[Dkayak]

I feel so lucky . . . . after all those years spent test riding sport motorcycles and being subjected to brakes ranging from really bad to unbelievable . . to have snagged one of the . . . apparently rare . . Base Porsche Macan with great brakes.

I feel so lucky.

I've never owned a car with better brakes. Am I missing something?

 

[Louisssss]

I feel so lucky . . . . after all those years spent test riding sport motorcycles and being subjected to brakes ranging from really bad to unbelievable . . to have snagged one of the . . . apparently rare . . Base Porsche Macan with great brakes.

I feel so lucky.

I've never owned a car with better brakes. Am I missing something?

The base macan (someone confirm for 18+) has smaller brakes than the Macan S. It was a no brainer upgrading to the Macan S for the ~100+ HP/Tq, larger brakes, larger wheels, better trim upgrades (quad exhaust tips, stainless sill plates, etc)

 

[Caymancouver]

[QUOTE="bolden, post: 2594711, member: 147613"

One major issue with the Macan 2.0 acceleration is the moment after it launches you immediately feel it loses tremendous amount of power, which creates a problem when try to pass a vehicle or to pick up speed.

[/QUOTE]
The Sport button is there to deal with this. When in sport mode the RPM's stay in the power band instead of prematurely upshifitng. Normal mode is for maximizing economy at the expense of driveability. First thing I do, every time I start mine up, is press the sport mode button. In sport mode it will not only stay within the power band, it will instantly downshift to pass or accelerate if necessary. The PDK is a great transmission and the engine feels good too when the car is in sport mode.

 

[Louisssss]

First thing I do, every time I start mine up, is press the sport mode button

should've gotten the S then...

 

[Caymancouver]

should've gotten the S then...

I'm sure I'd do the same in the S. I just don't like the short shifting of the "economy" mode. These cars are meant for sporty driving.

 

[Louisssss]

I'm sure I'd do the same in the S. I just don't like the short shifting of the "economy" mode. These cars are meant for sporty driving.

i own an S and i actually don't. I have a perfect balance of good enough power and mileage in regular mode, and good power in Sport mode. This is ideal for me. Your base doesn't seem ideal for you because, as you said, you need to hit that sport button every time you drive, hence the car doesn't provide you a regular mode that works for you.

 

[Orzel]

I've had both, a Base, which we traded in on an S. We like to take long road trips, 3k+ miles at a shot, western states, and often at altitude. I found the Base a bit wanting on the long hauls when you need top end power for passing or high altitude driving. while we had it, we thoroughly enjoyed our Base, and actually managed a 3,200 mile trip with an average of 27 MPG (had some really impressive tail wind on a part of the trip), but I had to plan my passing at altitudes of 7k or more, it just ran out of steam. While the S gets worse mileage (22 MPG on a 3,400 mile jaunt), but spool up the turbos and passing is a breeze, and having that extra power has been very useful for us. Around town, the Base is far more tossable, with less weight over the front wheels. Both models have their pluses and minuses. We prefer the S, but, as I said, we did enjoy our Base too.

 

[Caymancouver]

Your base doesn't seem ideal for you because, as you said, you need to hit that sport button every time you drive, hence the car doesn't provide you a regular mode that works for you.

Yep, hitting that sport button every time I start it up is a real pain lol. But I do that in my Boxster and I also did it in my Cayman GTS. The regular mode is for economy driving. You drive your way, I'll drive my way.

 

[wwahl]

Each day that i choose to drive I have to crawl out of my lair 400 vertical feet up than down than down another 200 feet. Next is up about another 400 feet. Departure includes set Sport. You need the compression for the downs. You can always increase the ups with a right paddle. I just love the choices that this Macan drops in your lap.

 

[wwahl]

Each day that i choose to drive I have to crawl out of my lair 400 vertical feet up than down than down another 200 feet. Next is up about another 400 feet. Departure includes set Sport. You need the compression for the downs. You can always increase the ups with a right paddle. I just love the choices that this Macan drops in your lap.

Let me tell how that works in snow........

