2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder: The best-handling 987? | One-Mile Review

[@SJSharx]

I spent 18 months researching what was the next Porsche I wanted. Not wanting to be another 911 owner and seeing so many at car shows, I looked into 987's. Once I realized it was gonna be a 987.2 then between a Cayman S and Spyder, I read MANY owner posts about the Spyder which was much more rare as well. That did it for me, I bought my 2012 Spyder in 2018 and fell in love with it in less than 5 minutes. As time went by, I realized why owners really love the top and laugh at its negative reviews. First, the top (and to begin with the car) was based on the 550 Spyder. That had no roof, unless you call a tonneau cover one. Well, the no roof idea wouldn't fly so they went with the carbon fiber/canvas version it has. But some smart engineers really thought it out well, because of its simplicity. It is well made and secures very strongly, probably better than all that came after. It will never NOT work because zero electronics, a major problem at 20-30 years for the others. But the best thing about the top that NOBODY talks about hardly....you can take out the rear window and drive top up and back window out and hear your Flat 6 right behind you. I've done it in 40 degree weather, just fine. I think if this point had been made, the scoring in this review would have been higher for DD and Road Trip. The other thing about the top is that it has a much flatter, non-bulbous top look from the side. It just looks better top up than all other Spyders. Glad I bought mine as it has to be worth at least 30-40% more than I paid and they are getting more and more scarce for sale because owners absolutely love them like me and IF they sold one, often miss it and buy another. Here is the great video Nathan of the PCA did between the 987.2 and 981 Spyders. He got it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f53Vo4CVo8Shfs0

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Happy to hear you are enjoying your Spyder. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the link to the video.

[@edwinmens9925]

Just bought me a 2006 987 base , what a lovely car , so easy to put into limits without getting in trouble.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Congrats on your purchase!

[@Lee-zk8vu]

I've owned mine since new in '11. Plan on owning forever, so freed me up to do a few mods. Intake plenum, TB, full exhaust, plus tune, short shifter. All reversible. Running about 360 at the crank. A riot.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Sounds like a nice built! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@stu4181]

I’m at the point now with my R of sell now or do the mods above and keep long term. I’ve read the plenum on it was used on bigger engined 911s of the era so isn’t needed to get that power How different was the car before and after

[@williamjamesbaker-architec2807]

Bought my Boxster Spyder a year or so ago, and living in So Cal the top is not really an issue. The top makes the car, and Porsche haven't done one quite like this since. Echoes of the Carrera GT.

[@tmurphy3382]

As an owner of a 987.2 Spyder, this review is spot on. It is a great driver’s car and offers enough cargo space for road trips and errands. FWIW, red 987 Spyders are super rare. I’ve never seen one in the wild.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jeffreysalzman1497]

My 987 is the best driving car I've ever owned.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

🙌

[@Carnewal]

Glad to hear that you like our GT exhaust

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

🙌

[@Poorschedriver]

After 6 years of 987.1 ownership I finally had the opportunity to drive a spyder for a long weekend. Needsless to say, the next week I ordered all the suspension parts for my car and the poor man's spyder journey was born. Of all the cars I've driven (and I've driven a lot), the spyder offered the most fun, pure driving excitement. Unfortunately the prices, limited availability and ridiculous top have steered me away from ownership. However, with the mods I've now done to my car it's certainly within spitting distance of scratching the spyder itch.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@clu4u]

I modded my 05 Boxster S with Bilsteins, full exhaust, tune, lightweight flywheel, underdrive pulley and a short shifter. Have a 981 Spyder now. The short shifter is a MUST.

[@savariaxa]

The 987 is the best Cayman Spyder or Boxster the last analog Porsche I still have my 2008 987 Cayman no flaws whatsoever these 987 Caymans where all build in Finnland and stands out with excellent quality built materials !

[@FrenchTexan007]

Great review and beautiful Spyder. Don't think I've ever seen a red one. I had a black one that I sold a few years ago - still regret it! A car that just feels special. The top is finicky, but the trick is to never put it up :)

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrCrashCormier]

Can you tell us about your ‘Square’ setup on your 987. I drove a spec booster with a square (same size wheels/tires front and back), and i didn’t think this could be done on 987.2. Do tell. I run a 2010 CS with Guard Diff, Ohlins per your video, and tons of Tarett goodies. Would like to try square.

[@BFCOT]

Yes please, looking for details on this.

[@RobSchlegel]

Damon, I’d love to hear what you think of your lightweight flywheel!

[@clu4u]

I put a LWF on my 987S and a short shifter. BOTH are indispensable, I’ll put a LWF on my 981 Spyder when I do the clutch, it already has the SS.

[@bos6782]

Great review, beautiful little Spyder. Bought my wife a 2011 Black edition Boxster. She loves it

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Can’t go wrong with a 987.2. Shades of excellence. Thanks for watching!

[@khoimavlogs5161]

I agreed 👍 987.2 still cheap enough, get 1 now while you can before price soaring.

[@bos6782]

@@khoimavlogs5161 hope you’re right on pricing of these

[@perdomus]

Still Waiting for the comparison between this one vs 981 vs 718.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

noted 👍

[@SJSharx]

Check this out between 987.2 vs. 981 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f53Vo4CVo8Shfs0

[@perdomus]

@@SJSharx thanks, already watched it. Missing the 718 spyder in the comparison.

[@LowkeyBanger]

He took the radio out? He may aswell take out the 20lbs of wiring harnesses that go to it aswell

[@jimiverson3085]

I covet some aspects of that car but couldn't live with the Tinker Toys top. Don't know why Porsche didn't just go with a manual top; that would have captured most of the weight savings. Guess I'll just have to get the suspension bits for my 2010 Boxster S.

[@clu4u]

I put Bilsteins on my 05 Boxster S along with a full exhaust, lightweight flywheel, short shifter and tune. A homemade Spyder, lol. Got a 981 Spyder now but miss the steering feel.

[@996Revival]

Best roadsters on the market!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@tedharlan2212]

825 of these were imported and I'm the third or fourth owner of one to comment on this twelve-day-old video. I don't own the car as an investment but increasingly these cars-- particularly the MTs-- are winding up in the hands of people who intend to keep them forever.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for watching Ted!

[@craigs3166]

Nice review of a very nice car. Echo the comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the lightweight flywheel. Thanks!!

[@ianhardin1148]

I love the seat bumps on the back, but they definitely could've done a leeeetle bit more top-wise. Still a fantastic car though.

[@clu4u]

My 981 Spyder has the best of both worlds but the electric steering isn’t as lively as hydraulic.

[@Jetbill007]

Already a classic!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

well said.

[@jacccamo]

taking out the radio for weight?

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Some people just want the soundtrack the engine produces and would rather save weight.

[@jacccamo]

@@PorscheClubofAmerica I see. To each his own.

[@Dave-White]

Great review!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@M_IkeLeBlanc]

Nice car! I didn’t know that Porsche ever offered flat-bottom steering wheels.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it🙌

[@stu4181]

Just needs that hard roof the cayman R has then it’s the best handling 987 😂 In all seriousness I own an R and it’s sublime. The last Porsche with the hydraulic power steering, small size. It’s perfect for the road.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Nice!

[@davidwitteried4695]

Rain? Just drive faster!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

LOL

[@luxuryviplifestyle9494]

Super Thanks and we need and wish 8K Photos or videos in Real Best 8K 60fps or 120fps HDR10+ resolution clarity quality and Sound in full HD 3D Stereo Surround , Soon Please.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

work in progress 👍

[@luxaeternae]

I think this footage is sped up.