Are Spyders Becoming Extinct At OPCs!
- Thread starter daro911
- Start date
That was interesting to read mate, coming from a die-hard convertible man, who's been running his Spyder roofless for 22 months. As you say, you've got a new car to explore[ORIGINAL: daro911 Whilst we Spydermen patiently await the barbecue summer of 2013 I thought it would make a change to get my suncap out of hibernation! It had remained in the boot snugly tucked up for 22 months since the first day I took delivery of my car A few very pleasant surprises came to light It wasn't creased at all. It fitted straight back onto the car like it had never been off and I managed to do this without referring to the owners manual and in just a matter of minutes at a very leisurely pace. Despite the weather being a nice mild sunny December day I took the car for my first roof up blast and was very surprised indeed No rattles No creaks No wind noise at speed But best of all with only the suncap on and the rear section left open I had a very pleasant gentle breeze entering the cockpit and the PSE sounded louder and sharper than when the roofs off - It was simply fantastic and I plan to leave the suncap on until March 1st unless we have an exceptionally mild Jan/Feb Despite the kicking this roof generally gets from most ill informed quarters Porsche design/engineering have really thought this concept through making it easy to fit and once fitted it feels snug and rattle free from within the cockpit It was like I had just given myself a brand new car for Christmas []
] Interesting that you've noticed a change in the PSE acoustics with the roof on. Bonus!! Yeah there isn't much buffeting when the rear screen is not used. It's just like when the roof is fully open. You're running it the coolest way[] Are you getting more curious onlookers with the sun-cap-only look?[] For me, the noise at speed when the rear screen is in place, is a small price to pay for what is essentially an uncompromised driving tool. The tyre roar you get in a 987 takes over the intrusion when you switch to Boxster or Cayman, so i'm pretty much used to it. The wind noise is a bit more distracting as it is variable and draws your attention whereas tyre roar is more of a constant once you're up to speed and so blends into your sub-conscience, but it's just as loud IMHO.
Hi flat6 Interesting points you and Rob raise about extra wind noise with the rear rain protector in place but I am going to take your word on that as no way am I going fully covered [8|] As far as peoples expressions with or without the roof whenever I am stationary the car is well and truly eye balled by those around it and so far to date it has been 100% positive eye balling which is such a change for a modern day Porsche owner
which is such a change for a modern day Porsche owner 
Lots of good info on here if you can navigate between the inane banter! Flat6s legendary Christmas post is probably better than Wikepedia! Glad you are enjoying your car - I keep toying with the idea of just having the "Spyder" badge on mine, it looks good.ORIGINAL: homerdog Great thread, found lots of good info in here. New forum member, loving my Spyder! [
Thanks Rob[] I've edited a couple more quotes into it. If we're still going in 6 months i'll have to do another roll up[] I think, those who de-badge or re-badge as 'Spyder' have a point. The car does not appeal to the typical Boxster buyer in a similar way that the GT3 or Speedster don't sit under the Carrera category. Porsche should've said that it is a 'Type 987 Spyder' and is significantly different to the Boxster (even though it isn't with regards to the majority of it's parts, but neither is a 997 Speedster) as the end product is significantly different to look at and to drive). When people ask me what it is I just say it's a Spyder. Sometimes I say it's a Boxster Spyder but then I have to go into the differences to the Boxster they are familiar with, which gets tedious. I did actually spot the EXACT twin of my car a few months back. They must've been spec'd by the same person at PCGB HQ. What are the chances of 2 different people spec'ing leather on the steering column, no park assist and turbo II wheels [&:]
] I've edited a couple more quotes into it. If we're still going in 6 months i'll have to do another roll up[] I think, those who de-badge or re-badge as 'Spyder' have a point. The car does not appeal to the typical Boxster buyer in a similar way that the GT3 or Speedster don't sit under the Carrera category. Porsche should've said that it is a 'Type 987 Spyder' and is significantly different to the Boxster (even though it isn't with regards to the majority of it's parts, but neither is a 997 Speedster) as the end product is significantly different to look at and to drive). When people ask me what it is I just say it's a Spyder. Sometimes I say it's a Boxster Spyder but then I have to go into the differences to the Boxster they are familiar with, which gets tedious. I did actually spot the EXACT twin of my car a few months back. They must've been spec'd by the same person at PCGB HQ. What are the chances of 2 different people spec'ing leather on the steering column, no park assist and turbo II wheels [&:]
What a strange coincidence. When I agreed the deal on my car, I wasn't able to take immediate delivery as the OPC wanted it in the showroom for the launch of the new Cayenne. I was a bit annoyed when I turned up as people were sitting in *my* car and poking around it (as you do at those events) and I said to the salesman that I thought they could have at least put a "please don't touch" sign on the car. I was gently led outside so that it could be demonstrated that *my*car was outside in the compound and they had secured an alternative Spyder for the launch night - that happened to be in completely identical spec, option for option. I could barely believe my eyes! ... God knows which one I ended up with though []
]Had it since the beginning of August. It was a bit of an impulse buy to be honest! I was looking at a Toyota GT86, but a test drive didn't convince me it was any better, or much different, than my Clio 200. We were out in Mrs homerdog's MX5 and as it was a nice day, we decided to go up to the OPC at Burgess Hill. When we got there it was closed, so we had to make do with looking through the window! My missus took a liking to the new Boxster, but I spotted the Spyder and it was love at first sight! We went back the next day, took it for a test drive, negotiated a great deal, traded the MX5 and that was that. In theory, the Spyder is hers, but the reality is that I drive it the most! The downside is that she gets to choose the replacement for the Clio, so in March we are getting an Evoque - not happy! As to how it compares to previous cars, there is no contest really - it just feels 'special', something that is hard to put into words. I had an Evo VI, which was faster than the Spyder, but the sense of occasion you get with the Porsche is on a different level!ORIGINAL: flat6 How long have you had yours? What did you have before it and how does it compare?[
That's funny[ORIGINAL: rob.kellock What a strange coincidence. When I agreed the deal on my car, I wasn't able to take immediate delivery as the OPC wanted it in the showroom for the launch of the new Cayenne. I was a bit annoyed when I turned up as people were sitting in *my* car and poking around it (as you do at those events) and I said to the salesman that I thought they could have at least put a "please don't touch" sign on the car. I was gently led outside so that it could be demonstrated that *my*car was outside in the compound and they had secured an alternative Spyder for the launch night - that happened to be in completely identical spec, option for option. I could barely believe my eyes! ... God knows which one I ended up with though [
] Here's my car and it's twin. The 2011 car was a steal at £40K. Now they want £40K for an early 2010 car! 
Bet you're glad you changed the wheels or your reputation on this thread could have been severely hampered! (edited add, like mine has been by the above post [] )
] )Good find! It's the perfect garage isn't it. I just need to get myself the big one for track days and winter duties (it has a hard targa roof) [ORIGINAL: daro911 Big Boy Small Boy but all one family
] And perfect for a caption as well[] "Which one to choose to enter the abyss. It looks a bit hot out there! Best avoid the rag top which might ignite![]Funny you should mention the GT86. It has caught my attention also, not as an alternative, but maybe to run alongside the Spyder in the future. I haven't driven one though. The Evoque will make you appreciate the Spyder even more as a driver's car - a nice but big contrast[ORIGINAL: homerdogHad it since the beginning of August. It was a bit of an impulse buy to be honest! I was looking at a Toyota GT86, but a test drive didn't convince me it was any better, or much different, than my Clio 200. We were out in Mrs homerdog's MX5 and as it was a nice day, we decided to go up to the OPC at Burgess Hill. When we got there it was closed, so we had to make do with looking through the window! My missus took a liking to the new Boxster, but I spotted the Spyder and it was love at first sight! We went back the next day, took it for a test drive, negotiated a great deal, traded the MX5 and that was that. In theory, the Spyder is hers, but the reality is that I drive it the most! The downside is that she gets to choose the replacement for the Clio, so in March we are getting an Evoque - not happy! As to how it compares to previous cars, there is no contest really - it just feels 'special', something that is hard to put into words. I had an Evo VI, which was faster than the Spyder, but the sense of occasion you get with the Porsche is on a different level!ORIGINAL: flat6 How long have you had yours? What did you have before it and how does it compare?[
] I nearly bought a PDK Spyder when they were selling like hot cakes and I had to be prepared to take any car that ticked the right boxes. I was leaning towards a manual at that time and am happy with the one i've found. Although, I do think i'll do some more drives in some PDK cars though to get the niggle out of my system as to whether i've made the right choice for the long term. I still think that manual is the better option for me, but for some reason I keep asking myself the question[&:]
I think you know the answer whilst you have a Spyder. I found PDK on a 987 a bit disappointing at times - sports mode was a bit aggressive in traffic, sports plus mode way too OTT on the public road and normal mode too keen to go into the highest possible gear at the earlisest possible opportunity. It wasn't as smooth as a traditional auto either. Oh, and it really disliked reversing up a steep hill when a Range Rover couldn't squeeze past me on a narrow lane in the Lakes. On the other hand, 90% of the time it was bloody brilliant. I found it better in the 981s and 991s that I've driven and would almost certainly choose it on either of those cars.
