Just got a Spyder as my DD :)
Discussion
Had the urge to change my Gen 1 Cayman S for a while now. Great car but I often found it short on power, it never felt 'special' (subjective thing). Found myself missing the GT3 I had a few years back.
Discussion with my wife led me to the 'must have rear seats' domain (2 little ones...) Grrr...can't get another GT3 then (dammit!) so I looked at the usual options of 996 Turbo, E92 M3, M6, 997S etc. Settled on a 996 Turbo (though I was never really happy with the ones I had...it's a v hard combination to beat!) Hard to find good, low miles ones though. Just missed one at Parr with KW suspension/brakes/remap.
Always loved the Boxster Spyder. Looks bespoke, LSD, bit more power, bit less weight. Lot to like. Found myself browsing them & Cayman R's online quite often. My wife liked it too, so much so in fact that (amazingly) the 2 seat taboo doesn't apply to the Spyder despite the impracticality (vs Cayman). In fact it's the ONLY Spyder that could be tolerated anywhere near the house (lol)
Browsing the AUC locator (a dangerous site if ever there was one...lol) showed a black 2010 Spyder PDK, 8k miles, buckets, PDK & proper paddles, extended leather, climate etc. Smidge under 35k. No PSE though (listed). A colour and spec that I liked a lot. Had never driven a PDK but guessed I'd like it, and the extra convenience of full auto for when my wife drives it & in traffic. I emailed. They called back the next morning. I muttered about PSE. The guy walked over to the car and confirmed that it DID in fact have one (fatal...lol) & the buyer had just 'missed it' (!?). I showed madam the photos and she was keen...why don't I ask them what sort of deal we could get trading in both cars (her ageing E500 as well as my Cayman)? (Carpe Diem...act while the '2 seat window' is open...lol)
OPC Leicester gave me a very good deal. Very good service & experience all round in fact (well done guys!) Deposit was made - the first time ever without me driving the damn car I was buying (had doubts about it the next day...lol), though I had done a 24hr test drive in a Cayman R so I knew roughly what it would be like...
Finally the day arrived to pick it up. The car was parked outside, looking pretty mean in black, sitting next to a 'normal' Boxster S...which made me smirk because to me they are like different cars! We did the paperwork (lots). One of the guys showed me the roof (I had a Carrera 3.2 Targa for years & taking that off never bothered me so I wasn't too worried...). Then we drove home.
BIG SMILE. Epic bloody car. MUCH quicker than the Cayman S. FELT quicker than the Cayman R. Love the PDK. Control weights nicer than the R (heavier - I like it). The noise from the PSE is fantastic. Awesome handling & balance. All the gripes about the hood = load of crap to me. We drove back through occasionally heavy rain, didn't get wet, easily held a conversation at 'motorway speeds'. Climate control worked really well. PDK - WAY better than the SMG on the M3 CSL that I had. The damn thing even did 38 to the gallon on the run (gear 7 cool-ness) & is £100 a year less than the Cayman to insure (utter nonsense that is given it's a soft-top, but I'm not complaining)!!!
The more I drive it the more I like it. Feels like an occasion again (back to GT3 vibe) when I get in & fire it up. The engine is so much sweeter & more free-revving than the Gen 1 cars. Pretty damn quick point to point (carries a LOT of speed through corners), pretty quick in a straight line actually (mix of actual speed & perceived speed...lol), fabulous brakes (not ceramic, doesn't need them IMO, though I haven't been on track yet). Great with roof off (hear that PSE!) Seats are fantastic. No IMS worries. Doesn't do 38 to the gallon on my daily run to work (but I couldn't care less long as I have the LSD & PSE...lol)
Daughters love it (school run is an occasion...even though it's a relay home/creche/home/school/work...not a bad thing as I get to drive it more...lol). Little Ronda-Rae giggles & squeals on her way to creche when I flick the loud button for the PSE & give the throttle a blip (for a bit of a 'wiggle' at the bottom of the hill...lol)
Porsche definitely got it right IMO with this car. More power? Wouldn't say no (obviously...), but the main thing is that it has enough to be 'interesting' (more so than Cayman which always felt short of grunt to me). This doesn't 'feel' slow. Might go down the Remus Titanium/Remap/Plenum etc route in future but not for a couple of years at least.
