I'm stunned no-one else has posted this yet...
From sniffpetrol of course! [
]
From sniffpetrol of course! [
]
Spyder Encounter As Good As It Gets
- Thread starter daro911
- Start date
Don Henshall
New member
Cos its bol&cks
GOOFY
New member
If the waiting list is too long and you can't wait to get one, there is a novel solution: buy a 986 (weight less than 987Spyder): add M030 sports suspension; (+with tuned 996 motor)
; remove the roof; put Spyder GRP Humps on; remove door handles and put in roof luggage straps; replace seats with race bucket seats; and of course add PORSCHE decal down the side. LOL - everyone in awe at how it goes back to basics !
Rumour has it Porsche working on a more exciting 987 - it will have no power steering, no electronic gizmos, no air con, no auto-box, no door panels, and will feature a new designed air cooled engine. The marketing dept is salivating already $$$$$$...
; remove the roof; put Spyder GRP Humps on; remove door handles and put in roof luggage straps; replace seats with race bucket seats; and of course add PORSCHE decal down the side. LOL - everyone in awe at how it goes back to basics !
Rumour has it Porsche working on a more exciting 987 - it will have no power steering, no electronic gizmos, no air con, no auto-box, no door panels, and will feature a new designed air cooled engine. The marketing dept is salivating already $$$$$$...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Porsche-Boxster-3.4-Spyder/245571/
What is it?
Drive a standard Porsche Boxster S and you're unlikely to think, "What this car really needs is less weight and more power." That's because the Boxster is about as complete as sports roadsters get.
But somebody at Porsche clearly saw the potential to do just that, and so here is the Boxster Spyder. By using various weight saving techniques including aluminium door panels and engine cover, Porsche has shaved off 80kg and to complete the experience the Spyder gets 10bhp more power and firmer, 20mm lowered suspension than its stable mate.
What's it like?
Despite the more hardcore nature of the Spyder, it's no less usable on British roads.
The damping is supple enough to prevent breaks in the surface from unsettling the car or causing any jarring, which helps with comfort as well as keeping the tyres in contact with the asphalt.
That's not to say that some of the very severe potholes and eroding road surfaces don't cause some bone-shaking if you tackle them in the Spyder, but in general use over a reasonable British B-road, few other sports cars manage to offer such a well judged blend of body control and damping.
Needless to say, the familiar 3.4-litre boxer engine is a delight. Power is easily accessed thanks to a linear delivery from the naturally aspirated engine, although you'll have to climb a long way up the rev range "" 7200rpm "" before you find the 320bhp peak.
If there is any criticism about the handling, it's that the chassis feels like it could cope with a lot more power. Even so, the Spyder comes close to perfection if you're after a car that has the immediate responses and outright pace required of a track car but with plenty of on-road usability, too.
Turn-in is very sharp and mid-corner adjustments can be made swiftly and without drama. Plentiful grip also makes the car's performance easy to plunder, although a smaller steering wheel might be welcome for circuit work.
Even motorway driving is relatively painless. Provided you don't mind a lot of wind noise battering through the canvas two-piece roof and you're happy to live without such comforts as a radio and air conditioning (they are available as options), the refined engine, ride quality and comfortable cabin make the Boxster easy to live with over long stretches of motorway.
This is the real joy of the Spyder; you get the extra drama of the Carrera GT looks, the more immediate responses of a truly focused performance car and a healthy dose of the usability for which Porsches are known.
Should I buy one?
The difficulty is that there are still compromises that many will find hard to justify. With prices starting at £46,387, it costs almost £4k more than a standard Boxster S, which has a much more practical electric folding roof and similarly engaging (if less immediate) handling and performance. That canvas hood really is a lot of hassle to remove and replace, and it restricts visibility.
The Spyder would be easier than a Lotus Elise to live with every day, mainly thanks to the better refinement and more spacious cabin, but realistically it's likely to be a second car that's reserved for fair-weather driving, and not a cheap one at that. Still, for one of the best-handling cars in the Porsche's stable, some would consider it a bargain. If you fall into that bracket, don't hesitate. You won't be disappointed.
