Car Reviews

Car Reviews

981 Boxster S vs 981 Cayman S – Which is more Epic?

The two mid-engined Porsche, the Boxster S & Cayman S are both incredible sportscars that you can use everyday. In this video I compare the 981-series of both, side by side, driving & stationary, and share how they are the same, how they are different – and most importantly which is more epic than the other as an ownership prospect! Click on the image below to watch my full review! It is the embedded YouTube video. Welcome to Diary of a Porsche Specialist! This is the tenth episode in a regular series of VLOG diaries of running a Porsche Specialist car dealership in the UK by me, Raj, owner of M R Sportscars Porsche Specialist in Hertfordshire. To watch more of my YouTube review content click here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE

Porsche Cayman S 987 Gen 2

Ownership Review written by Joey Keys Since a young age I’ve been fascinated by Porsche, 911s in particular. When I was growing up, I would always stop and stare when a 911 went by on the street. I also begged my parents to take me to the local Porsche dealership to take a look at the cars on the forecourt, all shiny in different colours. One time, when I was about 12, a salesman came out and invited me in to the dealership and let me sit in a brand new 911, it made my year! He also gave me a 911 brochure, which was a hardback book. I studied that brochure for months, reading all the technical features – not necessarily understanding them! I was hooked, sadly it took a long while before I could afford one, they were always in the back of my mind. I worked my way through the hot hatch phase, followed by budget sportscars until finally I started to see older 911s falling into my price bracket. I went to look at a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 996, in Basalt Black with Red seat belts. I loved the look but sadly it looked a […]

Porsche Boxster S 987 Gen 2 vs 981

In this episode I take an in-depth look at the sensational Porsche Boxster S 987 Gen 2 and compare it to the 981 Boxster S, how they are similar, how they are different. The mid-engined Porsche Boxster for many is the pinnacle of affordable open top motoring. Click on the image below to watch my full review! It is the embedded YouTube video. Welcome to Diary of a Porsche Specialist! This is the eight in a regular series of VLOG diaries of running a Porsche Specialist car dealership in the UK by me, Raj, owner of M R Sportscars Porsche Specialist in Hertfordshire. To watch more of my YouTube review content click here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE

Porsche 911 997 Gen 2 Full Model Range Run-through including Options

With almost the whole range of 997 Gen 2 body styles in stock and in various different options combinations I got them all out in the sunshine to explore how they differ, how they are similar, I touch on some statistics too, as well as explain my options preferences alongside the full range of options for things like suspension, seats and much more! Click on the image below to watch my full review! It is the embedded YouTube video. Welcome to Diary of a Porsche Specialist! This is the twenty-fifth episode in a regular series of VLOG diaries of running a Porsche Specialist car dealership in the UK by me, Raj, owner of M R Sportscars Porsche Specialist in Hertfordshire. To watch more of my YouTube review content click here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE

Porsche 911 997 Gen 2 vs 991 Gen 1 – Battle of the 911s!

With the arrival (and sale) of my first 991 series Porsche 911, I wanted to compare it to the 997 gen 2, both are now priced in the same bracket, so I am sure many people who are buying are considering both. Find out how they drive and how they are physically different in this video! The 991 Gen 1 is a 2012 Carrera S 3.8 PDK Coupe, the 997 Gen 2 is a 2010 Carrera 4S 3.8 PDK. Both are equipped with PASM, PSE Sports Exhaust, Sport Chrono Package Plus and the Sport Design Steering Wheel. Both are also finished in Basalt Black metallic with extended Black Leather. Click on the image below to watch my full review! It is the embedded YouTube video. Welcome to Diary of a Porsche Specialist! This is the thirteenth episode in a regular series of VLOG diaries of running a Porsche Specialist car dealership in the UK by me, Raj, owner of M R Sportscars Porsche Specialist in Hertfordshire. To watch more of my YouTube review content click here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MRSPORTSCARSPORSCHE

Porsche 968 Club Sport Review

Ownership Review by Richard ‘Jackal’ Morris The 968 Club Sport feels heavy, solid, rudimentary and mechanical. It’s a blunt edged brute with perfect balance as its trump card. When you were a kid, if you imagined how an archetypal ‘sportscar’ would feel, well this is it; rear wheel driven, meaty controls, a firm ride and a long bonnet stretching out in front of you. When you set off you immediately have a sense of this mechanical mass, a handmade arrangement of metal and cogs and arms and bushes. It’s a very simplistic feel, quite crude in fact. If you are thinking BMW E30 M3 or Lancia Delta Integrale of the same vintage then think again, it has a more rounded feel. The steering is full of communication, but on standard geometry and standard or M030 dampers, the turn in of the car is less precise than some of its peers. The Club Sport goes exactly where you want it to and it imparts massive confidence turning in but it’s never a sharp, light-footed or even a nervous experience. In standard form you couldn’t call it a tool-like car. In many ways this is a good thing though and it makes […]

