I did learn to drive in my country (Italy) back in 1981. At the time there were no automatic cars, or if there were, only extremely rich people could afford them. Everybody had to pass the driving test on manual cars. 2 major mistakes would get you to fail on your test: 1) not leaving the car "in gear" with the handbrake up, or any combinations of each missing. 2) Not starting the car with the gear in neutral and the clutch pedal pressed (which is also good for the longevity of the starter, since it does not have to drag the clutch as well). In the latest version of the Spyder (from the 981 on at least to the best of my knowledge) if you don't press the clutch down, no matter if the gear is in or not, the car won't start, so no chance to hit your garage refrigerator. So maybe for people like you, who learnt to drive an automatic and then move to a manual, later on, it is difficult to adjust to the idea that you must leave the car "in gear" and the handbrake on and keep the clutch pedal depressed and the gear in neutral when starting the car, because moving the gear in P on an automatic saves you the trouble and teach you a bad habit. But I can assure you that, in over 40 years of driving, I have never hit anything starting my car and my car never rolled over anything whether on hilly roads or on flat parking lots. So, I do disagree with blaming Porsche for making a manual car the way is supposed to be, just because people aren't used to it, or are too lazy to learn and want the car to do it all for them. The beauty of a manual car is to have all controls available manually and not done for you. If you want that, buy an automatic car! I do agree though the electric handbrake should not be electric and should be by the middle console because there are fun things you can do with it other than keeping the car on hold. ;-)
Thanks for the robust commentary. I'll defend myself a little in that, when I hit the fridge that day, someone else had left the car in gear with NO handbrake activated - a 987 with manual handle. Stupidly I reached my right foot into the car to warm it up before leaving and it lurched. I grew up in UK and learned in a manual. I understand the nuances. Was just an unfortunate accident. Manual handbrakes for the win - always!
@@DWraysGarage Well, in that case, it is not your fault, and that “someone else” should not drive your car. I let my wife drive my Spyder once, and after that I said: “never again!”
Great list, agreed that these are annoying but not deal breaking things. The driving experience still remains top notch. The trunk not being easily accessible is annoying but fortunately there is a frunk. The first annoying thing I’d add is no factory CarPlay. I know there are aftermarket retrofits and head units but would really love to see a Porsche approved option similar to the units they’ve developed for older models. The second thing are the extremely dusty brake pads. Even shorter drives will coat the wheels with dust. They work great and are quiet but really would prefer less dust. Wish I had the PCCBs for that reason.
Agree on the CarPlay solution - finally switched back to iPhone and appreciate it in other vehicles. I haven’t noticed the brake dust but pads could have been switched out from OEM before my ownership. Everything is a nitpick in a car that drives like this but it can be tantalizing that perfection is very much in reach here..!
I'm a bit disappointed that you weren't screaming, with your face up in the camera, like the Scotty Kilmer videos. lol :-) I'm surprised you have cupholders in that model. I have a local friend with the same car, and I was similarly surprised to see all of the "luxury features" in his (stereo/nav, AC, etc). I always thought the Spyders lacked those "unnecessary" features that added extra weight (like the automatic top & the door handle mechanisms). I don't think he has heated seats though, which is something that we really like in our 987.2-non-Spyder, for Fall foliage top-down rides in western NY.
I did learn to drive in my country (Italy) back in 1981. At the time there were no automatic cars, or if there were, only extremely rich people could afford them. Everybody had to pass the driving test on manual cars. 2 major mistakes would get you to fail on your test: 1) not leaving the car "in gear" with the handbrake up, or any combinations of each missing. 2) Not starting the car with the gear in neutral and the clutch pedal pressed (which is also good for the longevity of the starter, since it does not have to drag the clutch as well). In the latest version of the Spyder (from the 981 on at least to the best of my knowledge) if you don't press the clutch down, no matter if the gear is in or not, the car won't start, so no chance to hit your garage refrigerator. So maybe for people like you, who learnt to drive an automatic and then move to a manual, later on, it is difficult to adjust to the idea that you must leave the car "in gear" and the handbrake on and keep the clutch pedal depressed and the gear in neutral when starting the car, because moving the gear in P on an automatic saves you the trouble and teach you a bad habit. But I can assure you that, in over 40 years of driving, I have never hit anything starting my car and my car never rolled over anything whether on hilly roads or on flat parking lots. So, I do disagree with blaming Porsche for making a manual car the way is supposed to be, just because people aren't used to it, or are too lazy to learn and want the car to do it all for them. The beauty of a manual car is to have all controls available manually and not done for you. If you want that, buy an automatic car! I do agree though the electric handbrake should not be electric and should be by the middle console because there are fun things you can do with it other than keeping the car on hold. ;-)
Thanks for the robust commentary. I'll defend myself a little in that, when I hit the fridge that day, someone else had left the car in gear with NO handbrake activated - a 987 with manual handle. Stupidly I reached my right foot into the car to warm it up before leaving and it lurched. I grew up in UK and learned in a manual. I understand the nuances. Was just an unfortunate accident. Manual handbrakes for the win - always!
@@DWraysGarage Well, in that case, it is not your fault, and that “someone else” should not drive your car. I let my wife drive my Spyder once, and after that I said: “never again!”
Great list, agreed that these are annoying but not deal breaking things. The driving experience still remains top notch.
The trunk not being easily accessible is annoying but fortunately there is a frunk.
The first annoying thing I’d add is no factory CarPlay. I know there are aftermarket retrofits and head units but would really love to see a Porsche approved option similar to the units they’ve developed for older models.
The second thing are the extremely dusty brake pads. Even shorter drives will coat the wheels with dust. They work great and are quiet but really would prefer less dust. Wish I had the PCCBs for that reason.
Agree on the CarPlay solution - finally switched back to iPhone and appreciate it in other vehicles. I haven’t noticed the brake dust but pads could have been switched out from OEM before my ownership. Everything is a nitpick in a car that drives like this but it can be tantalizing that perfection is very much in reach here..!
I'm a bit disappointed that you weren't screaming, with your face up in the camera, like the Scotty Kilmer videos. lol :-) I'm surprised you have cupholders in that model. I have a local friend with the same car, and I was similarly surprised to see all of the "luxury features" in his (stereo/nav, AC, etc). I always thought the Spyders lacked those "unnecessary" features that added extra weight (like the automatic top & the door handle mechanisms). I don't think he has heated seats though, which is something that we really like in our 987.2-non-Spyder, for Fall foliage top-down rides in western NY.
I'm working on my style. Scotty K channeling isn't on my docket tho...😂