would rather buy a 996 turbo with some techart body work , turn the boost up to 600 h.p. and smoke the doors off those late model ferraris.

aaaahhh yes...a 996 turbo, gives the eyes pleasure.

Are you interested in all those options on that Spyder if not I've been in this car, it is sweet: http://hendrick-porsche.ebizautos.com/webdetail.aspx?iid=8010746

They had a black one too that I like even more, but I think it sold.

best motoring 996 turbo vs 360 modena 996 Turbo The Ultimate Test - Best Motoring International - YouTube

my favorite ferrari run , you can see how much the F-430 advanced vs. the 360 modena . these BMI videos are great. Ferrari F430 Drift King Touge Run - Best Motoring International - YouTube

I agree with Jacabean on the Gemballa, RUF or otherwise expert prepared cars as a exciting prospect. There are not too many on the market and even fewer PDK. It occurs to me this morning that I will have to see whatever I buy, god I don't even know if I'll like the view out the spyder and I am certainly not psyched about a 70K car with yet another plastic back window. The spyder premium puts it alongside the 2009 911 cabrio I drove at the dealer in price as well.

I have seen a video of a Cayman S beating a Ferrari 360 on a race track in two different video's and racetracks somewhere on youtube.

I would not be suprised if the Boxster Spyder is faster than the 360 around a race track.

Me either and the only criticism anyone seems to be able to muster is the top, general consensus is it's one of the best Porsches to leave the factory and the current weight champion of the lineup. When you look at the Ferrari the body looks massive contrasted against a modern boxster and the 2000 series of the Modena just looks old to me.

Listen ! As much as I like boxsters and caymans (and to be quite frank, I have one of the most well tuned no expense spared boxsters that I've ever come across), neither vehicle even remotely compares to a 360 Modena. If you ever have the chance to drive one you'll experience the difference. The 360 is a whole different level of automobile - much more sophisticated and mature than any boxster or cayman that I've driven . As far as who's passing who on the track, and what type of vehicle he or she is driving is subject to many variables. I'm sure that there are a number of members here on the forum who could drive the pants off of most of us regardless of what kind of vehicle they were given .

JD, You make a good point about driver ability, I'm certain Michael Andretti could spank me in a much lesser capable vehicle. However JD, to be fair, you are basing the Boxster Spyder's inability on how fast your old souped Boxster is. Sure the Modena has more power, Porsche has been giving up power forever but I'll bet good money the Spyder can carry as much or more pace in a corner than a 2000 Modena. The old Modena is giving up a couple hundred pounds to the Spyder as well and does not have the superior lightweight wheels at each corner either.

First of all, "old" and "souped up" are not words or phrases that I would use to describe my vehicle. Considerable time, money and creative effort went into modifying my boxster. I prefer to call it meticulously "tuned" or "dialed" in . In any case, I can't say that I have driven the latest iteration of the boxster spyder . However, I have driven just about every model year leading up to it. And, quite frankly, they've all felt like "mush" to me . With that said, I am confident enough to say that the new spyder wouldn't leave any flies living on my vehicle . And, if so, they'd be paying rent .

The 360 already looks dated for a six figure Ferrari. It's in that weird place where (IMHO) wasn't the head-turner that the 355 was and isn't on the new egineering/reliability level Ferrari reached with the 430. And their fragile to boot.
It's like having beautiful furniture that you have to keep plastic covers on, not the choice for a guy who plans to drive the wheels off a car. More a car to sit in a Ferrari Museum or some rich celebrities car collection hangar.

JD I felt the same way about my 2.5 don't get defensive the fact remains your tuning did not lighten wheels, get factory tuned suspension, lose weight (to the same degree), is not direct injected or likely anywhere near 310, not dissing your ride, up to a month ago I was loving one like it. All I'm saying is until you drive a Boxster Spyder you owe it the unknown factor against ten year old Ferrari machinery. Regarding the claim about your car, any of these vehicles are going to be very close but again if you think a closed track comparison with race drivers of your ride and a Spyder would be close you're smoking crack.

I guess that we're not all going to agree on the 360 . Lol ! Certain that it is,the 430 is a much more refined platform . However, I still feel that the 360 is nonetheless an exciting, gorgeous vehicle .

I hope that you know some good crack dealers .

You're stuck too far in your own fantasy then guy because I've read over the years about the "mods", no revelations there my friend. When you stuff a bigger motor in it let me know, till then I'll assume my new ride will smoke it out of the box with 320 on tap @ 7200 and seven speeds that can be grabbed faster than you can think about.

