$50K and no LSD! No 987 for me…sad news…but Colorado Rocks!

MotoSook · 07:35 AM

So I’ve been in and out of airports lately and had some time to catch up on my magazine reading. While reading the latest Excellence, I was surprised to learn that the Boxster and Cayman models can’t be ordered with LSD! I haven’t kept up with the 986 market, but was that always the case too? Also…no 6 speed w/out PASM… Common Porsche…give the track junkies something to play with! A 2.7 liter Boxster or Cayman with a 6-speed tranny sans the PASM would be a nice lower-end track entry. The 6-speed would allow better use of the revs…and with LSD?! Yah…I’d buy that before I dump 20K into one of my other cars.

OK..back story. I’ve been looking at the Boxster or Cayman as the next purchase, hence my reading up on the models. But now I’d rather dump 20K into my aircooled car. What’s a guy gotta pay in the aftermarket for an LSD for a 986 or 987? TechArt has an upgrade for the Cayman and Boxter S drivetrain (aero, suspension, 3.8 conversion and LSD), but that ticket to ride starts at $35K! How much for just an LSD for the 5 speed (or even the 6 speed) tranny?

I understand Porsche doesn’t want the Cayman S or Boxster S to dog the 911/997 on the twisties or track, but making LSD unavailable is too much over the line, even with today’s Porsche business operating environment. Do they really want to keep the 986 and 987’s off the track and in the hands of Yuppie wannabees?

Sure I’ve seen Boxsters turn some damn good lap times, sure they can still beat the old cars in old car stock trim. But for $50K+ I can buy a $10K SC or for a little more buy a 3.2 Carrera, then dump $20K into it, and still have a faster car for nearly half the price of with a freshly modified engine, suspension and LSD!!!!

And if a new “modern day” open top car is what you want (something I’ve thought about for the lady of the house…and occasion track excursions for me, in lieu of a Boxster), maybe a Saturn Sky Redline is the ticket. Ahh yes, I’ve offended the fundamental Porschephile

. But geez, for $29K you get a 260HP/260Ft-lbs turbocharged 2 liter I-4 with LSD (standard)! All in a car that weighs in at a few pounds less than 3000 lbs. And parts are cheaper too! Sure sure…it’s not a mid-engine platform, but it’s a 50/50 platform and it will surprise a lot of $50K+ Cayman or Boxster owners when it blows by them. Nevermind the aftermarket upgrades/mods that will pop up for the turbo engine.

So what’s a guy to do with the alternatives out there while still defending the good Dr. P’s legacy.

Sorry for the rant…too much time in airports and airplanes makes Souk think too much…

…but I did get to drive a round trip on the very nice I-70 between Grand Junction and Denver in sunny 60+ degree weather. Spotted a silver 993 cab in Vail Village on Monday night, a viper green SC (I believe) targa as I was leaving a rest stop near Beaver Creek around noon, and some watercooled P-cars along the route. (anyone here belong to those cars?) I’ve been on that stretch of road before, but that was before I owned a 911…now the road just screams for one to be in a 911! You Colorado guys have it goooood!

GrantG · GrantG's Garage

Souk - you can't get an LSD on the 997 either, unless you get a Turbo or GT model.

On the Cayman S, you can order a 6-speed without the PASM (and allowing upgrades to coilovers a possibility). There is a company that has LSD for Cayman (Farnbacher Loles), but I'm sure it's not cheap. Also, there is some doubt as to how it would behave in conjunction with PSM stability program (the puported reason why you can't have any RWD Porsche with PSM and LSD).

Thanks for the Colorado compliments - it is a great place for Porshes (except the altitude kills the horsepower big time - gotta enjoy the twisties).

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Souk,

I'm not in the market for anything other than 99 cent double cheese burgers at McDonalds, but are there 993's that fall into your price range at all? They might have the softness of a modern car the lady is looking for, but the badness for the track beast you are looking for. Then I am thinking you could fabricate a supercharger / turbo setup and have a narrow body sleeper.
(sorry unemployed Rich has too much time on his hands and starts thinking!)

Oh and if you think I-70 is great. You should try and meet up with type911 and the gang for the next 911E Tour De Colorado. Spectacular views, people, and roads! I followed them in a bright yellow Boxster this year, so it must take a lot to be unwelcomed. You just might have to sit back there and smell all the unburt gas comming out of engines running too rich at altitude!

Pictures from the 911E Registery Tour de Colorado

Dantilla · 09-27-2006, 07:58 AM

I'm also dissapointed that the 997 is not available without a sunroof. Not even the GT-3.

While a GT-3 entices me, I'm not going to spend that kind of coin and not fit with a helmet on.

MotoSook · 08:09 AM

Great! Thanks Grant...now I won't be lusting after a 997 some much

I've read about the Farnbacher Cayman....but yep... the dollars still put us back into a prepped air-cooled

Rich, I thought about the 993 cab and it's possibly in the cards, but I just can't get my mind around the look of a open top 993 yet...only because the 993 coupe is so damn sexy! But I may warm to the idea. And I have been instructed that any car for the lady of the house is to be mods free...only because she wants to drive it..and not see it on the lift every weekend

I would love to come out and drive with you guys on those beautiful roads. I've done my share of driving through the 4-corners states and I loved it! Even when I was piloting a 15-passenger van, of all things!