What is it?
Drive a standard Porsche Boxster S and you're unlikely to think, "What this car really needs is less weight and more power." That's because the Boxster is about as complete as sports roadsters get.
But somebody at Porsche clearly saw the potential to do just that, and so here is the Boxster Spyder. By using various weight saving techniques including aluminium door panels and engine cover, Porsche has shaved off 80kg and to complete the experience the Spyder gets 10bhp more power and firmer, 20mm lowered suspension than its stable mate.
What's it like?
Despite the more hardcore nature of the Spyder, it's no less usable on British roads.
The damping is supple enough to prevent breaks in the surface from unsettling the car or causing any jarring, which helps with comfort as well as keeping the tyres in contact with the asphalt.
That's not to say that some of the very severe potholes and eroding road surfaces don't cause some bone-shaking if you tackle them in the Spyder, but in general use over a reasonable British B-road, few other sports cars manage to offer such a well judged blend of body control and damping.
Needless to say, the familiar 3.4-litre boxer engine is a delight. Power is easily accessed thanks to a linear delivery from the naturally aspirated engine, although you'll have to climb a long way up the rev range "" 7200rpm "" before you find the 320bhp peak.
If there is any criticism about the handling, it's that the chassis feels like it could cope with a lot more power. Even so, the Spyder comes close to perfection if you're after a car that has the immediate responses and outright pace required of a track car but with plenty of on-road usability, too.
Turn-in is very sharp and mid-corner adjustments can be made swiftly and without drama. Plentiful grip also makes the car's performance easy to plunder, although a smaller steering wheel might be welcome for circuit work.
Even motorway driving is relatively painless. Provided you don't mind a lot of wind noise battering through the canvas two-piece roof and you're happy to live without such comforts as a radio and air conditioning (they are available as options), the refined engine, ride quality and comfortable cabin make the Boxster easy to live with over long stretches of motorway.
This is the real joy of the Spyder; you get the extra drama of the Carrera GT looks, the more immediate responses of a truly focused performance car and a healthy dose of the usability for which Porsches are known.
Should I buy one?
The difficulty is that there are still compromises that many will find hard to justify. With prices starting at £46,387, it costs almost £4k more than a standard Boxster S, which has a much more practical electric folding roof and similarly engaging (if less immediate) handling and performance. That canvas hood really is a lot of hassle to remove and replace, and it restricts visibility.
The Spyder would be easier than a Lotus Elise to live with every day, mainly thanks to the better refinement and more spacious cabin, but realistically it's likely to be a second car that's reserved for fair-weather driving, and not a cheap one at that. Still, for one of the best-handling cars in the Porsche's stable, some would consider it a bargain. If you fall into that bracket, don't hesitate. You won't be disappointed.
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/full-road-test-report/Porsche/Boxster/Spyder/
Performance
Key to the performance of the Boxster Spyder is the fact that Porsche has stripped 80kg from the Boxster S that forms the basis of the car. This means that it weighs in at just 1,275kg, making it the lightest car in Porsche's model range. In addition to being lighter, the 3.4-litre engine now supplies the same 320bhp it does when fitted in the Cayman S, which means a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds "" or 4.8 seconds if fitted with Porsche's PDK automatic gearbox and the Sports Chrono package "" and a top speed of 166mph (124mph with the soft-top hood attached). It sounds great too, especially if you go for the optional Sports exhaust that makes the sound from the tailpipes louder when you press a button on the centre console. The Boxster Spyder is certainly quicker than you could ever legally drive it on the road, but arguably it could have been a little bit faster to give it the kind of special character associated with a Porsche Spyder.
Ride & Handling
The Boxster Spyder's marginal improvement in power and speed is bettered by an even more significant change in its handling. Porsche has tweaked the standard Boxster chassis by widening the Spyder's track at the front (by 4mm) and rear (8mm), upgrading the suspension (lowered by 20mm and with modified anti-roll bars and stiffer spring/damper units), and adding a new limited slip diff to the rear. On the road, these changes make the Spyder an even better drive than the standard Boxster S, which is already a class-leader. So, for example, its lightweight nature makes the steering feel sharper and more direct, which is perfectly combined with the car's superb balance, taut body control and the fantastic levels of grip. Even more surprising though, is that the stiffer suspension hasn't unduly affected the ride quality, which is still pretty forgiving: even with 19-inch wheels, there's no crashiness, even on the scarred, pothole-ridden roads we tested the car on.
