981S vs Spyder

[SGBrown]

Just had a Boxster 981S courtesy car for the day whilst my Spyder was in for servicing. It's a really good car, but. .........

I like my Spyder better. It makes me smile more, and that's all that counts. All in all I'm glad that I'm not at all tempted to "trade up".

[HammerCJ]

I had a 981s while my Spyder was in at the OPC too. Liked it a lot, especially the interior. But my Spyder feels 'sharper'. I guess it's the steering and the weight. Plus I don't think I'll ever get on with PDK. Short shift manual all the way!

[Nano2nd]

Hmm.. I was just thinking to myself there's not been a "my 987 is better than the 981" thread in a while

[MDian]

It is true though, both the Spyder and Cayman R feel much sharper than the new Boxster and Cayman. It doesn't necessarily make them better cars for some, but anyone that thinks they aren't sharper needs their head read

[mrdemon]

agree the new Cayman and Boxster are just nice cars to own now, like Audi are nice cars to own

you don't want to take them out for fun.

but the sporty market is very small, every one wants comfort and image.

I wanted to test a new Boxster with the 20mm sports chassie, OPC said not possable and no one has ever ordered it.

Edited by mrdemon on Tuesday 21st May 09:25

[stevod]

mrdemon said:

I wanted to test a new Boxster with the 20mm sports chassie, OPC said not possable and no one has ever ordered it.

Don't they have one at the Silverstone PEC?

[mrdemon]

nope, no market for it :-(

[gtforty2601]

Could the apparent sharper handling on the older models be accounted for by the electric steering on the new Cayman and Boxter?

[mrdemon]

It all plays a part yes.

one feels alive one feels like my old Audi.

well not quite , but you get the point.

[khushy]

I had a PDK 981 for the day a while ago and apart from the VERY annoying (not holding revs while in a gear thingy) the PDK gearbox was superior in every way imaginable - down changes were smoother and the blipping was brilliant and much more positive.

However - it was "just" a Boxster and no where near as special as the Spyder in every other aspect . . . the Spyder remains EPIC on every journey.

khushy

[MDian]

gtforty2601 said:

Could the apparent sharper handling on the older models be accounted for by the electric steering on the new Cayman and Boxter?

That, plus I reckon part to do with the new models being comfy so don't feel as connected to what the car is doing, though they all handle exceptionally well.

[Gibbo205]

MDian said:

That, plus I reckon part to do with the new models being comfy so don't feel as connected to what the car is doing, though they all handle exceptionally well.

I don't think the new 981 S Boxster is any less sharper than 987 Boxster, but compared to the 987 it hides its speed far more effectively due to its larger size, better interior and weight. Yes a Cayman R and Spyder I'd say are more focused and no doubt sharper too, I've driven the 981 S and 987 Cayman R. For sure the Cayman R has marginal more out right grip and is a bit twitchier/sharper due to its firmness. Though the 981 Boxster would see it off in the wet for sure.

981 is better overall package, Spyder/Cayman R are more of an event or better as a weekend/track day hoon.

But I am sure if they brung us a 981 Cayman R it would without a doubt be a level up on the old one for sure as the 981 base car is right on the heels of the Cayman R in terms of handling ability. Any special editions of the 981 will be truly amazing!

[SGBrown]

My original post wasn’t trying to say that the 987 is better than the newer 981. In fact, having now had the opportunity to drive a 981S and compare it to my Spyder, I’d say that in the majority of measurable ways the 981S is empirically “better”. But for me, for what I like, the Spyder makes me happier. It’s a bit like with watches – a quartz is “better” than a mechanical movement, but don’t you just love the interaction and engineering of a good Swiss mechanical timepiece?

When it comes to emotive things, no-one is right or wrong (unless I’m wrong!)