Looking for real-world feedback of living with a Spyder
Looking for real-world feedback of living with a Spyder
Spyder owners,
I'm strongly considering purchasing a Spyder as a 2nd vehicle (so it WON'T be a DD) and looking for feedback on your actual experiences with this car. I've driven it and understand the different driving experience, so probably most interested in your feedback of the roof in terms of difficulty to install/remove as well as protection from the elements (just in case). And if there are any other subtle differences that you feel are worth mentioning.
The ones I'm looking at are all PDK/Sport Chrono with the Leather Sport Seats.
Looking forward to hearing your stories...
I'm strongly considering purchasing a Spyder as a 2nd vehicle (so it WON'T be a DD) and looking for feedback on your actual experiences with this car. I've driven it and understand the different driving experience, so probably most interested in your feedback of the roof in terms of difficulty to install/remove as well as protection from the elements (just in case). And if there are any other subtle differences that you feel are worth mentioning.
The ones I'm looking at are all PDK/Sport Chrono with the Leather Sport Seats.
Looking forward to hearing your stories...
Maybe one day she'll finally understand just how much fun these cars can be!Going drive a few tomorrow...hoping I can make up my mind.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Alberta Canada
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The Spyder is a great sports car and a great Porsche. I enjoy driving my Spyder over my GT3 on the street, the track is a different story as it's not a GT3, no matter what some people may think. The Spyder is one of the best all around sports cars on the road today, a real hoot to drive, the PSE make it sound incredible.
The top is not a big deal, it goes on & off without to much trouble, quite simple actually. It looks better topless, but that's just my option.
My wife really enjoys driving the Spyder, she now calls it her car. The car is is very easy to drive and civilized for daily use but running thru the gears on a spirited drive will put a big smile and your face.
Mine is a six speed, I'm a manual gearbox fan, nothing wrong with the PDK I just prefer the 6 speed.
Good luck in your quest.
The top is not a big deal, it goes on & off without to much trouble, quite simple actually. It looks better topless, but that's just my option.
My wife really enjoys driving the Spyder, she now calls it her car. The car is is very easy to drive and civilized for daily use but running thru the gears on a spirited drive will put a big smile and your face.
Mine is a six speed, I'm a manual gearbox fan, nothing wrong with the PDK I just prefer the 6 speed.
Good luck in your quest.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 161
From: Mobile, Al.
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spyder
Well..I love mine as well. I live in the south, and frequent rain is a problem. I DO NOT LIKE HAVING TO STOP AND PUT THE TOP UP. WHILE IT IS VERY SIMPLE, IT IS A PAIN TO HAVE TO DO IT. PERIOD. HAVING SAID THAT, i LUV DRIVING it. It is a little underpowered. I have owned all the big horsepower Porsches, and I really luv the way this one handles..but it needs about anothet 75-100 wheel Hp, imo.
If I keep mine, I will be looking to increase the Hp. Mine is totally glued to the road, as well as my GT3 or the GT3RS. It is not as stiff, and at high speeds on the track seems a little inclined to drift.
I have the sports seats, lithium battery. I opted for the AC for resale.
It IS a head turner.
G
If I keep mine, I will be looking to increase the Hp. Mine is totally glued to the road, as well as my GT3 or the GT3RS. It is not as stiff, and at high speeds on the track seems a little inclined to drift.
I have the sports seats, lithium battery. I opted for the AC for resale.
It IS a head turner.
G
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Park City, UT
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I am counting down the days until I can drive my Spyder again. I have had the pleasure of owning several Porsche's, and thus far this car is my overall favorite. Not the most powerful, but the most fun. The roof is easy to get up, it literally takes 2 minutes. If you only want to touch a switch, this is not for you. As for the power issue, I have decided to get the TPC Turbo system installed! My local shop here in Madison, WI has been working with the gentleman at TPC to get the new Gen 2 system made asap. Hoping to get the car to 500+hp at the wheels, thus solving the power problem. As soon as the project gets started, I will post pictures of the build.
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FYI
TPC has been “working” on a Gen 2 system for about a year and a half with no real results, and if you read through the IMA thread they say they are going to focus on perfecting their system on the Gen 1 cars before moving on to Gen 2. It seems as if the DFI makes it more difficult to tune for a significant power boost. I would suggest being patient and giving both companies all the time they need to get it right. After all, 320-340 is not so bad.
