RE: Porsche Boxster Spyder: Driven

[RowntreesCabana]

tadaah said:

Ive not seen any actual figures though...so how do we know what the incidence really is? I've had three 987s two with 3.2 and one with a pre Gen II 3.4 Zero issues

We never will know as they probably won't provide the data. I will say though, I've owned a number of cars over the last 10 years and not one model has thrown up any nasty reports of common catastrophic engine failure unlike the two Porsche's I've been interested in. That in itself says something.

[s m]

I like the older lightweight one

In white with the black decals please

Edited by s m on Wednesday 2nd December 00:15

[Over over under steer]

Maybe slightly O/T. But I wish you could get a gen 2 987 to sound like the 981 S with PSE. The mapping gives it that lovely crackle on the overrun, which you just can't get without mapping the overfueling in.

Makes me so sad. I have my heart set on a Lotus/Caterham, but my local garage (Paragon Porsche) have had a few 987 Spyders through at temping prices. Can't see them losing any value at all

[MrBarry123]

andrewparker said:

Absolutely love these. Think it would be my number one sports car choice at the moment.

I agree 100% - gorgeous looking thing.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Ah, but they're just like a hatchback to drive and people only buy them for the badge. Yeah right! Brilliant cars.

[tadaah]

RowntreesCabana said:

We never will know as they probably won't provide the data. I will say though, I've owned a number of cars over the last 10 years and not one model has thrown up any nasty reports of common catastrophic engine failure unlike the two Porsche's I've been interested in. That in itself says something.

Its time this kind of info was provided in the public domain.

I suspect any OEM suffers catastrophic/expensive failiure on one or more of its model ranges or derivatives but soem do a better job of handling it and/or keeping it quiet

I had no engine problems.... but all three of my Boxsters had rust. None were more than 5 years old or over 30k miles. Porsche handled some of it fine but less well on the others. Extremely common issues according to their approved repairer too.

Wouldn't stop me having another. I've had over 50 cars and I can't think of one that wasn't known for some expensive weakness or another

[ZesPak]

cerb4.5lee said:

It just shows how subjective looks are and its the way these look that puts me off them almost completely, from what I read all Boxster`s drive amazingly but for me I just cant forgive its ugly ducking looks and it certainly wont win a beauty contest anytime soon for me.

I don't think it's bad looking, but I have to agree.

I think Porsche knocked it out of the park marketing wise by making the original very awkward looking, so they could easily improve on the looks every next generation.
It looks a lot better than the previous one, and it looks better than almost every other current porsche (bar the 918 of course). But there's still about a million other cars I'd have for 70k.
Not that they care though, they'll sell them faster than they can make them.

PS: while these cars are being talked about for daily use and stuff, how is the crash protection in these? I know it's a very un-ph thing to worry about, but if I'm on the road with a million factors I can't control, I'd like to know.

Edited by ZesPak on Tuesday 1st December 15:53

[cerb4.5lee]

ZesPak said:

cerb4.5lee said:

It just shows how subjective looks are and its the way these look that puts me off them almost completely, from what I read all Boxster`s drive amazingly but for me I just cant forgive its ugly ducking looks and it certainly wont win a beauty contest anytime soon for me.

I don't think it's bad looking, but I have to agree.

I think Porsche knocked it out of the park marketing wise by making the original very awkward looking, so they could easily improve on the looks every next generation.
It looks a lot better than the previous one, and it looks better than almost every other current porsche (bar the 918 of course). But there's still about a million other cars I'd have for 70k.

Yes I do agree that its better than the original for sure, Porsche always seem to nail the wheel and brakes combo and they always look menacing and just right mostly.

[RowntreesCabana]

tadaah said:

Its time this kind of info was provided in the public domain.

I suspect any OEM suffers catastrophic/expensive failiure on one or more of its model ranges or derivatives but soem do a better job of handling it and/or keeping it quiet

I had no engine problems.... but all three of my Boxsters had rust. None were more than 5 years old or over 30k miles. Porsche handled some of it fine but less well on the others. Extremely common issues according to their approved repairer too.

