Should i buy a 981 Spyder?
Discussion
Hello
I need some advice on a 981 Spyder and I was hoping you can help.
To give you a bit of background, since the year 2000 I have had 3 Boxster S's and 2 Cayman S's. I always bought new, ran them for 3 years, did an average of 17k miles a year and sold them when I had done between 50 - 60k miles. They were work horses for me, used every day, brought a smile to my face and I loved them all! My last one was a 2013 981 Cayman S. However, 2 years ago I got upset with my local OPC when I felt they let me down on a promise of the GT4. I ended up going really crazy and I bought a Ferrari 458 which I absolutely adore and I cant imagine ever selling but herein lies my problem. The 458 is a weekend car pure and simple! I am only doing 2k miles a year in it because I cannot use it for work and even to this day very few work related people even know that I have it. At the time I sold my Cayman because physiologically I couldn't get my head round owning both a Ferrari and a Porsche! I know that's crazy and I regret it now but that is how I felt at the time. I ended up buying a Mini JCW as my every day car which has been fun but I am really missing having something special to drive on a daily bases i.e. a Porsche again. The mini has to go by the end of October so I am in the market again now. I did try the 718's but I was not impressed and in fact I felt they were a step back from the 981's. My heart was always on the GT4 but I really cant bring myself to spend 80+k on one when I still feel I should have had one at list 2 years ago. I do in fact have a letter of intent in with a couple of OPC's for the new one but I am not holding my breath. Last week I started looking around potentially for a 981 Cayman GTS to tide me over until I found out for sure about a new GT4 and I kind of stumbled on the Spyder at the dealer and wow! I had never looked at one closely and this really blew me away!
So basically my questions are: what is this really like to live with? Can it be used daily come rain or shine? I wouldn't be putting 17k miles a year on it as I have use of other company cars but certainly will be doing 8 - 10k at least. Also the price, from the little research I have done they seem to be in the asking range of 75K but is that really what they are selling for? Do you think a high 60's price is achievable and is this a bad time to buy bearing in mind there is a new one out very soon? If I am practical about it I know the Cayman GTS would be the more sensible option, but unfortunately when it comes to cars practicality has never been my forte and since seeing the Spyder close up I cant stop thinking avbout it!
Sorry for the long post but I would really appreciate hearing your views.
Thanks
George
I need some advice on a 981 Spyder and I was hoping you can help.
To give you a bit of background, since the year 2000 I have had 3 Boxster S's and 2 Cayman S's. I always bought new, ran them for 3 years, did an average of 17k miles a year and sold them when I had done between 50 - 60k miles. They were work horses for me, used every day, brought a smile to my face and I loved them all! My last one was a 2013 981 Cayman S. However, 2 years ago I got upset with my local OPC when I felt they let me down on a promise of the GT4. I ended up going really crazy and I bought a Ferrari 458 which I absolutely adore and I cant imagine ever selling but herein lies my problem. The 458 is a weekend car pure and simple! I am only doing 2k miles a year in it because I cannot use it for work and even to this day very few work related people even know that I have it. At the time I sold my Cayman because physiologically I couldn't get my head round owning both a Ferrari and a Porsche! I know that's crazy and I regret it now but that is how I felt at the time. I ended up buying a Mini JCW as my every day car which has been fun but I am really missing having something special to drive on a daily bases i.e. a Porsche again. The mini has to go by the end of October so I am in the market again now. I did try the 718's but I was not impressed and in fact I felt they were a step back from the 981's. My heart was always on the GT4 but I really cant bring myself to spend 80+k on one when I still feel I should have had one at list 2 years ago. I do in fact have a letter of intent in with a couple of OPC's for the new one but I am not holding my breath. Last week I started looking around potentially for a 981 Cayman GTS to tide me over until I found out for sure about a new GT4 and I kind of stumbled on the Spyder at the dealer and wow! I had never looked at one closely and this really blew me away!
So basically my questions are: what is this really like to live with? Can it be used daily come rain or shine? I wouldn't be putting 17k miles a year on it as I have use of other company cars but certainly will be doing 8 - 10k at least. Also the price, from the little research I have done they seem to be in the asking range of 75K but is that really what they are selling for? Do you think a high 60's price is achievable and is this a bad time to buy bearing in mind there is a new one out very soon? If I am practical about it I know the Cayman GTS would be the more sensible option, but unfortunately when it comes to cars practicality has never been my forte and since seeing the Spyder close up I cant stop thinking avbout it!
Sorry for the long post but I would really appreciate hearing your views.
Thanks
George
Like yourself I never got a GT4 even though I was on the list 18 months before it came out even though most opc would not even commit there was such a model I was on at two opcs
I was really annoyed I never got one so I have stuck with my Cayman R which is a great car
In hindsight they did me a favour saving me money .
In your case if your hearts set on a GT4 there is only about 5 k difference between a Spyder so if you can stretch to a GT4 now you have cooled down go for it.
