987S is CRAP!!!!
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 245
From: North Eastern US
I am 6'1, 200 lbs. My initial impression was that the 987 would be too tight a fit. After a test run, I figured I could "make-do" since I liked the car so much in many other ways. The surprisng thing is, I can now get very comfortable, and in fact think there is room to spare. The imprssion of a tight fit was a wrong first impression for me. Of course, certain body types with too long legs and arms like King Kong ( heh-heh 
, just kidding Stacy) may find it tight I suppose. I don't believe the 996 offers more room. DMAC, if you can fit in the 996 cab, you should fit in the 987.
, just kidding Stacy) may find it tight I suppose. I don't believe the 996 offers more room. DMAC, if you can fit in the 996 cab, you should fit in the 987.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
While I don't have a 987, my first complaint is the car needs to loose 300-500lbs to really be fun. That of course would mean more aluminium and an even higher price, so I'm not really complaining. Guess I'll have to find a 986 instead and start stripping out the "crap" 
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 245
From: North Eastern US
I actually like the fact that there is a strong tendency for the gear shift lever to stay midline, along the 3-4 gear axis, and you have to make an equally strong deliberate movement to go to the 5-6 or 1-2 axis. It helps in DE, where you're doing almost everything by feel and instinct.
OTOH, I think it's too easy to go to reverse. There is very little additional force needed to go from the 1-2 axis to the reverse gear. I wish there was an additional movement, such as pushing the stick down, before you can shift into reverse. In autocross, I lose a few fractions of time downshifting from 2nd to 1st to make sure I don't inadvertently throw the car in reverse. Now THAT would be a spectacular mistake.
OTOH, I think it's too easy to go to reverse. There is very little additional force needed to go from the 1-2 axis to the reverse gear. I wish there was an additional movement, such as pushing the stick down, before you can shift into reverse. In autocross, I lose a few fractions of time downshifting from 2nd to 1st to make sure I don't inadvertently throw the car in reverse. Now THAT would be a spectacular mistake.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 544
Likes: 52
From: Asheville, NC
Originally Posted by Palting
I am 6'1, 200 lbs. My initial impression was that the 987 would be too tight a fit. After a test run, I figured I could "make-do" since I liked the car so much in many other ways. The surprisng thing is, I can now get very comfortable, and in fact think there is room to spare. The imprssion of a tight fit was a wrong first impression for me. Of course, certain body types with too long legs and arms like King Kong ( heh-heh , just kidding Stacy) may find it tight I suppose. I don't believe the 996 offers more room. DMAC, if you can fit in the 996 cab, you should fit in the 987.
, just kidding Stacy) may find it tight I suppose. I don't believe the 996 offers more room. DMAC, if you can fit in the 996 cab, you should fit in the 987.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 661
From: Bay Area CA
Racer--it's as fun as it gets for a street car. It would be fun to strip down a 986 S for the track, but I learned my lesson about doing that with street cars--not worth the tradeoffs.
As for the 4-5 shift--I don't have an issue at all. That shift effort out of the center plane is really no different than any German car I've driven in the last 10 years. 5th is always a deliberate "over and up." Either your shifter needs to be adjusted, or perhaps you need more practice? Try a short shifter car and see if that helps ya. I love mine
As for the 4-5 shift--I don't have an issue at all. That shift effort out of the center plane is really no different than any German car I've driven in the last 10 years. 5th is always a deliberate "over and up." Either your shifter needs to be adjusted, or perhaps you need more practice? Try a short shifter car and see if that helps ya. I love mine
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, CANADA
PALTING--- I did exactly that!!! Was doing an AX in another province--( I'll show these guys how to drive!!!) I just was so slow doing the 2-1 downshift trying to get it just right. So the 3rd run- came up to the hairpin, 20 guys watching me at the corner, A PERFECT shift into REVERSE, the engine promptly quit the instant I started to let the clutch out and I slowly drifted to a stop. Had to turn the ignition off then on to get the engine refired, I'd forgotten in the heat of battle. I provided all the comic relief for all these Porsche guys I'd just met.
