Boxster Spyder Car - Product of Porsche - Road car and Racing heritage

Porsche builds some of the world's most coveted cars, and it has a rich tradition in motor racing.

Porsche builds sports cars to be used as daily commuters, but they can also be taken to a racetrack and flogged all day long. The Boxster Spyder is a perfect example of Porsche's combined road-car appeal and racing heritage. The Boxster S, in my opinion, is the best all-around Porsche, providing stunning performance and handling along with two trunks and a convertible top -- all standard. Porsche has taken the Boxster S and developed a lightweight version called the Spyder. With 79.8 kilograms shed and 10 horsepower added, this is a car built for driving purists.

The skin:

You can tell the Spyder is something special just by looking at it. The fully manual roof is the most dramatic change from the original Boxster S, requiring the driver to get out and dismantle it in sections and store it under the Carrera GT-inspired rear cover. The sexy-looking rear trunk has no struts to hold it up, just a conventional brace. Dismantling and storing the roof looks rather complex, but after a couple of times it is really rather easy, taking only a few minutes.

The cockpit:

The Spyder sits 20 millimetres lower than the Boxster S; this along with the large wheels and cropped roof make a car that stands out. The Spyder has been stripped of anything that takes away from the pure driving pleasure of an open-air roadster. There is no radio, just the sound of the beautiful engine. Yes, the buyer can have the radio as a no-cost option, and I would include it if I were buying one of these cars.

The ride:

So what is the advantage to having a lightweight Boxster? Driving enthusiasts know that the power-to-weight ratio is one of the most important factors in any car. If you have a huge motor in a heavy car, the horsepower advantage is lost. But if you can get a powerful engine in a light car, then you have magic! Since the Spyder is 79.8 kilograms lighter than the Boxster S and the car sits lower to the ground, the extra 10 horsepower is magnified.

The good and bad:

Good: This unique car is pure bliss to drive.

Bad: I don't think I could live with this car all year long.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/When+comes+sunny+performance+Spyder/3312944/story.html