Tempted by a 997.2

[flat6]

Hello

I'm deliberately asking this question in the Boxster forum.

I have been watching the Boxster Spyders for sale with a strong intent to grab one. However as much as I like the car, it does pose the same impracticalities that my Cayman does for family transport (lack of rear seats). We have another car that caters for that, but now I look at the prices of an '08 997.2 Carrera i'm tempted to go for one given the practical benefits. This is not a discussion on the unique impracticalities of the Spyder.

Now I know the Boxster Spyder and 997.2 Carrera are chalk and cheese, so i'm not looking to compare them in any way. Nor am I looking for help to make my mind up. I would however like to hear if other Boxster / Cayman owners are considering upgrading to a 997 given the prices. I like the nimble handling of my Cayman S and expect the Spyder to noticably amplify that, which I will love (will test one very soon). A 911 is not the same in that regard and part of me doesn't want to give that up (I have driven 911's and compared to my Cayman). However I would make much more use of a 911 with family outings etc. So I can't help but be tempted by the extra practicality of a 911 and the current prices.

Any other Boxster / Cayman owners share the same thoughts? Right now i'm more inclined to go after a Spyder but the falling price of 911's is hard to ignore.

 

[dpoynton]

I recently attended Reading OPC for an R20 inspection day.

Talking to the mechanic (Technician?) we discussed my plan to move from a Cayman S to a 997.1 turbo tip.

Costs of turbo ownership were discussed (and put me off) and I asked him what he thought was the best value for money in the range currently.

Without hesitation he said a 997.2 C2S PDK.

Hope that helps.

David

 

[Robin M]

Test drive a 997 911 then the Spyder and get the one you like the most. You are only here once! (I think). If MPG sways you then go for the Spyder.

 

[tscaptain]

If mpg sways you buy a BMW diesel.........[]
I agree with David's mechanic/technician but wouldn't swap my turbo for one..............[]

 

[flat6]

I have also had an eye on the '06 997.1 turbo prices. Despite being older it has the reliable Mezger engine. Plus it would be nice to get hold of one of the last Mezger turbos. Its a bit special. Divide the higher service costs over 48 months and you can almost get your head around it []. However in a few years it will be ineligble for warranty [:-]

I reckon when I test drive a Spyder it will be game over [] Plus it's a bit special, unique. I may put off getting a 911 until I can get something a bit special (sorry I keep using that word [&:]), like a turbo. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks

 

[rob.kellock]

Spyder test drive won't disappoint you. They are not better than a 911 but they are very different. Roof down, sun out, open road, sports exhaust on then the Spyder is sublime. On a rainy motorway, a different weapon may be preferred!

 

[gouldian]

Rob's right, Took manual DV Spyder for motorway and country lane test yesterday. Handling/performance way better than my "S" and even the roof noise was acceptable to me, and, combined with sports exhaust just brilliant. One major problem however the missus couldn't get out of the sports bucket seats and thought she had fallen down a well when she got in. Will investigate cost of crane for exiting. Following prices for about 3 months and like 997's still dropping. The new Boxster "S" is similar in performance but the Spyder looks great and very few around. Still debating!!

 

[flat6]

I had plans to test drive a PDK Spyder today and a manual tomorrow. The snow today scuppered today's plans. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Oggy]

Biggest costs on my 2006 Turbo have been tyres, discs, pads, 1 centre rad and warranty renewals. I think these costs would be pretty much the same on any 5+ yr old Porsche ?? Actual service cost aren't that bad IMO. My only criticism of it is lack of a decent exhaust note....apparently it does sound good from behind though []

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

Spyder test drive won't disappoint you. They are not better than a 911 but they are very different. Roof down, sun out, open road, sports exhaust on then the Spyder is sublime. On a rainy motorway, a different weapon may be preferred!

I would also add my Spyder is the first Porsche I have owned, since my 89 Speedster, where people actually want to be my new best friend and ask me questions about my (debadged) Spyder! I get the thumbs up far more times than the 2 fingered solute Porsche drivers usually get from other road users [] All minor stuff I know .... but as has been suggested drive the Spyder and 997 and then your decision can be easily made for what suits your needs best

Can't wait for current winter conditions to fade away and let me and my Spyder back out to play again [8D]

 

[flat6]

ORIGINAL: daro911

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

Spyder test drive won't disappoint you. They are not better than a 911 but they are very different. Roof down, sun out, open road, sports exhaust on then the Spyder is sublime. On a rainy motorway, a different weapon may be preferred!

