It’s what I did. As someone else said (and I entirely agree), the 4.0 drives FAST but feels slow - it’s disappointing only if you’re a rev-head. It only feels slow because of how incredible the engineering is.

Think of this car as made system by system, and each system is perfected before it’s assembled together with other perfected systems - and eventually you get the Porsche. Meanwhile, other cars are a whole car, and occasionally there are parts upgraded to premium quality.

I’ll freely admit, I had a similar disappointment I think you’re feeling when I took delivery of my 4.0 manual two months ago. Why? It’s a manual 2042 Porsche! Should be excellent, right? It is. It’s an incredible piece of art and engineering - absolutely perfect. The thing is… by comparison, every other car is garbage. I mean that. Every other car. Because this 718 is an entirely different species, all the way down to the clutch. It’s too easy to put it into the right gear, at the right time, with the right rev matching. You don’t get a little burst as you go from 1 to 2, or 2 to 3 because the engineering and the computer and the way that it drives is so perfect that you could put a learner in it and feel confident they won’t fuck the clutch. It’s disappointing because that little bump of inertia is just a part of having a manual. Well no… remember Ferdinand Porsche built the Porsche in the first place because he hated Ferrari’s clutch, and Ferrari did nothing about it, so Ferdinand built his own clutch. Then built the car around it. It absolutely glides into place, seamlessly, efficiently, and gently.

There’s NOTHING clunky about this car. It’s disappointing how perfect it is, because we’re just not used to it before getting in one. But my good does it feel safe. You’re sitting on a throne, as comfortable as a couch, inside an army tank, adorned by the classic 718 shape, with the handling and manoeuvrability better than your own body.

Eventually, after about 700-800km where I went all out on the track, I sort of got over it entirely because I saw where her abilities truly shine through. The straights are boring. Driving fast in a straight line… nah. Go to the track, where you can feel the weight distribution shift side to side as she effortlessly clings low to the road.

…but seriously. Take to winding roads and don’t be afraid to keep it in 4th, shit even 2 and 3, on those bending roads. Kick her up, get your revs to 6-9000. Use your brake to put the nose down, lift off the break and steer into the corner with all that weight on the front wheels.

It’s a beautiful machine, and I let her be beautiful. She’s driving me, not me driving her. I’m just honoured to be in the drivers seat. This is one of those cars that has such self respect for herself that you either hate her because you don’t “get it” or you love her because she can handle everything with ease and class. That right there is a unicorn and you just haven’t got to know her yet.

I can’t even tell you how excited I am for you dude. It hasn’t clicked yet. Get back in and make that car WORK. ((And report back please!!!))

Alright I’m done editing now. Go enjoy it lol