Spyder RS driving/ownership impressions
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
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Now that social media is showing cars getting delivered all over Europe, I am hoping for some folks to start reporting on what they are like to drive. Thoughts on the delta to the regular spyder? The roof? The sound / noise level?
Most people are still in break-in for a week or so (plus PPF delays, etc), but early thoughts are welcome, and the weeks will go quickly...![jumper](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/jumper.gif)
And pics!
The 4RS has a dedicated thread on this topic, so I thought the SRS definitely deserves one, if for no other reason than to encourage sharing of insights.
Most people are still in break-in for a week or so (plus PPF delays, etc), but early thoughts are welcome, and the weeks will go quickly...
![jumper](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/jumper.gif)
And pics!
The 4RS has a dedicated thread on this topic, so I thought the SRS definitely deserves one, if for no other reason than to encourage sharing of insights.
The following 5 users liked this post by Adrift:
Drifting (12-22-2023),
Fractal-Spyder (12-29-2023),
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Popular Reply
08-13-2024, 12:52 PM
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Hello, fellow car enthusiasts!
Prepare yourself: The 718 Spyder RS is hands down the best sports car of the last 10 (or maybe even 20) years. If that statement rubs you the wrong way, I invite you to take an SRS for a spin on a road designed to showcase its glory. I'm not throwing around "for the money" caveats—this car stands as the pinnacle of modern driving dynamics, no matter the brand or price. I say this with conviction because I've driven and owned (far too many) cars over the past two decades. The SRS transcends brand loyalty and price tags. It's a revelation.
I have a confession: like many of you, I'm obsessed with cars. If we're on the same wavelength, you've spent years chasing the perfect car for the perfect road—a car that connects with your senses like nothing else, singing to your soul and grounding you in the present moment with the machine. Time and space become one. It’s almost a spiritual connection, isn't it? If that resonates, we're in this together. If not, that's cool too!
For me, the perfect car has arrived: the new 718 Spyder RS, and the roads of Big Sur are its natural habitat. Words can't truly capture how it feels to finally discover the car of my dreams. Until now, only race tracks and genuine race cars have come close to this experience.
Note: I'm not here to impress you. I don't know you, and we may never cross paths. This is for the .0001% of car nerds searching for their true unicorn sports car. I'll share my past and present car collection to establish that I'm more than a minor league keyboard jockey typing away in my basement. I don't care about brand prestige when it comes to cars. If Kia makes a killer sports car, I might just buy it. My passion for cars isn't about impressing others. If you appreciate my perspective, fantastic. If not, that's perfectly fine too.
Currently, we own over a dozen cars and have had many others pass through our garage. As I mentioned, my life has been a quest for the automotive unicorn. To back up my claim that the SRS is superior to any modern sports car, regardless of price, here are some of the similar cars I've owned:
The little Spyder embraces its identity as a pure driving machine. It doesn't try to coddle you or impress with fancy features. No overdone styling, wings, or stickers. It won't turn heads among the Hermes crowd. In fact, most people don't know—and never will know—what a 718 Spyder RS is, including many 'car enthusiasts.' The RS doesn't make valets trip over themselves. Social media influencers seeking status won't appreciate the Spyder RS. For most, it's simply another Boxster, and that makes it so special. Only true car lovers will appreciate it, let alone want to own one. For this little RS, it's not about impressing others, 0-60 times, or Instagram likes. (I love Ferraris, but the attention they draw can sometimes be a bit much.)
The SRS reminds me of the Scuderia or Pista and the 2011 Porsche 911 RS... but it's a Spyder. Spyders have no tops. Topless cars are true sports cars, like the original Porsche 550s from the 1950s, all Spyders. There are depths to this car you can feel even when driving at 7 tenths. This car truly feels like a race car. I've raced cars on tracks and won. All the other cars (except maybe the 2011 911 GT3 RS or the Scuderia) were 'race cars for the road,' which is marketing speak for compromise. The 718 Spyder RS has zero compromises.
As for the top, it's clear that it was designed to require the effort only a true car nerd would appreciate. Think of it as Porsche's way of helping potential buyers self-select. If the top is too hard for you, don't buy the car. The top was designed by a genius. The greatest compliment I can give to the designers is this: they took a complex challenge and made the solution appear simple and almost organic—pure masterful design. Of course, the entire car is like that.
