Finally got to drive a Boxster Spyder this week. After driving an Evora the other week, I was interested to know how they compare.
Now it would probably have been fairer if the Boxster had actually been a Cayman, but it wasn't and I'm no journalist and this isn't Autocar.
Anyway, the car I drove was a PDK model. I've driven a manual Cayman before and although if wasn't a slick as the X, it's still pretty good, especially with the short shift.
The PDK was interesting for a number of reasons, but predominantly because the last auto I drove was about 20 years ago.
The paddle shifters were great. The shifting was super smooth and pretty fast especially on the downshifts. Upshifts weren't as fast as I thought they'd be, but perhaps I was expecting too much.
Full auto was very easy to use and in sport mode you could use the auto shifter like a sequential which was fun
Kickdown seemed a bit like overkill but I'm not an auto expert.
On the road the car was excellent. Great steering and the ride was very good, but not Evora good.
Performance was good. The sports exhaust sounds very Porschelike and I think I'd just leave it on all the time as even with the roof down it wasn't obtrusive.
This particular car had sport and sport plus mode. The latter turns off all your Driver aids. The former allows you to drive like a twat with no consequences if only to make you feel like a driving god. I'm very much into disillusion, so really liked this button.
An example would be, stop at 90 degree junction, turn steering 90degrees. Nail throttle and opposite lock until the car decides it wants you to go straight.
The seats are my bitch. I know I've been here before, but why put fixed back seats in anything not destined specifically for the track. I thought I was the only one who found these seats painful, but it turns out the foetal position doesn't work for some other people either.
Luckily you can have the sports seats. They are comfortable but are alas not carbon and according to the wonderful world that is Pistonheads, youll never resell without the backwreckers.
Roof; I know. I was at a car show the other week chatting to a guy with a Boxster S. We were discussing the the pros and cons of a 1960's style MG roof over a fully electrical one.
Personally I like the idea of going out with a roof that could just be a PITA if it decides to rain. Reminds me of the stuff we drove as kids. A bit impractical, especially on those marginal days.
Performance was similar to a well sorted X or Evora S. But again torque is quite impressive, but then it is lighter and has between 200 and 400 cc more than our cars.
Audibly it's got a lot of character. Totally different than the X. I won't mention the Lotus.
So all in all, I thought it was a great car. It looks fantastic with the Carrera GT style back end and it feels very well screwed together. Let's hope the DI engine has less issues than the previous incarnation.
A much better option than an Evora for me as it sounds and goes great, is built very well and also looks a little different from other Boxster. Ok who am I kidding they all look essentially the same.
I also miss open top cars, so that's a big attraction. Additionally, it's a more substantial car than say an Exige, but still offers much of the thrill.
Still not sure about the PDK, but it's of the future I suppose. I think I'm right in saying that Lamborghini do not offer manual transmissions anymore?!
Anyway, there you go.
Cheers,
James