casaforte9

I think current Boxster Spyder owners who have had automated tops before can chime in and be frank about how the tops are to live on a daily basis compared to their previous or exsiting automated tops they have had on other cars

I think the top is a non issue for spyder owners who use the car as a pure top down car, weather permitting

The top becomes more relevant and comes into consideration a lot when the top is used on highways , rain , hot days etc

DT04R

If it's any consolation, I was chucking when I read your post (my sarcasm meter is really dialed in )

Dino944

Makes a lot more sense now. Those smiley faces can make quite a difference.

n2cars

Please lighten up (insert smiley face). See my last post. I was trying to be "sarcastic" and it didn't come across like I was hoping. On the surface if you judge the two cars based soley on their tops, it appears from the Porsche manual the standard Boxster top would be harder to live with. I'm not trying to convert anyone to liking the Boxster Spyder or trying to diss the standard Boxster. My post was tongue in cheek. Insert smiley face again.

n2cars

I didn't see your post before I posted. Sorry for the rant.

Carcam

I like the Spyder top the way it is and find it part of the appeal. Kind of reminds me of the old Speedster and the Porsche addage of doing more with less.

Dino944

No problem. It happens.

zellamsee

It is clear that the top, for better or worse, defines the Spyder. I don't think it is poorly engineered -- quite the contrary -- I think its design is brilliant. And it really works. I have been in heavy rains and not a drop comes in the car. And it is an effective sun shield too. It really isn't a PITA to take off and on, once you have done it a few times. Really.

What bugs me about this video, and the Top Gear one too, is that it is just too easy (and obvious) to pick on the top (tent) this way, in an effort to make a (funny?) story.

That being said, the Spyder is certainly not for everyone. And Porsche knows it too -- I think I read somewhere that Porsche fully expects many potential customers to go the dealer, see some of the compromises with the Spyder and then decide to get a regular Boxster instead.

I am fornunate (like TheKane) to live in NorCal where the climate is perfect for the Spyder. I personally can live with the (slight) inconvenience of not being able to push a button to lower or put on the top. Or, not being able to take the Spyder through a car wash (I would never do that in any event). And I absolutely love the sport buckets, the suspension tuning, the balance, the feel, etc. I have over 3k miles on my Spyder now and I am in heaven. It is a knockout and the fun factor is dialed to 11. I am so glad Porsche decided to build this car.

Polarporsche

My 2011 Spyder is my 3rd Boxster and I have no issues or reservations with the manual top, it's quite easy to put on and take off.

I agree that the top defines the look of the car, that said it is not for everyone and not a good "Daily Driver" car, IMHO.

The car is simple stunning to look at, the manual top didn't even enter into the equation when I decided too purchase the car. I'm very happy with the car and will enjoy it ever chance I get. We have a really short season for this type of car, here in the frozen north.

RonCT

Ahh, gotcha!

blake

I have owned my 964 Speedster for 10 years, and have never had an issue with the manual top. No doubt it would be cumbersome if driven daily, but it works well and has held up against the elements without a leak to date. Sure it takes some time to put it up and down, but repetition can make the process efficient. If I see rain, I pull over and put it up. It's not hard.

I guess consumers have just become utterly dependent on convenience. What a shame. I feel that the Spyder would make the PERFECT daily driver for a sports car enthusiast with an exciting commute.

My $.02,
-B

casaforte9

that make me think, as a kid , opening the garage door to let dads car in or shutting it was part of the process , never thought about it but now I am so used to pressing button to open and anopther button to close and just zoom off, lol
technology does makes people squeeze their time , like 30 sec to get in out of their door rather taking 2 minutes to open the garage, pull out the car and close it

now if someone planned those 2-3 mins into their daily routine then it becomes normal i suppose

TheKane

I picked up my Spyder yesterday. Epic. Ditto to every word Zellamsee said.

Marine Blue

Definitely a marketing strategy and it's obvious. It fits in well with what I experienced when I visited the dealer.

I wanted to test drive the Spyder but the salesman was adamant that we take the Boxster S sitting outside since it was "very similar". I said ok until he mentioned it had PDK to which I said "no thanks, not interested". He was adamant and we went out. After about 1 minute when he saw that I wasn't blown away by the PDK he said "you know what, lets go get the Spyder out of the showroom". I smiled and that was it.

It didn't stop there, he still suggested that I could get a great deal on an 09 Boxster S or even the RS60 and save some $$. But after the test drive my mind was already made, I wanted the Spyder.

Now the problem is timing and availability which continues to lead me to believe that this is marketing strategy to get Porsche enthusiasts into the door.

zellamsee

Awesome! Congrats. Enjoy, and see you around the Hood! Epic indeed.