Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Boxster S Drives

Says the man that got bored with his new Tesla and buys a recent Boxster

Well George the world certainly moves faster in a Porsche

I think in reality we all cherry pick the technology that interests us to keep abreast of. i.e. you Peter and your PV/EV and power wall stuff.. I'm more than happy to rest that stuff until it can no longer be avoided and at my age the Plus 8 will last me nicely and it can all be avoided. It would be rude to deny the youngsters the chance to electrify wouldn't it so they can have my spot..

I'm a late adopter of most things.

I suppose childhood sets the tone. And had my grandfather lived longer I may have been influenced into motorbikes.

I never wanted a saloon in my formative years, with money I would have gone Elan, Europa or TR6, but could afford a Midget, so had four. In the hot summer of 76 I did want a saloon. I blame Motor magazine for influencing me.....It had to be a Dolomite but I couldn't afford a Sprint, so got an 1850 with Overdrive. That was my courting car when I met MrsW in 1976.

Missing out the in between years, today I have cars for a purpose, but all must provide driving involvement, which is why I don't like driver aids, and avoid auto transmission. Very few modern cars inspire me. I work on the basis that if I sit in a car and immediately want it badly, then it will usually be a keeper, subject to satisfying the "purpose" criteria.

Like Rich I will only contemplate electric when there is no other choice. Right now I don't see any likely car changes in the forseable future. If VW decide to do the unthinkable and build a few Polo GTi's with a manual box, I may be tempted to dispose of my Golf and Polo and just have one of these. But if they fill it full of stupid touch screen rubbish which I will never use, maybe not.

I should have bought a Caterham when MrsW was working and I had Saturdays to get out on the road early and please myself. The Super 4 concept car pictured on TM (with a petrol engine) is hugely endearing. Small, light, & simple. Perfect!

My 14 months with an EV have convinced me that I don't ever want one again. I'll stay a petrol burner until they ban it completely....if they ever do.
EVs have a purpose, but providing driver involvement and engagement isn't one..yet.

I have long disagreed with Dave W over auto boxes and the Porsche "PDK" is simply amazing, in a different league to all other auto boxes. Using the gear lever or the pedals it is a super slick fast changing manual box. Left on its own in Sport Mode it is brilliant.
I've not tried Sport + as the book says that this is best left for track use.

That BARDI design is a great looking fun car, I like the Pembleton 4 wheeler but this I could seriously go for if someone took the bold step and put it into production.

Richard typed "Well George the world certainly moves faster in a Porsche laugh2 thumbs " Perhaps not so much when I`m driving, as I much prefer tight and twisitng Tarmac where the enjoyment can be found in generating G forces at B road speeds...

My old +8 provided the fun for many a year on the same roads before the cold got to me as it does today..Bugga..!

Yes George I was alluding to the level of high technology you are living with and learning in your Porsche, together with Peter's experience.

As always with my TIC

Auto boxes have moved on so much these days, they are far more interactive and involving without the need for a foot pedal. The Plus Four automatic is actually marginally faster to 60mph and slightly more economical than the the manual, demonstrates how far things have moved on.

Looking at the balance of my Morgan driving hours, (influenced by where I live) I probably spend more time in commuter traffic than alone out on quiet open roads, most of my day out trips to the Lakes or rural Yorkshire/Lancashire involve lots of congestion with day tripper traffic there and back, where a modern automatic would be a boon in tail back traffic. If I eventually get a CX it definitely will be an automatic.

The B48 engine is slightly detuned in the manual box PlusFour. But you are correct John, modern "autos", are very, VERY good
Just a two pedal manual if you wish.

Richard I worked with rather high levels of technology and the higher it became the more frustrated I was with it ALL... It pains me to have to accept that I have an Evoque sitting on the forecourt waiting for the main dealer to be able to fit it in to their schedule some three weeks after it did not wish to be driven any further when a wheel speed sensor failed to provide, a suitable input to the ECU.... A situation which brings the Luddite out in me for sure..(-:

John, such is the number of vehicles on the road in normal times let alone the effect of Covid forcing staycationers to increase in numbers, making usually quiet roads become crowded, perhaps less so in my part of the country, though I have the good fortune to live just outside the edge of a large conurbation, even at that, I tend to get up around dawn on weekends, Sunday seems best, to then enjoy a reasonably traffic free drive. However at that time in the morning, a weather eye is best kept for wildlife and stray farmyard animals..

It seems auto boxes on sports cars may be the preference of most buyers these days..?

Modern programming of auto-boxes even on Porsche PDK, seem to prioritise fuel economy over the ability to downshift and make use of engine over-run to slow things down, thus avoiding the "waste" of fuel, even in sport mode, though I have read that such boxes may be able to have the programming altered to provide over-run capability if desired..? Yeah brakes are the proper means of slowing down, but where is the fun in that... (-:

When I bought my 991 I chose PDK based on my good lady`s driving preferences as it had to act as a possible second car for her to drive.. Truth be told such is the operation of the PDK that it works well for my ageing self too, even when enjoying the occasional B road dawn drive...(-:

Had I wished to buy a manual Porsche of a similar to the spec of the one I have, now owned for a year, I suspect I would still be looking..

I think the days of the manual box are such that they will become ever more of a rarity in time..?

Buyers want an easy life.(Generalisation). So they opt for an auto. So autos sell better than manuals. And manufacturers don't really care about the small number of buyers who actually enjoy "driving", and don't want the committee designed computer deciding which gear to be in. That's the sad truth, and what modern "motoring" has become.