Porsche Boxster Spyder 981
The roadster the purists kept asking for.
375-hp 3.8, no PDK, 2,486 built.
17 reviewers · 18 videos · 4 hours watched
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability.
across 17 reviewers
"I think you guys have probably been able to conclude that this car is pretty dang comfortable for long distance driving"
Rennthusiast · ▶ 7:47"The 981 Spyder has a fixed damping suspension, which makes it ride a little harsher."
Kits Cars · ▶ 15:02Performance
4.5/517 of 17 reviewersstrong consensus“375 hp, 4.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, and a top speed of 290 km/h.”
positive · Motorvision Deutschland · ▶ 3:39“The performance is better because of the engine. The response is more immediate because there's more power and this engine is frankly just more ready to go in a sports car and do stuff and have fun.”
positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 20:25“it's a engine you really want to rev out out and you get really really really well rewarded for revving it like that because the sound had four, and up especially with the sport exhaust that comes standard in this sounds absolutely beautiful”
positive · The Drive · ▶ 4:16Handling
5.0/517 of 17 reviewersstrong consensus“It has a direct steering ratio that is approximately 10% more direct than the standard model.”
positive · Motorvision Deutschland · ▶ 5:42“The steering is excellent the handling is unbelievably the term I guess is solid like it feels so it gives you so much confidence in the car's abilities.”
positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 19:14“these single tune dampers are just about perfect”
positive · The Drive · ▶ 3:57Fun to drive
5.0/517 of 17 reviewersstrong consensus“You inevitably fall in love with this vehicle”
positive · Motorvision Deutschland · ▶ 0:15“this car could quite possibly be the most fun car I've ever owned”
positive · Rennthusiast · ▶ 1:34“it's just so exciting so engaging do you need much more than this really”
positive · Cars with Luke · ▶ 13:07Daily drivability
3.5/517 of 17 reviewerssplit“The Boxster spider did not get that GT3 suspension so it's more comfortable and a little bit more compliant... but the operation of this roof is well rather ridiculous.”
mixed · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 3:12“I think you guys have probably been able to conclude that this car is pretty dang comfortable for long distance driving”
positive · Rennthusiast · ▶ 7:47“if you like to use your cars on a frequent basis this is so usable so much fun”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 33:15Value
4.5/517 of 17 reviewersstrong consensus“all this at a price more than €10,000 below that of the cheapest bread-and-butter Elvers.”
positive · Motorvision Deutschland · ▶ 8:34“I genuinely if I was looking for a convertible car to see her have no idea why you would look anywhere else”
positive · Car Mad Dad · ▶ 13:57“i believe that the boxster especially the box duress and above which of course this qualifies as are the best value in the porsche lineup”
positive · Motormouth · ▶ 5:04Mechanically, the 981 Spyder is the MA1.24 3.8-litre flat-six — the 991 Carrera S engine, all but identical to the 981 Cayman GT4's unit, here rated at 375 hp. It was offered with a six-speed manual only: no PDK, a deliberate statement that defines the car. The hardware is GT4-grade — mechanical limited-slip with torque vectoring, 20mm-lower suspension, 911 Carrera S brakes, and, uniquely among 981 Boxsters, the quick steering rack from the 911 Turbo. Where it places in the lineage, this is the open GT4: the last naturally-aspirated, manual-only flat-six Boxster before the turbocharged four-cylinder 718s arrived in 2016, which is exactly why values held. Porsche built 2,486. It keeps the hand-raised fabric top of the 987, trading outright civility for the lightest, most analogue configuration in the range. For many it is the high-water mark of the breed — the Spyder formula at its most uncompromised, just before forced induction and the GT-grade 982 cars changed what the badge meant.
Hear it in the reviewer’s words
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Manual-only — no PDK was ever offered, by design. Shares the 981 Cayman GT4's 3.8 (slightly detuned here). Keeps the hand-raised two-piece fabric top.