I have bought a few cars sight unseen (from eBay) and the best way to do this is to hire a local company to do the PPI on site and then email you the report. The company will typically do a full visual inspection, check for engine error codes, perform a test drive, and provide lots of pictures. You can also talk to the inspector to get his impressions of the car and answer any particular questions that the report may not have addressed. The cost is around $250-$400.

Then you can use the report to decide whether to buy or not. I have decided not to buy several cars once I got the report. You can also use the report in your negotiations to justify why you're offering a lower price.

Thanks Stone, that's a great suggestion. The used cars I have seen are all adorned with expensive adds I don't want, such as nav. As such, the dealers want more than a new car with less mods. Since interest rates are sometimes better on new cars there may be savings there as well. I might just order one from the local dealer, then I will always have a spot there for service.

I'm sure that the new Spyder in it's stock form is a great vehicle, and perhaps the most performance oriented boxster to date . Moreover, despite it's "bikini" top, I'm sure that it's refined enough to satisfy you and any soccer mom out there. However, for any serious minded "tuner" or track enthusiast, the first things to go on this vehicle would be the wheels, suspension, cat back exhaust, headers, cats , ecu re-map ect.. When you or anyone else has accomplished this, you can keep your crack, I'll bring the cigars, scotch and fair ladies .

i must agree , these old boxsters are limited , no matter how much modification is done . don't get me wrong i love my Boxster but when i take my jap crap evo X for a spin it is clear in every category (except build quality) that it will whip the old 986 S . the evo X lightly tuned will most likely tool a Boxster Spyder as well and for a fraction of the cost.
I do understand where Johnny D. is coming from when he says that the ferrari is on another level because it is.

My last word on it JD, what you are proposing is that the newest technology from Porsche is easily beaten in performance by simple mods as the ones you describe performed on their older cars, what can I say except I disagree. If you had done some serious engine mods the kind that require dis assembly then I might, might buy your claim. But the "cards in the spokes" tweaks you are talking about, to say two pro drivers one in a spyder and one in the JD prepared race car, to say your car would win is nothing short of delusional.


It won't matter anyhow, I now know why the prices are skyrocketing, no more new spyders so what's left is going to be too much, looks like I'm S shopping now.

the spyder has an 11.4 hp/weight ration (hp*100/weight) where as the 986S has 8.9. even losing 200 lb and gaining 35 hp (the max you probably could expect with bolt-ons and a streetable weight loss program) you would still only hit 10.9.

a 987S, however, could easily be converted. from wiki:

... the Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche on the market, weighing 2,811 pounds, a full 176 pounds lighter than a Boxster S. This has been achieved through the elimination of the conventional soft top's operating mechanism, the radio/PCM unit, air conditioning, storage compartments, handles, cupholders and large LED light modules on the front fascia. The vehicle will ride on a firmer suspension than the other Boxster models, and will also be almost one inch lower in order to have firmer handling. A manually operated canvas top, sports bucket seats and two signature humps running along the back of the vehicle provide characteristic design elements. It will offer a six-cylinder boxer engine with 320 horsepower and 273 lb·ft of torque, a 10 hp increase over the engine in the Boxster S and the same engine used in the related Cayman S.

so, a/c delete, gt3 seats, remove roof motors, PSS9 suspension, lightweight battery, lightweight wheels, RS door pulls, intake, exhaust, tune, etc., will get you there. $10k in upgrades; more if you want it to look like the spyder (and not just perform like it).

Don't forget the chassis upgrade 986 / 987

First of all, at no time did I say that the technology of the 986 platform surpassed that of the new Spyder . Rather, the premise of my remarks was to suggest, by comparison one could create a very formidable performer out of a 986 for much less money; provided that the modifications were executed in a well planned and methodical manner . Furthermore, if you think that performance mods from the likes of 9FF, M&M Exhaust Germany, Fvd/Brombacher, Evolution Motorsports, Champion Motorsports, and Hamann just to name a few are "card in the spokes", then you're a bigger jackass than I thought you were . But, please go spend 90k on a 310 hp vehicle with a 2 cent bikini top .

I modded my own Boxster, my family wrenched on cars 40 years, dad built race engines, owned a dealership just what are your credentials captain secret & too cocky? BTW, you said your car would beat the spyder with pro drivers in each, at least own it. Manthey modded the Cayman to the tune of 20K and Excellence struggled to say much of anything about the mods, read for yourself. Look, I felt as if I eeked performance out of my car and had it refined to an edge most other drivers would not bother to endeavor to find too, I know where your heart is. None of that changes that you were wrong and if you think insulting my credentials and heritage of motoring promotes your position then go for it, i was modding Fiats when you weren't here yet.

