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Stil growing on me

4K views 20 replies 15 participants last post by  wquiles 
#1 ·
So I'm a little over 1,500 miles in and I'm liking the car more now than when I bought it. My initial impression of the car was favorable, but perhaps not superlative. However, the more seat time I get with it the more I realize how special it is. The brakes are excellent. For me, the steering weight is perfect, the effort is very progressive and linear, and the turning is precise. Handling is point-and-shoot, tossable, and amazingly compliant. I love how the car engages when I corner. I love the engine note and razor sharp throttle response. The power is not excessive for predominantly city driving yet ample for a spirited on-ramp launch. I also love going for an evening top down drive, and how refined the car is with the top up. This could be a daily driver with zero vert penalty. I love the mechanical sound when I put it in gear. I love the oil temp, coolant temp, oil pressure, and tire pressure gauges. How many times can I say love in the same post?

My one quibble is I have difficulty launching from first, but hopefully I will get better over time.

I'm the type of guy who is always dreaming about the next car but I can honestly say that this car is very satisfying and has earned my full attention. Think I'll have this 981 for a long time.
 
#2 ·
Is it broken in or are you revving it anyway? If you are keeping revs low, just wait till you drive it all day at 3500-7000!


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#9 ·
I can feel my car getting faster as I approach close to break-in period. I believe you and I think I am going to adore my car even more past 4,200 rpm. There were couple of times of quick burst to 5,000 rpm to get away from big trucks (always made sure the engine oil temp > 85*C +) and the sensation is heavenly. To the OP, enjoy it because the feeling will stay for a long, long time!
 
#3 ·
You, my man, are smitten. Yes the car grows on you and as you get more familiar with it, it gets easier and easier to drive and push it in the corners and explore its handling. The gearbox will quickly become familiar and once broken in, is very smooth. You may also discover things you don't like about the car but the drive will never bore you. Have fun.
 
#4 ·
I'm the type of guy who is always dreaming about the next car but I can honestly say that this car is very satisfying and has earned my full attention. Think I'll have this 981 for a long time.
Ha! I just finished arguing somewhere else about that. This has got to be a first moment in my adult life that I completely lost interest in the next new thing. OK, could be the age, too :)

I just went to the track for the first time with my Cayman this past weekend and, after 15 track events with E92 335i BMW, calling this an eye opener would be a large understatement. I got a bit cocky in the 5th session and got into a bit hairy situation on entry to the Thunder Valley and the car just shrugged it off. It is unbelievable how forgiving it is and yes, after only 3,800 miles, the more I drive it the more I love it. The only disagreement with OP I have is on the subject of daily driver. I couldn't possibly imagine driving Cayman S as a daily driver in northern suburbs of Cincinnati. No way, no how.

Other than that, I truly dread December 1st - which is the date I usually lock my fun cars for winter until about March 15th. I'll need Scotch. A lot of Scotch :)
 
#5 ·
Scoale, most of us are quite enthralled with our 981 Boxsters - sorry you seem so "unhappy" with yours:cheers:. I do hope you soon get the chance to enjoy Blue Ridge Pkwy and surrounding roads as you will fall in love all over again! I'm looking forward my Boxster's 4th trip to the western NC mountains next month.

Congrats & enjoy your new ride!
 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks Tom. Have made several Blue Ridge trips (including multiple drives on the Devils Whip) in my BMWs. Looking forward to first trip in Porsche. Fall with the top down will be spectacular. Having said that, this thing makes driving to the grocery store feel like an event.
 
#6 ·
I'm the type of guy who is always dreaming about the next car but I can honestly say that this car is very satisfying and has earned my full attention. Think I'll have this 981 for a long time.
Yep. I'm the same. Always dreaming about next car. But with my 981BS - I have it for 4 years now, and I don't dream about my next sports car. I know for sure there is nothing better in my price range. The only things left to me is to dream about next family sedan :)
 
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#7 ·
I completely understand and your words resonate with me.

And that's precisely what creates a Porschephile. It's the refinement in all things and how the car comes alive in the right circumstances.

Admittedly, that refinement is a tricky line to tip toe as it does cocoon the driver from sensory stimulation, but it also makes the car livable and lovable for times when pure driving enjoyment isn't the priority.

