981 Spyder!!!!
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Orlando, Florida
The only "big" item we are missing is a carbon chassis and a good steering feel, both of which I experienced in a 570s and fell in love. The stiffness of a carbon chassis is like nothing else in terms of feeling like the car is made of one solid piece. The steering feel of the mclaren also made the spyders even more dull and disconnected then when I first bought it (was instantly disappointed)... If we could have a small manual transmission roadster with a carbon chassis.. THAT would be the forever car in my book.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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Great video -- nailed how I feel about my Spyder, with only complaint being some driveways are too steep (front is properly low; i blame those who make the driveways!). If I could only keep one of my cars, it would be the Spyder (at half the price of the Turbo S). Just posted below on other Rennlist thread...
I just picked up a second spyder. I don't have many hobbies and don't take expensive vacations, so have focused some discretionary $$ on cars. In order i had purchased a 911 Turbo S, a 911 Targa GTS, and then a Boxster Spyder a few months ago. Turbo S blindingly fast super car like experience in a daily driver format. Lots of creature comforts and heavy planted feel. Super easy daily driver given automatic, technology, brakes, etc. Targa GTS not as fast but more engaging especially with top down and naturally aspirated engine at work. PDK makes the NA engine experience less engaging, but there is a greater sense of excitement using daily. I am sure the Turbo S is more thrilling on the track than the GTS, but any other format I vote for NA. Then the Spyder came along. Least expensive, most engaging. I had test driven a Boxster GTS before ordering the Spyder, and it was fun, nimble and reminded me of my old Toyota MR2 which was mid-engine placement...that go-kart like feel with a center of gravity right underneath your seat. When I drove the Spyder it was that plus a healthy dose of "OMG this is the most special and engaging car I have ever driven. Even with the top up." It was one of those rare experiences where you know the manufacturer broke through some alchemy barrier and made something more special than the sum of its parts. I am not a track guy and guess if I spent every weekend at the track I would feel that way about the GT4. For the Roadster experience is unmatched with the 911 NA engine dropped into that beautiful mid engine spyder format. My Turbo S is like listening to a CD (specs are great, easy and fast to use, etc.). The Spyder is like a great album on a world class turntable. Digital can never beat that.
I just picked up a second spyder. I don't have many hobbies and don't take expensive vacations, so have focused some discretionary $$ on cars. In order i had purchased a 911 Turbo S, a 911 Targa GTS, and then a Boxster Spyder a few months ago. Turbo S blindingly fast super car like experience in a daily driver format. Lots of creature comforts and heavy planted feel. Super easy daily driver given automatic, technology, brakes, etc. Targa GTS not as fast but more engaging especially with top down and naturally aspirated engine at work. PDK makes the NA engine experience less engaging, but there is a greater sense of excitement using daily. I am sure the Turbo S is more thrilling on the track than the GTS, but any other format I vote for NA. Then the Spyder came along. Least expensive, most engaging. I had test driven a Boxster GTS before ordering the Spyder, and it was fun, nimble and reminded me of my old Toyota MR2 which was mid-engine placement...that go-kart like feel with a center of gravity right underneath your seat. When I drove the Spyder it was that plus a healthy dose of "OMG this is the most special and engaging car I have ever driven. Even with the top up." It was one of those rare experiences where you know the manufacturer broke through some alchemy barrier and made something more special than the sum of its parts. I am not a track guy and guess if I spent every weekend at the track I would feel that way about the GT4. For the Roadster experience is unmatched with the 911 NA engine dropped into that beautiful mid engine spyder format. My Turbo S is like listening to a CD (specs are great, easy and fast to use, etc.). The Spyder is like a great album on a world class turntable. Digital can never beat that.
Last edited by dpod4; Jun 11, 2016 at 01:41 PM. Reason: add
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 164
From: Laguna Beach, California
Great video -- nailed how I feel about my Spyder, with only complaint being some driveways are too steep (front is properly low; i blame those who make the driveways!). If I could only keep one of my cars, it would be the Spyder (at half the price of the Turbo S). Just posted below on other Rennlist thread...
I just picked up a second spyder. I don't have many hobbies and don't take expensive vacations, so have focused some discretionary $$ on cars. In order i had purchased a 911 Turbo S, a 911 Targa GTS, and then a Boxster Spyder a few months ago. Turbo S blindingly fast super car like experience in a daily driver format. Lots of creature comforts and heavy planted feel. Super easy daily driver given automatic, technology, brakes, etc. Targa GTS not as fast but more engaging especially with top down and naturally aspirated engine at work. PDK makes the NA engine experience less engaging, but there is a greater sense of excitement using daily. I am sure the Turbo S is more thrilling on the track than the GTS, but any other format I vote for NA. Then the Spyder came along. Least expensive, most engaging. I had test driven a Boxster GTS before ordering the Spyder, and it was fun, nimble and reminded me of my old Toyota MR2 which was mid-engine placement...that go-kart like feel with a center of gravity right underneath your seat. When I drove the Spyder it was that plus a healthy dose of "OMG this is the most special and engaging car I have ever driven. Even with the top up." It was one of those rare experiences where you know the manufacturer broke through some alchemy barrier and made something more special than the sum of its parts. I am not a track guy and guess if I spent every weekend at the track I would feel that way about the GT4. For the Roadster experience is unmatched with the 911 NA engine dropped into that beautiful mid engine spyder format. My Turbo S is like listening to a CD (specs are great, easy and fast to use, etc.). The Spyder is like a great album on a world class turntable. Digital can never beat that.
