spyder handling

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and am considering buying a turney Vintage Spyder for use as a daily driver. I live in Los Angeles so weather isn't really an issue. I was wondering how many people use theirs as daily drivers. I used to have a heavily modified MR2 so I'm used to having the engine behind me. How well do these cars handle? does anyone have slalom and skid pad numbers? Also what are your objective opinions on the handling of the car?

Really good for 50's technology & really bad for 2004 technology. As a Daily driver good luck.

As Joe pointed out, great for the 50's.
If you're familiar with early swing axle Porsche's, they suffered from wheel tuck when you let off of the accelerator while in a turn. This causes the loaded rear wheel to go into an extreme positive camber situation. (top of the tire tips away from the center line of the car) Easily solved by not letting off the accelerator but it can be a humbling experience if it catches you off guard.

Aside from that, during normal street driving, expecially in So. Cal. it's probably not a very safe vehicle if you're planning on using it as your daily driver. Its relatively small size, and if you have it painted silver, tends to blend into the background and its profile is very small so many drivers don't readily see you. Aside from that, it's a blast to drive and if you get a 2+ liter engine, it's very quick.

Very few of us have driven these cars for a sustained period of time in excess of 90 or so miles per hour as its very light (between 1200 and 1300 lbs.) and the front tends to lift. Also, at those speeds, a strong side wind could easily throw you off course. Again, aside from that, the car is very fun to drive and a lot of looks from people.

Did I mention that it's fun to drive???

You can find early 90's hondas for under 3K(US). My best advice is to keep one of those for commuting, long distance and general abuse. Then you can take the Spyder out to play anytime with no worry about rain, or comfort over a long drive.
-=theron

I think you would be likely to end up on the grill of a hummer if you drove it in LA on a daily basis.

You might survive if you short your horn to always be on.

Mike

Well, not to be oppositional, but I own a 550 Beck with the 2165 155 bhp engine, drive it everyday, even in the cold with my window out, and love each time I'm in it. I don't own any other car. It handles great. In fact, that's the first thing I noticed, besides the power and the noise! It stays on the road and has great suspension in my opinion. As for safety, I believe it's possible to be a very good defensive driver and be ok. You have to always be vigilant, but that goes for driving any car. I think you should DO IT!!! v v

I have to side with Joe, Larry and Mo...Er, Mike (Just kidding guys!). I live about 70 miles north of Atlanta and I really enjoy my Spyder on rural, non-interstate highways and roads. I would not, however, drive my Spyder on Atlanta freeways or surface streets on a million dollar bet.

Handling...As my daddy used to say, "Damn boy! Pay attention!"

Try telling that to Donald Turnipseed, he had to live with his actions because he couldn't see the silver car.

If by your blatant mis-spelling and mocking of my name you're attempting to provoke an incident, I'd suggest it's tantamount to you coming to a gun fight armed with a knife. When it comes to a battle of the witts, you will be grosly unarmed.

The Nat. Highway Transportation Safety Council has stated that Silver paint has proven to be the worst daylight color since it blends in with the background.

The second worst is a black car at night with no headlights.

Guido...Come on man! Don't let your lust for your Spyder overwhelm your ability to think rationally. We're talking about physics here, not how much we (Or other people) like our cars.

The laws of physics dictate that when you put a silver car with compound curves (Like a Spyder) on a gray road, it's going to be difficult to see. It isn't opinion. It's fact.

Not to recognize this and adjust your driving accordingly is not only foolish, it could be deadly.

Vicki,

Last August I was in Tennessee, flew into Knoxville, drove up to Bolling Green to see the Corvette Museum, then to Nashville for the music thing and to see Pres. Jackson's home, then to Bristol for the NASCAR race and Pres. Andrew Johnsons home. (also found Davey Crockett's birthplace)

Your traffic is absolutely nothing like it is in So. Calif. More cars are parked on my street than I saw in the whole state of Tennessee while I was there. Great for people from Tennessee but nothing like the traffic in my state.

