987 vs 986 - Zowie!

[The Radium King]

it's a hp to weight thing.

a 986 puts out 250 hp and weighs 2822 lbs; that's a ratio of 8.86.

a 987 puts out 290 hp but weighs 3130 lbs; that's a ratio of 9.27.

the 987 has more hp/lb, but ...

lose 125 lbs, or gain an additional 10 hp, and the 986 is neck and neck with the 987. do both and you got the 987 beat. sure, the 987 has pasm, psm, pse, pcm, tpms, sc+ and some fancy-looking gills on the side. i think my 2000 S looks better and the only option it has is intermittent wipers. i have no stability control and will occasionally find myself spun-out in the rhubarb on track day. i have no nav and occasionally find myself wondering where the hell i am on a beautiful sunny day with the top down. my car can't tell me when my tires are flat. i don't have any buttons on my steering wheel to turn my stereo on.

[stephen wilson]

I hate the standard nanny PSM on my '06, it steps in much too soon. I turn it off every time I want to drive in a spirited fashion.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I hate the standard nanny PSM on my '06, it steps in much too soon. I turn it off every time I want to drive in a spirited fashion.

Improve your line and inputs (throttle and steering). Learn to heel/toe and tail brake. Run good tires at the proper pressures. Join your local PCA and particpate in a few nivice DE's.

[insite]

For a daily driver, I love the 987. For a weekend / track toy, I'll take my no option, no nanny 2600 lb 986 beast. Something about a raw, visceral experience that I love.

[stephen wilson]

I guess I phrased that wrong. I'm very familiar with proper high performance/racing technique, I race a Formula Ford. The problem is PSM allows virtually no "rotation" in tight radius corners. Besides, it's just fun to hang the tail out now and then! ( in a safe, unpopulated area, with clear run-off )

Oh yeah, one more "issue" I have, they've done too good a job eliminating trailing-throttle oversteer. This is very safe and stable for the average driver, but with the inherent low-speed push of the Boxster, it doesn't allow you to throttle-steer and tighten your line.

[PhilNotHill]

The 2004 Box S had 268 bhp and the 2011 has 310 bhp. Seems to me it makes a big difference passing in the mountains. Haven't tracked the 2011 yet.

Also, the gearbox seems much smoother on the 987. But that may be bcus it only has 4k mi vs 30+k mi on the 986.

The instrumentation on the 987 is more user friendly and more functional.

The PSM is not intrusive on either car.

Love all the gadgets and creature comforts on the 987. $70k for the 2011 vs $63k for the 2004 is well worth it IMVHO.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by PhilNotHill

$70k for the 2011 vs $63k for the 2004 is well worth it IMVHO.

Ha! I love the disparate economic circles the participants in this forum travel in. I couldn't dream of buying one of these things new.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

The problem is PSM allows virtually no "rotation" in tight radius corners. Besides, it's just fun to hang the tail out now and then! ( in a safe, unpopulated area, with clear run-off )

Stephen, this is where having the Sport Chrono function/option helps. I puts the PSM into a different engagement phase.

[vitaminC]

987 is more likely to have a warranty. That's a plus.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by insite

For a daily driver, I love the 987. For a weekend / track toy, I'll take my no option, no nanny 2600 lb 986 beast. Something about a raw, visceral experience that I love.

TOTALLY AGREE!!!
In terms of a Sports Car, RAW is where it's at!

Refinement is just a euphamism for 'dumbing down'.

Refinement is for people who don't really want a sports car... ala' non-AMG MB. These poeple want a car which exudes the Panache of a Sports Car without really being one - one easier to live with.

Sports Cars are not easy, they're not good DDs - they're not supposed to be.

I get to hang with the instructors of the Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsports Park for a week every year for the Indycar Alabama Grand Prix. Privately, they scoff and refer to PSM as 'Please Save Me'!!

Cheers!

[insite]

most of the things i've done to my car have been designed to 'let the porsche out'. there is a LOT of porsche in these modern cars, but IMO, they cover a lot of it up with extra 'stuff'. i like to let out a little more porsche......

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

TOTALLY AGREE!!!
In terms of a Sports Car, RAW is where it's at!

Refinement is just a euphamism for 'dumbing down'.

[ekam]

PSM has never been a problem for me. These Dunlop Z1 Star Spec sticks like glue on the street.