint, wheels, and other bits. Sadly this gorgeous example has one flaw, and it's a big one. When I found it on the lot I joked that it probably was an automatic. I looked in the window, cursed, and walked away muttering.
2017 Jaguar F-Type S
After bashing the Miata for an automatic transmission, let me immediately contradict myself with praise for this fabulous Jaguar. No, it doesn't have a stick shift. But it doesn't need one. If you want a sports car for the track you can find a V6 F Type with a stick. But to be honest the F is really too heavy and softly sprung for serious driving. Where it excels is as the perfect car for a Sunday country drive. Top down of course. This car, at just under $50,000 would be a joy to own for just such opportunities.
2018 Ford Focus RS
It's not often that a $35,000 used hatchback gets your attention, but this one certainly does. With the harsh ride, cramped interior, and noise you really have to want the performance this little 350 horsepower, angry wombat provides. It's incredible to think about how far the hot hatch has come since it's beginnings in the original Mini and of course the Mark 1 VW GTI.
2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
Sitting down to write this post, I discovered I hadn't gotten a good photo of the fastest car on the lot. This twin turbo coupe may have some ungainly design features and it may not have a pedigree that sets enthusiast's hearts aflutter. But who cares? It has 455 horsepower! It will do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds! That's just ridiculous. God Bless America.
2017 BMW 328i Sedan
You could walk past this last featured car without giving it a moment's thought. Just another off-lease white BMW 3 series. I almost did... but then the red leather interior caught my eye... and the six speed manual transmission... and the M Sport package,,, and the deleted sunroof... and the BMW ShadowLine trim. This my friends, is a true unicorn. Back in the fall of 2016, someone sitting in a BMW dealership carefully checked the options boxes to create a truly unique sports sedan. It had arrived in Raleigh as a transfer car from another dealership. And if the buyer backs out my name is at the top of the "I'll buy it" list.
So that's what I found. What fun cars have you found at CarMax?
I love my 2003 BMW 330i ZHP. But how does this aging performance sedan stack up against the latest 330i? Well it just so happens that while my ZHP was in the shop for (yet another) airbag update BMW of Southpoint in Durham, North Carolina was kind enough to lend me a brand new 330i that happened to have the optional M-Sport package. Let the comparison begin!
Exterior Design
The E46 and E39 BMW sedans of the late 90s and early 'aughts are often held up as the peak of passenger car design. They feature strong, clean lines and classic details. In the interim 15 years BMW design has been... interesting. From the 'flame surfacing,' 'Bangle Butt' cars to the more sedate E90 3-series, it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. The current F30 3 series, around since 2011, has been through several face lifts to get to its latest version.
Most interesting in the latest update - BMW redesigned the headlights with a clear nod to the E46. The sharp notch in the bottom of the headlight surround mimics the shape of the earlier car. But it's not enough. Overall the F30 is a nice looking sports sedan. But it's hard to distinguish at a glance from other cars in the segment. Was that a Hyundai Genesis G70? On the other hand, the E46 3 series represents a benchmark in automotive design that is hard to beat.
Interior Design and Features
Technology, materials, and manufacturing process updates have vaulted interior design several light years from the late 1990s when the E46 first launched. This is not always for the best of course. But manufacturers like Audi and BMW have done a good job of integrating large screens and other features with classic design. The 330i reflects that trend. The ZHP interior seems almost quaint in comparison. USB port anyone?
In my afternoon with the F30 I found the interior to be comfortable and driver-oriented, the way BMW intended. And while I do think the interior materials and leather is a touch higher quality in the older car, it doesn't significantly outweigh the feel of the newer. In a perfect world I would graft the current tech features into the older car. But since that's not an option, this is a clear win for the F30.
Driving Impressions
Up front there is this obvious difference between these two cars - only the ZHP has a manual transmission. In fact it's a different manual than the regular E46, with six speeds and a perfect short shift knob. The new 330i has flappy paddles. BMW has just about abandoned manuals (but then so has Ferrari and no one accuses them of being soft). They work fine, and in sport mode shift fast and fairly hard. But I'm old school. A proper car has a proper transmission.