I love it. I will never sell it. I sincerely hope that all of you in pursuit of your unicorn never stop trying to find it. Perhaps you've found it with the 718 Spyder RS.
Prepare yourself: The 718 Spyder RS is hands down the best sports car of the last 10 (or maybe even 20) years. If that statement rubs you the wrong way, I invite you to take an SRS for a spin on a road designed to showcase its glory. I'm not throwing around "for the money" caveats—this car stands as the pinnacle of modern driving dynamics, no matter the brand or price. I say this with conviction because I've driven and owned (far too many) cars over the past two decades. The SRS transcends brand loyalty and price tags. It's a revelation.
I have a confession: like many of you, I'm obsessed with cars. If we're on the same wavelength, you've spent years chasing the perfect car for the perfect road—a car that connects with your senses like nothing else, singing to your soul and grounding you in the present moment with the machine. Time and space become one. It’s almost a spiritual connection, isn't it? If that resonates, we're in this together. If not, that's cool too!
For me, the perfect car has arrived: the new 718 Spyder RS, and the roads of Big Sur are its natural habitat. Words can't truly capture how it feels to finally discover the car of my dreams. Until now, only race tracks and genuine race cars have come close to this experience.
Note: I'm not here to impress you. I don't know you, and we may never cross paths. This is for the .0001% of car nerds searching for their true unicorn sports car. I'll share my past and present car collection to establish that I'm more than a minor league keyboard jockey typing away in my basement. I don't care about brand prestige when it comes to cars. If Kia makes a killer sports car, I might just buy it. My passion for cars isn't about impressing others. If you appreciate my perspective, fantastic. If not, that's perfectly fine too.
Currently, we own over a dozen cars and have had many others pass through our garage. As I mentioned, my life has been a quest for the automotive unicorn. To back up my claim that the SRS is superior to any modern sports car, regardless of price, here are some of the similar cars I've owned:
- 2011 GT3RS
- 2005 GT3RS
- 2019 Porsche Speedster
- 2018 GT3 Touring
- 2023 GT3 Touring
- 2009 Scuderia
- 2023 Ferrari 296 GTS
- Ferrari 458 Spider
- Ferrari 488 Pista
- Lambo Gallardo Spyder
- Lambo Aventador Spyder
- 2011 Lambo Gallardo Performante
- Alfa 4c
- Viper ACR
- C5 Corvette Z06
- Lotus
- Miatas
The little Spyder embraces its identity as a pure driving machine. It doesn't try to coddle you or impress with fancy features. No overdone styling, wings, or stickers. It won't turn heads among the Hermes crowd. In fact, most people don't know—and never will know—what a 718 Spyder RS is, including many 'car enthusiasts.' The RS doesn't make valets trip over themselves. Social media influencers seeking status won't appreciate the Spyder RS. For most, it's simply another Boxster, and that makes it so special. Only true car lovers will appreciate it, let alone want to own one. For this little RS, it's not about impressing others, 0-60 times, or Instagram likes. (I love Ferraris, but the attention they draw can sometimes be a bit much.)
The SRS reminds me of the Scuderia or Pista and the 2011 Porsche 911 RS... but it's a Spyder. Spyders have no tops. Topless cars are true sports cars, like the original Porsche 550s from the 1950s, all Spyders. There are depths to this car you can feel even when driving at 7 tenths. This car truly feels like a race car. I've raced cars on tracks and won. All the other cars (except maybe the 2011 911 GT3 RS or the Scuderia) were 'race cars for the road,' which is marketing speak for compromise. The 718 Spyder RS has zero compromises.
As for the top, it's clear that it was designed to require the effort only a true car nerd would appreciate. Think of it as Porsche's way of helping potential buyers self-select. If the top is too hard for you, don't buy the car. The top was designed by a genius. The greatest compliment I can give to the designers is this: they took a complex challenge and made the solution appear simple and almost organic—pure masterful design. Of course, the entire car is like that.
I love it. I will never sell it. I sincerely hope that all of you in pursuit of your unicorn never stop trying to find it. Perhaps you've found it with the 718 Spyder RS.
#2
Instructor
#3
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The coupe acts like a collector for all the glorious sound emanating from the flat six. I’m curious to how the Spyder sounds top off once it gets moving properly. I reckon most of the sound blows away when you get in deep triple digit speeds.
