Boxster Spyder

[JayK12]

Fokker said:

Good Pistonheads review of both GT4 and Spyder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_oFjmYhMOE

Watched it thanks for the link.

GT4, that extra downforce headline figure they forgot to mention is at 120mph i believe. So much lower at lower speeds one would think, so on road and on tracks like Donington the aero difference between old and new wont be a massive amount.

I guess the 981 was more exciting when it came out as it was a first, so maybe I am expecting too much from the 718. The more I look at the Spyder the more i think the 981 looks way better, and whats the point of dropping the roof if you can just hear a hairdryer, all my opinion of course.

I've certainly narrowed down my next fun road car, 987 or 981 Spyder or R8 V10 Spyder Manual.

[douglasgdmw]

DS240 said:

I’m not really one for modifying my cars but I’ve contemplated doing this before and got the thought back in my head recently. It stems from seeing the 918 with weissach package, where the windscreen was given a carbon fibre surround. It’s also a trick on other convertibles or coupes to ‘lower’ the car.

I’m not thinking fake carbon fibrewrap, but a matte/low gloss black wrap to match in with plastic where the mirror meets the windscreen.

I think it would have the effect of visually lowering the car and make the rear humps more of a feature.

Also seen on the 718 how they have blacked out the third brake light section, which I’d also thought of previously to ‘hide’ it.

Also think carbon mirrors would complement it, but that bumps up the costs.

Excuse the quick mock ups.... but what do you think to such an idea?

Edited by DS240 on Monday 22 July 15:58

Own personal opinion but the carbon/black on the window surround make the roof like appear even more accentuated for the first photo and gives the impression that its a beetle windscreen fitted on the Spyder. So based upon those quick mock ups I think that its giving exactly the opposite effect that you were looking to achieve.

[TB303]

JayK12 said:

I've certainly narrowed down my next fun road car, 987 or 981 Spyder or R8 V10 Spyder Manual.

They are all too fast for the road, but I think the Audi would need big open roads to truly enjoy.

I agree re: 718 - I wish I wanted one, but I’m just not that bothered based on the reviews / videos etc. I’d like to test drive it at Silverstone though!

I don’t think you’ll go too far wrong with either a 987 or 981. Both have their strengths depending on usage, but I don’t think Daro911 on here misses his 987 compared to the 981 he now has...

[daro911]

TB303 said:

They are all too fast for the road, but I think the Audi would need big open roads to truly enjoy.

I agree re: 718 - I wish I wanted one, but I’m just not that bothered based on the reviews / videos etc. I’d like to test drive it at Silverstone though!

I don’t think you’ll go too far wrong with either a 987 or 981. Both have their strengths depending on usage, but I don’t think Daro911 on here misses his 987 compared to the 981 he now has...

You are correct TB303 I thoroughly enjoyed my 5 years in 987 Spyders and the 981 Spyder has proved nothing but a pure joy with the perfect sound track tone & volume wise for my ears

It has more plus's than negatives over a 987 IMO so it ticks all my boxes and I was always a fan of the 981 architecture inside and out when it launched in 2012 so getting a Spyder version was like winning the lotto

Like you I look forward to sampling the newbie but as numbers will be plentiful and the model is now established in the line up going forward I will probably be happy to sit out the 718 version and see what comes along in 2022/3 with the all new Boxster 983

[Porsche911R]

daro911 said:

It has more plus's than negatives over a 987 IMO

which are ? just out of interest.

As a driver it only has negatives, as a lifestyle car yes it has a working roof sort of and is newer inside.
looks are subjective so I won't say either is better.

positives:
1: newer !
2: roof sort of but it's just a boxster roof now with fake tails
3: brakes if the 987 don't have pccb's


negatives:

1: newer !
2: steering feel
3: in gear speeds
4: fake chav sound
5: car tax
6: no rear boot access roof up
7: weight
8: over servo brakes
9: mpg
10: service costs
11: air filter access

:-) so really not many plus points in the 981. the 2 big ones if you like driving are in gear speeds and EPS. Those 2 alone ruin the car., which then demote it to a life style car only not a drivers car.

[CarreraLightweightRacing]

DAWSpyder said:

That's my ex car. Brings a tear to my eyes to see it again, looks wonderful and now in some fantastic surroundings. Enjoy!

