981 2.7 or 3.4
Discussion
Coming from a reasonably fast Lotus Elise, I test drove a 2.7 and whilst it was a fantastic car, I walked away underwhelmed by the performance, the engine is incredibly smooth and revved well but I was left waiting for the performance that never came. And before I'd even driven one I decided then that my first Porsche had to be an S or not at all.
I purchased my manual S a month ago and extremely pleased with it, I've chosen the right car.
I purchased my manual S a month ago and extremely pleased with it, I've chosen the right car.
Having nearly ended up in the same boat as the OP, I still fancied a 2.7. I quite like working at it to get the performance, and the 2.7 definitely makes you work a little harder. But the 3.4 is quite a bit quicker - and without having to work at it too hard at all.
I plumped for a new car because I couldn't find the 2.7 I wanted, but in your shoes, I'd be tempted by the smaller engine.
Liam
I plumped for a new car because I couldn't find the 2.7 I wanted, but in your shoes, I'd be tempted by the smaller engine.
Liam
IMorris said:
Coming from a reasonably fast Lotus Elise, I test drove a 2.7 and whilst it was a fantastic car, I walked away underwhelmed by the performance, the engine is incredibly smooth and revved well but I was left waiting for the performance that never came. And before I'd even driven one I decided then that my first Porsche had to be an S or not at all.
I purchased my manual S a month ago and extremely pleased with it, I've chosen the right car.
Ah, manual 981S friend!! I bought one last month as well I purchased my manual S a month ago and extremely pleased with it, I've chosen the right car.
I didnt end up driving a 2.7 in the end, despite it being what i was looking for in the first place. Coming from an e90 M3, the S didnt feel particularly quick (although made up for it in every other way!!), so i didnt even try one. For similar money, I went for an S from an Indi instead of a 2.7 from an OPC.
I have an S (Cayman)
If you are at the staring stage (i.e. you have choice) it would be, as others have said, sensible to drive both.
However I have and do drive a number of different Porsches weekly and I still come back to my beloved S
I think once you have had an S you would not go down to a 2.7.
So, if you start with a 2.7 that's OK, whatever, the Porsche is a lovely car in any form.
But given the ultimate choice go for the S
If you are at the staring stage (i.e. you have choice) it would be, as others have said, sensible to drive both.
However I have and do drive a number of different Porsches weekly and I still come back to my beloved S
I think once you have had an S you would not go down to a 2.7.
So, if you start with a 2.7 that's OK, whatever, the Porsche is a lovely car in any form.
But given the ultimate choice go for the S
Sir_Dave said:
Ah, manual 981S friend!! I bought one last month as well
I didnt end up driving a 2.7 in the end, despite it being what i was looking for in the first place. Coming from an e90 M3, the S didnt feel particularly quick (although made up for it in every other way!!), so i didnt even try one. For similar money, I went for an S from an Indi instead of a 2.7 from an OPC.
A Manual S is like finding hen's teeth! Having been looking since June for suitable cars, there weren't any red Boxster S, as red was on our short list colour. I see you bought the one from Cridfords. I saw the ad on a Friday, called them up, Michael sent me some pictures then you bought it on the Saturday. I bought the Blue one that was being sold on behalf of a private owner at 4 Star Classics nearby, very pleased with it and the colour.I didnt end up driving a 2.7 in the end, despite it being what i was looking for in the first place. Coming from an e90 M3, the S didnt feel particularly quick (although made up for it in every other way!!), so i didnt even try one. For similar money, I went for an S from an Indi instead of a 2.7 from an OPC.
Sir_Dave said:
Ah, manual 981S friend!! I bought one last month as well
I didnt end up driving a 2.7 in the end, despite it being what i was looking for in the first place. Coming from an e90 M3, the S didnt feel particularly quick (although made up for it in every other way!!), so i didnt even try one. For similar money, I went for an S from an Indi instead of a 2.7 from an OPC.
A Manual S is like finding hen's teeth! Having been looking since June for suitable cars, there weren't any red Boxster S, as red was on our short list colour. I see you bought the one from Cridfords. I saw the ad on a Friday, called them up, Michael sent me some pictures then you bought it on the Saturday. I bought the Blue one that was being sold on behalf of a private owner at 4 Star Classics nearby, very pleased with it and the colour.I didnt end up driving a 2.7 in the end, despite it being what i was looking for in the first place. Coming from an e90 M3, the S didnt feel particularly quick (although made up for it in every other way!!), so i didnt even try one. For similar money, I went for an S from an Indi instead of a 2.7 from an OPC.
Ozzie Osmond said:
The good news is; I've got one. The bad news is; I'm keeping it.
They are IMO very fine cars indeed. Keep hunting. It's genuinely worth the effort.
I did find one, lovely Aqua Blue, with Carrera Classics, Manual, SC, PSE, PASM, PCM extended leather in Agate/pebble, plus loads of other extras. As you say a very fine car.They are IMO very fine cars indeed. Keep hunting. It's genuinely worth the effort.
Edited by IMorris on Thursday 3rd November 22:12
IMorris said:
A Manual S is like finding hen's teeth! Having been looking since June for suitable cars, there weren't any red Boxster S, as red was on our short list colour. I see you bought the one from Cridfords. I saw the ad on a Friday, called them up, Michael sent me some pictures then you bought it on the Saturday. I bought the Blue one that was being sold on behalf of a private owner at 4 Star Classics nearby, very pleased with it and the colour.
