To Hokuriku by Porsche Boxster|Impressions after driving 800km round trip

Boxster GTS
Porsche Boxster

Porsche to Hokuriku

This doesn't happen often, but about a year ago'This past November, I was in Hokuriku (Toyama/Kanazawa) for an overnight business trip assignment.'However, after that, due to the new Corona virus, my work was cancelled one after another. However, after that, due to the new Corona, my jobs were cancelled one after another, so I thought I would lose this business trip to Hokuriku as well.

However, the other day we received the final word from the other party that the project will be carried out as planned, so we decided to go ahead with the project.I decided to take this opportunity to go to Hokuriku by car.I did. (If I were coming from Kansai, I would normally take the Thunderbird.)

We had originally planned to go with a notebook, but my husband

If you're going to drive such a long distance, why not take a Porsche?

so I decided to go with my Boxster (981GTS), which I hadn't driven recently.

Boxster steering wheel

Then, in advance, the destination and "The weather looks good for next week, which is a relief!I was excitedly preparing for my first business trip away from the children in several years, when the day before the trip, my husband was told that he was going to be away from them for the first time in several years.

The weather in Toyama and Ishikawa changed to heavy rain only on the two days we were planning to visit.

He said.

."What? ! Seriously! It was so sunny yesterday!I immediately checked the weather forecast, only to find that the forecast had changed to heavy rain for the two days I was going. And the maximum temperature is 11 degrees Celsius...it's so cold!

Somehow, I feel like the weather changed as soon as I decided to take the Boxster, but maybe I'm overthinking it... Well, I've been allowed to play the rainy girl for many years, so this is about as much as I can expect.

Driving on the highway in a Boxster

On the first day, I had to go from my home to Toyama, which, according to Googlemap, would take about 5 hours. I didn't know Toyama was that far away...

Boxster GTS

Dr. Google showed me a route via the Hokuriku Expressway via Meishin, but my husband told me to take the

Because weekday morning hours are often crowded around Shiga from Kyoto on the Meishin.Better to take the Maizuru Expressway from the Chugoku Expressway and then the Hokuriku Expressway from there.I think. It's a long way, but the roads are clear, it's pleasant, and I think we'll get there quicker as a result.

I decided to go accordingly. Indeed, the Otsu, Kusatsu, and Kyoto-Higashi Interchange areas of the Meishin Expressway are always crowded.

And on the day of the event, as it had been a long time since I had seen a Boxster, I said, "You know what?I'm still excited about sports cars.I was driving the car smoothly with a grin on my face, but when we passed Maizuru, it started to rain. It was coming after all...it was raining faster than I had expected. We came to the Mikatagoko PA, but we couldn't see any scenery because of the fog.

Boxster GTS

If it had been sunny, we would have had a beautiful view...we thought, and hurried on. After that, we took several breaks and were planning to have dinner at the Oyabegawa SA when we arrived at this point.

I can't get out of the car... (-_-)

When I looked outside, the wind was strong and people with umbrellas were quite wet, so I gave up and decided to go to Toyama Station, my destination. Usually when I eat at an SA, I mainly take care of my children and don't have time to savor my meal.I was quite looking forward to eating a local meal alone in SA this time.I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

And from there to Toyama, it rained so hard that the windshield wipers couldn't keep up, and the next day, when I came home from Kanazawa, it rained as far as Fukuchiyama, butI managed to complete the 800 km round trip by myself without incident.

Porsche Boxster Attraction

I had never driven a Boxster on the highway in such heavy rain, but before we left, my husband told me

On the highway, it's just fine if only the legs are sporting and stiff. ButNormal feet are safer in heavy rain because they are more stable.I think so.

I was advised to do so, so I did, and was able to run with ease throughout the race.

The Panamera I used to drive was heavier and more stable in heavy rain because of the four-wheel drive, and the feeling of sinking down and gripping the ground was more reliable, but I felt that the Boxster could also be driven without any worries.

I'm so proud of you!

And after all, the engine sound of this 981 Boxster GTS is great, really, really great. (I always say the same thing, don't I?)

