987 Spyder for touring !
Discussion
Hi everyone, I'm interested in buying a 987 Spyder to use for touring to Ireland, NC 500, Europe etc.
It would be a car to enjoy for two weeks of the year on annual trips. I am form the southern tip of Africa !
Most of the manuals I see have no AC ! How important is AC for driver comfort In the U.K ?
I appreciate everyone's valued advice, and thank you in advance !
It would be a car to enjoy for two weeks of the year on annual trips. I am form the southern tip of Africa !
Most of the manuals I see have no AC ! How important is AC for driver comfort In the U.K ?
I appreciate everyone's valued advice, and thank you in advance !
!I so very much appreciate all your comments !
I absolutely love the 987 Spyder as it will be tremendous fun, exactly what I am looking for !
For me buckets and manual are a must !
My ONLY concern is if trips to Scotland,Wales, Ireland, Northern Europe, France, Germany etc would be uncomfortable at times specifically because of the absence of AC ?
I have buckets in a couple of other P cars and I have no negative comfort issues with them.
If I'm going to be doing 500 miles some days, certain stretches of road are going to call for roof up motoring !
Is the weather that hot that I would be cursing for an AC ?
Please excuse my ignorance, but in South Africa, you would rather drive a Ford Transit with AC in the summer than any Porsche without AC !
I absolutely love the 987 Spyder as it will be tremendous fun, exactly what I am looking for !
For me buckets and manual are a must !
My ONLY concern is if trips to Scotland,Wales, Ireland, Northern Europe, France, Germany etc would be uncomfortable at times specifically because of the absence of AC ?
I have buckets in a couple of other P cars and I have no negative comfort issues with them.
If I'm going to be doing 500 miles some days, certain stretches of road are going to call for roof up motoring !
Is the weather that hot that I would be cursing for an AC ?
Please excuse my ignorance, but in South Africa, you would rather drive a Ford Transit with AC in the summer than any Porsche without AC !
khushy said:
Nothing will be more fun - just do it - with enough thought luggage for two is easy
I have done 124,500 miles in mine, its just epic
Get it done
Wow, 124 K miles ! That's just as many smiles !I have done 124,500 miles in mine, its just epic
Get it done
I definitely want to do it, just want to make the right choice between a Spyder and a Cayman R.
I think if I could find an R with manual, buckets and AC it would be a no brainer.
I'm beginning to think AC is a must to be able to enjoy the car in any chosen summer month, in any European country.
I could plan my trips around moderate months like April, May, maybe June, then Sept and Oct and Nov ?
I really want a Spyder but can't find a manual, buckets with AC !
981's are still too highly priced to leave in storage and just use on fun trips maybe even once a year !
I could plan my trips around moderate months like April, May, maybe June, then Sept and Oct and Nov ?
I really want a Spyder but can't find a manual, buckets with AC !
981's are still too highly priced to leave in storage and just use on fun trips maybe even once a year !
Thank you all for clarifying that AC is not a must have.
I think, most importantly, is that I am able to plan trips around the hottest months and explore the U.K etc in May / June.
This will not be a car for busy tourist attractions, but rather for fun road trips !
My intention is to enjoy and explore the U.K. and Irish back roads and scenery in my very own Porsche.
Dave from Driving Venture and many other Youtubers have really got this bug to bite me
I last visited the U.K. in 2018 and found myself in a Avis Fiat 500 !
Not a bad car, but I realized that, in a Spyder or R, my 2 week break would only be eclipsed by a trip to Heaven !
So now I find myself trying to buy a car I have not seen myself, not the most comfortable place to be yikes: !
Heaven alone knows when Covid will allow travel again, and I am definitely not accepting a so called vaccine !
If any of you could offer any input, are the black 19 inch Carerra S 11 wheels less desirable than the lightweights ?
Pilote Classics have a Spyder with these wheels, and I was just wondering about ever selling one day if this wheel would count against
me ?
Personally I prefer the lightweight Spyder wheels !
Thank you all once again dear friends !
[quote=woodysnr
a lot run without the rear screen off gives a nice breeze in the cabin .bonus can access rear boot when hood in place with out undoing the rear fins ,cant do it in the 981 or 718 .It is the one to have imo more the classic car .
Wow, I was not aware that one could undo the rear screen and maintain the hood up ?
I'm even more crazy about the Spyder now
This is one major plus feature, similar to the rear window on a 600 LT Spyder, just the Boxter has the better exhaust note though
This thread has really been mega useful to me, thank you all so much !
a lot run without the rear screen off gives a nice breeze in the cabin .bonus can access rear boot when hood in place with out undoing the rear fins ,cant do it in the 981 or 718 .It is the one to have imo more the classic car .
