2011 Boxster Spyder

[renzop]

Even though it will not be a daily driver you might consider the ride implications of the 1" lower suspension on the Spyder combined with 19" wheels and low profile rubber. Nothing worse than having a car for fun and finding the ride is stiff enough to make the car not fun. If they were currently available then I would suggest a test drive of each on less than perfect roads before plopping down your deposit. Since that's not the case go test drive an '09 or '10 Boxster S and then ask yourself if you want a car that rides considerably rougher than that.

[pcw]

Thanks to who have replied. Good points. I was also looking at a Superformance 427 Cobra, that car doesn't have A/C, radio and it does have a"soft top" , a lot like the Spyder does, that really isn't meant for bad weather. I'm really just looking for a unique car and I have always wanted a Porsche and I really like the Spyder's design.

PCW

[gerrygug]

In answer to your original question --- YES!

[jmatta]

Buy a roller Box S and install a 3.8...you'll save a lot of $ and have a kick-a$$ car to boot. The Boxster Spyder is a marketing gimmick and will not be collectible IMO...in fact I'll bet it's value nosedives just like all the other current breed (look at GT3 RS values).

[crios]

HECK YEAH! If you can afford one, buy one!

[VRsyncro]

Originally Posted by crios

HECK YEAH! If you can afford one, buy one!

I'd pick one up as well!

Heck, I had about +45F temperatures recently and drove with top down, nice scarf and tuque, just to enjoy the fresh brisk air!

In summer I do like having AC as an option, but could live without it. Just need to dress appropriately! Only on rare occasions was I actually in a suit while driving my Boxster.

[pcw]

Originally Posted by jmatta

Buy a roller Box S and install a 3.8...you'll save a lot of $ and have a kick-a$$ car to boot. The Boxster Spyder is a marketing gimmick and will not be collectible IMO...in fact I'll bet it's value nosedives just like all the other current breed (look at GT3 RS values).

Let's face it, if your are looking for resale on your car, your investing in the wrong commodity. Tell me what new car will be worth more 2 years after you buy it??? A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. KBB could care less about cars "that are destine to be a collectibles" I really don't care about resale/collectibility in short term, because it really won't matter. 30-40 years down the road is what will determine what a car is worth to a collector.

PCW

[CRCGuy]

This will likely not be as collectible because, remember, this is not a limited edition, it's another model in the lineup, unlike the previous RS Spyder (numbered edition) which by the way, are a dime a dozen now in Porsche terms--doubt seriously they will go up in value in 20years.

All you need is ONE good downpour without the top and it's bye bye P-car,unlike a motorcycle. Ask me how I know (previous non P-car).

The Spyder is a nice looking car, will certainly be rare on the street, but unless you're tracking it, you're just buying purely for looks. Why? You would have to drive back to back against a normal 987S to really notice that big of a difference. the 986/987S is plenty fast. New 987S (with real top) and PDK + Sport Chrono, 0-60 in the 4.2 sec range. Compare that to 911s of...uh... last year? How fast do you really need to accelerate? 986/987S Handling also far above anything you should be doing on public roads anyway.

If you're just tracking it, then why dump $62+K in a brand new car. better off doing like the rest said--buy a $15-18k and strip it. Also, make sure you test the standard sport bucket seats, I absolutely couldn't stand them even just sitting in for a few minutes. If you want different, you not only add add'l cost, but now weight back. same for stereo and A/C. My guess is, most will end up adding back some options and the weight difference will diminish.

I'm sure there are aftermarket kits to give you the "speedster humps" which, at the end of the day, is all you're really paying for w.r.t looks in my opinion.

I am still searching for my first box. I've narrowed the field to later model 987S and when the Spyder came out, I was quite disappointed. The lack of real top is a deal breaker. Would have loved a fully manual top instead. But maybe where you live it's not a problem. Like others said, if this were a 2100 lbs, all aluminum body/carbon panels/bumpers, then it might be a different story. but a couple of hundred pounds, some speedster humps and nylon straps for door pulls? don't think so...

My $0.02

[JTP]

I would not suggest anyone buy a car for investment unless you're looking at a vintage Bugatti or some ultra rare car already selling for a premium. Better to invest elsewhere for any return on your investment.
What I meant when I said the Spyder is "destined to be a collectible" is in 10 years or so, there will be very few of these cars that you would have something different and exclusive that it would be a collectible if you chose to keep it for that long. Keep it original and value "might" be higher than other cars. I would not buy it as an investment.
Let me tell you about my Cosworth Vega. When it was new, it was over priced, under powered, and didn't sell very well. Chevrolet discontinued it after two years. It has many factory "firsts" for GM and is one of Chevy's rarest cars but the value on these cars aren't that high. Despite its faults, I love the quirky nature of the car and the rarity of the car only adds to the delight of driving the car. Needless to say, I didn't buy the car as an investment.

[CRCGuy]

You're absolutely right JTP. a car is a liability, not an investment, unless it's a numbers matching '67 Corvette 427 or whatever.

You're probably also correct that it will be rare and exclusive in the future---because my prediction is that sales of this model will be relatively poor. Not only because it's not a real "game-changing" car but also lack of good usability as a DD. Plus, I think the timing is wrong. we're just now coming out of a recession, and people's mindsets have started to change. we're becoming more prudent with our money--esp in the short term. I just don't see people jumping to blow $60k on a car like this that lacks daily usability. Same likely true for BMWs new X6M--a turbocharged, gas-guzzling, stupidly fast SUV. In hindsight, they probably would have scrapped such projects. there will always be a few with more money than god that will buy one. But doubt a sustainable market. maybe time will prove me wrong.

So you may be absolutely right, this may become collectible, esp if my prediction holds true:
Dec 2011 edition of Motortrend: "Boxster Spyder to be discontinued"


I'll prepare to get flamed on that date I'll have my P-car well before then and will be an active member in this forum.

CRCguy