"Drivers" Boxster S...help
11-29-2017, 03:33 PM
#16
Drifting
I can only answer from my personal experience. I had a 991.1 7-speed manual S Coupe, and it was in the shop for a week. While there, I had a 981 Boxster S loaner. I liked it so much, I sold the 911 and bought a Boxster S (manual, natch). It's just a better car to drive.
Depreciation is going to kill you either way, if you put miles on a Porsche. Buying used, like you're planning, is the smart way.
Depreciation is going to kill you either way, if you put miles on a Porsche. Buying used, like you're planning, is the smart way.
11-29-2017, 06:06 PM
#17
Race Car
Depreciation is kind of an unknown for the 981 at this point. Some suggest they'll depreciate as other non-collectable Porsches. However, with the 718 four cylinder as a replacement, there are others who think (or are hopeful) that our 981's will retain their value well. I think you had traded your car well in advance of the 718 introduction, correct? I do remember that we both purchased from Porsche of the Main Line.
11-30-2017, 08:23 AM
#18
Drifting
Phil, you need to drive your car more!!!
11-30-2017, 09:32 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
At $50k you’re within striking distance of a 987 Spyder and you won’t have to be to concerned about deprecation.
11-30-2017, 09:33 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
At $50k you’re within striking distance of a 987 Spyder and you won’t have to be too concerned about deprecation.
11-30-2017, 11:58 AM
#21
Race Car
Actually, no, I traded (sold) it after the 718, which worked in my favor. The used 981 values actually went up a bit after the introduction, and I bought the car at retail and sold it at wholesale 9 months later, losing only $1000 in the process. Thank you, 718.
Phil, you need to drive your car more!!!
Phil, you need to drive your car more!!!
11-30-2017, 01:04 PM
#22
A bit cheaper? No, not in any way. It is every bit a Porsche with comparable build quality to any 911. It's smaller, less powerful and has less tech, but it certainly doesn't feel any cheaper. Fit and finish - the things most notice that give that "cheap" feeling - are no different. Pretty sure Porsche wouldn't allow that, because if they do, the things they could get away with would creep into other platforms.
I haven't spent enough time driving 911s to really compare braking, but in my BS, I can say the brakes are not indecisive in any way. Perhaps because the brakes in the S are straight out of the 911?
I haven't spent enough time driving 911s to really compare braking, but in my BS, I can say the brakes are not indecisive in any way. Perhaps because the brakes in the S are straight out of the 911?
Overall the Boxster is more fun for the money, otherwise the 2/3rd price is justified.
If you can lay low on the options a 718 is actually a really good deal. I suspect that I would like the base model better than the S, though (even though you can't get the lower suspension in the base model ($#@&!&!!!).
12-05-2017, 04:19 PM
#23
I think everybody hit on everything - but I'll comment specifically on #2 (the radio)... I haven't built a big system in a car in quite a few years but have a healthy home audio system and spend a lot of time @ work listening to my PSB headphones through a Schiit Fulla 2 DAC/AMP with a lot of Lossless audio.
My wife's first 981 was a base 2.7, and it had the base 2-speaker stereo (I was surprised... but yep, no "Fader" option in the radio, just "Balance"). I think the audio sounded, actually, pretty good, for a "base" system. Once I fixed the door panel rattle it was listenable enough with the top up or down.
Her 2nd 981 (first one got totaled) was a 3.4L S. That one has the Bose w/Surround Sound. IMO? The base 2-channel in the first car sounded better! No matter what I do I just can't get sound out of the car the way I want it. Either too much bass, not enough, harsh highs, etc. In this car I actually flipped "Surround Sound" on... very muddy but it was an improvement overall. With the top down it doesn't really matter though.
I was surprised, because my Cayenne has the Bose w/Surround Sound and I don't mind it. It's no Burmester... but with "Linear mode" selected (and "Surround" off), and maybe a +1 or -1 tweak to the bass/treble settings, it's not bad. Sadly I just can't get the Bose in her Boxster to sound anywhere near as good.
My wife's first 981 was a base 2.7, and it had the base 2-speaker stereo (I was surprised... but yep, no "Fader" option in the radio, just "Balance"). I think the audio sounded, actually, pretty good, for a "base" system. Once I fixed the door panel rattle it was listenable enough with the top up or down.
Her 2nd 981 (first one got totaled) was a 3.4L S. That one has the Bose w/Surround Sound. IMO? The base 2-channel in the first car sounded better! No matter what I do I just can't get sound out of the car the way I want it. Either too much bass, not enough, harsh highs, etc. In this car I actually flipped "Surround Sound" on... very muddy but it was an improvement overall. With the top down it doesn't really matter though.
