Boxster 2.9 - opinions?
Discussion
Hi chaps, what the general opinion on the base (987) 2.9 Boxster?
1) Powerful enough?
2) Above all - is it "Fun" to drive (vs a clinically brilliant performance car)
3) Relatively economical to run?
What are people getting in terms of average real-world mpg? What are the service costs like?
1) Powerful enough?
2) Above all - is it "Fun" to drive (vs a clinically brilliant performance car)
3) Relatively economical to run?
What are people getting in terms of average real-world mpg? What are the service costs like?
You chaps must either be soft on the throttle or do a lot of long journeys. My wife has a 2009 987 GenII and the computer shows 26mpg. It's certainly fun to drive, I enjoy it and find it quick enough for everyday use. 0-60 is what? 5.6 secs? Bearing in mind I also have a Griff 500 I would say the 2.9 987 is good fun. 
Yeah agree it's a cracking car for a base spec. In fact my old man says if he gets another it would be a 2.9 as his 3.4 doesn't get used to its full potential enough.
I can see what he means, as if you're doing mostly road mileage it doesn't take much to be on the antisocial side of things in a boxsterS, whereas the 2.9 can be hustled along at genuine b road speeds.
Do they do the switchable sports exhaust on the 2.9?
I can see what he means, as if you're doing mostly road mileage it doesn't take much to be on the antisocial side of things in a boxsterS, whereas the 2.9 can be hustled along at genuine b road speeds.
Do they do the switchable sports exhaust on the 2.9?
Rich,
Can tell you next week when I get the 981.
As far as the 987 2.9, I think it's a great little car. I took one to spa recently in convoy with a 430 Scud and DB9 and it was certainly capable of keeping up. You have to stir it and use all of the rev range but that just makes things more fun. Itaward of course more than capable in the corners. As for servicing costs it's menu price servicing. We had a gearbox repair done on our PDK car under warranty and I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the box as a result.
The 981 I've ordered is a manual.
Can tell you next week when I get the 981.
As far as the 987 2.9, I think it's a great little car. I took one to spa recently in convoy with a 430 Scud and DB9 and it was certainly capable of keeping up. You have to stir it and use all of the rev range but that just makes things more fun. Itaward of course more than capable in the corners. As for servicing costs it's menu price servicing. We had a gearbox repair done on our PDK car under warranty and I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the box as a result.
The 981 I've ordered is a manual.
I loved my 987S but TBH I rarely had it at it's full potential at all. It got the beans the odd time when the notion took me but that was quite a rare event and I've never been near a track.
When looking to buy I automatically wanted the S' as it was more powerful and I liked the subtle styling changes. I've never driven a 2.9 but I highly suspect it has more than enough power and may even be slightly more enjoyable as you fully explore the rev ranges more often. That coupled with the fact that it's one of the best all round sports car packages on the road makes it an attractive prospect.
There's loads of these cars around too so you find one you like with the right spec etc.
When looking to buy I automatically wanted the S' as it was more powerful and I liked the subtle styling changes. I've never driven a 2.9 but I highly suspect it has more than enough power and may even be slightly more enjoyable as you fully explore the rev ranges more often. That coupled with the fact that it's one of the best all round sports car packages on the road makes it an attractive prospect.
There's loads of these cars around too so you find one you like with the right spec etc.
Solarized said:
I've never driven a 2.9 but I highly suspect it has more than enough power and may even be slightly more enjoyable as you fully explore the rev ranges more often..
I suspect that the 2.9 987 was somewhat overlooked because in the original 986 range the 2.7 was overshadowed by the 3.2. However when one considers that the 2.9 has identical performance to the 986 3.2 Boxster S which everyone raved about it puts it into context. I've just picked up a 2.9 PDK Cayman (Thursday night), although not a Boxster same engine and gearbox (if you are thinking PDK)
I've only done 250 miles but a mix of town, countryroads, and motorway, you need to use the rev range to get the best, hit sport or sport plus, the Sport Chrono Plus IMHO is a must for the PDK.