Thanks for your kind words Darrell, I'll be keeping good care of her don't you worry. All being well it shall be registered today in Germany so BKSPY1 will be the new call sign

[CarreraLightweightRacing]

I'd pretty much agree to all of that with the following additions:

Porsche911R said:

daro911 said:

It has more plus's than negatives over a 987 IMO

which are ? just out of interest.

As a driver it only has negatives, as a lifestyle car yes it has a working roof sort of and is newer inside.
looks are subjective so I won't say either is better.

positives:
1: newer !
2: roof sort of but it's just a boxster roof now with fake tails
3: brakes if the 987 don't have pccb's
4: Integrated door intake
5: Quicker


negatives:

1: newer !
2: steering feel
3: in gear speeds
4: fake chav sound
5: car tax
6: no rear boot access roof up
7: weight
8: over servo brakes
9: mpg
10: service costs
11: air filter access

:-) so really not many plus points in the 981. the 2 big ones if you like driving are in gear speeds and EPS. Those 2 alone ruin the car., which then demote it to a life style car only not a drivers car.

The 987 is also the first of, so in that respect a little like Neil Armstrong; try naming the second person on the moon. For me there also seemed genuine excitement when James May originally reviewed the car on Top Gear all those years ago: 'The Fizz' just kind of sums up the car perfectly. Probably a little unfair and biased of me to pass judgement as I'm still in the honeymoon phase but like the Elise, I could have bought any of the generations but only the Series 1 appealed. You could ague it is subjective but given the points raised above by Demon, I think the earlier car does have a level of finesse and purity to justify itself as a wonderful drivers car.

[daro911]

Porsche911R said:

which are ? just out of interest.

As a driver it only has negatives, as a lifestyle car yes it has a working roof sort of and is newer inside.
looks are subjective so I won't say either is better.

positives:
1: newer !
2: roof sort of but it's just a boxster roof now with fake tails
3: brakes if the 987 don't have pccb's


negatives:

1: newer !
2: steering feel
3: in gear speeds
4: fake chav sound
5: car tax
6: no rear boot access roof up
7: weight
8: over servo brakes
9: mpg
10: service costs
11: air filter access

:-) so really not many plus points in the 981. the 2 big ones if you like driving are in gear speeds and EPS. Those 2 alone ruin the car., which then demote it to a life style car only not a drivers car.

Someone who really understands his cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Bmi-2Yk20

[Porsche911R]

daro911 said:

Someone who really understands his cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Bmi-2Yk20

o yes cheers I forgot to add another negative 981 has PTV !!

[TB303]

Back to the usual circular discussion.

Both great cars. 981 more liveable, and the boot thing isn’t that annoying to me. My memory of the 987 was it felt more like an occasional car than the 981, and I didn’t end up buying one, but maybe one day.

Gear change is definitely much nicer on the 981. 987 gearing (all models) still a little bit long if we’re honest.

If I could change 2 things it would be first the gearing (though on mountain passes I have to say it works perfectly), and of course hydraulic steering would be nice.

The steering just doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the car, and when I drove Daro911’s 987 Spyder on the same day that I tried the 981 at the PEC, it just wasn’t the deal breaker I was expecting it to be at all.

I think I expected more from the 987? While maybe not as detailed, I quite like the dartiness of my 360 spider over my memory of the 987 but need to try back to back. I appreciate it’s the ratio of steering and not just feel though.

While they were supposed to be pretty much the same car, I found my test drive of the cayman r more satisfying than the 987 Spyder for some reason.

[JayK12]

For road I'm not too bothered on the detail of how particular it drives, it just needs to be fun. If I'm on track I'll really particular. My BGTS Manual was great fun on the roads, but always left me wanting for more, not more power, not more handling, just more WOW, something a bit more special, something more exotic.

Hence I'm leaning to an R8 V10 Spyder in Manual.........but maybe it needs to be a Gallardo or F430 lol.....R8 V10 just seem great value for money right now. As i now have a dedicated track car again I don't feel the need to have a fun road car that amazing pace, or unreal handling etc. If that makes sense.

[Porsche911R]

TB303 said:

Back to the usual circular discussion.

Both great cars. 981 more liveable, and the boot thing isn’t that annoying to me. My memory of the 987 was it felt more like an occasional car than the 981, and I didn’t end up buying one, but maybe one day.

Gear change is definitely much nicer on the 981. 987 gearing (all models) still a little bit long if we’re honest.

If I could change 2 things it would be first the gearing (though on mountain passes I have to say it works perfectly), and of course hydraulic steering would be nice.