Wow, I was not aware that one could undo the rear screen and maintain the hood up ?
I'm even more crazy about the Spyder now
This is one major plus feature, similar to the rear window on a 600 LT Spyder, just the Boxter has the better exhaust note though
This thread has really been mega useful to me, thank you all so much !
Thank you LemonTart, nice to know that the spec is around !
Not being from the U.K limits me on where to look.
I was only looking on PistonHeads !
I'll search Auto Trader too now. I do need to be careful who I buy from as I'll be buying without seeing in the metal, and I'll require storage each and every month.
I'll also need to register the car in my name, and find a dealer prepared to use their address for correspondence as I do not have a U.K address !
Not being from the U.K limits me on where to look.
I was only looking on PistonHeads !
I'll search Auto Trader too now. I do need to be careful who I buy from as I'll be buying without seeing in the metal, and I'll require storage each and every month.
I'll also need to register the car in my name, and find a dealer prepared to use their address for correspondence as I do not have a U.K address !
TommyRS_ said:
Well best of luck with the continued hunt for one.
You’re quite fortunate at the minute as there are 3 nice examples available all of which have buckets and manual gearbox.
I’m sure you’ve spotted them already, But they are Pilote Classics, Ashgoods Porsche and Porsche Leicester.
Thank you Sir !You’re quite fortunate at the minute as there are 3 nice examples available all of which have buckets and manual gearbox.
I’m sure you’ve spotted them already, But they are Pilote Classics, Ashgoods Porsche and Porsche Leicester.
You all will be the first to be updated on what transpires !
I assume all 3 these dealers are top notch to deal with
I've tried doing my homework by reading a few reviews.
Billy_Whizzzz said:
I have air con in all my cars. Never use it. Ever. I have windows that open and a sunroof. And in the Spyder a top that comes off. Been all over Europe in mid summer in my land rover defender 110 with no air con. In my Spyder I’m more interested in my heated seats
It's great to hear this from your first hand experience Sir !I have a couple Porsche's I've specced with Radio / infotainment delete, but always with AC.
We don't all need a radio when we have a beautiful flat 6 on the howl and a 6 speed joy stick for company !
I can hardly wait for a 987 Spyder. It's the one for me !
Hi George,
Thank you so much for this info ! This means sooo much to hear from a previous owner !
I am sad to report that 30 min ago I got a message from Pilote that the car is gone
It really did look magnificent and I bet Polite are great gentleman to deal with ! I was smitten but spent the past two days doing a little homework and got beaten to it !
Thankyou for your input and advise on the AC.
I hope you enjoyed SA and Western Cape.
Come back soon and look me up !
Greetings, Barry
Thank you so much for this info ! This means sooo much to hear from a previous owner !
I am sad to report that 30 min ago I got a message from Pilote that the car is gone
It really did look magnificent and I bet Polite are great gentleman to deal with ! I was smitten but spent the past two days doing a little homework and got beaten to it !
Thankyou for your input and advise on the AC.
I hope you enjoyed SA and Western Cape.
Come back soon and look me up !
Greetings, Barry
Hi Andy, it would be so great to find a Spyder from an enthusiast on Pistonheads !
It really does mean so much to be able to meet and speak and question the owner, unlike at a dealer who gives you the , "not that I'm aware of answers !"
My heart is set on a manual, buckets, white, Spyder mags, low millage, previously loved car.
I had a toss up between thinking of a Spyder or an R. My initial choice was an R !
However, my commonsense tells me that were talking of a 10 to 11 year old car, and Spyders are more likely to have been fair weather toys.
So I trust looking for the Spyder will end up getting me the ' better ' car for my intention.
However, Ii I found a low millage pampered R like the Zanzibar red one that was at RPM with AC, I think I would change my mind !
Thank you all for your invaluable help and advice !
Gentleman, It's been a while since I've wanted to update :
The Ashgood Spyder 6 speed buckets became mine about a month ago
It was not cheap, but I needed a low mile car that was not just clean upon first glance, but clean underneath too.
My reasoning was, seeing I am only able to use it for about 10 days of the year, it would be standing for long periods, and a car that stands a lot, ends up needing a lot of maintenance. So I wanted an as new as possible underside of a Spyder ! I think this one suits what I needed. Thus far I've only been able to observe pics, but she looks absolutely gorgeous all round !
She's currently in storage, waiting for Covid to allow travel
I can hardly wait to come over and sample some fine Welsh roads and scenery !
Thank you all for the great keyboard talk and encouragement that helped me in my decision !