I know it's completely a matter of taste.As far as engine sounds go, I like the 981 Boxster GTS the best of all the cars in my house.Span! and the engine sound that grows in response to rpm when the driver steps into 3rd or 4th gear gives me goose bumps no matter how many times I hear it.

Fortunately, there was little traffic on this day, and there were quite a few times when there were no cars in front of or behind me, so I was able to get a good view of the tunnel on the Maizuru Expressway.I can't tell you how many times I downshifted for no reason, accelerated, and tasted the engine noise (laughs).

And being able to drive this car manually was also the best of both worlds. Of course, the performance of the recent PDK is excellent, so I think it is also pleasant to operate and drive with paddle shifters.

But the pleasure of stepping on the clutch with your foot, moving the shift lever with your hand, and operating the car rhythmically in tune with the car, plus the sound of the engine, well, it's just...just...great (vocabulary).

Compared to recent new Porsche models, the 981 Boxster leaves more room for human hands to operate, in a good way... The clutch is heavy, and the feeling of almost stalling the car if you are not careful when starting off is also enjoyable. Well, if you ask my husband...

If you are talking about the fun of driving by yourself, older Porsches are more enjoyable.

I'm still a beginner, not an expert MT rider, so I've never been able to blip by myself, and I like the 981 because it only turns on auto-blipping when I press the sports-plus button. I like the 981 which turns on auto blipping only when I press the sport plus button.

In fact, after the 992 was delivered, I drove the Boxster for the first time in a long time in the Ashiu Driveway, and I was surprised to see the "Hey, I'm not as impressed as before... maybe it's because the performance of the 911 is still amazing...I honestly felt that the "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.

But now that I think about it, that's not what the Boxster is about.The road I drive my Boxster on is Ashiyu Driveway every time, so the freshness of the road was gone and the excitement was weakened.I think it is just that.

After driving on many roads for the first time in the Boxster this timeI found the Boxster to be a really pleasant and fun car.I also thought the car had just the right amount of power, and I could enjoy driving it on any road, including ordinary roads, giving it a strong partner feel.

And I was reminded that the sound of the engine and the manual operation are the two main attractions of our Boxster.

I was having so much fun that when I got home, even though I was supposed to be tired after work, I couldn't fall asleep because of the adrenaline rush, and I told my husband, "I'm not going to sleep.If one day you ever say you're outgrowing your Boxster, I'll buy it back from you! I'll do my best to make that happen!I said to my husband, "I'm sorry.

Yeah, what's the point of doing that between a husband and wife?

I was rushed into such a situation (explosion).

Also, I had Kanazawa oden for the first time in Kanazawa, and it was delicious. I am not a gourmet by nature, so I usually end up eating at convenience stores or chain restaurants wherever I go, but I thought it would be nice to go to a different place and try a local specialty like this.

Kanazawa Oden

Kanazawa oden (crab mask)

Kanazawa oden (crab mask)

Next time, I want to run in Hokuriku on a sunny day (laughs).

Mina.

Mother of three children, and the owner of the Porsche blog "A Porsche Came to Our House". Until a few years ago, I was not interested in cars at all, but when my husband bought a Porsche, I became...

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  1. yellow submarine

    Mina.

    Thanks for the 800Km drive.
    It looks like the drive was in the rain, but I'm glad you made it safely.

    I don't ride in the rain, but I went out in my 30% and met a downpour twice.
    But the sound of the rain hitting the top is also tasteful.

    I had a chance to look at it while drinking sake (Amano-do), and the image of oden is
    It was bright, especially the bamboo rings and octopus looked delicious, and I was entertained while picking them up!
    We received.

    Thanks for the treat!

    • Mina.Mina.

      yellow submarine acid
      Thank you!
      It was quite an exciting long drive in the heavy rain (laughs).
      I think I am thankful for my husband because I know many people would not run in such heavy rain.

      I'm glad you enjoyed the oden photo and the snacks (lol).
      I was a little reserved in asking for it, but I ate it up in no time.
      I thought I should have asked for a lot more ^^:

  2. yone0531

    Mina Good evening.