The steering just doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the car, and when I drove Daro911’s 987 Spyder on the same day that I tried the 981 at the PEC, it just wasn’t the deal breaker I was expecting it to be at all.

I think I expected more from the 987? While maybe not as detailed, I quite like the dartiness of my 360 spider over my memory of the 987 but need to try back to back. I appreciate it’s the ratio of steering and not just feel though.

While they were supposed to be pretty much the same car, I found my test drive of the cayman r more satisfying than the 987 Spyder for some reason.

you really need to drive all these cars back to back to see what's great and what's not, and ofcourse nothing is st, all are great, but back to back you realise what's fun and what's lifestyle or even what's badge buying.

I actually lent my cars to EVO for a feature, and Dan drove mine and did have to admit, "you forget how good the older cars drive" people soon forget the old cars and the praise comes thick and fast for the new cars, but back to back it's a different ball game.

now speaking from experience :-) the 987.2 Spyders the most fun.

[Fokker]

I'm sure the new 718 Spyder will be a great drivers car but the light clutch, lighter gear change and lighter steering does worry me.
I like the slight meatiness of the 981, its feels more like the GT products of old in that department. The 991.2 GT3 manual's clutch and gear change just isn't as nice, full stop. They got the 981 very right apart from the long gearing in my opinion but then it never feels like it lacks torque to me.

Ive done 8000 in my spyder now and its a great car. It is very loud but with the exhaust button off, its quieter under 3500 revs and you dont get the pops and bangs if you want a quieter drive or you're moving though some sleepy villages.

The noise of the 981 is what's going to separate it from the 718, and the fact that with X73, it'll probably be a better road car.

I'm not going to swap it for the new one.

Edited by Fokker on Tuesday 23 July 11:22

Edited by Fokker on Tuesday 23 July 11:22

[notsomadmick]

Um. Subject to a couple more 'trustworthy' reviews, am beginning to think the same way.
Not what I thought / hoped with a 718 likely coming my way.

Fokker said:

I'm sure the new 718 Spyder will be a great drivers car but the light clutch, lighter gear change and lighter steering does worry me.
I like the slight meatiness of the 981, its feels more like the GT products of old in that department. The 991.2 GT3 manual's clutch and gear change just isn't as nice, full stop. They got the 981 very right apart from the long gearing in my opinion but then it never feels like it lacks tongue to me.

Ive done 8000 in my spyder now and its a great car. It is very loud but with the exhaust button off, its quieter under 3500 revs and you dont get the pops and bangs if you want a quieter driver of you're driving though some sleepy villages.

The noise of the 981 is what's going to separate it from the 718, and the fact that with X73, it'll probably be a better road car.

I'm not going to swap it for the new one.

Edited by Fokker on Tuesday 23 July 11:04

[Fokker]

notsomadmick said:

Um. Subject to a couple more 'trustworthy' reviews, am beginning to think the same way.
Not what I thought / hoped with a 718 likely coming my way.

Fokker said:

I'm sure the new 718 Spyder will be a great drivers car but the light clutch, lighter gear change and lighter steering does worry me.
I like the slight meatiness of the 981, its feels more like the GT products of old in that department. The 991.2 GT3 manual's clutch and gear change just isn't as nice, full stop. They got the 981 very right apart from the long gearing in my opinion but then it never feels like it lacks tongue to me.

Ive done 8000 in my spyder now and its a great car. It is very loud but with the exhaust button off, its quieter under 3500 revs and you dont get the pops and bangs if you want a quieter driver of you're driving though some sleepy villages.

The noise of the 981 is what's going to separate it from the 718, and the fact that with X73, it'll probably be a better road car.

I'm not going to swap it for the new one.

Edited by Fokker on Tuesday 23 July 11:04

I'm completely non plussed. Just isn't worth the change and if no decent engine note, that's a biggie for me. Plus its no faster, has the same torque due to gearbox not being able to handle more than 310 Ib/ft. Theres just a bit more downforce but at very high speeds, means nothing on the road which is where mine will be mostly used. The 981 Spyder sounds so epic that a muted soundtrack is a real disappointment on the 718.

[Twinfan]

I've said it before - depending on your personal preferences, either 987 or 981 are likely to be seen as "peak Cayster". 718s across the board are too compromised IMHO.

