Woohoo 987.2 Boxster 2.9 - first Porsche- cleaning questions

[turbomoggie]

Hello Piston heads,

I am the new owner of a 987.2 Boxster and I'm absolutely in love with the car. Had the car for about 4 weeks now and coming from driving ordinary hatchbacks and estate cars the handling is just amazing, I can't believe how well it takes corners. The sound the engine makes above 4k rpm is just delicious.

I've never owned a soft top before and I'm a bit concerned about how I should go about washing and cleaning the car. Unfortunately the car has to live on the road and I don't have a driveway to clean the car myself. I know its probably not the best recommendation but my car is getting quite salty and grimy: would it be safe to take the car to one of these hand car wash places? Or are the chemicals they use and high pressure water likely to damage the roof? The main car body is in reasonable condition but in no way perfect ie some stone chips and swirl marks etc.

I live in Bristol so if anyone has any recommendations it would be appreciated. Or if anyone knows of anyone slightly more premium than the usual £6 hand car wash places I wouldn't mind paying more to know that my car was being washed safely.

Ideally at some point I would like to have it waxed etc by a proper detailer.

Oh another thing is the headlights on this car are terrible! I have the standard halogen headlights and driving at night on a road which doesn't have the cats eyes markers is not ideal! I'm hoping some premium bulbs ie osram night breakers etc will remedy this.

Cheers!

[FrankCayman]

I never use a jet wash on my car...ever....a good soak with a hose followed by the two bucket method.....or perhap snow foam first....but never a bloody jet wash

[JackReacher]

Congrats on the car, I loved my Cayman 2.9!! It's a great engine and loves to rev as you have figured out already! The headlights were not great but didn't feel the need to change bulbs, but did add a bit more noise with a Carnewal exhaust.

[turbomoggie]

Thanks for the replies folks, very much appreciated.
Using a petrol station power wash with my own wash mitten is probably the least of all evils. I'll be able to give it a deep clean on the parents' drive way when I pop up to visit.
Ooh that led upgrade has got me rather excited, I shall definitely research this some more.
Excellent shout on the carnewal exhaust also, will be something I shall consider this summer, depending on finances (prices look very reasonable tbh from a quick Google search).