Unhappy with 987 Spyder?
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 1,368
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Spyders are pretty rare in our city, I'm a huge fan of them too, I've only see a white/red PDK locally, heard it was possibly for sale at one point. But I think you def need a 6spd for sure.
I use to have a 987S and it was a blast on our BBC runs, if I had the $ I would hands down add a Spyder to the garage. Honestly I think this model is special and will hold it's future value very well.
Keep me posted if a run later this week happens!
I use to have a 987S and it was a blast on our BBC runs, if I had the $ I would hands down add a Spyder to the garage. Honestly I think this model is special and will hold it's future value very well.
Keep me posted if a run later this week happens!
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,015
Likes: 815
From: Temecula, CA
What, are you telling me that the weather up in BC is still good enough to go for a fun run. That's crap! Just kidding of course...kind of. 
Zeus the looks are 40% of the attraction, the driving experience is the other 60%. Bring your checkbook and hopefully the guy won't change his mind after a fun run. If he does sell don't be surprised if he contacts you next spring to buy it back.
Zeus the looks are 40% of the attraction, the driving experience is the other 60%. Bring your checkbook and hopefully the guy won't change his mind after a fun run. If he does sell don't be surprised if he contacts you next spring to buy it back.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 1,368
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
What, are you telling me that the weather up in BC is still good enough to go for a fun run. That's crap! Just kidding of course...kind of.
Zeus the looks are 40% of the attraction, the driving experience is the other 60%. Bring your checkbook and hopefully the guy won't change his mind after a fun run. If he does sell don't be surprised if he contacts you next spring to buy it back.
Zeus the looks are 40% of the attraction, the driving experience is the other 60%. Bring your checkbook and hopefully the guy won't change his mind after a fun run. If he does sell don't be surprised if he contacts you next spring to buy it back.
The problem is that the seller is like me - he feels that if he sell's his Spyder it's like dropping the family dog off at the SPCA. We'll see what he does...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 931
Likes: 97
From: Edmonton, Alberta
The Spyder is noisy and a little rough on the average public road but that's part of its charm. The Spyder is fast, precise and feels connected to the road, there's a feeling of rawness that's not apparent with the Boxster or Boxster S.
I've done DE's in both my 2007 Boxster S and my 2011 Spyder and that's were the performance delta was very apparent to me. The Spyder is a more confident car on the track, the understeer that I experienced in the Boxster S was not there in the Spyder. The Spyder felt light, nimble and responded better to my steering inputs, I never had any brown moments in the Spyder, can't same the same for the Boxster S.
Both great cars, really no bad choice but the Spyder gets the nod for being the better Drivers car.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,549
Likes: 480
From: Los Angeles
I moved on as well. There is a lot to like - seems made for the canyon roads around here - especially as mine was ordered with manual, sport buckets, and sport shifter - and as such I had some very memorable Sunday morning Malibu and Angeles Crest drives, and weekend jaunts up around Ojai, Santa Ynez, Monterey, etc. It is what the car was made for.
I was forced to make a decision after the 3 year lease (it was intended to fill the gap until the 991GT3 was released, prior to hearing of PDK only), and it was the engine and brakes that kept me from making a long-term commitment. The 9A1 is smooth and linear, but too quiet, a bit weak, and IMO, lacking soul. I also echo Tapeworm's comments on throttle response. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the car had the sport exhaust, but I doubt it. And as has been reported here, the car deserves better brakes. The pedal would go soft on a hard canyon run on a hot day, which I found irritating. In the end, I had a lot of fun with it, but there are other cars out there I want to experience.
I was forced to make a decision after the 3 year lease (it was intended to fill the gap until the 991GT3 was released, prior to hearing of PDK only), and it was the engine and brakes that kept me from making a long-term commitment. The 9A1 is smooth and linear, but too quiet, a bit weak, and IMO, lacking soul. I also echo Tapeworm's comments on throttle response. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the car had the sport exhaust, but I doubt it. And as has been reported here, the car deserves better brakes. The pedal would go soft on a hard canyon run on a hot day, which I found irritating. In the end, I had a lot of fun with it, but there are other cars out there I want to experience.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,015
Likes: 815
From: Temecula, CA
I moved on as well. There is a lot to like - seems made for the canyon roads around here - especially as mine was ordered with manual, sport buckets, and sport shifter - and as such I had some very memorable Sunday morning Malibu and Angeles Crest drives, and weekend jaunts up around Ojai, Santa Ynez, Monterey, etc. It is what the car was made for.
I was forced to make a decision after the 3 year lease (it was intended to fill the gap until the 991GT3 was released, prior to hearing of PDK only), and it was the engine and brakes that kept me from making a long-term commitment. The 9A1 is smooth and linear, but too quiet, a bit weak, and IMO, lacking soul. I also echo Tapeworm's comments on throttle response. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the car had the sport exhaust, but I doubt it. And as has been reported here, the car deserves better brakes. The pedal would go soft on a hard canyon run on a hot day, which I found irritating. In the end, I had a lot of fun with it, but there are other cars out there I want to experience.
