981s v GTS

[Robcuk]

Morning

Looking to get into 981 ownership sometime soon and i’m just wondering if any of the members on here have any opinions on the merits of the GTS over the S.

Id be looking at extra £10k for what i can gather are a slight hp gain, subtle difference in appearance and some options that wouldn’t be standard in the S.

I would have the money to buy an S outright so would either have to keep saving for the GTS or just take a car loan out over a short term period for c£10k.

Obviously both cars have pretty strong residuals as does the spyder but i think i’d struggle to get the green light in buying a spyder for 60k as much i love the look of them.

The other option would be a 991 but i’m not sure how that would react to minimal use. Whatever car i purchase would live in the garage and only be used in the summer with about 2-3kmiles p.a

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[spyderwhite]

imho I don't think a gts is worth £10k over a S! Personally a 987.2 is a better buy than any 981 (bar gt4/spyder), if you like the Spyder why not for £20k less go for a 987.2 version it's a fantastic car and a future classic over any other Boxster! A standard 991 is not really special enough better of with a manual 997.2 if you can find one.

 

[spyderwhite]

.


The other option would be a 991 but i’m not sure how that would react to minimal use. Whatever car i purchase would live in the garage and only be used in the summer with about 2-3kmiles p.a

Thanks for your thoughts.

Using a 911 would be no different to using any other sports porsche as many components are shared ie the 991 3.4 engine is same as 987.2 and 981. They like to be used so I would advise using at least once a month for a "day out" to circulate the oils etc.

 

[tjb]

981 GTS All the way. []

 

[Hayc]

An 981S with a good spec is where I’d put my money. In reality a 981S with half decent spec may well have the majority of the extra spec that you’d be getting in the GTS! Yes the GTS will hold strong value but as you clearly point out, you need an extra £10k to start. Prices are still holding very high on 981S and even nudging up at the moment, so buy soon and enjoy!

 

[mike.runnalls]

981GTS is my choice. Having had a 987S although good, not a touch on the GTS which has a greater standard spec and upgraded from the 987. Sold my 991.1C2S manual to purchase the 981GTS and its a fantastic car, more involving and a great drive.
Mike.
Gone;-
911 3.2
993C2S shouldn't have sold
997C2S
987 Spyder shouldn't have sold
987S
991C2S

 

[Robcuk]

Thanks for the replies but I still don't have a clue after those replies ??

There was a private red BGTS for sale in Scotland recently which was a great buy but the Mrs would sign off on it unfortunately. It was low miles and still under OPC warranty - think it was around £41k.

I quite like the 'S' silver one for sale in Surrey for £34k, Low miles and not many owners either.

Covid and lockdown isn't helping as I'm not sure I'd get away with "I'm going for a test drive" if the Police ask the question and I'm reluctant to "click and collect".

 

[Robcuk]

Mike would you prefer the 987 Spyder to your current GTS?

I like the 987 Spyder and I do acknowledge they have great reviews but I do prefer the more modern IMHO look of the 981.

 

[dpoynton]

There was a private red BGTS for sale in Scotland recently which was a great buy but the Mrs would sign off on it unfortunately.

I presume you meant "wouldn't"?

If so, that's your starting point; get the budget agreed! []

ATB
David

 

[Robcuk]

There was a private red BGTS for sale in Scotland recently which was a great buy but the Mrs would sign off on it unfortunately.

I presume you meant "wouldn't"?

If so, that's your starting point; get the budget agreed! []

ATB
David

Yes sorry should have read wouldn't.

Unfortunately she has no interest in cars so when she saw the price began with a 4 it put her right off. I've been working alot recently so I'm sure in a month or two she might let me just touch the £40k barrier.

 

[dpoynton]

I have to say, back in the day, my wife didn't get the fuss about Porsches. Our first two (long stories) were LHD and then we got a RHD Cayman 3.4S Tip 987.

