981 Spyder buying guide
Discussion
Had a March 2016 model sold it in Feb 2018 with 4 k miles ,have a 987 Spyder so was a bit off a waste off a car .They are a great
car the sound is amazing ,everyone will agree with that ,think most buyers look for the folding buckets or 918 seats .Spyder wheels ..mine did not have sat nav or Bluetooth was never an issue even to the new owner .leather with deviated stitching is nice to have .TBH any spec you will be happy with ,they are around £67-73 ,Base price when new £60k so still holding values after 5 years. most came with P zero a poor tyre never looks right on the 20 rims, most will have full OPC service history ,some may have a warranty as well a good buying tool .hope this helps in some way ,go drive one.
car the sound is amazing ,everyone will agree with that ,think most buyers look for the folding buckets or 918 seats .Spyder wheels ..mine did not have sat nav or Bluetooth was never an issue even to the new owner .leather with deviated stitching is nice to have .TBH any spec you will be happy with ,they are around £67-73 ,Base price when new £60k so still holding values after 5 years. most came with P zero a poor tyre never looks right on the 20 rims, most will have full OPC service history ,some may have a warranty as well a good buying tool .hope this helps in some way ,go drive one.
woodysnr said:
Had a March 2016 model sold it in Feb 2018 with 4 k miles ,have a 987 Spyder so was a bit off a waste off a car .They are a great
car the sound is amazing ,everyone will agree with that ,think most buyers look for the folding buckets or 918 seats .Spyder wheels ..mine did not have sat nav or Bluetooth was never an issue even to the new owner .leather with deviated stitching is nice to have .TBH any spec you will be happy with ,they are around £67-73 ,Base price when new £60k so still holding values after 5 years. most came with P zero a poor tyre never looks right on the 20 rims, most will have full OPC service history ,some may have a warranty as well a good buying tool .hope this helps in some way ,go drive one.
Thanks woody. May part ex my e46 csl for one. Yea, they do seem to hold value, but not too many about. All the auth Porsche ones seems to have non bucket seats. Not sure I’m willing to pay over 70 for one.car the sound is amazing ,everyone will agree with that ,think most buyers look for the folding buckets or 918 seats .Spyder wheels ..mine did not have sat nav or Bluetooth was never an issue even to the new owner .leather with deviated stitching is nice to have .TBH any spec you will be happy with ,they are around £67-73 ,Base price when new £60k so still holding values after 5 years. most came with P zero a poor tyre never looks right on the 20 rims, most will have full OPC service history ,some may have a warranty as well a good buying tool .hope this helps in some way ,go drive one.
manand38 said:
Thanks woody. May part ex my e46 csl for one. Yea, they do seem to hold value, but not too many about. All the auth Porsche ones seems to have non bucket seats. Not sure I’m willing to pay over 70 for one.
My old Spyder is at OPC Cardiff and has buckets. It’s been reduced to £71,990 recently. Granted over 70k but 2 year warranty and Porsche assist etc. NB I px’d it so no interest in it, just thought I’d mention it.Ok the older folding buckets were standard no cost fit these are great seats but depending on your exact build some prefer the more contemporary fixed buckets which are wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders and are more vertical to the back rest although spacers can be fitted.
Main drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Many cars have just standard aircon not climate. This works ok but if you use the car in the winter non climate cars can suffer from condensation more.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Great package and problem more convincing than the 981 GT4. As a road car performance wise the Spyder is as rapid despite slightly less power and basic suspension road tyres etc.
Some find the over farty exhaust irritating in sport plus mode especially, but this is a minor point.
There have been some instances of juddering clutches especially so when sport plus selected for some reason so check this.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
Main drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Many cars have just standard aircon not climate. This works ok but if you use the car in the winter non climate cars can suffer from condensation more.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Great package and problem more convincing than the 981 GT4. As a road car performance wise the Spyder is as rapid despite slightly less power and basic suspension road tyres etc.