That said, the 2020 330i is a darned fun car to drive around on back roads. It is rocket fast, confident, and comfortable. The turbo four cylinder provides 255 horsepower and an impressive 295 ft-lbs of torque. And despite gaining a few hundred pounds since the E46 days, the 3 series is still fairly lightweight unless you add XDrive. Electric steering has gotten better since introduced in the F30 in 2011, but feedback is a bit dead on center and doesn't really tell you what the front end is doing in the curves. But overall the driving experience is BMW good.
But here's the problem: the 330i ZHP is BMW great. I was somewhat surprised to find that both cars registered a 5.2 second 0-60 run in Car and Driver testing. I would have thought the new one would be a bit faster. While technically down on horsepower to the newer car, the inline six cylinder is always ready to run up to it's 6800 rpm redline. And it does this with a growl that no turbo four can match. The stiffer ZHP spec suspension does it's part too. The car is tossable in the corners and always ready to play. It's literally an energetic puppy of a sports sedan. Offered both keys for a mountain road, I'll take the ZHP every time.
Conclusions
In the end I'm a bit torn. If you can swing the note or the lease, you should probably get the new 330i. It's a darned good car. And the 340i kicks up the fun with a twin turbo inline six. But neither of these is a ZHP. That car is unique - less than 4,000 were produced. It distills the BMW experience into a tangible thing, probably something that won't - can't - happen again. The world has changed. Safety regulations, emissions, and corporate average fuel economy weren't a big thing in 2003. Now they have an undue influence on design and the driving experience.
So if you need a new, sporty sedan, the 330i is a fine choice. But if you want to go for a drive, find a 330i ZHP.
I’ve been driving to work since the
summer of 1985. Subtracting time for vacations, illness, business travel, wars,
and other various reasons, I figure to have commuted to work approximately I
have no idea. It’s a lot (feel free to work out this math for me if you want).
I’ve done all of this commuting in
a wide variety of cars, from a Miata to a couple of trucks, starting with a VW
GTI and going through my current daily driver. I did try to count them all, but
probably missed a couple. Twenty four different cars is my best estimate.
Based on this ‘data,’ I hereby proclaim myself an expert on the daily driver:
the car you have to spend time in a couple of times a day, almost every day.
A great car is not always a great daily driver.
Now, here’s an important qualifier:
I do not, and never have lived in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, DC, or any of
the other cities where it is just plain awful to commute. I’ve been fortunate to
live in places that don’t feature terrible traffic as a daily reality. In fact,
most of the places I’ve lived have decent road networks, relatively short
(<25 mile) commutes, and moderate weather. If you live in a place where the
traffic, commute distance, and/or weather are horrible, you should probably
move. And if you have to live these places, you should probably drive a tan 1998
Camry. Enjoy.
So here's the question: Just what is the
right balance of cost, reliability, size, efficiency, and enjoyment for your
daily drive? Let’s start with the criteria I’ve established over the years in search
of the optimum daily driver.
Criteria #1 - A good daily driver is fun to drive
I believe firmly that life is too
short to drive boring cars. I started my commuting journey in earnest as a
young Army officer in Germany, driving about 20 km to the base in my GTI. After
I wrecked that awesome little car, I commuted in a Mustang GT. On my way home, if the weather
was good, I would take a longer route that looped me down Autobahn A27 for
about 20 km. There was of course no speed limit on this section.
This was part of my daily commute for a few years. It may have influenced my choice of cars.
Since those days I have usually had
an alternate fun route either to or from work, whether that was a twisty back road headed to my high school teaching job, or a secret stretch of North Carolina highway. As a result, my best daily drivers have also been fast and fun cars. Does this mean your everyday car has to breath fire and tear up the roads? No. Some SUVs are even decent performance vehicles. Well, one or two at least. Your choice just can't be boring, bland, or slow.
Criteria #2 - A good daily driver is (sort of) practical
My fascination with sports cars led me
to daily drive first a Porsche 944S2 and later a 968. Both were fantastic cars in their
own right. Fast, comfortable, and relatively affordable. But they were not practical
daily drivers. Both had little tiny back seats, were low and hard to see out of,
and easy to miss in parking lots (both were hit by drivers who claimed not to
have seen me). They were also terrible in the snow and ice that occasionally hits us here in NC. In these cars I could only take one other person to lunch, and never take
one of the Labradors to the vet.
Based on these experiences I've determined that, while good a daily driver needs to have decent performance, it also needs a back seat, preferably four doors, and all season tires. In other words, it has to be a practical car.
