Are Spyders Becoming Extinct At OPCs!

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: flat6 I do like the look of the 981 Cayman. The magic trick of looking bigger on the outside and actually being bigger on the inside, whilst having pretty much the same dimensions as the 987, is baffling. However, what leaves me undecided is that I don't want a 2 seater car to feel particularly big from the driver's seat.

It's a clever design architecture and sharper edgier lines giving that impression as the external dimensions are the same but the interior feels so much bigger than it actually is. I have always owned small cars and being a Mini driver I don't find the 987 dimensions a challenge at all so if I went 981 GTS knowing it's an optical illusion I am sure I wouldn't feel I had just bought something huge like I do when I sit in an F Type/ AMV/ Merc SL or Ferrari 430. If you are reading this it would be a good time to hear from Tracy who uses her 981 as a daily driver and has had 986's 987's to add an accurate view to the debate about perceived size matters[] TRACY the forum is all yours

 

[rob.kellock]

ORIGINAL: daro911 Financially yes but technically No[8|]

They couldn't properly draw from ours though - electric steering and pointless electric handbrake being the obvious difficulties. Would instantly date our cars for sure!

 

[flat6]

I hear you daro. I think the higher shoulder line has a lot to do with how the dimensions feel bigger from the inside, as if you're sunken down into a taller car at the shoulder line. The longer wheelbase enabled them to make the cabin roomier, with longer legroom. But you're right, the outer dimensions are not where the gains come from. Yes, calling Traceeeeee, the floor is all yours[]

 

[homerdog]

ORIGINAL: daro911 Although the salesman I was chatting to today reckons Porsche will never repeat the Spyder concept, lost far too much money on each unit

I'm not sure what to make of that, I have read several reviews of the Spyder that suggest Porsche only ever expected to build it in very low numbers.

 

[gouldian]

Spydermen - Have a look at your latest PP, Tracy has given her inital views so far on her 981 in the Boxster Register section..

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: homerdog

ORIGINAL: daro911 Although the salesman I was chatting to today reckons Porsche will never repeat the Spyder concept, lost far too much money on each unit

I'm not sure what to make of that, I have read several reviews of the Spyder that suggest Porsche only ever expected to build it in very low numbers.

They did but the expected numbers were circa 4000 units and this turned out to be under 2000 world wide[]

 

[billy1]

ORIGINAL: homerdog

ORIGINAL: daro911 Although the salesman I was chatting to today reckons Porsche will never repeat the Spyder concept, lost far too much money on each unit

I'm not sure what to make of that, I have read several reviews of the Spyder that suggest Porsche only ever expected to build it in very low numbers.

Indeed, and even then they struggled to sell them at list.

 

[Siy]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock I feel like Ferris Bueller!

hahahahaha.....I asked for a car - I got a computer!

 

[flat6]

ORIGINAL: gouldian Spydermen - Have a look at your latest PP, Tracy has given her inital views so far on her 981 in the Boxster Register section..

Thanks gouldian. I did mention her write up in PP before, but hoping she's got more to tell us now she's had it a while[] We've not heard many people talk about what it's like to live with one. I think short test drives can only tell you so much. I think I recall you have one. How's it going and how does it compare to your previous car?

ORIGINAL: flat6 7/10/2013 Speaking of having their say. Tracy, I saw your pleasant summary in Porsche Post - Boxster Register, about your 10 years owning Boxsters. Congratulations on getting your 981. The car looks great in white with painted roll hoops and 20" wheels[] After you've had it a few weeks do come on here and share what it is like living with a 981 and whether you miss the 987[]

 

[Dylan1]

i had one for 6 weeks back in april when opc replaced my engine and gearbox(under warranty!) it was only a 2.7[] so felt a bit wheezy for my large right foot,but as for the rest of it i thought it was a big step up.i didnt much care for the electric handbrake but got used to it ok.the sterring didnt really bother me when compared to the much roomier cabin and improved ergonomics .altogether definately a car i could live with(and may end up so doing next spring)in "s"guise.

 

[flat6]

The steering didn't bother me either. It's different (but the the Spyder is sharper than a 987 Boxster, so you need to re-calibrate your expectation) but if you 'use' it, the car does exactly as it's told, better than a 987 Boxster i'd say. Just feels a bit light like a Honda, but once you've adjusted it's OK to me. I felt the Cayman set up was a bit more direct than the Boxster. A salesman confirmed they are set up differently. Nevertheless, in 20 years when Porsche moves onto something else, those who grew up with electric steering will mourn its passing []

 

[kitchens]

PP nice to see the article from Red John in the latest edition .more exposure for us Spydermen

 

[VvrooomM]

To Zunsport grill in black or to NOT Zunsport grill is the question. Collected two birds, loads of stones and lots of leaves so far. £150 for all three radiators in black. Anyone else done it?