Obvioulsy geographical locations make the difference as to driving a 550 as a daily driver or using it for sport and fun.

As Mike stated, many people may in fact use their cars as daily drivers in CA, but you're playing with fire if you try it here for too long of a period.

And talk about defensive driving. I feel like Linda Blair in the Exorcist, my head swivels in a 360 degree circle everytime I drive my 550 in hopes of avoiding the idiot that just plain doesn't see me.

I am in the process of building my TR and I plan on daily driving it when the weather permits (also located in SoCAl). I will also have a backup car for cold/rainy days. Because of the spyders low profile I was thinking of building some type of removable device where I could attach one of those flags people put on ATVs and dune buggies. Also I wouldn't think of using my spyder as a daily driver without roll and side impact bars welded directly to the frame.

Keith,

I can picture it - four bright orange flags on fiberglass whip poles 10 feet tall - one on each corner of the car. With a megaphone on the front hood blaring - "pardon me, excuse me, pardon me, coming through". Kinda like a Shriner in their little cars/scooters.

I have a head cold.

Mike

Vicki - LA drivers are a bit notorious for their lack of driving skills and edicate. My daily driver is an older porsche 911 - I can out accelerate at least 50% of the cars ont eh road, out handle and outbrake them too, I drive defensively, avoid the freeways when possible and I still have been hit twice (both from behind). The last collision, I as able to avoid an accident by outbraking only to get hit and submarine under a Suburban. Luckily, no one was hurt and I ended up getting my old pig-dog P car restored for free.

In both cases if I was in the Spyder I don't think I would have faired that well (um, could someone, um, please hand me my head?).

I no longer drive a motorcycle on the LA freeways either. Maybe I just enjoy life with all limbs.

But then, some people like to play russian roulette too!

Regards,
Mike

I've got a better idea, Install a really good stereo system in your Spyder, then when you plan on using the car as a daily driver, jack up the radio and roll a Suburban or Expedition under it.

Don't get me wrong here guys and girl, I love my Spyder, enjoy driving it when I can and I also enjoy tinkering on the car and making it better.

But, the reality is that the Spyder is basically a motorcycle with 2 extra wheels and a thin fiberglass shell. The protection isn't the same as a modern passenger car with front and side air bags, side impact beams, collapseable steering columns,front and rear crush zones and 3 point seat belts.

I drive my 550 in LA quite a lot.

Worst drivers in the world here if you ask me.

No look lane changing is a regular thing here.

You really have to keep your wits about you, ready to brake or accelerate to get out of the way.
I've been rear ended once so far. just a bump, She didnt even see me.

In a smaller town it's prob no big deal.

Man the damn SUV's and the 4'11 dirvers in them!
Ive seen a little person check her side view hummer mirror and (obviously she is looking right over my head) then pull right into my lane.
I guess it's our fault that the 550 is such a low car, but really people either do a double take when the see them, or dont see them at all.

be careful.

buggy whips are a good idea, Look stupid though.

:) That reply gave me a good laugh. I guess it would look a little silly.

I have owned my Beck for this past summer. People do not see you!!! Have come close to being hit several times. They just pull right in front of you. I started to drive with my headlights on all the time and drive with caution. I do drive on the major highways (freeways in the US)as my daily commute, but stay in the right or middle lane. My worst fear is getting rear ended. I did drive the spyder everyday in the early fall (live just outside Toronto Canada). If your carefull, I don't see a problem. It's no different than riding a motorcycle or a bicycle. I plan to drive my spyder daily, weather permitting, starting in the spring.

