RE: Porsche Boxster Spyder: Driven

[996TT02]

RowntreesCabana said:

I wouldn't touch another Porsche with a barge pole to be honest. The engine problems they've been having since the 996 are well documented across the majority of the range. I was tempted to go back recently and have a Cayman but after researching was surprised to see a continuation with engine failures which seem to be carried over from the 996 and Boxster. How do they get away with it?

Should be OK from 997.2 onwards.

Having said that no cars nowadays seem to be built better than Fiats or Renaults no matter how much you spend. Still built for the first owner to enjoy for up to 4/5 years, then after that...

[Gus265]

TB303 said:

Picked mine up today - very happy.

Porsche Mayfair? Good job - that looks excellent in red. Another thread going on about why the 4 seat 911 Turbo is more useful over a 2 seater car. If I did want a 2 seats proper fun car to go out for a proper drive in, it would be this or an F-Type. I suspect this Spyder is the better car though.

[Kolbenkopp]

Looks very neat, super in red! Except -- for the oversized air intakes. God dammit when will this stop?! Pet peeve, rant over, enjoy the car .

[TB303]

Gus265 said:

Porsche Mayfair? Good job - that looks excellent in red. Another thread going on about why the 4 seat 911 Turbo is more useful over a 2 seater car. If I did want a 2 seats proper fun car to go out for a proper drive in, it would be this or an F-Type. I suspect this Spyder is the better car though.

Yes, Mayfair. I like the look of the F type but haven't had the pleasure of driving one. The reviews put me off a little as it seems like a slightly disconnected driving experience and also the small boot? Still think they are nice though!

[TB303]

Kolbenkopp said:

Looks very neat, super in red! Except -- for the oversized air intakes. God dammit when will this stop?! Pet peeve, rant over, enjoy the car .

Do you mean on the front? The bumper is one of my favourite features aesthetically- I prefer it over the GTS personally.

My least favourite feature is the low front splitter. They should really offer a front lift kit - it's far worse than my 360.

[Gus265]

TB303 said:

Gus265 said:

Porsche Mayfair? Good job - that looks excellent in red. Another thread going on about why the 4 seat 911 Turbo is more useful over a 2 seater car. If I did want a 2 seats proper fun car to go out for a proper drive in, it would be this or an F-Type. I suspect this Spyder is the better car though.

Yes, Mayfair. I like the look of the F type but haven't had the pleasure of driving one. The reviews put me off a little as it seems like a slightly disconnected driving experience and also the small boot? Still think they are nice though!

Jaguar lent me an F-Type V6S Roadster for a long weekend. It was the funniest/funnest car I have ever driven. Thought it went great with really predictable handling and no complaints about the steering (and it got a good workout!). However, I now have a 991 with electric steering (which everyone criticises) and I think that is fine too! Maybe its me. But if you drive a car, can the steering be so bad that when you turn the wheel you don't have enough other senses to realise its not quite going where (or doing what) you want it to? I am not expecting a go kart and can deal with slightly less feel (provided its not "no feel") and Porsche and Jag are just not that bad. I have moaned before that journalists have a difficult job - they get to drive all cars where we drive a small selection on the whole. Small differences are magnified to distinguish the best. But in reality, when do we ever put our cars so much on the edge that it makes that much of a difference?

[The Pits]

More desirable than the overhyped GT4 for me.

[philmots]

TB303 said:

Picked mine up today - very happy.

Stunning looking car, they've really nailed it.. I like the roof styling too. If it makes it more awkward so be it.

Well out of my budget, but it would be my sportscar of choice if my numbers came up, but if only they did it with pdk!

[TB303]

Gus265 said:

Jaguar lent me an F-Type V6S Roadster for a long weekend. It was the funniest/funnest car I have ever driven. Thought it went great with really predictable handling and no complaints about the steering (and it got a good workout!). However, I now have a 991 with electric steering (which everyone criticises) and I think that is fine too! Maybe its me. But if you drive a car, can the steering be so bad that when you turn the wheel you don't have enough other senses to realise its not quite going where (or doing what) you want it to? I am not expecting a go kart and can deal with slightly less feel (provided its not "no feel") and Porsche and Jag are just not that bad. I have moaned before that journalists have a difficult job - they get to drive all cars where we drive a small selection on the whole. Small differences are magnified to distinguish the best. But in reality, when do we ever put our cars so much on the edge that it makes that much of a difference?

