2005 Boxster S initial impressions

[RandallNeighbour]

Some of the things you're complaining about can be remedied with some cash:

1. Short shifter kit will reduce the throws by 20% or more. Not too expensive.
2. Louder engine? That's gonna cost you with a new exhaust, but it's available.
3. Vanity mirror warnings: You can cover them up with stickers...someone one ebay sells them all the time.
4. The clutch should be able to be adjusted down to the bottom of the range instead of the top... this is a preference thing and they should do it for free under warranty.

The tiny delay in accelleration is very odd in normal mode...I'd whine about this to the dealership and see if they can fiddle with your eletronics. I don't think it should be that way, but I sure do appreciate the heads up if it can't be remedied any other way than to use the sport mode!

The sound system in this car is never going to be stellar... there's just no room for speakers of any real size to produce a volume of sound (not loudness but amount) with the top down or even up. The dealer would tell you the sound of the engine and the wind in your hair should compensate for any deficiencies in the sound system... and to a very small point, I think they're right. They're mostly wrong though, just to insure you know I am a stereo junkie as well and always want more sound fidelity from my car and home systems!

[eslai]

Thanks for that info! The engine noise... I shouldn't even been complaining about that yet--I haven't even HEARD it yet really--nothing over half-throttle, nothing over 4500 RPMs. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Porsche has their short shifter kit that I'm sure costs an arm and a leg. I doubt that B&M has made a short shifter for the new 6-speed yet though, eh? I'll wait. It's premature for me to consider modifying anything anyhow.

I'll definitely have a talk with the dealer about the pedal, and I'll definitely look for those stickers that you mentioned!

As for the sound system, yeah I knew I would need to at least get the top-of-the-line system if I wanted to enjoy music in this car at all, but I'm a bit bummed out by how variable the bass control seems to be. Even at the baseline setting, bass sounds rather blown out and heavy at times. I'm not sure if it's the surround sound setting or the automatic adjustments it's making on the fly, but I'll fiddle with it later. I'm a bit of a two-channel hi-fi nut myself, and I know I'll never get that level of audio satisfaction in a car, but it'd be nice to approach it at least.

[RandallNeighbour]

Usually, the short shifter kits have nothing to do with it being a 5 speed or 6 speed.

But you are right, if the linkage is different on the 987's, the one they currently sell may not work. You should inquire about it via their web site.

I sure wouldn't pay the dealership prices on one of these short shifters though

I'd wait until B&M or Schnell comes out with one. Far cheaper.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Usually, the short shifter kits have nothing to do with it being a 5 speed or 6 speed.

But you are right, if the linkage is different on the 987's, the one they currently sell may not work. You should inquire about it via their web site.

I sure wouldn't pay the dealership prices on one of these short shifters though

I'd wait until B&M or Schnell comes out with one. Far cheaper.

Yeah, I had a B&M in my Eclipse for a while, it was only $155. I probably can't buy Porsche emblem from the dealer for that cheap.

[Bushwhacker]

OK, I'm an old fart with an '05 S also, but...

You are going to drive your service manager to drink.

Clutch - Have you ever driven a non-syncro transmission? Forklift? Duece & 1/2?
Rubbery shifter - Huh? Driven a '50 Chev?
Stereo - pull the fuse, concentrate on driving...
Throttle hesitation - Push Down Harder.
No room for owner's manual - you're driving ME to drink.
:ah:

Now I feel better, and back to the business of sucking the headlights out of Harleys

[Adam]

The reason you are probably disappointed in the exhaust loudness is because you have only taken the engine to 4,500 rpm. The cam change happens at just over 5k rpm and the exhaust note takes on a much more aggressive personality. 5,000 to 7,200 is a blast. That being said I am still going to get dansk headers and cats for the car to give it even more growl at WOT and hopefully gain some power in the proccess.

P.S. If the clutch is too stiff, beef up those legs and do some squats! lol (JK)

[eslai]

Originally Posted by Adam

The reason you are probably disappointed in the exhaust loudness is because you have only taken the engine to 4,500 rpm. The cam change happens at just over 5k rpm and the exhaust note takes on a much more aggressive personality. 5,000 to 7,200 is a blast. That being said I am still going to get dansk headers and cats for the car to give it even more growl at WOT and hopefully gain some power in the proccess.

P.S. If the clutch is too stiff, beef up those legs and do some squats! lol (JK)

I agree about the engine noise--I already mentioned the same thing you just did, a little further up in this thread. Actually, I can feel the cam change right around 4500 it seems, the car just starts "going" and then I let off the gas.

The clutch is much more pussified than what I'm used to--the pedal is almost as light as an Acura Integra/RSX's, the engagement is pretty slow/damped, and the engagement point is just too high. It makes the car really easy to drive, in general, but it all feels too "soft" for my tastes. I'm sure I'll get used to it though and then I'll get back in the Eclipse and stall it at every opportunity.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

OK, I'm an old fart with an '05 S also, but...

You are going to drive your service manager to drink.

Clutch - Have you ever driven a non-syncro transmission? Forklift? Duece & 1/2?
Rubbery shifter - Huh? Driven a '50 Chev?
Stereo - pull the fuse, concentrate on driving...
Throttle hesitation - Push Down Harder.
No room for owner's manual - you're driving ME to drink.
:ah:

Now I feel better, and back to the business of sucking the headlights out of Harleys

Now how am I supposed to respond to that? Are you trying to tell me that I'm not supposed to scrutinize my car? That I shouldn't whine, perhaps? That I don't know how good I've got it? That sixty-three-thousand dollars does not afford me the luxury of discussing my gripes about what you seem so ready to "take and like"?

I've driven race cars with dog box transmissions, I've driven a Mitsubishi Mirage with no brakes, 400 horsepower and a shifter with a two-foot throw and zero gear engagement feel. I've driven cars with sequential shifters that I had to throw my whole body into in order to get into gear.

I've driven cars that are so loud that you can't hear the stereo--hell, I've driven cars with a helmet on so I couldn't hear anything but the pit crew. I've been pinned down in a five-point harness, feet flopping around on the baseboard, mouth cracked in a maniacal grin as I ride along as a passenger, hitting 120 MPH around turn nine at WSIR.

I've tuned cars running standalone engine management systems, I've seen first-hand how bad things can be and have a high understanding and appreciation for things when they are done right. I've wrenched on cars for SCCA Club Rally, I've seen the effects of poor engineering and can appreciate a job well done.

I am an engineer by trade, an automotive mechanic by hobby. I grew up with posters of sports cars on my walls, not Cadillacs; I am passionate about driving.

It is because of all of the above that I know what I want out of an automobile. Porsche is satisfying me in ways that I never imagined. Does that mean I'm not allowed to notice and comment on the things I think are lacking?

So far the only things I have to say to my dealer are: "So the headlights aren't shining level, I'd like you to lower the clutch engagement and you guys forgot to poke a hole in the driver side carpet to attach that floor mat peg to."

Other than that, The stereo is what the stereo is; the owner's manual is going in the trunk; the shifter may get a short-throw treatment; the shifter cable end-links may get a heim joint treatment someday/the mounting bushings may get switched out for polyurethane; the throttle hesitation may be my imagination; you may be unable to understand where I'm coming from; I may just have to be okay with your rudeness.