2011MY 987 2.9 PDK - a report for any 986 owner
Discussion
Evening all
I've just given back a 2011 987 2.9 pdk after three days with it while my 986 had some stuff done (not three days worth, just the only time I could drop it off!).
First impressions close up are that it's bigger on the road and I like the latest styling, it looks quite hunched and powerful on the road, even in standard equipment level. Still a doddle to park and the rear window area seems bigger than the 986 - I have a glass screen in mine so can't comment on comparison to the earlier plastic screens.
Major plus point for 986 owners: the cabin. Much nicer place to be and far easier to fine tune the driving position exactly the way you'd like it as the wheel adjusts for reach as well as height. Standard seat very comfortable, can't comment on the sports seat. Major controls well laid out and better illuminated at night, so a definite plus point for the 987.
On the road: doesn't feel drastically faster than my 2.7 but a look at the speedo says it is, and it is much much quieter in terms of road and wind noise. Cruises very quietly, but can roar and snarl when pressing on in a really pleasing way. The 2.9 is certainly pokey anough for most people's requirements and I averaged 28.4 with a mix of cruising and caning.
PDK? Well in full auto mode I didn't like it all - just like my grandad's Jag from my childhood - always kicking down or going up, and that weird delay of a half second after pressing the throttle whilst it sorts itself out and then goes! Did get a bit more used to it as time passed but not my thing TBH.
In manual mode, however, I really enjoyed it. Full power upshifts and a nice blip of the throttle on downshifts and you could really use it for engine braking to settle into the corners ready to blast out. Way more comfortable in traffic (no aching left leg) and about 90% as good as a manual when you're on it IMO. This was equipped with the original steering wheel buttons not the paddle shift but I found it perfectly useable - i even did a few via the PDK selector just to experiment.
Would I trade up to the 987 model? Yes probably, but I think the 2.9 is not enough of a step onward performance wise from my 2.7, (and if you're a 3.2S owner you'll really notice it) so you'd need the 3.4. Certainly if I was to even consider a PDK i'd want that extra power. Definitely it's a nicer place to spend a long journey (or even a short blast) but that's not to say the 986 cabin isn't nice - I like it very much - but the 987 is better IMO. One last thing to commend are the headlights - incredibly powerful and a huge improvement for those of us not already using Xenons.
I think a 3.4S manual with Nav, PSE and ipod connect would be about the sweet spot for me, but after getting my baby back tonight in gleaming, fettled shape, my love affair with the 986 is still a bit too strong to tempt me away!
Anyhow I know this is all old news for you guys with much newer cars, but I hope it gives an insight into the 987 for any 986 owners out there who are thinking about upgrading.
Cheers
I've just given back a 2011 987 2.9 pdk after three days with it while my 986 had some stuff done (not three days worth, just the only time I could drop it off!).
First impressions close up are that it's bigger on the road and I like the latest styling, it looks quite hunched and powerful on the road, even in standard equipment level. Still a doddle to park and the rear window area seems bigger than the 986 - I have a glass screen in mine so can't comment on comparison to the earlier plastic screens.
Major plus point for 986 owners: the cabin. Much nicer place to be and far easier to fine tune the driving position exactly the way you'd like it as the wheel adjusts for reach as well as height. Standard seat very comfortable, can't comment on the sports seat. Major controls well laid out and better illuminated at night, so a definite plus point for the 987.
On the road: doesn't feel drastically faster than my 2.7 but a look at the speedo says it is, and it is much much quieter in terms of road and wind noise. Cruises very quietly, but can roar and snarl when pressing on in a really pleasing way. The 2.9 is certainly pokey anough for most people's requirements and I averaged 28.4 with a mix of cruising and caning.
PDK? Well in full auto mode I didn't like it all - just like my grandad's Jag from my childhood - always kicking down or going up, and that weird delay of a half second after pressing the throttle whilst it sorts itself out and then goes! Did get a bit more used to it as time passed but not my thing TBH.
In manual mode, however, I really enjoyed it. Full power upshifts and a nice blip of the throttle on downshifts and you could really use it for engine braking to settle into the corners ready to blast out. Way more comfortable in traffic (no aching left leg) and about 90% as good as a manual when you're on it IMO. This was equipped with the original steering wheel buttons not the paddle shift but I found it perfectly useable - i even did a few via the PDK selector just to experiment.
Would I trade up to the 987 model? Yes probably, but I think the 2.9 is not enough of a step onward performance wise from my 2.7, (and if you're a 3.2S owner you'll really notice it) so you'd need the 3.4. Certainly if I was to even consider a PDK i'd want that extra power. Definitely it's a nicer place to spend a long journey (or even a short blast) but that's not to say the 986 cabin isn't nice - I like it very much - but the 987 is better IMO. One last thing to commend are the headlights - incredibly powerful and a huge improvement for those of us not already using Xenons.
I think a 3.4S manual with Nav, PSE and ipod connect would be about the sweet spot for me, but after getting my baby back tonight in gleaming, fettled shape, my love affair with the 986 is still a bit too strong to tempt me away!
Anyhow I know this is all old news for you guys with much newer cars, but I hope it gives an insight into the 987 for any 986 owners out there who are thinking about upgrading.
Cheers
Good write-up.