[Porsche911R]

Fokker said:

I'm sure the new 718 Spyder will be a great drivers car but the light clutch, lighter gear change and lighter steering does worry me.
I like the slight meatiness of the 981, its feels more like the GT products of old in that department. The 991.2 GT3 manual's clutch and gear change just isn't as nice, full stop. They got the 981 very right apart from the long gearing in my opinion but then it never feels like it lacks tongue to me.

Ive done 8000 in my spyder now and its a great car. It is very loud but with the exhaust button off, its quieter under 3500 revs and you dont get the pops and bangs if you want a quieter driver of you're driving though some sleepy villages.

The noise of the 981 is what's going to separate it from the 718, and the fact that with X73, it'll probably be a better road car.

I'm not going to swap it for the new one.

EPS is still poor though, to a point it's pretty st all told.,I had to move the 991.1 GTS on and that's the best of the lot in that era.
981 feels nothing like GT cars of old in any way shape or form !!

As for clutch weight , many of us buyers love the clutch not being 997 weighty means we can drive them daily no issue.
Is the clutch thing a forum issue from nothing ? , as I have met NO one who says wow I hate this lighter clutch press bar AV185.
for me it's a revelation :-) and the main reason I don't own a 997.2 RS !!! makes flat shifting a real thing to do rather than s on paper option.

as for gear change 991.2 GT3 change is on a par with the GT4/981, it's not even worth bringing it up, it's a nice short positive throw which does the job very well. I do wonder if some cars feel different as this point seems divided ! and maybe just need adjusting. I cannot fault the gear change.

the fact is the 981 is a lifestyle car imo and does that job very well apart from no boot access which was annoying as a daily and I took the roof off less in the 981 as that's just hassle, where in the 987 I just keep it off anyway.
It was my other half fav cars , says it all.

I have to say the 981 Spyder is the least GT type car ever made with undoubtably the worse steering in any GT type of car ever made also.
That does not make it a bad car , also people must realise I am not slagging it off, it's a great car, just not that much fun or exciting.
Hence it fits for me into a "lifestyle" type of car. nice to take the oh out, a bit rare, drives ok, sounds ok ish etc etc.

I wish I had time to fit the 987 wheels onto mine to see what happened.

But at the end of the day the EPS and gearing killed the car.

[TB303]

JayK12 said:

For road I'm not too bothered on the detail of how particular it drives, it just needs to be fun. If I'm on track I'll really particular. My BGTS Manual was great fun on the roads, but always left me wanting for more, not more power, not more handling, just more WOW, something a bit more special, something more exotic.

Hence I'm leaning to an R8 V10 Spyder in Manual.........but maybe it needs to be a Gallardo or F430 lol.....R8 V10 just seem great value for money right now. As i now have a dedicated track car again I don't feel the need to have a fun road car that amazing pace, or unreal handling etc. If that makes sense.

If you can stretch to a 458 I would do that instead of the 430 personally. I think the 360 actually has a more zingy (but less torquey) engine, and the gearing is lower than the 430, which like the 488 vs 458 they upped the torque and made the gearing longer.... At least you get to bang through a few gears on the the road in a 360 or 458...

Gallardo (I drove fairly early spider for a day) felt a bit numb at the front compared to the 987.1S I had at the time. Great engine, and felt special etc of course. Single clutch gear box horrible, and early manuals at least do 60 or so in first gear?

I agree with your point about specialness - you’ll never quite get it from a box/cayman compared to something Italian, but it does come with a host of other things - some good, some bad. Porsches are very convenient!

R8 V10 is amazing value. I just think a bit too much for the road maybe, and the boot is too small for the Euro touring I like to do, plus you’ve got the same electric steering matters...

I’m actually with 911R on most of his comments by the way, but it’s just a little bit self righteous at times as we all have slightly unique requirements from our cars...

[TB303]

Fokker said:

I'm completely non plussed. Just isn't worth the change and if no decent engine note, that's a biggie for me. Plus its no faster, has the same torque due to gearbox not being able to handle more than 310 Ib/ft. Theres just a bit more downforce but at very high speeds, means nothing on the road which is where mine will be mostly used. The 981 Spyder sounds so epic that a muted soundtrack is a real disappointment on the 718.

Agree - it’s not changed the things some of us 981 owners would want, so if you already have a 981 it is very hard to justify changing even if you do have cash to burn.

[isaldiri]

TB303 said:

but it’s just a little bit self righteous at times...

Understatement of the year!!!