Spyderman 718

Just two on Autotrader at the moment and both well over £90k...!

With one more in the OPC network at £100k for a 2019 model with 2790 miles on!

They seem to be really scarce at the moment, so glad I grabbed the opportunity to buy a brand new one at list price - I could probably flip it tight now and make several grand!

As others have said, the roof is a bit of a faff...or delicious theatre!

Depends on whether it's a daily or fair weather car. Mine sits in the garage with the roof down if I know it's going out again soon.

I only raise the roof if it's going out in poor weather - then it stays up. If the sun comes out I just pull over for 5 minutes and drop the roof. But I rarely go out in the pouring rain so the roof is down 99% of the time, as it is a weekend and fair weather car for me, I use an AMG Merc as my daily.

So to summarise, you do lose some convenience and the car is noisier with the roof up as it lacks the double layer soundproofing of the other Boxster roofs - but on the flip side the car looks way better than other Boxsters with the roof up or down!

Hope this helps!

On 4/25/2021 at 7:39 PM, lawrencequinn said:

My Spyder only has 300 miles on it but there is a constant drone on the over run at 2000 ish RPM.  Is this commonplace? Also when does it switch to 3 cylinders and is it noticeable?

Mine drones if I leave the cylinder deactivation switch on - it is when it drops to 3 cylinders that it drones, first thing I switch off when I get in the car!

On 4/3/2021 at 9:51 PM, AndyI1 said:

Like your idea of picking out the front splitter Spyder logo in body colour.....do you have a picture of the end result and who did you get to do the work?

Here you go....

Well that's me coming up to the first 1000 miles in the Spyder.

The roof is proving to be no problem and not too much trouble to operate manually, you need to plan a bit more and it's either up all the journey if weather is inclement or down if dry - it's been mainly down!

She likes a drink this 4 litre unit - currently averaging 24 mpg, I used to get nearer 30 mpg out of the 3.4 litre engine.

Started opening her up to 5000 revs with the occasional 6000 revs, wow she really flies once past 4000, but even below this there is much more power than the 3.4 unit ever had. I used to find that engine a little lethargic until you wound it up, not so the 4.0 litre, it always feels eager and picks up really well.

5th gear will pull all the way from 25mph to well over 100 mph, a very flexible gear on the twisty stuff, no need to change down to 4th to fire out of the bends. I can't wait to use all 8000 revs, it must be ballistic!

Modifications so far - Aluminium fuel filler cap, clear perspex wind blocker, stick on front number plate, colour coded ignition key, Spyder logo on front spoiler picked out in GT Silver, PPF fitted to front nose, bonnet and sills.

I had worried if lack of climate control, cruise control and PDK would bother me - Nope on all counts!

Using a manual box, especially one as slick as this one, is a very involving experience, and makes you feel that you are really driving and interacting with the car, much more then you ever do with a PDK box. My last 3 Porsches were all PDK equipped and I enjoyed them immensely, I don't miss climate or cruise either - it's a sports car for Christ's sake!

The only slight disappointment is the PSE - it is somewhat muted compared to the 981 version, but I have read that the sound gets better as the miles go on, I will wait and see.

Apart from that, I am really enjoying the car, I have never had so many people commenting on it - complete strangers come across to me and make conversation saying what a gorgeous car it is!

It does look pretty special, even an AMG driver on the motorway came alongside and gave it the once over and a big thumbs up yesterday! 

Yep, loving this car!

On 3/3/2021 at 12:59 PM, RoddyT said:

Lovely - wasn't sure about the wheels at first but they really work on your car!

I know exactly what you mean, I wasn't too sure myself at first, but they have grown on me and now I think they look great!

The overall effect is different dependent on the lighting, for instance in this photo taken in bright sunshine they really "pop" and make the car look amazing!

On 2/27/2021 at 6:47 PM, villaman said:

Thanks for the initial review.....look forward to more.

And more photos please 👍🏽

More photos as requested.....

.

I have had the 718 Spyder for just over 2 weeks, and my first impressions of the car are as follows.

1. Lots of power which is very immediate, feels very quick even though limited to 4,000 revs during the running in period.

2. Steering is pin sharp and very responsive, very easy to position on the road, the whole car feels light and agile, very impressive.

3. The ride is firm but not too stiff, handling is sublime, very capable on the twisty stuff.

4. Roof is a a bit of an event, but once I got the sequence right it is no trouble really. Car looks simply stunning roof down, which of course it was the whole time!

5. Gearbox is slick with a very short throw, almost switch-like. After years of flappy paddle autos, I had forgotten just how involving and satisfying changing gears yourself can be! Sublime user interface that very much adds to the overall sports car feel and involvement in the driving experience.

6. The exhaust note is good, but no pops and bangs on the over run like a 981 with PSE. It sounds ok at present, but the real test will be once I can get it above 4,000 revs and really open her up. 

7. Overall I am very happy with the way the car looks, drives and sounds. It does make you feel that you are driving something rather special, borne out by the fact that I have had three people come over and ask about the car already, I guess it looks that bit different to anything else on the road.

Pictures to follow.