Been comparing the pros and cons and I'm in a stalemate.

Car will probably be mostly a weekender/afterwork car as well as a track car (probably about one weekend a month). I am a high intermediate to advanced HPDE driver.

Also, highly considering a European delivery for this vehicle.

Comments and experiences would be appreciated!

Given your intention to track the car regularly at an intermediate to advanced level, have you looked into your local club/group/track’s regulations with regards to the top?

Some require tops to be up on convertibles (the Spyder’s top has a speed limit) others require roll bars installed, and for some it makes no difference whatsoever.

The Spyder is one of the best looking cars Porsche has ever made. It's also one of the best handling. With the sport bucket seats, it's simple to add 5 or 6 point restraints. Use arm restraints and you can track it with the top off in most organizations.

For me, there are too many unknown and unproven things about the new version. As far as I can tell, it really offers no performance upgrade to the Spyder. It also has new electronic nannies which could become gremlins.

With your choices, I'd take the Spyder. There is probably no better weekend car available for the price. However, with the frequent track use you are considering, personally I would prefer a hard top. Which is one reason I sold my Spyder and got a Cayman R.

If you're looking at track performance...
The Boxster S with PASM, Torque Vectoring and the dynamic transmission mounts that comes with the Sport Chrono Package... and consider the longer wheelbase and wider track... It actually laps the Nordschleife 1 second faster than a 987 Carrera S.

I would believe it will make you just as happy as a Boxster Spyder on the track.

I haven't driven one yet, but all the reports point at a great experience on regular roads as well, much improved over the old platform the Spyder is built on.

The Spyder looks great, but I'll chose the 981 S.

If you're OK with the Spyder roof, then to me there's no comparison. Spyder all the way. Much better performance / sports car ... I can't think of anything besides GT3 that'd be better for your intended function.

I (and my wife) also picked the Cayman R over the Spyder because it's safer on the track, plus the Spyder top is impractical for us. But I agree that the Spyder looks incredible (with the top off).

I appreciate everybody's comments!

I could not find an official restriction for the speed limit of having the top on the Spyder.

Another thing I noticed is that I could not build a Spyder on the Porsche website anymore. I was able to last week but this week, when I select the Spyder, it gives me the New Boxsters. Are they not making them anymore? I was also hoping to do a European Delivery once I decide which one (Spyder vs New Boxster).

Keep in mind that it's not just about what tracks will allow, but also your own level of risk tolerance. A hardtop should be considerably safer if you roll, which is unlikely, but it can happen. For me, if I'm going to be driving over 100 mph and trying to continually stretch the limits of my driving ability, I want a car that will punish me less for my mistakes.

Sorry to disappoint, but the spyder ship set sail about a YEAR ago. Spyder production is done.

I think that this is a no brainer. Spyder all the way for track use over the new Boxster S. Given your desire to track the car frequently and your skill level you'll want good tire options. There are plenty of options for the Spyder but not for the new Boxster S wheel tire size.

Spyder all the way even though the production have ceased.

For track...Spyder! Other wise, the 981 S!

To be more specific, MY2012 Spyder production was halted at the end of July, 2011 at Porsche's Zuffenhausen factory. That was a very short '12 production run that lasted less than 4 months! Supposedly around 125 '12 Spyders were allocated/sold to US dealers, down from approx. 700 Spyders allocated/sold in the US for MY2011. Total Spyder production for all markets ('11 & '12) has been reported at around 2000. If these figures are eventually verified by PAG & PCNA, the Spyder then surely will become one of the most rare & limited production models in recent Porsche history!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

Eduardo, let me translate that for you: Don't sell your spyder.

Buy a Caymen R .... Nuff said