Back in the fold.
Discussion
After some time away having sold my boxster Spyder a couple of years back, I had been yearning for another Porsche. Having had a deposit on a 991.2 GTS which was cancelled after an extended test drive in both manual and PDK versions (reminded me of driving a fast armchair) and having tried a 997.2 3.6 manual, I stumbled upon a rather nice 2.9 manual Boxster.
I know by some it will be considered full on girl spec, but for my 12 mile B road commute to work, from what I have read will probably be the most fun from the modern Porsche range. Something with just the right amount of power so you can keep your toe in.
Swapping out my RS4 which is an excellent mile muncher, but not dynamic enough for the B roads. My previous F56 mini was epic as it was a JCW with quaife, 17”, Michelin PSS, KW coils corner weighted etc. That engine however had zero character and was concerned about longevity.
The only prob with the Spyder I found was as a daily it was a bit jiggly ride wise and only came alive above 50 mph which is where most of the speed limits are locally.
Having carbon buckets also after a meeting etc meant you couldn’t chill out. As that was “purist spec” no parking sensors, crap stereo, inability to mod it as would detract from the value. The 3.4 also meant you wouldn’t really hear much engine noise on day to day driving. The car however was epic on the ring!
This new car only has 7100 miles on the clock, major service just completed and a brand new set of N2 Michelin’s. It will need a few choice mods which will take course over time, but sincerely hoping this will be the perfect B road daily driver with just the right combo of speed and creature comforts. Quite surprised to learn the brakes are the same as on the S model as they were superb on the ring.
Picking up at the weekend so will report back after the initial 150 mile drive! So happy to be back in Porsche, even if it is at the poverty end of the spectrum! Any other owners views on the 2.9 are most welcome :-)
I know by some it will be considered full on girl spec, but for my 12 mile B road commute to work, from what I have read will probably be the most fun from the modern Porsche range. Something with just the right amount of power so you can keep your toe in.
Swapping out my RS4 which is an excellent mile muncher, but not dynamic enough for the B roads. My previous F56 mini was epic as it was a JCW with quaife, 17”, Michelin PSS, KW coils corner weighted etc. That engine however had zero character and was concerned about longevity.
The only prob with the Spyder I found was as a daily it was a bit jiggly ride wise and only came alive above 50 mph which is where most of the speed limits are locally.
Having carbon buckets also after a meeting etc meant you couldn’t chill out. As that was “purist spec” no parking sensors, crap stereo, inability to mod it as would detract from the value. The 3.4 also meant you wouldn’t really hear much engine noise on day to day driving. The car however was epic on the ring!
This new car only has 7100 miles on the clock, major service just completed and a brand new set of N2 Michelin’s. It will need a few choice mods which will take course over time, but sincerely hoping this will be the perfect B road daily driver with just the right combo of speed and creature comforts. Quite surprised to learn the brakes are the same as on the S model as they were superb on the ring.
Picking up at the weekend so will report back after the initial 150 mile drive! So happy to be back in Porsche, even if it is at the poverty end of the spectrum! Any other owners views on the 2.9 are most welcome :-)
jayxx83 said:
Yeah just literally going to be a daily driver for fun to work and back. I think mods performance wise will be limited to a filter, remap and a set of manifolds. Then think about those Ohlins R&T plus some subtle interior upgrades, Alcantara trimming etc.
Not see that good a report on the Ohlins for this model.Most after market stuff is way too hard.
Just drive it :-)
As for modes better off with a short shift, engine mount , and monoball toe links.
Give you a bit more extra feel, but it has that in spades over new stuff as is.
Great looking car OP.
I've been keeping an eye on a 987.2 2.9 for a long time, I think it would also suit my 10 mile b road commute perfectly. The only sticking point is finding one with ISOFIX and airbag deactivation which seems like an option nobody ticked. I only need to collect my 2.5year old from nursery once a week... and happy to have a belt seat... but not happy with inability to deactivate airbag.
I've been keeping an eye on a 987.2 2.9 for a long time, I think it would also suit my 10 mile b road commute perfectly. The only sticking point is finding one with ISOFIX and airbag deactivation which seems like an option nobody ticked. I only need to collect my 2.5year old from nursery once a week... and happy to have a belt seat... but not happy with inability to deactivate airbag.
olv said:
Nice, much under rated. I really enjoyed my 987.2 2.9.
Cmoose is there really a marked difference between 17s and 18s on these? On passive suspension you’d think it must be marginal.
Brakes wise the 2.9 got the same brakes as the 987.1 3.2S if I remember correctly, which are plenty.
you do loose steering response and imo it's a step too far on that profile, always a trade off.Cmoose is there really a marked difference between 17s and 18s on these? On passive suspension you’d think it must be marginal.
Brakes wise the 2.9 got the same brakes as the 987.1 3.2S if I remember correctly, which are plenty.
