Weekend With A Spyder
 

Last Saturday, Woodhouse had their 2nd annual "Ready, Set, Launch!" event at the Strategic Air Command Museum just outside of Omaha. Lots of activities: a full line-up of cars were on display and you could sign up for a 15 min test drive of the various Porsches (Panamera, Cayenne, 911, Cayman, or Boxster) on adjacent roads to the museum. There was at least a 1.5 hr wait for any drive, so my buddy and I didn't bother.

One of the cars on display was a Spyder. It was recently sold but was available to look at. Here it is:

http://i47.tinypic.com/2v0zcx0.jpg

Looking inside, you'll notice the door strap rather than the usual door handle. Maybe someone else understands the logic of saving a couple of ounces there but loading the car up with nav, sport chrono, etc.

http://i47.tinypic.com/157opvs.jpg

Removing the top
Got to see how this is done. Step 1 is to open the trunk lid, which loosens the straps at the rear of the top. The hooks at the end of the straps are removed from the red latches. The straps are laid on the top and then the vertical portion of the top (containing the rear window) is unsnapped from the top. There are probably 6 snaps. Then the front header is unbuckled from the windshield post. The top is rolled up and placed in the area that would be under the clam shell in a regular Box. Not a fast procedure. Here's a pic of the trunk area.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2zhe2jl.jpg

Test drive

http://i45.tinypic.com/2rcwnqo.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/eh17nq.jpg

The folks at Woodhouse had set up a small track in part of the parking lot. They had 2 Spyders available to test drive. There was no sign-up, you just stood in line and waited for your turn. The drive itself consisted of taking 2 laps yourself and then riding along as your instructor drove a single lap. The instructors were from the Porsche Driving School in Alabama. The first lap was to familiarize yourself with the course and the 2nd lap was to let it all hang out. Even though I was moving right along on lap 2, my instructor was telling me to go faster. They didn't want you babying the cars, but I didn't want to bump a curb trying to be a hero either. I happened to have Cass Whitehead as my instructor and he proceeded to show me how to launch a Porsche with PDK - hold the brake with your left foot, rev it to the max and hold it, then launch within 6 sec, and the computer will momentarily chirp the tires and then blast you away! We zipped through the slalom, whipped around the 2 90 deg corners, flew down the dog leg straight, quick left hander, then a sweeping right. Then a BIG stab of the brakes as we entered the pit lane. What fun.

I have a couple of short film clips I took with my camera. Unfortunately, this was my first ever attempt at filming with my camera, so there needs to be a bit of editing at the ends. If anyone has the ability to do this, pm me with your email addr and I'll send them to you. It would be nice to include them on this post but I'm a bit embarrased with the amatuerish endings.

Opinings
The Spyder is mostly a track or weekend fun car. The seats are exceptionally form fitting but would be hard to get out of on a daily basis. The top would be hard to live with unless you live in San Diego. It was fun to drive but I didn't consider trading mine in.

BTW...
I believe Woodhouse has one in their invertory. Last week I stopped by to have my maintenance light shut off and they had one in their showroom (in addition to the sold one that was on display at the musuem). I stopped there today to have my 6 disk changer activated and the one in the showroom was now outside, so they still have it. Just in case someone is looking for one.

I would agree with the weight savings comment. Scrap the door handle but not the heavy navigation and radio?? But, you know us americans still need our comforts! We could really do without the door handle, the speedo, and the steering wheel, as long as it had a cup holder, bluetooth, and navigation.

Sounds like it was a fun event. Thanks for sharing.

I like everything about it except for the top... which is one of the coolest thing for our Boxster.

I think it's a great looking box with the silly top off, but if I wanted that much of a track/specialty car, there are many others I'd spend the loot on before the Spyder.
If I wanted a track car only I'd go either with a Lotus, or just buy a race car. I've gotten a bit long in the tooth for my formula car, but there are quite a few really fast cars available for much less than that Spyder.
Spend 30k on a Sports 2000 and you'll be a throwin stones at a Boxster!!
40k will get you a full race prepped 2.5 914/6 with slicks!!

Just for grins and giggles.........how much fun would this be???:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/porsche/1273291484/1273291484ss.htm

That goes with anything in life.... why do we buy our Boxster when we can get a Miata or S2000 for less money??? Why does anyone buy new Rolex when you can buy a Casio??? Why buy a 911 Turbo when you can get a Nissan GT-R???

Porsche realizes there are people that will spend the money to buy a car like that and that's why they made it. It's called running a business.