Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” This series, Porsche Owners File, was born from readers’ requests to share the genuine voices of various Porsche owners. For the sixth installment, we bring you a purchase, options, and driving review of the “981 Boxster Spyder (MT)” from “IshiB.”

〘Owner Information〙
・Featured car: 981 Boxster Spyder (MT)
・Pen name: IshiB
・Past cars: When living in Tokyo, no car. After returning home:
Used Corolla (when I had no interest in cars) → Used Lexus IS250 (when I started to get interested in cars) → First new car Boxster GTS (981) PDK → Used 718 Boxster (982) MT. All cars including the current one are right-hand drive.
・Message to readers: The Spyder is one of the more accessible Porsche special models in terms of price.Spyder. I hope this review helps those considering a purchase.

1) The Path to Purchase

– Missing the sound of the 6-cylinder NA…

Although I was satisfied with my first 981 Boxster GTS, I couldn’t suppress the urge to switch from PDK to MT, so I moved to the base grade 718 Boxster MT. But then I started to miss the sound of the 6-cylinder NA… (For details, see the previous 718 review).

The feeling of “I want to return to the sound of the 6-cylinder NA” grew daily, and around that time, spy videos of the 718 Boxster Spyder started appearing on YouTube and elsewhere. There was a rumor that the 718 (982) Spyder and GT4 would have the 911 GT3’s 4L NA engine, but from the videos related to the 718 Boxster Spyder, I couldn’t help but think “This sound isn’t NA but turbocharged, and maybe even a 4-cylinder?”.

If that’s the case, there might never be another Porsche open-top car with MT and a 6-cylinder engine in the lineup… (Currently, the 911 Cabriolet is only available with PDK)

When I started thinking this way, I remembered a certified used 981 Spyder at a certain dealer and went to see it immediately.

– Second Spyder viewing

Actually, I had seen the Spyder displayed once before when visiting the dealer for a test drive of another car, but at that time, I was satisfied with the 718 MT and wasn’t very interested in the Spyder. Honestly, I was interested but unconsciously found reasons not to buy it:

“The white body is nice, but the red bucket seats are too flashy for me.”
“The bucket seats look hard and uncomfortable.”
“The manual soft top would be a hassle for my lazy self.”
“The price is high.”

Later, I went for a second viewing of the Spyder, and at that time:

“The red seats are a bit flashy, but I won’t drive with the top down in the city, so it’s fine. Besides, I’m already driving a bright yellow 718 without worries.”
“The bucket seats might be hard, but when I sat down, the cushion was more comfortable than expected.”
“Operating the soft top is actually quite easy. I just won’t open it if it looks like rain.”
“The price is cheaper than a 911, and this might be the last NA Boxster.”

All the reasons I had previously used to avoid buying the Spyder were conveniently resolved in my mind, and I had no reason not to buy it (laughs).

2) Options / Specifications

The Spyder’s specs are as follows:

・Sport Chrono (standard)
・Sport Exhaust (standard)
・No PASM

Unlike the GTS and 718, where the sport exhaust activates automatically when switching to Sport mode, on the Spyder, the driving mode and sport exhaust are not linked, so you need to press each switch separately. Auto-blip works in Sport Plus mode. There is no idle stop function.

① Air Conditioning

It has automatic air conditioning. I prefer auto AC because I set the temperature based on the outside temperature display. Manual AC doesn’t allow that.

② Navigation

The navigation system is Clarion-made, the same as the 981 GTS.

③ Speakers

It comes with Bose speakers. I can’t really tell much difference from the standard speakers I’ve experienced before.

④ Interior

The interior combines red leather with black to dark gray Alcantara, called the “Classic Interior.” It takes courage to choose this when buying new, but I think it looks very stylish.

⑤ Seats

Bucket seats. There are two types: “Full bucket” and “Sport bucket.” This one is the “Sport bucket seat (lightweight racing seat, backrest foldable)”.

⑥ Others

I had a rearview camera installed aftermarket. Thanks to the dealer’s kindness, both the unit and installation labor were free.

3) Delivery Time

From contract to delivery, including rearview camera installation, it took two weeks.

4) Porsche Performance Impressions After Ownership

① Engine

3.8L 6-cylinder NA engine. Absolutely perfect. This is my preference. I couldn’t stop grinning on the way home after delivery (laughs). When I first drove it on a mountain road, I briefly thought, “Hmm? Was the GTS’s engine and backfire sound louder?” but now I don’t mind at all.