Some find the over farty exhaust irritating in sport plus mode especially, but this is a minor point.
There have been some instances of juddering clutches especially so when sport plus selected for some reason so check this.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
av185 said:
Ok the older folding buckets were standard no cost fit these are great seats but depending on your exact build some prefer the more contemporary fixed buckets which are wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders and are more vertical to the back rest although spacers can be fitted.
Main drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Many cars have just standard aircon not climate. This works ok but if you use the car in the winter non climate cars can suffer from condensation more.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Great package and problem more convincing than the 981 GT4. As a road car performance wise the Spyder is as rapid despite slightly less power and basic suspension road tyres etc.
Some find the over farty exhaust irritating in sport plus mode especially, but this is a minor point.
There have been some instances of juddering clutches especially so when sport plus selected for some reason so check this.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
thanks, avMain drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Many cars have just standard aircon not climate. This works ok but if you use the car in the winter non climate cars can suffer from condensation more.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Great package and problem more convincing than the 981 GT4. As a road car performance wise the Spyder is as rapid despite slightly less power and basic suspension road tyres etc.
Some find the over farty exhaust irritating in sport plus mode especially, but this is a minor point.
There have been some instances of juddering clutches especially so when sport plus selected for some reason so check this.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
woodysnr said:
Indeed, checking. Thanks woodySWGT3 said:
My old Spyder is at OPC Cardiff and has buckets. It’s been reduced to £71,990 recently. Granted over 70k but 2 year warranty and Porsche assist etc. NB I px’d it so no interest in it, just thought I’d mention it.
SW, could you please send me a mail. Would like to ask some questions.av185 said:
Main drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
Some comments on the above from someone who bought a Spyder last week after having watched the market for 6 months. Only my opinion but...Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
Fixed buckets are necessary for very tall people. They take up the least room in the cabin of any of the seat options leaving essential extra millimetres if you have long legs.
I don't think internal carbon is essential if there's external colour continued into the interior, which seems a popular option on GT cars esp in white, in which case it lightens the interior.
Ceramics I think do add value - recently (2020 OPC) advertised cars with ceramics have had prices beginning with a 7 or an 8 from memory. There may be only 20 or 25 PCCB cars in the UK. Note there's no ceramics cars advertised at present, whereas there are plenty of steels. This year I think there have been 4 advertised by OPCs - Preston (70), Hull (75), Colchester (79 then 73, in winter), Bristol (80 something) plus the Viper Green unicorn on PH at c.83(?)
ClioTrophy55 said:
av185 said:
Main drawback to the fixed buckets is they cannot be heated which bearing in mind this is a cab is a no no I and many others would not touch a Spyder without seat heating.
Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
Some comments on the above from someone who bought a Spyder last week after having watched the market for 6 months. Only my opinion but...Extended leather and coloured stitching is nice as is internal carbon and pcm is fairly essential for resale cars without it hang around.
Ceramics were an expensive option but like the 981 GT4 cars with these brakes command very little more than steel braked cars so if you want ceramics on a Spyder they are a bargain but bear in mind future higher maintenance v steels.
Overall a great fun car at the money. The fact that it is less focused and actually more usable than the GT4 is probably in its favour.
Fixed buckets are necessary for very tall people. They take up the least room in the cabin of any of the seat options leaving essential extra millimetres if you have long legs.
I don't think internal carbon is essential if there's external colour continued into the interior, which seems a popular option on GT cars esp in white, in which case it lightens the interior.
Ceramics I think do add value - recently (2020 OPC) advertised cars with ceramics have had prices beginning with a 7 or an 8 from memory. There may be only 20 or 25 PCCB cars in the UK. Note there's no ceramics cars advertised at present, whereas there are plenty of steels. This year I think there have been 4 advertised by OPCs - Preston (70), Hull (75), Colchester (79 then 73, in winter), Bristol (80 something) plus the Viper Green unicorn on PH at c.83(?)
