It's really the perfect car. Top down on warm summer mornings or evenings, exhaust valves open, you get all the sounds, the air, just the right amount of power, good feel.... honestly the only thing I'd consider trading it for, doesn't exist (manual Spyder RS.)

And I don't think the gearing is anywhere near as bad as the initial reviews made it out to be. I guess, if all you ever do, is sit at 6000+rpm, sure, the thing feels a little soft down lower at 3500-4000. But IMO it makes PLENTY of midrange grunt... and its what was the most disappointing about the old 3.8 (I was never, ever impressed with that motor... where's the torques??!?)

I'd still like to try a regear car and it's still on my "someday" list. But I also do a lot of AX with my car and the regear would immediately punt me into "retarded" class... not to mention, really, the OE gearing is perfect for AX (put it in 2nd and leave it! Any shorter and I'd be on the limiter in 2nd, or struggling to put the power down out of corners with the extra torque multiplication.)

 

And a Softronic tune really brings it alive!

 

I don't drive mine enough, I tend to save it for special occasions but then realize whenever I drive it it's a special occasion. The RS may be a technically superior and faster car, but the Spyder is a masterpiece of balance.

 

Every time I drive my Spyder I drink in the experience, I used to look for things that might be a ***** in the armor, but I couldn't find a single thing, it does everything so well and delivers so much enjoyment I felt guilty looking so I have now stopped! Add to this the people around me that chime in with unsolicited comments, people when I am stopped at an intersection, drivers of other cars pulling along side of me, people in parking lots, admiration and compliments that almost embarrass me, perhaps because I just don't realize how special the Spyder is and how amazing it looks to others!

The Spyder is my 6th mid-engine Porsche in this family, each one has proved to be a worthy successor, and this is not to say that the previous 986, 987 or 981 models were inferior, but rather the bar was being raised higher each time, I find that the 718 Spyder has everything it needs to be considered the best all-around sports car Porsche makes, nothing missing and really nothing else required, close to perfect!

IMHO the Spyder RS actually loses points for compromises that have been made... sure there is a lot to love about it but it is not as finished or as polished as the non-RS 718 Spyder.

 

West coast, yup, same here. I lost interest in any other modern Porsche after landing on the Spyder 7 years ago. My redirect was to antiques, and now I’m enjoying my 993 as an alternate driving experience.

 

The best aspect of the Spyder and GT4 is that absolute wired-to-your-nervous-system feel that simply can't be described until it is experienced. When maneuvering through twisty roads, the car is simply and extension of yourself as it just flows with your body with impeccable precision, linearity and feel. You really become "one" with this machine.

 

I had both 718 GT4 and 718 and 981 Spyder , they are great cars , but common guys , don't blow things out of proportion . I will take a GT3 any day before a GT4
Spyder has the advantage over GT4 with the top down on cool summer evening drive . The engine is good but need a little more punch which the RS will solve

 

My bet is people just accept it for what it is. If Porsche offered shorter gearing option on the build sheet, everyone would select it.

I for one am not changing gearing for the sake of changing gears more often, rather that the car will be faster and have more torque. The PDK isn't just faster because if the fast gear change, it's because of the ratios allowing more torque to the wheels.

OEM gearing isn't a deal breaker, but it isn't good.

 

Some people don’t like 911’s and even if they did don’t want to pay and arm and a leg for an NA engine and a stick shift.

 

I’ve owned both a GT3 street car and currently track a GT3 Cup car. While a I respect your preference for a GT3, I take exception to your comment that those of us including myself who love a mid engine Porsche are blowing things out of proportion. I will take my 981 Spyder any day over a GT3 for street enjoyment, and take a GT3 Cup car all day long for track use.

 

I maintain that this wired to your nervous system aspect you describe is inherent in all Porsche mid engine cars. I’m up at our vacation property in NC this month where I keep a 986 base Boxster. The way this car takes the turns on these mountain roads is absolutely mesmerizing. It doesn’t give much up to my 981 Spyder in the handling department. It’s truly a gem.

 

Driven plenty of GT3’s.

Would not take one over my Spyder. I don’t consider the 911 the “upgrade” so many seem to.

 

This is very very true, and that is what makes the Spyder unique. The engine of the GT3 is much better.

 

I think the word “compromise” is the perfect word choice. The fact Porsche didn’t put the 4.0 GT3, it could be argued that GT4/Spyder is compromised. It is a gem of an engine. A race engine - 9000 redline, etc. Conversely, no manual transmission in the GT4/Spyder RS, roof, etc. is also compromise - especially to die hard “3 pedalers”. Is there a perfect car? I am sure someone thinks so. Maybe the GMA T50 or Spyder T-33? But, I suppose at the end of day it is all very subjective.

 

Mark - I'm looking at the same set up. A nice 718 Spyder with a 993 shed mate. So nicely different.