Criteria #3 - A good daily driver is relatively reliable and efficient
Some of you probably noticed that this criteria is somewhat at odds with criteria #1. And you would be correct. Hence
the term word ‘relatively.’ But let me explain… I have driven several SUVs as
daily drivers. None of them were efficient in the way a Prius is. Quite the
opposite. But I only considered one of them inefficient - a 2011 Acura MDX that
got around 18 mpg no matter how I drove it, and wallowed about in the doing.
Other SUVs, like the 2007 BMW X3 and the 2012 Cayenne achieved better than 20
mpg and were not ponderous to drive. Considering their decent performance and generous space and comfort, I considered them to be relatively good daily drivers.
Of course reliability can also fly in the
face of criteria #1. Performance cars cost more to maintain on average. I can
live with that in my goal to achieve balance, but not too much. Bottom line, a good
daily driver starts in the morning and gets you to work and back without drama.
You don’t worry about it as you head out into the garage. And the survey says... My criteria, and they are mine - feel free to disagree and develop your own, lead me two possible answers to the daily driver question: a good sports sedan or a sporty SUV. What do I personally recommend? I actually have two suggestions, both just by chance currently in our driveway...
Best Daily Driver Runner Up - Porsche Macan S
I’ve talked about the Macan S before. We love
this SUV's unique balance of performance, luxury, and practicality. It gets
decent enough gas mileage and so far has been rock solid reliable. And with 350 horsepower and that undefinable thing that Porsche gives to every car, it can be a hoot to drive. That said,
a Macan is a bit on the pricey side... and we currently need two daily drivers in
our family… and they couldn’t both be this nice... Which leads me to...
Best Daily Driver Winner - BMW 330i ZHP Sedan
I’m a big fan of the E46, the BMW 3-series model sold from 1999 to 2006. They represent the last of the great analog European sport sedans. The E90 and later 3-series that followed seem to suffer from
marketing pressures; they feel bloated and lack the focus of the earlier models. But even the most base E46 325i sedan is still a fun to drive car. And that BMW straight six is one of the great engines of all time. Sure they can suffer from some
issues; cooling systems and front suspensions come to mind. But with proper care a well-maintained E46 BMW will soldier on well over 200k miles.
The ZHP was a special E46 performance variant produced in limited numbers - roughly 3,900 in coupe, sedan,
and convertible form. It slotted between the regular 330i and the M3, in a near perfect balance of performance and practicality. The cars featured an M suspension and body kit, unique 18” wheels,
a horsepower and torque bump from stock, a 6 speed manual, and a host of other
improvements. They are also just plain beautiful.
My ZHP is a 2003 sedan with 120k miles in Titanium Silver over gray leather. I spent
six months looking for one in the right condition that featured a light colored interior (tan dog hair also drives many of my automotive choices). It’s a great car - fun, practical, and relatively efficient and reliable.This car makes
me smile every time I drive it, which is every day.
Who ever imagined the day would come when Porsche would offer not one, but two sport utility vehicles? Even more, who imagined they would be the sales anchor that allowed the continued existence of the lower volume sports cars?
The Porsche Cayenne has been with us since 2004 and is on the verge of its third model version. The Macan is a youngster, still on its first iteration since the initial launch in 2015, with an update on the way this fall. I have owned both, and keep getting this question, "which Porsche SUV do you prefer?" Here's my answer.
There have been a lot of SUVs in my car life. I first had an '89 Jeep Cherokee, before these versatile vehicles even had a name. I loved that little truck. With a five-speed manual transmission and no power windows or locks it only weighed about 3300lbs, and was a hoot to drive in snow or dirt. I also got used to the space and bad weather confidence SUVs provide. Since then I've had Grand Cherokees, Explorers, a Mazda Tribute, an X3 and an Acura MDX. Most of them were good vehicles, though a bit boring. Well, maybe the X3 was kinda fun to drive. Kinda.
"This car is comfortable, reliable, and attractive. And it doesn’t suffer from the ponderous luxobarge look that so many of its competitors have (looking at you MDX). The 14 way heated and cooled seats are fantastic. I get out of the car in DC or Atlanta like I have only driven around the block."