 

[Louisssss]

Yep, hitting that sport button every time I start it up is a real pain lol. But I do that in my Boxster and I also did it in my Cayman GTS. The regular mode is for economy driving. You drive your way, I'll drive my way.

what happens when you're already in sport (like you are, indefinitely) and would like a bit more power? You'll probably say "it'll never happen, i never want more power" but, like, aren't more options better?

 

[Caymancouver]

what happens when you're already in sport (like you are, indefinitely) and would like a bit more power? You'll probably say "it'll never happen, i never want more power" but, like, aren't more options better?

It's not about power, it's about being in the right gear. Normal mode puts you into higher gears way too soon. Sport mode holds the gears longer to keep you in the power band. And then, I have power that's more than adequate. I'm sure track duty would require more power to stay with the pace but these are not track cars. For that, even the S would seem lacking and the only answer would be the Turbo.

 

[CourtneyNYC]

>>>but these are not track cars. For that, even the S would seem lacking and the only answer would be the Turbo.

Put the lipstick anywhere you want on the pig . . . . it's not a sports car.

 

[PeterVV]

but these are not track cars.

Says who? The OM specifically discusses track use. And a number of forum members have had great fun tracking their cars.

The endless debate over whether the base model has enough power is pretty funny. After driving my Turbo, sure, the base loaner cars feel pretty boring. On the other hand several PP owners have said my base Turbo is under powered 🤪

Someone please tell me how I can arrange for a GT4 loaner instead of a base Macan. That should work just fine.

 

[DanNYC]

Put the lipstick anywhere you want on the pig . . . . it's not a sports car.

Careful. That logic could put you in a Hyundai Santa Fe.

Other than some dealer salespeople, not many have ever claimed the Macan to be a sports car.

What’s wrong with high-powered, reasonably decent handling SUVs? Manufacturers certainly seem to be selling plenty of them. My AS lowered, Cobb equipped Turbo is great fun.

 

[CourtneyNYC]

Not a thing in the world wrong with them ..... fun.

 

[Louisssss]

It's not about power, it's about being in the right gear. .....keep you in the power band. And then, I have power that's more than adequate. ......

So you say its not about power, but then it is about power.

With the S (ideal for me, may not be ideal for the next guy who wants a regular mode with enough power for his everyday needs) i can be in regular mode, and have enough power to not need to be in the "sport mode" powerband (3000-3500 rpm minimum) for my daily needs. I can pass with little effort, step on it at a stoplight and beat nearly every car on the road with little effort, step on it on the highway to pick up speed with little effort, all in regular mode. Now when i put it in Sport... things get a little more fun. Its great to have these 2 options.

I know you need to justify your purchase, but you're in the majority of people who say the base macan needs to be driven in sport mode. But where do they go from there?

 

[markl]

So you say its not about power, but then it is about power.

With the S (ideal for me, may not be ideal for the next guy who wants a regular mode with enough power for his everyday needs) i can be in regular mode, and have enough power to not need to be in the "sport mode" powerband (3000-3500 rpm minimum) for my daily needs. I can pass with little effort, step on it at a stoplight and beat nearly every car on the road with little effort, step on it on the highway to pick up speed with little effort, all in regular mode. Now when i put it in Sport... things get a little more fun. Its great to have these 2 options.

I know you need to justify your purchase, but you're in the majority of people who say the base macan needs to be driven in sport mode. But where do they go from there?

Seems like you are the only one who's trying to justify your purchase. There was a thread on comfort mode a ways back, and many people, from base to turbo owners said the first thing they did when they got in was hit sport mode. Heck, a couple even said Sport+. Its just a better experience. But to each their own. I'm a base owner and sure I'd like a bit more open highway power. But for the remaining 99% of the time even the base has more power then I can make use of.

And saying "where do they go from there" is just silly. We all want more but make compromises based on our situation. What do you do when sport mode doesn't cut it for you? Trade up to a Turbo? Or just drop the 200k on a Lamborghini Urus.

 

[CourtneyNYC]

. . . I think it's key just to decide what you and and get what fits your needs.

 

[Dkayak]

In the end it all comes down to personal preference because our driving needs/preferences differ. If we all wanted the same thing, Porsche would offer just one trim.

Eventually these threads start to sound likes debates over which is the best color. Enjoy your ride, whatever you chose.