Build Quality & Reliability
Porsche has a well-earned reputation for building cars of high quality "" which is what you'd expect when buying a premium sports car. Everything is sturdy and well screwed together "" including the new, lighter rear deck and doors, both of which are made from aluminium as part of Porsche's mission to make the Boxster Spyder as light as possible. The cabin is also excellent, with high quality materials (such as leather, Alcantara and carbon-fibre) used throughout. Everything has been stripped back in the quest for lightness, but buyers can add it all back in thanks to the long options list. In terms of its mechanical reliability, Porsche also has an excellent record of building cars that rarely go wrong. The company is placed in eighth place in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey's league table of manufacturers (models don't sell in sufficient volume to show up in the UK survey).
Safety & Security
Porsche models sell in relatively low volumes, so they're not required to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that Porsches are sufficiently robust to survive accidents at least as well as rival sports cars in the premium segment. In terms of this particular model, the standard Boxster has twin front, side and curtain airbags, which have all been retained by the Spyder variant to ensure that the occupants are sufficiently protected in the event of a crash. There are also plenty of active safety features, including ABS anti-lock brakes, plus stability and traction control to help owners avoid accidents in the first place. Buyers also get a half-day Driving Experience Programme at Porsche's special facility at Silverstone, which can include tuition in car control to help them improve their technique and help them become safer drivers. For security purposes, there are deadlocks, an immobilizer and an alarm.
Space & Practicality
You don't buy a lightweight, special-edition Boxster if you're looking for a practical car. Indeed, Porsche is pitching the Spyder as a second, or even third car for owners, so you'll need something else for trips to Ikea. The cabin is certainly spacious enough for two, with plenty of legroom and fully adjustable seats and steering wheel (reach and rake). Visibility is pretty good with the hood off, but is more restricted if attached. And on the subject of the detachable hood, it's certainly not as convenient as the electrically folding roof in the standard Boxster, but that's the price you pay for losing 21kg. It folds and fits neatly under the rear lid, but it does take a couple of minutes to attach "" not ideal if it starts to rain suddenly. Luggage space isn't that bad for a roadster, with a compartment at each end of the car that will be enough for a couple of largish weekend bags.
Ownership & Value
With a purchase price of £46,387, the Boxster Spyder isn't cheap: in fact, it's about £6,000 more than the Boxster S model it's based on. On top of that, there's a fairly extensive options list that can add back in some of the features that have been taken out (air con, radio, sat nav, etc), plus the likes of ceramic brakes (£5,349,) PDK automatic gearbox (£1,962) and sports seats (£2,049) that will quickly rack up the price of the car. Indeed, initial buyers are spending £56,000-57,000 speccing their cars. It won't be exactly cheap to run, either, despite Porsche managing to increase efficiency due to weight loss: official fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 29.1mpg with the manual gearbox or 30.4mpg with the PDK; CO2 emissions are 228g/km (manual) or 218g/km (PDK), so road tax will cost £405 or £215 a year. However, the relatively exclusive nature of the car (fewer than 100 will be sold each year in the UK) means that demand for used versions should be pretty high, which should mean very good residuals.
Performance
Key to the performance of the Boxster Spyder is the fact that Porsche has stripped 80kg from the Boxster S that forms the basis of the car. This means that it weighs in at just 1,275kg, making it the lightest car in Porsche's model range. In addition to being lighter, the 3.4-litre engine now supplies the same 320bhp it does when fitted in the Cayman S, which means a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds "" or 4.8 seconds if fitted with Porsche's PDK automatic gearbox and the Sports Chrono package "" and a top speed of 166mph (124mph with the soft-top hood attached). It sounds great too, especially if you go for the optional Sports exhaust that makes the sound from the tailpipes louder when you press a button on the centre console. The Boxster Spyder is certainly quicker than you could ever legally drive it on the road, but arguably it could have been a little bit faster to give it the kind of special character associated with a Porsche Spyder.