The problem is the drive between here and Denver. It's like automotive purgatory...flat and straight, right before the heavenly twisties

I did tell the lady of the house that we're doing a road trip in what ever car we end up with....through those McTwisties

MotoSook · 09-27-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dantilla
I'm also dissapointed that the 997 is not available without a sunroof. Not even the GT-3.

While a GT-3 entices me, I'm not going to spend that kind of coin and not fit with a helmet on.

Yeah...this sucks too...one more reason to stop lusting for a 997. But this is more a problem with the DOT/EPA than with Porsche me thinks. If some of the archaic Federalization guidelines were changed, we in the states would be in for some real treats.

Mike Bonkalski · 09-27-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk

Sure I’ve seen Boxsters turn some damn good lap times, sure they can still beat the old cars in old car stock trim. But for $50K+ I can buy a $10K SC or for a little more buy a 3.2 Carrera, then dump $20K into it, and still have a faster car for nearly half the price of with a freshly modified engine, suspension and LSD!!!!

One benefit is that it's NOT a project, and we know you love projects

. Think about it... You can just hop in and take it to the track or where ever your mood takes you.

Buy a used Boxster S, and you can spend any left over $$$'s and time on the Carrera (turbo) and Bastard (track toy). With these three cars finished the toughest decision to make would be which one to drive when you wake up that morning.

MotoSook · 09-27-2006, 08:18 AM

Dude! The only car I can't legally drive on the street right now is the '76

I have a hard time deciding already and keeping the batteries charge up on all the other vehicles

I need to hire a garage boy...LOL! But if Heather won't give in to something other than a Boxster, then I'll definitely try to give her the Boxster S sales pitch.

vanwyk4257 · vanwyk4257's Garage

Souk,
You should pick up the newest issue of Car & Driver. I was just reading it on my lunch hour and they had an article where they tested a Pontiac Solstice GXP vs. a 2005/2006 Boxster. The GXP wasn't as refined by a long stretch as the Boxster but it did manage to get around Gingerman 1.40 seconds faster than the base boxster...

Grady Clay · 09-27-2006, 10:18 AM

We are going to have the Pelican Police out after you for not announcing your visit.

Best,
Grady

vanwyk4257 · vanwyk4257's Garage

Polizei, Polizei! Someone's got to post a pic of one of the 911 targa's used by the euro 50.

MotoSook · 10:37 AM

It have always wanted to stop in and visit with you Grady (and the rest of the Colorado gang of course), but this was a last minute trip to the area with a tight schedule. (my loss)

I'm very overdue for a roadtrip, so I'll be sure to stop in to see you and the gang when I can schedule a road trip to the 4-corners area.

Mike...that's what I expected from comparing the specs on the cars

Dr. P can't be happy with me right now.

MotoSook · 09-27-2006, 10:58 AM

Taken with my cell phone...nothing new to you Colorado guys....

EarlyPorsche · 09-27-2006, 11:05 AM

Let me clear some stuff up. You can order a 997 without a sunroof (I did not). You can get a limited slip on your 997 if you would like to as well. If you need a limited slip with the weight of that engine over 13" wide tires then perhaps you should stop driving on ice!

MotoSook · 11:19 AM

You have a point. The 997 sans LSD is nothing to laugh at, not that I have driven one yet, but I jest when I am discounting my lust for a 997

As for needing LSD, I have 265mm Victoracer R-compound tires on the rear of my poor Carrera with a lot less power than the 997, and I do have LSD in the G50, yet I find myself losing traction in some corners with the power on. And wasting power when I get the inside wheel spinning on my non-LSD car....ain't good for bragging rights when the lap times are tossed around

Porsche virgin · 09-27-2006, 11:19 AM

Souk,
We had a similar discussion over in OT not long ago:
Interesting thread on Miata.net concerning P-cars and LSDs
PV

MotoSook · 09-27-2006, 11:33 AM

I hope I didn't come off like a Miata guy

My reason for LSD? Any car I own that will be allowed on a track will see the track at least once or twice...ahh hell more than two hand's worth of fingers...in its life time or stay in my garage. I've gotten use to LSD on the track.

I won't buy a new Miata instead of a used Boxster, but I don't think I'd walk away from a new Sky Redline for a new Boxster or Cayman given the price differential

ianc · 09-27-2006, 11:39 AM

Maybe they'll offer one in the Panamera...

AHahahhhaaa!

ianc

Porsche virgin · 09-27-2006, 11:47 AM

If the Boxster or Cayman becomes "your wife's car" that you just happen to take to the track once or twice (or twelve) times a year, does the extra second or two matter? Isn't it just for fun? Sounds like your other beasts are well equipped to shut up mere mortals.

Just playin' devil's advocate here, I loved the LSD in my Miata.

GrantG · GrantG's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by EarlyPorsche
Let me clear some stuff up. You can order a 997 without a sunroof (I did not). You can get a limited slip on your 997 if you would like to as well.

No, I think you are mistaken. You cannot order any 997 without sunroof in the US. Also, you cannot order (through Porsche) a 997 with LSD, unless you get a Turbo or GT3 (both with sunroofs).

In Europe, you can order -20mm sport suspension with LSD and forego the hole in the roof, but not in N. America