Boxster S Test Drive
Discussion
The wife and I had a test drive in the new Boxster S yesterday at the wonderful Porsche Mid-Sussex. Arrive at 9am, sign a piece of paper each and then get in the car. No salesman, no pressure. Be back by 10.05. OK! Here are our thoughts.
Exterior. The car Mid-Sussex have is a guards red S on 20" Carrera S wheels. The red looks great, but after a little reflection I don't think it suits the 981 as well as it, say, a 991. The wheels are lovely, I actually prefer them to the other 20" choice.
Interior. The standard, non-leather interior is absolutely fine. The quality of the plastics that would be covered in leather are definitely a step forward over the 987. I sat in a Boxster Spyder today and there was a marked difference. Sitting in a full leather 981 is indeed a very pleasant place to sit, but unlike the 987 I didn't feel short changed without swathes of cow covering the dash in a more economically-specified 981.
The TFT display in the right instrument cover is very handy, showing various temperatures and directions from the satnav. Speaking of which, the satnav in the 981 versus our 2008 987 is like comparing a new iPad with an Etch-a-Sketch; gone are the fiddly buttons and pixel-tastic graphics, in is a high-quality touch screen which makes me feel a whole lot more comfortable about spending £2,500 on the PCM unit. Finally, the Sound Package Plus on the test car delivered quality sound. It is very subjective but I would say it was equal to the Bose on our current car.
A quick word on PDK. This is the first time I've properly driven PDK and, I have to say, it's very persuasive. The appeal lies in the ease of use: my wife loved it's get-in-and-go factor. I can definitely see the appeal but for a sports car I'm just not convinced you can beat a manual. Still, I'm thinking about it which I never thought I would say.
On the road. Refined, pliant and quick. Very quick. The DFI engine revs more freely than my non-DFI 303 bhp 3.4 S and, combined with the weight reduction, does a fair job of making this Boxster as fast as you could need. Mix in the (much) improved refinement, I found I had to keep an eye on the speedometer, especially when giving it the full beans when joining the A23. We also had the top down, briefly, and whilst I can confirm that it makes a great noise as standard, I would still tick the sports exhaust option.
We took the car on a mixture of roads; some smooth, some cracked and some downright awful. The car coped much better than my 987 would, no wince-inducing whacks through the suspension despite 20" wheels. The car was equipped with PASM, so who knows how it would ride on passive suspension, but it was very impressive. The NVH on the afformentioned A23 was also much improved. I don't find the 987 an awful partner over a long distance but the 981 is noticeably more refined at motorway speeds.
The steering. Do you notice it? Yes, immediately. It's hard to describe, but it's almost sticky. It was very wet yesterday morning and I have to confess it robbed me a little of confidence. I knew the car was going to follow my line due the relatively low speed I was turning in at, but I was aware that the steering wasn't quite as with me as it would be in a 987 or, more so, a 986. Has it put me off? No, you'd get used to it. It's not the best steering I've ever felt, but I would say the difference is on a par between the 986 (which, if you've never driven one, has superb steering feel) and a 987. The journos are right: you lose some of the patter, but ultimately it doesn't spoil the car.
Did we enjoy the car as package? Yes. Talking about it afterwards, the Boxster for us has always been a very well-rounded car. They cruise well, you can go to the shops like you would in a normal hatch, you can take it out in the lashing rain and you can really enjoy it when the sun is shining. It's reasonably practical (for two, at least) and whilst it's not cheap to run, nor is it a high-teens mpg V8 M3. But, for me at least, the Boxster has a real party piece as it does all of the above whilst being a thoroughly, thoroughly engaging car to drive. All of the above applies to every generation of Boxster: the 981 is no different, it just improves the concept in nearly every area, with the steering being the only exception.
We're now seriously thinking about our spec for June build.
Edited to fix some things after my sub-ed proof read
Exterior. The car Mid-Sussex have is a guards red S on 20" Carrera S wheels. The red looks great, but after a little reflection I don't think it suits the 981 as well as it, say, a 991. The wheels are lovely, I actually prefer them to the other 20" choice.
Interior. The standard, non-leather interior is absolutely fine. The quality of the plastics that would be covered in leather are definitely a step forward over the 987. I sat in a Boxster Spyder today and there was a marked difference. Sitting in a full leather 981 is indeed a very pleasant place to sit, but unlike the 987 I didn't feel short changed without swathes of cow covering the dash in a more economically-specified 981.
