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Old 04-07-2007, 11:08 AM   #1
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Randall drove my car...

and I, and the rest of the Boxsterworld, want to see what he writes about
it.

So, Randall, have at it...

- Mark

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Old 04-07-2007, 12:43 PM   #2
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The difficulty in reporting on a drive in this car is that I only have my 1997 2.5 Boxster as a comparison, and a quick drive in Mark's previous Pcars, a 2000 boxster 2.7 and his 2002 C4S.

However, I can easily make these comments:

1. The engine has a lot more grunt in the low rpm range compared to my car. The bigger engine just makes this car even more fun to drive in a straight line, that's for sure! I didn't run it up to the redline because it's still in the break in period, so I do hope Mark will let me drive it aggressively when it's been on the road for a few more miles and out of the break in period.

2. The car felt far more solid than my car and even Mark's low-mileage boxster. I can tell Porsche did their homework and made the car more rigid.

3. The ride is infinitely more comfortable than my car. I could drive across the country in the new 987 and love every minute of it, even after many hours behind the wheel.

4. As expected, the car turns on a dime and the suspension is amazing. We've all come to love this about our cars, and Porsche has done a wonderful job of making the Boxster an effortless car to drive around sharp corners at speed.

5. The ceramic brakes are also very good, as one would demand in this pricey upgrade... I didn't do any hard braking after a long day at the track so I cannot attest to the lack of fade or lack of dust buildup, but if what they say is true, these are amazing brakes. I loved the massive yellow calipers peeking out from inside the rims too.

6. The interior on the 987 is just a million times better than the nicest interior on a 986. Mark got the full leather package and the detailed stitching and the quality of the leather is excellent. I was also leery about the interior color he chose, but fell in love with the dark chocolate brown color when I rode in it. It's not like what I imagined it would be from pictures I have seen on eBay and the Porsche web site.

Things I thought were cool on the interior:

• THREE electrical outlets!!! One in the cigarette tray (iPod charging station). One in the footwell of the passenger compartment (V1 or portable navigation power). And one in the oddments tray (for the cell phone).

• Programmable remotes for one's gate, garage door and interior lights. Nice touch and something I'd use every single day.

• The Bose stereo sounded great, although my taste in music is very different from Mark's selection that day. I would like to listen to some Zeppelin or ZZTop on it some time soon to see if it thumps loudly enough for me with the top down.

The only thing that would probably drive me nuts is the fact that you can see the air pressure in all four tires simultaneously anytime you like, and I'd go absolutely crazy keeping the fronts and backs aired up to read the same. I'd go crazy if they weren't correct all the time.

All in all, I am impressed with the build quality of the car and enjoyed driving it. Of course, I had to get back into my 10 year old boxster with half the engine and a zillion rattles and squeaks...

Last edited by RandallNeighbour; 04-07-2007 at 12:46 PM.
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Old 04-07-2007, 01:21 PM   #3
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Psst!

(You forgot to mention the exhaust note)
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Old 04-07-2007, 02:03 PM   #4
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Oh crap. I knew I was going to forget something important.

The sound from the PSE is glorious! It reminds me of Mark's C4S, which had an incredible exhaust sound of it's own, but under more power so it wasn't the same.

It had no resonance and because of Mark's ingenuity to turn it on and leave it on all the time, I could enjoy it as I ran the gears at any speed.

It was not too loud, but loud enough to hear the engine's rpm's without having to look down at the gauges, which is the practical reason for it I guess. Of course, just hearing the glorious sound of the Porsche 3.4 is good enough!
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Old 04-07-2007, 05:48 PM   #5
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I see blue...he looks glorious....
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Old 04-07-2007, 05:48 PM   #6
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Which one's still on break-in mode?
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Old 04-08-2007, 03:28 PM   #7
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My break in mode was lots and lots of varying throttle and engine
speeds for about 200 miles, mostly below 4,200 rpm.

As an aside, 4,200 in sixth gear is exactly 101 mph.

But my many years of car sense (or nonsense, I am not
sure sometimes) kicked in and the engine called to me, "Mark,
please rev me up! Please!."

So, what choice did I really have? Onward we went. If you,
Randall, thought it sounded good at 4,000; 5,000 is even better.

And so is 6. And, dare I say it? So don't tell anyone -- 7,000 is
just a screamin' demon.

But the car and I worked our way up there. Always, always and
always rev it up only after it is thoroughly warmed up. Let it get
up to temp on the coolant gauge and then run it at least that
long again to get the oil up to temp. During this process, I keep
it below 2,000 until the coolant is 175 and stay below 3,000
that long again.

Oil temp, at least on 911's (they have an oil temp gauge), takes
a bit more than twice as long as the coolant to get up to proper
operating temp. Only then should you put the power to it.

Anyway, we are now about 1,200 miles, still varying loads and speed,
but operating the variocam plus system often. It likes to rev and
asks me to drive it that way.

So for me and the car, it's easy greasy until full operating temp
and then just drive it.

It likes it. Burns no oil. No smoke. And runs like a spotted a$$
ape. (And I think they're supposed to run pretty fast.)

So there.

After all, the engines are supposed to have been run on the factory dyno to
ensure it makes proper power, right? The only way you can know
that is full throttle. So it's been done. Plus I think they are run
on a track for a lap or two as well -- but maybe that's in the olden
days.

I may have veered slightly off topic here, so sorry about that.

But Bill in Chicago will report in soon with his PSE and I will wager
that he turns in a similar report.

All the best,

- Mark

Last edited by Houston C4S; 04-08-2007 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 04-08-2007, 04:15 PM   #8
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Mark, sounds great!

Did you get the info mailed (actual good 'ol US mail) to you about the PSE?
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Old 04-10-2007, 11:21 AM   #9
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Bill,

The actual US mail just delivered it here today.

If I can figure out the illustrations, I may be able to
just bypass the DME functions. Actually, I am pretty sure
I can do that, it's just routing the wires that may prove
hard to do.

We will see.

For now, PSE on all the time. And, as you will soon find
out, it isn't all that loud as long as the ol' right foot isn't
poking on the throttle too hard.

Thanks for sending it, I really appreciate it.

- Mark

PS: I am looking forward to your report after you get
yours installed.
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Old 04-10-2007, 11:52 AM   #10
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I've only seen pictures, but I LOVE the 987's interior! The full leather stitched seams must look VERY plush!

we must have PICS!! PICS DANGIT!!
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Old 04-10-2007, 12:22 PM   #11
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I assume we are talking about an 07 987S here but didn't see it mentioned.
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Old 04-10-2007, 12:26 PM   #12
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Fray,

Pictures are in this thread that Randall was kind enough
to post for me (since I am such an igmo about pictures).

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9859&highlight=Houston


Does that help?


- Mark

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