2010 Boxster Spyder vs 2010 Tesla Roadster
 

Motor Trend shot this at my favorite local track... cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0mU6DIZWlQ
Reinforcing what most of us already knew.

I want one
 

I'm really digging the spyder, to the point I would like to buy it....it just has a few drawbacks for me:

1) It's white....see image below...
2) Mine is all but paid off....less than a year left
3) I can't see myself getting rid of my boxster ever...2 whites in the garage?
4) No radio....that sucks...

I think I'll investigate engine options down the road for some more horses...usually I only see conversions based on "s" models though...

This is incredible. All the reviews are stellar. I can't wait to trade my Lotus for one. I was originally thinking a new Carrera S cab., but this car seems so good, it's drawing me back to the Boxster over a top end 911 model.


I think this is finally a competitor to the Exige S 240 in the niche, purist-sports-car market. And it's from Porsche - all the merrier!

BTW: Those acceleration numbers were achieved with a six-speed manual. Not the PDK.


The only thing that makes me curious is exactly what options were added that consist of the extra 130 lbs on top of the claimed curb weight of 2811. I would like to avoid those, whatever they are :D I will probably add the cup-holder back, though :( :D :cheers:

The Tesla is pretty cool looking in person. It's got a very large road presence for such a small car.

It's funny to see it next to a Boxster. The Tesla looks like a 3/4 scale model in comparison. It's too bad Porsche can't make a truly small car like that.

Apparently adding the A/C and radio back only costs 41 lbs in weight. Yay!

And there's a lithium ion battery option which saves 22 lbs of that. YAY!



Very nice car. Can't wait.

Boxster 1 - Tesla 0

I can see the Tesla being a novelty at the auto country club (I visit Autobahn CC near Joliet IL). The members there run their Lotus Exiges when not playing with their GT3 cup cars. I think it is a novel idea, but extremely impractical for anything but play time.

After the Tesla's showing on Top Gear even track day fun might be hit and miss.

Colorado offers a $42,000 tax credit for buying a Tesla, I'm sure they're not the only state. Making the car more competitive, price-wise.

http://jalopnik.com/5387773/colorado-tesla-buyers-get-42000-tax-credit

WOW, cost of ownership can really justify the 67K price with the tax credit. $1-3K for gas each year, 500 Bucks on oil change/filtler and no more spark plugs! After 7-10 years, it'll start to pay for itself while maintaining the power, look and speed.

That's a deal!

I'm so bummed the Spyder doesn't have a real top but with manual operation. that's a deal breaker for me. it will be tough to make this a daily driver except for a few regions. Clearly, I don't fall into the target market segment :rolleyes:

The question for me is, what would it take to duplicate the suspension setup? I'm guessing not much? The lighter wheels could be purchased. easy to remove the stereo and lighter battery. so some of the weight savings could be had. The final one is the steering which seems to be different based on reviews. I can't tell if the ratio is different or different boost levels or what. Maybe I should start a new thread: "ways to make your boxster as close as possible to the spyder w.r.t. performance and road feel?"

Lap times are posted:
http://www.fastestlaps.com/track50.html

The Spyder is a lot faster on this track.
Boxster spyder 1:27
Tesla S 1:32

It would probably be really close in total results to a 986S with a 3.6 swap and an M030 suspension. Steering rack is different, but steering feel of the 986 improves further with a more responsive suspension. The power and weight would be the same as the spyder and the suspension is similarly sport tuned. You'd get a real top (albeit plasic windowed), a radio and AC and probably come out $30k ahead.