I was really annoyed I never got one so I have stuck with my Cayman R which is a great car
In hindsight they did me a favour saving me money .
In your case if your hearts set on a GT4 there is only about 5 k difference between a Spyder so if you can stretch to a GT4 now you have cooled down go for it.
GT4 has
Better steering feel
Better brakes
Better sus
Adjustable sus
Better electrics
More grip
Sounds more honest and for that better.
Spyder has a removable roof which means when up no boot access.
Each has a following, so no right and wrong, I used mine as a daily no issue mainly roof up.
I sold my GT4 and 981 Spyder as neither cut it imo although both class leading at list, buying one at overs will cost you a lot of money come resale and the new models.
If I had to have one to own again it would be the GT4 by a county mile.
Better steering feel
Better brakes
Better sus
Adjustable sus
Better electrics
More grip
Sounds more honest and for that better.
Spyder has a removable roof which means when up no boot access.
Each has a following, so no right and wrong, I used mine as a daily no issue mainly roof up.
I sold my GT4 and 981 Spyder as neither cut it imo although both class leading at list, buying one at overs will cost you a lot of money come resale and the new models.
If I had to have one to own again it would be the GT4 by a county mile.
I have just sold mine (spyder) and although I didnt daily it you certainly could. My observation after 2 years of ownership was the exhaust noise over 4k which you cant get rid of is a pita, I became self conscious and unfortunately its impossible to make discrete high speed progress so i ended up short shifting. Also the front is just too low as a daily where I frequently scraped the underside on high speed compressions. As a machine to own , look at and for special occasions its very nice though.
Oh btw they sell for near to the asking, mine went to opc at bang on list. I doubt you will get a nice spec starting with a 6
Im however going to a 987.2 boxster for the ground clearance and hopefully thrills at a slower speeds and a lot less precious about it but still a third car.
Oh btw they sell for near to the asking, mine went to opc at bang on list. I doubt you will get a nice spec starting with a 6
Im however going to a 987.2 boxster for the ground clearance and hopefully thrills at a slower speeds and a lot less precious about it but still a third car.
Jurys out as to whether the 718 Spyder will actually be na or turbo although most think n.a. atm. Either way due to exhausts and filters new model probably won't sound as good as the 981 despite this being slightly over contrived sound. This could help values although GT3 front end and power hike as per GT4 for the 718 looks attractive for the new model.
Spyder more usable than GT4 also more fun and rarer too (222 v 500 ish GT4s). Nothing between the cars for road use at least.
Wait till winter 981 Spyders will drop seasonally £££ also should know for sure about the 718 and how it compares spec wise which will influence prices of the old car. Price hike of the 718 over the 981 will be substantial imo although again this will tend to firm up values of the old car especially into next Spring.
Great cars and many owners with proper experience of owning both Spyder and GT4 from new actually prefer the Spyder as more true to ethos.
Note cars are very spec sensitive best options are nav heated buckets extended leather pref coloured stitching carbon and platinum wheels coloured crests.
Spyder more usable than GT4 also more fun and rarer too (222 v 500 ish GT4s). Nothing between the cars for road use at least.
Wait till winter 981 Spyders will drop seasonally £££ also should know for sure about the 718 and how it compares spec wise which will influence prices of the old car. Price hike of the 718 over the 981 will be substantial imo although again this will tend to firm up values of the old car especially into next Spring.
Great cars and many owners with proper experience of owning both Spyder and GT4 from new actually prefer the Spyder as more true to ethos.
Note cars are very spec sensitive best options are nav heated buckets extended leather pref coloured stitching carbon and platinum wheels coloured crests.
Edited by av185 on Wednesday 29th August 21:56
Akajak said:
you could use a Spyder as a daily driver, however if I had a 458 sitting at home as a weekend toy I would have my daily with less compromises; Just my 2p worth; what about a Macan GTS?
+ 1If you have a 458, no point buying a Spyder, which you could daily but may get slightly annoying. I would test drive the 981 Cayman GTS as this would make a very nice daily. Check out the GTS thread for lots of info!
Thank you everyone for your comments so far
In answer to a few of the points raised, firstly I do understand that the monetary value of a Spyder or GT4 maybe similar to say an f430, however a Ferrari attracts so much attention that whilst I am ok with that in private at weekends it’s certainly not something I am comfortable with in a business environment. Crazy as it sounds the Porsche is far more under the radar almost irrespective of its cost and as such less likely to attract potential negative reactions.
I have never been a fan of 4x4’s, I enjoy a raw driving experience even on a daily bases so the Macan is not on my radar.
I was not taken with the 718’s, the 4 cylinder turbo just didn’t rock my boat I am pretty sure I would be happier going back to a 981 wich makes the Cayman GTS both the obvious and safer choice but I was really struck with the looks of the spyder and now I can’t get it out of my mind.