I know what you mean. That said, the M135i I have has electric steering and it's awful, so I think there is certainly a spectrum here and Porsche have got to be on the good end of it.

[Axionknight]

I would choose the Cayman personally, since I have wanted one for some time (house purchase ruined that), but I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting this instead, seems like a cracking car.

[Matt Bird]

TB303 said:

Picked mine up today - very happy.

Very nice! I though silver was my favourite colour but now I'm not so sure Enjoy!

[Maldini35]

TB303 said:

Gus265 said:

Porsche Mayfair? Good job - that looks excellent in red. Another thread going on about why the 4 seat 911 Turbo is more useful over a 2 seater car. If I did want a 2 seats proper fun car to go out for a proper drive in, it would be this or an F-Type. I suspect this Spyder is the better car though.

Yes, Mayfair. I like the look of the F type but haven't had the pleasure of driving one. The reviews put me off a little as it seems like a slightly disconnected driving experience and also the small boot? Still think they are nice though!

Your thoughts about the F Type are spot on. It's not a bad car but just not quite good enough.
I drove the full fat V8S for a couple of days and the engine really is epic but....the driving experience felt remote - mostly down to the steering I think. It also felt like I was sitting on the car rather than in it. Through the bends and on the brakes it felt like a heavy car, not slow (it could never be described as slow) but a blunt instrument nonetheless. The interior also felt cheap and the infotainment was prehistoric - not a deal breaker for a sports car but when spending £80k it would grate. The boot was a joke with the space saver taking up most of the limited space there was.
As a 4th car for the odd Sunday morning thrash, I could be tempted because the engine and the sound really are that good but I prefer a sharper, more focused type of sports car so would go for a Spyder every time.
Horses for courses I guess.

[TB303]

Here's a review comparing a manual V6 F-Type to the Spyder:

http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2016-jagu...

[sealtt]

Looks fantastic. I'd love to have a go in one.

I enjoyed the regular boxster as a great sports car, but wanted it to be a little more intense. That was only a Boxster (new model) not a Boxster S though, but would be interested to see how this drives.

[sealtt]

TB303 said:

Picked mine up today - very happy.

Looks every £ of it's price, very nice! Enjoy

[Ozzie Osmond]

996TT02 said:

Having said that no cars nowadays seem to be built better than Fiats or Renaults no matter how much you spend. Still built for the first owner to enjoy for up to 4/5 years, then after that...

^^ Any evidence to back up that particular rant??

[smilo996]

Would rather spend 10k less on a Supercharged V6 F Type. Much Better looking, built in the UK, much better roof, sounds infinitely better and does not look like the younger brother to the car everyone will be saying your should have bought.

If absolutely necessary, spent 2k on 50 extra BHP and a suspension tweek or....

Use the money to puchase something much more capable and fun than the Boxter:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorbikes/...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Job done. Though the switchgear in the Porschar is likely better.

[Guvernator]

Ozzie Osmond said:

996TT02 said:

Having said that no cars nowadays seem to be built better than Fiats or Renaults no matter how much you spend. Still built for the first owner to enjoy for up to 4/5 years, then after that...

^^ Any evidence to back up that particular rant??

To be honest I feel the exact same way.

[redroadster]

This is a real world super car ,this or a jaguar f type would do me no need to spend more than this how good does it look in red fab car.

[Kolbenkopp]

TB303 said:

Do you mean on the front? The bumper is one of my favourite features aesthetically- I prefer it over the GTS personally.
My least favourite feature is the low front splitter. They should really offer a front lift kit - it's far worse than my 360.

Yeah the front bumper. I doubt things have gone spectacularly wrong with the engine's thermal demands at some point -- so I fail to see why these scoops are growing year after year after. The Spyder looks so good it can just about pull it off, but I'm back to looking at 924 front ends .