My father built engines for these:


Hillegass is perhaps best known for his midgets, which he began building as the midget racing boom took off in the Thirties. At the time he was living in Syracuse, New York and working Carrier Corporation's research and development department. He continued there through World War II but then returned to Allentown where he set up his own shop at 2435 South 4th Street.

Midgets, as builders like Frank Kurtis and Pop Dreyer proved, were viable business and Hiram Hillegass approached it as such, even going to the extent of investing in cast iron bucks over which he could accurately, quickly and repeatably form the complex body panels that clothed his creations. Racers earned their livings wîth the diminutive but shapely single-seaters, sometimes racing every evening of the week during the season and twice or more a day on weekends. The cars and their engines had to be quick enough to command appearance money, bring home prize money regularly and stand up to constant use and competition.

The midgets of Hiram Hillegass met the test, and it is not surprising that the drivers who survived racing his midgets turned to Hillegass for bigger cars which were then known simply and logically as 'Big Cars'. These were the sprint cars that carried bigger engines, campaigned on larger tracks and each year adjourned for the month of May to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 500. Hillegass built two Big Cars in the Thirties, one for Frank 'Butcher Boy' Wierer in 1937 and one for Doc Keim in Hillegass's hometown of Allentown in 1939.

forget about ferrari , drop a 3.8 x51 in the danger mobile and then you can tool on spyders and probably some gt3 s all day long !

Here you go putting words in my mouth again . I never said that my boxster would win a race against the spyder . Rather, it is my belief that it would hold it's own. Especially if Chuck Norris was driving it . In any case, you have an open invitation to come up to Massachusetts in the Spring and drive my boxster. You'll love it ! I'll even buy you lunch . Just don't bring any crack !

Not to bust balls or anything but this evo with under 5 grand in mods. will make a spyder look like a silly little child and it will do all day long without worrying about some bearing or all the other overpriced **************** that breaks. 414 WHP / 373 WTQ - 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X GSR - COBB Tuning Plano - YouTube

are there any chassis differences between 986/987? perhaps a bit more stiffness (which can be addressed aftermarket) but suspension is about the same ...

http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/26973-can-boxster-987-coilovers-fit-986-a.html

What did this mean chief?


Me: Regarding the claim about your car, any of these vehicles are going to be very close but again if you think a closed track comparison with race drivers of your ride and a Spyder would be close you're smoking crack.


You:I hope that you know some good crack dealers .

In a scenario like this it wouldn't be close, you wouldn't win one lap.

OK Peace now, I like you JD and I like your car and I will come up and we can split lunch, you can drive whatever I buy and vomit after touching the PDK..

after thinking about this for a minute. a well sorted 986S may give a spyder a good run for it's money. suspension wise not much of a difference we know with the right setup the 986S suspension can perform on exotic levels. with all the right mods $$$$. a 986S will come in just under 300 h.p. is 20 h.p. enough to blow it away ? PDK could put a nail in the coffin but I think it would be closer than you think not a total ass wiping.

Deal. But, please consider buying a late model 360 Modena (a CS !) with a Tubi exhaust and a set of challenge wheels on it .

Not to continue fanning the flames, but I'm hoping that my next dyno test will produce results upwards of 260 ft lb of torque .

"just what are your credentials captain secret & too cocky?"

I'm not taking sides guys buy reading that made me cackle out loud...........

Witnessing Johnny Danger step out of character and make lucid arguments on this vs. that is a bit surreal also.....

BTW....the Ferrari Lusso is the one to own, can you tell I don't drive fast? :cheers:

Well that's in the hood of 273...No Ferrari for me, I'll ride along in yours.

Too many posts off topic. No. To me it's not worth it. I can, and would, buy a slightly used GT2 over a slightly used Spyder for the same price. Not to mention what Johnny already said about different great cars. The Spyder is a great car but not for 90K.

I love the smell of a leather jumpsuit during an argument .

Hey, man from uncle, get this, there is no more production of Boxsters!!One must either buy new off current stock, used or wait till June launch in Sardinia Italy of the new car which I was just told has: engine moved more to the center, is wider and two inches longer.

you think Porsche could update their website instead of letting you jerk yourself a soda for six hours configuring what doesn't exist?