We went to the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone and each drove similar spec Caymans with one to one instruction for a few hours. She then drove our car home to London, where we lived at the time, understood that Porsche cars are so good, and now I can't get the keys off her!

You'll get there, we all did. But your wife must drive one soon, it will help your search no end!

ATB
David

 

[Hayc]

...or you might be changing the wifey and the car soon []

 

[Robcuk]

I have to say, back in the day, my wife didn't get the fuss about Porsches. Our first two (long stories) were LHD and then we got a RHD Cayman 3.4S Tip 987.

We went to the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone and each drove similar spec Caymans with one to one instruction for a few hours. She then drove our car home to London, where we lived at the time, understood that Porsche cars are so good, and now I can't get the keys off her!

You'll get there, we all did. But your wife must drive one soon, it will help your search no end!

ATB
David

That's not a bad idea. I presume you can just pay for the privilege?

 

[Robcuk]

I have to say, back in the day, my wife didn't get the fuss about Porsches. Our first two (long stories) were LHD and then we got a RHD Cayman 3.4S Tip 987.

We went to the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone and each drove similar spec Caymans with one to one instruction for a few hours. She then drove our car home to London, where we lived at the time, understood that Porsche cars are so good, and now I can't get the keys off her!

You'll get there, we all did. But your wife must drive one soon, it will help your search no end!

ATB
David

That's not a bad idea. I presume you can just pay for the privilege?

Just had look - it doesn't mention the 981 but does look fun. Perhaps on reflection it's a bad idea as I'll end up wanting a 911.

 

[mike.runnalls]

Mike would you prefer the 987 Spyder to your current GTS?

I like the 987 Spyder and I do acknowledge they have great reviews but I do prefer the more modern IMHO look of the 981.

 

[mike.runnalls]

Hi Rob, The 987 Spyder manual I had was terrific and looked the part, with limited slip diff and a good spec and unusual to see in Guards Red it was a great car. I know of the owner (Porsche enthusiast) who now has it and I think he will keep it. The 981GTS is nigh on equivalent to the Spyder and the fresher look is good for me.

 

[Robcuk]

Hi Rob, The 987 Spyder manual I had was terrific and looked the part, with limited slip diff and a good spec and unusual to see in Guards Red it was a great car. I know of the owner (Porsche enthusiast) who now has it and I think he will keep it. The 981GTS is nigh on equivalent to the Spyder and the fresher look is good for me.

Thanks for your thoughts Mike

 

[spyderwhite]

Hi Rob, The 987 Spyder manual I had was terrific and looked the part, with limited slip diff and a good spec and unusual to see in Guards Red it was a great car. I know of the owner (Porsche enthusiast) who now has it and I think he will keep it. The 981GTS is nigh on equivalent to the Spyder and the fresher look is good for me.

Sorry I am going to have to respectfully disagree the 981 GtS is no 987 Spyder! Now I haven't owned a 981 Gts but did have a 981 gt4 (which had superior steering software over a Gts courtesy of 911 turbo)for 2 years and the spyder for 4 years and it is in a different league in the feel/handling to the 981 largely down to the hydrolic steering vs electric of the 981 which was largely improved with the 718 model(this also applies to 997.2 v 991.1 v 991.2).
If I was offerered the keys to a 981gt4 or 987 Spyder i would go for the Spyder every time I just wish I still had mine??
No one can tell you what you seek you need to try before you buy, and for under £30k a low miles 987.2S is a bloody good car but if your budget is £40k and you want a Gts you may just get a Gts but don't pay more than 10% over equivalent S and try and find one with X73 suspension!
PS you ain't going to find a good 991 for £40k

 

[Robcuk]

Hi Rob, The 987 Spyder manual I had was terrific and looked the part, with limited slip diff and a good spec and unusual to see in Guards Red it was a great car. I know of the owner (Porsche enthusiast) who now has it and I think he will keep it. The 981GTS is nigh on equivalent to the Spyder and the fresher look is good for me.