Well, now I don't know whether to think I'm adventurous or stupid. v v

Matthew,
I agree with the guys that say the Spyder is NOT a daily driver although I drive it to work on Fridays and take it on weekend trips.
I live in Las Vegas where we have every reject-driver from every state in the Union and getting on the freeway is close to a destruction derby. Add to that the bubble-headed bleached blondes in the giant SUV's who are doing their makeup, talking on the cellphone and trying to go over 3 lanes to catch the off-ramp they are going to miss and add the visitors who have no idea where they are gives you an idea what a 3 ring circus this is.
Lowell, who is another Spyder owner in Vegas has mounted a 3rd stoplight on his rollbar and that seems to work well.
I drive the Spyder as if it where a 4 wheel motorcycle. Check mirrors constanly, head on a swivel and avoid blind spots.
Guido, in his infatuation with the best Spyder ever built is still enamored with the looks he gets (most of the rest of us are used to it and try to ignore it)forgets that he only gets looks from the drivers that SEE HIM. The ones that are gonna whack you are the ones that don't see you.
I suppose this all should be common knowledge, but that is what these forums are for and these are my thoughts.
Good Luck,
Hans

Larry Lowdy, your rather vague statement about mis-spelling your name & provoking an incident makes no common sense whatsoever. The color silver blending in with roads may pertain to an ordinary silver vehicle such as a Chevy Cavalier or a Buick, but certainly not to an exotic or classic car like a Porsche 550 Spyder. About the "Rowdy" joke, you must chill out my friend. I appologize if I hurt your feelings.

I will be in Southern California in 2 weeks and having my Spyder shipped there. Based on all your opionions on the the way people drive in Southern California, I will be extremely careful. Thanks for all your advices.

My Spyder is not my daily driver, but when I drive it, don't worry; I will be very cautious. In the winter time, my daily driver is a 2003 Porsche Cayenne S. In the spring, summer, and fall, I usually drive my 1997 C2 S Widebody on a daily basis.

Wow. we're all impressed

Wow Guido, can't top that. All those cars, a girlfriend that is featured in "Bignaturals" and a loyal dog. You got it all...

The biggest problem I noticed is that other drivers look right over you. Either out the side windows or out the rear view window, other drivers CANNOT see you. I have heard people say that you have to drive these cars like a motorcycle in traffic. Wrong! Motorcycles are much taller than us and can be seen out a rear view mirror or with a glance out a side mirror, we can cannot.

BTW: Guido, My Dad had a deposit down on a Cayenne Turbo before Porsche even admitted it was in production. One test drive and we asked for our deposit money back. The delay in the 'drive by wire' throttle was criminal.

Aaron

Guido, everyone else understood.


Now that we're on the topic of Cayenne's, Several years ago prior to the introduction of the Porsche SUV?????, I received a call from my retired Porsche friend. Test drivers were putting the Cayenne through a torture test in the Calif. desert. My friend knew of my involvement as a moderator on the American Sand Associations board and my passion for driving in the sand dunes. He asked me to contact the Porsche test driver, as the driver wanted to try out the car/SUV (whatever) in the dunes and in the summer. After a lengthy discussion and a whole series of warnings regarding heavy vehicles and sand, the driver was off to Glamis, CA obviously ignoring my warnings. (It routinely hits 115 degrees in the summer)

Later I learned that the Cayenne got stuck and it took him 2 days to get out of the dunes. 4 wheel drive or not, it's not suited for these kinds of conditions.

I think Porsche should have stuck with sports and race cars.

as far as the 550's visual impact on the driving public goes....i USED to drive a polished silver lotus 7 with yellow wheels and green fenders on the street...now that otta to stand out right? NOOOOOO... almost getting squashed 2 or 3 times was enough to get me [and it]off the road...now i drive the 550 in the foothills early on sundays only..and do the "head swivel" as well...good luck in la traffic.

wow so many replies... very few relating to handling though, hmm... It's funny, maybe because I'm young and dumb the danger factor makes this car somewhat MORE appealing to me. I'm used to driving a very small car in LA. I guess it all has to do with state of mind. I have no kids, no wife, and I have a live fast, die young attitude. Maybe with a 550 that will change to a die fast, die now attitude but that's okay, everyone has to die sometime and I'd rather die rolling a sweet car than die of natural causes. Plus I just love cars and practicality is just about the last thing i look for when buying a car. I know that the Beck 550 has a more traditional setup than the vintage, but does the vintage handle significantly better? Honestly I prefer the look of the beck but I like the underpinnnigs of the vintage more. thanks for your help.

