Suitability of Boxster Spyder for track days ?
Suitability of Boxster Spyder for track days ?
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Discussion

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Saturday 7th September 2013
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I currently have a beautiful 968 Club Sport which I use infrequently for track days. It has become a bit of a garage queen which was not really the original intention. I also had a daughter about 18 months ago so my track day frequency has decreased.

For those reasons I am considering selling and instead buying a Boxster Spyder which would potentially give me more versatility as a modern road car, aswell as suit for continued track day use.

My questions is; how suitable do people think the Spyder is for track day use ?

- I wouldn't want to modify it so in standard form would it go around the bends and stop well enough?
- I know it has no roll cage but as a modern car with all the safety features you'd expect, is this a show stopper?

Appreciate your thoughts !

HammerCJ

104 posts

172 months

Saturday 7th September 2013
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I tracked my Spyder for the first time last week, and have to say it was superb. The balance was great, and the weight meant I felt I could brake pretty late. A GT3 there only really got away from me on the straights. I reckon it would suit your needs.

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Can you put harnesses in them ?

HammerCJ

104 posts

172 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Well you could change the seats of course, but most come with the carbon bucket seats (like I have), that save weight and have normal seat belts.

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Ah yes - those are the seats I'd want. I just wondered whether you could fit harnesses to them but I suppose there is no cage to attach them to.

HammerCJ

104 posts

172 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Nope, no cage.

HokumPokum

2,089 posts

234 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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you can get one of the specialists to install harness that strap up to the roll bar but you have to get a sub bar..

and also think about getting an additional oil cooler.


of course adjustable LCAs and gt3 brake ducts.....but most importantly MPSS....

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
Good news on the harnesses - that's definitely worth investigating.

Well part of be allure for me is the extendable warranty - I'm guessing his rules out any mechanical modifications ?

NJH

3,021 posts

238 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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mohitos said:
I currently have a beautiful 968 Club Sport which I use infrequently for track days. It has become a bit of a garage queen which was not really the original intention. I also had a daughter about 18 months ago so my track day frequency has decreased.

For those reasons I am considering selling and instead buying a Boxster Spyder which would potentially give me more versatility as a modern road car, aswell as suit for continued track day use.

My questions is; how suitable do people think the Spyder is for track day use ?

- I wouldn't want to modify it so in standard form would it go around the bends and stop well enough?
- I know it has no roll cage but as a modern car with all the safety features you'd expect, is this a show stopper?

Appreciate your thoughts !
Your crazy. The 968 is one of the most versatile cars ever made by Porsche. I am trying not to be offensive but honestly I really can't fathom the logic you have used to say a spyder would be a more versatile road car. Is there something wrong with you're 968 or something? I know someone who owns a mint 996 GT3 and bought a 968 sport to use as their day to day run around.

HokumPokum

2,089 posts

234 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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mohitos said:
Good news on the harnesses - that's definitely worth investigating.

Well part of be allure for me is the extendable warranty - I'm guessing his rules out any mechanical modifications ?
yes.... in that case...... keep it stock and just wear out the tyres... expendable item anyway.


spyder versatile? i saw your selling the 968 CS for the spyder. note.... imo... the spyder is more hardcore than my 7.2 RS.. lack of a proper roof means you feel and hear everything even with the roof on.

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
NJH said:
Your crazy. The 968 is one of the most versatile cars ever made by Porsche. I am trying not to be offensive but honestly I really can't fathom the logic you have used to say a spyder would be a more versatile road car. Is there something wrong with you're 968 or something? I know someone who owns a mint 996 GT3 and bought a 968 sport to use as their day to day run around.
Not the first time I've been called crazy wink

No, the car is faultless but I guess it depends on your definition of versatile. I get the train to work Monday - Friday so I don't need a practical daily driver. The 968 CS was bought as an occasional track day toy but doesn't get the use it should. I also have a TVR V8S which was returned to me this summer following a nut and bolt rebuild. Again, it gets little use. Having a child changes the amount of time I can spend on multiple toys.

So the plan would be to reshuffle my cars and buy something that can serve the purpose of 1) occasional track day toy 2) convertible 3) modern car that I can use in all weather and is covered by a warranty.

So whilst I'd agree the Spyder could never be described as a practical car, it has versatility for my needs (work with me here ).

Edited by mohitos on Sunday 8th September 09:15

Trikster

931 posts

231 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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It was one of the reasons I bought mine, and seems entirely up to the job

That said I'm still a track day newbie, but the instructors etc that have taken it out for a lap or two, or have ridden shotgun, have come back mightily impressed - a great drive there, go crazy, drive home package

Putting harnesses in will invalidate the extended warranty though - I asked

NJH

3,021 posts

238 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
Sorry Mohitos understand now. The Spyder is tempting for long term residuals compared to a boxster S or the latest box.

itsybitsy

5,985 posts

214 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
"So whilst I'd agree the Spyder could never be described as a practical car, it has versatility for my needs (work with me here )."

tell that to the owner whos done over 50k in his and the others who use it daily.the spyder is no less pratical than a normal boxster!

mohitos

Original Poster:

1,313 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
itsybitsy said:
"So whilst I'd agree the Spyder could never be described as a practical car, it has versatility for my needs (work with me here )."

tell that to the owner whos done over 50k in his and the others who use it daily.the spyder is no less pratical than a normal boxster!
Well that's good news then! I suppose 'practical' is a relative term!

Bluey Green

239 posts

295 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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There's a lot of bull out there about how poor the roof is. Don't forget it was made by Porsche. I don't mind it at all.

HokumPokum

2,089 posts

234 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
Bluey Green said:
There's a lot of bull out there about how poor the roof is. Don't forget it was made by Porsche. I don't mind it at all.
if the sole function of the roof is to keep rain out, the i'd agree that it fulfils that brief.

if you want any form of insulation (including noise), look elsewhere..........





rob.kellock

2,248 posts

221 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Roof is poor on the motorway when it is up. Too noisy.

Fundamentally though, Spyder is a great second car and mine has always impressed on track.

Only when I drove my pal's 996 GT3RS on track did I realise why the GT3 boys mock them - in comparison it feels like a toy but it is easy to drive quickly. I still rate mine though.

spyderman8

1,748 posts

185 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Backdraft Motorsport fitted harnesses to their 987 Spyder (now sold, I believe):



Chris.

mrdemon

21,146 posts

294 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
HammerCJ said:
I tracked my Spyder for the first time last week, and have to say it was superb. The balance was great, and the weight meant I felt I could brake pretty late. A GT3 there only really got away from me on the straights. I reckon it would suit your needs.
I am sure you are not allowed to say you can brake late in a Spyder on here. :-)