981 Boxster/ Cayman S advice
Discussion
I'm looking at getting into one of the aforementioned and looking for thoughts/ advice on the following from owners (although all experiences welcome) ...
In your ownership, what 3 things did you like the most and 3 things about the car you liked least of all?
What are the running costs/reliability like?
Did you run the car without an OPC warranty?
Would you consider buying a private car that's out of warranty or would you advise to stick with OPC or specialists?
I've seen a private car for sale that's no longer under warranty but Porsche advise I have to have owned the car 3 months (proof of V5 required) before I could even get a 111 point check done. Cost of warranty is very reasonable I have to say, compared to the M cars I've owned in the past.
Thanks!
In your ownership, what 3 things did you like the most and 3 things about the car you liked least of all?
What are the running costs/reliability like?
Did you run the car without an OPC warranty?
Would you consider buying a private car that's out of warranty or would you advise to stick with OPC or specialists?
I've seen a private car for sale that's no longer under warranty but Porsche advise I have to have owned the car 3 months (proof of V5 required) before I could even get a 111 point check done. Cost of warranty is very reasonable I have to say, compared to the M cars I've owned in the past.
Thanks!
Porsche911R said:
You can pay for a 111 check anytime you wish.
If you are buying private ask the seller to put it though a 111 check.
Private can be £5k cheaper so worth it imo.
I was told by Porsche Reading that I have tho wait 3 months before I can get a check done and then be able to take out the warranty. If you are buying private ask the seller to put it though a 111 check.
Private can be £5k cheaper so worth it imo.
However, Porsche Colchester said I can do the 111 check now (current owner) then take out the warranty 3 months later.
Iirc... I could pay the current owner to do it but then I'd have to pay for another 111 point check after I'd had to have owned the the car for 3 months before I could take the warranty out.
My Cayman GTS turns 2 years old in a few days and has covered 7000 miles. I work at home so it's not a daily, and it's had a few things fixed under warranty:
- a few rattles around the passenger door and the engine compartment
- a mis-aligned rear spoiler, twice
- a failed window button/switch
- Rattles. I still have a faint one up front and in cold weather a hatch rattle that goes away once the car is warm. I'll keep tweaking the bump stops to fix the hatch one and live with the other!
- Brakes. I wish it had bigger ones as standard, purely for the looks. I can live with the current ones just fine though, they work great on the road.
- Lack of LWB seats. They weren't an option from new, sadly.
- The naturally aspirated flat six. How awesome this engine is cannot be overstated
- Manual gearbox. The best rifle-bolt action I've ever experienced in a car.
- PASM. The ride quality on 20" wheels in Normal is quite frankly outstanding and in Sport everything firms up nicely for pressing on. Perfect.
Be sure you want a GTS - you will pay a big premium. Personally prefer an S (don't want big wheels, spoil the ride for no handling benefit, PSE not my thing, much reduced ground clearance, sport chrono a waste of money). But you will find plenty who take a different view. I have just had a service was told I'd have to do the (included) 111 point check and take out the warranty at the same time.
If you want a very low mileage well specced S PM me. Mine will be up for sale shortly.
If you want a very low mileage well specced S PM me. Mine will be up for sale shortly.
Twinfan said:
My Cayman GTS turns 2 years old in a few days and has covered 7000 miles. I work at home so it's not a daily, and it's had a few things fixed under warranty:
Brilliant stuff, thank you!- a few rattles around the passenger door and the engine compartment
- a mis-aligned rear spoiler, twice
- a failed window button/switch
- Rattles. I still have a faint one up front and in cold weather a hatch rattle that goes away once the car is warm. I'll keep tweaking the bump stops to fix the hatch one and live with the other!
- Brakes. I wish it had bigger ones as standard, purely for the looks. I can live with the current ones just fine though, they work great on the road.
- Lack of LWB seats. They weren't an option from new, sadly.
- The naturally aspirated flat six. How awesome this engine is cannot be overstated
- Manual gearbox. The best rifle-bolt action I've ever experienced in a car.
- PASM. The ride quality on 20" wheels in Normal is quite frankly outstanding and in Sport everything firms up nicely for pressing on. Perfect.
