Regrets, I’ve had a few - but this was a biggie

[cartledge]

Moving my 2011 Manual 987 S Black Edition on a year ago was in hindsight a real mistake. I miss that lively little car. I’ve owned 993’s and most recently a 997 GTS but the little Cayman ticked more boxes for me. I’m in a position to mend my error and am looking for another Cayman.

I’m keen to learn from current owners that have made the move from a 987S to more recent models. How do you feel about newer 981’s or even 718’s having owned both. Glad yopu made the switch? What are the real world benefits to you of tghe newer models?

Thanks for any advice/opinion.

 

[Brian_Innes]

My advice would be to try a 718 CS with a sporty spec and PDK. It's a better car than the 981.

Bye, I'm now rushing for the Anderson air raid shelter.......

Incoming!

Brian

PS. You should not have sold your 987 Black edition. An excellent base car for modifying to enjoy on track days.

 

[cartledge]

Brian

Thanks for that. A brave opinion, thats what I was after.

Jon

 

[Andy Barr]

Hi Jon

I know how you feel.

I sold my 987 CR after 2 years of brilliant fun.

Regretted it from that moment....until I bought the same car back 2 years later !

Fun restored.

Regrets banished.

Driven but not owned quite a few 981’s and they are fantastic. Very similar to 987 in many ways. I don't think you would be disappointed.

Not sure a 718 will do it for you, due to the lack of that fantastic charismatic flat six.

So my recommendation for what it’s worth, is to get another Cayman preferrably with 6 cylinders and cure those withdrawl symptons !

 

[cartledge]

Andy

Thanks - it looks like a 1 vote for 987 and 1 for 718. The 981owners must be out for a drive.

 

[roblaurie]

I'm with Brian (any room in that shelter Brian?)

Rob

 

[cartledge]

Rob

I appreciate your bravery. I see your list of previous cars include a 981 S - what does the 718S have that your previous Cayman didn't?

Jon

 

[roblaurie]

Hi Jon,

I thought there was a much bigger step from the 987 to the 981 than from the 981 to the 718, but they've just improved the 718 in a lot of areas - wider track; sharper steering; better brakes; sharper PDK; touchscreen PCM etc.. But the engine is the major change and it's such a marmite thing. If you can't face a 'subaru' engine then all the other stuff shouldn't matter, just get a 981.

If you're okay with the engine, then it's got to be the 718. It is after all, quicker than a 981 GT4

The bottom line - don't listen to everyone else, go with your gut feel. You'll love either.

Rob

 

[Brian_Innes]

Couldn't have put it any better myself..........

Brian

 

[Ray]

My advice would be to try a 718 CS with a sporty spec and PDK. It's a better car than the 981.

Bye, I'm now rushing for the Anderson air raid shelter.......

Incoming!

Brian

PS. You should not have sold your 987 Black edition. An excellent base car for modifying to enjoy on track days.

Thats a subjective topic. You are a far braver man than I. I find my 981 more than adequate. The sky is the limit but to get up there you need the finances. You purchase a car to suit your needs and desire (if possible) but it is all driven by your pocket rather than your right foot.

Ray

 

[JohnCRS]

I loved my CR (PDK) and piled on the miles. When I came to change last September I looked at options and settled for the 981 GTS (manual). it feels every bit as special as the R, with a fabulous soundtrack and something of a last stand for both engine and gearbox. A bit like me really. I look forward to every journey, whether it be to the shops or the Alps.

 

[geoff lane]

I loved my CR (PDK) and piled on the miles. When I came to change last September I looked at options and settled for the 981 GTS (manual). it feels every bit as special as the R, with a fabulous soundtrack and something of a last stand for both engine and gearbox. A bit like me really. I look forward to every journey, whether it be to the shops or the Alps.

I have to agree with John I had a manual 981 BGTS before changing for a GT4 and in some ways the BGTS was a better road car it is civilised and really is a special sports car with a lovely 6 cylinder soundtrack. I have not owned 718 only driven demonstrators and loan cars when mine was in for service and the 718S is a lovely car but there are so many good turbo cars with great low down torque and a smooth power delivery, there are not many NA 6 cylinder cars with soul left.

It is a horses for courses so I suggest try both and make your own decision.

 

[Steve Brookes]

John, get a Cayman R, will give you back the fun you had in the black and then some. More expensive than another 987 black (if you can find one) or 987S but worth the extra. Just feels a bit more special. More focused. Bonus is that the residuals have been rock solid. A PDK R will be cheaper than a manual but choose the transmission version that YOU want.

 

[MrDemon]

Moving my 2011 Manual 987 S Black Edition on a year ago was in hindsight a real mistake. I miss that lively little car. I’ve owned 993’s and most recently a 997 GTS but the little Cayman ticked more boxes for me. I’m in a position to mend my error and am looking for another Cayman.

I’m keen to learn from current owners that have made the move from a 987S to more recent models. How do you feel about newer 981’s or even 718’s having owned both. Glad yopu made the switch? What are the real world benefits to you of tghe newer models?

Thanks for any advice/opinion.

like a few I sold my 987.2 R and then bought another, I even sold my GT4 , but still have my R, my New GT3 is coming but again I am keeping the R.

So get a Cayman R it's the best car they have made for many years if you want and like driving. alass no manuals for sale though ,people are holding onto them it seems now.

All though I have a 981 Spyder for sale if you want it do you a good price ;-), it has all the kit the 718 has but keeps a 3.8 NA engine win win.

 

[cartledge]

Thank you all for your comments. What I have learnt is that I should buy a 987R, a 981 GTS and a 718S all for very valid reasons - Oh and I should also buy a 981 Spyder that is for sale for a very reasonable price. Basically there is no bad decision other than don't go for it.

This will be my only car so my needs are for an everyday driver that will cope with the awful city streets and speed bumps around West Yorkshire. For that reason when I bought the 987 Black Edition I chose that ahead of an R - having tried a manual R with bucket seats and harness. I will therefore exclude the R this time too and make a decision between a 981S and 718S. It will be PDK [I've always had manual apart from the most recent car, my ex 991GTS]. I'll whisper this next bit but I might try a 718 Boxster S too - just to exclude, obviously. As far as the 981 Spyder is concerned - if only the budget would allow...

Thanks again everyone.

Jon

 

[Ray]

Jon,

Your money your choice. I am from the same neck of the woods as yourself and as I got older and hopefully wiser I went from my Boxster (manual) and my 911 3.2 (manual, no power steering etc) to a Cayman 981S PDK and its so relaxing driving both in heavy traffic and out of town. Would I go back to a manual shift? I doubt it.

Regards

Ray

 

[JMR]

I have a 987 Boxster 2.7 with sports exhaust at the moment

I'd have a 981 Boxster S PDK next time, with PSE.

I thought I'd do the "Porsche thing" last year and get the open top sports car out of my system.

It's not worked, I'm already thinking about what to replace it with, and how many more Porsches I'll have

As said, the only bad decision is not going for another... []

 

[Steve Brookes]

I thought I'd do the "Porsche thing" last year and get the open top sports car out of my system.

It's not worked, I'm already thinking about what to replace it with, and how many more Porsches I'll have

This is quite normal behaviour after you've had your first one.

 

[JMR]

I thought I'd do the "Porsche thing" last year and get the open top sports car out of my system.

It's not worked, I'm already thinking about what to replace it with, and how many more Porsches I'll have

This is quite normal behaviour after you've had your first one.

Hehe... I thought as much

 

[Dmckenzie]

I’ve had a 981 2.7, a 997 C2S and a 718 CS.

The 981 was brilliant. Perfect introduction to Porsche and I’ll never forget flooring it with the windows down on the way back from the dealer and not quite believing what I’d bought.

There is no getting around the fact the 718 doesn’t sound as good. But, it is subjective. Personally, I really like the deep brutal grumble, turbo whistle and (somewhat artificial) pops and bangs - and at the top end, it does sound ‘more Porsche’. For my needs (my daily) it is a better car - better tech, steering is much improved (on the 981 I always felt I had to turn the wheel just slightly further than I should do), it looks more modern and it is far, far quicker. My opinion for what it’s worth, is that the reviews blow the engine sound ‘issue’ out of all proportion and seize on it as an excuse to kick the car when it is otherwise near perfect. The technical achievement of the engine makes up for this, in my opinion.

I think the decision comes down to how much the sound ‘bothers’ you - you can’t really go wrong either way.