Boxster 981 - Newbie questions
Discussion
Hi all, had TVR’s for over 20 years and fancy a change.
Always thought about a Boxster, and have been trawling the classifieds recently.
I have ruled out the 718, just don’t like the idea of 4 cylinders!!
Reduced my search to either 981 GTS or Spyder, but am favouring the GTS at the moment.
So, have a few questions which perhaps you guys could answer advise?
1. The car i am currently looking at is a 2015 GTS, has sports exhaust. Now, sports exhaust, whats that mean in reality, and how loud is it? I appreciate that the Boxster won’t be as vocal as a TVR, but i am after some type of sound track. I was going up a slip road this morning, saw a Spyder comming up at a rate of knots, so lowered the window, and have to say, was really disappointed!!
2. Luggage space, how much luggage do the front and rear boots absorb?
3. Is engine access strictly from underneath, or is there any access from within the rear boot?
I am going to go and look at one/get a test drive, but just trying to get some info prior to this.
Appreciate any comments that may be useful.
Thanks.
Always thought about a Boxster, and have been trawling the classifieds recently.
I have ruled out the 718, just don’t like the idea of 4 cylinders!!
Reduced my search to either 981 GTS or Spyder, but am favouring the GTS at the moment.
So, have a few questions which perhaps you guys could answer advise?
1. The car i am currently looking at is a 2015 GTS, has sports exhaust. Now, sports exhaust, whats that mean in reality, and how loud is it? I appreciate that the Boxster won’t be as vocal as a TVR, but i am after some type of sound track. I was going up a slip road this morning, saw a Spyder comming up at a rate of knots, so lowered the window, and have to say, was really disappointed!!
2. Luggage space, how much luggage do the front and rear boots absorb?
3. Is engine access strictly from underneath, or is there any access from within the rear boot?
I am going to go and look at one/get a test drive, but just trying to get some info prior to this.
Appreciate any comments that may be useful.
Thanks.
I have a 981 Cayman S, with PSE (retrofitted). With PSE on it is noticeably louder, and as the revs increase really sounds fantastic. Alpine road tunnels on out euro trip this summer were a joy :-)
The pops and bangs on overun aren't to everyones taste, and do become of an overkill at times.
The 2 boots (the Cayman also has space above the engine) make the car very practical. We tour for 2 weeks across europe with no problem.
There is no engine access from the boot unless you start removing panels. Water and oil are the only things you can attend to.
The pops and bangs on overun aren't to everyones taste, and do become of an overkill at times.
The 2 boots (the Cayman also has space above the engine) make the car very practical. We tour for 2 weeks across europe with no problem.
There is no engine access from the boot unless you start removing panels. Water and oil are the only things you can attend to.
981 Boxsters sound fantastic with PSE, but it depends what you are compairing it to, it may not be as loud as a typical TVR, but it’s still a brilliant sound.
Engine access is from underneath for some items (spark plugs etc), manifolds Etc; from a removable panel behind the seats for some items (auxiliary belt, alternator, water pump etc) and from a removable panel above the engine for some items (coolant draining, inlet manifolds/plenum etc).
Engine access is from underneath for some items (spark plugs etc), manifolds Etc; from a removable panel behind the seats for some items (auxiliary belt, alternator, water pump etc) and from a removable panel above the engine for some items (coolant draining, inlet manifolds/plenum etc).
The front and rear boots can absorb a surprising amount, there is more than enough space for touring for two. The front is 150 litres and the rear boot is 130 so not bad.
When shopping don’t put anything frozen in the rear boot as it gets a bit warm!
When you turn the car on full lock you will get a funny skipping feeling and a rubbery noise from the front tyres, but this is just a characteristic,
The howl from the exhausts is addictive, and the PSE on my GTS would go into loud mode above 4.5k with it in quiet mode.
I enjoyed 22k miles in mine without any issues.
When shopping don’t put anything frozen in the rear boot as it gets a bit warm!
When you turn the car on full lock you will get a funny skipping feeling and a rubbery noise from the front tyres, but this is just a characteristic,
The howl from the exhausts is addictive, and the PSE on my GTS would go into loud mode above 4.5k with it in quiet mode.
I enjoyed 22k miles in mine without any issues.
Thanks for all the comments.
So, the sports exhaust, does that have a switch, or just activated on revs.
Good advice re the rear boot, had an MGF many many years ago, went on holiday and had an aerosol packed in the luggage, it was like a bomb waiting to go off by the time we arrived and unpacked, as the boot did get quite hot.
Sports Chrono, anyone care to explain how this works?
many thanks
So, the sports exhaust, does that have a switch, or just activated on revs.
Good advice re the rear boot, had an MGF many many years ago, went on holiday and had an aerosol packed in the luggage, it was like a bomb waiting to go off by the time we arrived and unpacked, as the boot did get quite hot.
Sports Chrono, anyone care to explain how this works?
many thanks
S6 ROR said:
So, the sports exhaust, does that have a switch, or just activated on revs.
A bit of both, mostly by the button though. The flaps will also open at cold start and also over 4.5k revs (I think) and therefore noise increases. Pops and burbles only occur with the button.S6 ROR said:
Sports Chrono, anyone care to explain how this works?