Matthew,
I would suggest checking out Beck/TR/and Vintage, see what each offers and then make your choice you are really close to every manufacturer. As far as the handling, why not check with Bert(Beck Owner), a member of this site, who races solo2. Bert, in my opinion, is not the type who will champion his own brand and degrade the competition. As far as the looks externally, most people would be hard pressed to ID exactly who makes the Spyder. I own a vintage and have friends that own TRs and Becks and
Vintages, we all love our cars and are glad we are able to drive them.

Matthew,

If you live to be a few years older, you just might appreciate life more...I would suggest that dying young in a neat car is no one's life dream. There certainly is more to experience out there.

Regards,
Mike

My spyder was a daily driver for 4 years both in San diego where I went to college and back in LA, until My boss gave me a work vehicle to drive. I drove from Ventura to West La on cold days and even when it rained. If you are an alert driver, and leave yourself an out, you should be ok. It does suck sitting at a stop light in the rain when an SUV rolls up on you and it is just dumping. good luck

AS far as handling goes, My spyder is consistantly within .5 seconds of our steet stock 914 2.0 at "the Streets of Willow", with the same tires on both cars. not to bad with a beat up 1641 in it. I cant seem to blow up the engine on the track. I've been trying to for the last 3 autocrosses there..

Vicki - you are adventurous - be safe.

I agree that, in my opinion, Porsche has gone too far in the grand touring direction. I would love to see them come out with something more raw.

Guido and I have already discussed the fact that he can't "have it all" - we get some too. Right "brother"?

Heiko,

I'm still chuckling over "Big Naturals"

Dustin, thanks for the info. Autocross is what I'm really into and the fact that you can keep up with a 914 is great, the 914 is an extremely nimble car. I used to be into illegal drag races when I was in high school but have since moved to legal autocross (well I had until I wrecked my MR2). Mike, thanks for the life lecture but you missed the point of what I said. I'll try to re-explain myself more clearly. I'm a sports car purist and as much as I lust after modern sports cars, the ones I really like are the most bare-bones car. I'm refering to cars like the Lotus 340R, the Elise, and the Enzo. Sports Cars have become too much like rolling living rooms, plush leather, safety equipment (excluding seat belts of course), air conditiong, stereos... all of these take away from a sports car's purity of focus... to go fast. I just like the idea of a bare bones simple car... two seats, a tach, a speedo, a shifter and that's it. Sports cars are meant to be a little dangerous, sports cars are meant to scare the shit out of your passengers. With Luxobarges (bentley continental GT(i like this car but I'm making a point)) now able to hit the 200mph mark I guess I'm nostalgic for the sort of cars I wasn't alive to see, the kind of cars built by men with the philosophy; "if it doesn't make the car go faster take it out."

Ah! Guido just outed himself...He doesn't really like Porsches...He was just doing commercials all this time!

Hey McLeod, if I didn't like Porsches I wouldn't be driving them. The truth of the matter is that am a Porsche fanatic to the highest degree. I am a long time member of PCA, Jersey Shore region. I do drive a company demo but the other 2 Porsches (993 S & 550 Spyder), I own outright.

"Big Naturals" is only a joke, guys. Although I must say it's not as funny as Larry Jowdy's girlfriend "Agatha".

As far as the Cayenne is concerned, I don't plan to be driving in sand dunes any time soon. I am GM at a Premier Porsche dealership and drive a Cayenne as a company demo.

Matthew, I couldn't agree with you more.

I am eyeing the 904 replica or the GT40 replica as my next car...

Who needs a CD changer, power seats and the like....

I still wouldn't drive my spyder daily in LA.

Mike

Whats up Mike? They actually make a 904 replica? What would a real one cost?