The TFT display in the right instrument cover is very handy, showing various temperatures and directions from the satnav. Speaking of which, the satnav in the 981 versus our 2008 987 is like comparing a new iPad with an Etch-a-Sketch; gone are the fiddly buttons and pixel-tastic graphics, in is a high-quality touch screen which makes me feel a whole lot more comfortable about spending £2,500 on the PCM unit. Finally, the Sound Package Plus on the test car delivered quality sound. It is very subjective but I would say it was equal to the Bose on our current car.
A quick word on PDK. This is the first time I've properly driven PDK and, I have to say, it's very persuasive. The appeal lies in the ease of use: my wife loved it's get-in-and-go factor. I can definitely see the appeal but for a sports car I'm just not convinced you can beat a manual. Still, I'm thinking about it which I never thought I would say.
On the road. Refined, pliant and quick. Very quick. The DFI engine revs more freely than my non-DFI 303 bhp 3.4 S and, combined with the weight reduction, does a fair job of making this Boxster as fast as you could need. Mix in the (much) improved refinement, I found I had to keep an eye on the speedometer, especially when giving it the full beans when joining the A23. We also had the top down, briefly, and whilst I can confirm that it makes a great noise as standard, I would still tick the sports exhaust option.
We took the car on a mixture of roads; some smooth, some cracked and some downright awful. The car coped much better than my 987 would, no wince-inducing whacks through the suspension despite 20" wheels. The car was equipped with PASM, so who knows how it would ride on passive suspension, but it was very impressive. The NVH on the afformentioned A23 was also much improved. I don't find the 987 an awful partner over a long distance but the 981 is noticeably more refined at motorway speeds.
The steering. Do you notice it? Yes, immediately. It's hard to describe, but it's almost sticky. It was very wet yesterday morning and I have to confess it robbed me a little of confidence. I knew the car was going to follow my line due the relatively low speed I was turning in at, but I was aware that the steering wasn't quite as with me as it would be in a 987 or, more so, a 986. Has it put me off? No, you'd get used to it. It's not the best steering I've ever felt, but I would say the difference is on a par between the 986 (which, if you've never driven one, has superb steering feel) and a 987. The journos are right: you lose some of the patter, but ultimately it doesn't spoil the car.
Did we enjoy the car as package? Yes. Talking about it afterwards, the Boxster for us has always been a very well-rounded car. They cruise well, you can go to the shops like you would in a normal hatch, you can take it out in the lashing rain and you can really enjoy it when the sun is shining. It's reasonably practical (for two, at least) and whilst it's not cheap to run, nor is it a high-teens mpg V8 M3. But, for me at least, the Boxster has a real party piece as it does all of the above whilst being a thoroughly, thoroughly engaging car to drive. All of the above applies to every generation of Boxster: the 981 is no different, it just improves the concept in nearly every area, with the steering being the only exception.
We're now seriously thinking about our spec for June build.
Edited to fix some things after my sub-ed proof read
Edited by Mutt on Sunday 6th May 19:47
535dBoy said:
Thanks for the extensive write up
We were there in the afternoon. Haven't had a drive as it is pretty booked up for a while yet, I think ours will turn up first at this rate!
They are the carrerra s wheels not the classic
Glad it soUnds nice and rides well!
No problem.We were there in the afternoon. Haven't had a drive as it is pretty booked up for a while yet, I think ours will turn up first at this rate!
They are the carrerra s wheels not the classic
Glad it soUnds nice and rides well!
I'm surprised, it seemed to be sitting around a fair bit whilst we were there. Guildford's black demo was sat stationary for half an hour whilst we were there earlier.
Yep, you're quite right. Edited
Mutt said:
No problem.
I'm surprised, it seemed to be sitting around a fair bit whilst we were there. Guildford's black demo was sat stationary for half an hour whilst we were there earlier.
Yep, you're quite right. Edited
I've tried to get a drive both Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday but they can only do Thursday which I can't!I'm surprised, it seemed to be sitting around a fair bit whilst we were there. Guildford's black demo was sat stationary for half an hour whilst we were there earlier.
Yep, you're quite right. Edited
Great summary - I was there when you were with my RS60, and I took the same 981 out later...
I agree with everything you have said though I didn't like the PDK as it was jumping in Sport Plus mode and still behaves like an auto - Pdk still doesn't engage you like Ferrari's F1 box does.
Although it only has 12 HP more than the RS60 the 981 has noticeably more torque and freer revving which results in it going very fast very quick - I was surprised how quick it is. The biggest improvement over the 987 IMO is the handling - it corners with little or no body roll and a much improved ride, resulting in much greater confidence at higher speeds.