Ah ha!! Michael said that someone else was very keen on looking at it ... i phoned up at 5pm on the Friday, viewed at 11am, deposit placed by 12. We'd looked at a few 2 weeks before, decided on essential spec requirements (heated sports seats, manual, BOSE, 20s) & colour (red) and hadn't expected one to appear for absolutely ages! Then it did, so we bought it straight away ... a friend then checked the full spec at Porsche and its got the PTV/diff & fancy turning xenons as well, bonus.Yours is the other we planned to view, its a stunning colour combo!! But Sarah (my fiance) was concerned that it was the same as her TT, i.e. blue/silver. It looks fantastic in the pictures
Edited by Sir_Dave on Friday 4th November 12:47
Sir_Dave said:
Ah ha!! Michael said that someone else was very keen on looking at it ... i phoned up at 5pm on the Friday, viewed at 11am, deposit placed by 12. We'd looked at a few 2 weeks before, decided on essential spec requirements (heated sports seats, manual, BOSE, 20s) & colour (red) and hadn't expected one to appear for absolutely ages! Then it did, so we bought it straight away ... a friend then checked the full spec at Porsche and its got the PTV/diff & fancy turning xenons as well, bonus.
Yours is the other we planned to view, its a stunning colour combo!! But Sarah (my fiance) was concerned that it was the same as her TT, i.e. blue/silver. It looks fantastic in the pictures
My previous sports car, a Lotus Elise was a similar shade of blue, I had that car for 81/2 years and my wife, also Sarah said "you don't want another blue car" but the thing is, my Boxster does look stunning, and the interior in my opinion for my needs as a low mileage hobby car, is brilliant and is in immaculate condition. Glad you went for the red one and not this Yours is the other we planned to view, its a stunning colour combo!! But Sarah (my fiance) was concerned that it was the same as her TT, i.e. blue/silver. It looks fantastic in the pictures
Edited by Sir_Dave on Friday 4th November 12:47
981UK said:
Its a personal preference, but I found the Non S to be under powered, you really need to push it. I appreciate some folks prefer that, but it didn't work for me.
You need to push the S too, but the difference in power is noticeable.
Maybe has to do with what you're coming from, and what you want now? I came from a TTS so 2.7 performance about the same, which was fine for me, but handling and enjoyment far better.You need to push the S too, but the difference in power is noticeable.
If you're coming from a more powerful, faster car you maybe wouldn't want to lose performance?
DJMC said:
Maybe has to do with what you're coming from, and what you want now? I came from a TTS so 2.7 performance about the same, which was fine for me, but handling and enjoyment far better.
If you're coming from a more powerful, faster car you maybe wouldn't want to lose performance?
Agree, so many variables.If you're coming from a more powerful, faster car you maybe wouldn't want to lose performance?
Handling and engagement wise the 987 / 981 is on a different level to most cars, especially for something that you can easily use as a DD. Amazing cars.
I have a 2.7 and find myself concluding that the car isn't quick enough one minute and that it's more than quick enough at other times.
if you get the engine in the sweet spot then it is quick enough, but let the revs drop below 4500 - 5000 and floor it and basically it labours a bit and although it picks up, you experience that few seconds when not much happens. I think some of it is in the mind. If you floor the car at 5000 plus revs and work the car in that rev band then it actually feels quite quick.
I did a driving holiday in the Alps last year with a 12c, R8, F type etc and and I began to second guess when the hammer would go down and got the revs in the right place. If I did that on normal roads I was able to match the other cars, but if I wasn't on it at the time and just cruising along when it kicked off, I was just left fishing with the gear box and getting bogged down before it was too late and they had left me behind!
I've seen some very impressive track times in the 2.7 against more powerful cars and I can easily see why. If the circuit suits the gearing on the car and the driver is able to keep it in the sweet spot, the great handling and balance is often more than enough to claw back performance gains from other cars.
I think that it's inevitable that there will be more instances in the 2.7 where you will feel like it's not quick enough and I suspect that the S will feel quicker more of the time, but when you drive the base car in the right way, It will have enough performance for most people.
if you get the engine in the sweet spot then it is quick enough, but let the revs drop below 4500 - 5000 and floor it and basically it labours a bit and although it picks up, you experience that few seconds when not much happens. I think some of it is in the mind. If you floor the car at 5000 plus revs and work the car in that rev band then it actually feels quite quick.
I did a driving holiday in the Alps last year with a 12c, R8, F type etc and and I began to second guess when the hammer would go down and got the revs in the right place. If I did that on normal roads I was able to match the other cars, but if I wasn't on it at the time and just cruising along when it kicked off, I was just left fishing with the gear box and getting bogged down before it was too late and they had left me behind!
I've seen some very impressive track times in the 2.7 against more powerful cars and I can easily see why. If the circuit suits the gearing on the car and the driver is able to keep it in the sweet spot, the great handling and balance is often more than enough to claw back performance gains from other cars.
I think that it's inevitable that there will be more instances in the 2.7 where you will feel like it's not quick enough and I suspect that the S will feel quicker more of the time, but when you drive the base car in the right way, It will have enough performance for most people.
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