② MT

The clutch pedal has a nice resistance when pressed, and when released, it gives a pleasant push at the end. Embarrassingly, sometimes I stall when moving very slowly in reverse while watching for obstacles, but there’s no stress when starting. In some ways, it’s an easier MT to operate than the 718.

③ Handling

When I switched from the 981 GTS to the 718, the handling improved dramatically, which left a strong impression. Returning to the 981 with the Spyder, I was a bit worried about how the handling would feel, but I had no negative impressions at all.

Since switching to the Spyder, I’ve driven various roads in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Northern Kanto, and Koshinetsu, and have no complaints about the handling. Whether it’s because I’m biased or due to the weight reduction, I’m very satisfied.

④ Fuel Economy

If there’s no traffic and I can cruise at 60–70 km/h on regular roads, it gets about 9–11 km/L. This is when shifting up around 1200 rpm as indicated by the shift-up indicator. Even driving this way, the Spyder offers a wonderfully pleasant cruising experience. The weight reduction might also contribute to the surprisingly good fuel economy.

During touring, I also drive in 2nd to 4th gear at over 5000 rpm in places, but even including that, the daily touring average settles around 8–9 km/L. I haven’t experienced city traffic, so fuel economy in that situation is unknown.

⑤ Ride Comfort and Feel

The Spyder’s bucket seats only adjust forward and backward; the backrest angle and seat height are fixed. The backrest angle feels a bit upright, but for my height (just under 180 cm), it’s comfortable for long drives. When sitting still, the shoulders feel a bit tight, but when gripping the wheel and reaching forward, the shoulders are well supported, stabilizing driving posture. The passenger might find the shoulder area a bit cramped.

⑥ Manual Soft Top

Opening or closing the soft top takes about 40–50 seconds. However, this time doesn’t include getting in or out of the car, so I don’t recommend getting out to operate it while waiting at a traffic light.

The soft top is secured by two hooks on the rear hood, but if you don’t check the fastening carefully, you’ll have a terrible experience. One day, while happily driving on the highway, I heard a loud “thump! rattling! clattering!” noise from behind the driver’s seat. I thought maybe a bird hit the car, but the noise happened again.

Checking the rearview mirror, part of the soft top that should have been secured was fluttering in the wind… I stopped at the next PA area and found repeated marks where the plastic and metal hooks had been banging against the rear hood (cry) (see photo).

⑦ Protection Film

With previous cars, I got discouraged seeing more and more stone chips after every wash. Even if stone chips are called Porsche’s badges of honor, it’s little consolation. I had been debating applying protection film for a while, but a very famous blogger, well known among Boxster owners, wrote that after 5 years the film barely deteriorated on their car, which convinced me to apply it this time.

The great thing is “scratches from stone chips on the film are hardly noticeable” and “the film apparently self-heals naturally, and noticeable scratches can be fixed by applying about 60°C hot water.” I don’t know how true that is, but knowing I can replace the film if needed is reassuring. Also, bugs stuck on the film can be easily wiped off with a bug removal cloth, unlike paint.

When I asked the installer about film for the windshield, they said “For cars regularly driven in rainy conditions with wiper use, the film’s durability is a concern.” It’s not the rain itself but the friction with the wipers that might be problematic. I appreciated their honesty about the downsides and judged it would be fine for my use, so I had film applied to the glass as well.

5) Options I Definitely Want (or Have) for Future Porsche Purchases

I’d like to experience PCCB at least once. The current brakes have enough stopping power, but I’m curious how reducing unsprung weight would affect the ride feel.

6) Concerns

Due to my limited MT skills, sometimes it’s hard to shift into 2nd gear.

7) Overall Impression

It looks Spartan but is fine for long drives. You can enjoy every rpm range from 1000 to the rev limiter. Also, the MT is easy to operate even for those not used to it.

I’m curious about the specs of the 718 Spyder, but the 981 Spyder can be bought used at about the price of a new 911 with average options and low mileage, so for NA enthusiasts who find the price reasonable, I recommend the used 981 Spyder.

〘Administrator Mina’s Thoughts〙
Thank you very much, IshiB, for the detailed information! The tip about carefully checking the manual soft top hooks to avoid disaster is invaluable insider info only an actual owner could provide. I had assumed the Boxster Spyder would be too Spartan and tiring to drive, but it seems perfectly fine for daily use, which makes me even more interested (I want one, haha!) Thank you again, IshiB!