Boxster Spyder
Discussion
kilarney said:
JayK12 said:
TB303 said:
I think the red line is around 7800. The last 800k or so of revs is where the engine starts to run out of puff, however, so during spirited driving, aiming to keep it on the boil between 4-7k is best.
The 981 Boxster chassis and suspension setup is far ahead of my Ferrari 360 spider, but there is still always something about revving out the 3.6 V8 to over 8k that never gets old....
Regarding upgrading a GTS to a Spyder, having covered 5,000 miles now in my Spyder (making it now worth just 20p), as much as I adore the car, I would think carefully about it (but having not driven a GTS, mind you). The exhaust sound with 5k miles is just glorious. But I think the GTS has the same exhaust setup? I'm constantly surprised how loud it is for a stock exhaust, and have had people drive up to me at the lights and ask (in a positive way) what exhaust it has!
The incremental upgrade is not going to be huge for the cost to swap, and you are going to lose the convenience of the electric roof (though as others have said, the roof is very easy and liveable on the Spyder).
For me I suppose it would also depend on the spec of the GTS I owned. If it were PDK and PASM, I would think that the upgrade would be more worthwhile.
For a GTS owner with sports suspension and a manual gearbox already, the main noteable upgrades would then be the 3.8, the shorter steering rack (which I personally love) and the looks.
Whether that is enough to justify the cost of change depends on your priorities and view of the finances I suppose?
The other option is to gamble that the rumours in the press are true, and that the next Spyder will
also be powered by an NA flat six?
If it were me I'm not sure I'd bother changing from a GTS with the spec you have, but you are welcome to come and check my car out for a comparison if you are based in London?
Great post thanks!! The GTS is the spec I want, don't think i could find another like mine if i tried, especially for the price I paid. Just hit 2500 miles, the Manual makes the car, and the sports suspension is awesome on the roads i drive. If i was to buy a Spyder now i think the depreciation would be the same as the GTS when miles are put on it, as Id be buying way above list. The 981 Boxster chassis and suspension setup is far ahead of my Ferrari 360 spider, but there is still always something about revving out the 3.6 V8 to over 8k that never gets old....
Regarding upgrading a GTS to a Spyder, having covered 5,000 miles now in my Spyder (making it now worth just 20p), as much as I adore the car, I would think carefully about it (but having not driven a GTS, mind you). The exhaust sound with 5k miles is just glorious. But I think the GTS has the same exhaust setup? I'm constantly surprised how loud it is for a stock exhaust, and have had people drive up to me at the lights and ask (in a positive way) what exhaust it has!
The incremental upgrade is not going to be huge for the cost to swap, and you are going to lose the convenience of the electric roof (though as others have said, the roof is very easy and liveable on the Spyder).
For me I suppose it would also depend on the spec of the GTS I owned. If it were PDK and PASM, I would think that the upgrade would be more worthwhile.
For a GTS owner with sports suspension and a manual gearbox already, the main noteable upgrades would then be the 3.8, the shorter steering rack (which I personally love) and the looks.
Whether that is enough to justify the cost of change depends on your priorities and view of the finances I suppose?
The other option is to gamble that the rumours in the press are true, and that the next Spyder will
also be powered by an NA flat six?
If it were me I'm not sure I'd bother changing from a GTS with the spec you have, but you are welcome to come and check my car out for a comparison if you are based in London?
Sound wise, I think the GTS sounds awesome, GT3 like. A friend said he thought it sounded better than a GT4, "it had more bark" he said. I heard a Spyder at Porsche when i was buying my GTS and it sounded brutal imo, sounded more like it had straight cut pipes!
That is also another option, 718 Spyder if they keep N/A, however I really dont like the looks of the 718 right now :S.
Thanks for the offer but I am in Shropshire so quite far away. I think i need to find a local one and see the real world difference.
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14212742_63...