The Ashgood Spyder 6 speed buckets became mine about a month ago
It was not cheap, but I needed a low mile car that was not just clean upon first glance, but clean underneath too.
My reasoning was, seeing I am only able to use it for about 10 days of the year, it would be standing for long periods, and a car that stands a lot, ends up needing a lot of maintenance. So I wanted an as new as possible underside of a Spyder ! I think this one suits what I needed. Thus far I've only been able to observe pics, but she looks absolutely gorgeous all round !
She's currently in storage, waiting for Covid to allow travel
I can hardly wait to come over and sample some fine Welsh roads and scenery !
Thank you all for the great keyboard talk and encouragement that helped me in my decision !
Armitage.Shanks said:
Err, you're only going to drive it 10 days a year? Did you not consider just hiring one instead?
Hello Sir, I am not a UK citizen, and do not reside in the UK. I can only find about 10 days at a time to travel abroad from my homeland, South Africa. 10 days at a time, so I could do this about twice a year. I would be sharing the car with my brother who could also travel twice a year at different times.To respond to the rental suggestion : I'm pretty sentimental and enjoy building a relationship and history with the car ! It is not a car I intend on selling, just a car for fun road trips and exploring in good weather months. I know it sounds crazy, but I have never sold a single one of my cars in the last 27 years since I got my license. I enjoy bonding with my cars and reminiscing the memories and experiences in each one.
I want to take MY Porsche through Europe back to its birthplace in Stuttgart
Renting would thus not be the same for me
douglasgdmw said:
Glad you managed to get a Spyder. Just make sure that the storage company rotates the tyres for you to eliminate any flat spots. Last thing you want is the vibration of flat spots to ruin your trip when you use the car (or having to replace the tyres unnecessarily).
George
Hi George, Thank you for keeping up with me ! I really feel I missed your gem of a car at Pilote !George
Being an absentee purchaser, the time I required to get all my queries and due diligence done on a car was hopelessly out paced by you locals
! So yours was car car which I felt was going to be mine, but I missed ! The gent who bought your Spyder is on the Facebook group, so I can tell he is really loving it !
My Spyder is in really good care, dehumidified for 26 weeks and monthly gentle exercise.
Would be really great to meet up for coffee some day. Greetings, Barry
BrotherMouzone said:
DMC2 said:
I had a 987 Spyder, drove from Scotland to Wales and wanted to set fire to it. The roof flapping noise on the motorway gave me a bloody sore head. Great for local runs with the roof down, but flawed at speed when up.
That’s interesting.... I remember James May mentioned it in his Top Gear review.That’s a shame, it’s such a pretty car and practical too; I was hoping it would make a good tourer.
NoTreadLeft said:
My 987 Spyder was the most fun car I’ve ever owned, bar none. Very special to look at and it felt more alive than other Porsches I’ve had, probably because it’s that much lighter.
There’s no doubt that the roof is a compromise and you’ll be cursing it after long motorway trips: I drove to the South of France in mine several times and it always took several stiff drinks to get the ringing in my ears to subside. However it’s well designed, functional, and I grew to like the sense of ceremony associated with putting it up & taking it down.
In the end I think I actually ended-up bonding with it more strongly because of, not in spite of the roof. Perhaps I’m weird but I find it hard to bond with cars which are too perfect at everything. The Spyder has character.
I like the way you think Sir !There’s no doubt that the roof is a compromise and you’ll be cursing it after long motorway trips: I drove to the South of France in mine several times and it always took several stiff drinks to get the ringing in my ears to subside. However it’s well designed, functional, and I grew to like the sense of ceremony associated with putting it up & taking it down.
In the end I think I actually ended-up bonding with it more strongly because of, not in spite of the roof. Perhaps I’m weird but I find it hard to bond with cars which are too perfect at everything. The Spyder has character.
Without trying to talk my choice up, I hear you loudly in the same language
To me, the 987 Spyder is one hell of a special car in the Porsche lineage for under £50K. Sorry to bring value into the equation, but as you mentioned, its mega special with its quirky top. To me it is not flawed. It was designed as a Speedster and not a cabriolet. As Henry Catchpole says, you use the Speedster only occasionally with the roof up, and you use a cabriolet occasionally with the roof down !
Now I want to use the Spyder for touring the Beautiful UK and Europe etc. I will not be in any hurry, but enjoying the scenic routes, beautiful weather ( hopefully
) and every now and again some twisties ! I am privileged to also have an 89 Speedster and a 2019 Speedster, so the 2011 Spyder should just be fine
Edited by Champs on Thursday 17th June 16:52
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