Porsche Boxster GTS (981) PDK and Sport Chassis versions tested.

Reviews & Test Rides

My husband recently had the opportunity to drive a 981 Boxster GTS sports chassis version, and he wrote an article about his impressions. Please take a look if you would like to read it.

Porsche Boxster with sports chassis specification

One afternoon, I went to Ashiari in my Boxster GTS (981, MT) and happened to see aThere is a blog reader who drives a Boxster GTS (981, PDK).

As we talked, we learned that the reader's Boxster GTS has a rare sports chassis specification.The sports chassis does not have PASM (variable damper) function, and the suspension is firmer and the ride height is lowered by about 1 cm.Options.

I remember I was a bit confused when I bought this spec, which I would say is a hardcore spec of the Boxster.

Moreover, this Boxster GTS isWith the Sport Design Package, the exterior plastic parts are painted piano black, which is very cool.

According to a reader, "Sport chassis is stiff and not very comfortableHe said, "I have a PASM spec. and I usually ride a PASM spec. and he wanted me to compare the ride, so I took him at his word and borrowed it for a short time to try it out on my usual road.

I get to test drive a Boxster.

The moment I started driving, I felt no difference from my PASM specs at all.By the way, the brand of tires is Michelin on mine and Pirelli on this unit. I would say they ride almost the same on a flat road with good pavement.

Then, I try going around one or two curves, speeding up a little bit at a time. Here, I begin to feel a clear difference.Anyway, the front entry is agile.Physically, it's about as sharp as a 10%. It feels similar to the 718 Boxster GTS I drove a while ago.

My first impression is that the 718 feels even more stable at the rear, but the front feels very similar.

Roll is also clearly less than in PASM.It feels one step less roll than PASM's Sport Plus mode, which is still more roll than the GT3, but still much less than a regular model Porsche.

For example, when driving on the S-curves of the Suzuka Circuit in PASM's Sport Plus mode, I would like to see a little less roll, but with this sports chassis, I think it can be driven quite firmly. Naturally, it can also be driven very comfortably on winding roads.On-the-rails handling as you want it, with even less anxiety in the corners.It is.

And as for the ride quality, my impression is that it'sOn rough road surfaces, the feeling of a rustling and vertical shaking is indeed a little stronger than in PASM's Sport Plus mode.However, there is less shaking left over, etc., and not so muchI didn't feel uncomfortable.

On city streets and at lower speeds, it would probably feel a bit more shaky, but it is still much less shaky at low speeds than the GT3, for example.

If you are in the market to purchase a 981 Boxster, you shouldIf you prefer to focus on comfort, use PASM.I hope they choose me andIf you ride alone a lot and are a driving enthusiast, I highly recommend the sport chassis.It is. By the way, if I were to buy a 981 Boxster GTS again, I would choose the sport chassis.

Boxster, what is the difference between MT and PDK?

And another thing that struck me this time around.I was able to drive the PDK version of the Boxster GTS.That's what I mean. My Boxster GTS is a manual transmission (MT), but I have not driven the PDK version since the very first time I was allowed to test drive it at the dealer.

The right-hand drive was very refreshing, but I also felt again the joy of PDK.In particular, the pleasure of shifting up using the paddles cannot be experienced with a manual.Shift up without easing off the gas pedal and pashun! Pashun! The shifting of gears is a very pleasant experience.

The upshift sound of the 3.8L engine in the 911 GTS or the PDK in the GT3 is more like a pashun! It's more like a bafoon! The exhaust note produced by the 3.4L engine in the 981GTS is not too low-pitched, and the sound is higher than that of the GT3 and 911GTS due to the smaller cylinder volume. It was very pleasant to listen to.The 981GTS engine is still a masterpiece with a super beautiful voice.

The overall acceleration is almost the same as that of the manual version, but I got the impression that the manual version is slightly faster in terms of intermediate acceleration in 2nd and 3rd gears. This is probably due to the difference in gear ratios. However, theNeedless to say again, PDK is absolutely faster in terms of speed.I think it's already overwhelming.

In fact, afterwards, when I got home, I told my wife, "I'm thinking of buying another 981 Boxster GTS PDK version. Before they become unavailable...I said. As expected of my wife.

'You mean two cars of the same car, one with MT and one with PDK? I'm going crazy.

I was told. As expected, I don't think I will ever buy it considering the place to put it, but that's how great I thought the combination of this engine and PDK was.

This time, theThank you so much to the owner for letting us ride in his Boxster GTS, a very rare sports chassis.As you said yourself, the sound of the 981GTS is the best. I am too envious to be able to enjoy it with the suspension of this wonderful sports chassis. There will probably never be another engine that can surpass this sound due to environmental and noise regulations. Please take good care of it.

Thank you for this valuable experience.

 

 

Hiro

I am Mina's husband. We don't drive cars for fashion or status symbols. We like cars that are fun to drive, are good industrial products, and have a sense of the maker's intention...

Profile

Follow me if you like this blog!

Close Comment
  • Comment ( 8 )

  • Trackbacks are closed.