Red is the colour mine at a local show last week
Red is the colour mine at a local show last week
woodysnr said:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14212742_63...
Red is the colour mine at a local show last week
Never thought I'd end up with midlife crisis red but it does suit these special editions, somehow. The way the it offsets the black bits.Red is the colour mine at a local show last week
Tremendous day at Porsche experience Silverstone.
Driving this:
And this:
A few morsels from our exceptionally talented Driving Consultant:
The above GT3RS is the one that set the 'ring lap time.
There is a GT4 RS inbound in order to keep up with competitor cars, and for homologation purposes. Circa 450bhp.
Approximately 180 981 Boxster Spyders made. Production complete, and the last of the naturally aspirated Boxsters. Next Spyder will be turbo flat 4.
Use your own judgement on the veracity of the above. All I can say is that this was a fantastic experience, and our particular chap was a credit to Porsche.
And the new Panamera doesn't look half bad in the metal.
Driving this:
And this:
A few morsels from our exceptionally talented Driving Consultant:
The above GT3RS is the one that set the 'ring lap time.
There is a GT4 RS inbound in order to keep up with competitor cars, and for homologation purposes. Circa 450bhp.
Approximately 180 981 Boxster Spyders made. Production complete, and the last of the naturally aspirated Boxsters. Next Spyder will be turbo flat 4.
Use your own judgement on the veracity of the above. All I can say is that this was a fantastic experience, and our particular chap was a credit to Porsche.
And the new Panamera doesn't look half bad in the metal.
Sounds like you had a great day. It'd be great to hear some comparisons between the GT3RS and Spyder in terms of how they made you feel driving them - of course the RS is going to be a lot quicker!
I think there are more than the listed number of Spyders out there, from the government data available....
GT4RS sounds interesting!
I think there are more than the listed number of Spyders out there, from the government data available....
GT4RS sounds interesting!
Thank you.
I wanted to drive the GT3 and Spyder back to back, primarily to compare mid- and rear engine layouts (no 911 experience), and to explore the limits on both cars.
Both tremendous. This was clear when the Driving Consultant drove me round the circuits at the close of the day. It's obvious that I wasn't able to scratch the surface of either car, which is reassuring.
GT3RS - a brute of a car. A race car on the road.
You feel this as soon as you get in. The engine throbs at tick-over, and the mechanical engine noise reverberates around the cabin.
Driving wise, the weight of the engine in the boot is more obvious when on the Ice Road and skid pan. Once you loose the back end, it requires more correction than the Spyder to catch, without losing the car.
The GT3RS doesn't really come alive until over 60mph, when the aero starts creating downforce. At that speed, the car changes direction with precision and accuracy. Simply, it grips and goes. Astonishing.
Launch control in the GT3RS is great. Foot on the brake, mash the throttle, foot off brake. Pinned into the back of your seat. According to the consultant, the limit of acceleration is due to tyre grip. There is a small amount of wheel spin. Revving the car on the straights to approx 9k rpm is an experience; the engine more screams than howls.
Both cars are beautifully finished inside. No difference between the Spyder and the GT3RS in this regard.
The Spyder is a different proposition to the GT3RS. It is not as fast, not as 'racy' and not as aggressive as the GT3RS.
It's also less expensive, and bizarrely produced in fewer numbers.
The Spyder's whole ethos is different, and it took me back to back drives to appreciate this. Whilst the GT3RS is a car that crushes all others, the Spyder is about enjoying the journey.
To me, the Spyder is as home driving on country roads to a destination. Enjoying the scenery, top down, and the experience of driving the car. At the same time, you have an incredibly potent engine, chassis, steering and gearbox combination. Should you wish to stretch the car's legs, then very little will keep up.
The GT3RS feels most at home at over 60mph, where it comes into its element. At that speed and above, I am unsure that there is any car that could catch it. At the same time, the GT3RS is so civilised that you could certainly use it to commute on a daily basis.