Seen the various reviews/road-tests that say it's not worth it, the roof is a hassle, go for a normal Boxster etc. NOT IN MY OPINION! The Spyder feels WAY better than a stock Boxster (have driven both, though not a PDK). 5th Gear were talking crap (as usual).
What a car! Wouldn't change it for anything short of a GT3RS or GT2. If anyone's considering it - this is a GREAT car - don't hesitate! (and yes I prefer the PDK...that's down to personal preference though). Just make sure it has a PSE.
Naff pic here (only had mobile with me) will post more when I can.
Discussion with my wife led me to the 'must have rear seats' domain (2 little ones...) Grrr...can't get another GT3 then (dammit!) so I looked at the usual options of 996 Turbo, E92 M3, M6, 997S etc. Settled on a 996 Turbo (though I was never really happy with the ones I had...it's a v hard combination to beat!) Hard to find good, low miles ones though. Just missed one at Parr with KW suspension/brakes/remap.
Always loved the Boxster Spyder. Looks bespoke, LSD, bit more power, bit less weight. Lot to like. Found myself browsing them & Cayman R's online quite often. My wife liked it too, so much so in fact that (amazingly) the 2 seat taboo doesn't apply to the Spyder despite the impracticality (vs Cayman). In fact it's the ONLY Spyder that could be tolerated anywhere near the house (lol)
Browsing the AUC locator (a dangerous site if ever there was one...lol) showed a black 2010 Spyder PDK, 8k miles, buckets, PDK & proper paddles, extended leather, climate etc. Smidge under 35k. No PSE though (listed). A colour and spec that I liked a lot. Had never driven a PDK but guessed I'd like it, and the extra convenience of full auto for when my wife drives it & in traffic. I emailed. They called back the next morning. I muttered about PSE. The guy walked over to the car and confirmed that it DID in fact have one (fatal...lol) & the buyer had just 'missed it' (!?). I showed madam the photos and she was keen...why don't I ask them what sort of deal we could get trading in both cars (her ageing E500 as well as my Cayman)? (Carpe Diem...act while the '2 seat window' is open...lol)
OPC Leicester gave me a very good deal. Very good service & experience all round in fact (well done guys!) Deposit was made - the first time ever without me driving the damn car I was buying (had doubts about it the next day...lol), though I had done a 24hr test drive in a Cayman R so I knew roughly what it would be like...
Finally the day arrived to pick it up. The car was parked outside, looking pretty mean in black, sitting next to a 'normal' Boxster S...which made me smirk because to me they are like different cars! We did the paperwork (lots). One of the guys showed me the roof (I had a Carrera 3.2 Targa for years & taking that off never bothered me so I wasn't too worried...). Then we drove home.
BIG SMILE. Epic bloody car. MUCH quicker than the Cayman S. FELT quicker than the Cayman R. Love the PDK. Control weights nicer than the R (heavier - I like it). The noise from the PSE is fantastic. Awesome handling & balance. All the gripes about the hood = load of crap to me. We drove back through occasionally heavy rain, didn't get wet, easily held a conversation at 'motorway speeds'. Climate control worked really well. PDK - WAY better than the SMG on the M3 CSL that I had. The damn thing even did 38 to the gallon on the run (gear 7 cool-ness) & is £100 a year less than the Cayman to insure (utter nonsense that is given it's a soft-top, but I'm not complaining)!!!
