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I want to purchase a 981 Spyder, but they really haven't budged in price; I am going to spend high 90's realistically. A good deal locally has popped up: 2013 981 Boxster S with all of the performance options, in a great color, 22k miles, PCA guy, car has CPO, for $39,000. I really had my heart set on a Spyder, but that is a pretty big price difference, and although I can afford the Spyder, I also don't have money burning a hole in my pocket that I have to spend. Also, with the S having a few more miles, it won't depreciate too much more if I drive it a lot.
I had a crazy idea: why not get this 981 S, spend a few bucks, and really bring it closer to the Spyder, both stylistically and in terms of performance?
Here are my thoughts:
-The local car has X73 suspension, so should the handling be similar?
-I LOVE the front end of the 981 Spyder. Is there anything preventing me from putting a GT4/Spyder front end on the Boxster S? It isn't cheap, probably around $7,000 with paint, but it would look very sharp.
-tuning the 981 S: I should be able to get 350hp out of the 3.4 without breaking a sweat after installing a tune, correct?
-the 981S has PSE, which sounds a little muted. Aftermarket exhaust options?
Let's say I snap this up, do the above mods (probably $11-12k worth), which puts me into the 981S right around $50,000. Given those upgrades, how close is it to Spyder performance. I know it won't have the same clamshell visual lines or lighter curb weight, a little less power, but realistically, is it 9/10ths of the car at that point? 7/10ths? Ghetto car that will get egged at Cars and Coffee?
My primary intentions are driving to work and enjoying on weekends.
If you buy it drive it as it is, you won't save what you think trying to spyderize it and you won't have a spyder when you're done or any higher residual value for the trip.
agreed, do not try to make it a spyder, it will cost too much. you might as well just spend 90k and get the spyder, and benefit from its value holding or increasing potentially (only 800 I heard in US circ.) vs. a modded 981BS where you'll see the value drop.
For background, I too had a similar debate, but knew I wanted a 981CS for heavy daily use, no scrapping front clearance, and it being half the price. I did tune it, added X73, and very happy with the performance value. I hear you on not feeling "good" about spending upwards of $100k on it...
PS KG11, the car you're looking at and believe to be a good buy is certainly no slouch and if well cared for will keep great appeal to those who like flat six engines.
X73 alone makes it close to a Spyder. The X73 in Spyder is slightly different (I believe thicker anti-roll bars). But, they are very close. You could make the sound better with Sports Header from FabSpeed/AutoQuest (or, something similar). I think the S, as is, would be fun for the spirited street driving. Try not to butcher it too much, as they may not add any meaningful value in terms of driving dynamics or visual appeal; rather, might impact resale value. The Spyder is more than the sum of it's parts. Difficult to replicate. As a package, they all work together to create a cohesive experience. On the other hand, the S, with the specs you are getting, and, with subtle tweaks (such as Header, intake), would be a fun ride in it's own merit.
Buy a Spyder if that's what you want. You will never be 100% happy with anything else. No matter what you do to it, a 981 S will never be a Spyder. The 981 S is a great car in its own merit, but it is not a Spyder.
Buy the 981S, keep it stock and spend your $$$ on driving lessons. When the new Spyder comes out in a year or two, if has the 4.0 you will be able to sell your stock 981S and pick up a 981 Spyder at a good price if you still want one.
I am probably the only one here who owned a Spyder and sold it because I wasn’t feeling enough love to pay the high taxes and other ownership costs. Instead I kept my base Cayman track car and an air cooled ‘86 Targa. Currently have my eye on a Carrera T, as well.
For me the Spyder was not that useful. Impractical for the track without the LWBs, which I tried to order but could not spec. Too much power to enjoy on the street 95% of the time. The roof was much less practical than I thought. Still, it was fun and is a great car. It definitely has the look of an exotic car. However, my other two Porsches ultimately were even more fun, so the Spyder went away.
From your description of the Boxster S it sounds like a super deal. I’d jump on it. X73 is awesome.
^agree, Spyder isn’t an ideal car for track. I took mine once to see what it was like. While faster in a straight line than my 986 dedicated track weapon, in every other aspect, the 986 as modified for track use, excelled.
X73 alone makes it close to a Spyder. The X73 in Spyder is slightly different (I believe thicker anti-roll bars). But, they are very close.
Can you share your source for this information regarding differences between X73 on 981 Boxster S versus X73 on 981 Spyder? I have X73 on my BS, installed by dealer at 17,000 miles, parts purchased from Suncoast. I was told by more than one source during the process that there was no difference in parts between the two. Same shocks, springs, bars.
There definitely is a small difference with Spyder. Here are the specs of non-Spyders (originally posted by Eduardo):
I must have forgotten to save the specs of 981 Spyder's X73. However, here are comments from AutoCar: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review...-spyder-review
.......
What it doesn’t have are all the trick underbody elements that made that car a product of Porsche’s GT motorsport division. Instead, much as before, the Spyder is lowered by 20mm on the same firmed-up passive sports suspension that’s already available as an option on the GTS - only a tweaked rear anti-roll bar differentiates the two. Elsewhere, it gets the bigger brakes that were previously the preserve of the 911, and has a faster steering ratio to go with its marginally smaller steering wheel.
.......
I am positive I read the specs; but, didn't save it. If you dig further, should be able to get to it.
That's a good deal for the 2013... can't go wrong either way. At that price point, cost of ownership will probably be less over (a long) time assuming you do not modify it.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I suppose the best move is getting the stock 981S, driving it for awhile, and if I want to upgrade, do so down the line. It is a in color I really like, which helps.
Still interested in the power bump and perhaps an exhaust upgrade, but those don't cost that much and I can re-sell the exhaust if I decide to upgrade to a Spyder.
12-31-2017, 06:15 PM
Spyder 981 vs 981 S-need help