I would also add my Spyder is the first Porsche I have owned, since my 89 Speedster, where people actually want to be my new best friend and ask me questions about my (debadged) Spyder! I get the thumbs up far more times than the 2 fingered solute Porsche drivers usually get from other road users [] All minor stuff I know .... but as has been suggested drive the Spyder and 997 and then your decision can be easily made for what suits your needs best

Can't wait for current winter conditions to fade away and let me and my Spyder back out to play again [8D]

There's something about the more eccentric Porsche designs isn't there[]. Did you go for manual or PDK?

My test drive today has, unsurprisingly, been scuppered by the weather and temperature. They said I would only be allowed to pootle around in it and so it is not worth the 100 mile round trip. Plus i'd never get the Cayman back up the gradient which is our avenue that is covered in 3 inches of snow. I'll track the weather over the coming week and reschedule.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: flat6

ORIGINAL: daro911

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

Spyder test drive won't disappoint you. They are not better than a 911 but they are very different. Roof down, sun out, open road, sports exhaust on then the Spyder is sublime. On a rainy motorway, a different weapon may be preferred!

I would also add my Spyder is the first Porsche I have owned, since my 89 Speedster, where people actually want to be my new best friend and ask me questions about my (debadged) Spyder! I get the thumbs up far more times than the 2 fingered solute Porsche drivers usually get from other road users [] All minor stuff I know .... but as has been suggested drive the Spyder and 997 and then your decision can be easily made for what suits your needs best

Can't wait for current winter conditions to fade away and let me and my Spyder back out to play again [8D]

There's something about the more eccentric Porsche designs isn't there[]. Did you go for manual or PDK?

I have a manual car and have always had manuals as my usage is purely pleasure driving dry weekends. The PDK with paddles would not be unacceptable to me but when you factor in the extra costs new, no benefit on residual, and the extra slice of fun missing from the very quick slick short shift manual alternative I have no regrets with going manual.

Again a test drive will very quickly demonstrate the weakness or strenghts one has over the other for your personal pleasure PM me if you want any more info etc []

 

[flat6]

Thanks daro. Will do[]

 

[rob.kellock]

'89 Speedster is one of my all time favourites. Was kind of my inspiration for choosing a Spyder ( if you know what I mean).

 

[ralphmusic]

I was because I expected price rise and not much more power with new Boxster. 997 GTS is a great car even for a wind in the hair baldy like me.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

'89 Speedster is one of my all time favourites. Was kind of my inspiration for choosing a Spyder ( if you know what I mean).

Was mine too for 14 happy years between 1989 - 2003 [8D]

 

[rob.kellock]

Wow. Looks absolutely fantastic. However good its replacement, I bet letting it go was a wrench.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

Wow. Looks absolutely fantastic. However good its replacement, I bet letting it go was a wrench.

Actually letting it go was not such a big wrench as you might think.

As fantastic a car it was /is to stand back and admire the actual drive compared to my previous 4 narrow body 911's was quite disappointing.

The steering was extremely heavy in anything other than straight ahead position and had lost a lot of the feel the narrow body cars of that era use to be famous for. Pushing on into a roundabout was a fantastic muscle workout [] but by 911 standards no longer any fun []

The suspension was lowered and stiffened to the point of being quite tiring especially around town

IMO Porsche had created the best ever looking 911 convertible but at the same time the least user friendly on the road

By 2003 my Boxster S had made the Speedster well and truly feel it's age so parting in the end wasn't that hard to do

 

[flat6]

ORIGINAL: ralphmusic

I was because I expected price rise and not much more power with new Boxster. 997 GTS is a great car even for a wind in the hair baldy like me.

True. A significant price difference though. I've decided to park the 997 idea until I can get something i'd truly be happey with. A GTS would tick many boxes []

 

[flat6]

I test drove a PDK Spyder today and enjoyed it! I'm not yet sure if I prefer PDK or a manual. I know it takes time to get used to PDK but I feel as if manual is more suited to my driving style. PDK is good but in a single drive with a manual I tend to switch between the gear changing characteristics akin to normal, Sport and Sport Plus in the PDK. It's not as easy to be as fickle with PDK in auto mode (understandably) i.e. you wouldn't change between normal, Sport and Sport Plus with every other gear change. I guess i'd be better suited to driving PDK in manual mode but on a test drive, there isn't much time to get used to that.

I will soon arrange a test drive in a manual with short shifter and then make up my mind.