Goodbye RS60 Spyder ... Hello 981S

[SFO]

After nearly 4 years and 29k miles, my first Porsche has gone.

It was utterly superb, and never ever put a foot wrong. No warranty issue ever.

It went to the Alps a few times, and always excelled. Fantastic handling and decent ride.

I loved, loved it. I really didn't want to sell .. at least not until I started reading about the 981S.


Reasons for getting 981S (delivery in May 12):
1. DFI engine; flat max torque of 360NM from 4500 to 5800rpm
2. all new, 40% stiffer chassis
3. 330mm front brakes instead of 318mm on RS60
4. 50% quieter with top up
5. 35 kgs lighter
6. longer wheelbase, and wider front track, increased agility
7. looks great .. at least in pics
8. new interior


My current 981 spec:
Carrara white
Red roof
Carrera red interior
Painted roll over bars
Model designation delete
Wind deflector
Manual gearbox
20” Carrera S wheels
PASM
PTV (with limited slip differential)
Sport Chrono (with dynamic transmission mounts)
Sports seats plus
Rear park assist
Auto dimming mirrors and rain sensor
Electric folding mirrors
Homelink
Light design package
Cruise control
Heated seats
BOSE
6 CD
Sport Design S/W

Am seriously toying with the idea of a ‘pure’ 981, and deleting 20” wheels, PASM, PTV and Sport Chrono, saving £4k.

2 of these seem to be the new ‘performance’ options (i.e. PTV [only with PASM] and Sport Chrono) which are a ‘must have’ – am not sure that I will really notice these options in most of the driving I do (very few track days, mostly country roads and motorways), apart from more buttons. For me, it’s all 4 of nothing.

Salesman suggested trading 6CD, PTV and Sport Chrono for PCM ..

Spec needs to be finalised by end Feb, so have time to consider.

[Actus Reus]

Sounds fantastic to me - and a good colour choice too.

As to those £4ks worth of options, I must admit, I tend to agree with you - they're merely nice to have, and I think losing 20" spinners means the PASM may be largely redundant anyway...

[leemanning]

Personally, I think on these new cars that 'pure' maybe mistaken for 'poverty spec' when it comes resale time. Although from your post it sounds like you intend to keep the car a significant period of time, still something to perhaps consider?

Also, I consider sport chrono to be a must have feature - especially now it has extra bits and pieces. The 20" wheels looks A LOT nicer than the standard 19s and really suit the car.

The only thing potentially to add would be heated seats and sound package plus or Bose I think

[gl20]

Good choice of colour since I was experimenting with that exact exterior/roof/interior combination on the configurator myself this weekend! I wanted to try red wheels too but see this is currently not an option. May have been a bit much anyway..

[Akajak]

good luck with the new purchase
don't forget sports exhaust (when available)
and consider buckets if/when available

[SFO]

leemanning said:

Personally, I think on these new cars that 'pure' maybe mistaken for 'poverty spec' when it comes resale time. Although from your post it sounds like you intend to keep the car a significant period of time, still something to perhaps consider?

Also, I consider sport chrono to be a must have feature - especially now it has extra bits and pieces. The 20" wheels looks A LOT nicer than the standard 19s and really suit the car.

The only thing potentially to add would be heated seats and sound package plus or Bose I think

I do intend to keep for a few years, yes.

Cost is relevant, but more so for me is the feel of the car.

SC is sexy new tech, agree. That's why it's there. Good thing is that it's a standlone option not dependent on anything else.

I also love the 20" carrera S wheels.

heated seats and BOSE already specced.

[SFO]

gl20 said:

Good choice of colour since I was experimenting with that exact exterior/roof/interior combination on the configurator myself this weekend! I wanted to try red wheels too but see this is currently not an option. May have been a bit much anyway..

my other choice was white with espresso leather and brown roof ..

but red roof and red leather works better with red calipers, and rear lights ...

Edited by SFO on Monday 6th February 13:32

[SFO]

Akajak said:

good luck with the new purchase
don't forget sports exhaust (when available)
and consider buckets if/when available

PSE and buckets not available. PSE in June build (I think) which is too late for me.

[khooni]

Nice.

I think the first build spec that comes to mind should be the one ordered. (Easier said than done)

It's because at precisely this time, you know exactly what you want and what is optional......

you don't have to justify why you want them thereby introducing doubts. Really can't go wrong with your spec, especially the red interior and white combo.

[m33ufo]

Your initial spec looks good.

Not sure if White suits you though. What about GT Silver or maybe Agate Grey? And maybe black wheels

[nsm3]

My current car is white and TBH it isn't a colour I will buy again - too difficult to keep in good order for me.

I have just received a Porsche Centre News Update booklet which features a silver S with red roof/interior (be nice if they could do the dash top and some of the door in black to break it up?) which looks very nice, but then that is the colour scheme of your outgoing car?

Shame they don't do the spyder type wheel in 19" as I don't like the standard 19" rim and don't particularly see the need for these enormous 20" rims, with the associated enormous rubber replacement costs!

I can't wait to get a test drive in one of these as I think they "look" much better than the outgoing model and if the 991 over 997 write ups are to be believed, should be a step up in all (most) other terms also?

If it all stacks up I will probably go for one, hopefully as a long term proposition (5 years plus) in 2013?

[SFO]

not a fan of Agate Grey.

Like GT Silver, but that means a delay, and it costs £1500.

Agree about 19" wheels, but it needs the 20" to look 'right' ...

I'll just have to keep it clean ...

[SonnyM]

Just for old times sake here's the twins when they were togther:

[m33ufo]

Very sweet....did you share a '99'?

Have stopped at that particular spot a few times when on a bike.

[alcatraz236]

SFO said:

Agree about 19" wheels, but it needs the 20" to look 'right' ...

to me it needs PASM to look right, the slightly lower ride height is what gives the car a much better stance, bigger wheels dont fix the wheel arch gap that you get with the standard suspension. All the cars porsche use for the marketing pictures have PASM

[SFO]

alcatraz236 said:

to me it needs PASM to look right, the slightly lower ride height is what gives the car a much better stance, bigger wheels dont fix the wheel arch gap that you get with the standard suspension. All the cars porsche use for the marketing pictures have PASM

agree.

I have toyed with PASM only, and no 20" wheels, PTV or Sport Chrono ..

[Carl_Docklands]

SFO - congrats on jumping in.

do some research on the smokers package. If you do not tick the option, you end up with a un-sightly hole where the lighter should be...

[SFO]

Carl_Docklands said:

SFO - congrats on jumping in.

do some research on the smokers package. If you do not tick the option, you end up with a un-sightly hole where the lighter should be...

I like the hole .. with the smokers package, you essentially lose that little storage space.

[Jim1556]

SFO said:

After nearly 4 years and 29k miles, my first Porsche has gone.

Forgive my ignorance - genuine question, but why 'Goodbye RS60 Spyder'? Isn't the picture a gen 1 Boxster S? I thought the only recent Spyder was the Boxster Spyder with the humps?

[rob.kellock]

Google is your friend.

Hand your Porsche forum membership card in on the way out!!!