Porsche Boxster Spyder (981) | Spotted
The clocks have changed, time to think sports cars. And they don't come much better than the 3.8 Spyder
In a way, it's easy to feel a bit sorry for all three generations of Porsche Boxster Spyder, as there's always been an equivalent Cayman hogging the headlines. The first was accompanied by the launch of the Cayman R, which had some commenters flustered that this Porsche R wasn't another 800kg 911; then came the Cayman GT4, and not even a Boxster Spyder as good as the 981 was getting a look in against that; then the latest 718, despite first-time involvement from Porsche's GT division, has never been the centre of attention. Blame the return of the flat-six GTS and the GT4 RS for that.
While this is all relative - nobody has actually forgotten about this trio of superb roadsters - the 981 Spyder in particular seems long overdue for a revisit. Because it could well be argued that it's the best of the bunch, which would make it arguably the best Boxster ever. The roof was less complex than the 987's yet the overall look perhaps even nicer than the 718; the 3.8 flat-six delivered performance beyond the original and is barely any slower than the current car; plus its manual-only status gives the 981 the sort of collectible cool the 718 and its PDK option doesn't have. Quite a lot going for it, then.
Furthermore, while this era of Spyder didn't get the full GT overhaul like its 4.0-litre replacement, the Boxster remains fantastic to drive. To all intents and purposes, it was a 981 GTS - already a great sports car - with more power, more torque, less weight and some minor suspension tweaks. Interestingly, this car was never offered with Porsche's PASM dampers; like the manual gearbox, you took the passive set up or you didn't have the car. Given how popular the option is, that was a bold choice by Porsche to really celebrate the Spyder's old-school ethos.
Happily, the car drove beautifully anyway, even on the 20-inch wheels that made the Spyder look astonishingly good in the flesh. Factor in the howl of a proper flat-six and terrific, feelsome handling, and the model really did make for a fitting flagship to the already excellent 981 range. Assuming you could get one, there really weren't many better way to spend £70k on a sports car.
And there still isn't. The Spyder may not be talked about quite as fervently as the Cayman GT4, but values have remained strong. Though the current market situation will have helped its cause, it's hard to recall any point since 2015 that a Spyder has been worth significantly less than its new price. Another reason owners love them. This one is a special spec even by Spyder standards, the first owner fully embracing the stripped-out, purist ethos by spending a lot of money on the ceramic brakes as well as the carbon seats. They even went as far as keeping the PCM infotainment system out - recouping £2k towards the PCCB and buckets, at least. If a Spyder is all about the driving, then nothing here will distract you from that.
Four owners have racked up almost 30,000 miles in this Boxster since 2015, which is an impressive tally - clearly the missing stereo didn't put them off! It's more miles than many of the cheaper GTS Boxsters of a similar age, and 10 times that of the other Spyder currently for sale on PH. Which means a handy saving - £67k for this one against £80,000 for the sub-3,000-mile car. And while the options added (as well as not added) for this specific car might narrow its appeal, the Boxster only needs one new owner from all the Porsche fans out there. You suspect they might be very happy indeed with their new car.
SPECIFICATION | PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER
Engine: 3,800cc flat-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 375@6,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 310@4,750-6,000rpm
0-62mph: 4.5sec
Top speed: 180mph
MPG: 28.5 (NEDC)
CO2: 230g/km (NEDC)
Year registered: 2015
Recorded mileage: 28,656
Price new: £69,702 (before options)
Yours for: £66,980
This and the latest era of Boxster to my eyes is where the Boxster actually started looking as good, if not better than a 911, certainly than a 911 cab anyway.
As has been said, if you can afford the outlay, the man maths make it a sensible non depreciating fun second car.
I think the Guards car linked to used to belong to a PH'er.
I've massive want for one of these in my life.
|https://thumbsnap.com/vxxdsaLw[/url]that's quite a list of Porsches, specially people mentioning those GT3 RS very high (btw what type GT3 RS)
so you rate that 981 spyder 'higher' then the others by fun, that can say a lot, can you explain in what? I mean, overall sounds clear, can you also specify why and or in what occasions, say engine, steering, braking, sound, maybe roof down helps vs RS or is it all combined, more good mix?
Or does it give's the driver something the others have only in parts or some moments.
because I'm now of to the classifieds here after such pro 981 spyder view.
Lack of aircon and nav is seemingly a real issue for the modern day Porsche owner.
Just needs to be priced right, and it looks overpriced to me even now spring is in the air (leaving aside the snow this morning ...)
that's quite a list of Porsches, specially people mentioning those GT3 RS very high (btw what type GT3 RS)
so you rate that 981 spyder 'higher' then the others by fun, that can say a lot, can you explain in what? I mean, overall sounds clear, can you also specify why and or in what occasions, say engine, steering, braking, sound, maybe roof down helps vs RS or is it all combined, more good mix?
Or does it give's the driver something the others have only in parts or some moments.
because I'm now of to the classifieds here after such pro 981 spyder view.
Porsche fitted the 991.1 Turbo steering rack and a smaller diameter steering wheel to spice things up.
The spring and damper rates were softened, and the car is generally biased towards road use rather than setting 'Ring times. Plus with the top up or down, the engine noise is more visceral than in a GT4. It's a win win car.
Tech overview here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwHyk-C-pQE
Roadtest by the same individual here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BvArgVAIQ0
However you have to weigh up between the hassle of the 981 Spyder rear boot, which is a piece of cake in the 987 but not in the 981. Suppose its Porsche's way of saying if you want a hassle free life then buy a standard bodied boxster.
981 GT4 sounds slightly better stock with more authentic sound compared to the 981 Spyder which has rather over contrived farty pop exhaust especially in sport plus.
Usable car though with more front clearance than the the more focused GT4. Standard pirelli tyres fairly crap though.
Couple of mistakes in the article the basic list price was £60k not £69k also the older folding p3 model buckets were standard fit and not an extra. Bizarrly some internal extras were also slightly cheaper than the £65k basic 981 GT4 options overall making the Spyder good value despite its basic chassis v the GT3 front chassis GT4 having bigger and better brakes too.
Enjoyed running my new 65 plate white Spyder alongside my new red 65 plate GT4 although overall I preferred the GT4 as it was way more focused as a drivers car.
Both cars have held up well residually in fact if 'd kept them both I could have got similar money now to what I sold them for in 2017 even with additional mileage.
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