Porsche 911 Turbo 996 Series

Ownership Review written by Donald Hossack Owning a Porsche 911 Turbo in 996 guise has been nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve had mine for over seven years now and covered 35,000 of the 79,000 mile total, so clearly I am smitten. The 996 Turbo is a 6 speed manual, Basalt Black model with a full black leather interior. Options that were selected when new include the aluminium interior trim pack, white dials, electric seats and Alcantara roof lining. The electronics that help make this car so useable, Porsche Stability Management, regardless of the weather, came as standard on the Turbo. So what drew me in to 996 Turbo ownership? It was the combination of supercar performance, a reputation of reliability, the four wheel drive safety net, it’s suitability for occasional track use and the 2+2 layout that meant I could even take my son and daughter along for the ride. When you try and factor all of these attributes into a car, nothing comes even close to offering what the 996 Turbo can. I briefly looked at the Subaru Impreza, Audi TT, Mercedes SL and even closer to home with the 911 Carrera 4S but when I first sampled the 996 […]

Porsche GB 70 Years ‘Special Edition’ Models

To mark 70 years of Porsche sports cars in 2018, twenty special edition restorations were commissioned by Porsche Cars GB. Porsche GB cherry picked some of the most iconic models that have been produced, representing half a century of evolution in the Stuttgart marque, covering a spread of front-engine, mid-engine and rear-engine sports cars. The lineup of cars included: 1970 Porsche 914 1.7 litre Manual Coupe 1981 Porsche 924 Turbo Manual Coupe 1982 Porsche 911 SC Manual Coupe G-Model 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Manual Coupe 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (C4) Manual Coupe 964-series 1993 Porsche 928 GT Manual Coupe 1996 Porsche 968 Sport Manual Coupe 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (C4) Manual Coupe 993-series 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (C2) Manual Coupe 996-series 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo Manual Coupe 996-series Plus a series of ten 986 Porsche Boxster S: 2000 Porsche Boxster S 3.2 Manual Convertible 986-series (four in total) 2001 Porsche Boxster S 3.2 Manual Convertible 986-series (five in total) 2002 Porsche Boxster S 3.2 Manual Convertible 986-series (one produced) This exercise not only led to a selection of fine Porsche cars being fully restored to ‘better than new’, it also demonstrated the capability in-house with the older […]

Porsche Cayman GT4 Review

Ownership Review written by JP O’Brien My following of the Porsche brand over the decades can be pretty much described as religious, especially when it comes to the GT models like the 911 GT3. I’ve hankered after some form of the GT3 for years, most recently the 997.2 GT3, which in my mind was the last great GT3 model, being the final manual transmission, track orientated 911. I love the race-car-for-the-road philosophy that the GT3 represents. The purity of the driving experience is perfection, as a driver connected to the car and then straight to the tarmac. When word got out that there was to be a Cayman GT car, the GT4, I knew it would be a special piece of kit. Porsche delivered on my expectations. The GT4 ticked all the boxes; exclusivity, performance and looks that could kill. Unfortunately all the build slots in the UK were either allocated before the GT4 was officially announced or reserved for the most loyal Porsche customers at each dealership, so I almost gave up hope of securing one. In what seemed like a whirlwind couple of days I was tipped off by M R Sportscars about a vacant build slot in […]

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Review

Ownership Review written by Scott Laurie I have written a couple of articles on Porsche 911‘s, including 964s, 993s and 996 GT3 RS’s – all have their dedicated followers. Most Porsche aficionados will know and understand the merits of the air cooled cars and also that when Porsche introduced water cooled cars that (apart from the outcry by Porsche fans that no more air cooled cars were being produced) the new water cooled cars were to suffer from design faults such as IMS (intermediate shaft failure) and bore scoring. YouTube and just about every Porsche themed magazine has written articles detailing the issues, the cures and the risk you take when buying one. In short all Boxsters, 996 and 997 model Porsches up until Generation 2 models (with the exception of Turbo and GT3 models) have potential catastrophic engine problems with IMS or Bore Scoring – don’t they? It’s certainly something that put me off buying a stock 996, but funnily enough we owned two Boxsters, both as daily drivers and never had any issue with them. Also, crucially we never really worried about it. Ignorance is bliss. So why now would I buy a 996 Carrera 4S that could […]

Audi R8 V10 Buyers Guide

The R8 is best described as a piece of automotive art. It’s the type of car that invites you to stare at it endlessly, even when just parked in your garage or driveway. It’s a uniquely German take on a mid-engine supercar, but without a doubt it draws on classic Italian styling cues and proportions. It’s low, wide and elegant looking. The cab forward design immediately lets you know that there’s a hulking engine resting behind the car’s two seats – and if in doubt, the glass engine bay cover lets you fully admire the high-revving, naturally aspirated V10. Peering into the engine bay, the meticulous carbon fibre work helps dress-up the engine, while small LEDs help illuminate it like a Picasso at a museum. Walking up to the R8, the light reflects off of the car’s curves, while your eye is also immediately drawn to the unique R8 styling elements – such as its now-iconic “side blades,” where the carbon fibre weave shimmers. Opening up the driver’s door, the illuminated doorsills light up, reminding you that you’re about to step into a special car – an R8. Stepping inside, the senses are greeted by a myriad of pleasures – […]