Bottom line there is a safety interlock of some kind that just kills the engine. Fortunately the clutch only ljust started to grab and I got it back in right away.
Brad ( I did that on purpose) Edmonton Canada
Bottom line there is a safety interlock of some kind that just kills the engine. Fortunately the clutch only ljust started to grab and I got it back in right away.
Brad ( I did that on purpose) Edmonton Canada
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
1. Switchable Sport Exhaust
2. Much better stereo system (Bose = no highs, no lows) I replaced the Bose speakers in a Miata one time. I was amazed how light and crappy they were. The entire system came to life with .5 ohm speakers from Clearwater. Does anybody know whether the Porsche Bose system is .5 ohm?
3. Trim made from real aluminum
2. Much better stereo system (Bose = no highs, no lows) I replaced the Bose speakers in a Miata one time. I was amazed how light and crappy they were. The entire system came to life with .5 ohm speakers from Clearwater. Does anybody know whether the Porsche Bose system is .5 ohm?
3. Trim made from real aluminum
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 245
From: North Eastern US
Happy to hear there is a safety mechanism when going to reverse accidently.
I second the motion for sports exhaust, The 987 exhaust sound is VASTLY improved from the 986, but I would like an exhausyt that approximates the 996 sport exhaust. More robust through all ranges and pedal pressure.
Having said that, I find the exhasut note of the 987S as it goes from 3k rpm to redline on WOT totally intoxicating!
How about an RS version? Stripped down to the bare essentials, chassis tuned to the naked weight....It may not be commercially viable, but boy, it would be a blast. Maybe the Cayman will come out with an RS version. The American buying public what it is, though, we may never see it this side of the Atlantic even if they came out with one.
I second the motion for sports exhaust, The 987 exhaust sound is VASTLY improved from the 986, but I would like an exhausyt that approximates the 996 sport exhaust. More robust through all ranges and pedal pressure.
Having said that, I find the exhasut note of the 987S as it goes from 3k rpm to redline on WOT totally intoxicating!
How about an RS version? Stripped down to the bare essentials, chassis tuned to the naked weight....It may not be commercially viable, but boy, it would be a blast. Maybe the Cayman will come out with an RS version. The American buying public what it is, though, we may never see it this side of the Atlantic even if they came out with one.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Beach, CA
I'm 6'1 but with long legs of 36" inseam like someone who would be 6'4 if my upper body was proportional. I just barely fit the 987 with the seat pressed ALL the way back. No steering wheel rub but I need to put my knees out to the side a bit more than I would like. Still a bit tight but worth it for the car. Considered the 997 for this reason but not quite necessary after all.
AutoX
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Home of the 2004 World Champion Sox and Pats
The buttons on the radio are too small
Heated seats should be standard
I don't like having only ONE button on the key fob for lock/unlock, plus no audible warning. If you don't catch the blinking of the lights, you end up hitting the button three times to get it to lock, assuming it's already locked. If you have a separate button for lock, you just hit it again to make sure. I know, I know splitting hairs.
Heated seats should be standard
I don't like having only ONE button on the key fob for lock/unlock, plus no audible warning. If you don't catch the blinking of the lights, you end up hitting the button three times to get it to lock, assuming it's already locked. If you have a separate button for lock, you just hit it again to make sure. I know, I know splitting hairs.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 40
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Originally Posted by Palting
OTOH, I think it's too easy to go to reverse. There is very little additional force needed to go from the 1-2 axis to the reverse gear. I wish there was an additional movement, such as pushing the stick down, before you can shift into reverse. In autocross, I lose a few fractions of time downshifting from 2nd to 1st to make sure I don't inadvertently throw the car in reverse. Now THAT would be a spectacular mistake.