  1. nave

    Hello Mina and sir.
    Thanks for the timely post!!!
    I dared to look for one with a sport chassis.
    Even if it has PASM, I almost never ride it in stock (DCC, Magnetec Ride is also fixed with it when I decide individual), and as for the ride of a sports car, I have a pervertedly wide tolerance, and as my husband said, 95% of the time I ride alone, and above all, my environment and my desire to ride in a Porsche's I had a strong desire to ride in a sports chassis that was a one-shot decision of a test driver. I was somewhat happy to hear that his opinion that he would buy a sports chassis if he had to again is a valuable opinion from someone who knows the two cars, and that the conclusion is the same (lol).

    I think it's great that you have two cars. I love your husband for making Mr. Mina say he is crazy! I hope you will continue to go forward on your perverted path without any hesitation......there are several certified pre-owned cars available if you remove the desired color.

    • Mina.Mina.

      nave acid
      Thank you for visiting our blog.
      nave you searched for one with a sport chassis!

      The fact that the same model of Boxster is different again depending on the specifications is a good thing.
      I thought again how interesting.

      >I think it's great to have two cars.
      I really need a garage ^^;

  2. taramangts

    Hello mina! ^_^
    Having my car introduced in this way makes me love it even more than I already do! When my friends saw my girlfriend, they were like "Your girlfriend is so cute! I have always loved it, but now that the master has praised it, I have made a strong decision to take even better care of it ^ ^.
    And most of all, I'm more than happy to be on your blog here! Thank you!

    That's right! As soon as the master returned, there was more talk about PDK than about the sports chassis!
    PDK, which is commonplace in my mind, is new to those who usually ride MTs ^ ^ ^.

    I love my Boxster GTS so much that I don't think I'll ever part with it! When I buy a 911, my goal is not to replace it, but to get more cars ^ ^.
    Thank you so much for this opportunity! Please give my best regards to your husband.  And mina, please take care of yourself too!

    • Mina.Mina.

      Mr. taramangts.
      Thank you so much for this valuable opportunity!
      We happened to meet again in Ashiari and my husband was thrilled to be allowed to ride in his precious car.

      I think MT has the fun of MT and PDK has the fun of PDK.
      I imagine it must have been very good for my husband to like it so much.

      I look forward to seeing you again someday myself.
      Thank you for your continued support.

  3. ds124

    Hi Mina and Hiro!
    My 981 Spyder is also only available in a sports chassis, and I have no choice but to go with or without that specification. Although it is hard, there is no uncomfortable thrust, and I feel that it is more comfortable to drive in town than the previous Abarth 124 Spyder, which was based on a roadster.
    However, the bucket seats and the sport chassis are not well received by his wife, and she even said, "Are they going to discriminate between the driver's seat and the passenger seat? She even said, "I wonder if the driver's seat and the passenger's seat will be differentiated.
    I have always admired the comfort of PASM, but this article made me proud (lol).
    The ride quality of the 981 is irreplaceable, and I really agree with the person above that we should aim for more 911s, not replace them. lol
    I'd love to host an offline meeting when Corona settles down...Â♪

    • Mina.Mina.

      ds1243
      Thank you for everything.
      So the 981 is a sport chassis!

      >However, the bucket seats and the sport chassis are not well received by the wife, and she even said, "Are they discriminated between the driver's seat and the passenger seat? (laugh).
      I know how your wife feels...^^..;
      Porsche two-seaters are often quite painful for the passenger...
      When I get in the driver's seat, I feel comfortable and can enjoy the ride to the fullest, but the passenger seat feels very uncomfortable...^^..;

      I really hope that when Corona settles down, we can put them side by side at 981 Ashi Ari, etc. ^^.

  4. yellow submarine

    Hi Mina.
    Finally, the state of emergency declaration has been lifted and we can ride a bit.

    I read this with great interest as I too drive a 981 Boxster with a sports chassis.
    I didn't get to test drive it, didn't do much research, and found out after I bought it that it came with a sport chassis.
    I looked it up on the web and found that "it is about 50% harder than the stock 987, and then there is a thrusting sensation. Easy.
    There was also a post that said, "If someone who wants to run it buys it by mistake, he/she will probably give it away right away,...
    I was quite concerned.

    When I actually drove the car, I think there is a difference in the tires (Falken Azenis FK510), but it was very supple.
    I didn't even notice any thrust. On the pass, on-the-rails, carving turns on skis.
    I really like the way it feels.

    I am glad that my concerns were unfounded, as there was no discomfort when flowing through the city and suburbs.
    Although driving the Note e-Power after driving the Boxster feels like driving on a bed.

    • Mina.Mina.

      yellow submarine acid
      So much easier to get out and about than before!
      Sport chassis, my husband really liked it and it actually looks easier to ride than it says on the internet ^^^.

      >Although driving the Note e-Power after driving the Boxster feels like driving on a bed...
      I see... (laughs)!
      Even Nismo, which is said to be hard, feels soft ^^;