I’ve had mine close to a year, and for me the power and handling is perfect. I’d say the best part you rarely will see another one on the road with only 800 approx being in the US. I’ve owned a GT3 RS with my Spyder and I find them to be complementary cars, and no issues owning both because very different experiences. I do think if you have never owned a 911 it’s a treat and just the history of the car is that special. I actually sold my RS last December due to lack of usage and kept the Spyder because I drove it more, and find it to be that special. Can’t go wrong with either, but the Spyder is special which puts it over the top for me.

The 981 Spyder is THE epic street Porsche. Barring physical limitations in the future, I plan to keep it lifelong. I’ve owned many Porsche’s over the past 30 years, and this is the first one I’ve thought that way about.

As for the 911, there truly is no substitute for that amazing car, and I’m fortunate to have a nice well used 997 in my stable to get my rear engine fix.

I’ll offer a dissenting voice. I sold my Spyder after one year and 4K miles of ownership. No regrets.

I kept 1) my 981 base (stripper) Cayman, which I absolutely love, and 2) my 1986 Carrera Targa, which when purchased some time after the Spyder, produced an unexpected dilemma.

You see, the Spyder, as is true of all new Porsches, is defined by its software as much as its hardware. Push a button and you change the exhaust sound, including artificial pops and crackles on overrun created by the fuel injection programming. Push another button and you are in “sport” mode, which has a different throttle tip in. Thank god I was able to order the car without the accursed “wart”, whose only purpose is to provide a cross marketing opportunity between Sirius and Porsche. Then there is the problem of gearing and too much power. Three seconds of fun and then you better be slowing down.

On the other hand, the Spyder is exotic and beautiful. I liked it; I did smile at times. I just didn’t love it.

When I drive the Targa, it’s like I’m “wearing” the car. You feel everything. You smell everything. You hear everything. The only buttons that I occasionally push are those for the power windows (wish they were roll down though). I love that I can hammer through the gears and still be just a little over the speed limit (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

^round about way of saying one Porsche isn’t enough. For me the minimum is 4. :-)

Took another hours long drive in my 981 Spyder through epic SE Ohio Hocking Hills roads today (Ash Cave, Lake Hope, Old Man’s Cave area). Still love love love this car.

Still prefer it to my 991.1 GT3 and 981 GT4, both of which I’ve since sold.

There is is something so connected about its handling, the manual transmission, the SOUND even with the roof closed, thanks to that thin canvas. And it just looks so damn beautiful.

Have still never seen another 981 Spyder on the road since I got mine last year. Don’t know if there even is another in Central Ohio where I live.

Truly a keeper.

You should give the 987 Spyder a shot, it’s every bit as good as the old school air cooled cars and the only electronics are engine management/safety related which really only serve to enhance the driving experience. I’m not saying I don’t love my Targa, but I do think the 987 Spyder has that same focused driving experience.