Audi R8 V8 Buyers Guide

Straight out of the future, the Audi R8 and it’s striking looks set it apart from rivals. The unique styling cues, its iconic Sideblades, wide front intakes beneath the headlights and tail lights are still bang up to date. Audi have done very little to change the looks over the last seven years, why would they, when they got it so right from the very beginning? Audi also hit gold with the engine layout and drivetrain. The mid engined format let’s everyone know this is no half hearted attempt at a supercar and the initial sellout of the car for the first 12 months before production started showed they had a winning formula. The choice of engine was also going to crucial, they started out with the rev happy B7 RS4 powerplant and set it up for dry sump lubrication which crucially allowed them to mount it low in the aluminium spaceframe chassis. This lowered the centre of gravity of the whole car, improving the handling. The other benefit of moving to dry sump lubrication is it eradicates oil pickup and surge issues associated with a wet sump setup. On track it can be pushed to the limits without any […]

Lotus Exige Series 2 Buyers Guide

The Exige is powered by a variable valve VVTL-i 1.8 litre Toyota engine also found in the Toyota Celica. The same engine is found in both the normally aspirated and supercharged versions of the pocket rocket from Lotus. It is incredibly reliable and provides all the power you need for such a lightweight car. It can be argued that the Exige has no real competitor, as it outperforms cars multiple times its value on both road and track. The car combines both ultimate performance and usability in a way that makes it truly unique. As with other Lotus cars, owners are usually extremely passionate about their cars, so expect many to be in exceptional aesthetic condition. If you do your homework on performing all the checks for the issues mentioned later in this article, it will be possible to find an exceptional Exige. Running costs are extremely low for a performance car of this kind. Annual servicing costs around £350 and will help ensure the car remains in the best mechanical condition and provide years of exhilarating and trouble free driving. Why Buy A Lotus Exige S2? Unrivaled performance both on the road and track, it will easily out corner […]

Honda Integra Type-R DC5 Buyers Guide

The Honda Integra Type R DC5 is one of the finest front wheel drive cars of all time. It combines race car experience with everyday useability on the road. The DC5 is known for it’s reliability, as it has been built and engineered to perfection by Honda. The high revving, natural aspiration i-VTEC engine sounds and performs like it is straight out of a touring car. The Type R brand is still alive and kicking, which drives demand for the older cars too. Prices have been stable for over five years and are expected to rise for the best examples out there. On a windy road the 220bhp is more than ample to keep up with most other high performance cars. It was a tough task for Honda to improve on the widely acclaimed DC2 Integra Type R, a car that many crown as the ‘best front wheel drive car of all time’. Rather than try and stick to an identical formula, the DC5 was made to be the slightly more ‘grown-up’ version of the original, still with a four cylinder engine that revs to high heaven, but a larger interior, a motorway friendly sixth gear (DC2 only had five […]

The origins of the Fiat 500 – Nuova 500

The FIAT 500 Story The Fiat 500 (or Cinquecento in Italian), was launched as the Nuova (new) 500 in July 1957 as a cheap and practical town car. Under 3 metres long, and originally powered by a 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the FIAT 500 redefined the term “small car” and is widely considered as the first city car. Despite its diminutive size, the 500 proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe. The FIAT 500 has always had a lifestyle appeal that transcends class, status or budget. For some families it was their only car, the family’s workhorse as well as the means to their weekend escape to the seaside or to the mountains. For the well-to-do, it was either the perfect city runabout or a cheap and cheerful little car to keep at the family country estate. It has now gained cult status around the world, and is as immediately recognisably Italian as the equally ubiquitous Vespa scooter or Pizza Margherita. Production of the FIAT 500 ran from 1957 to 1975 with a range that included not only this classic shape, but also the world’s first MPV the Giardiniera and a fun beach version with no doors and wicker seats, the […]

Location & Who We Are

We are a Porsche Specialist based in rural Hertfordshire. We are located in a small village called Codicote, which is close to Knebworth, Welwyn Garden City & Stevenage. Our closest train station is Stevenage, we would happily pick you up from there to view a car. We are close to the A1M, M1 and M11 motorways. Our closest airports are Stansted and Luton if you are flying to come and view one of our cars. M R Sportscars is a trading name of Revival Sports Cars Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, registered number: 07624585 | VAT number: 264 5239 94 With regards to finance, we are a credit broker and not a lender. If requested, we can introduce you to a number of credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your vehicle. Revival Sports Cars Limited (trading as M R Sportscars) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

01438 412875

sales@mrsportscars.com

Codicote, Hertfordshire

Get in touch

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Your Message