Simply put, the Cayenne was perhaps the most complete vehicle I had ever owned. While it was certainly no sports car, most people don't need that performance every day. Whether driving to work or driving to Atlanta, the Cayenne was always the perfect choice. Darned thing even got decent gas mileage at around 24-25 mpg on the highway.
But all good things must come to an end. Last spring the Cayenne was closing in on 100K and my thoughts turned to the next SUV. The lovely Colleen and I spotted a CPO Macan S at our local dealership. I liked it immediately, and she loved it. I believe her specific comment was, "It looks so badass!" It also sounded badass. And so the deal was done, and we've now lived with the Macan for almost six months.
Colleen rolls away with her new (CPO) Macan S
Now to the question that people keep asking, "Cayenne or Macan." To be honest there is no simple answer, as they are both great vehicles. The best answer comes down to what you need, what you prioritize. Let's look at it that way...
First, for the purpose of comparing apples to apples, this discussion applies specifically to the Cayenne V6 and the Macan S, partly because that's what I've owned, and partly because they are roughly the same price when similarly equipped. What about the four cylinder Macan you ask? I've driven one or two as loaners and they are fine vehicles. But to be honest, I would choose a low-mileage CPO Cayenne V6 or Macan S over a Macan, and probably take a long look at the the Audi Q5. No offense to base Macan owners, but I think the redesigned Q5 gets you essentially the same vehicle for less money - potentially a lot less money if you get too happy with the Porsche option list.
So on to the camparison. You don't buy a sport utility vehicle in place of a performance car. Sure, the Macan S, and even maybe a Cayenne S or Turbo won't embarrass itself at a track day. But c'mon man, that's not what these things are for. You don't buy a heavy four door, all wheel-drive vehicle because it really gets around VIR quickly. You buy an SUV because it is practical, comfortable, and reliable. If it is also relatively fast and fun, all the better. Both Porsche SUVs are just that.
Dynamically the Macan S is clearly the superior driver's machine. The S is just plain fast, for an SUV. It sounds great, and handles much better than the Cayenne. A lower center of gravity, less weight, shorter wheelbase, the PDK gearbox, and more power over the V6 Cayenne all combine to provide a more sporting experience. I think of the Macan S as a sort of BMW 3-series SUV (what the X3 wants to be). That said, even my base Cayenne, in Sport mode, was fast, as fast as a vehicle of that size probably should be. But if performance is your primary goal, get the Macan S.
But let's talk the 'U' in SUV. We moved last winter, and used the Cayenne like a dump truck. It hauled all kinds of stuff, really showing its versatility. The Cayenne provides 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Macan provides 17.7 and 52 cubic feet respectively.
This is easy - the Cayenne has a lot more usable space.
Simply put, the Macan is not nearly as utilitarian. John Stuart Mill would choose the Cayenne, and if you have children or carry stuff around much, you probably should too. And the Cayenne's larger size has other advantages. Rear seat passengers survive in the Macan, as long as the people in the front seat aren't too tall. The Cayenne's rear seats are much more spacious. On longer trips the bigger Porsche is a more comfortable ride too. Probably a combination of hip/elbow room and a longer wheelbase. Finally, I haven't found the smaller Macan to be significantly easier to park either. Both vehicles are fine maneuvering through the urban jungle.
And here's a bit of a surprise: I found that the Cayenne actually gets slightly better gas mileage. Both are rated at 23 mpg on the highway. Despite that, in my experience, particularly on the highway, the Macan S is down a couple of MPG on average. Maybe its the eight speed Tiptronic vs. the seven speed PDK, or maybe the Macan S just begs to be driven harder.
So far the Macan has been road bound. But I drove the Cayenne on the beach, on some steep, washed out mountain roads, and in as much snow as you'll find here in North Carolina. It was always sure-footed and stable. The hill descent control works great too. My guess is that the Cayenne is somewhat better in these circumstances. Time will tell.
In summation... if the kids are gone, and the dogs are getting smaller, and you hire moving companies... the Macan S, GTS, or Turbo may be just the ticket. If I had to choose (and I did), I'd go with the little Porsche SUV.
So that's my Cayenne v. Macan answer. Get the Macan, unless you need the Cayenne.
When Porsche first announced the Cayenne SUV in 2001, I got
it. The concept was simple – data showed that a large percentage of Porsche
buyers also owned a luxury car or sport utility vehicle. Porsche didn’t have
something their customers wanted.
