porsche perseveration

[equ]

Originally Posted by equ

Where I live, in NNJ/NYC, we just don't have the room/roads/conditions to really enjoy cars of the supercar cadre. It would be more of a hassle than a plus. I think m3/cayman S/997S is about where joy tops out around here.

And that's with a lot of holding back and self-restraint... Mini S's and mx5's are likely the real topping out point of joy.

[FC]

I have zero interest in more porformance over the 987S. Just make it handle, stop and sound great.

[equ]

What do you mean? As in turbo-level improvement or 987.2 vs. 987.1? These are very different questions.

[SARAFIL]

equ, was the Turbo being sold as a CPO car? Keep in mind that BMW (and probably Porsche) set the tread wear limit at around 50% to pass CPO. I'd imagine that if there is any doubt about it on a $100k car, they'd probably put a couple of tires on it and just call it a day. I might think twice if the tires are border line on a $24,995 3-series, but would be more likely to do them on a $84,995 M5 or M6, for example.

[FC]

Originally Posted by equ

What do you mean? As in turbo-level improvement or 987.2 vs. 987.1? These are very different questions.

I meant bumping it to turbo levels of speed.

.1 vs. .2 is marginal.

Not that there was ever a realistic chance, but more and mroe A GT3 seems like a total waste (except for the sound). I would have to hit the track often to justify one (assuming I could afford one).

When I think of the TT, I keep thinking I rather be in an E90 M3. Far more utility, a fraction of the price (how ridiculous is that?), easier and cheaper to run, sweet engine, etc.

[equ]

Checked out some more porsches. Found a gorgeous atlas gray/terracotta 997.2S (09, 7k miles, CPO) for sale in CT. In person, car was stunning.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r_id=288534056

While I was there, someone from MA was down looking at it as well. Test drive: great (especially after adjusting pressures from 36/44 to 34/40 cold so the back softened a bit). Lovely drive, but missing a big of edge, even in S form. It is quiet and a touch soft. Sad that in going to DFI, it lost the snarl of the 997.1S. Handling: The usual 911 (have to think/plan to turn business). Lovely, but I'm not sure it's for me. If I do want a 997.2, this would be it as it's as nice as it gets. But that it sounds less great than a 987 or 997.1 is annoying for that much dough. Needs PSE or a mod I guess.

Drove a 09 Boxster S. Wow, it really was good. Made me think of owning a 'vert for once. Top up I missed the cayman every minute (lack of stiffness, extra wind noise, bit more space/visibility in the back). Top down (even in 40F weather for 10 minutes) made me forget all that. Definitely adds to the experience of feeding the senses. Simply awesome.

Unlike in the 997, the 09 update seems to be pretty much all positive for the 987. It rides smoother, is noticeably faster, has a much better audio interface. Still sounds good, a bit of a mystery as I feel the 911 lost some sound in the transition, not sure why this is so. Perhaps it was "less" to begin with... Yeah, the 987.2 is basically all positive, perhaps the one downside is when I look down at the speedo I see higher speeds than I'm used due to the extra smoothness. The 987.1 is rough enough that it makes low speeds "fun".


Option 1: Keep current croc.

Pros: Mine and I'm so used to it. A nice light patina from 27k miles of memories. Atlas gray is awesome and is either hard to find or $$$ (special order color now). No leaks or real issues. Runs strong. Has the essentials (bose/heated seats and the xenons that I added).

Cons: Clutch started squeaking (some stupid pivot above the pedal), I sprayed that area, but I couldn't quite get to it. Minor noises. Audio connectivity and head unit suck. No adjustable lumbar (this seems to be a must for my newly bad back). Rides a bit hard for this area. A few more options would be nice (perhaps LSD, dimming mirrors, etc). They gave me a good trade-in number (as there is little used porsche inventory out there).


Option 2: Keep looking for a 997.1S.

Pros: Almost perfect snarly sound and power for the 911 platform. Seemingly more fun sounding and driving than the 997.2.
Cons: Older engine design, I'm staying in the M97 family. Nav/music interface busy and dated with many tiny buttons. Getting harder to find the perfect one and they are not new enough at this point. Hardish ride (compared to either 987.2 or 997.2).

Option 3: Get a 987.2! This is my current thinking. I think they are "better enough" and I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be hard for them to get better yet. (Certain times in bmw history come to mind).

So what then?
- Boxster S?
- Cayman S?
- Boxster Spyder (not that likely)

There 10 Boxster S (with few miles and CPO) that's nicely spec'ed. Silver, which is a bit blah, but LSD and adaptive seats etc. I could also look for an '11 Cayman already built (very few on lots) or try get one built (hard to get an alloc/long wait during which I'll change my mind ten times). We'll see but something may happen soon.

[equ]

Cliff notes:

Drove a 997.2S, 987.2S (boxster), 997.1S on same day. The 997.2S was "the one" for that kind of car, but I'm not sure I want it. In sound the 997.1S is better. In handling, the 987's are. 987.2S still appeals, is it worth the update? I think so but impossible to find a deal on a cayman with desired spec. Do I want a boxster this time? Do I go through ordering? We'll see.

Yes, still a fanboi. Drove 175 miles through good and bad in the nexus of NY/NJ/CT and the cayman still shines and kicks ass. The more and harder you drive it, the better it gets.

[Plaz]

Jellos.

[ZBB]

I love my '08 987S.

I drive to/from work with the top down most of the time -- at least when its above ~45 or so (which is most of the time so far -- although I had 3 morning commutes with it up this week since it was cold for a couple days (below freezing one morning).

[equ]

I don't have much experience with the 2.7, 2.9 or 3.2's, but the 3.4 987's are just awesome. A comfortable, daily smooth, rough road capable go cart.