#4
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Thread Starter
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Bump, to encourage more inputs. I especially want to hear from folks that may have had a chance to hear an SRS being run to 9k with the WP exhaust tips versus non-WP. Is there a noticeable aural delta, and if so, can you describe it? TIA (PS For those that will tend to dismiss this out of hand, I encourage a youtube search on exhaust tip sound impacts. It is a legit thing, apparently.)
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Carcam (12-29-2023)
#5
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Here is a nice compare between the coupe and drop top...
#6
Rennlist Member
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Here is a nice compare between the coupe and drop top...
https://youtu.be/_JG08J9_Aes?si=91HJ2EfbgT3DkHmx
https://youtu.be/_JG08J9_Aes?si=91HJ2EfbgT3DkHmx
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Apolo1 (06-21-2024),
Bents (01-21-2024),
Drifting (12-29-2023),
Ferrarisimo (01-01-2024),
Fractal-Spyder (12-29-2023),
and 6 others liked this post.
#7
Race Car
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: The way to hell is paved by good intentions “Wenn ich Purist höre...entsichere ich meinen Browning” "Myths are fuel for marketing (and nowadays for flippers too,,,)" time to time is not sufficient to be a saint, you must be also an Hero
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Bents (01-21-2024)
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#9
Three Wheelin'
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Bump, to encourage more inputs. I especially want to hear from folks that may have had a chance to hear an SRS being run to 9k with the WP exhaust tips versus non-WP. Is there a noticeable aural delta, and if so, can you describe it? TIA (PS For those that will tend to dismiss this out of hand, I encourage a youtube search on exhaust tip sound impacts. It is a legit thing, apparently.)
#11
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would also like to hear from those who took delivery regarding the stock exhaust. Is it enough with the induction noise drowning everything out? Does it need a full titanium system which I belive it deserves (especailly from weight reduction perspective).
#12
Rennlist Member
#13
Rennlist Member
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yep. All the porsche driving review videos released so far have been completely useless other than the matt farah video.
There are a few decent print reviews.
I really want a Chris Harris or Henry catchpole review. Bummer that both of them are professionally doing different things recently.
There are a few decent print reviews.
I really want a Chris Harris or Henry catchpole review. Bummer that both of them are professionally doing different things recently.
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jwade (01-02-2024)
#14
Rennlist Member
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Here is a nice compare between the coupe and drop top...
https://youtu.be/_JG08J9_Aes?si=91HJ2EfbgT3DkHmx
https://youtu.be/_JG08J9_Aes?si=91HJ2EfbgT3DkHmx
Thanks for sharing the YouTube video is one of the better to me as the guy was just Down-to-Earth in his descriptions of both them.
![thumbup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/thumbup.gif)
You know I have always been wondering could I deal with the interior noise of the GT4 RS coupe.
![Confused](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
After once again watching another review I don't think it would be very livable for simply driving on the street and NOT-Tracking it.
I base the above ^^^ on me finally having made the last change to my 2021 Cayman 718 GT4 W/PDK.
From the previous SOUL V1 exhaust to the New SOUL V2 exhaust which is totally livable on the street in Quiet-Mode.
It's fun to ROMP at Ultra-High-RPM but after doing that Many-many times I find it gets to be to much.
Seems like that GT4 RS owner is saying the RS is a killer machine as long as you don't take it past 7,000 RPM and don't mind the Harsh Suspension on Non-Smooth-Pavement.
I guess in the end one just has to keep in mind that Porsche designed the GT4 RS as a TRACK-Machine not a Street Machine.
Terry
USA
#15
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I still remember this idiot as the guy who found Porsche launch control as too difficult to understand/execute.
You would really think launching a 992 Turbo S would be idiot proof. But he proved me wrong...
After that video I purposely avoided anything with him in it. I watched his latest Spyder RS comparison out of desperation from lack of recent Spyder RS content... but even with that desperation, I just couldn't finish the video...
You would really think launching a 992 Turbo S would be idiot proof. But he proved me wrong...
After that video I purposely avoided anything with him in it. I watched his latest Spyder RS comparison out of desperation from lack of recent Spyder RS content... but even with that desperation, I just couldn't finish the video...
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Ferrarisimo (01-12-2024)