I like my cars to feel darty and that profile on a Porker you loose that while you wait for the rubber/slip angle to catch up with your input.
great for winter , lacking in the Dry once pushing on and loading up the tyres imo of course
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It's personal preference. he drives 911 and was impressed at the Cayman better turn in, no surprise that , but that's not down to the 17" wheels lolI don't like the lag in the dry on higher profile tyres, it's that simple., you seem to, it is what it is.
Have you fitted a GT3 MC to your new car yet lol
if you knew more about slip angles, you would realise when you turn the wheel you have to wait for the tyre to catch up.
nice in the wet as you can feel the lack of grip in the rain and it's safter as you get more warning , in the dry ,it just feels s
t imo.Harris is talking about drift angles, not slip angles so his report is wrong ! stating slip.angles
but than again not many people understand what a slip angle is.
At the end of the day a lower profile tyre turns in sharper and more direct, that's just basic physics.
Edited by Porsche911R on Wednesday 6th February 11:11
Some really interesting comments guys. Cheers.
I think yes, I will get used to it again and the decide what I want to tweak. Short shift kit was one of the ideas as it was superb on the Spyder.
Might get a set of 17” just to try it out but have to confess a bit of lowering and some 18” spaced out would make it look a bit more beefy.
Let’s see. The dealers is near the Peak District so may as well detour via there on the way home.
The previous only only did roughly 1k miles per year in it in the first 5 years and there were mot comments about pitting to the brake discs on the first MOT. Time to wake that baby up and dust of the cobwebs!
I think yes, I will get used to it again and the decide what I want to tweak. Short shift kit was one of the ideas as it was superb on the Spyder.
Might get a set of 17” just to try it out but have to confess a bit of lowering and some 18” spaced out would make it look a bit more beefy.
Let’s see. The dealers is near the Peak District so may as well detour via there on the way home.
The previous only only did roughly 1k miles per year in it in the first 5 years and there were mot comments about pitting to the brake discs on the first MOT. Time to wake that baby up and dust of the cobwebs!
anonymous said:
[redacted]
to quote his line"It isn.t necessary to drive at speed to generate noticeable slip angles"
he is talking about drifting as that's all he does lol
If you like the lag and feeling of 45 series rubber that's great, but understand what a slip angle is before posting.
Slip Angle:
In vehicle dynamics, slip angle or sideslip angle is the angle between a rolling wheel's actual direction of travel and the direction towards which it is pointing.
In his line he really means Drift/slide-angle ! ie which way his car is pointing lol
And while the net effect of talking about slip angles front to rear has to do with understanding what a car is doing to get into a drift or understeer, the Harris post is really talking about his drift/slide angle as normal.
Slip angles can be complex subject. One it seems you know nothing about !
Harris is talking about how far he can get the back end out.
Feel privileged to have your legendary banter on this thread. I can see the love has grown over the years!!
One benefit of such low mileage is that you get to feel it relatively fresh. My spider had 11k when I purchased. However when I chopped it in, the left track rod felt shagged at only 19k. I guess the 8 laps of the ring didn’t help.
One benefit of such low mileage is that you get to feel it relatively fresh. My spider had 11k when I purchased. However when I chopped it in, the left track rod felt shagged at only 19k. I guess the 8 laps of the ring didn’t help.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
again the 1st phase has to do with the mid engine nature of the car vs the 911 nothing to do with 17" wheels as I stated, and no shock he felt that way, hence I loved hooning about in my R's for 5 years. to go back to 2011 if you like reviews :-) on Autocars best drivers car 2011.
Steve Sutcliffe described the winning Cayman R’s steering as “about as sweet as it gets,”
Go do a vehicle dynamics course or some thing ;-) I think you need to under stand "slip-Angles"
Hi Brian
Yes feels like only yesterday that I was up there. Thanks for coming down! Glad to hear you are still enjoying yours :-)
Re the post about halogen lights. I actually thought they were quite good for halogens. Had a 2014 e class at the time which had led lights and on high beam the Porsche was actually quite nice.
I have seen some Phillips led bulbs which are about £130-150 which replace stock headlight bulbs. Could be a good shout.
Can’t wait for the weekend!
Yes feels like only yesterday that I was up there. Thanks for coming down! Glad to hear you are still enjoying yours :-)
Re the post about halogen lights. I actually thought they were quite good for halogens. Had a 2014 e class at the time which had led lights and on high beam the Porsche was actually quite nice.
I have seen some Phillips led bulbs which are about £130-150 which replace stock headlight bulbs. Could be a good shout.
Can’t wait for the weekend!
I have done something similar and sold my 981 spyder now replaced with 987.2 s. Its no spyder but I enjoy it just as much and in some ways more as im less precious about it.
The only area its significantly behind a 981 is torsional stiffness, noticeable with the roof down. I actually prefer the quiet exhaust because Im old and want to make progress without attracting unwanted attention. No regrets at the bargain price.
The only area its significantly behind a 981 is torsional stiffness, noticeable with the roof down. I actually prefer the quiet exhaust because Im old and want to make progress without attracting unwanted attention. No regrets at the bargain price.
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