    Sorry for another comment.
    It's quintessential, isn't it? It's not easy to find people who travel from Kobe to Toyama by car.
    I'm glad to hear that Kanazawa Oden was delicious. Crab side, as you may know.
    In Hyogo, it's the female Matsuba crab, and in Kanazawa, it's called Koubako crab.
    You are only allowed to take it until the end of December. And Kanazawa Oden became famous for some reason.
    It is not easy to eat crab face. So I think it is very precious.
    On a different note, if I may be so selfish, I'd like to ask your husband to get in touch with his blue boxster.
    I might be very happy to hear about the touring as well.

    • Mina.Mina.

      yone0531.
      That's right!
      I'm so glad that my business trip to Kanazawa came at the right time!
      The restaurant staff told us that the crab season had just started, but there are certain times of the year when it is best to eat.
      I did not know.

      The crab side was very luxurious and I would like to try more of the other restaurants.
      We actually ate there for lunch in line before it opened, but you mentioned that if it had been at night, it might not have been there anymore.

      >If I may be so bold as to take a liberty, I'd like to talk about your husband's relationship with Mr. Blue Boxster.
      >I might be very happy to hear about touring as well.
      Oh thank you! I'm sure my husband will write another article ^^.

  3. FX.n

    Hokuriku is a region where it rains so much that it is said, "Don't forget your umbrella more often than three times a day. Even I, a man of fine weather, am beaten by the rain. Boxster sounds great...to be together for 800km all the time. I'm planning to drive a 992.

    • Mina.Mina.

      FX.n
      >Hokuriku is a region where it rains so much that it is said, "Don't forget your umbrella more often than three times a day.
      Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! It's just like England! (I've never been there...)
      So this time you don't have to be so depressed "because I'm a rainy woman..." ^^^;
      Thank you!

      So you're buying a 992! I'm sure it will be very comfortable and fun, even over long distances.

  4. Makoto.

    Hi Mina, (It has been a while. I'm sorry for the delay, but congratulations on your safe delivery). I am a new mother, and I am very happy to see you.
    I thought what you said was narhodo.
    Yesterday, I borrowed a loaner car for car inspection. It was a 911 Turbo Cabriolet (991 model), and I immediately went for a drive to the Ibukiyama driveway. The exterior is unquestionably wonderful. The stability and acceleration performance on the highway are also superb (of course, right?). (Of course. lol). I was also amazed at how little wind was blowing in when the car was open at high speeds. However, once in the driveway, my driving skills are clearly not up to the task, and the Cayman, which can run the engine at full throttle, seems to be better suited to my needs. The sound of the engine may be a matter of taste, but the six-cylinder Cayman resonates with me.
    However, it still feels good to drive in the open. Sleepiness will fly away if you drive in the open on the way back home.
    So I am thinking that the Boxster GTS 4.0 is next.

    • Mina.Mina.

      MAKOTO.
      Hello, thank you!
      We had a safe delivery!

      >I went for a drive to the Ibukiyama driveway in my 911 Turbo Cabriolet (991 model).
      Wow! You get to borrow such a nice loaner car...! That's amazing!
      I'd love to drive a turbo cabriolet once...!

      The performance is still amazing. If the performance is too great, it's not too great.
      It's true that I have a great sense of not being able to hold it (I really don't have any confidence in driving at all ^^;).

      >We are thinking of a Boxster GTS 4.0 next.
      Oh that's lovely! I hear it sounds pretty good! I guess convertible cars have a different fun and charm from coupes ^^.

  5. Rocker c Blue

    Nice to meet you.

    Sorry to be indelicate, but does the GTS sound very different from a bare-bones sports exhaust?

    • Mina.Mina.

      Mr. Rocker c. Blue.
      Thank you!
      I asked my husband about it.

      As far as the 981 is concerned, the GTS and the bare sports exhaust are quite different.
      The backfires are especially loud and the exhaust volume is different.
      The GTS has a GTS-specific exhaust sound tuning.
      However, the 981 sounds good enough even if it is a bare-bones unit with a sports exhaust. I think it's hard to find anyone unhappy with that one!
      He said ^^^.

      Thank you for your cooperation.