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: VvrooomM To Zunsport grill in black or to NOT Zunsport grill is the question. Collected two birds, loads of stones and lots of leaves so far. £150 for all three radiators in black. Anyone else done it?

Any pictures of said beasts to go with the question[]

 

[kitchens]

ORIGINAL: VvrooomM To Zunsport grill in black or to NOT Zunsport grill is the question. Collected two birds, loads of stones and lots of leaves so far. £150 for all three radiators in black. Anyone else done it?

vvrooomM Is it the Cayman you have ? if not was told Zunsport do not do the grills for the Spyder if they do i would defiantly fit them .

 

[homerdog]

ORIGINAL: kitchens i would defiantly fit them .

Do you mean that you'd stick two fingers up to your OPC if they said it would invalidate your warranty? []

 

[VvrooomM]

ORIGINAL: kitchens

ORIGINAL: VvrooomM To Zunsport grill in black or to NOT Zunsport grill is the question. Collected two birds, loads of stones and lots of leaves so far. £150 for all three radiators in black. Anyone else done it?

vvrooomM Is it the Cayman you have ? if not was told Zunsport do not do the grills for the Spyder if they do i would defiantly fit them .

I have a boxster Spyder. Have been advised they are 95% certain they will fit the 987.2 boxster. I think our plastic cut outs are the same shape and size as the standard boxster light unit. May take a punt, will advise.

 

[VvrooomM]

ORIGINAL: homerdog

ORIGINAL: kitchens i would defiantly fit them .

Do you mean that you'd stick two fingers up to your OPC if they said it would invalidate your warranty? []

They are fitted as standard to the 911 Turbo, may not be standard on Spyder but surely that's enough precedent.

 

[kitchens]

If you go for them let me know as i would fit them ...as to warranty i think they would just be removed if it came down to big warranty claim .

 

[Tracy_Wilkins]

Hi All Ok after two months ownership and 1000 miles this is what I think about my 981 and also what Cliff thinks about it (when i let him drive it) STEERING I find the steering great and when i have pushed it i have had no problems. However Cliff says that he finds the steering a little weird with less feed back, and his Cayman Sport was much sharper on turning.I suppose it depends on how hard you are pushing it.[] GEARBOX Before buying i drove the PDK and the 6 speed manual back to back and chose the manual. As i have said before although the PDK is great (especially in town) now that i have had the car a while i know that i would have missed the manual had i bought the PDK as it is a very smooth slick gearbox and more involving. The 6th gear is very welcome in my 2.7 . At the end of the day i still think it is a personal choice. ELECTRIC HANDBRAKE Has taken a while to get used to but can honestly say i use it without any problem now and don't have to think about it. Together with the hold function for hill starts it is weird at first but definitely a bonus. Where Cliff has only driven it a handful of times he still is getting to grips with it so it is obviously something that you get used to with use. ENGINE The fuel economy is superb compared to my previous models and on an economy run at a constant 70mph i got 40mpg. around town i am getting approx 32mpg. The torque is far superior and will pull up hills in 6th gear without the heed to change down. Something i really noticed on my daily commute. The car is plenty fast enough for road use with the award winning 2.7 being faster than the original 3.2. EXHAUST I am still amazed with the roar from my standard exhaust when i start the car up. it gives Cliff's GT3 a run for it's money sound wise and other Porsche model owners have commented on how great it sounds. RIDE Even on 20" wheels the ride is far superior to my other models on smaller wheels. It handles our rough roads extremely well and still has a fabulous grip. SIZE Yes the car is bigger and the cabin size is certainly different. The very first time i sat in a 981 i felt completely swamped as i am only 5 feet tall and said the car wasn't for me but after spending a few moments adjusting and raising the seat height i felt very comfortable. The seat needs to be raised to compensate the shoulder height in my case. The strange thing is that now that i have the adjustment right i have much better vision around the car than on my previous models . It is a known fact that Porsche made the cabin bigger after customer complaints from taller customers. It is even possible for me to have the seat too close to the pedals on occasion. At the end of the day times move on and we have to embrace change. This car is a different beast from my previous models but it is certainly progress and the styling is to die for. Yes there are a couple of petty niggles but the pros far outweigh cons. If you need any more info please ask. Happy to reply Cheers Tracy