The 918 buckets do provide more leg room ( I’m 6’2 ) and they are electrically height adjustable as well , the lack of heated seat option did not bother me at all , I just think the 918’s look cooler as well ( subjective obviously ).
Interior trim is again highly subjective , I think coloured interior trim looks great on the coloured cars ( white , yellow , red and blue ) whereas I think the black , silver and greys look better with carbon trim.
Ceramics are perhaps the most contentious of all , Not many about as they were a costly option and not really necessary on a non track car . There are concerns over potential future costs .
As a second hand buy , a car with ceramics looks decent value ( assuming it’s not been tracked or got stellar mileage .
That said I think the one above ( cliotrophy55 ) is a stunning looking car .
When looking for a car like this everyone has a list of wants . Some are negotiable , others are an absolute must.
For me the seats and colour were non negotiable ,
The 981 Spyder is a great car and in my opinion is a better road car than the GT4 (which I’ve also owned), suspension far more compliant allowing more fun and feel at much lower speeds and it looks better (beautiful shape with the roof down)
My GT4 and my Spyder both had the 981 bucket seats which I find fantastic, comfortable, supportive, great for my height (6ft4) and they also look great.
My car has the carbon interior trim which I like and prefer it to my the white painted trim on my old GT4.
I have a non-Porsche itch that might need scratching but my car is mega low mileage and high spec so would be looking for strong money to part with it.
Such a sexy car!
My GT4 and my Spyder both had the 981 bucket seats which I find fantastic, comfortable, supportive, great for my height (6ft4) and they also look great.
My car has the carbon interior trim which I like and prefer it to my the white painted trim on my old GT4.
I have a non-Porsche itch that might need scratching but my car is mega low mileage and high spec so would be looking for strong money to part with it.
Such a sexy car!
I would also add re the bucket seat difference that the newer electrically height adjustable Spyder seats are are their lowest point a few millimetres lower than the fixed buckets which can make all the difference depending on your preferred seating positiin and your overall height.
I have the standard folding buckets on my Spyder and fixed buckets on the GT4 and 991.2 GT3 and I prefer these as a seat but as previously mentioned they have no seat heating option which is essential imo in a cab.
One other point is that Spyders are very seasonal price and demand wise moreso than the all seasons GT4. Some of the prices being asked imo are ott and the 718 Spyder at slightly above or around list looks better value.
I have the standard folding buckets on my Spyder and fixed buckets on the GT4 and 991.2 GT3 and I prefer these as a seat but as previously mentioned they have no seat heating option which is essential imo in a cab.
One other point is that Spyders are very seasonal price and demand wise moreso than the all seasons GT4. Some of the prices being asked imo are ott and the 718 Spyder at slightly above or around list looks better value.
Edited by av185 on Tuesday 30th June 23:02
chrisABP said:
The 981 Spyder is a great car and in my opinion is a better road car than the GT4 (which I’ve also owned), suspension far more compliant allowing more fun and feel at much lower speeds and it looks better (beautiful shape with the roof down)
My GT4 and my Spyder both had the 981 bucket seats which I find fantastic, comfortable, supportive, great for my height (6ft4) and they also look great.
My car has the carbon interior trim which I like and prefer it to my the white painted trim on my old GT4.
I have a non-Porsche itch that might need scratching but my car is mega low mileage and high spec so would be looking for strong money to part with it.
Such a sexy car!
]
I think the reverse lol the GT4 imo is more compliment on the suspension and has more feel ! My GT4 and my Spyder both had the 981 bucket seats which I find fantastic, comfortable, supportive, great for my height (6ft4) and they also look great.
My car has the carbon interior trim which I like and prefer it to my the white painted trim on my old GT4.
I have a non-Porsche itch that might need scratching but my car is mega low mileage and high spec so would be looking for strong money to part with it.
Such a sexy car!
]
I would buy another 981 Spyder but starting with a £5
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