I was forced to make a decision after the 3 year lease (it was intended to fill the gap until the 991GT3 was released, prior to hearing of PDK only), and it was the engine and brakes that kept me from making a long-term commitment. The 9A1 is smooth and linear, but too quiet, a bit weak, and IMO, lacking soul. I also echo Tapeworm's comments on throttle response. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the car had the sport exhaust, but I doubt it. And as has been reported here, the car deserves better brakes. The pedal would go soft on a hard canyon run on a hot day, which I found irritating. In the end, I had a lot of fun with it, but there are other cars out there I want to experience.
I think one of the biggest reasons I want to move back to CA is due to owning the Spyder. I daydream about having access to Mt Palomar and being able to put the car through its paces up and down the mountain. Someday....
And yes the breaks are paltry considering how much rotor/calipers the car has. Porsche really dropped the ball with the hardware that can't be seen. Can't be perfect I guess.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta Ga
It's time for my first brake flush, does changing the fluid to something else (motul) improve the brakes? If anything in my experience the pedal is rock hard, a bit less feel than the brakes in my two other Porsche cars but every bit as capable of hauling the car down from ridiculous speeds as they ever were.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 235
Changing brake fluid will not change the feel of the brakes unless you are currently boiling the existing fluid under hard braking and experiencing a soft pedal. That said, I run Motul 600 as my car sees a lot of track days. This has a higher wet and dry boiling point.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 1,368
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Changing brake fluid will not change the feel of the brakes unless you are currently boiling the existing fluid under hard braking and experiencing a soft pedal. That said, I run Motul 600 as my car sees a lot of track days. This has a higher wet and dry boiling point.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 7,804
Likes: 193
From: Bay Area
Here we go again. Mushy brake pedal on a 987.2....
How about a customer whining about PCCB brakes? (waving)
The problem isn't braking ability. That is NOT the issue. It's pedal travel/feel. It's usually not a problem with street driving. The first time I noticed it was when I took my car to the track. Braking power was just fine, but confidence is terrible when the pedal goes to the FLOOR. I bled the crap out of my brakes, thinking it was air in the line. Then I did some research on the problem. A good brake pedal should be short travel and firm end point. The 987.2 brake pedal is NOT like this (I don't know if true for 987.1) Try going 120mph (on a track), and then STAND on your brake pedal. You'll see what we're talking about really quick. Or drive a Evo X, STi, or GT3 and compare the brake pedals. Drastically different.
Many of us have. Those with PCCB and those without have done it. I think if you have a non-pccb car and upgrade to a GT3 MC you will get the best results. There are 3 MC sizes: non PCCB, PCCB, and GT3. Each goes up a step in size. Those of us with PCCB that moved one step up to GT3 MC feel an improvement, but still notice that the pedal is just 'ok'. Most of the people very happy with the GT3 MC upgrade seem to have the red 'S' brakes. Also, running track pads seem to help a bit as well.
I'll refer you to these threads:
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...our-987-a.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...ake-pedal.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...-cylinder.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...-cayman-r.html
It's time for my first brake flush, does changing the fluid to something else (motul) improve the brakes? If anything in my experience the pedal is rock hard, a bit less feel than the brakes in my two other Porsche cars but every bit as capable of hauling the car down from ridiculous speeds as they ever were.
I'll refer you to these threads:
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...our-987-a.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...ake-pedal.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...-cylinder.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...-cayman-r.html
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I've owned mine for two years now. It is by far the most balanced, well-sorted car I have ever driven. I had a Lotus Elise as a track rat with so many mods and while it was a hoot to drive, I was absolutely astonished that $25k in mods had me posting the exact same lap times as the Spyder with the stock street tires. Absolutely incredible.
I recently moved to Colorado and have to reduce the stable to a single car so I am in the process of selling it. This will be, by far, the most difficult car to let go. I've put two miles on it since I moved here a month ago and it broke my heart thinking about how good this car is. Hopefully it can go to another enthusiast. I will definitely be back in one as soon as a space in the garage opens up.
Good luck with your search!
I recently moved to Colorado and have to reduce the stable to a single car so I am in the process of selling it. This will be, by far, the most difficult car to let go. I've put two miles on it since I moved here a month ago and it broke my heart thinking about how good this car is. Hopefully it can go to another enthusiast. I will definitely be back in one as soon as a space in the garage opens up.
Good luck with your search!
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 1,368
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I've owned mine for two years now. It is by far the most balanced, well-sorted car I have ever driven. I had a Lotus Elise as a track rat with so many mods and while it was a hoot to drive, I was absolutely astonished that $25k in mods had me posting the exact same lap times as the Spyder with the stock street tires. Absolutely incredible.
I recently moved to Colorado and have to reduce the stable to a single car so I am in the process of selling it. This will be, by far, the most difficult car to let go. I've put two miles on it since I moved here a month ago and it broke my heart thinking about how good this car is. Hopefully it can go to another enthusiast. I will definitely be back in one as soon as a space in the garage opens up.
Good luck with your search!
I recently moved to Colorado and have to reduce the stable to a single car so I am in the process of selling it. This will be, by far, the most difficult car to let go. I've put two miles on it since I moved here a month ago and it broke my heart thinking about how good this car is. Hopefully it can go to another enthusiast. I will definitely be back in one as soon as a space in the garage opens up.
Good luck with your search!
Post some pics...