When I got out if the 991 cab I thought it was perfect, though I never wanted one. When I got out of the 981 I thought this is perfect - I want one!
Test drives are dangerous! Many thanks to OPC Mid Sussex once more for fitting me in without a booking and working on my car at a price that was so cheap I am not allowed to mention it !
Have a number of pics on iPhone so will load them in due course...
I agree with everything you have said though I didn't like the PDK as it was jumping in Sport Plus mode and still behaves like an auto - Pdk still doesn't engage you like Ferrari's F1 box does.
Although it only has 12 HP more than the RS60 the 981 has noticeably more torque and freer revving which results in it going very fast very quick - I was surprised how quick it is. The biggest improvement over the 987 IMO is the handling - it corners with little or no body roll and a much improved ride, resulting in much greater confidence at higher speeds.
When I got out if the 991 cab I thought it was perfect, though I never wanted one. When I got out of the 981 I thought this is perfect - I want one!
Test drives are dangerous! Many thanks to OPC Mid Sussex once more for fitting me in without a booking and working on my car at a price that was so cheap I am not allowed to mention it !
Have a number of pics on iPhone so will load them in due course...
Edited by SonnyM on Sunday 6th May 20:07
SonnyM said:
Great summary - I was there when you were with my RS60, and I took the same 981 out later as there was a free slot...
I agree with everything you have said though I didn't like the PDK as it was jumping in Sport Plus mode and still behaves like an auto - Pdk still doesn't engage you like Ferrari's F1 box does.
Although it only has 12 HP more than the RS60 the 981 has noticeably more torque and freer revving which results in it going very fast very quick - I was surprised how quick it is. The biggest improvement over the 987 IMO is the handling - it corners with little or no body roll and a much improved ride, resulting in much greater confidence at higher speeds.
When I got out if the 991 cab I thought it was perfect, though I never wanted one. When I got out of the 981 I thought this is perfect - I want one!
Test drives are dangerous! Many thanks to OPC Mid Sussex once more for fitting me in without a booking and working on my car at a price that was so cheap I am not allowed to mention it !
Have a number of pics on iPhone so will load them in due course...
I had a suspicion it was you! I should have said "hello" I agree with everything you have said though I didn't like the PDK as it was jumping in Sport Plus mode and still behaves like an auto - Pdk still doesn't engage you like Ferrari's F1 box does.
Although it only has 12 HP more than the RS60 the 981 has noticeably more torque and freer revving which results in it going very fast very quick - I was surprised how quick it is. The biggest improvement over the 987 IMO is the handling - it corners with little or no body roll and a much improved ride, resulting in much greater confidence at higher speeds.
When I got out if the 991 cab I thought it was perfect, though I never wanted one. When I got out of the 981 I thought this is perfect - I want one!
Test drives are dangerous! Many thanks to OPC Mid Sussex once more for fitting me in without a booking and working on my car at a price that was so cheap I am not allowed to mention it !
Have a number of pics on iPhone so will load them in due course...
535dBoy said:
Thank you
I'm on the road on Wednesday so may whizz back that way!
Any more pics?
When are your ordering?
Ours due on around about the 20th if you want to see one with carrera classics
We're still mulling it over, but for the financials. No qualms about the car.I'm on the road on Wednesday so may whizz back that way!
Any more pics?
When are your ordering?
Ours due on around about the 20th if you want to see one with carrera classics
Got a few rubbish iPhone pics of the black one you'll have seen at Mid-Sussex. No more of the agate grey one, I'm afraid. It honestly does look fantastic!
Mutt said:
We're still mulling it over, but for the financials. No qualms about the car.
Got a few rubbish iPhone pics of the black one you'll have seen at Mid-Sussex. No more of the agate grey one, I'm afraid. It honestly does look fantastic!
Well if you ever want to see ours when it comes just shoutGot a few rubbish iPhone pics of the black one you'll have seen at Mid-Sussex. No more of the agate grey one, I'm afraid. It honestly does look fantastic!
Yeah had a good play with black one
Even got him to start it up so we could hear it!
Mutt said:
Thank you, that'd be great actually. Let us know when it arrives! I'm looking forward to the pictures...
I will post pics - don't be afraid to ask to come and see it, I will forget !They had an aqua blue one at Goodwood today which looked awesome, such a deep colour. Would have had this but the mrs' TT which are replacing is blue and my RS4 due in September will be blue so we had to have something different!
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