TPC has been “working” on a Gen 2 system for about a year and a half with no real results, and if you read through the IMA thread they say they are going to focus on perfecting their system on the Gen 1 cars before moving on to Gen 2. It seems as if the DFI makes it more difficult to tune for a significant power boost. I would suggest being patient and giving both companies all the time they need to get it right. After all, 320-340 is not so bad.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 12
From: Norcal
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I am counting down the days until I can drive my Spyder again. I have had the pleasure of owning several Porsche's, and thus far this car is my overall favorite. Not the most powerful, but the most fun. The roof is easy to get up, it literally takes 2 minutes. If you only want to touch a switch, this is not for you. As for the power issue, I have decided to get the TPC Turbo system installed! My local shop here in Madison, WI has been working with the gentleman at TPC to get the new Gen 2 system made asap. Hoping to get the car to 500+hp at the wheels, thus solving the power problem. As soon as the project gets started, I will post pictures of the build.
pcw
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TPC has some great kits but to be honest I would not let anyone but them, "TPC" install the turbo kits. I can't remember what forum but there was a guy that had a Cayman, he lived overseas and it has been nothing but a horror story. I believe a "certified" TPC installer did the work. Last I heard the car owner was going to send the car back to TPC at his expense to get the issue corrected once and for all. Just be aware if the local shop can't get it running right, what will you do? And who is going to pay for it?
pcw
pcw
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From: Park City, UT
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TPC has some great kits but to be honest I would not let anyone but them, "TPC" install the turbo kits. I can't remember what forum but there was a guy that had a Cayman, he lived overseas and it has been nothing but a horror story. I believe a "certified" TPC installer did the work. Last I heard the car owner was going to send the car back to TPC at his expense to get the issue corrected once and for all. Just be aware if the local shop can't get it running right, what will you do? And who is going to pay for it?
pcw
pcw
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From: Norcal
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That's cool that you guys have shops that you trust and recommend, but remember, this isn't just replacing suspension, shocks, brakes etc. This is a taking a NA car and turning into a forced induction car, with specific ECU tuned software with lots of variables. All I'm saying is, I don't care how great a shop you are, TPC that built this kit is going to know more, have seen more and experienced more in their engineering and R&D than anyone else. I'm sure that TPC will offer advice, phone support etc if needed, like they did with the story I referenced before. But what happens if the local shop just can't figure it out? Who responsible? The local shop?, TPC? That's a gray area that would need to be addressed by both the local shop and TPC before the project could move forward, IMO.
Since I live in CA I asked that question on a thread, "What is the support level/warranty from you (TPC) If I get a "certified Installer" install the kit and there are problems". I never got an answer. The question I asked myself is, this isn't just a couple of grand worth of problems, if you are looking at the 500-550 kit, you are looking at 15K, plus your car. The monetary importance will be different for everyone, some won't even blink at eye at that figure, others like me, that is a significant amount of money to take a chance on. So I decided that if I would ever add the TPC kit, I would also figure in the cost to ship the car to TPC and have it installed.
pcw
Since I live in CA I asked that question on a thread, "What is the support level/warranty from you (TPC) If I get a "certified Installer" install the kit and there are problems". I never got an answer. The question I asked myself is, this isn't just a couple of grand worth of problems, if you are looking at the 500-550 kit, you are looking at 15K, plus your car. The monetary importance will be different for everyone, some won't even blink at eye at that figure, others like me, that is a significant amount of money to take a chance on. So I decided that if I would ever add the TPC kit, I would also figure in the cost to ship the car to TPC and have it installed.
pcw
Last edited by pcw; Feb 17, 2011 at 01:56 PM.
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Completely aware of what the installation requires and how it changes the car... However it is not remarkably complicated. We have thorough instructions, not including the step by step DIY that is located on the "other"site. You point out Suspension, i think setting a car up to drive correctly is way more difficult than installing our turbo kit!
There are a few shops in the list of authorized installers that have had issues installing the system, 99% of the time it is something that has been left unconnected or some other small oversite... Everyonce in a while there will be a car with a bad MAF, that is easily diagnosed by datalogging the car. All of these cars have been corrected to run to the level that we would release them from our shop.
We warranty our parts for 1 year. You should discuss w/the shop if they will give a warranty on their work, we certainly do. Of the shops we recommend we have never had an issue with this and never likely will.
I completely understand your apprehension but there isnt likely an answer i can give you that will appeal it.
Shipping your car to Accumoto would be half as much as the DC metro area and we have shops even closer than that to you!
There are a few shops in the list of authorized installers that have had issues installing the system, 99% of the time it is something that has been left unconnected or some other small oversite... Everyonce in a while there will be a car with a bad MAF, that is easily diagnosed by datalogging the car. All of these cars have been corrected to run to the level that we would release them from our shop.
We warranty our parts for 1 year. You should discuss w/the shop if they will give a warranty on their work, we certainly do. Of the shops we recommend we have never had an issue with this and never likely will.
I completely understand your apprehension but there isnt likely an answer i can give you that will appeal it.
Shipping your car to Accumoto would be half as much as the DC metro area and we have shops even closer than that to you!
Great, thanks Casey !! Where do I find the shops located in Northern CA, if any?
PM me if you could
pcw