There's nothing there that puts me off and plenty written that gets the juices flowing!
bcr5784 said:
Be sure you want a GTS - you will pay a big premium. Personally prefer an S (don't want big wheels, spoil the ride for no handling benefit, PSE not my thing, much reduced ground clearance, sport chrono a waste of money). But you will find plenty who take a different view. I have just had a service was told I'd have to do the (included) 111 point check and take out the warranty at the same time.
If you want a very low mileage well specced S PM me. Mine will be up for sale shortly.
Hiya, I'm actually looking for an S, so will do!If you want a very low mileage well specced S PM me. Mine will be up for sale shortly.
Cheers.
Cayman S owned 3 years.
Reliability:
VTS decided to not allow car to start, although not activated. Unit replaced under warranty.
Dislikes:
Brakes overservoed compared to older cars.
Horrid scrabbling from front wheels on full lock when moving slowly. Just gone from P Zero's to Mich MP4S, and virtually disappeared.
Slight lack of torque (most noticed two up, full tank, boots full on a mountain climb, but then my previous car was a 996T).
Likes:
Makes a great tourer. Been to alps/dolomites every summer, and back again in July.
PASM.
PDK. Love manuals but there are times when I'm unable to drive one, and this box is so adaptable.
A well optioned S is great value compared with a GTS
Reliability:
VTS decided to not allow car to start, although not activated. Unit replaced under warranty.
Dislikes:
Brakes overservoed compared to older cars.
Horrid scrabbling from front wheels on full lock when moving slowly. Just gone from P Zero's to Mich MP4S, and virtually disappeared.
Slight lack of torque (most noticed two up, full tank, boots full on a mountain climb, but then my previous car was a 996T).
Likes:
Makes a great tourer. Been to alps/dolomites every summer, and back again in July.
PASM.
PDK. Love manuals but there are times when I'm unable to drive one, and this box is so adaptable.
A well optioned S is great value compared with a GTS
mr pg said:
Cayman S owned 3 years.
Reliability:
VTS decided to not allow car to start, although not activated. Unit replaced under warranty.
Dislikes:
Brakes overservoed compared to older cars.
Horrid scrabbling from front wheels on full lock when moving slowly. Just gone from P Zero's to Mich MP4S, and virtually disappeared.
Slight lack of torque (most noticed two up, full tank, boots full on a mountain climb, but then my previous car was a 996T).
Likes:
Makes a great tourer. Been to alps/dolomites every summer, and back again in July.
PASM.
PDK. Love manuals but there are times when I'm unable to drive one, and this box is so adaptable.
A well optioned S is great value compared with a GTS
I'm liking the sound of this more and more. Reliability:
VTS decided to not allow car to start, although not activated. Unit replaced under warranty.
Dislikes:
Brakes overservoed compared to older cars.
Horrid scrabbling from front wheels on full lock when moving slowly. Just gone from P Zero's to Mich MP4S, and virtually disappeared.
Slight lack of torque (most noticed two up, full tank, boots full on a mountain climb, but then my previous car was a 996T).
Likes:
Makes a great tourer. Been to alps/dolomites every summer, and back again in July.
PASM.
PDK. Love manuals but there are times when I'm unable to drive one, and this box is so adaptable.
A well optioned S is great value compared with a GTS
I'm looking for the best 981 S (ether Cayman or Boxster) but agree, for me, agree- it's got to be a PDK.
It would be used for the daily commute and I think that would work best.
I know what you mean about lack of torque.
I went from an F10 M5 CP and tried an E92 M3 and B8 RS4 and found both utterly weedy in comparison. So went and tested a mk3 TTS (14000 kg & 310hp) and it felt so much better so settled on that. I'm hoping the 981 will at least be comparable in which case that will more than suffice.
Edited by zainster on Friday 27th April 22:40
Twinfan said:
My Cayman GTS turns 2 years old in a few days and has covered 7000 miles. I work at home so it's not a daily, and it's had a few things fixed under warranty:
Note: Rattles are only covered in years 1 & 2 of the original warranty, i.e. not covered after the car is over two years old. - a few rattles around the passenger door and the engine compartment
- a mis-aligned rear spoiler, twice
- a failed window button/switch
- Rattles. I still have a faint one up front and in cold weather a hatch rattle that goes away once the car is warm. I'll keep tweaking the bump stops to fix the hatch one and live with the other!
