When in doubt...do nothing.

When in doubt...do nothing.

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FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Well, my trusty 981 that I bought from new is coming up for 4 years old this April.

Perhaps it's just my age (I am 43), but when I was younger, I'd have a car for a year and would be planning my next purchase. Or perhaps it's just the way cars are going.

The longest I've kept a car in the past is 2.9 years max.

But on Tuesday I test drove a 718 manual 2.0 4T. I liked it.

But when I was told that by placing an order now, I wouldn't take delivery until September....I lost interest very quickly.

I took an evening drive around the usual suspects to hunt an alternative (BMW, Merc, Audi)....that was really depressing!

The 981 will have the warranty extended on April, so I will simply keep until next April...but I fear I won't change my mind then.


anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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FrankCayman said:





Well, my trusty 981 that I bought from new is coming up for 4 years old this April.

Perhaps it's just my age (I am 43), but when I was younger, I'd have a car for a year and would be planning my next purchase. Or perhaps it's just the way cars are going.

The longest I've kept a car in the past is 2.9 years max.

But on Tuesday I test drove a 718 manual 2.0 4T. I liked it.

But when I was told that by placing an order now, I wouldn't take delivery until September....I lost interest very quickly.

I took an evening drive around the usual suspects to hunt an alternative (BMW, Merc, Audi)....that was really depressing!

The 981 will have the warranty extended on April, so I will simply keep until next April...but I fear I won't change my mind then.
Nobody wants to wait when they've made a decision.

I wouldn't believe Porsche if they said September anyway, they've been meticulous at never keeping a date with me over the last five years. My GT4 was six months later than they said it would be and that took about 1.5 years from deposit to delivery. I did PTS which was blamed for at least 8 months of that. Ariel Nomad, same story - 14 month wait. Even a truck I have on order with VW is a 5 month wait.

Why do you want to change your 981 anyway? If you don't want to wait, pay a premium or pick up an ex demonstrator.

g7jhp

6,958 posts

237 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Your grey 981 looks better, although it would look even better without black wheels (IMO). I presume you also have a 6 pot rather than the new 4 pot.


wellzee

445 posts

120 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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g7jhp said:
Your grey 981 looks better, although it would look even better without black wheels (IMO). I presume you also have a 6 pot rather than the new 4 pot.
The grey is the 718 (4 pot). He has the black 981 below which has a flat 6. Stick with what you've got OP - tremendous cars.

g7jhp

6,958 posts

237 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
wellzee said:
g7jhp said:
Your grey 981 looks better, although it would look even better without black wheels (IMO). I presume you also have a 6 pot rather than the new 4 pot.
The grey is the 718 (4 pot). He has the black 981 below which has a flat 6. Stick with what you've got OP - tremendous cars.
The black car actually looks newer.

I'd consider swapping to a grey 981 S as black is a PITA to keep clean! wink

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
wellzee said:
The grey is the 718 (4 pot). He has the black 981 below which has a flat 6. Stick with what you've got OP - tremendous cars.
I've come to that conclusion, mate beer

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Mutema said:
Why do you want to change your 981 anyway? If you don't want to wait, pay a premium or pick up an ex demonstrator.
Indeed, it seems anything I wish to purchase either has a huge waiting time....or I have to beg and pre-order to get the bloody thing (be that cars, vinyl releases....even pots and pans for the kitchen!). Yet, when I am selling my businesses services, I will jump through hoops to get an order - Rats Cocks!!! lol

Having jumped back into my car after a 24 hour test with the 718, my car felt smoother and tighter....which is odd as mine has 70,000 miles on the bloody thing! But that spoke volumes to me!

I also have this nagging feeling that those new engines will have problems. I am no expert on these things, but it always seemed to be very hot with the fan blowing after relatively light drive on a cold day. I reckon an Ex Demo that hasn't been warmed up correctly/thrashed would come back to realise these fears....

Perhaps I am just having flash backs to my S1 Lotus Elise and seeing the temperature gauge increase at a rapid rate in slow moving traffic.


FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
g7jhp said:
The black car actually looks newer.

I'd consider swapping to a grey 981 S as black is a PITA to keep clean! wink
Thanks, the old girl is one of the first 981 2.7's in the Country....and now has 70,000 miles, but I look after my cars....never knowingly been pressure hosed by a Pole!

I find black is easier to look clean longer than a grey car. The demo you see in the pic isn't that dirty, but resembled a 'matt wrap' after a few hours of normal road use.

Good luck - though I do like the 718....I think the 981 is still the place to go whilst they are still plent of mint examples.

Perhaps I will wait until the next, completely new 718 to come out in approx. 3 years time...

Klippie

3,096 posts

144 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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How about a Cayman GTS if you fancy a change...pick of the 981 range I'd say.

Heathrow

444 posts

129 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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I like the exterior colour and wheel combo on your 981 compared with the 718 in the pic .

Out of interest, have you found the engine any more tractable now that it is well run in?

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Klippie said:
How about a Cayman GTS if you fancy a change...pick of the 981 range I'd say.
I prefer to buy brand new, but I was tempted to look at the second hand GTS's....but I run my car through my business - the tax implication for the higher emissions are not worth it for me!

Besides, I really do love the 2.7 engine....not SO much power that you have to drive at licence losing speeds to enjoy it....and as my only car, it's a great daily around town too.

I am sticking with it for the foreseeable future!

ellroy

7,005 posts

224 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Klippie said:
How about a Cayman GTS if you fancy a change...pick of the 981 range I'd say.
Listen to this man, he speaks with intellect, insight and wisdom.

Please note: I may be biased given the car I own.

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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If I owned a 981 I wouldn't be trading it in for a 718...same goes for a 9911 and 991.2. I'd wait for the next gen car....the move to the turbo engines is a negative for me and there's nothing else in the newer cars that makes balances that out. New PCM, Apple Car Play and some fancier looking lights etc don't cut the mustard! Presumably when the next generation cars they will be lighter, improved chassis etc which may make it worth the jump.

I've driven a 718 and thought it was a great drive and if specced sensibly good value for what you get...but I'd be sticking with what I had if I had a 981.

Krobar

283 posts

106 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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Take a look at an Evora maybe. BMW, Audi and Merc have nothing interesting <60K IMHO.

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Cheib said:
I'd wait for the next gen car....the move to the turbo engines is a negative for me and there's nothing else in the newer cars that makes balances that out. New PCM, Apple Car Play and some fancier looking lights etc don't cut the mustard! Presumably when the next generation cars they will be lighter, improved chassis etc which may make it worth the jump.

I've driven a 718 and thought it was a great drive and if specced sensibly good value for what you get...but I'd be sticking with what I had if I had a 981.
Bang on, mate.

If I was coming from, say, a BMW 435i....I would jump at the 718 Cayman.....but I am inclined to wait until the next proper new car...not a facelift with a new badge and engine.

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all


I've never felt particularly comfortable with the new front of the 718 either.

When I dropped off the demo, I parked it next to my 981....and I personally feel the 'bull nose' look of the 981 is much nicer.

The 718 looks a bit weak....and the fact it shares the same front as the Boxster makes it feel less special for me too.

But please don't think I am some '4 pot hater' or that I dislike the 718.

I just feel it's a stepping stone for the next generation.

I don't really understand why Porsche didn't just do a 981.2 with the same engines, then make a big splash with a totally new car and engine range in 2019/20.

g7jhp

6,958 posts

237 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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FrankCayman said:
I don't really understand why Porsche didn't just do a 981.2 with the same engines, then make a big splash with a totally new car and engine range in 2019/20.
Porsche probably need to reduce their emissions across the range to offset using larger flat 6 larger engines in the 911 range etc.


ghiblicup

605 posts

213 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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FrankCayman said:
But please don't think I am some '4 pot hater' or that I dislike the 718.
Nothing wrong with that.

Klippie

3,096 posts

144 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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FrankCayman said:
I prefer to buy brand new, but I was tempted to look at the second hand GTS's....but I run my car through my business - the tax implication for the higher emissions are not worth it for me!

Besides, I really do love the 2.7 engine....not SO much power that you have to drive at licence losing speeds to enjoy it....and as my only car, it's a great daily around town too.

I am sticking with it for the foreseeable future!
Looks like you'll be keeping it for a while then as I can't see the beetle engine being dropped anytime soon if anything it will be boosted higher for even greater power outputs

I know what your saying about the looks of these cars I still think the curvy shape of the 987 Cayman is the best of them all that and the steering is why I never chopped mine in for a new model...I did come close to a GTS at one point but that's another story.

FrankCayman

Original Poster:

2,121 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Klippie said:
Looks like you'll be keeping it for a while then as I can't see the beetle engine being dropped anytime soon if anything it will be boosted higher for even greater power outputs

I know what your saying about the looks of these cars I still think the curvy shape of the 987 Cayman is the best of them all that and the steering is why I never chopped mine in for a new model...I did come close to a GTS at one point but that's another story.
I can delude myself that it's worth a change if the shape of the car is different/improved......but I can't bring myself to do so when the car is the same thing offering less, if that makes sense?

I am not even a great 'fan' of the new interior vents (excuse the pun!).

My feeling is, the whole period for the 718 seems to be a stepping stone for the next generation of car. Like the new tech isn't quite ready, so this is just a filler. We've all done it in relationships. A smart little barmaid (718) you take out for a few months whilst you wait for the next classy, intelligent, money grabbing 'lady' to really rip you off?