981 Boxster Spyder

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Discussion

Quickmoose

Original Poster:

4,495 posts

124 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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7 years I'd had the S2000

Loved it, love it still. Not the greatest of course, the famous lack of torque, the famous lack of steering feel (?!) and the infamous twitchy back end (never experienced).
The positives FAR outweighed the negatives, indeed within the owners groups, many had ventured away to "better" brands and more power...but came back.... you need deep pockets to get 9000rpm anywhere else, a gearchange as good, combined with reliability that solid. Add a modicum of practicality, economy, a digital dash and a pretty timeless-ish design, it's money well spent without fear of actually driving the thing.

But I came into some funds recently and I feared not experiencing anything else.... so I began what was a 2 year hunt for the next steer. Initially my other half was going to take on the Honda and I'd get a coupe...full of torque and comfort....A Lexus LC500, an Aston Vantage V8, and R8 V8.

But then she went rogue and bought a '71 VW camper and we sold the S.....

Now I needed an open top, I thought I needed manual, RWD...and I just wanted 'more' and when you put these things into Autotrader with a set budget, your choices become clear.

I'm not a great driver, I can't heel and toe yet, I've never done a track day (I'm 50), I'm more interested in design, engineering and the emotion and feel of a thing. Very personal stuff ultimately...

I didn't warm to the design of the drop top Aston, Audi or Lexus, and despite multiple mates telling me and the world letting me know that a 911 was the right answer, I just couldn't help but resist the obvious, the ubiquitous. I know its good, I know it's an icon, it's a perennial winner, but if I wanted a go in one, I have options....I wanted a road less travelled.

So step up the road biased open top GT4, the car that inhabits the space between GTS and a full on 'GT' car, with a softer front end, it's rare, manual only, and enough of everything. To me represents the pinnacle. It's size and power relates to British roads, it's character is accessible within the law, it's performance 'sufficient' and it's badge suitably heart warming. It's the best I could get.

A new experience to me though was Porsche GB - "no you can't take one for test drive...". and it turned out most if not all my top end motor owners had all done this...bought on spec only. At my pay grade, only ever having spent up to £15k on a car before, kicking tyres and taking a car for a spin was a 'must', a part of the journey, getting to compare and contrast your autotrader top 5...

Anyway, as it turned out after a bit of research and narrowing down the spec I wanted, RPM Technik had 'my car' and although they were a day trip away, they allowed pretty much any inspection/test I wanted....a fabulous outfit. before I sat in it, I had the guided tour and they gave me space to tell my story and I did the same back.... and then we knew who we were dealing with. Not sales numbers guys, but car guys. A bloke/or outfit that loves cars and not money or stats is my kinda guy/outfit...

So I bought this:




The spec though wasn't quite where I wanted it... and so, as part of my "once in a lifetime opportunity" I went further....

LogicVPC changed the entire colour, with their peelable paint....PTS Oak Green Metallic with satin black windscreen surround
darkened the wheels a smidge
added graphics along the side






The interior needed lifting aswell, I felt, so I went to ClassicFX


Now all I need is the weather to properly get up in it.
From my little amount of time moving in it, it's immense, the solidity, the feel, the sound, the shove, it's is exactly what I asked for... it won't go to 9000rpm...it doesn't need to, but it does, so far, feel like an S2000 with (a lot) more of everything.
My girlfriend and close family all thought I was being massively irresponsible.... I don't care, it can be sold as quick as bought if needed...and as it turned out, my other half really likes it....
my mates, mostly predictably have all gone down the "poor man's Porsche", "hairdresser" route.... oh how I love original banter....I'm still waiting for some !

There are a few more things i want to to 'do' to it, little mods, but for now... consider me happy.

Lecket

394 posts

77 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Well that's perfect isn't it. Silver wheels, green, love it.

mikebradford

2,523 posts

146 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Looks great, both before and after.

snotrag

14,465 posts

212 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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That is spectacular, and brilliant work with the customisation, you've judged that very well.

Quickmoose said:
7 I'm more interested in design, engineering and the emotion and feel of a thing...
If you look into History you'll see that cars the appeal to us in this way are the ones most fondly remembered thumbup


Quickmoose said:
A new experience to me though was Porsche GB - "no you can't take one for test drive...".

...RPM Technik had 'my car' and although they were a day trip away, they allowed pretty much any inspection/test I wanted...


So I bought this.
Funny how that works, isnt it. Many a car dealer should take note.



Seriously - great car, I'd take the Spyder over any 911 GT_ model.


Court_S

12,995 posts

178 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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That’s lovely, really lovely in both iterations. It suits the green beautifully and I love the customised interior.

I was talking to an owner of a red one this summer and he adored it….and so did his wife who had been less keen on some of the more exotic cars that he’d owned before.

trails

3,726 posts

150 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Love what you have done to it, exterior colour is gergeous and the retro re-trim is really, really nice...particularly as you have the correct seats smile

Eerily similar situation here; 50, had my S2000 for eight years and have been looking at these or maybe a 4C as a replacement.

I hope you enjoy it as much as the Honda thumbup

edit; needs a cut down five digit stick on front plate though wink

Northbrook

1,435 posts

64 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Wow!!

bompey

541 posts

236 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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That’s a wonderful transformation, the green is very classy.


Bright Halo

2,973 posts

236 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Wow!
That looks amazing.

ATM

18,300 posts

220 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Quickmoose said:
PTS Oak Green Metallic with satin black windscreen surround
I see you copied my black windscreen surround idea - only joking.

My car is very very similar although totally opposite.

Bright green
Black Satin wheels
Shiny black windscreen surround - also black mirrors

My car started out black. So under the boots it's all black in there. Is yours all white still when you open the froot?

swanseaboydan

1,732 posts

164 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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That is fantastic- would you give us an idea of how much the wrapping cost you? It looks like an amazing job. Roll on spring !

swanny71

2,860 posts

210 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Beautiful clap

ATM

18,300 posts

220 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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swanseaboydan said:
That is fantastic- would you give us an idea of how much the wrapping cost you? It looks like an amazing job. Roll on spring !
I got quotes for 3k plus when I was looking at wrapping my 981. There is a lot of prep work before the wrap goes on and it can take 3 or 4 days apparently. I was surprised and thought it would be cheaper. I had mine painted instead.

jwwbowe

577 posts

173 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Having had an S2000 similar to yours I totally agree nothing comes close for the money in terms of engine and gearbox cloud9

However that Porsche is lovely, really like the Oak green, is it the same Oak Green as used on Mk2 Golf GTIs? Looks fantastic either way, the retrim inserts make it to.

swanseaboydan

1,732 posts

164 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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I really like the spyder but the seats don’t move far enough back for me ! Long legs !

Billy_Whizzzz

2,011 posts

144 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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I’ve got a 981 Spyder. It followed a 997.2 C4S, an M2 Comp, loads of other M Cars and the obvious Caterham and Elises. It is easily my favourite. Not worried by the gearing at all as most people seem to be. Always feel special.




Stuart70

3,936 posts

184 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Op. Great taste - gorgeous car

Pflanzgarten

3,965 posts

26 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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What a massive change with the colour-fantastic! Also interested in how much that all cost.

CallThatMusic

2,585 posts

89 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Love it.
Enjoy !

elisered

227 posts

83 months

Saturday 14th January 2023
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Lovely - glad your enjoying it! Will be 6 years since I bought my similarly specced Spyder soon and the novelty has yet to wear off :-)