Spyder.

[Mark_T]

I think the humps look lame, those bright red hooks for that useless top look stupid - why bring attention to that? The stripe is needlessly gaudy and overdone looking. It's just ugly and ricer-ish. It may have more power but I like my 99 better.

[jmatta]

I think the original concept was there, then some production genius took over and squashed most the good ideas. 150 lb weight saving is nothing close to what I imagined. You can save that weight easily with any "common" Boxster by removing all the unnecessary items. Get the car around 2500lbs, then we may have something.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by jmatta

I think the original concept was there, then some production genius took over and squashed most the good ideas. 150 lb weight saving is nothing close to what I imagined. You can save that weight easily with any "common" Boxster by removing all the unnecessary items. Get the car around 2500lbs, then we may have something.

If you take a stock 986, and used some of the same principles, as you said one can lighten it themselves. Change the seats, get the lightest wheels possible, change the exhaust, run with only a half tank of gas and you have already knocked some weight off using some of their same philosophies, as you said their reduction numbers are not eye popping. Speaking for myself, losing some body mass would be a good way to reduce the vehicle weight and keep my femoral condyles from making new tracks in my tibial condyles, see it every day and you would want to avoid it too....

[jmatta]

Reminds me of an old story at the track. One of the competitors mentioned he had done everything he could to lighten the car to make it quicker. This guy must have weighed in at around 350lbs...could lose 100 lbs of body fat and be way ahead!

Still not sure how they shoe-horned him into a race seat...

Look at the Boxster spec racers to see how they've trimmed weight...lots of fluff on these cars. My 911 weighs in around 2100lbs...big difference in feel, with less HP than the Box.

[pcw]

Just to clear up a few miss quotes. Yes you can get the radio/AC delete, however adding the radio with sound plus, costs nothing, in fact, it also includes blue tooth and the ipod connector at no charge as well. The A/C add cost is just for the install of the A/C. I decided to add the A/C and the radio, as well as heated seats and sports exhaust. The weight savings is also due to aluminum doors, truck lids, ultra light 19 " rims.

The other point I would like to mention is this car is not for everyone and it is also not just for rich people. I'm not rich, but work hard for what I have. I decided on the Spyder after I had a deposit on a 2011 Shelby GT500. That car spec'd out to my liking was almost 60K. When I saw the Spyder at the LA Auto Show, I was sold. I would never buy a Spyder in cold or wet climate areas or as a daily driver. Here in Northern CA, you have ideal weather.

The Spyder will hold it's value, with less than 600 being produced in the US and rumors that it will not be in the line up because of the new Boxster due out in 2012. A one MY run would for sure make it even more exclusive. Mine is on the ship and is to be in port San Diego on 5/29 and to my dealer by 6/4-7th. I ordered it in Nov, so it has been a long 7 months. I'm looking forward to many years full of Sunday drives

pcw

[ekam]

I thought I read somewhere that the spyder is in the regular lineup, not a limited/special edition model. There's an article that explained why Porsche believes that there's demand, etc.

[Perfectlap]

^Congratulations, that's a head-turner...NOBODY who owns a Porsche is going to see you and not take a second look. An RS Boxster was lonnnng overdue. Complaining about not having a radio and cup holder really fails to grasp the whole impetus behind the car. This is not supposed to be a comfy car. Quiet the opposite it should have ZERO of any of that. I thought it was quiet outrageous when I first saw a 997 GT3 with a SUN ROOF! These very limited builds are supposed to have very limited uses. If you want a car with more versatility don't buy this one, same reason more people don't buy a Lotus.

As for the pricing. When haven't Porsche been screwing their buyers with huge mark ups for performance similar to offerings from other brands? Those guys are a-holes who can afford to be a-holes because there are no shortage of people who will pay whatever they ask. That's one of the perks of being a small car company with a legendary reputation.

I agree there will be great demand for this car from the autocross/track crowd. What they will be willing to pay is another matter. I don't think this car will fare any better than the other track oriented Porsches which are also limited in numbers and are taking big hits on resale. While the build numbers are small so is the target market. The bottom line is that when it comes to not very practical track toys there are a ton of options now and fewer and fewer people with the dough to support a very pricey hobby.

[pcw]

I agree on the track point, but for me I will never track my Spyder. I have my DD, 08 STI for that. Tracking is very harsh on a car. For the most part this car will be in the garage, covered, and will only be driven on nice cool morning or evenings .

When I talk about holding it's value, I'm talking long term, not short term. Porsche enthusiasts will always be looking for those types of cars, low miles, low production numbers and showroom condition, nitch cars for nitch buyers. Everyone knows that a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. That's long after KBB says what it's worth. And I willing to roll the dice on this car, only time will tell.

pcw

[backman_z]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

If you want a car with more versatility don't buy this one, same reason more people don't buy a Lotus.

Can you, or someone, explain this. On paper, a Lotus seams like a great car (good looking, fast and I am told great handling). But I have never actually been in one. Your comment makes me think it is not a great every day driver....