I was surprised, because my Cayenne has the Bose w/Surround Sound and I don't mind it. It's no Burmester... but with "Linear mode" selected (and "Surround" off), and maybe a +1 or -1 tweak to the bass/treble settings, it's not bad. Sadly I just can't get the Bose in her Boxster to sound anywhere near as good.
12-05-2017, 10:28 PM
#24
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by ChristyT
My husband and I are the happy owners of a 991.1 Carrera S manual cab. It is loaded with every option; sport seats, PDCC, sport exhaust, and it is a great car. With that said, I like the idea of a fun weekend car, and have narrowed the search to a Boxster S or Cayman S platform. We have found an enthusiast-ordered one for sale about 4 hours away, but it is a spartan build. 19" wheels, base stereo, but it does have most performance options; manual, sport seats, PASM, sport exhaust. The price seems reasonable (high 30's) as is the mileage. We are really trying to keep it under $50k on this car.
My questions:
5) anyone put a hidden (license plate) hitch on a 981? We would like to take it on vacation and carry a small trailer. I have seen them on the 987 chassis.
My questions:
5) anyone put a hidden (license plate) hitch on a 981? We would like to take it on vacation and carry a small trailer. I have seen them on the 987 chassis.
Pm me for details if needed. There are pics on gt4 forum
Last edited by MarcD147; 12-06-2017 at 04:36 PM.
12-06-2017, 09:55 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
The 987.2 Spyder is a car that will be so remarkably different from your 991.1.
For starters, you’ll notice a difference in the steering feel. In contrast to the electrical steering on your 991.1, you’ll immediately sense a heightened connection with the road. It’s incredible.
The power? A mere 320 HP but the car is only 2800 so you’ll notice a responsiveness that is 2nd to none. It’a point and shoot, bat **** crazy car.
Qualty of materials? Mine has full leather so no problem there. And there is a nice simplicity in contrast to the busyness of the 991 / 981.
And the PCM sound? Who cares. You’ll have the Burmester for that. The PSE is all you listen to in this car.
The “sun shade” top? Ever set up and pup tent or put a pair of ski boots on? First time slow, second time easy.
Brakes? They’re fine. Most of the time simply letting off the throttle slows the car down.
And... there is a Rennlister here who tows a trailer behind his blue Spyder!
So IMO it is the PERFECT weekend companion to your 991.
12-06-2017, 10:42 AM
#28
Rennlist Member
I really think the "power" difference is highly over-stated. Tested 0-60 times are within .1-.3 seconds. Having driven both, the smaller cars definitely "feel" faster as well.
12-07-2017, 02:48 AM
#30
Christy, let me take a stab at addressing your concerns.
1. Having come from a 996 4S, the 981S has a completely different feel. The 911 is obviously much larger, has a "back seat" (sort of) and is rear engine. The mid-engine roadster is a very different experience. As much as I loved my 996, the Boxster is as solid, and just more fun. I don't think you'd find it underwhelming.
2. I have a Bose in my car, which is quite adequate, top up or down. No it's not the quality of a Burmeister, but it's a nice unit.
3. PASM is great - especially with 20" tires and sport exhaust. The suspension feels taut, but not bone jarring. I went with that over the x73 for that reason.
4. As the very last of the normally aspirated sixes in the Boxster (unclear what the new 718 Spyder will have), I and many others think the 981's will actually hold their value well.
5. Can't answer that one.
PM Sent!! Good luck with your search.
1. Having come from a 996 4S, the 981S has a completely different feel. The 911 is obviously much larger, has a "back seat" (sort of) and is rear engine. The mid-engine roadster is a very different experience. As much as I loved my 996, the Boxster is as solid, and just more fun. I don't think you'd find it underwhelming.
2. I have a Bose in my car, which is quite adequate, top up or down. No it's not the quality of a Burmeister, but it's a nice unit.
3. PASM is great - especially with 20" tires and sport exhaust. The suspension feels taut, but not bone jarring. I went with that over the x73 for that reason.
4. As the very last of the normally aspirated sixes in the Boxster (unclear what the new 718 Spyder will have), I and many others think the 981's will actually hold their value well.
5. Can't answer that one.
PM Sent!! Good luck with your search.
This one only has 19's; the original owner took the 20's off as he didn't like the look. That is the one mod I want to do, aside from perhaps a power bump. If the GT4 can make 375, I don't understand why this car is making a measly 315.
Other than that, the car I snapped up seemed to be a good deal. It doesn't have X73 or PTV, just PASM, but does have the other performance options. The base radio as well as wheels can be upgraded. The price was right, as is the color.
It should be here in a week; it was loaded onto a truck today.