Any of you ever spunout in your Boxster?

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wilson1

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I have been very cautious about Mid-engined vehicles, as they always seem a bit twitchy to me, sorta nervous liked, especially at high rate of speed.
When i drive my Boxster S, it felt quite stable, although i have not been pushing it at all.

Just wondering if all the members can share their moments if they ever have any close calls with spinning the car or have done so?
 
On the track, yes. On the street, no.
 
Never in 3 mid-engined Porsches I've owned

For a total of about 10 years and about 50k miles.

In sensible driving (and with modern electronic stability control), I don't worry about it beyond having great tires that are changed out before they show the wear bars. I also slow down in areas where there may be conditions in a curve that might be dangerous. And I don't race (any more).
 
It's good you treat your cars with respect and ease into a comfort level in stages.

The absolute best thing for you to do to gain an appreciation for and a better confidence level in your new mid-engine is to join us for some autocross Saturdays in Alameda. It's not going to damage your car and it's a safe and controlled environment. A car clinic if you will...

Lot's of people have tried it and even gotten hooked!

Hope we see you out there,

kj
 
If you think a Box is "twitchy" you really woulda hated my 70 911. Near the limit not a lot of warning before you watch your rear end go past the side window. Snap oversteer. :eek:

Abundant oversteer. I'd never have thought understeer could be mentioned in the same sentence with Porsche as happens now.

Experience with front engine cars makes a lot of people feel comfortable because the designed in understeer generally keeps the rear end from coming around. So when you go into a turn too fast the car just won't turn in.

I'd advise checking tire pressures and experimenting with front/rear pressure bias. Should feel pretty durn stable.
 
On the track with my 986. 74 911 side ways past staford lake on the way to the coast.
 
A buddy of mine spun on a freeway on-ramp (didn't see that the sprinklers were on at night) and totaled it
 
Had the tail go out on me on my second day owning the car. Never since. My 2001 base has no stability control option.

I was on Webster Street in San Francisco and turning left onto California Street. Right in the middle of the turn, I stepped on the accelerator a little more. I was still on 1st gear. Not being used to a rear drive car and the more power of a Boxster (versus my old '99 Acura), the tail suddenly spun out towards the passenger side around 45 degree before the tire latched on the pavement again. That was my first spin out ever after driving for 20+ years, and it freaked the heck out of me and my wife.

Lesson I learned is not to do sudden extreme acceleration in the middle of a turn. I blamed the whole incident on driver's stupidity and lack of experience, and not the car's fault. =)
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Results of a spinout. This took place more than 8 years ago. It was one of those turbo lag-wet spot on the road moment. Car was totalled. Hope that never happens again or happen to anyone. This was a car I owned and babied for 9 years.
 

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Yes. I was devastated. However it all worked out for the better. The value of the car at that time ended up being equal to my original purchase price when I bought the car. I used it on a nice 88 turbo S i found in in Seattle in spring of 2002.
 
Once the tail comes around , there is nothing you can do?
Will it drift if you apply more power?
 
Knock wood, but in 8 years and 70k miles of Boxster driving, I have yet to let the fatter tires get ahead of the skinnier ones. I have had two instances where the rears let go without my permission... both were wake up calls to replace rear rubber.

I guess I just don't push the envelope. :)
 
lots of variables. I have over 70K miles behind wheel of Boxster. Never spun one on the street or on the track. Spun them plenty during AX.

But I have found controllability of spin depends highly on alignment, tire selection and suspension setup. My stockish 2.7 on street tires was very dificult to reel back in from hard spin. My car now can go into hard spin and I can save it 75% of the time.
 
Only if accelerating before the the apex of a turn

Until I went to Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham, I was able to spin out once (!) with good tire tread, in a 90-degree turn by doing a no-no, accelerating when entering the turn. Sounds basic, but they taught me to brake hard before the turn, then turn the car, then hit it at the apex of the turn. I enjoy my Boxster a whole lot more after learning a few tips that might sound basic to others. Check out your local PCA region's Driver Education Day, or the PSDS in Birmingham. It's the best way to learn how to get the most out of these awesome cars.
 
Yes, Three times on the track where I felt comfortable pushing my limits. And once on the street with my buddy filming the whole ordeal. If I wasnt so embarrassed I would send you the Youtube link that my friend posted. But it really does make me look like an idiot:p Lucky for me (and my friend) I came out smelling like roses on all occasions.
I would suggest an Auto X to push the car to see where both of your limits lie... Nothing to hit but cones is a comforting thing. For me the boxster makes an average driver a dam fast one. Its like skiing in powder.... or surfing a perfect point break with no wind..... or... Ok Im babbling again. Have fun with your new ride!
 
Anyone have the Traction Control on while the car spun or is it isolated to the pre-Traction Control boxsters?
Just curious if the TC helps.
 
no computer controlled traction or active suspension device will help once you have exceeded the laws of physics;)
Can you spin a Boxster with traction control, Yes....but it is harder than without.

I had a Mustang GT with traction control and limited slip differential...I could get the tail out whenever I wanted whether the traction control was on or not....just harder to do.
 
I think the driving pros here can supply you with deeper insight, but I did spinout in my Boxster about three months after buying it. I was on the track at Thunderhill and it was thankfully uneventful. I will say this when you lose traction in a mid-engine car it very quickly becomes all four tires. Know your tires and know your limits. The Boxster is amazingly forgiving up to a point. Past that point you're spinning free.

-J
 
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