Boxster 2.9 to 997 Turbo - Notes log

[Carl_Docklands]

Camera Roll-334 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr


Over 24 hours on from picking up the new car and I have been able to sample some of the Turbo's talents.

Here are some scratch notes on going from a sports car to a GT.

The Turbo's turning circle is much more limited than the Boxster, i noticed this the moment I pulled out of the car park to do a hard left.

No problems getting in and out of Tesco car park ramps, car just about fits through road width restrictors.

Car is fun to drive at legal speeds. Took the car down my favourite stretch of road around Sevenoaks last night. No need to drive quicker than the Boxster to get the fun factor.

The brakes, my word the brakes. I thought the Boxsters standard stoppers were good but these are on a different level. That said, they are grabby and nowhere near as progressive as the Boxsters. Will take some getting used to. Not having to clean the wheels once a week will not.

MPG gauge on the Turbo reads 25MPG average, do not know when it was last reset. Fuel gauge does drop visually under heavy right foot but so did the Boxsters.

PDK box is smoother, down to the adjusted ratios and massive increase in torque. Nowhere near the 991's version of PDK but it feels a more natural choice here than in the 2.9.

Car emits a weird clicking sound from the rear left hand side when cold.

Noise signature between the cars is worlds apart. I would not say that the Turbo is a disappointment like some have written just, different. Horses for courses, it depends what floats your boat.

Suspension is not happy over cobble stones. Not happy at all. Setup is more pleasing at other times though, I would say that it was halfway between the Boxsters comfort and sport setups.

Bucket seats, read they were uncomfortable, was worried. I call BS on this, yes getting in and out can be a major hassle depending on your build, once in them they trump the sports seats. Took a view from my dad who has severe arthritis - who said they were perfect.

Rear space (with seats folded down) gives the car an added versatility over the Boxster. The front boot is not as bad as on the 996, Boxster trumps it with a huge front boot and decent space at rear. Turbo also has the option of a roof box for family trips.

Steering feel. The Boxsters feel remains peerless although, the smoother GT feel from the Turbo is welcome on the motorway.

Bluetooth pairing on the PCM does not work with my Iphone 4S, need to investigate.

Armourfend, it is visible but have decided to leave it on for this winter at least.

Tyres fitted are Bridgestone Potenzas. Boxster had PS2s, need to do some digging to confirm differences.

The sunroof was in use today, very useful when you have kids and can't take the windows down without screams from the back.

Most cars you have behind you become small dots.

The dynamic cornering lights are a massive upgrade from the non-xenons on the Boxster. Still need to use full beam down country lanes though.

The sport design steering wheel is thinner than the carbon fibre PDK wheel, it could do with being just a touch thicker. No volume control on the wheel is a pain.

Whale tail makes it look like a GTx car from drivers seat.

Edited by Carl_Docklands on Sunday 18th November 16:44

Edited by Carl_Docklands on Saturday 1st June 16:47

[SFO]

Carl_Docklands said:

The brakes, my word the brakes. I thought the Boxsters standard stoppers were good but these are on a different level. That said, they are grabby and nowhere near as progressive as the Boxsters. Will take some getting used to. Not having to clean the wheels once a week will not.

Bucket seats, read they were uncomfortable, was worried. I call BS on this, yes getting in and out can be a major hassle depending on your build, once in them they trump the sports seats. Took a view from my dad who has severe arthritis - who said they were perfect.

I've done about 800 miles in my 7.2GT3 ..

I'm getting used to the PCCBs .. love being able to brake very late, and feel the car slow down very fast, but very stably. There's slightly less progression, but it feels fantastic.

Love the buckets .. completely perfect, and makes every drive a real ocassion. Always come out completely fresh, and pain free.

[itsybitsy]

so where are the pics?

found them

Edited by itsybitsy on Monday 19th November 13:38

[Carl_Docklands]

Done over 1,000 miles in the car now. A few family trips done and a couple of spirited runs

Ceramics are a liability when cold and wet, I understand what people mean when they talk about the predictability of standard discs

The 2.9>turbo jump requires complete re-calibration between what your brain is telling you and your right foot. Brain is telling you the car cannot go any quicker (surely), then right foot realises the throttle is only depressed 25%

Flooring the throttle in 2nd must be one of lifes great fair ground rides. Close your eyes and hold on for dear life.

The car is harder to live with than a Carrera, it is wider and you can feel the extra weight. Going to take some getting use to. Parking the beast can be a real pain in the back side in older car parks.

Not really sure of the Bridgestone tyres, they not really that great in the wet. Need some warmer dryer weather to make a full assessment. Longing for my PS2s back.