The more I drive it the more I like it. Feels like an occasion again (back to GT3 vibe) when I get in & fire it up. The engine is so much sweeter & more free-revving than the Gen 1 cars. Pretty damn quick point to point (carries a LOT of speed through corners), pretty quick in a straight line actually (mix of actual speed & perceived speed...lol), fabulous brakes (not ceramic, doesn't need them IMO, though I haven't been on track yet). Great with roof off (hear that PSE!) Seats are fantastic. No IMS worries. Doesn't do 38 to the gallon on my daily run to work (but I couldn't care less long as I have the LSD & PSE...lol)
Daughters love it (school run is an occasion...even though it's a relay home/creche/home/school/work...not a bad thing as I get to drive it more...lol). Little Ronda-Rae giggles & squeals on her way to creche when I flick the loud button for the PSE & give the throttle a blip (for a bit of a 'wiggle' at the bottom of the hill...lol)
Porsche definitely got it right IMO with this car. More power? Wouldn't say no (obviously...), but the main thing is that it has enough to be 'interesting' (more so than Cayman which always felt short of grunt to me). This doesn't 'feel' slow. Might go down the Remus Titanium/Remap/Plenum etc route in future but not for a couple of years at least.
Seen the various reviews/road-tests that say it's not worth it, the roof is a hassle, go for a normal Boxster etc. NOT IN MY OPINION! The Spyder feels WAY better than a stock Boxster (have driven both, though not a PDK). 5th Gear were talking crap (as usual).
What a car! Wouldn't change it for anything short of a GT3RS or GT2. If anyone's considering it - this is a GREAT car - don't hesitate! (and yes I prefer the PDK...that's down to personal preference though). Just make sure it has a PSE.
Naff pic here (only had mobile with me) will post more when I can.
Got mine from Leicester, a great OPC
Great car though as you say, brave for a daily though now we have 5 months of s
t weather ahead.
Mine is tucked away in bed :-)
The roof is as bad as people make out lol and why they did not sell well or some people move them on, most seem to have a few owners already,
But the car just drives so well you forget about the roof, or you do as I do and never put it on :-)
It's also noisy with the roof on at speed , but not to fast remember or it will blow off tee hee.
Tempted with the Remus ti system myself.
Great car though as you say, brave for a daily though now we have 5 months of s
t weather ahead.Mine is tucked away in bed :-)
The roof is as bad as people make out lol and why they did not sell well or some people move them on, most seem to have a few owners already,
But the car just drives so well you forget about the roof, or you do as I do and never put it on :-)
It's also noisy with the roof on at speed , but not to fast remember or it will blow off tee hee.
Tempted with the Remus ti system myself.
Remus Ti = bit more power, bit less weight. Excellent formula. Not much feedback out there though or meaningful dyno info...but if the claimed 15bhp+ is real then it should be well worth the £££ even without a remap
Going to keep my PSE (& warranty) for a couple of years though. Famous last words...(lol)
Wet weather = fun (think I'll leave it in 'bed' as you say if we get snow/ice tho...that was one good thing about my old 996 C4...was fantastic in the winter weather)
Wife's B Class is turning up next week...winter tyres on that should get us up & down the hill if it snows (lol)
Agree Itsy - one of the best cars Porsche have made (ever). It puts a BIG smile on my face (and nothing since the GT3 has done that)
Going to keep my PSE (& warranty) for a couple of years though. Famous last words...(lol)
Wet weather = fun (think I'll leave it in 'bed' as you say if we get snow/ice tho...that was one good thing about my old 996 C4...was fantastic in the winter weather)
Wife's B Class is turning up next week...winter tyres on that should get us up & down the hill if it snows (lol)
Agree Itsy - one of the best cars Porsche have made (ever). It puts a BIG smile on my face (and nothing since the GT3 has done that)
Timbo_Mint said:
I also got mine from OPC Leicester. We should have a Midlands Spyder owners meet.
I've owned it for seven months now and I love driving it. There is a sense of drama coupled with a feeling of complete confidence that it will do whatever you ask of it.
In the next week i will post a thread to see if we can get the CR's and Spyders together seeing as we have a good few owners of both on here.I've owned it for seven months now and I love driving it. There is a sense of drama coupled with a feeling of complete confidence that it will do whatever you ask of it.
Only rules are no scrapping which is best going by the threads of late :-)
jontymo
Edited by jontymo on Saturday 29th September 21:47
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Think they look lovely in black, if one turns up in the right spec (fully loaded, manual, not white!) I'll have one, but of a rare beast though aren't they?
This looks pretty closehttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3911479.htm
jsmjsm said:
That was once owned by Phooey off here.Very nice looking car in the metal.
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