This is the basis of capitalism, all the way back to Adam Smith. Deal with it Porscheworld I thought. If Porsche can build a good SUV and
make a bunch of money, maybe they will return to prototype Le Mans racing where
they belong. So they did, and then they did.
The Gen 1 Cayenne was a beast.
The first gen Cayenne was a beast. Porsche clearly had Range
Rover in their sights, and not just from a luxury standpoint. The engineers and
marketing weasels in Zuffenhausen set out to build not just a fancy suburban
grocery-getter, but a seriously capable off-road machine. The original Cayenne
was a beast. And in S, GTS, and particularly in Turbo/Turbo S trim, it was a
seriously fast beast.
The first time I drove a Cayenne Turbo all I could think
was, “Nothing this big should be this fast.” Of course this description did not apply to the first base V6 models. They were, well... slow.
And all this was fine, but with the second generation
Cayenne’s launch in 2010 it was clear thinking had changed. The sport utility
market was on fire, Porsche’s market share fairly secure. And so they dialed
back the hair shirt aspects of the new model a bit, choosing luxury, comfort, and
style over sheer brawn – particularly off-road brawn. The darned things are still
very fast, and very capable. But the car now seemed a bit more country club. And
that was a good thing.
I set out to buy a Cayenne in the fall of 2015. Reality sent
me to Porsche's CPO ranks in search of the nicest, best-optioned one I could find.
After a bit of searching I settled on a 2012 base V6 model.
What??? Ralph bought the slow Porsche? I'm never reading this blog again!
OK, hold on. Let me explain. This car would be my daily driver. I
have a pretty red 911 in the garage to satisfy my more carnal driving requirements.
This SUV would spend its days commuting and running to the store; toiling in suburban anonymity. It would never experience the
Climbing Esses. So I prioritized comfort, fuel economy, and price over zoom. And I don’t
regret it.
The Cayenne interior is a great place to spend time.
When I started looking I specifically chose to test drive a
V6. I figured if it was decent to drive then I didn’t really need the S. Well,
I put a Leith CPO 2012 V6 Cayenne in sport mode and quickly discovered that
this big boy had plenty of go for the suburban jungle. It’s downright quick,
compared to its SUV competitors. My then daily driver Acura MDX was a dump
truck compared to the 300 horsepower V6 Cayenne. I was sold.
Unfortunately I didn’t just buy that very car. While it was
nice and well-optioned, I didn’t want the panoramic sunroof due to both
complexity and heat concerns. So I found instead that car’s twin at Foreign
Cars Italia. Just no giant sunroof. And while I’m not going to get in to the story
here... suffice it to say I wish I’d done business with Leith Porsche or Porsche of Southpoint. Foreign
Cars is a den of snakes. I’ll just leave it at that and move on.
So on to the Cayenne review... It’s simply fabulous—the best car I may
have ever owned. I’ve put over 30K on it in 18 months with barely a hiccup. On
the highway it can get up to 26 mpg driving 75-80, and my overall mileage since
purchase is nearly 21. Pretty good for a 4500+ pound all-wheel drive luxury
vehicle that’ll run 0-60 in about 7 seconds.
This car is comfortable, reliable, and attractive. And it
doesn’t suffer from the ponderous luxobarge look that so many of its
competitors have (looking at you MDX). The 14 way heated and cooled seats are fantastic. I get out of the car in DC or Atlanta like I have only driven around the block. I have also come to love PCM—Porsche Communication
Management. The system is easy to use, functional, and reliable. I miss it when
I’m in my 911... until I start the engine of course. Would I change a few things? Sure. My biggest complaint is the standard steering wheel. While mine is heated, the Tiptronic buttons are right at 9 and 3 where I rest my thumbs. Not comfortable, and cold in the winter. For 2015 Porsche made the previous sport steering wheel standard. And while I love the Luxor Beige interior, the rubbery plastic wears a bit too easily.
But these are just nits. The Cayenne is a great car. It’s fun to sit behind that crest every day, instead of just on special occasions. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, I highly suggest you buy one.
Every Porsche evolution since 1965 seems to begin with the same cry:
"They've ruined it!"
