Discussion
Not a straightforward decision. The 981 2.7 is a gorgeous engine but does lack the torque to fill those crazily long gears. The platform is even more solid and neutral than the 987, so it's both terrifically capable and confidence inspiring. It's also a bit dull, especially when you combine the fairly weak engine with very big tyres (which is now the norm). Both lovely cars. The 981 is more comfortable and refined.
FrankCayman said:
I went from a 987 2.9 to a 981 2.7.....love it ...if you're tall it has more room inside...and you don't get that weird 'ear buffeting' from the old Cayman cabin - always amazed people don't moan about that design flaw more!!!
how different is the old 2.9 to the new 2.7 on the road (normal use) ?FrankCayman said:
I went from a 987 2.9 to a 981 2.7.....love it ...if you're tall it has more room inside...and you don't get that weird 'ear buffeting' from the old Cayman cabin - always amazed people don't moan about that design flaw more!!!
I never noticed that at all. I kept reading about it and thinking 'Are my ears broken?' 
rObArtes said:
how different is the old 2.9 to the new 2.7 on the road (normal use) ?
I didn't notice any difference in performance ...I personally find the 981 gives the same amount of driver enjoyment but with more refinement, better ride over the rubbish UK roads.....much prefer the sound of my 2.7 too ...which doesn't have PSE. Cabin is a huge improvement. It just feels a more complete and coherent design....I always felt the 987 Cayman had the roof grafted on the Boxster as an after thought, hence the need to have acoustic weights hidden in the rear hatch to sort out the weird cabin pressure issue.All my Porsches owned have been my only car and daily drives that cover approx. 25 - 30K per year. Perhaps if it were a weekend car, the smaller, slightly more analog feel of the 987 may appeal. But please don't listen to anybody who says the 981 has gone too 'Audi'...that's just rubbish!
Purely my thoughts that probably won't be shared by many on here!
ORD said:
FrankCayman said:
I went from a 987 2.9 to a 981 2.7.....love it ...if you're tall it has more room inside...and you don't get that weird 'ear buffeting' from the old Cayman cabin - always amazed people don't moan about that design flaw more!!!
I never noticed that at all. I kept reading about it and thinking 'Are my ears broken?' If I had this choice, i'd definitely go for the 981.
You'd have to drive the 2.7 to comment on whether it has enough torque or power for you. But having to work the engine harder in higher revs isn't a bad thing in my mind, means you get to hear the lovely engine more, especially with PSE, and also more involved driving, with less chance of losing your license.
Personally I prefer the styling, the 981 looks more aggressive, I prefer the deeper side scoops. And as far as connectivity for audio etc, the 981 is going to win hands down.
You'd have to drive the 2.7 to comment on whether it has enough torque or power for you. But having to work the engine harder in higher revs isn't a bad thing in my mind, means you get to hear the lovely engine more, especially with PSE, and also more involved driving, with less chance of losing your license.
Personally I prefer the styling, the 981 looks more aggressive, I prefer the deeper side scoops. And as far as connectivity for audio etc, the 981 is going to win hands down.
FrankCayman said:
I went from a 987 2.9 to a 981 2.7.....love it ...if you're tall it has more room inside...and you don't get that weird 'ear buffeting' from the old Cayman cabin - always amazed people don't moan about that design flaw more!!!
That 'ear buffeting' is the most irritating thing about my 987.2 2.9.DarkMatter said:
That 'ear buffeting' is the most irritating thing about my 987.2 2.9.
Phew....glad you notice it too! I first noticed it when I had a gen 1 Cayman loaner when my then Boxster 2.7 gen 1 went in for a service. I still bought a Cayman gen 2 at a later date...managed to reduce the effect by fiddling around with the rubber bump stops on the hatch...but never truly eradicated the issue.Having test driven the 987 2.9 last year and having bought a TTS in preference due to cabin ambiance and space, I found the TTS too torquey and peaky so tried a 981 2.7 PDK after reading countless reviews of that and the 3.4 S 981.
I drove a 981 3.4S too, around town and on the motorway and couldn't find any real life advantage for a DD other than mid range acceleration which would more easily get me into trouble. As you've no doubt read the 2.7 engine in the 981 is lively and it's the NOISE that makes up 50% of the driving pleasure for me. You get more of this with the 2.7 due to using its revs more.
As for manual gearing being too long in the 981 2.7, buy a PDK! I've used my PDK far more in manual mode than in my S-Tronic TTS as you can really rev the engine, plus you get throttle blip down shifts with the PDK even in normal mode (as opposed to "Sport").
My favourite "chance" bit of spec on my 2014 used Cayman is PASM. It wasn't on my "hit list" of spec but it is sublime in operation, smoothing out the crashiness you DO get with standard suspension. Well, to be fair, that's no worse than my TTS but PASM would be near the top of my spec list next time. Not that common on a base car if buying used however.
Go try both. Try them in manual and PDK. Take your time. Go back and try them again if uncertain. I take it by "new" you mean used?If so, use the OPCs and don't feel guilty you may not buy from them. They'll be keen to have the chance to sell you a car. I found the three I went to very helpful and obliging.
I drove a 981 3.4S too, around town and on the motorway and couldn't find any real life advantage for a DD other than mid range acceleration which would more easily get me into trouble. As you've no doubt read the 2.7 engine in the 981 is lively and it's the NOISE that makes up 50% of the driving pleasure for me. You get more of this with the 2.7 due to using its revs more.
As for manual gearing being too long in the 981 2.7, buy a PDK! I've used my PDK far more in manual mode than in my S-Tronic TTS as you can really rev the engine, plus you get throttle blip down shifts with the PDK even in normal mode (as opposed to "Sport").
My favourite "chance" bit of spec on my 2014 used Cayman is PASM. It wasn't on my "hit list" of spec but it is sublime in operation, smoothing out the crashiness you DO get with standard suspension. Well, to be fair, that's no worse than my TTS but PASM would be near the top of my spec list next time. Not that common on a base car if buying used however.
Go try both. Try them in manual and PDK. Take your time. Go back and try them again if uncertain. I take it by "new" you mean used?If so, use the OPCs and don't feel guilty you may not buy from them. They'll be keen to have the chance to sell you a car. I found the three I went to very helpful and obliging.
FrankCayman said:
I went from a 987 2.9 to a 981 2.7.....love it ...if you're tall it has more room inside...and you don't get that weird 'ear buffeting' from the old Cayman cabin - always amazed people don't moan about that design flaw more!!!
I thought that was a well known and easy fix? Its just an adjustment of the hatch isnt it?TB303 said:
Personally I'd avoid PDK - there's plenty of time left to flap at paddles and not much left of manual gear boxes.
PDK is as good as a manual as a manual, even dropping two gears faster PLUS you can "lazy drive" too. Godsend when crawling behind a motorway pile up. Or... get much bigger left leg muscles from that heavy clutch...OP will no doubt find all the "Manual vs. PDK" threads so lets not get into that... or shall we...?
DJMC said:
PDK is as good as a manual as a manual, even dropping two gears faster PLUS you can "lazy drive" too. Godsend when crawling behind a motorway pile up. Or... get much bigger left leg muscles from that heavy clutch...
OP will no doubt find all the "Manual vs. PDK" threads so lets not get into that... or shall we...?
I'm not proposing we do, I'm just voicing my opinion.OP will no doubt find all the "Manual vs. PDK" threads so lets not get into that... or shall we...?
TB303 said:
I'm not proposing we do, I'm just voicing my opinion.
Understood. No worries.Strangely, I've been using the PDK gear lever much more than the paddles. I had a manual Boxster on loan whilst cruise was fitted a few weeks ago and did enjoy revving it. So I tried to emulate the feeling in my PDK the next day with just the gear lever. Far better - no crunched gears, no fluffed take-offs from rest, no leg ache, one finger gear changing, plus the down shift blips.
DJMC said:
Understood. No worries.
Strangely, I've been using the PDK gear lever much more than the paddles. I had a manual Boxster on loan whilst cruise was fitted a few weeks ago and did enjoy revving it. So I tried to emulate the feeling in my PDK the next day with just the gear lever. Far better - no crunched gears, no fluffed take-offs from rest, no leg ache, one finger gear changing, plus the down shift blips.
Both systems have their merits - PDK is going to be more efficient/slick for most people, let's face it. Driving daily in London or for ultimate track times PDK probably makes a lot of sense.Strangely, I've been using the PDK gear lever much more than the paddles. I had a manual Boxster on loan whilst cruise was fitted a few weeks ago and did enjoy revving it. So I tried to emulate the feeling in my PDK the next day with just the gear lever. Far better - no crunched gears, no fluffed take-offs from rest, no leg ache, one finger gear changing, plus the down shift blips.
mollytherocker said:
I thought that was a well known and easy fix? Its just an adjustment of the hatch isnt it?
Well....my OPC tried and failed to fix it admitting there really wasn't a lot they can do....and EVERY 987 Cayman I have driven (probably 8) has had it....You can minimise the effect by fiddling with the rubber bump stops, but that's it.
Edited by FrankCayman on Wednesday 2nd December 07:55
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