Sport Seats vs Adaptive Sport Seats

phil_m · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 05:41 AM

Not sure if this has been discussed before but exactly what is the difference between these 2 options? Thanks.

Butty · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 11:19 AM

I was actually at my local Porsche garage at the weekend speccing up my Cayman and spent a long time trying different seats to work out just that!

Basically, the sports seats have much more lateral support...and in fact continue right up around your shoulders. In base spec, both the standard and sports seats only have electrically adjustable backs - the front/back mechanism is manual plus there's no lumbar.

If you want lumbar adjustment, memory seats, full electric etc, you can add the electric pack to either the sports or standard seats.

With the adaptive, in one dollop, you gain thesport seat style, full electrics, lumbar, PLUS you can electrically adjust the lateral support - both on the back part and around your legs. You also gain the ability to change the angle of the seating position...i.e. pivot the whole seat.

I was undecided about which to go for until I sat in them at the weekend but despite the cost, I'm unquestionably going for the adaptive..... they're truly awesome and since I've got a dodgy back, for me they're well worth the cost....

**Atlas_Croc** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 02:15 PM

Have sat in every seat and I do think that the Adaptives are the best........but to me they are one of the most overpriced options on the list and not worthit. Unless you have some specific need for the Adaptives, some of the other seat choices are better. The 'normal' sport seats are fantastic and one of the better priced options especially with full leather. The powered non-sport seats are also awesome and can be had in certain packages that make the price a little better. I happen to like the look and feel of the normal sport seats, but if I had to have power I'd go with the regular seats.

FC · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 03:33 PM

The ONE thing that I wish one could get with the sport seats is seat bottom tilt. It sucks not to have it, but I would not pay the money and weight penalty ofelectric or adaptable seats. Plus, adaptive seats must add at least 8 motors per seat. Even if they are light, that is at least a couple of dozen pounds and a bunch more things to break.

willr · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 05:17 PM

I spent some time in the standard sports and adaptive, because wasn't convinced that adaptive were worth the extra money. Left having decided that there was no point compromising on them, because that's what you have the most contact with in the car!

Adaptives were much more supportive (lumbar and seat tilt) and also felt more padded than the standards. And of course there are the extra adjustable bolsters in the base and wings.

If you want less weight, just throw the passenger out and go on a diet!

patch2 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 05:55 PM

Does anyone have any pic's on the seat options?

chrismillion · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 06:35 PM

I spent the most amount of time deciding on seats. You've got to sit in them to make up your mind, so go to the dealer and hop from car to car...

I didn't really like the Adaptive seats much better, they are basically the same shape as the regular sport seats. Marginally better I'd say and ridiculously expensive, even by Porsche standards. And I bought PCCB!

Late model GM trucks (like Escalades and Denalis) have the most comfortable seats, IMO. They are very wide ansd soft and will adjust into radically different positions so you can change it up on long drives, which is super important becasue one position will always eventually become uncomfortable. The Porsche seats, evenAdaptives, don't change far enough to really feel different like that. By comparison all the Porsche seats are uncomfortable. If I remember right, the incline of the seat base was not adjustable on any seat.

So I went with regular sport seats because they only feel slightly more cramped than the normal seats while providing much better lateral support. Most of the driving I do in this car will be somewhat 'spirited'

anyway. Although looks were not a big factorwith seats, the sports look much better also.

willr · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 01:35 AM

The adaptives (and regular non-sports electric seats) do adjust the incline of the seat base. In addition you get lumbar support, which isn't available in the non-adaptive sports.

Granted they are ridiculously expensive, but IMHO easier to justify than spending more on custom 19" wheels

Lambormini · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 02:17 AM

I had chosen the sport seat for 2 reasons. More support and save weight. I used to have sport seat in my 996TT, ithad much better lumbar support but less comfort than the standard seat.

willr · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 06:57 PM

I'm surprised you say that the sports have much better lumbar support than the standard seat. On a 996tt the standard seat has electric lumbar adjustment, which is only available on the adaptive sports (not standard sports) for the Cayman.

That's one reason why i chose adaptive sports for my Cayman...

**zal_kindi** · #11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 12:34 PM

<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Good people, by now many of you will have received your cars and have experienced your chosen seats in everyday driving.I am between going for the standard seats with leather option or the sports seats with leather (option P77/L).The adaptive seats are way too expensive and are not worth it.I have sports seats in my current BMW 330 XI and have found them a bit too restrictive.In fact they feel a bit cramped and uncomfortable.I am concerned that the Porsche sports seats will feel the same as BMW’s in that they hold me too tight; which is a bit claustrophobic, especially during leisurely driving.So I am leaning towards going for the standard seats with leather.The electric-memory seat option is not so important since I will almost be the sole driver of the car.My order, as it stands now, has the standard seats + Leather, unless you guys advise me to change it.Your opinions will be highly appreciated.Thanks..[/quote]</div>

PACayman · #12 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 12:49 PM

I got the the sport seats (non adaptive) and love 'em. I'm on the smaller side (5'7' 170) and they are snug, but not uncomfortable. I have no lack of adjustability, but would have probably gone for adaptive if there was more than one driver.

**fmarshall** · #13 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 02:26 PM

As they say, perception is reality. I have the adaptive sport seats, and while they are costly, I do 'feel' they are worth it. They are always comfortable and easily adaptive to ones driving needs.

Are they better than those in a BMW? Isn't everything else on a CS better than the comparable feature in a BMW?

Some people will get a car in a made-to-order color, but skimp on seating ... whatever ...

Is weight an issue? That depends on where you live. In the US, most people are obese by definition of a suitable amount that a litle diet would compensate for 8 motors per chair IMO. I know I could shed 10-20 pounds ...

**zal_kindi** · #14 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 03:31 PM

<div>On the weight-to-height ratio, I am 200lbs and 6ft so I'm not exactly petit, but I managed to comfortably fit in the Cayman. The problem is that here in the UAE, the Caymans are getting delivered almost straight off the ship, so I may not have the opportunity to actually sit in one with sports seats before deciding. In fact, I ordered the car after a brief test drive in a tiptronic demonstrator.They probably have the highest Porsche per capita in the world here!I guess I’ll go for the sports seats since you guys are happy with them.They only cost about $350 so they are well worth it.Thanks again for the great help.This is site is brilliant..[/quote]</div>

**fmarshall** · #15 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 04:06 PM

Hey Zal_Kindi, just for fun, what do you have to pay for gas there in UAE?