Nothing remotely new or exciting for Porschephiles.

[daro911]

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Motor-show--events/Geneva-Motor-Show/2008/Porsche-Boxster-RS-60-Spyder/?&R=EPI-5690

So what's new on Porsche' Geneva Motor Show stand?

Not a lot, to be honest. There's the enticing sounding RS 60 Spyder limited edition Boxster, which couldn't be more of a disappointment if it tried. Porsche will rush you £5405 over the standard Boxster for a body kit, bigger wheels and some dubious leatherwork.

 

[glewis]

As the happy owner of a 550 Spyder limited edition Boxster, (I think the colour combination on this model looks really classy), I was quite interested to hear about a new LE model and asked my local OPC to let me know if they ever got one in for me to have a look at. And so, a couple of weeks ago, they invited me down for a coffee and see the new RS60 Spyder.

What can I say, except you're spot on Daro !

The leather work can only be described as "nasty". After just a couple of minutes sitting in the car I had to get out because it was making me feel queezy.

Apparently, you can also spec it with a dark grey interior and black hood, but to my mind, that defeats the object of having the limted edition.

 

[DavidB]

It wasn't just Porsche that was dissapointing at Geneva - the whole show was pretty dull!

The problem Porsche now have with the Boxster (especially the S) is that if they made it any better/quicker, it would start taking sales away from the 997 C2. A 6 speed S is already (on paper at least) quicker than a C2 Tip.

David B

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: DavidB

The problem Porsche now have with the Boxster (especially the S) is that if they made it any better/quicker, it would start taking sales away from the 997 C2. A 6 speed S is already (on paper at least) quicker than a C2 Tip.

David B

Is that really true though? I'm sure it may be at the margins but I don't believe it's as simple as just stats.

How much of the market consists of true enthusiasts that actually know how different the two cars are and can make informed decisions? When I say that, I really mean, there is a strong bias to 911 ownership which I think is overdone. The Boxster is much better value for money than the 911. Yet the average punter is willing to pay the massive premium for a 911.

So if you told the average punter that always dreamt of 911 ownership that the Boxster was now , for example, only 0.2 seconds slower to 60 rather than 0.4 seconds,would that really make any difference to their purchasing decision?

Is the discount the new Datsun is trading over the 911 turbo enough to pull away turbo clients? At the margins, maybe, on the whole, no way (I'd wager).

 

[DavidB]

Rodney

You make a lot of valid points. Sadly, I think there's a large number of 911 owners who have one because they can afford the badge, rather than because they think its a great driver's car. Yes, if money was not an issue, I'd have a 997 GT2 or a Turbo. Money is an issue, hence my 987 S. Would I have a "Datsun" Skyline 4WD WRX Twin Turbo Playstation 3.1? Er, no thanks!!

 

[bryno]

I think Porsche have a dilema with the Boxster/Cayman cars and have restricted the horsepower to protect 911 sales. The Boxster/Cayman platform can easily take more power with the bonus of sweet handling. If we are honest the later 911's are a triumph of engineering over a flawed design, hanging the engine outboard of an axle is a fundamental engineering no no. If they had put 20% of the effort they have put into getting the 911 to "handle" into a modern front/middle engine design the could have got a worldbeating modern 2+2 coupe and retired the 911 "design".
With the money Porsche have they can easily move with the times just look what they did with their 4 X 4, and the new saloon.
Just off to put my body armour on to save myself from the myopic 911 enthusiasts!!