Why so much negativity on here about the 981?

[981Boxess]

Schmed said:

In my view, the thing about the 981 is that the 718 is better. F4, F6, whatever. Far better, much improved, better steering, handling etc, and that comment seems to rub the sensitive 981 owners up the wrong way sometimes, feeling defensive about having their ‘p&j’ (in their minds) insulted.

Now all well and good and fair enough you say. Or not. But please bear with me, some of these same 981 owners (not cossers afaik) had no such problems bashing the 718 at every opportunity when it came out a couple of years back or so and no compunction at all insulting others’ ‘p&js’. Pot, kettle...?

Personally I think the same thing seems to happen each time Porsche change something, the move to water cooling for example. Bottom line is everybody wants to talk up their cars and are often unable to take criticism. As somebody pointed out earlier in this thread, they are thoroughly invested. I suppose these forums are ultimately just excellent ongoing examples of ‘Choice-supportive bias’, (if you study psychology.)

So all fairly pointless really. However I think where owners have owned different cars and can also explain their rationale for changing, including the negative feedback, then this can be useful info.

So is not really negativity at all, just progress. Looking forward to the ICE vs EV debates then. Ymmv of course, etc.

I was very fortunate to find myself standing in a OPC earlier this year with a choice of two cars to buy, for exactly the same money. One was a Boxter S 981, the other a Boxster 718, I could have bought either, it was my choice.

The 718 was the obvious choice, newer, should be better next evolution etc etc. The 981 was older, had an extra owner so on paper not the one to have. I drove both cars and chose the 981 for reasons I have no intentions of having to arguing out on here. I don’t study psychology but I believe it is generally known as putting your money where your mouth is.
Was I caught like some rabbit in the headlights with all that shiny metal/glass around me and made a terrible mistake, unlikely, I spent decades in the motor trade and have driven a few cars in my time. I checked my medication, it was all up to date and in order so it wasn’t that either. I chose what I preferred to drive, I wish I could make it more complicated than that.

Do I think I am right and you are wrong, no, because you spent your money on what you wanted and I am glad to hear you are enjoying it. Would I run down any car someone else has bought and owns, no, why would I (genuine question?).

IMO the right way to look at this is that the Boxster does the strictly two seater convertible thing better than any other car, whatever incarnation suits you best is what you should buy. There is no such thing as a bad version, there are just different ones.

[981Boxess]

Holgate86 said:

I had a 981 Boxster Black Edition, didn't enjoy the ownership experience at all, car was only average IMHO to drive, engineering and quality vastly over hyped, dealers and other Porsche owners pretty terrible too....couldn't even fit Zunsport grills or have a tyre repaired without the Porsche warranty boys on the case....just waiting for the engine mounts to fail......

As an all round package I'd put a 981 Boxster below the following cars I've owned the last 20 years...S3 Lotus Elise, Honda S2000, R172 Mercedes SLK55 (x2), Mercedes W205 C63 and finally my new Toyota GR Yaris CP. (Might even put it below my Mk2 Escort 1600 Sport).

Can't comment on your ownership/dealer experience as a lot of that will have been determined by you as a customer, as someone who has spent decades on the other side of the fence let me assure you there are always two sides to that story.

No offence, but as someone who owned 4 x RS2000s if you genuinely think a Mk2 Escort is better car than a 981 Boxster in any way then I will have to respond with this

[Stunters]

981Boxess said:

an't comment on your ownership/dealer experience as a lot of that will have been determined by you as a customer, as someone who has spent decades on the other side of the fence let me assure you there are always two sides to that story.

No offence, but as someone who owned 4 x RS2000s if you genuinely think a Mk2 Escort is better car than a 981 Boxster in any way then I will have to respond with this

Well - It's narrower, easier to see out of, can carry more than two passengers, probably has better steering feel, and is probably easier and more enjoyable to drift...

[981SPYGANG]

Stunters said:

Well - It's narrower, easier to see out of, can carry more than two passengers, probably has better steering feel, and is probably easier and more enjoyable to drift...

If it’s ‘narrower’ it must be better.

[Redarress]

supersport said:

It's all just bks anyway.

Years ago the magazines used to slag of the 964RS and you could them up for pence. Probably everyone kept spouting the same guff, now look at them.

When those funny kettle came along () a lot of air cooled folk got very shouty, even worse when the 4x4 came along.

At the end of the day they are all great cars, even the tips, and there is really very little between them.

Read all about it “Man talks sense on a Pistonheads thread shocker.”

[981Boxess]

Stunters said:

981Boxess said:

Can't comment on your ownership/dealer experience as a lot of that will have been determined by you as a customer, as someone who has spent decades on the other side of the fence let me assure you there are always two sides to that story.

No offence, but as someone who owned 4 x RS2000s if you genuinely think a Mk2 Escort is better car than a 981 Boxster in any way then I will have to respond with this

Well - It's narrower, easier to see out of, can carry more than two passengers, probably has better steering feel, and is probably easier and more enjoyable to drift...

If you want to go down that road you could probably say the same about a Tuk Tuk, but I wouldn't have said that was better than a 981 either, no doubt some clueless individual will

I have never driven a car that didn't have something going for it, a Mk2 is simple to repair, other than that I am struggling. That said if someone wants to pay what they sell for today good luck to them, enjoy, but I am unlikely to be taking any advice on what car to buy from them.

