Maybe I am biased because I own a 2011 Spyder, but even though the new 981 Spyder clearly has similar styling, it doesn't seem to standout as much in appearance as the 987 version. Is it because of the missing decals or more?
I guess I will have to see it in person, or at least a better video of it.

 

Agree. This new spyder looks more 'race car' and less classy/sporty, I think. I miss the stripe, and the humps aren't as pronounced

I'll reserve judgement until I see it in person since the 987 spyder looks a better in person than pictures.

 

The glass on the side windows is an issue: I loved the corner on the 987. Also, I really do not like the plastic pieces where the 2nd top (no idea what thats for?) ties to the back. Just my .02

 

Like most things, the original is still the best.

 

There a lot more plastic not to mention two chrome spyder badges stuck over it as well...not sure what's Porsches new design thought and putting billboards on their cars now. Heaven help us if they release a 911 Targa 4S turbo!

 

I am very happy I own a 987.2 Spyder. The 981 price just seems astronomical to me compared to the previous Boxster. I see ours holding their value nicely. I love my two-piece top too. The new one is a unpowered convertible top with a couple visual enhancements. Like Joe, I want to see it in person but not impressed initially for the money.

 

It's all relative.

The 987.2 Spyder looked fantastic during its time because the styling cues were much more aggressive than the 987.2 Boxster.

On the other hand, the 981 Boxster looks fantastic already. So imo it's much more difficult to improve on a car that already looks fantastic to begin with. I love the GT bumper and the humps. I would prefer if the spoiler was fixed and the diffuser came from the GTS.

 

When I laid eyes on the 987 Spyder I said to myself "finally Porsche let their design team build something outside the box." The 987 Spyder looked special. Evoked memories of the 550 and CGT. Then new Spyder does non of this. It's just another car in the Porsche line-up. I'm waiting for Porsche to say that the MSRP is an April Fools joke. Dealers are starting cringe at the idea of trying to sell $95-$100K Spyders.

 

Agree

 

I think the 987 styling lent itself to a big improvement, so with the 987 Spyder it was a big difference.

The 981 styling was already great. Not as much room to improve on.

With the 981 Spyder your paying for the horsepower (price a X51 kit with much less gain) and a much improved frame over the 987. In Porsche dollars it is not expensive.

The dealers I know are not cringing, they already have lists with deposits.

Whether it is worth the additional coin over the previous Spyder (I have one) that is an individual choice…I am on the list. By the time I have to make a decision there will be enough reviews out to pull the trigger or not.

 

It is all too easy to like the original when you own one, but I just do not see where the car looks anything like the stated purpose of the original....I get the new engine and that is a big bonus, but our 987's are just about perfect in the power, weight, balance dept., so I don't know if more HP is a major bonus (can't believe I said that). Kinda like some of the best 356's I recall were 60HP normals, some I like much more than the S90.

The 987 version is so much a sports car like the days of old, the new one looks more like a styling exercise to me...I like my original that much more now.

I love the look of the 981 base boxster, but it does give the appearance of a larger car....maybe the scale just doesn't do it for me on the new spyder.

 

Litter this forum with your 987's!!!!

But honestly it doesnt get better than the 987. Its the right size, balance of power, right suspension, the correct STEERING. Its got a shorter wheelbase than the 981, its smaller. I love it. The new one does nothing for me. Feels like a marketing exercise to me. And good going on the carbon brakes on this little guy. Mine has them to and they are very much overkill, in the best of ways. My appreciation for the original went 10 fold. And i was VERY much considering trading up.

 

I think I will ultimately have to reserve judgement on the 981 Spyder until I see it in person but for now I very much convinced the .2 Spyder will remain as it is - the perfect balance of power and style and wonderful pure sports car simplicity. It's a very unique car and I have happy to have one.

I crunched the HP : Weight ratios (see below). It's important in how the car handles. For example, when I moved from the 997.1 TT cab to the .2 Spyder I lost 160 HP but also 844 lbs! "It's been said" that for every 1000 lbs lost you gain 100 HP, so that put me almost equal. I truthfully I find the Spyder much more manageable than the TT.

For the 981 Spyder, the engine and top mechanics have to weight more to offset the 55 HP gain. So how will actually accelerate and handle may not be that different than what we are driving. Then again there is weight of the stripe on the .2.

POWER : WEIGHT RATIONS
I found this for the 981 Spyder
HP: 375
Curb Weight: 2899 (94 lbs more than the .2 Spyder of 2805)
HP:Wt = 0.14
Torque: 310

.2 Spyder
HP: 320
Curb Weight: 2805
HP:Wt = 0.11
Torque: 275

For comparison:
981 Boxster = 0.09
981 Boxster S = 0.11
981 Boxster GTS = 0.11
987.2 Spyder = 0.11
981 Spyder = 0.13
997.1 TT = 0.14
Ferrari Modena 360 = 0.14

 

The larger humps and the stripe are what 'make it' for me.

 

Exactly, the lines are perfect. The new one is not even close to matching up in profile photos.

Also consider this from a performance standpoint.

The 987.2 Spyder was actually very fast in a straight line even with a manual.

0-60 4.4 seconds

1/4 mile 12.7 @ 109.4mph

This is Ferrari 360 CS numbers........

Seems quick enough for me.