Both cars are different, and fantastic. There isn't a winner; they are not directly comparable.
Overall, it was a privilege to be able to drive them both at Sliverstone. An excellent experience.
I wanted to drive the GT3 and Spyder back to back, primarily to compare mid- and rear engine layouts (no 911 experience), and to explore the limits on both cars.
Both tremendous. This was clear when the Driving Consultant drove me round the circuits at the close of the day. It's obvious that I wasn't able to scratch the surface of either car, which is reassuring.
GT3RS - a brute of a car. A race car on the road.
You feel this as soon as you get in. The engine throbs at tick-over, and the mechanical engine noise reverberates around the cabin.
Driving wise, the weight of the engine in the boot is more obvious when on the Ice Road and skid pan. Once you loose the back end, it requires more correction than the Spyder to catch, without losing the car.
The GT3RS doesn't really come alive until over 60mph, when the aero starts creating downforce. At that speed, the car changes direction with precision and accuracy. Simply, it grips and goes. Astonishing.
Launch control in the GT3RS is great. Foot on the brake, mash the throttle, foot off brake. Pinned into the back of your seat. According to the consultant, the limit of acceleration is due to tyre grip. There is a small amount of wheel spin. Revving the car on the straights to approx 9k rpm is an experience; the engine more screams than howls.
Both cars are beautifully finished inside. No difference between the Spyder and the GT3RS in this regard.
The Spyder is a different proposition to the GT3RS. It is not as fast, not as 'racy' and not as aggressive as the GT3RS.
It's also less expensive, and bizarrely produced in fewer numbers.
The Spyder's whole ethos is different, and it took me back to back drives to appreciate this. Whilst the GT3RS is a car that crushes all others, the Spyder is about enjoying the journey.
To me, the Spyder is as home driving on country roads to a destination. Enjoying the scenery, top down, and the experience of driving the car. At the same time, you have an incredibly potent engine, chassis, steering and gearbox combination. Should you wish to stretch the car's legs, then very little will keep up.
The GT3RS feels most at home at over 60mph, where it comes into its element. At that speed and above, I am unsure that there is any car that could catch it. At the same time, the GT3RS is so civilised that you could certainly use it to commute on a daily basis.
Both cars are different, and fantastic. There isn't a winner; they are not directly comparable.
Overall, it was a privilege to be able to drive them both at Sliverstone. An excellent experience.
Very interesting read! I am off to the PEC on Monday with the PCGB 997 Register. Must be hard to get the GT3 RS anywhere near it's performance envelope on the PEC hadnling circuits...they are pretty tight!
I'll be interested to see the new Panamera....looks like a huge improvement on the current car which like many I've never really liked. Fancy one as a family cruiser!
I'll be interested to see the new Panamera....looks like a huge improvement on the current car which like many I've never really liked. Fancy one as a family cruiser!
Cheib said:
Very interesting read! I am off to the PEC on Monday with the PCGB 997 Register. Must be hard to get the GT3 RS anywhere near it's performance envelope on the PEC hadnling circuits...they are pretty tight!
I'll be interested to see the new Panamera....looks like a huge improvement on the current car which like many I've never really liked. Fancy one as a family cruiser!
To be honest I was very impressed with the drive of the RS on the tight handling circuits, it just didn't feel like a big car to me, the speed and agility esp was pretty amazing I thought. I'll be interested to see the new Panamera....looks like a huge improvement on the current car which like many I've never really liked. Fancy one as a family cruiser!
chasethesun said:
Tremendous day at Porsche experience Silverstone.
Next Spyder will be turbo flat 4.
.
I would be interested to hear where you heard this. I know Andreas Preuninger - Porsche's head of GT has been quoted or at least hinting that next GT4 will be NA flat six. On that basis I would have thought they would keep the Spyder 'special' in the boxster range. Article in Auto express is interesting:Next Spyder will be turbo flat 4.
.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/porsche/cayman/94636/...
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