Ride & Handling
The Boxster Spyder's marginal improvement in power and speed is bettered by an even more significant change in its handling. Porsche has tweaked the standard Boxster chassis by widening the Spyder's track at the front (by 4mm) and rear (8mm), upgrading the suspension (lowered by 20mm and with modified anti-roll bars and stiffer spring/damper units), and adding a new limited slip diff to the rear. On the road, these changes make the Spyder an even better drive than the standard Boxster S, which is already a class-leader. So, for example, its lightweight nature makes the steering feel sharper and more direct, which is perfectly combined with the car's superb balance, taut body control and the fantastic levels of grip. Even more surprising though, is that the stiffer suspension hasn't unduly affected the ride quality, which is still pretty forgiving: even with 19-inch wheels, there's no crashiness, even on the scarred, pothole-ridden roads we tested the car on.
Build Quality & Reliability
Porsche has a well-earned reputation for building cars of high quality "" which is what you'd expect when buying a premium sports car. Everything is sturdy and well screwed together "" including the new, lighter rear deck and doors, both of which are made from aluminium as part of Porsche's mission to make the Boxster Spyder as light as possible. The cabin is also excellent, with high quality materials (such as leather, Alcantara and carbon-fibre) used throughout. Everything has been stripped back in the quest for lightness, but buyers can add it all back in thanks to the long options list. In terms of its mechanical reliability, Porsche also has an excellent record of building cars that rarely go wrong. The company is placed in eighth place in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey's league table of manufacturers (models don't sell in sufficient volume to show up in the UK survey).
Safety & Security
Porsche models sell in relatively low volumes, so they're not required to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that Porsches are sufficiently robust to survive accidents at least as well as rival sports cars in the premium segment. In terms of this particular model, the standard Boxster has twin front, side and curtain airbags, which have all been retained by the Spyder variant to ensure that the occupants are sufficiently protected in the event of a crash. There are also plenty of active safety features, including ABS anti-lock brakes, plus stability and traction control to help owners avoid accidents in the first place. Buyers also get a half-day Driving Experience Programme at Porsche's special facility at Silverstone, which can include tuition in car control to help them improve their technique and help them become safer drivers. For security purposes, there are deadlocks, an immobilizer and an alarm.
Space & Practicality
You don't buy a lightweight, special-edition Boxster if you're looking for a practical car. Indeed, Porsche is pitching the Spyder as a second, or even third car for owners, so you'll need something else for trips to Ikea. The cabin is certainly spacious enough for two, with plenty of legroom and fully adjustable seats and steering wheel (reach and rake). Visibility is pretty good with the hood off, but is more restricted if attached. And on the subject of the detachable hood, it's certainly not as convenient as the electrically folding roof in the standard Boxster, but that's the price you pay for losing 21kg. It folds and fits neatly under the rear lid, but it does take a couple of minutes to attach "" not ideal if it starts to rain suddenly. Luggage space isn't that bad for a roadster, with a compartment at each end of the car that will be enough for a couple of largish weekend bags.
Ownership & Value
With a purchase price of £46,387, the Boxster Spyder isn't cheap: in fact, it's about £6,000 more than the Boxster S model it's based on. On top of that, there's a fairly extensive options list that can add back in some of the features that have been taken out (air con, radio, sat nav, etc), plus the likes of ceramic brakes (£5,349,) PDK automatic gearbox (£1,962) and sports seats (£2,049) that will quickly rack up the price of the car. Indeed, initial buyers are spending £56,000-57,000 speccing their cars. It won't be exactly cheap to run, either, despite Porsche managing to increase efficiency due to weight loss: official fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 29.1mpg with the manual gearbox or 30.4mpg with the PDK; CO2 emissions are 228g/km (manual) or 218g/km (PDK), so road tax will cost £405 or £215 a year. However, the relatively exclusive nature of the car (fewer than 100 will be sold each year in the UK) means that demand for used versions should be pretty high, which should mean very good residuals.
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