When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I think I might start another thread to share my SRS vs Spyder experience if folks are interested (and ultimately, which one I'm deciding to keep), but just some initial thoughts from the first 1000 km:
This thing is really so good. It's surprising how little chatter and discourse there is on it outside of places like here. Even someone with a GT3 who was at the dealer when I was doing my delivery didn't know what it was (didn't even know what engine it had).
Videos of the intake sounds really don't do it justice. I'm especially surprised how "old school" it sounds at least below 7k RPM. I have a Datsun 240Z with basically a triple carb race motor, and it really reminds me of that. Except if my head was in the engine bay because of the clarity and volume of the noise. And then there's the variety and tone changes of sounds. Everything from seemingly turbo noises to full on race car. I can't wait for 9k.
The top is not an issue at all and in fact it's become an unexpectedly standout feature of the car. Sure, a lot more finicky than even the Spyder top. But also more special and tactile, almost like a pre-drive ritual. And it's like a little mini game that I get better at each time. The various modes of the top also change the driving experience and almost acts like a control on different levels of intake noise. From least to greatest: top + weather protector < top fully off < top-only. I've actually driven the most in top-only "bimini" mode as it not only provides shade from sun, but also intake noises are clearer than the top fully off.
Many small things add up to a big overall difference compared to my Spyder. The slightly faster steering, suspension that is just as compliant but somehow more capable, the shorter gear ratios, etc. A "greater than the sum of its parts" situation for sure.
The exhaust has the similar unpleasant tone and occasional boominess for me as the OEM Spyder exhaust. I thought it wouldn't matter in the SRS due to intake noise dominating, but at least in more casual driving I can still hear the exhaust and in some ways it detracts from the purity of the intake noises. I find myself often just leaving valves closed, but I may consider an exhaust that has a better tone and less boominess as long as the volume level doesn't increase much.
This is my first fun car that's not a manual, so the PDK was the biggest question mark for me. So far with this motor and overall package I am very happy. A lot of that is probably how short the ratios are, but it just seems to match the character of the car. It's not as sterile as I thought (gives a nice jolt on some downshifts), and I find I really enjoy using the lever to shift in manual mode. My one nitpick is I wish the lever would stay locked in manual mode unless the top button is pressed, as I've accidentally shifted it over to auto a few times. All this said though - I'd still want the manual in my Spyder as I think it's a better fit for that car. Maybe though with shorter gearing after experiencing the SRS ratios
Something I haven't seen anyone talk about is just the range of this car. And I don't mean fuel efficiency - that's horrible and I wish I could spec a bigger fuel tank. Similar to the Spyder for me, I think the SRS is amazing for both mundane (city streets, cruising) and epic driving (glorious backroads, track). But what I wasn't expecting is that the envelope for that seems even wider than the Spyder. I can be going down a straight road and just be entertained by the race car intake noises. And then once I do get some speed and lateral Gs in, the composure and feel are definitely a step above the Spyder. And then of course there's the insane upper power band I have yet to experience during break in. Although so far, the 4.0 in the Spyder really holds its own minus the intake noise insanity.
I'm making it seem like a clear winner over the Spyder, but actually they are different enough in experience that it's not. The manual is a big factor for me, and also I may be a bit more hesitant driving the RS in some cases. Once already I've decided not to drive the RS somewhere because I was worried about the parking situation (I wouldn't have had the same worry with the Spyder).
Great Post on Spyder vs SRS. I was offered a SRS in March. But I can’t part with my manual Spyder. I just did an arranged 10 day sports car trip through Swiss, Italian and French alps as well as Italian and French wine and lakes region, and French Riviera in boxster GTS with PDK. It was amazing. Having said that, I missed my manual badly and on the 2nd day I got back to Canada jumped into my 718 Spyder for a 45 minute spirited run. Just an amazing car. I completely understand your post and enjoyed reading your post. There are pro and cons to both for sure. I said from the beginning it’s a quid pro quo car - it’s the gt3 engine in exchange for a manual. The painful dilemma for me of stick or twist. Given how great the SRS is and how rare the ingredients of the 718 Spyder it is very tough decisions for those of us who love a manual car. Either way you end up with a pretty special car. I wish you all the best and happy motoring.
Satin Aluminum. The silver finish was too dark in my opinion. The satin aluminum is more bright.
It looks fantastic, and is what I got too. But to be honest, I can't tell the difference between the two finishes, and I've seen them both in person (but not at the same time). I suspect you need to get them together and get in close to discern the differences.
Satin aluminum has a flat finish whereas the painted silver has a glossy finish. The painted silver is not “bright” the way the satin aluminum is, and it looks like every other standard Porsche painted silver wheel.
Satin aluminum has a flat finish whereas the painted silver has a glossy finish. The painted silver is not “bright” the way the satin aluminum is, and it looks like every other standard Porsche painted silver wheel.
Exactly, satin aluminum is more "bright". The last couple of cars I had all had gun metal color wheels. I wanted a bright silver this time around.
06-21-2024, 03:44 PM
. Similar to the Spyder for me, I think the SRS is amazing for both mundane (city streets, cruising) and epic driving (glorious backroads, track). But what I wasn't expecting is that the envelope for that seems even wider than the Spyder. I can be going down a straight road and just be entertained by the race car intake noises. And then once I do get some speed and lateral Gs in, the composure and feel are definitely a step above the Spyder. And then of course there's the insane upper power band I have yet to experience during break in. Although so far, the 4.0 in the Spyder really holds its own minus the intake noise insanity.