Its funny as I have a Gen 2 C2S cab on loan (writeup later) and reckon the 2.9 remains my preferred weapon of choice. I cant really seem to wring the same vocals out of a 3.4 or 3.8.
The resulting lack of noise is a problem for me as the 2.9 with the sports exhaust really sings.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying the 2.9 I had is in any way not a great car - it was - it's just that I expected it be a bigger leap given 11 years development since my 986.
I agree that the PSE exhaust would be a definite options list tick.
I'll have to twist their arm next time and get an S on loan next year! Oh and I forgot to mention, really efficient and curteous service from OPC Exeter once again. Couldn't fault them.
I agree that the PSE exhaust would be a definite options list tick.
I'll have to twist their arm next time and get an S on loan next year! Oh and I forgot to mention, really efficient and curteous service from OPC Exeter once again. Couldn't fault them.
With the 2.9 the experience varies greatly based on how it is specced. Most loaners are poverty spec and you come away non-plussed.
There are very few 2.9 cars in the country with all the options ticked so apples-to-apples comparisons against other cars in the range with bigger engines is hard.
LSD, Active Suspension, Sports Chrono, Zaust, all make a big difference to a boggo 2.9 PDK.
[quote=all2ofme]Great write-up! Those 2.9 engines are lovely, and I think there's a lot to be said for being able to have your foot up them more of the time (compared to a quicker car, I mean).
(Whisper it, but I'm also a bit of a fan of the PDK buttons.)
[Couldn't agree more, tried both and much prefer the steering wheel buttons.]
(Whisper it, but I'm also a bit of a fan of the PDK buttons.)
[Couldn't agree more, tried both and much prefer the steering wheel buttons.]
No doubt. What would really settle it for me is if I could somehow try the exact same car with a manual box, but as you say Carl no two are specced the same.
I'll keep on smiling in my 986 for a while yet I think, but it was a damn good feeling to walk out to that shiny new 11 plate motor for the last couple of days!
I'll keep on smiling in my 986 for a while yet I think, but it was a damn good feeling to walk out to that shiny new 11 plate motor for the last couple of days!
Carl_Docklands said:
Good write-up.
Its funny as I have a Gen 2 C2S cab on loan (writeup later) and reckon the 2.9 remains my preferred weapon of choice. I cant really seem to wring the same vocals out of a 3.4 or 3.8.
The resulting lack of noise is a problem for me as the 2.9 with the sports exhaust really sings.
I noticed this too when I had a 2.9 987 on loan. It sounds a lot nicer than the 3.8 in my '7S.2. I'm guessing that it's because the 2.9 uses traditional manifold fuel injection (albeit in the new engine) whereas the 3.4 and 3.8 use DFI.Its funny as I have a Gen 2 C2S cab on loan (writeup later) and reckon the 2.9 remains my preferred weapon of choice. I cant really seem to wring the same vocals out of a 3.4 or 3.8.
The resulting lack of noise is a problem for me as the 2.9 with the sports exhaust really sings.
Carl_Docklands said:
With the 2.9 the experience varies greatly based on how it is specced. Most loaners are poverty spec and you come away non-plussed.
There are very few 2.9 cars in the country with all the options ticked so apples-to-apples comparisons against other cars in the range with bigger engines is hard.
LSD, Active Suspension, Sports Chrono, Zaust, all make a big difference to a boggo 2.9 PDK.
+1 I was out today in mine roof down Sport + PSE PDK paddles sounds incredible when you do the on throttle upshifts, baby F458 sound , over and over again. In standard trim though totally different car.There are very few 2.9 cars in the country with all the options ticked so apples-to-apples comparisons against other cars in the range with bigger engines is hard.
LSD, Active Suspension, Sports Chrono, Zaust, all make a big difference to a boggo 2.9 PDK.
Guys - thanks for all the comments. Sounds like the spec is everything with the baby Boxster then. Have to admit, while OPC Exeter were finishing up paper work I was casually checking through their Approved Used stocklist with lusting eyes.
After two days driving such a new car - with all the "hewn from granite" feel and immaculate condition that goes with it - I could certainly see myself having a look at something next year on the Solutions scheme (house move comes first though!).
I think it'll be something like a 3.4S Manual or PDK with PSE, Sports Chrono / Plus (I hate the dash timer though), Nav, ipod, PASM. Might even consider a Cayman, although it'd have to be pretty awesome as I really like drop top motoring!
Anything else I should tick on the fantasy options list?
After two days driving such a new car - with all the "hewn from granite" feel and immaculate condition that goes with it - I could certainly see myself having a look at something next year on the Solutions scheme (house move comes first though!).
I think it'll be something like a 3.4S Manual or PDK with PSE, Sports Chrono / Plus (I hate the dash timer though), Nav, ipod, PASM. Might even consider a Cayman, although it'd have to be pretty awesome as I really like drop top motoring!
Anything else I should tick on the fantasy options list?
lastexile69 said:
I think it'll be something like a 3.4S Manual or PDK with PSE, Sports Chrono / Plus (I hate the dash timer though)...
Buy one without Sport Chrono and have it retro-fitted by the OPC - no dashwart!lastexile69 said:
Anything else I should tick on the fantasy options list?
Bucket seats - then have a harness fitted to the rollbar!
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