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… and should probably seek professional help, but until then I have one too many Spyders. I picked up a nice 981 this week and have decided that’s the one to keep. Until I decide what to do with the 987.2, interested parties can feel free to reach out to me via PM on this forum.
Cars are like girlfriends. You can’t keep ‘em all.
Congrats Dave! Very curious to hear your thoughts on the two, specifically how you landed on keeping the 981. Both are amazing cars, no wrong choice. I'd be happy with either.
The 981 Spyder didn't get a whole lot of love when it came out but I saw one a few weeks ago and in person it looks spectacular. Sometimes you make a change.
In my case I bought a 718 Boxster S with the engine everyone hates for the sound, the T4. I have to say I really like it. Seeing as how I also have a Cayman R and a 987.1 Boxster S I think my problem lies deeper than Dave's.
The 981 / 718 Spyders look GREAT, but IMO they simply are not the drivers car the 987.2 Spyder is.
- Numb electric Steering...
- Heavier over all weight...
- "Lazy" larger engine... (yep)
- Goofy heavy top
I've driven all three gens, owned a Gen-3, and am now 5 Porsches later back in a Gen-1.
To the OP, enjoy the new-to-you 981, but we may see you back in Gen-1 in a year or two.
So let me begin by saying that if I had a 900sq.ft. house with an 8 car garage I wouldn’t be in this dilemma. I would also be single so there’s that…
Anyway, this really isn’t an apples to apples comparison. The two cars share a name, but they are two completely different animals in my opinion. We’re all 987.2 Spyder enthusiasts here and by virtue of our participation on this little sub-forum, we get it. We understand the mission statement and appreciate the minimalism with which the 987.2 Spyder delivers a real drivers experience. I love this car.
But for me, it’s not the ideal car for a road trip with a passenger. For local canyon carving and local cars and coffee it’s ideal but as soon as I put someone in the passenger seat, the love dissipates. “It’s a pure sports car for cryin’ out loud” I try to explain. But they usually can’t hear me even with the top up and to be fair, the ride is rough if you’re riding shotgun.
I really wasn’t looking to buy a 981 Spyder. I knew the car and local owner who needed to make room for a new incoming car. I test drove it (only 18k miles on it) and immediately fell in love with the extra torque, more compliant ride and short throw shifter. And the exhaust note - definitely juvenile delinquent quality but I don’t care. I love it. The car definitely feels bigger and not as toss-able as the 987.2. Like I said, they are two completely different animals.
I will say the one thing they have in common is the PITA roof. The 987.2, while goofy, is a work of art and all owners can put it up and take it down in under 2 minutes. Don’t think for a minute that the 981 is “better”. I actually think it’s a bigger PITA. The only thing that it has going for it is that it’s watertight when up. Which also means you can better converse with a passenger.
So there you go, that’s my story. 987.2 wins on the cool scale, 981 on the practical scale. In a perfect world, I’d keep them both.
… and should probably seek professional help, but until then I have one too many Spyders. I picked up a nice 981 this week and have decided that’s the one to keep. Until I decide what to do with the 987.2, interested parties can feel free to reach out to me via PM on this forum.
Cars are like girlfriends. You can’t keep ‘em all.
DaveGee
Congrats, Dave! Although I do wonder if you’ll be back. 🙂 I seem to recall the Targa purchase followed similar reasoning although we all know there’s a big difference between the 981 Spyder and the new Targa both in size and weight. That Spyder looks familiar, was it Jerry’s?
So let me begin by saying that if I had a 900sq.ft. house with an 8 car garage I wouldn’t be in this dilemma. I would also be single so there’s that…
Anyway, this really isn’t an apples to apples comparison. The two cars share a name, but they are two completely different animals in my opinion. We’re all 987.2 Spyder enthusiasts here and by virtue of our participation on this little sub-forum, we get it. We understand the mission statement and appreciate the minimalism with which the 987.2 Spyder delivers a real drivers experience. I love this car.
But for me, it’s not the ideal car for a road trip with a passenger. For local canyon carving and local cars and coffee it’s ideal but as soon as I put someone in the passenger seat, the love dissipates. “It’s a pure sports car for cryin’ out loud” I try to explain. But they usually can’t hear me even with the top up and to be fair, the ride is rough if you’re riding shotgun.
I really wasn’t looking to buy a 981 Spyder. I knew the car and local owner who needed to make room for a new incoming car. I test drove it (only 18k miles on it) and immediately fell in love with the extra torque, more compliant ride and short throw shifter. And the exhaust note - definitely juvenile delinquent quality but I don’t care. I love it. The car definitely feels bigger and not as toss-able as the 987.2. Like I said, they are two completely different animals.
I will say the one thing they have in common is the PITA roof. The 987.2, while goofy, is a work of art and all owners can put it up and take it down in under 2 minutes. Don’t think for a minute that the 981 is “better”. I actually think it’s a bigger PITA. The only thing that it has going for it is that it’s watertight when up. Which also means you can better converse with a passenger.
So there you go, that’s my story. 987.2 wins on the cool scale, 981 on the practical scale. In a perfect world, I’d keep them both.
DaveGee
You NAILED it here, Dave. Very, very well said. I didn't want to kill the buzz, but I just recently sold my 718 Spyder (gorgeous) and jumped BACK in again to a 987.2. I must be in my "holier than thou" phase of ownership.
The sound of the 981 Spyder is very very good and it is no question a better car for having a passenger in, having a conversation etc... and IMO is the better looking of the two. In my case, my wife hates driving fast and never drives with me in the Spyder (at a gathering the other day she commented that she gave me a 1-star rating as an Uber driver! Harsh, right?), so I have this luxury of driving the Spyder with only one, selfish, purpose - fast on the twisties and hill climbs. It's sublime as you know for that purpose.
Someone mentioned that this 981 is/was Jerry's. Are you in SoCal Temecula area with Nick and Afshin and the boys? It was Nick's 981 Spyder I drove up in the twistes of that area some years back.
Someone mentioned that this 981 is/was Jerry's. Are you in SoCal Temecula area with Nick and Afshin and the boys? It was Nick's 981 Spyder I drove up in the twistes of that area some years back.
Yes and yes. I was also on that particular drive. Good times.
981 spyder are really good cars. of all the modern porsches I have owned, I like it best, and I also liked it as a street car better than the 991/992 gt3. I don't think the steering was knumb at all, quite good actually, and engine lazy? I don't think so.
Why'd I sell it? I dunno... space maybe at the time? Buying too much old stuff? I forget but it was a period I had 8 sports cars and they were parked all over the state. It got annoying.
10-25-2023, 01:46 PM
I may have a problem…