Porsche truly gives you the best of both with only a small compromise in each.

I also constantly look forward to the next thing. But I'm not convinced I will stay with this car. The new mods are really sweet, though. It howls and is downright hilarious to drive fast.
 
#10 ·
I had an E92 335is prior to my M3 and I find the Porsche handles better and more compliant than both! Porsche shrugs off potholes that created explosions in my 335is (LOL). Are you on 20s? Porsche seems very compliant to me but maybe my bar has been a bit low ;)
 
#14 · (Edited)
I believe you are asking me that question. No, I actually have 19" wheels. My experience with BMW on local southwestern Ohio roads was so seared in my brain that, even after 5 test drives on all combinations of suspension and 19"-20" wheels without any issues, I could NOT convince myself to go with X73 and 19" wheels. So I got PASM. That's how bad it was and I even had LCI E92 which did improve suspension setup significantly over the original one.

Do I regret it? Well, no. I still never drive with PASM in sport mode on the street and reserve it for track driving. I tried it and found that it doesn't add anything at 5/10ths and less except for chattier steering wheel - which is nice, but it also adds some harshness so I decided to keep it off on public roads. I opened it up once (truly, only once) on a twisty public road close to my house with speed limit of 50 mph until seat of my pants said "6/10ths" then glanced at the speedo. When I saw72 mph at the track-out of the corner, I almost had underwear malfunction. Don't even want to think what would happen if cop clocked me there. So, 5/10ths and slower it is for public roads.
 
#12 ·
I daily drive mine and the luxury elements of the car make it a wonderful daily driver. Since getting the Borla cat-back about 6 weeks ago, I've had a little love-hate relationship while the exhaust has been breaking in, and the car had quite a few rattles that I sorted out along the way. Now the exhaust has mellowed, the rattles are all gone, and I feel like the most privileged driver on the road. I always dream about the next car, and my sights are set on a 991 next, but I'm going to enjoy the 981 for the next few years.
 
#13 ·
My one quibble is I have difficulty launching from first, but hopefully I will get better over time.
Coming up on two years and 19K miles on mine, so far that one thing has not improved. Sorry.
 
#15 ·
I am on my second 981, if the first wasn't cutting it I wouldn't have bought the second!

Great driving car, maybe a bit under powered on the track but certainly enough for the street and any reasonable speed...
 
#16 · (Edited)
I had a 1997 993 triple black cabriolet which I basically turned into a track car. pss9 suspension, regeared transmission, track tires and wheels, roll bar...etc and etc. instructor after numerous De events in last 15 years. finally after blowing the rear main seal two times in the last 2 years and being passed by any car with more than 282hp I decided i wanted a change... Yes I miss the looks of my old cab .....but my new GTS is fantastic............I can not wait to get it on to the track after break in. not being able to go over 4200rpm is killing me ....okay I did once after it was warmed up but that was only to 5200 rpm...what a sound...

love the pdk putting it into sport mode takes it out of what I call " pssy mode "....... I love using the paddles or the stick in the center console or sometimes letting the car do it's own thing.....enjoy the technology of programming the mirrors, a/c and even the display.......if I need a manual tranny fix can drive my 2002 M5........ while I know I have only had it for about 6 weeks am completely satisfied...I will not modify this car for the track ( I hope ) as I plan on keeping it for many ,many years ..........now I do have to admit if I won a big lottery I would buy a Bugatti ....but this car has me very happy and satisified
 
#18 ·
I picked up a '14 Cayman S a few weeks ago and while I love the handling, it leaves a bit to be desired.

In all fairness, my daily driver is a Mercedes CLS63 AMG, so the power just can't compare. I guess I never realized just how much "foot" I put into the AMG, but the CS seems relatively tame.

I LOVE taking corners in the Cayman though. WAAAY faster than the CLS for obvious reasons.
 
#19 ·
I've been thinking about power lately. Unless you are at the track, often, where can you use it? How do you possibly put your foot into an AMG around town? And you have to be going ridiculously fast before a 4,100 lb CLS starts to feel agile!

I find myself gravitating more and more towards lighter, smaller, and more analog. One of the many things I like about my 981BS is you can have some fun without getting utterly ridiculous.
 
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