went down to Armstrong this morning and had a peek at the McLaren 650S sitting there awaiting delivery to a customer. Very nice and the front end is a huge improvement over the 12C.

But the main thing was to drive the Spyder. I didn't have time for a big drive and it only had a small amount of gas in it. But anyway around the waterfront from the second airport roundabout to Seatoun. This is often a Targa stage when it comes to wellington.

So the car. Rear tyres are nearly worn out and may struggle to get a wof, the options list is pretty well ticked, so weight will not be to spec. Air, Satnav, heated sport seats (not buckets), radio/cd, cup holders. And I can see the appeal of pdk in traffic but it does take away some of the interaction. Great for a DD and unless you want to put the roof up/down at 15 sec notice I don't think there are any compromises. The ride is fine and pdk easy. Its just that on a fine day I suspect that the hassle of getting the roof up and down will mean that you wouldn't bother lots of times so the top down use will be less than a normal boxster unless you are planning in advance. Road niose/wind noise? I didn't get up to any big speeds so not much to say there but the roof mechanism and windows rattled a bit.

The chassis though feels tight and solid through corners and it definitely handles better than my old 986 Boxster 3.2S. I was quite impressed actually and on new rubber it will be a lot better.

I wouldn't have any issues using it as a DD, as I said the main thing to think about is would the roof get put down enough? It has more than enough power for DD but of course it doesn't get up on the cam and really go like a gt3. There is probably 20hp in it with minor tuning, intake ecu, exhaust etc but that's it, otherwise big money.

I had it in sport plus but the exhaust was surprisingly quiet. Not sure if this has a by pass valve??
The plus side is that it will be quiet cruising - no drone. So good enough to buy? Maybe

 

Time to get another round of times in BB me thinks. The next track day is in November, if its still alive. The day is 8 November. I'll put a post up on the RSG site for those keen.

 

Thanks for the feedback Graeme. Was the rattling noticeable always or only over rough surfaces? Interesting comments on the exhaust sound. Would have expected it to have a bit of character; sounds like it's a little more subdued. Definitely no 918...

...on that note, the 918 just became that little bit more valuable: http://jalopnik.com/nooooooo-first-p...n-g-1640157724

 

just over bumpy surfaces. the Boxster has a support for the window at the rear that folds with the roof. The Spyder has one too but not as sturdy so my guess is that these will just rattle a bit over time. The 2 piece manual tensioning system cant tension in 3d like the 1 piece electric system. Re exhaust I suppose I was comparing to my old Boxster which had a milltek exhaust on it

 

Sam, I checked and 18/10 is also a Playday until 3:00 pm when it turns to a 2k cup race session. We will be out there all say practicing and racing in the VTI-Rs. It would be good to have bb running out there as well so we can have some battles.

 

Nice write up Graeme. The boys wanted me to get one over the 987S but the lack of usability with the roof is one thing that detracts from Auckland DD usability for me.

Didn't realise you've had a 986s :-P

 

thanks john, I will join then on the 18th and be there to see how the 2k unfolds too, I'll bring the 300mm lens and a hi Vis for some action shots.

the Spyder sounds like a Sunday blaster, enjoyable to read a road test of some local cars here. I guess no one here bought the powerpack 997 that sold for 80k?

 

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/...hips/636092489

Rob sent me this this. The update regarding eta for the USA container is on this web page with latest eta being 10/10/14

 

Yes Doug ran it as a DD for 2 1/2 years. To be clear I don't think the roof is especially impractical as DD if you just leave it up. Just means you cant zip up and down at will.

 

Again....

 

Friend of a friend at the Ring. He shadows Sabine, puts it in manual mode then overhauls her!

Second video is a few laps later he pulls a 7.35 with no traffic.

Hes an wealthy amateur not a semi pro. However hes is very talented as youll see in his other videos. The car he rented the 991 GT3 from RSR Nurburgring - Sabines outfit...

These are long videos (Sabine one is the best!) but you simply superb to watch the speed of his reactions and the pace!

 

Same driver go to 2.42 hereabouts and see if you can keep up with the steering wheel...

 

The Enzo on track....

 

woohoo!! bet track insurance is a big cost given the number of accidents there.

 

I just read that Earl Bamber got a call up for the factory RSR drive at Le Petit Le Mans. Go kiwi's!