The New Boxster Spyder Unleashed

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Hmmmmm.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Schumi

More now that I am thinking about it:

I need to do some analysis on the differing polar moment of inertia about the yaw axis of both a 944 series car and a Boxster. While 944's are generally lighter, and have amazing mass distribution throughout, the engine and trans are far from the CG of the car, and the transaxle's mass is hanging out there beyond the rear axle quite a ways. 944's are extremely 'flickable' cars- and after engineering and subsequently driving small formula cars for some years now, polar moment of inertia is most directly related to 'flickability'...


I haven't driven a boxster, but I'd imagine with the engine as close to the CG as it is, and not all that much mass out there at the corners (except the radiators- they are out there a ways, which is a small downside) .... they should be rather responsive.


I've been experimenting with data logging yaw sensors usually used in inertial navigation platforms for guided missiles... bolted to race cars. The data, coupled with accelerometer data , gets really, really interesting to disect.





I'm getting off topic. But not really. All these things are what makes that Spyder such a good car.

Dude, You put way to much thought into buying a car.

[Dottore]

My old 911 has no AC or cupholders, and I have to say I don't really care what these things weigh, I like AC and cupholders.

My guess is they're a $20K option on this car.

That said, Porsche has been incredibly clever with these "special edition" cars.

It's actually much cheaper for Porsche to build (say) 1500 RSK Spyders (or however many of these there were) in identical trim, then it is to build 1500 Boxsters in countless varieties of colours and trim. And they can still charge a premium for the "special edition".

The buyer thinks they're getting something "special" and Porsche actually has a lower production cost than the friggin standard model.

Porsche absolutely coins it on these special edition models. A no complete brainer.

Still, I would trade my left nut for one of the new "special edition" 911 Sport Classics.

[porsche4life]

I think most ppl here would trade their leftie for one of those SportClassics.....

[HHI944]

Hell, I'd remove it myself without pain killers for one of those.

[BeyGon]

You could probably get a reality show movie deal on that and get the money to buy the car.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Needs to be pink...

[Gogar]

blahblahblah I'm perfectly happy with my SC blahblah nose pickblah AlessandraAmbrosinoisprettybutipreferdianekeaton blah.


You guys are hilarious!!!!!!

[TGTIW]

On a whole, I don't think there's a bigger group of people more concerned with their apparent masculinity, then Porsche owners. Maybe that penis rumor is true....

I think the Spyder looks great.

[Laneco]

You guys are probably going to stab me with a soldering iron for this, but they need to make a Cayman version...

All the stuff that makes it go fast, brake hard, turn quick and none of the other pansy stuff. An Elise eater!

angela

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Laneco

You guys are probably going to stab me with a soldering iron for this, but they need to make a Cayman version...

All the stuff that makes it go fast, brake hard, turn quick and none of the other pansy stuff. An Elise eater!

angela

Yep. Great suggestion, Angela.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Maybe that penis rumor is true....

Mine's only 3"...but some women prefer 'em that wide.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Dottore

It's actually much cheaper for Porsche to build (say) 1500 RSK Spyders (or however many of these there were) in identical trim, then it is to build 1500 Boxsters in countless varieties of colours and trim. And they can still charge a premium for the "special edition".

The buyer thinks they're getting something "special" and Porsche actually has a lower production cost than the friggin standard model.

Porsche absolutely coins it on these special edition models. A no complete brainer.

Maybe. However, if you do a little actual research, you might find these special editions are a good deal for the buyer. Last year I bought my wife an RS Spyder version of the Boxster S. It stickered for around $71k and I bought it for a good bit less than that. If you ordered a regular Boxster S with the same options that were on the car I bought, you'd end up with a sticker north of $85K. And, there were some things on the car that were not available on the others, so you'd really be talking about a higher price, comparing apples to apples. Not a bad deal.

Plus, it saved me from spending north of $100k on the Carrera 4 that we would otherwise have bought. She's happy, I'm happy.

And, to pee on your wheaties even more, it's actually a decent car. Faster on a real-world road than most of the older Porsches, including all of mine. Progress is a *****.

I like the new Boster Spyder. Here's hoping that they go down the same path with the 911.

Cheers,
JR

[berettafan]

very pretty car!

but alas you click on the picture showing the fabric door pull after reading about no a/c, etc and you see door speakers, power windows/locks and mirrors.

but still a good looking car.

[Amail]

I recently instructed at the PCA Performance Driving School in San Diego, and had the opportunity to drive several different cars in anger back to back on the same course. I drove a 2005 C4S, a 2002 Boxster, a '78 SC, and a 2005 Cayman S. I usually drive a 944, so these were totally out of my realm of experience.

The Boxster was close to the 944, but harder to rotate. You really needed to be aggressive to get it to work. It went like stink though!

The best, by a country mile, was the Cayman. OMG! That car stuck to the road like it had velcro tires. I was really surprised by how differently it handled from the Boxster. Bear in mind, though, there are a few years separating the Boxster and the Cayman, so the apples/apples ratio may be skewed.

If I had the money, I would take a serious look at this Spyder. Given it's weight, it could be the some of the most fun on four wheels you can buy.

[Brillo]

Originally Posted by gogar

blahblahblah i'm perfectly happy with my sc blahblah nose pickblah alessandraambrosinoisprettybutipreferdianekeaton blah.


you guys are hilarious!!!!!!:d:d

+1

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Hmmmmm.

Hmmm my butt, the Toyota spyder was always a bite of the boxster to begin with.

[austin552]

[Schumi]

This car fits a point in the market perfectly. It's for those people who like the idea of a Lotus Exige, but maybe are a little taller/bigger and don't want to kill their back as much to get in and out of the car. This is more practical too, with the two boots, and has a nicer interior while still keeping that stripped down feel.

[RWebb]

true

but what has it got (beyond a few cosmetic touches) that I can't get for a LOT less $$ by just stripping an S down a bit?