Less is more?

[Adrian Thompson]

On another thread, I cheekily challenged members about retro-fitting cruise control. I accept that many of us enjoy, even expect driver aids which can contribute to comfort and safety.

However, to keep me amused in my latter years, I have just purchased a 987 Spyder which is without most of the toys which occupy the options list at your dealer. This is the list which the salesman will be more than happy to walk you through, accompanied by a nice coffee and a chocolate brownie. My 981 GTS had all the toys, and the contrast between the two cars is illuminating. So what do I miss?

Not the rev-matching that you can't disable in sport plus. Annoyingly, it does it better than you can, but so what?
Powered folding mirrors? I'm old but I can still do this myself.
Powered seats with zillions of settings, which once set to my liking gather dust?
Cruise control I've mentioned else where, but keeping to the limit you have set requires some driver input which I'm up for.
Dynamic lights - nice but I can manage without
Sat nav, phone etc. are a bit wasted on me.
High end audio - I would prefer this at home where the acoustics are better.
Chrono plus - looks impressive, but with manual box and predominately road use it seems a bit redundant.
Electronic handbrake that is counter intuitive (you pull on a handbrake to engage it - not push it)
I could go on - the option list is vast...............

I'm aware I'm an oldie, and of a bygone age, but I have to say, the little Spyder is an absolute joy to drive. The ride is a bit boney, and I suspect the tub is structurally less stiff than the 981. But its lightness and simplicity add to the enjoyment of driving. It feels a bit special. Its the nicest Porsche I've driven.

 

[Chappelle]

You've just listed a whole ton of things that could go wrong on a 981 (and probably will some time down the road). There is a lot to be said for an analogue car (one reason why the 993s are so popular) and the Spyder will be easier to fix than a 981.

I recall looking for a 981 wiring diagram; it was more like a computer schematic with different speed buses.

As well as my old Boxster I have a highly spec'd Macan and it does worry me what will fail and when and at what cost

Maybe we'll see a growth in electronics specialists who'll be able to fix 20 year-old 981s for example

I noted the new Land Rover Defender had 70plus CPUs. I don't see them being fixed at the side of a road in Africa, India etc

 

[Gazoak]

All good points. When I ordered my 981 Cayman S, I wanted to keep the specification as basic and simple as possible. I'd wanted a manual but once I'd experienced PDK, I had to have it. I added sport plus seats, coloured wheel centre caps, the light design package and sport steering wheel. That was it!

 

[911hillclimber]

I'm firmly with Adrian.
Bought my 987.2 because it was almost bottom rung basic, just fancy headlamps.
Heated seats would be nice for the wife, don't bother me. Wife enjoys reading a maps, good at it too (too good...) so Sat Nav pointless etc.
Keep It Simple and life will be that way too.

My 2014 Skoda Superb has 3 x the gear of the Boxster for 1/2 or a 1/3 of the Boxster Price.

Lots on the Skoda I don't use, but I'm not a gadget nerd and getting old!
Graham

 

[chrishak]

Couldn't agree more - I've got a 2002 986S, basic spec but for full leather. I've driven several later, fully loaded Boxsters but when I get back into my car, do I feel short changed? Not a bit, in fact it gives me a more involving, pure driving experience than any of them??

 

[AlistairF]

Agree fully. Not a fan of sports exhausts either. Seem to cause issues as they get old too judging by the posts...as they do on a lot of motorbikes (Ducati from personal experience although I suspect theirs are a dodge to get through the drive-by regs).

All this tech and 'aids' are fine if you buy a new car on a 3 year lease but if like me you are in it for the long haul then simpler the better. The cost of replacing some of these items is eye-watering. I recollect overhearing a conversation at a BMW dealer as the assistant gave a customer the bad news regarding a replacement of a powered and auto dimming mirror...it was 4 figures...plus painting.