redyps

As you can tell, I am quite impressionable. I love the idea of bucket seats but some of my friends are pretty good size and I didn't want it to be uncomfortable for them. Maybe my majority use should prevail given the periodic track usage. Sounds like buckets and lithium are back in, my bad. Too say the least you guys serve as a great point of confirmation. Thanks once again.

redyps

This may or may not require a new thread but if you were able to influence what tires you get from the factory which ones would you want? From what I have seen in other postsSpyders can come with Pirelli's, Michelin's, Continental's and Goodyear. Any strong preferences here? I saw one of savyboy's responses earlier in the year and he definitely liked the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups but I don't think those are an oe option. Thoughts please...

aussie jimmy

get the bucket seats, and buy an s.u.v. for your mates to travel in.

Marine Blue

I'm not sure about the Lithium Battery but the Sport Buckets are definitely worthy of keeping. They're comfortable, lightweight and it's like having a piece of artwork in your car.

pcw

All I can say is sit in the buckets. I sat in a GT3 that had the same seats as there was no Spyder that could be sat it. They are without question one of the nicest looking seats out there, but for me It was just to much work getting in and out of them, not to mention no movement except slide rails up and back.

I'm about 200 LBS, 5'10" and although the seat was snug, that was not what turned me off the most. You have to slide across the seat and drop into them, which is easier than getting out of them. Pushing up with your arms and then having to slide across to swing your legs out. The seats are some what deep but have high side bolsters that really lock you in. I then sat in a 911 Turbo that had the Sport Seats (p77's), still plenty of support and plenty of seat movement, you could add the heated option on those seats as well. This is really a personal choice, if I was going to mostly be tracking the car, I would have gone with the buckets, but for me, tracking was way down on the list. Just take the time to sit in them and then make your decision, instead just taking someone opinion. It would suck to have such a great car and really hate the seats.

pcw

n2cars

First, good move on keeping the bucket seats. My car came with the Michelin N2. I'm happy with them.

zellamsee

Agree that the buckets are a must have -- I love them. My Spyder came with Pirellis and they seem just fine. Luck of the draw, I think, as to what brand of tires will be put on your car.

redyps

pcw - good advice I will sit in the seats again to confirm.

cayman - I found a good picture of the full alcantara and full leather. I think that is going to be my choice.

Marine Blue

The Full Leather and Full Alcantara looks really nice!

For those with Alcantara, can you confirm if it does actually wear well on steering wheels and shift *****? I've seen Alcantara used items for sale and it seems that the oil in our hands causes the material to change appearance. No problems with seats or door inserts from what I can tell but the steering wheel and shifter maybe?

equ

On bmw e46's, alcantara steering wheels did not last, about 30k miles depending on how sweaty your palms are. After a couple of years they went back to leather ones on that particular model designation. At least you can clean and condition leather... Piling alcantara is awful, people were 'shaving' their wheels. Doesn't seem to happen on seats. Perhaps porsche alcantara is better than bmw alcantara?

pcw

Also, forgot, my Spyder came with Birdgestones's. I have the same tire on my STI and have 20K on them with about a 1/3 of the tread left. Good tire. I had the Pirellis on a different car I had, great sticky tire but only got 14K out of them and that was rotating them every 3K. I would probably not get another set of Pirellis.

pcw

redyps

equ - I was reading about the bmw alcantara issue on planet-9. From what I understand that was a different material. To avoid any sweaty palm issues I always wear driving gloves so that should help. I am waiting to see more responses to Marine Blue's question above. Thanks for the feedback.

pcw - thanks for input on the tires. I have also heard good things about the Bridgestones.

savyboy - curious to know if you keep you lithium battery on a charger. There will be periods of no use when my car is just sitting in the garage for 6-8 weeks. Are there any charging related issues with lithium vs the lead acid?

pcw

I know I've heard they will warrant the battery if the car has been driven 6,500 miles per year. If less than that you may have to fight it out with Porsche. With the cost of the Lith. Battery, I would not take that chance, I would get a tender charger, cheap insurance.

pcw

redyps

After much deliberation, I have decided to stay the course as originally planned and only get the performance options: PCCB, PSE, Sport Shifter and Lithium battery. All the other stuff is stock: Black standard leather, 19" Boxster Spyder wheels, floor mats in interior color and sports bucket seats. I thought about full leather with Porsche crests in the headrests, full alcantara, and aluminum footrest but decided not to. I looked at all the stock interior pieces and upgrades on other Boxsters the dealer had and thought the std trim options were just fine. Heck, I didn't even opt for the wheel caps with colored crests. I thought the silver wheels with the big yellow calipers would be more than enough visually.

The dealer said that they would probably be able to move up the build date from February to January. He also said that if I had wanted the alcantara the build could not have been moved up.

Thanks again everyone for all your help. I sincerely appreciate all the advice that you have provided.

n4v4nod

Sounds good... At the end of the day go with your gut not what others say. Plus it makes my car even more rare!
So far I have yet to see another Spyder configured like mine.

Ordered:
-Carrara White
-Black Full Leather
-Sport Buckets with Embossed Crest
-Manual with Sport Shifter
-Xenons Headlamps
-Radio Delete
-A/C Delete
-Aluminum Foot Rest

Post Production Mods:
-Gloss Black Powdercoated Spyder wheels
-OEM Tequipment Black Centercaps
-Gloss Black Mirror Caps (GT2 RS Inspired - Tops Only)
-Hardwired Escort Redline
-Full Venture Shield
-OEM Clear Side Markers
-OEM Rubber Mats Throughout

Future Mods:
-Tequipment Porsche Sport Exhaust
-Alcantara Steering Wheel, Shifter and Handbrake
-Cayman R Black Headlamps