NEW 981 BOXSTER OWNERS - PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS FORUM

[_Leg_]

Spec, spec, spec...... Couple of questions...

Sports exhaust worth it? Has anyone been able to compare standard vs sports versions?

PASM for sure but what about PTV?

Is the sports chrono worth it?

I notice there is an option for wheel centres but does this just add full colour crests (I.e. as standard they have crests just not full colour) or without this option are the centres just plain?

Thanks for any responses.

[Mutt]

Sports exhaust is excellent, well worth your money if you like LOUD cracks, pops and bangs.

Wheel centres are black outlines as standard, coloured extra.

Sports Chrono and PTV are options I don't have and haven't really thought of since spec'ing. I don't sit there and think: "ooh, I can feel the gearbox moving" or "this car is struggling for grip". I do like the Sport Chrono clock, though

[535dBoy]

We don't have sports exhaust if I wasn't impatient by having an early car and money no object I would have done but I am far from disappointed with the std one

Are you getting manual or PDK

If manual I wouldn't bother with SC, if PDK I would consider it yes. We have it and it does make the changes super quick.

The crests look nice and yes is just colour as opposed to black.

Having driven ours in anger now and two different ones at Silverstone on Monday and I don't really think it needs ptv unless you are a driving god

[Ozzie Osmond]

_Leg_ said:

Sports exhaust worth it?

Yes, if you used to drive a Saxo with bean can exhaust and are still pining for it.

_Leg_ said:

PASM for sure...

Expensive toy when the standard suspension is absolutely fine.

_Leg_ said:

but what about PTV?

Just how fast are you planning to drive!

_Leg_ said:

Is the sports chrono worth it?

Another expensive toy IMO.

_Leg_ said:

I notice there is an option for wheel centres but does this just add full colour crests. Without this option are the centres just plain?

Yes

The secret is to go and drive a base model and see what you think is wrong with it before getting tangled up in the hugely expensive options list. It's easy to parted with a lot of money for no real purpose. After all, if you want a track car you probably wouldn't be looking at one of these. For instance, over at Mr Lotus' shop there is the viciously fast Exige V6 for similar money.

[535dBoy]

To be fair on your last comment you couldn't live with an exige as a main car (I have s/c one that I use on track) whereas the Porsche could be used for both

I was massively impressed with the boxster at the driving experience on Monday and if I were allowed I would love to take ours on track and it wouldn't let me down.

[Mutt]

Ozzie Osmond said:

_Leg_ said:

Sports exhaust worth it?

Yes, if you used to drive a Saxo with bean can exhaust and are still pining for it.

What a strange thing to say. It's a sports car with a flat six, not a four cylinder hatchback. If you don't want to order it, fine, the car sounds good with it and without (I have driven both, have you?).

Are you actually ordering a 981 or are you just an armchair expert?

[stevod]

^is there a decent recording or comparison of the PSE sound yet?

I've tried the S without PSE - sounded great - but with so much positive stuff written about the PSE....

Cheers,

S

[Mutt]

stevod said:

^is there a decent recording or comparison of the PSE sound yet?

I've tried the S without PSE - sounded great - but with so much positive stuff written about the PSE....

Cheers,

S

I have tried when on the move and alls I got was wind noise. Short of revving it on the drive (a bit sad) or in some layby, it's hard to do it justice.

It sounds throatier than standard when switched on. I think it develops the timbre of the sound into something more 911-ish than the 987. The best bit though is the pops, crackles and bangs on the overrun or a quick gear change at high revs. To be fair to Ozzie, there would definitely be an argument to say that it can sound a little childish especially when provoked. However, when you're driving properly, it's great and adds to the character of the car.

ETA: it might be easy for people to forget that it's switchable. There is always the option of toning it down when you're in town or leave the house at 7am for a blast to the Cotswolds

[_Leg_]

Thanks for (most of) the replies guys. I wouldn't be tracking the car, I have a track car already (see my garage). In fact this would be my daily driver to replace my JCW. I'll be keeping the rest of my cars.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to order one. Just trying to work out exactly what spec plus allowing myself some time to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Manual btw.

