Boxster Spyder

[Lil bastard]

...I find it funny that people love to throw their comments in on something without even sitting behind the wheel and driving the car. Don't knock it until you try it...Assumption. But that aside, trying to defend or attack a subjective opinion is a ridiculous waste of time.

Sage words from B2ks!

I did in fact drive the Spyder, both through an auto-X and hot laps on a road course - have you?

My description was that the car was annoying! That is my subjective (but certainly not random) opinion.

And, I've never considered writeups in CD, RT and such rags to be objective at all, nor would I ever base a purchase decision on them. These mags rely on their relationship with Mfgrs. and advertisers, their truthfulness has limits... right up to endangering this symbiosis.

Most things in our lives are subjective. From your point of view, the Spyder was the car for you. Great! I meant it when I said good luck!

From my point of view, it's not a car I want to own.

No need to mount a defense of positions. If you're wrong, you can always sell it. If I'm wrong, I can always buy it.

Cheers!

[pcw]

Lil Bastard,

Not sure what your problem is, my comment was a general comment not directed to anyone specific. I also don't take 100% what is written in car mags but a good starting point for those that might not be Racer X like you or have the opportunity to test drive the car on a road course.

A member of a different forum that has both a Spyder and a GT3RS said:

"I have about 5k miles on each of my Boxster Spyder and my 997.1 GT3 RS (including some track time in each), and it isn't even close -- the Spyder wins in the handling department. The RS is all about the engine -- the Mezger powerplant is a masterpiece -- the instant-on power, the high revs, the sound . . . . And the PCCBs in that car are unbelievable too. But, when it comes to handling, the Spyder is just incredible and that makes the car so much fun to drive. I can't even imagine what a Spyder could do with Michelin Sport Cups (as opposed to stock Pirellis)."

Pretty close to what the "rags" stated.

pcw

[Lil bastard]

@ PCW,

You like the car and you bought it... all good there. I get that.

Interesting that in each of your prior posts on the subject, save one, you cited other sources or peoples' opinions/review of the car, but little of your own.

Who are you trying to convince, and why?

This is not a really substantial 'debate' here, just everyone expressing opinion.

Cheers!

[pcw]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

@ PCW,

You like the car and you bought it... all good there. I get that.

Interesting that in each of your prior posts on the subject, save one, you cited other sources or peoples' opinions/review of the car, but little of your own.

Who are you trying to convince, and why?

This is not a really substantial 'debate' here, just everyone expressing opinion.

Cheers!

Lil Bastard,

The reason is simple, I don't have 6 other expensive sports car to test it against. I also don't have 130K GT3RS to compare it to. I not trying to convince anyone of anything. But you want my opinion on this car, here it is:

It is the most neutral feeling car I have ever driven and provides more feedback to me as the driver than any car I have ever driven. It stay online in turns and some cars you have to really stay on top of and work hard to get it around. I would like more HP, but then who doesn't. I like how the rear end swings out and I feel in total control at all times with the Spyder.

My 08 STI which I do track, even though is AWD and has a higher center of gravity and as good as that car is on the track, the Spyder is an entire cut above, not even is the same league. It's the feeling of confidence that the Spyder gives me. This is my first Porsche and to be honest, it has taken some time to be able to afford it. When I have my STI on the track on a hard tight switch backs, the feedback is not there and it's sometimes hard to feel if the car is at it's limit. With the Spyder you know exactly where you are as far as limits and it my driving ability that is holding me back, not the cars. With my STI, I always feel the cars is the weak link, with the Spyder I truly see it is me. I will admit I have only had the Spyder out on 1 road course, cones at an old military airbase runway but that was enough to see the difference. I do not plan to track the Spyder as much as my STI, as the cost of tracking your cars add up quickly and porsche's aren't cheap to replace tires, pads and rotors, not to mention all the warranty issues in regards to tracking.

I am not a rich man, but am a car enthusiast. I am happy whenever any Porsche wins races, has good reviews unlike you that seems to have a bone to pick with them. Maybe it's because I'm new to the Porsche cars and am not aware of all the past "marketing ploys". All I know is I love the car, love the performance, paid a lot of money for it (a lot of money to me) and that's all I care about. I don't get caught up in the VW to Porsche relationship, don't care about being deceived, insulted etc...To me that's just a bunch of smoke, mirrors and excuses.

pcw

[eightsandaces]

All cars are subjective to some degree, as long as we like our own rides it ends right there. I do need to say Lil B you are being hard on a car that will undoubtedly beat your most recent purchase in every measurable category.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

All cars are subjective to some degree, as long as we like our own rides it ends right there. I do need to say Lil B you are being hard on a car that will undoubtedly beat your most recent purchase in every measurable category.

Well, I respect your viewpoint.

But, I am not comparing the Spyder to anything. I simply drove it and didn't like it, period.

Will it spank my 964, most probably, given like conditions and the same driver, definitely! 20 yrs. in engine and suspension advances, not to mention the mid-engine weight distribution all contribute.

That being the case, I still didn't enjoy driving it one bit. The interminable lag at launch and the DME telling me when to shift, or rather, actually shifting for me really put me off. The handling didn't seem like some revelation, in fact, it was indistinguishable from other Boxsters I've tracked. It may well have produced higher test numbers or data points, but these were not at all obvious from the driver's seat, though I admit that being on street rubber may explain some of it.

HP, IMHO, is a fools game, you can always heap more on. It's just a matter of cash and compromise. Handling and braking, not HP, is what always distinguished a Sports Car from an ordinary street machine. This seems to have been forgotten, though the Sports Car category isn't the only one at blame here when you can get 290 HP from a stock Nissan Maxima (like you really need that in a street car).

And, since Carol Shelby was brought into the arguement, he always said that the original AC Cobra, with the 260 HiPo motor was a dream to drive, well balanced all-around. He also says that when the 289 was introduced (MkII), the car suffered, but when the 427 side-oiler and/or 428 was introduced (MkIII), it ruined the car entirely. He refers to the Mark III as "the Pig".

Now, I'm not claiming to be Senna incarnate or any such thing. But I have driven on many tracks in many cars and while there were some which I enjoyed more than others, none of them before the Spyder actually annoyed me. So much so, that I pitted early and left 6 more laps on the table, something which is very much against my religion... and a first!

This is an opinion thread. Not everyone will share my view, perhaps even the majority. NO PROBLEM at all!

My opinion is based on my personal experience with the car and if anything, because of the raves about it, I was looking forward to driving it and was prepared for an entirely different experience than I had.

IMPO, the car does not in actuality live up to all the hype or the sticker price.

If expressing my opinion is contrued by some as insulting, that's much more their problem than my intent.

And, as I freely admitted, I'm betting Porsche sells them by the score. There just won't ever be one in my driveway.

Cheers!

[jacabean]

I wonder how much better the spyder is to a similarly equipped Boxster S ? Just say you spent a few bucks on some light weight seats , wheels and some suspension . would there really be that much of a difference ?

[ekam]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

HP, IMHO, is a fools game, you can always heap more on. It's just a matter of cash and compromise. Handling and braking, not HP, is what always distinguished a Sports Car from an ordinary street machine. This seems to have been forgotten, though the Sports Car category isn't the only one at blame here when you can get 290 HP from a stock Nissan Maxima (like you really need that in a street car).

I just had a similar argument with someone who thinks the current M3 is brilliant.

I told him it's pig and the earlier E30/36/46 M3s were true to its concept. He disagreed.

That, and one of the mechanics at the BMW dealer said, M nowadays stands for marketing.