Can't imagine this car with a manual box, it is just too fast. Have not touched the paddles once

Car is a bit too docile in standard mode, you need sport mode to wake it up

Sport buckets have a design fault, putting them into the forward position in the "wrong" place makes them hit the sun-visor, preventing them from going fully forward

Iphone pcm/bluetooth does not work due to the phonebook not being on the SIM card. No work around

Radio reception remains gash (whats new huh?)

Purchased two Britax adventure seats for the rear (from mothercare £49 each), they fit perfectly

Avg MPG is currently better than my 2.9 Boxster

[DT398]

Is that a Turbo or a Turbo S ?

Edited to add: Never mind, I found the pictures. I like the interior. What colour is that?

Edited by DT398 on Friday 28th December 19:16

[Carl_Docklands]

DT398 said:

Is that a Turbo or a Turbo S ?

Edited to add: Never mind, I found the pictures. I like the interior. What colour is that?

Edited by DT398 on Friday 28th December 19:16

Thanks, it is cocoa natural leather.

[Hungrymc]

That is lovely. Is it an every day car or a treat car?

[Carl_Docklands]

Hungrymc said:

That is lovely. Is it an every day car or a treat car?

She gets used every day

[SFO]

Carl_Docklands said:

Iphone pcm/bluetooth does not work due to the phonebook not being on the SIM card. No work around

works fine with Sony Xperia Ray

[NBTBRV8]

That must be one of the most heavily optioned cars' I've seen. What was its history?

[shoestring7]

Carl_Docklands said:

Can't imagine this car with a manual box, it is just too fast.

However did they cope before automatic gearboxes in fast 911s became common?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRL1fAbu3N0

SS7

[Carl_Docklands]

NBTBRV8 said:

That must be one of the most heavily optioned cars' I've seen. What was its history?

The car was specced and ordered by a fellow Porsche enthusiast and PH member. It is a one owner car.

My boxster was up for its 3 year deal expiry and I acquired the Turbo through OPC Cambridge.

At the last Sunday Service two Porsche nuts got into the car and just sat in it reading the manual, it is that type of car.

[Carl_Docklands]

shoestring7 said:

Carl_Docklands said:

Can't imagine this car with a manual box, it is just too fast.

However did they cope before automatic gearboxes in fast 911s became common?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRL1fAbu3N0

SS7

Sorry mate, not man enough to drive that or the turbo with a stick.

I can hear George Follmer as I drive: "stick it into D, drop your right foot and try not to crash into anything"

[Panthro]

Gret write up and good pictures on Flickr.

You don't happen to live/work around Hampton Court/Kingston do you? I've seen a 997.2 Turbo with ceramics, in white with the same wheels several times in the area.

[Carl_Docklands]

Panthro said:

Gret write up and good pictures on Flickr.

You don't happen to live/work around Hampton Court/Kingston do you? I've seen a 997.2 Turbo with ceramics, in white with the same wheels several times in the area.

Thanks. No, that will be another Turbo. I am South East London/Bromley way.

[Arenki]

Panthro said:

Gret write up and good pictures on Flickr.

You don't happen to live/work around Hampton Court/Kingston do you? I've seen a 997.2 Turbo with ceramics, in white with the same wheels several times in the area.

I've seen that a few times. There's also a white non-s Turbo with Ceramics that lives in Esher.

Lovely car btw Carl, love the interior!

[Carl_Docklands]

I love Pistonheads. The first owner of the car has kindly sent me this photo from the factory collection at Stuttgart.


IMG_7397_2 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

Here is one taken from Sunday Service just over two weeks ago at Goodwood.


30543346622229675807218 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

[OggyDJ]

Carl_Docklands said:

I love Pistonheads. The first owner of the car has kindly sent me this photo from the factory collection at Stuttgart.


IMG_7397_2 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

Here is one taken from Sunday Service just over two weeks ago at Goodwood.


30543346622229675807218 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

That looks simply gorgeous ! Seriously classy and seriously capable machine...congrats

[mhh]

Are you still having trouble pairing your iPhone? My Turbo S paired my 3GS and then 4S with no problems. It also paired my 5 instantly. Mine is an Australian car - not sure if there is a difference re Bluetooth.

[Crimp a Length!]

Carl_Docklands said:

I love Pistonheads. The first owner of the car has kindly sent me this photo from the factory collection at Stuttgart.


IMG_7397_2 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

Here is one taken from Sunday Service just over two weeks ago at Goodwood.


30543346622229675807218 by bestofbritish96, on Flickr

Loving that. Stunning