The Porsche 718 Boxster/Boxster S twins inspire many things. Lust, fantasies of driving up the Pacific Coast Highway during a sunset, thoughts of making them even faster – the list goes on and on.
They will continue to inspire such daydreams throughout their lifecycles. However, right now, they’re sparking curiosity in many of you because you haven’t driven them. You want to know what they’re like and how their turbocharged engines will hold up over time.
For instance, forum member jg_atl said, “I’ll reserve judgment until I see and drive one. I am not optimistic though. With the turbo adding extra weight, heat, and stress to the little 4 banger and no PSE option available, it doesn’t sound promising.” He went on to add, “Yes, Porsche has built lots turbos, but when was the last time they did it for a mid engine street car? Its been a very long while, if ever. And all you have to do is look at the M96 engine to know that Porsche can screw it up.”
VGM911 chimed in with, “The new 718 may not have the ‘sound’ of the flat 6, but may nevertheless provide a wholly wonderful ownership experience. We have so little to go on at this point in the way of hearing from people who have bought the new Boxster because they’re not for sale yet. Magazine road tests are in short supply as well. Patience…..patience……..my bretheren. I choose to think that the brain trust at Porsche knows what they’re doing.”
Given how many loyal and longtime fans – especially on this site – Porsche has, it’s clear that the brand does indeed know what it’s doing. Only time will tell if all of that knowledge will translate well through the 718 duo. We’re sure your time in the two models will inspire you all to share your experiences with everyone else here on 6SpeedOnline.com.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