Wouldn't stop me having another. I've had over 50 cars and I can't think of one that wasn't known for some expensive weakness or another

I agree with that, but whilst all the cars I've know have had inherent weaknesses of one sort or another, neither would've come close to replacing/rebuilding a Porsche engine. For the record, I had no engine fault with mine either, but with the Cayman I researched recently, there were a few examples I stumbled across failing with less than 40k on the clock.

I had no idea of the rust issues, that's not good is it? I'd still buy a Porsche at some stage, but I'll probably go air cooled, once the prices return to normality.

[Guvernator]

I loved the first one and this one looks great too. The one thing I can't understand though is why the hell they went for that weird roof contraption in the first place and then carried it on with this 2nd gen version. This car is crying out for a proper stowable targa hard top IMO like the kind of thing you got on a TVR Tuscan. Easy to fit\remove, more secure and would look 10x better than that tent affair.

[MikeGoodwin]

stephen300o said:

The Boxster gets better looking every year, as the 911 gets uglier. Maybe trying to help folks not miss the 911 when its gone.

Is the 911 on its way out then?

[Actus Reus]

Over over under steer said:

Maybe slightly O/T. But I wish you could get a gen 2 987 to sound like the 981 S with PSE. The mapping gives it that lovely crackle on the overrun, which you just can't get without mapping the overfueling in.

Makes me so sad. I have my heart set on a Lotus/Caterham, but my local garage (Paragon Porsche) have had a few 987 Spyders through at temping prices. Can't see them losing any value at all

Agreed. Ever driven a 987 Spyder? They are a very fine car indeed, but could indeed do with a bit of aural assistance when compared to the 981 cars. I could have had one 3 or 4 years ago and am kicking myself that I didn't take the plunge before kids and marriage basically shifted them from 'possible' to 'impossible'.

[W12JFD]

The Spyder is far from shabby on the track to boot, very fast and very entertaining - on the downside it does around 7mpg. On road circa 16 mpg....

[boxsey]

RowntreesCabana said:

I had no idea of the rust issues, that's not good is it? I'd still buy a Porsche at some stage, but I'll probably go air cooled, once the prices return to normality.

Never going to happen. The air cooled boat has well and truly sailed. Price rises might slow down but they're not going to reverse.

BTW the engines on the 981 models (as per this new spyder) and second generation 987 caymans and boxsters are different to the engines in the models that you've heard about catastrophic failures. I too had problems with a first generation 987 boxster engine but would have no concerns about the second generation 987 models and 981 models that have the revised engine.

[red997]

Guvernator said:

I loved the first one and this one looks great too. The one thing I can't understand though is why the hell they went for that weird roof contraption in the first place and then carried it on with this 2nd gen version. This car is crying out for a proper stowable targa hard top IMO like the kind of thing you got on a TVR Tuscan. Easy to fit\remove, more secure and would look 10x better than that tent affair.

it's the 'weird roof' that makes it a spyder, otherwise it would be just a plain Boxster; supposed to emulate a 550 spyder to some degree...

[TB303]

Picked mine up today - very happy.

[Krikkit]

Lovely, enjoy!

[TB303]

Krikkit said:

Lovely, enjoy!

Thanks a lot. Am really pleased with it - 100 miles in today, and it's just amazing.

Regarding the comments on the roof - I would agree. It would be better with a better/simpler roof. The Spyder owners who say "it's the whole point of the car" are just justifying their purchases IMO....

In terms of the driving enjoyment however, it's a heck of a car compared to many other things I've driven. Can't wait to get it properly run in so I can open it up!

[Guvernator]

red997 said:

it's the 'weird roof' that makes it a spyder, otherwise it would be just a plain Boxster; supposed to emulate a 550 spyder to some degree...

I think you missed the point, I don't want it to be a Boxster what would be the point? I want it to be a Spyder with a better roof and looks like a real Spyder owner agrees. It's still a stunning car though, despite the roof.

[cheekyron]

Such a pretty car, no doubt it's pretty awesome too