It may not sound like it but cost is certainly a consideration. I had set myself a budget of up to 60k and whilst I may stretch that up to 70ish I really can’t justify going any higher for what will essentially be my work car. This kind of rules out the GT4 but that’s almost irrelevant as I think I am now more drawn to the Spyder. Over the past couple of years I have seen a few GT4’s on the road but not any spyders and I find that fact quite appealing.
I am trying to arrange a test drive of the GTS and spyder side by side so hopefully that will help me decide.
The Spyder I am looking at seems to have all the desirable options, it’s a late 2015 with only 6.5k miles but it’s had 4 owners. Should that be a cause for concern?
Thanks again for your help
Regards
George
In answer to a few of the points raised, firstly I do understand that the monetary value of a Spyder or GT4 maybe similar to say an f430, however a Ferrari attracts so much attention that whilst I am ok with that in private at weekends it’s certainly not something I am comfortable with in a business environment. Crazy as it sounds the Porsche is far more under the radar almost irrespective of its cost and as such less likely to attract potential negative reactions.
I have never been a fan of 4x4’s, I enjoy a raw driving experience even on a daily bases so the Macan is not on my radar.
I was not taken with the 718’s, the 4 cylinder turbo just didn’t rock my boat I am pretty sure I would be happier going back to a 981 wich makes the Cayman GTS both the obvious and safer choice but I was really struck with the looks of the spyder and now I can’t get it out of my mind.
It may not sound like it but cost is certainly a consideration. I had set myself a budget of up to 60k and whilst I may stretch that up to 70ish I really can’t justify going any higher for what will essentially be my work car. This kind of rules out the GT4 but that’s almost irrelevant as I think I am now more drawn to the Spyder. Over the past couple of years I have seen a few GT4’s on the road but not any spyders and I find that fact quite appealing.
I am trying to arrange a test drive of the GTS and spyder side by side so hopefully that will help me decide.
The Spyder I am looking at seems to have all the desirable options, it’s a late 2015 with only 6.5k miles but it’s had 4 owners. Should that be a cause for concern?
Thanks again for your help
Regards
George
Personally I think a budget of 60k a Cayman GTS fits the bill as an everyday as you say you don't see many Spyders on the road as an everyday which may tell you something most are not everydays.
Both Spyders and GT4 may have a few owners from the so called flippers in the early days making a few quid.
Both Spyders and GT4 may have a few owners from the so called flippers in the early days making a few quid.
If - like you say you’d really like a new GT4 - with 2 LOI’s - then that where you need to concentrate your efforts would be my advice. You can sit tight on the JCW until the end of October, by then there should be some news on GT4/Spyder.
How you interpret concerntrate your efforts is entirely up to you. Is one of the LOI’s at the OPC which previously let you down - it might be time to rekindle that relationship.
If nothing comes of it you could argue that Spyders will be at winter prices end of October and you pick one up then.
Patience is a killer - I’ve been there and almost got burnt. If you pick up a Spyder now and subsequently get the offer of a GT4 you’ll end losing some cash.
How you interpret concerntrate your efforts is entirely up to you. Is one of the LOI’s at the OPC which previously let you down - it might be time to rekindle that relationship.
If nothing comes of it you could argue that Spyders will be at winter prices end of October and you pick one up then.
Patience is a killer - I’ve been there and almost got burnt. If you pick up a Spyder now and subsequently get the offer of a GT4 you’ll end losing some cash.
Seems to be a lot of people around lately with wishful thinking that spyders and GT4s are suddenly going to dip into the 60s but it just hasn't happened and isn't happening. The going rate is still very much the same now that it was 12 months ago*. Those of us that realized that then are now driving and enjoying ours. At some point if you really want one you just have to say bugger it, pay the going rate, and deal with whatever you lose in the future (which is likely to be a lot less than what you would lose on other expensive marques). So without a major budget hike the OP is not going to get in a 981 spyder. In their case I'd be looking at 987 spyder which I think would still tick the boxes.
- To avoid confusion I'm referring to the going rate for Porsche approved which has been very steady at 80K plus or minus a few K.
I'd get one bought!
At some stage Porsche will have to stop absorbing the FX moves and adjust RRP's higher because of the weak pound. Wouldn't be surprised if the 718 GT4 and Spyder are a decent % more expensive then the 981 generation...so the used cars on the market will hold their value very well. Especially the Spyder which has already been pointed out was made in low volumes and my guess is a few have already left these shores for the RHD Asian markets.
At some stage Porsche will have to stop absorbing the FX moves and adjust RRP's higher because of the weak pound. Wouldn't be surprised if the 718 GT4 and Spyder are a decent % more expensive then the 981 generation...so the used cars on the market will hold their value very well. Especially the Spyder which has already been pointed out was made in low volumes and my guess is a few have already left these shores for the RHD Asian markets.
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