[Four Litre]

Anyone who really slates the 981 basically hasn't driven one or if they have it must of had serious problems to be rated badly.

Sure there are better cars out there, but its a real 9-10 car in all reality. What is not to like?! Look at the reviews, pretty much consistently 5 out of 5. There may be parts that don't appeal to a small group but that's life and you cant keep everyone happy.

I cant take anyone seriously who tells me its crap, it just isn't by any stretch of the imagination.

[mr pg]

nickv8 said:

Interested! Was this another option? I have the sports wheel(?) which, pleasingly, is very plain and devoid of other controls. But the metal paddles are fixed to the column.

I’m aware of the wheel with buttons (standard).

Please can you post an image of your wheel with paddles, please?

Sport design wheel comes with paddles attached to wheel. Porsche don't have a wheel with paddles on the column.

[981Boxess]

mr pg said:

nickv8 said:

................. I have the sports wheel(?) which, pleasingly, is very plain and devoid of other controls. But the metal paddles are fixed to the column.
......................

...............Porsche don't have a wheel with paddles on the column.

[Skin981]

I waited 54 years to buy my dream car and couldn’t give a what other people think

[Venisonpie]

Four Litre said:

Anyone who really slates the 981 basically hasn't driven one or if they have it must of had serious problems to be rated badly.

Sure there are better cars out there, but its a real 9-10 car in all reality. What is not to like?! Look at the reviews, pretty much consistently 5 out of 5. There may be parts that don't appeal to a small group but that's life and you cant keep everyone happy.

I cant take anyone seriously who tells me its crap, it just isn't by any stretch of the imagination.

I owned one from new so assume it didn't have any issues. I didn't rate it due to gearing, lack of steering feel, tyre roar, lack of overall engagement, fiddly switchgear. It's biggest asset is practicality and usability but exciting, not for me.

[Chris722]

Did you own the 2.7 or the 3.4? The only reason I ask is I think the PDK is pretty clever and seems to holds the gears for me if I am pushing on through some corners. I am not sure if it is different between the S and the non S.

What cars are you comparing it to? If you are coming from some more exotic things then I’m sure it doesn’t compare but as a practical two seater it is pretty impressive to me!

[nickv8]

mr pg said:

nickv8 said:

Interested! Was this another option? I have the sports wheel(?) which, pleasingly, is very plain and devoid of other controls. But the metal paddles are fixed to the column.

I’m aware of the wheel with buttons (standard).

Please can you post an image of your wheel with paddles, please?

Sport design wheel comes with paddles attached to wheel. Porsche don't have a wheel with paddles on the column.

My head in back in reality. Old age = confusion on my part. The paddles on mine are glued to the wheel, not the column, as I previously wrote above. What I wanted was the opposite; paddles glued to the column.

In the country lanes around here, it’s crossing the wheel is common in all the tight bends. So trying to find the right paddle is a pain. Very occasionally I’ve used the stick, but doesn’t feel as natural (bizarrely, as I only drive manuals otherwise).

But this is a manufacturer-specific thing and Porsche are not alone in their decision. Nothing 981-related as a criticism.

[981Boxess]

Chris722 said:

If you are coming from some more exotic things then I’m sure it doesn’t compare but as a practical two seater it is pretty impressive to me!

Real world use is where I think all Boxsters score well above the competition, if they actually have any.

Having a car that goes round the Nurburgring 0.005168 sec quicker means nothing to me if I cannot go on a Eurohoon in it because you cannot get a fag packet in the boot. Having no engine anywhere to be seen did at first seem a little weird but once you get past that the extra luggage space that provides makes the whole package work. If your thing is track days, buy a track day car and do it properly, no road car will every drive well on a track and vice versa.

So what you end up with here is a quick, well designed, well put together, comfortable, reliable car which is a joy to drive and doesn't cost a fortune to run, whats not to like.

[Lexington59]

nickv8 said:

. Very occasionally I’ve used the stick, but doesn’t feel as natural (bizarrely, as I only drive manuals otherwise).

.

Of course it doesn't help on the 981 that the stick change is also the wrong way around, i.e. push forward to change up !

Thankfully they fixed it on the 718.

[Andyoz]

Lexington59 said:

Of course it doesn't help on the 981 that the stick change is also the wrong way around, i.e. push forward to change up !

Thankfully they fixed it on the 718.

Shouldn't be buying a PDK in a 'Sports Car' in the first place

[AJB88]

Lexington59 said:

Of course it doesn't help on the 981 that the stick change is also the wrong way around, i.e. push forward to change up !

Thankfully they fixed it on the 718.

One of my pet hates of DSG/PDK is the wrong way round change.

Luckily for the 981 COBB offer 5/6 different PDK tunes and one of them "extreme" has it the correct way. Loved it on my 981.

[981Boxess]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I bet that wouldn't be very hard to reverse

The problem is you would be the only one swinging the wrong way

[Venisonpie]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's jus the sub £60k fleet, the real stuff I keep quiet about!

[nickv8]

Lexington59 said:

Of course it doesn't help on the 981 that the stick change is also the wrong way around, i.e. push forward to change up !

Thankfully they fixed it on the 718.

Haven't found that bit strange, I must admit. I haven't had a car previously with a similar option, so muscle memory to confuse. It just doesn't seem to work for me, after using the paddle for the majority and then having to remember there's a stick to also use half way around a tight bend.