I've racked my brain between the Cayman R and the Spyder and I just can't let the Spyder go. I'm coming from an E92 M3 and I miss the top down experience of a convertible that I had with my S2000.

I need a no **** assessment of the quality of the ragtop. I know there are speed restrictions with it up and I doubt I will ever exceed 140 which I think it is. However, I do long road trips now and then... 1000 miles +. My question is.... How is the stability of the top and noise cruising freeway speeds of 85mph? Does it flap, make noise? Get loose? Balloon upwards like a cheap domestic convertible? Lol.

I live in northern California and plan to have top down 80 percent of the time but this is a concern for me. Something that a 15 min test drive can't validate.

Lastly, can the Spyder handle a standard speed bump straight on? Crabbing over it? If it can clear by crabbing I'm ok with that coming from lowered cars in the past.

Thanks for your inputs.

Tim

 

I've also thought about a Cayman R, but have decided to keep my Spyder. It's the best looking car Porsche has made in years and among the best handling.

The top is not as convenient as a push-button one, but it's part of the Spyder's charm. Once you get it figured out (which isn't hard), it takes 2 minutes to remove or replace the top. Really not an issue. I believe the top is rated to 120mph, again not an issue.

The longest trip I've taken in mine has been about 4 hours. The sport buckets are comfortable and supportive. There is more road noise than in a regular Boxster or Carrera. Part of that is the top, part is the aluminum doors and other weight-saving measures. Similar to a GT3 or GT3RS - more noise than the standard version. At highway speeds, the top itself is not noisy - it just lets more road noise in. Even at 110mph on the track with the windows down, it's no more noisy than a 911 with the windows down. From what I could tell, the top does not flap around, vibrate, or otherwise do funky stuff.

I've had no issues with speed bumps. The car is a bit lower than a normal Boxster, but really not that low.

It's a very special car and is really well sorted. I think there are some pre-owned bargains around too.

 

Thanks for the info. I've found some greet deals online as you mentioned.

What is the loudest best performance exhaust for this car? I like sharkwerks products for the gt/turbo series but I only know of the fabspeed for the Boxster. Looking for light weight and loud!

I had the eisennman race exhaust on my M3 and I gotta have the roar of the 6 speed!

Tim

 

Probably the Fabspeed Race - I love mine.

 

I want to get this setup.

I emailed him to get info. He also has a nice rear spoiler.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...er-spyder.html

 

I also have a Boxster Spyder and I would second everything Dr. Bill said. Definitely get the Sport Bucket seats. They are awesome!

 

Personally I would get a Boxster S just for the usability of the top alone

 

Have you bought one yet?

I had a Boxster Spyder for 11,000 miles and loved every second of it. Drove it from Philadelphia to Georgia and back (the long way!) covering almost 2000 miles and it was not an issue. That was even with a Fabspeed Race Exhaust and my girlfriend in the car

As for low - its not that low at all. It sits lower than a Boxster S but its not low like a car with aftermarket suspension or anything...

Overall - awesome car. I did however just replace it with a 2012 Cayman R Sorry to confuse you further hahahahahahahahahaha

 

slant 83, You are kidding, right?

 

I live in Northern California as well and track my car regularly and reach 124 mph at Thunderhill, close to the top's max rated speed without any issue. The manual top works very well even in the rain. It let's in more road noise than an insulated top but it's not bothersome to me. I've heard Scott's Fabspeed Race and concur. It sounds great.

 

Got out bid this weekend on one... now I'm at square one again. I regret not getting yours but if I recall it didn't have the sport buckets.

Test drove a Cayman R last week. They want $69K with approx 10k miles. I just prefer the looks of the spyder over the Cayman and that is enough to keep me from pulling the trigger.

 

I'm thinking of selling my Spyder and am in the LA area. I'm trying to buy a classic car so this will have to sell first If interested, send my a pm. I do have the the sport buckets.

 

I have a Spyder and live in the Atlanta area. I track at Road Atlanta and no problems with the top up or down. I have the capristo exhaust and it is great and programmable. Get an incredible sound and additional performance as well.

 

I just got one and I would have no problems doing a road trip with the top on. The top is VERY easy to install. Nowhere near as bad as the one on my Murcielago Roadster. The top is remarkably well engineered.

 

How is the quailty of the plastic window? Are there any glass opions or does it have to fold to fit?