Sorry I am going to have to respectfully disagree the 981 GtS is no 987 Spyder! Now I haven't owned a 981 Gts but did have a 981 gt4 (which had superior steering software over a Gts courtesy of 911 turbo)for 2 years and the spyder for 4 years and it is in a different league in the feel/handling to the 981 largely down to the hydrolic steering vs electric of the 981 which was largely improved with the 718 model(this also applies to 997.2 v 991.1 v 991.2).
If I was offerered the keys to a 981gt4 or 987 Spyder i would go for the Spyder every time I just wish I still had mine??
No one can tell you what you seek you need to try before you buy, and for under £30k a low miles 987.2S is a bloody good car but if your budget is £40k and you want a Gts you may just get a Gts but don't pay more than 10% over equivalent S and try and find one with X73 suspension!
PS you ain't going to find a good 991 for £40k

Hi

thanks for the reply.

I have seen/read reviews regarding the x73 suspension, although i cannot remember who was reviewing, and it said to avoid it due to being to harsh for uk roads so again as you say the best thing i can do is test drive them but stating the obvious it’s not the right time.

I don’t have a defined budget to be honest and mine is probably slightly more than my partners but if i am buying an S i’d be looking at the 30-35 bracket, a gts maybe up to 42 and for a 991 around 50.

Can i i ask why you sold the models you owned? Have you considered getting back into spyder ownership?

regards

Rob

 

[spyderwhite]

Hi Rob, The 987 Spyder manual I had was terrific and looked the part, with limited slip diff and a good spec and unusual to see in Guards Red it was a great car. I know of the owner (Porsche enthusiast) who now has it and I think he will keep it. The 981GTS is nigh on equivalent to the Spyder and the fresher look is good for me.

Sorry I am going to have to respectfully disagree the 981 GtS is no 987 Spyder! Now I haven't owned a 981 Gts but did have a 981 gt4 (which had superior steering software over a Gts courtesy of 911 turbo)for 2 years and the spyder for 4 years and it is in a different league in the feel/handling to the 981 largely down to the hydrolic steering vs electric of the 981 which was largely improved with the 718 model(this also applies to 997.2 v 991.1 v 991.2).
If I was offerered the keys to a 981gt4 or 987 Spyder i would go for the Spyder every time I just wish I still had mine??
No one can tell you what you seek you need to try before you buy, and for under £30k a low miles 987.2S is a bloody good car but if your budget is £40k and you want a Gts you may just get a Gts but don't pay more than 10% over equivalent S and try and find one with X73 suspension!
PS you ain't going to find a good 991 for £40k

Hi

thanks for the reply.

I have seen/read reviews regarding the x73 suspension, although i cannot remember who was reviewing, and it said to avoid it due to being to harsh for uk roads so again as you say the best thing i can do is test drive them but stating the obvious it’s not the right time.

I don’t have a defined budget to be honest and mine is probably slightly more than my partners but if i am buying an S i’d be looking at the 30-35 bracket, a gts maybe up to 42 and for a 991 around 50.

Can i i ask why you sold the models you owned? Have you considered getting back into spyder ownership?

regards

Rob

Yes you certainly can we all think the next model is the best thing or going to be better than the outgoing model which is not true! The X73 no PASM (which is also fitted to 987spyder/caymanR) is not harsh at all it's a basic sports suspension you are buying a sports car you are not buying a limo! Too many want their sports cars to drive like a saloon ! Even my gt4 in sports mode(pasm) was not harsh.
Yes I have truly considered getting back into a 987 spyder but my previous car was top of the tree ie great spec and late build so finding such a car in a secondhand market is tough, so the only car I would consider at the moment is a 718Spyder but pretty unobtainable and I am not getting into the overs game for a spec. I don't want.
You need to set a budget and what type of car suits your needs! Do your homework and don't always listen to people who over talk their cars up! There is no wrong or right car but some are better than others! Plus factor in long term costs, depreciation, maintenance etc. A cheap car can be more expensive than a costly car from the off.