I just picked up a second spyder. I don't have many hobbies and don't take expensive vacations, so have focused some discretionary $$ on cars. In order i had purchased a 911 Turbo S, a 911 Targa GTS, and then a Boxster Spyder a few months ago. Turbo S blindingly fast super car like experience in a daily driver format. Lots of creature comforts and heavy planted feel. Super easy daily driver given automatic, technology, brakes, etc. Targa GTS not as fast but more engaging especially with top down and naturally aspirated engine at work. PDK makes the NA engine experience less engaging, but there is a greater sense of excitement using daily. I am sure the Turbo S is more thrilling on the track than the GTS, but any other format I vote for NA. Then the Spyder came along. Least expensive, most engaging. I had test driven a Boxster GTS before ordering the Spyder, and it was fun, nimble and reminded me of my old Toyota MR2 which was mid-engine placement...that go-kart like feel with a center of gravity right underneath your seat. When I drove the Spyder it was that plus a healthy dose of "OMG this is the most special and engaging car I have ever driven. Even with the top up." It was one of those rare experiences where you know the manufacturer broke through some alchemy barrier and made something more special than the sum of its parts. I am not a track guy and guess if I spent every weekend at the track I would feel that way about the GT4. For the Roadster experience is unmatched with the 911 NA engine dropped into that beautiful mid engine spyder format. My Turbo S is like listening to a CD (specs are great, easy and fast to use, etc.). The Spyder is like a great album on a world class turntable. Digital can never beat that.
PS welcome to the two Spyders Club.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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One for my vacation home (maybe 200 miles per year will be put on it), and one for my main residence.
Both were in the high 90s....just about MSRP.
Spent tonight telling my wife how (if gun to head) i would give up my 2015 911Turbo S and my 2016 911 Targa GTS and would choose my Spyder(s) as must keeps.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 164
From: Laguna Beach, California
I really really wanted a targa 4 GTS - seemed like an over engineered master piece. It's hard to believe that you prefer your Spyder, but it makes me feel a little better that I didn't get a targa gts. Also the amount of people with two Spyders is growing and also makes me feel less crazy. I too bought one for my vacation home on the other coast, but now I'm moving to a place about an hour from my vacation home so there goes that excuse. Soon they will be parked in the same garage.
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I really, really need to improve my car/life game.. Every time I think I'm doing something right, someone comes along and doubles it. #mustmovefaster! Thanks for the inspiration
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Laguna Beach, California
Yes, two. Embarrassingly the same color combo (white with classic spyder interior in red / black. Heated seats 18 way seats, reverse camera, bose cdr nav stereo, PDLS, light design package, etc. One has satin platinum wheels the other plain silver.
One for my vacation home (maybe 200 miles per year will be put on it), and one for my main residence.
Both were in the high 90s....just about MSRP.
Spent tonight telling my wife how (if gun to head) i would give up my 2015 911Turbo S and my 2016 911 Targa GTS and would choose my Spyder(s) as must keeps.
One for my vacation home (maybe 200 miles per year will be put on it), and one for my main residence.
Both were in the high 90s....just about MSRP.
Spent tonight telling my wife how (if gun to head) i would give up my 2015 911Turbo S and my 2016 911 Targa GTS and would choose my Spyder(s) as must keeps.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 164
From: Laguna Beach, California
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
I really really wanted a targa 4 GTS - seemed like an over engineered master piece. It's hard to believe that you prefer your Spyder, but it makes me feel a little better that I didn't get a targa gts. Also the amount of people with two Spyders is growing and also makes me feel less crazy. I too bought one for my vacation home on the other coast, but now I'm moving to a place about an hour from my vacation home so there goes that excuse. Soon they will be parked in the same garage.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 452
Likes: 27
From: Atlanta
Targa 4 GTS is really special too, but for purist roadster driving pleasure, man-machine connection, I haven't experienced anything close to the Spyder. And I know it isn't just because of the soft top open air experience - have driven convertible ferraris before and didn't feel the magic alchemy like the Spyder has. Just my opinion based on what I enjoy.
Have had a F430 spider and 360 spider (both 6 speed manual). Fun, but both felt like really large cars. The 360 was close, but felt underpowered and again very large on the road. The F430 was quite honestly too much power for the chassis. Also had several Californias (an original and a 30 HS) and they are great GT cars, but DCT-only transmissions, heavy-- no comparison to the 981 Spyder.
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