- Brakes. I wish it had bigger ones as standard, purely for the looks. I can live with the current ones just fine though, they work great on the road.
- Lack of LWB seats. They weren't an option from new, sadly.
- The naturally aspirated flat six. How awesome this engine is cannot be overstated
- Manual gearbox. The best rifle-bolt action I've ever experienced in a car.
- PASM. The ride quality on 20" wheels in Normal is quite frankly outstanding and in Sport everything firms up nicely for pressing on. Perfect.
Best option I didn't even look for but my car had?: PASM.
I like the way the wipers fold right back for cleaning the screen rather than coming up a little way and hitting the bonnet.
An easy and sensuous car to wash.
Boxster slight blind spot to the side due to the hood. Get a Cayman.
Only issue in five years is a faulty coil pack. Faultless other than that.
Likes:
Sounds of the PSE
PASM is excellent. Woundn’t be without it.
Really controllable around the limit of grip. No surprises when driven smoothly.
Dislikes:
Gearing is too long.
Electric window buttons can be slow to respond when trying to stop movement.
Steering rack could be a touch quicker.
Likes:
Sounds of the PSE
PASM is excellent. Woundn’t be without it.
Really controllable around the limit of grip. No surprises when driven smoothly.
Dislikes:
Gearing is too long.
Electric window buttons can be slow to respond when trying to stop movement.
Steering rack could be a touch quicker.
I think the 981s, Cayman or Boxster, are great cars and, in S or GTS guise, were getting very close to outshining the 991s in many ways.
Lot to be said for buying from an OPC. Should be presented in near perfect condition, with 2 year official warranty, and all the buyer protection and extras most people need.
Buying privately can work, but requires much more care. Many private sellers over rate their car's condition and pricing and, without warranty, there's no protection. I'd expect to save at least £5k - may be a lot more.
The warranty can be added after 3 months, subject to a 111 point inspection and rectification of any faults. However a private seller can put one on at point of sale, and I would definitely want that. It gives pretty secure peace of mind and the inspection will have been very thorough.
Lot to be said for buying from an OPC. Should be presented in near perfect condition, with 2 year official warranty, and all the buyer protection and extras most people need.
Buying privately can work, but requires much more care. Many private sellers over rate their car's condition and pricing and, without warranty, there's no protection. I'd expect to save at least £5k - may be a lot more.
The warranty can be added after 3 months, subject to a 111 point inspection and rectification of any faults. However a private seller can put one on at point of sale, and I would definitely want that. It gives pretty secure peace of mind and the inspection will have been very thorough.
I am likely to be selling mine soon and have just put a two year OPC warranty on it. It has always been under one. Buying privately can be no different to buying from OPC other than easy access to (expensive) finance. But most people should be able to arrange that independently. Plus my car has no finance on it so safer for potential buyers.
zainster said:
Iirc... I could pay the current owner to do it but then I'd have to pay for another 111 point check after I'd had to have owned the the car for 3 months before I could take the warranty out.
Pay the current owner to get the 111 point check done. If you're happy with the outcome agree to purchase the car and pay your deposit, then give the current owner the money to pay Porsche for the warranty while the cars still in the current owners name, they can then transfer the warranty to you when you complete your purchase.Having said that, when I was trying to buy a Cayman privately some sellers didn't want the bother of taking their car for inspections etc and ended up selling their cars to independent Porsche dealers who offered to clear outstanding finance and transfer personal registrations etc all for a similar price to what I considered was the right 'private sale' price.
Koln-RS said:
However a private seller can put one on at point of sale, and I would definitely want that. It gives pretty secure peace of mind and the inspection will have been very thorough.
i'd be looking for this option too. OP, if you find the car you like can't you agree with the seller to have the inspection and extend warranty prior to purchase?my 4 favourite things in no particular order:
pushing past 4k revs
sports chassis
bucket seats
manual box
3 least favourite things:
Pirelli P0 tyres - awful in cold and wet. have swapped to Michelins and the difference is night and day.
20" wheels - performance is compromised because of them, so am considering 19s or even 18s next time i need to change tyres.
long gearing
I have 15 cars ranging from vintage to modern Ferraris. I've had my 981 Boxster S from new in 2012. I use it as my winter car and it's also done a European tour.