Usually these complaints center around issues like weight, sound, design, and, most of all... tradition. The Porsche owner community values tradition over almost all other virtue. At the heart of that tradition, at least since 1965, is the catechism that proper Porsches have a flat, horizontally opposed six cylinder engine. There's a rumour that Egyptologists once found this chipped in hieroglyphics on a boulder in the Valley of the Kings. And this is why, despite their many and wonderful virtues, apostate Porsche models such as the 944 and 928 have gotten the occasional side eye since they were born.
The interloper. Doesn't look that scary, does it?
The recent launch of the 2017 718 Boxster and Cayman featured much of the same hyperventilation. Why, you ask? Well... Porsche had the temerity to replace the previous generation's flat six with an all new horizontally opposed engine design. And that design has... wait for it... four cylinders!
Oh, the horror! Quick - grab pitchforks and torches, we're headed for Stuttgart the castle!
Rivers of ink have already been spilled about this horrifying break from tradition, this refutation of all that is holy in (Porsche) life. Never mind that this engine design is where the whole Porsche adventure began with the Gmund coupes of the late 1940s. But is the new car really such an outcast? I recently spent three days in the company of a 718 Boxster. My take from that experience is a bit different.
In early January my 2002 911 did what older cars do: it broke. So off to Leith Porsche we went, and I emerged in a 2017 718 base Boxster with several nice options; PDK transmission and the all important Sport Chrono package which includes Sport+ mode.
So what did I learn in three days of commuting and one afternoon of sunny, dry spirited testing? Well, first off, the car is blindingly fast. I'll say it here and repeat it again I suspect, having driven the base 718 extensively it is hard to imagine most buyers actually needing the S version of the new Boxster or Cayman. Except for the better brakes maybe... but other than that, this 300 horsepower/4.9 second 0-60 angry little rocket does everything any mere mortal driver could need.
Optional 718 badging fits well with the new Porsche inset under the rear spoiler.
As for handling, during previous seat time with a 991S I found my first experience with electrical power steering less than satisfying. In this new generation 718 I barely noticed it. The car turned in with plenty of feedback. In fact when I returned to my own 911 it felt heavy and slow comparatively.
The interior appointments of the new generation mid-engined cars show Porsche's continued commitment to providing a driving environment commensurate with the price point. In other words, it's really nice in there - once you get in. Gotta admit, climbing in and out of the Boxster when the top was up isn't as easy as it once was. I banged my head several times before perfecting my entry technique.
But getting back to the interior... the latest version of Porsche Communication Management continues the steady evolution of this solid system. The thin film transistor (TFT) main screen is fabulous, with a seamless, modern look. Getting back in my 2012 Cayenne, the previous generation PCM that I like so much seemed old.
One of these things doesn't match.
All that said, I do have one criticism; the new Sport Chrono steering wheel mode control knob. The functionality is welcome - allowing easy swapping between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual settings. No, my problem is with the knob itself. It feels cheap in a Wal-Mart plasticky way. I'm sure there is some Exclusive option that will render the part in exotic hides or marble. But the basic part just doesn't have the quality feel of the rest of the interior.
And now the elephant in the room...
Note that I have not yet mentioned sound, and I don't mean the stereo. You have no doubt already heard the loudest criticism of this new Porsche: the sound it makes. Or, more specifically the sound it does not make. This criticism is accurate, if misplaced. The new 718's flat four does not sound like the previous generation's flat six. How could it? There are many reasons Porsche went to four cylinders: fuel mileage regulations, efficiency, and space requirements among them. And let's not discount the continuing marque goal to better separate this series from it's larger and more expensive 991 sibling.
The question is whether this change compromises the car. I don't think it does. The 718 is a hoot to drive; quicker than a puck on ice combined with a purposeful and luxurious workspace. Now, the new sound took some getting used to. But in Sport+ the engine roared and popped angrily. It sounded a proper sports car. And it is important to note the car I drove did not have the Sport Exhaust option. So I'm discounting this criticism almost entirely. And I completely reject the "it sounds like a Subaru" argument. Any WRX owner would kill to have the sound a 718 makes. So just add Sport Exhaust and move on. Nothing more to see here.
That advice to add Sport Exhaust brings us to the final question: Do I want a new 718? Well... yes I do. While I'm not replacing my much beloved 911 anytime soon, if I were it might well be with a base 718 Cayman. I even optioned one the way I'd like it, in Guards Red with Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust, and the superb 18 way adjustable sport seats. I'm still debating PDK... but that's a discussion for another day.