Tried Launch Control this evening and that made me
I've bought it as a daily driver and not a track day car so it's relaxed nature below 4000rpm and the fun that it delivers above 4000rpm is perfect for my needs. If you stay below 4000rpm then it could feel a lethargic but use the rev range and the torque band loads of fun on A and B roads.
Looking forward to spending more time with mine.
I've only done 250 miles but a mix of town, countryroads, and motorway, you need to use the rev range to get the best, hit sport or sport plus, the Sport Chrono Plus IMHO is a must for the PDK.
Tried Launch Control this evening and that made me
I've bought it as a daily driver and not a track day car so it's relaxed nature below 4000rpm and the fun that it delivers above 4000rpm is perfect for my needs. If you stay below 4000rpm then it could feel a lethargic but use the rev range and the torque band loads of fun on A and B roads.
Looking forward to spending more time with mine.
daveknott5 said:
Hi chaps, what the general opinion on the base (987) 2.9 Boxster?
1) Powerful enough?
2) Above all - is it "Fun" to drive (vs a clinically brilliant performance car)
3) Relatively economical to run?
What are people getting in terms of average real-world mpg? What are the service costs like?
Not economical as you need to grab it by the scruff of the neck, all in all, my car does about the same a 3.8L C2S - 22MPG.1) Powerful enough?
2) Above all - is it "Fun" to drive (vs a clinically brilliant performance car)
3) Relatively economical to run?
What are people getting in terms of average real-world mpg? What are the service costs like?
Very fun car to drive but it's not a relaxing pootler.
Powerful enough for me, these cars are built for cornering, not dragging, as long as you get the concept you won't feel let down.
Costs:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would pay extra to have the PSE fitted, if a suitable car does not.
Carl_Docklands said:
Not economical as you need to grab it by the scruff of the neck, all in all, my car does about the same a 3.8L C2S - 22MPG.
Very fun car to drive but it's not a relaxing pootler.
Powerful enough for me, these cars are built for cornering, not dragging, as long as you get the concept you won't feel let down.
Costs:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would pay extra to have the PSE fitted, if a suitable car does not.
On a cruise on the motorway today 35.9mpg without trying and a little fun when off the motorway but mainly under 4k rpm, drive this evening 20.9mpg Very fun car to drive but it's not a relaxing pootler.
Powerful enough for me, these cars are built for cornering, not dragging, as long as you get the concept you won't feel let down.
Costs:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would pay extra to have the PSE fitted, if a suitable car does not.
anniesdad said:
Rich,
Can tell you next week when I get the 981.
As far as the 987 2.9, I think it's a great little car. I took one to spa recently in convoy with a 430 Scud and DB9 and it was certainly capable of keeping up. You have to stir it and use all of the rev range but that just makes things more fun. Itaward of course more than capable in the corners. As for servicing costs it's menu price servicing. We had a gearbox repair done on our PDK car under warranty and I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the box as a result.
The 981 I've ordered is a manual.
It'd be very interesting to compare the 2.9 with the 981 2.7, I'm looking at the 2.9 987 as a car I could regularly explore the whole rev range in, without reaching seriously anti social speeds. I have a 135i at the moment and if you explore the upper rev ranges in that, you're quickly doing big 3 figure speeds - which makes it less fun than it ought to be. It also delivers its performance in a relaxed slug of torque so doesn't "feel" all that thrilling. Can tell you next week when I get the 981.
As far as the 987 2.9, I think it's a great little car. I took one to spa recently in convoy with a 430 Scud and DB9 and it was certainly capable of keeping up. You have to stir it and use all of the rev range but that just makes things more fun. Itaward of course more than capable in the corners. As for servicing costs it's menu price servicing. We had a gearbox repair done on our PDK car under warranty and I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the box as a result.
The 981 I've ordered is a manual.
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