[535dBoy]

_Leg_ said:

Thanks for (most of) the replies guys. I wouldn't be tracking the car, I have a track car already (see my garage). In fact this would be my daily driver to replace my JCW. I'll be keeping the rest of my cars.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to order one. Just trying to work out exactly what spec plus allowing myself some time to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Manual btw.

In that case I'd say no to SC and couldn't see the point of ptv if road use only

[_Leg_]

535dBoy said:

In that case I'd say no to SC and couldn't see the point of ptv if road use only

I think that's good advice, thanks. Time to ponder for a few days and make a decision.

[SFO]

after 2 months, and about 1800 miles in my 981S, some thoughts and observations:

1. mine does not have PSE .. however, it's about 90% as loud as my PSE equipped 987 RS60 Spyder. The noise is more than fine for me, especially at B road speeds on country roads. Noise is actually best roof up. It has also got slightly louder (I may be imagining this) as the miles piled on.

As mine was a 'poverty' spec 981, I don't regret not getting PSE (unavailabe anyway when I ordered).

2. PASM .. ride on 19" wheels without PASM is really quite stunning.

However, I would add PASM if I ordered again. Why, it lowers the car 10mm, and I think it would also improve ride and handling in extremis, when roads are very bumpy and uneven, and when really pressing on. I would order 19" wheels again. Having said that, I have not driven a PASM equipped 981, but I have driven 991S and base 991 (no PASM), and the composure is outstanding at all speeds and on virtually all roads on the 991S. The base 991 ocassionally got caught out, being unable to react quickly enough, and with a more limited range, did not feel as secure.

3. the galvano silver trim is plasticky. It's shiny and borderline toys r us. Ordering again, I would add aluminium interior package, and leather center console trim (so no shiny bits where the buttons are).

Apart from PASM and interior bits, I would order the exact same car again.

[Ozzie Osmond]

535dBoy said:

To be fair on your last comment you couldn't live with an exige as a main car (I have s/c one that I use on track) whereas the Porsche could be used for both

That's true. Exige V6 is a hard-edged/focused track car which can be driven on the road. That's really why IMO there's no point trying to spec up a Boxster to compete with it. Better to accept the Porsche for what it is; namely IMO a very, very good road car.

[Ozzie Osmond]

SFO said:

Ordering again, I would add ..... leather center console trim (so no shiny bits where the buttons are).

Excellent judgment IMO. Just a tad too much glitz in there.

BTW I entirely accept that all these things are a matter of personal taste. That's no doubt why Mr P makes such a point of letting customers spec' a car to their own requirements. One thing's for sure, if you go "fully loaded" it will end up very expensive indeed.

[Mutt]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Excellent judgment IMO. Just a tad too much glitz in there.

BTW I entirely accept that all these things are a matter of personal taste. That's no doubt why Mr P makes such a point of letting customers spec' a car to their own requirements. One thing's for sure, if you go "fully loaded" it will end up very expensive indeed.

So are you ordering one then...? Spec?

[SethD]

Is PASM essential with 20" wheels?

[SonnyM]

SethD said:

Is PASM essential with 20" wheels?

Not according to at least two owners on PH. I'd try one first though.

[_Leg_]

Well, I been and gone and done it. Drove in to collect my business partner (see earlier post) from Pork Leeds a week ago when he dropped his cayman off in my commuter (John Cooper Works) and ordered a new Boxster S today to replace it.

Next trick is to apply advanced man maths to fit the boxster into the garages with my other cars.

[Ozzie Osmond]

_Leg_ said:

ordered a new Boxster S today

Excellent decision!

[_Leg_]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Excellent decision!

Looking forward to it although now I'm missing a hot hatch from my collection. Might have to seek out a nice 205gti.

Did you order yours?