WAILN6

Looks like you are having fun! I'm a DIY guy, so I appreciate all the detailed photos you are posting as you sort the car.
On another note, have you noticed any cowl shake? My wife had a Miata years ago and the shake in that was horrible. I expected the spyder to have some but I haven't noticed it.

John McM

No cowl shake whatsoever. The X73 suspension is perfect for New Zealand back roads with its uneven surfaces, sudden slumps etc. If you view the video above you will see more than four minutes of constant cornering. No noise at all.

One thing I did find was the impact of cross winds and forward speed on the top. I didn't want to run with the driver window down in case it made the roof chatter against the passenger side window.

John McM

More road trip heaven.

John McM

Back home from 1,700km of fast back road driving. The Spyder was fantastic. A few notes while the experience is fresh in my mind.

The X73 suspension is better than I remember in the R. It was compliant yet controlled. Never once did the road conditions defeat it.

I ran the car in Sport mode and PSE turned on. I use the paddles into slow corners to get the car settled under throttle then powered out. The RS60 driver leading the group was well under control The only thing I would change with the PDK box is to stop it changing into 7th in Sport Mode. It's too long legged for spirited driving.

John McM

The top is not difficult to remove and refit but I'm leery of doing it too often as it could wear out an expensive assembly. and the weather has to be predictable as it's not a 30 second effort to refit. It's even worse if the wind is up as you need to point the car into the wind to avoid the rear deck catching the wind. I used the temp cover when parked at cafes but it was still a nervous time as it's not secure. I think I'll leave the top up if I expect I'd have to refit it during the day.

Ale_72

@Turbo Jonny those stormcovers

Peteinjp

This thread is dangerous! Seriously considering the spyder now as a stable mate for the 964. There are only a few on the market here in Japan and i prefer the manual transmission- but you mentioned the PDK was chosen for your height. Is the manual really a no-go for a 6’4” 90kg build? Any must have options?

Any thoughts in terms on driving experience vs. the 964 also welcome. My other choices would be Cayman R (less expensive) and Cayman GT4 (probably too expensive.)

Pete

Marine Blue

John that looks like an unbelievable trip! The top can be a bit of a hassle if you suddenly find yourself getting into bad weather as you will need to stop to put it on but you could get away with just the canopy and leave the smaller piece off so that helps. You mentioned you had concern with the temporary cover, what were the concerns? And our comment about the wind is true, the top is more difficult to install when its extremely windy as nothing wants to fold into place so it requires some extra tucking in. I believe the hook on the lid latch should prevent the lid from getting pulled wide open but I certainly don’t want to test that!

I can’t comment on the height questions since I’m only 5’8 but I’ll say this, the Spyder is the absolute perfect stablemate to the 964 or vice versa. They are unlike enough that both can be appreciated for their own capabilities and charm. I know this may not go over well but for me the Spyder’s chassis, suspension in combination with the buckets allows you to feel everything the chassis is doing without making you tired. It’s is superior to anything else I have driven. When I’m pushing through a corner I can literally feel if I’m going over rocks, sand and I can tell if the tires are gripping, losing grip or going in and out of traction loss. The amount of information it provides allows you to push your own limits of driving and it is incredibly rewarding and fun. I really can’t put into words just how good the Spyder is on back roads and canyons, I would think in Japan with the Touge you would be in heaven with a Spyder.

Suicide Jockey

“Pavement indifferent” is a term I read somewhere recently to describe X73 and it’s a very apt description.

Thanks for taking us along on your trip

John McM

There were six air cooled cars on our road trip, ‘70T with a 3.2, SC, 964 C2, 964 C2 3.8, 964 3.3 Turbo and a 993 Tipo Cab. They all enjoyed themselves, but definitely had to put more effort in. That danger with these cars is jumping in and out of them too often so don’t have a chance to adapt. The 964 rides on torque in this type of driving. The Spyder is a revving ride. The 964 is less scalpel-like than the Spyder. But they are all fun. To my mind the Spyder complements the 964, it doesn’t replace it.

As for height, I’m 6’4” 35” inseam and 91kg. Nothing is built for my height, but you adapt. There is plenty of head room in the Spyder. The issue if you can call it that is the steering wheel clearance. You can work around it, as I do in the 986, but I don’t want to be chasing a car on a back road at speed without an easy gear change.

Re options. The LWFB are insanely comfortable and hold you in with fast cornering. They are a must for me. PSE is a plus if you like exhaust noise. It doesn’t drone and it saves buying aftermarket. Other than that I’m not fussed what the car has.

John McM

More thoughts on the trip. Petrol/gasoline. The road trip was in areas with only 95RON/91 US Octane petrol/ gasoline. The car had no issues adapting but I did have problems with the small tank. At one stage the computer told me I had 100km range, then 72km, then 60km in a space of minutes. Then the display said consider range with no km and the red alert light lit up. I had to go to the back of the group and cruise to the next fill station. When I filled it, I could only put 45litres in. Evidently there was still 10 litres in the tank. Maybe the engineers are overly conservative?

John McM

It was an unbelievable trip and I have a few more in the planning.

The concern with the covercraft top was that I couldn't see if the car had a movement detector in the cabin. So putting the cover on was no protection to the items I wanted to leave in the car.

Turbo Jonny

Great to see all is going well for you John and you are embarrassing a few of us who have not driven our cars enough lately !My only excuse is having a more all weather everyday Boxster.

My default for the Spyder is to just have the canopy fitted. Its so unique and a great compromise. But a cautionary tale for anyone who parks in their garage and leaves the back piece out. I came home from a week away and a rat had got in and left droppings and mess everywhere. I had visions of chewed up buckets but thanks God he never went in the car ! Phew !

John McM

I suppose the test is how much I use it next year rather than this year as the experience is all new.

I took my 964 for an alignment this morning and put the Spyder up on the hoist.

The tire/tyre fitting shop had said that there was a shimmer in the left front wheel when they fitted new tires/tyres and sure enough we have evidence of a hit at some stage in the UK, front and rear. The wheels will be off to a specialist next week. Luckily there is no crease as such. I will be looking at their approach before I let them loose. They should at least show me how they will fix and anneal the hoop.

Marine Blue

Ouch, let us know how it turns out.

I’m curious, did you feel this shimmy on our drive or did the shop balance it out?