I still maintain that pound for pound it's the best car I have. When you consider the purchase price and running costs, I don't think you can buy a better sports car for the money.
I've had zero problems with mine. I don't think I'll ever sell it. I often get asked for advice regarding cars from friends and family. 2 friends have recently bought 981 GTSs after listening to me harp on about how good the 981 is.
Come to think of it, the Boxster and my 458 Spider are the only two cars I own that have just had their regular services, tyres and brake pads. Everything else has needed some additional work at some stage. They're the two I use most too. Just goes to show eh, get em out and drive em.
I still maintain that pound for pound it's the best car I have. When you consider the purchase price and running costs, I don't think you can buy a better sports car for the money.
I've had zero problems with mine. I don't think I'll ever sell it. I often get asked for advice regarding cars from friends and family. 2 friends have recently bought 981 GTSs after listening to me harp on about how good the 981 is.
Come to think of it, the Boxster and my 458 Spider are the only two cars I own that have just had their regular services, tyres and brake pads. Everything else has needed some additional work at some stage. They're the two I use most too. Just goes to show eh, get em out and drive em.
Kananga said:
Interesting feedback and high praise for the 981.
Feels like the GTS models are £10-16k more than a regular S.
What’s the consensus on whether the GTS is really worth the premium ?
It’s a better car and you get the £10k back come resale.Feels like the GTS models are £10-16k more than a regular S.
What’s the consensus on whether the GTS is really worth the premium ?
Depends if you have the money to buy it, if so go GTS imo.
But nothing wrong with an S and they are sub £40k now.
Kananga said:
Interesting feedback and high praise for the 981.
Feels like the GTS models are £10-16k more than a regular S.
What’s the consensus on whether the GTS is really worth the premium ?
I'm very happy with my S and it wouldn't be worth swapping to a GTS but if I was buying one now I would find a good GTS, preferably manual (big ask, not many about).Feels like the GTS models are £10-16k more than a regular S.
What’s the consensus on whether the GTS is really worth the premium ?
Agree with the above ie the 981 is one of the best road sports cars you can buy irrespective of budget.
The GTS is simply more than the sum of its parts, is it worth £15k over an equivalent spec 981, probably not, the problem is an equivalent spec 981 S is a very very rare beast and it would not actually be £15k cheaper, it would probably be less the £10k cheaper. It still won’t have things that make a GTS a GTS either.
To me if you have the capital the GTS would be the lowest total cost of ownership ie same running costs but less depreciation.
You can’t really lose with a 981 as you are guaranteed an awesome package no matter which version and options you get.
If you going to look for a high spec 981 S just be prepared to put a deposit down over the phone as it will shift quickly. If your willing to compromise on spec then there are many more options but people compare the buying options S to GTS too simplistically, even close to GTS spec S come up for sale very very rarely whereas there are always GTS’s to choose from without what could be a very lengthy wait.
Enjoy the hunt, you have to make that part of the fun ;-)
Ps I’ve just sold a 488 as it won’t get driven due mainly due to the 981 GTS which is simply more fun on the road, you can’t get much higher praise than that when they compete with a £200k+ car ;-)
The GTS is simply more than the sum of its parts, is it worth £15k over an equivalent spec 981, probably not, the problem is an equivalent spec 981 S is a very very rare beast and it would not actually be £15k cheaper, it would probably be less the £10k cheaper. It still won’t have things that make a GTS a GTS either.
To me if you have the capital the GTS would be the lowest total cost of ownership ie same running costs but less depreciation.
You can’t really lose with a 981 as you are guaranteed an awesome package no matter which version and options you get.
If you going to look for a high spec 981 S just be prepared to put a deposit down over the phone as it will shift quickly. If your willing to compromise on spec then there are many more options but people compare the buying options S to GTS too simplistically, even close to GTS spec S come up for sale very very rarely whereas there are always GTS’s to choose from without what could be a very lengthy wait.
Enjoy the hunt, you have to make that part of the fun ;-)
Ps I’ve just sold a 488 as it won’t get driven due mainly due to the 981 GTS which is simply more fun on the road, you can’t get much higher praise than that when they compete with a £200k+ car ;-)
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff