997.1S vs 987.2S, which gets your 25k?

[BRMMA]

This year i'll be replacing my 986S and will probably look to spend around 20-25k replacing it. The main cars i'm considering are Maserati GS, C63, 997.1S or a gen2 987S. as this is the Porsche forum i'll focus on the two Porsches for the sake of this post but feel free to comment on the others or make alternative suggestions.

As i see it the advantages of the 997 over the 987 are:
Performance, though i expect it's only marginally better
rear seats, though I doubt they're usable for anyone over about 8 years old?
likely to depreciate less over the next 3 years?
I prefer the looks to these of the Boxster
its a 911

Advantages of the 987
approx 3-4 years newer
less miles (compared to same money 997)
PCM3
Convertible
MPG
generally lower maintenance costs
less chance of suffering IMS/Bore Scoring, don't fancy the 5k+ engine rebuild of the 997

so which would get your 25k and have i got it wrong in my assesment of the pro's and cons?

Cheers

[Raitzi]

Cayman. It even beats 997.2S on some tracks. 911 only if you need rear seats.

Edit: Did not understand that you compared 911 coupe to a Boxster. Forget what I said.

Edited by Raitzi on Thursday 21st February 11:44

[Gibbo205]

997 everytime, sorry but the 997.1 C2S also beats the 987.2 S on many tracks too and having had plenty of seat time on both I definetely preferre going for a blast in the 911.

However the 987.2s is more reliable!

[sootyvrs]

When I was looking last year I was looking for a 997.1 S originally and took one out for a test drive and the only thing that was stopping me from pulling the trigger was it's age... reading forums about engine problems... limited warranty if not from OPC etc...

Did some more research and decided to up my budget and test drove the 997.2 Carrera (similar performance to the 997.1S) and the 987.2 Cayman S side by side and although they were relatively short test drives, I was surprised how I preferred the Cayman S... It just felt for me equally as quick but better balanced and more involving to drive!

As most on here.. I always have hankered for a 911 but the Cayman was the logical choice as not only was it a preferable drive, it was much cheaper too... In the end I got a Cayman R but that's another storey

I would test drive your short list and then decide for yourself

[sebhaque]

I was in a similar position last year when I bought my 997.1S - I prefer the (slight) added practicality of the 911, I've got people in the back seats before for short trips but by folding them down and getting an extra shelf of luggage room is much appreciated. Plus I've noticed that the 911's engine note seems to be a little louder than a 987 (both with PSE), which is always appreciated.

I echo the suggestions above of taking them both for a drive and seeing which one you prefer. I use mine daily so the practicality sold it for me.

...although my 997's began drinking a lot of oil recently and I'm a little worried about engine troubles...

[anonymous-user]

sebhaque said:

...although my 997's began drinking a lot of oil recently and I'm a little worried about engine troubles...

Oh far. You should have that looked at quickly especially if, as it sounds, the consumption is rising.

[Mr Ping]

I find it amusing when people say the backseats in the 911 are useless.

Personally I find them extremely useful for lots of crappy tasks;

1) Fits a baby seat
2) Fits young kids in comfortably
3) Fits adults in and I have even had them endure it for 3 hours! Bugger them comfort-wise as they didn't pay for any petrol anyway
4) Shopping - you can fit a lot of groceries in there and coupled with the front boot can get a weeks worth for the family in no problem.
5) Taking cat to vet or friends house - fit the grumpy bd in one seat and his litter tray in the other
6) If you drop the seats you get a half decent shelf - stores a suit / suitcarrier without having to fold it!

So whilst they aren't exactly roomy at the back they do make life a lot easier than when I used to have a 2 seater!

[RiccardoG]

I would (and did) go for the 911. For me its "the" Porsche and its the single car I most like in general, of the automobile world. Some factors I saw as preferable on the 911 against a Boxster:

- More pratical due to rear seats, as discussed above re passengers, kids, carrying long stuff inside
- Can (and did) fit a roof rack (even more practical...)
- More space inside as seats move further back (relevant for 6ft5 frame like me)
- Usually better equipped than Boxsters (S have factory Xenons and PASM, for instance)

On the other hand, if you want or are used to a convertible, then go for the Boxster. I really miss the roof down motoring! In fact, plan now is to buy a cheap 986 Boxster asap to go along the 911.

I wouldn't let the engine reliability be the key deciding factor. By all accounts the new ".2" engines seem to be better on reliability, but 1) statistically its unlikely that there will be issues in your first couple of years ownership anyways and 2) there is still the potential for inherent design flaws to surfance on the DFI engines in the future (think scored bores in V8 Cayennes, for instance).

[Ian_UK1]

RiccardoG said:

I wouldn't let the engine reliability be the key deciding factor. By all accounts the new ".2" engines seem to be better on reliability, but 1) statistically its unlikely that there will be issues in your first couple of years ownership anyways and 2) there is still the potential for inherent design flaws to surfance on the DFI engines in the future (think scored bores in V8 Cayennes, for instance).

I take your points about DFI engine reliability, but...

The DFI lump was introduced for the 2009 model year, so it's been around now for 4 1/2 years and there will already be some fairly high mileage (and well-abused) examples around - they're not all under 2 years old any more!

To date, I'm not aware of any major horror stories regarding the 9A1 engines - either first hand or anecdotally via the Internet. Add this to the point about the engine's age, above - and the fact that the engine's been raced extensively on the other side of the pond - and I think it's wouldn't be stretching the truth too far to say the 9A1 'IS' a strong and reliable lump, rather than it 'might be'.

[mollytherocker]

I would get a 997 and plop it on to the Hartech plan.

[TomCooper]

The search tool is a wonderful thing....

I'm in a similar position the OP here. £25k budget and am pretty sure it's going to be a Porsche I buy. I'm currently torn between a 987.2S Cayman and a 997.1S.

Can any owners of either (or maybe both!) shed some light on how the two compare from an ownership perspective?

Thanks in advance!

[Steve Rance]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Excellent post.

[truck71]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

But probably more relevant now than ever.

[markw996]

I'm in a similar position and am leaning towards the 997.1 S as I don't expect them to depreciate much more (if at all) by comparison to a Caymen / Boxster which is newer and potentially still losing value.

I know that's not a great reason to buy a car like this and I'm sure some PHers will take exception to my reasoning, but as £25k is the absolute top of my budget and it's taken me a good few years to save it up, I want to get as much of it back in around 3 years time when I likely change the car.

By my reasoning a 996 C4S would be a better option but I much prefer the looks of the 997.

[markw996]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Interesting, I wasn't aware of the low production volumes of the 987.2.

As for the potential for an expensive engine rebuild, I plan to go for the Hartech warranty with a 997.1.

I do fully accept that the cost of the warranty payments, servicing and repairs may negate the lack of (hopefully!) depreciation of a 997.1 S compared to a 987.2, but I have yet to take a serious look at anything other that 996's & 997's so watch this space

[YoungMD]

I have a 997.1 and just wouldn't change it but the 987.2s is probably a better sports car.

For me it's the old feel of the 911 light steering and engine in the back. A lot of it is the event of driving it rather than whether it is actually better balanced etc. But again I think the cayman is better balanced, easier to drive fast, and a more purer car. In theory the cayman wins everytime.

[ooid]

As a third option and to confuse you more , can I throw another suggestion like "Aston V8 Vantage".. Low-miles Vantage, (05-06) pretty sweet cars and they proved to be much more reliable than m96/m97 engines in general. But If you are going for 987.2, that's pretty much safe though anyway.

[Cobnapint]

YoungMD said:

I have a 997.1 and just wouldn't change it but the 987.2s is probably a better sports car.

For me it's the old feel of the 911 light steering and engine in the back. A lot of it is the event of driving it rather than whether it is actually better balanced etc. But again I think the cayman is better balanced, easier to drive fast, and a more purer car. In theory the cayman wins everytime.

Yes, I'd go with that. Caysters are the better sports cars.

You buy a 911 with your heart, a Cayster with your head.

[jim3]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Old thread I know but what a refreshingly honest, logical post