This gives you a Sports Plus mode including rev-match auto blipping. Assistance systems are reduced (traction control, stability management) and with PDK the changes are quicker and snappier. Also with PDK the way the revs are held and when changes occur are more 'sporty'. SC also gives you dynamic gearbox mounts which are always active.S6 ROR said:
Thanks for all the comments.
So, the sports exhaust, does that have a switch, or just activated on revs.
Good advice re the rear boot, had an MGF many many years ago, went on holiday and had an aerosol packed in the luggage, it was like a bomb waiting to go off by the time we arrived and unpacked, as the boot did get quite hot.
Sports Chrono, anyone care to explain how this works?
many thanks
A point to note is that the sports exhaust is noisier than the standard one (even when off) and drones at cruising speeds, which a fair number of owners object to. So, the sports exhaust, does that have a switch, or just activated on revs.
Good advice re the rear boot, had an MGF many many years ago, went on holiday and had an aerosol packed in the luggage, it was like a bomb waiting to go off by the time we arrived and unpacked, as the boot did get quite hot.
Sports Chrono, anyone care to explain how this works?
many thanks
I've noticed the PSE droning on a few courtesy cars, even when switched off, and found it tedious on the motorway at 70mph compared to my non-PSE 981. That's the price you pay for PSE's "fun" side I guess. Just make sure you try PSE and non-PSE equipped cars at a cruise before buying.
S6 ROR said:
Hi all, had TVR’s for over 20 years and fancy a change.
Always thought about a Boxster, and have been trawling the classifieds recently.
I have ruled out the 718, just don’t like the idea of 4 cylinders!!
Reduced my search to either 981 GTS or Spyder, but am favouring the GTS at the moment.
So, have a few questions which perhaps you guys could answer advise?
1. The car i am currently looking at is a 2015 GTS, has sports exhaust. Now, sports exhaust, whats that mean in reality, and how loud is it? I appreciate that the Boxster won’t be as vocal as a TVR, but i am after some type of sound track. I was going up a slip road this morning, saw a Spyder comming up at a rate of knots, so lowered the window, and have to say, was really disappointed!!
2. Luggage space, how much luggage do the front and rear boots absorb?
3. Is engine access strictly from underneath, or is there any access from within the rear boot?
I am going to go and look at one/get a test drive, but just trying to get some info prior to this.
Appreciate any comments that may be useful.
Thanks.
Your questions have been well answered here and I have a 981 BGTS which is in our (Mrs Wife an I) opinion a cracking car. We use ours for track days, weeks/weekends away, local stuff etc and it's good at all of it. Admittedly on track you can get to it's limits and then I tend to back off a bit and enjoy the day as otherwise you're just killing the car as opposed to say a GT4 which would be better on track ( if you want a manual) and perhaps more compromised on road - which is 95% of it's use for us.Always thought about a Boxster, and have been trawling the classifieds recently.
I have ruled out the 718, just don’t like the idea of 4 cylinders!!
Reduced my search to either 981 GTS or Spyder, but am favouring the GTS at the moment.
So, have a few questions which perhaps you guys could answer advise?
1. The car i am currently looking at is a 2015 GTS, has sports exhaust. Now, sports exhaust, whats that mean in reality, and how loud is it? I appreciate that the Boxster won’t be as vocal as a TVR, but i am after some type of sound track. I was going up a slip road this morning, saw a Spyder comming up at a rate of knots, so lowered the window, and have to say, was really disappointed!!
2. Luggage space, how much luggage do the front and rear boots absorb?
3. Is engine access strictly from underneath, or is there any access from within the rear boot?
I am going to go and look at one/get a test drive, but just trying to get some info prior to this.
Appreciate any comments that may be useful.
Thanks.
The PSE is great - with it on and in Sporty mode it's plenty loud enough and sometimes a bit OTT, but turn it off and drive in Normal mode and the car's smooth and quiet and remarkably fuel efficient.. Sports + is awesome if you're in the mood..
If you're in the Cambridge area happy to oblige with a passenger ride..
GTSMarky said:
Your questions have been well answered here and I have a 981 BGTS which is in our (Mrs Wife an I) opinion a cracking car. We use ours for track days, weeks/weekends away, local stuff etc and it's good at all of it. Admittedly on track you can get to it's limits and then I tend to back off a bit and enjoy the day as otherwise you're just killing the car as opposed to say a GT4 which would be better on track ( if you want a manual) and perhaps more compromised on road - which is 95% of it's use for us.
The PSE is great - with it on and in Sporty mode it's plenty loud enough and sometimes a bit OTT, but turn it off and drive in Normal mode and the car's smooth and quiet and remarkably fuel efficient.. Sports + is awesome if you're in the mood..
If you're in the Cambridge area happy to oblige with a passenger ride..
I will PM you, as would love to take you up on your very kind offer. Thank youThe PSE is great - with it on and in Sporty mode it's plenty loud enough and sometimes a bit OTT, but turn it off and drive in Normal mode and the car's smooth and quiet and remarkably fuel efficient.. Sports + is awesome if you're in the mood..
If you're in the Cambridge area happy to oblige with a passenger ride..
jonttt said:
No crackling with my porker. It sounds so fake, and would drive me mad after a few minutes. And with PSE switched off, there's a headache inducing drone as many have attested to.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff