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Driven At Last

daro911

daro911

PCGB Member
Member
Had a one hour+ test drive in the "S" and it was better than expected. Better for the following reasons in no particular order:-

1) It now sounds like a full blooded sports car from tickover upto the limited revs 4000, as car only had 100 miles on the clock, so my days of finding a suitable sports exhaust system are now done & dusted

2) Even though I am not having 19" Alloys the ride in normal mode on these rims was excellent. Once the sport button was pushed it was too choppy and firm for my liking & driving style, but I am sure the trackday boys or push on drivers will be suitably impressed

3) The power delivery and torque seem so much smoother & greater than the paper figures at first suggest. The new performance may not look that impressive in black & white but on the road they feel more than adequate (for now [:D])

4) Gear change, clutch feel and steering all a big improvement over previous cars and after a 75 minute drive I am more convinced than ever that this is the best "Sports Car" Porsche has ever made and I have driven the 997"S"

5) New Sports Seat are extremely comfortable and extra space and adjustments makes the perfect driving position easy to achieve.

Detailing on interior, especially when having the full leather option, is the best I have ever seen from Porsche and the quality of materials used leave the competition standing.

Order has now been signed off, deposits been paid and now have to wait for the delivery date to roll around and the fun to begin again [:D]




 
Robert,

Isn't it time you got a job at Autocar?

I see Chris Harris has bought a 997.
 

ORIGINAL: oliver

Robert,

Isn't it time you got a job at Autocar?
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[8D] Mike if I did that I wouldn't be able to tell the truth about the products without being accused of taking back handers :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

ORIGINAL: thboxster

So it's on order, for a delivery when?
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Sometime in March 05 hopefully near the 1st as opposed to 31st [8D]
 
ORIGINAL: thboxster

And what was your final spec?


(I have my test drive next Monday, credit card at the ready)
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Tony don't forget to post your test results here so we can compare notes :ROFLMAO:

Final Spec was as follows:-

987 "S" Manual finished in Arctic Silver/Black Roof with Full Stone Grey Leather, Sports Seats, Sports Steering Wheel, Climate, Sound Package+, Wind Deflector

Prefer the look and ride quality of the 18" Alloys, didn't want trick suspension or sat nav and will get the Rear Grills colour coded at local VW/BMW Approved bodyshop for £150.00 incl. if they don't already match the Arctic
 
Just returned from test drive at Guilford (those of you who are local will know the route although we did some additional bits)
Impressions same as Rob, the car had 19" wheels, PASM, Sat Nav, Climate, Electric Seats and various other demo gibbles..
Impressed by engine and associated noises, lack of scuttle shake, tactile feel better, seats (standard) felt more comfortable and "hugging" (no I havn't put on weight.....), seemed like less road noise, quality of leather finish.
Dislikes
Unsure of dash design/finish (may be colour dependant) but like LCD elements, rear spoiler of both demonstators had a problem (early quality control), 19" wheels felt ok on road but would try standard 18s before buying, wouldnt have PASM as ride quality deterioration noticable for day to day use, still don't like silver gills.
My own 'S' initially felt rattley and shaky upon return and going around the same route. However after 10 minutes it felt normal and on A3 ride quality felt just as good (better than PASM on.
If I was seriously looking to change just now I would have little reservation about getting my wallet out but as my 'S' has only done 9k miles and is still like new I have trouble with justification - and I'd like to know more about the Coupe before ordering another Boxster - however I'm open to offers if the price was right...;o))
All in all though a surprising improvement.
 
Having now had the opportunity to drive the "S" I fully endorse your comments Robert. The only thing I would add is that the car I was able to drive had 550 miles on the clock and the dealer actively pushed me to put the car through it's paces (speed cameras permitting) - not sure I will being doing the same so early in my new car though!. The sound just gets better as you go through the rev range and the increased torque was certainly noticeable over my current 2001 model.

I have a February build slot/March delivery confirmed and am now being pushed for spec. to keep my place in the production queue. Being a believer in not over-speccing the car in terms of what you will get back on resale, I would be grateful of your/other member's views on the following:-

1) GT silver metallic vs. arctic silver metallic - put next to each other, the GT silver definitely looks cleaner/crisper but is it worth the extra £1000?

2) I concur with your views on the 19" rims. Personally, I prefer the look of these and agree that the ride was not overly harsh or intrusive. My current car has the standard 17" "S" wheels and thus I have no view on the 18" version. Most commentators suggest that the car may ride better on the standard wheels but have similarly only tried the 19" version - has anyone tried both ??

3) Usual sound upgrade vs. Bose system

I think that is about it on top of what I consider to be the must haves of wind deflector and climate (and slightly lesser must haves of full leather/sports seats/pcm). Grateful of any views you may have.

Regards,



Mark
 
surprised today how good the 19" ride was following earlier comments and prefer the wheels, havn't driven on 18" in new model.
Wouldn't pay the additional for GT Silver, in two to three years time who will care?
The Porsche sound upgrade on the old model was pretty pants, havn't been for a long run in a Bose car but what I did listen to was awsome. Might be tempted by CD mulichanger as my current car has Sat Nav and its a pain swapping CDs to use it, of course only a problem if you were speccing SN and I probably wouldn't again - I'd buy TomTom for my PDA.
 
ORIGINAL: Mark Grunnell

Having now had the opportunity to drive the "S" I fully endorse your comments Robert.

Being a believer in not over-speccing the car in terms of what you will get back on resale, I would be grateful of your/other member's views on the following:-

1) GT silver metallic vs. arctic silver metallic - put next to each other, the GT silver definitely looks cleaner/crisper but is it worth the extra £1000?

2) I concur with your views on the 19" rims. Personally, I prefer the look of these and agree that the ride was not overly harsh or intrusive. My current car has the standard 17" "S" wheels and thus I have no view on the 18" version. Most commentators suggest that the car may ride better on the standard wheels but have similarly only tried the 19" version - has anyone tried both ??

3) Usual sound upgrade vs. Bose system

I think that is about it on top of what I consider to be the must haves of wind deflector and climate (and slightly lesser must haves of full leather/sports seats/pcm). Grateful of any views you may have.

Regards,

Mark
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Mark I was told buy a Porsche used car buyer that one should keep the car as standard as possible and the desirable options which will not hurt you at resale time in the past have been Speaker Upgrade, Wind Deflector, Metallic Paint. Full Leather, 18" Alloys. Anything else you are going to take a hit on [:eek:] My 05 car has the £1522 paint option which I have to accept is money down the drain but I hope come re-sale time I find someone else gagging for a used Boxster in Cobalt Blue for a change from the usual silvers blacks and greys [8D] As for the rest I have kept my head and the car is pretty basic spec with speaker upgrade, full leather, sports seats, wind deflector, sports steering wheel. and climate upgrade.
 
Robert,

Have you not gone for Heated Seats? IMO one of the most desirable options on any car, especially a Boxster. They'll double the no. of times you drive with the roof down - and sooo cosy in winter.
 
Funnily I've never found a need for heated seats (and neither has Claire - suprisingly).
If it is warm enough to lower the roof, then it is certainly warm enough in the car - the climate contol goes up to something like 27C [8D]
 

ORIGINAL: oliver

Robert,

Have you not gone for Heated Seats?
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Mike I am with Mark & Claire on this one ... I have the roof down on any dry day all the year around and have never found the need to warm my privates other than with suitable attire and the heating turned up [8D] so in answer to your question "NO"
 
I don't want to turn this in to a heated (seats) debate <groan>[;)]
But I have actually tried them - on a test drive. Turned them off pretty smartish as it was most uncomfortable (then again, I can't stand being too hot, so I have a backup excuse[:D])

Claire on the other hand is a real true "cold blooded" woman, so astounds me by saying she is fine with the car heater and no heated seats.
 
ORIGINAL: oliver

You don't know what you're missing, and for such small cost.
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[&o]It's not the cost factor it's the heated bum sensation :ROFLMAO: My brother always has heated seats on his Cabs and I have tried them many times over the years but they always "leave me cold!":ROFLMAO: hence not on my must have list
 
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