Due to being away from work for almost a month, I haven't been able to write about my new purchase until now ... but here goes.

First and foremost, the car was even MORE than advertised! It is truely immaculate; inside and out. Everyone who sees it assumes it's brand new, even though I've already put about half (1500 miles) of the miles on it in a week than Jon did (3300) in about a year

Here are a couple of pics I recently took while in Atlanta (but not at Dock's as he had to fly to Florida of all places which is where I picked up the Turbo) after getting rid of the bug hitchikers along the Florida turnpike at night no less!

 

Ah Nuts, I'm going to HAVE to learn to use the cruise control more often!! This car is WAY TOO comfortable to drive fast. I found it very easy to keep my speed around 80 in the C4S (and sometimes even lower Spider ) but this baby is a problem. I consistently found myself around the 90 mark and while on the Florida turnpike (talk about long,straight and boring) it was easy to find yourself cruising in the 100+ mph range. Even my wife would be unaware of our speed as a passenger. Since I'm used to AWD of the C4S, I assume a great deal of this "insulation" is due to the factory aerokit and lowered ride (man is it smooth ... at least until to get to Kentucky / Ohio) The S02A **may** also be part of the reason but I doubt it. For one reason, I find that these tires really suck in the rain compared to the PS2 which never hydroplaned at similar speeds / conditions. Even the OEM Continentials did better in the rain. That was my only unpleasant surprise.

In the dry, however, the turn in was crisp and the bite was excellent. Road noise is acceptable and I'll be interested to watch how the rear tires wear. Overall, I still prefer the Michelin's.

I will provide some Teresa quotes to accurately sum up the ride:

1st quote she spoke - "Wow, I could get addicted to this (torque & massive acceleration)" as she disappeared around/pass someone who entered the highway at much less than optimal / safe speed and clearly didn't know what they were doing.

2nd quote - "Oh boy, this car is going to get me in trouble" lol

3rd quote - "I'm going to have to replace the Boxster S to keep up with you!"

The amount of "pull" this car has is indeed awe inspiring when you want it to be!! The turbo lag is more than I expected (given the twin turbos) but when it engages ... it's like sitting in a roller coaster going over that first big hill. WHEEEEEE Another pleasant surprise ... I found the clutch on the 04 to be "better" than the 02 I drove. FWIW I found the C4S' clutch to be the best, by far, over any turbo or Boxster I have driven. It had the perfect combination of feel and release point IMO. The turbo's power assisted clutch was very disappointing at first but I'm getting used to it but I do like the 04 better ... it doesn't feel as assisted is the only way I can describe it.

 

While Guards Red wouldn't be my 1st choice normally ... this is one bad a$$ looking car in person! I really, really like it. However it definitely gets more attitude than the MB C4S ever did! Took all of 5 minutes for an 18 wheeler to force me intentionally out of my lane in Fort Lauderdale (long story, will say more if someone wants me to later) and while I gets LOTS of compliments and nice looks I have also been tailgated MUCH more and had folks "parallel park" next to me on the highway. Guess they want to encourage me to accelerate. I usually don't although in one case I had to in order to not get boxed in.

I also managed (not sure how except by the grace of God) to avoid a ticket in Florida. While traveling north of Ocala, I drove under an overpass (and fortunately as is my habit) I looked toward the on-ramp and saw two police cars way up on the embankment. Just as I stomped down on the brakes the V1 screamed "laser Will Robinson, laser" (loosely translated of course) and my wife just looked at me and said .... "you're toast!". But I was surprised when they didn't come after me but my lovely bride merely said, "They probably have chase cars down the road". And they did ... eight (8) of them in fact!! However, to my ever-lasting surprise, they were ALL BUSY already and I just kept driving! I know the folks that were following me (who I had passed just previously) who probably thinking "How the heck did he not get a ticket?" Where IS that *#&^# cruise control and how does it work anyway?? LOL

While I would never order a NAV unit (too much $$ and I prefer old fashioned way of navigating) I must admit it worked extremely well and came in handy several times during our 1500 mile trip. Female voice is easy to understand and it interrupts music so you can hear her instructions. Definitely impressed.

Minor issues (but didn't surpise me based on C4S):

1) CD music will revert to radio at unexpected times .. dealer will check out. Probably software and maybe radio itself.

2) Windows are showing greasy streaks from power window motors. This happened on C4S and they will be replaced under warranty.

Everything else works perfectly and I was extremely pleased with how everything went. Jon already had Turbo at his house waiting on me after he picked up Teresa and I from the airport. All of the paperwork was already done so I could go out and enjoy my new ride. Jon and his family treated us extremely well and it's really nice to meet someone of such integrity.

Teresa and I want to thank Jon & Tammy for lots of wonderful memories!

 

When I first registered on this board I went straight to the classified section and saw this car for sale. It was a little out of the range that I wanted to spend but I was willing to do it. I tried to post and PM him, but I wasn't fully registered and able to post yet. Before I knew it, the car was sold.
This is by far the most perfect (IMO) 996 turbo that I have seen yet on the board and I wish you nothing but the best of luck with it. The interior is absolutely perfect with all of that deviated stiching, floor mats and full carbon fiber. The exterior lowered with the aero kit, Guards Red, man that is the car!!!!!!! If you decide to sell it in the very near future.....*on my knees praying...and begging* please let me know. Again, BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!! Treat her well.

 

Congrats and you didn't stop by and say hi to me?

 

Not only do I love it but so does my wife so it won't be for sale anytime soon ... sorry! I was in exactly the same place as you but I guess just a little more lucky especially since I was in Europe on business at the time.

I appreciate your comments .... I will treat it very well.

 

Ruiner,

Man, I should have since Dock and my other friend both flew out of town once they heard I was coming!!

PM me your info and I will the next time I'm down that way. All of us definitely need to get together soon.

 

Nice write-up. Congatulations on a beautiful car!

Lovely mature trees in your neighbourhood.

 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Enjoyed reading your impressions on your turbo. Enjoy it in good health. Looks beautiful.

 

Welcome to the GR club and as many know, it is THE best-looking and fastest of all the colors. Your car is just about perfect except for those wheels. I wish my car had the aerokit as I like both spoilers. Best of luck and let us know if you do any mods. FWIW, programming can help the lag issue immensely.

 

Congrats ! Love the aerokit/sport technos !

Enjoy it in the best of health...Looks like your wife is a fast car fan just like mine has become !

 

Yes, I'm extremely fortunate! She finished second in the country in a driving contest when she was in high school plus he Dad fixed cars for a living so he made her really learn about cars before he would even let her learn to drive!

I love our "chase dates" we have from time to time. We take both cars to dinner, and then chase each other through the back roads. Our neighbors think we're crazy so they leave us alone!

 

OK, so how do we create a poll?

 

Really, really nice. Congrats.