You and flat6 might like to read some of this stuff about pdk or stick [
] [link=http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-boxster-chat/71865-pdk-would-you-do-again.html]http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-boxster-chat/71865-pdk-would-you-do-again.html[/link] [link=http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/987-981-forum/720517-do-you-prefer-pdk-or-6speed-manual.html]http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/987-981-forum/720517-do-you-prefer-pdk-or-6speed-manual.html[/link]Thanks daro. Interesting to read the views of a fairly large contribution. A lot of manual drivers seem to be hanging onto nostalgia though. I hear you rob and I share your view. The manual is better IMHO for getting the most out of the car in varied situations and the PDK better for premeditated driving like flat out on a track, but then maybe I need more time with PDK to get the most out of it so i'm up for being proved wrong. My previous thoughts on other threads 7/2/12
] and then give it back or swap[]
20/2/12
12/8/12ORIGINAL: flat6 Well, I got myself a Spyder[
Maybe i'll be swapping cars with homerdog at some point in the future[8|] I just need to loan his car for a day or two and give it a right good thra... erm, review[ORIGINAL: flat6 My next car will be PDK if the model has it available. Why not move with the times. It is a good transmission. However, I don't see it as a radically superior to manual. Let's get economy out of the way first. In urban driving there is little difference. For the GTS, Porsche's figures say there is no difference. In extra urban driving, yes that 7th gear has as a more significant effect. As for outright performance, PDK is clearly quicker. Enough said. PDK is so good that i'd rarely drive it in manual. I'm not going to know the best shift points better than the software, for performance or economy. As for typical road driving, I do prefer manual. If I want to blast off from traffic lights or to get away from a numpty driver, or overtake, yes PDK can shift quicker than me. However, I won't use launch control from traffic lights. Auto mode: When in 7th gear on the motorway, if I need to make a quick manouvre, there is some lag after pressing the accelerator for PDK to reach third gear. That's frustrating for me. In normal mode, it'll be in 7th gear way below 50mph, again making a quick manouvre suffer from lag as it climbs down from 7th gear. In sport and sport plus mode it's great. However, when i'm driving on the road, my driving style is pretty sporadic. In a manual, I might hang onto 1st and 2nd gear and then short shift into 3rd or short shift from 3rd to 4th. Then I may be driving more calmly. After all, I will have reached the speed limit if i've 'floored it' in the low gears. With PDK, if I use sport or sport plus (to avoid it racing for 7th gear and for the quicker gear changes) after reaching 2nd or 3rd gear I then have to turn it off, otherwise it'll hang onto 3rd. Let's face it, we can't redline even 3rd gear on the road! The issue is less pronounced in sport mode vs sport plus, but I still find that I will switch between sport and normal mode in a typical journey. Driving PDK in manual mode gets around this. However, even though those shifts will be fast, if they are not made at the right time, will PDK be 2 tenths quicker than a manual to 62mph? There'll be nothing in it for the average driver. After all, you only make 1 gear change if you're going flat out to 62mph. But, despite all that, I would move with the times and go for PDK and adapt, but not because it would make typical driving much better, but because a) it's a great automatic and b) because, when you want to go flat out, PDK shifting, whether manual or auto, has to be the optimum way, keeping both hands on the wheel and doing a better job with your steering. However, that lag, and the necessary switching between modes (for me) will continue to frustrate. Maybe i'll end up switching between auto and manual as well! Perhaps I will adapt in ways i've not yet thought of. No I haven't owned a PDK but I clocked up many miles in a C GTS PDK over a whole week, (sometimes OPC's forget to do the work on your car until you ring them, but I wasn't complaining [
] and then give it back or swap[]
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