Worth upgrading from a 987.2?
Discussion
I’ve had my 987.2CS for two and a half years and almost 20k miles now and I’m starting to think about potentially changing it – the only thing is, bang-for-buck wise, I’m not sure there’s a worthwhile upgrade…
Ideally, I’d like something more modern with an increase in performance, but with the 981 having held it’s value so well, it would be a lot more money for very little in the way of progress. Similarly, a 982 is even more money for what appears to be a much less charismatic motor. I’m not opposed to a change of manufacturer, though it’d have to offer something special or different to make me change at all.
My car is worth between £20k-£24k depending on whether I trade it in or sell privately. I'd be looking to add perhaps £10k-£15k for an upgrade - anything beyond would require financing, which I'm not overly keen on.
I’d be interested to hear from long-term 987 owners who don't believe a swap is worth it, or from those who have upgraded from a 987.2 to a newer Cayman (or otherwise), and haven’t looked back.
Cheers!
Ideally, I’d like something more modern with an increase in performance, but with the 981 having held it’s value so well, it would be a lot more money for very little in the way of progress. Similarly, a 982 is even more money for what appears to be a much less charismatic motor. I’m not opposed to a change of manufacturer, though it’d have to offer something special or different to make me change at all.
My car is worth between £20k-£24k depending on whether I trade it in or sell privately. I'd be looking to add perhaps £10k-£15k for an upgrade - anything beyond would require financing, which I'm not overly keen on.
I’d be interested to hear from long-term 987 owners who don't believe a swap is worth it, or from those who have upgraded from a 987.2 to a newer Cayman (or otherwise), and haven’t looked back.
Cheers!
Agree. There’s not much in the price range that’s better (I also have a 987.2 Cayman S), even with an additional £10k budget.
Not sure the 981 is much of an upgrade driving wise unless you’re interested in a more modern cabin/looks. You’ll lose hydraulic steering though of course.
997.2 911s start to become available around £35-40k.
Lotus Elise can get nice ones for £30-40k. Or early Evora.
Is yours a Boxster or Cayman? What age/mileage? (Just interested from your valuation).
What about spending £5k on your 987 - decent alignment, 200cell cat and a map - should liven it up a bit!
Not sure the 981 is much of an upgrade driving wise unless you’re interested in a more modern cabin/looks. You’ll lose hydraulic steering though of course.
997.2 911s start to become available around £35-40k.
Lotus Elise can get nice ones for £30-40k. Or early Evora.
Is yours a Boxster or Cayman? What age/mileage? (Just interested from your valuation).
What about spending £5k on your 987 - decent alignment, 200cell cat and a map - should liven it up a bit!
I think the 987.2 Boxster S is the best value used Porsche as it also offers top down motoring, so you could move sideways.
From a 987.2 Cayman S you could move up to a Cayman R which would be more special and retain it's value due to being more focused.
A manual 997.2 C2S is another route but they're getting harder to find.
From a 987.2 Cayman S you could move up to a Cayman R which would be more special and retain it's value due to being more focused.
A manual 997.2 C2S is another route but they're getting harder to find.
Porsche911R said:
BMW M2 comp imo.
This is about the only new car that I thought would make an apt step forward - that said, it would probably require a wait before slipping into my budget...T1547 said:
Is yours a Boxster or Cayman? What age/mileage? (Just interested from your valuation).
Mine's a 61 plate Cayman S. Just shy of 52k miles with a few extras - PSE, Bi-Xenon, Cruise, Bose, Electric Seats... I was in at Porsche Centre Glasgow yesterday who suggested around £20k trade-in (partly because my last service was carried out by a specialist, so they wouldn't retail it themselves), but likely upto £24k privately.T1547 said:
What about spending £5k on your 987 - decent alignment, 200cell cat and a map - should liven it up a bit!
Not a bad idea - I've generally shy'd away from mods as I wanted to maintain its heritage, but if I do decide to hang onto it longterm, it might help to rekindle the love affair!I love the idea of a Lotus but I'm not sure if I could live with one on a daily basis. Perhaps I need to seek one out for a closer look.
I "upgraded" from a 987.1 Cayman S to a 981 Cayman S a year ago. The 981 is better on paper in most respects but I preferred the 987! The 981 is a bit too insulated and synthetic for my liking. I miss the engagement of the manual box and the steering and brake feel in the 987. The 981 PASM is better and of course the tech is better but I find the contrived pops and crackles of the PSE a bit juvenile and embarrassing.
I wanted a Cayman R but was too hung up on finding a high spec like my Gen 1 and eventually concluded my ideal spec doesn't exist. My 981 is high spec and if it was my daily driver I might appreciate it more but it's a weekend fun car and all about the driving experience. So I'm back to the classifieds again looking for the R I should have got, with a new perspective on what's important and what's not!
I wanted a Cayman R but was too hung up on finding a high spec like my Gen 1 and eventually concluded my ideal spec doesn't exist. My 981 is high spec and if it was my daily driver I might appreciate it more but it's a weekend fun car and all about the driving experience. So I'm back to the classifieds again looking for the R I should have got, with a new perspective on what's important and what's not!
g7jhp said:
I think the 987.2 Boxster S is the best value used Porsche as it also offers top down motoring, so you could move sideways.
From a 987.2 Cayman S you could move up to a Cayman R which would be more special and retain it's value due to being more focused.
A manual 997.2 C2S is another route but they're getting harder to find.
I've actually never considered a Boxster - not sure a soft-top is for me if I'm honest, but wouldn't rule trying one out if I really wanted to change. I really love the Cayman R, but I think it'd feel like a lot more money for a little more car.From a 987.2 Cayman S you could move up to a Cayman R which would be more special and retain it's value due to being more focused.
A manual 997.2 C2S is another route but they're getting harder to find.
I had generally ruled out 911's due to the cost of getting a more modern model - perhaps I need to do a bit more homework on the 997.2, even though interior wise it'd be much the same as I'm in.
DRH986 said:
I "upgraded" from a 987.1 Cayman S to a 981 Cayman S a year ago. The 981 is better on paper in most respects but I preferred the 987! The 981 is a bit too insulated and synthetic for my liking. I miss the engagement of the manual box and the steering and brake feel in the 987. The 981 PASM is better and of course the tech is better but I find the contrived pops and crackles of the PSE a bit juvenile and embarrassing.
I wanted a Cayman R but was too hung up on finding a high spec like my Gen 1 and eventually concluded my ideal spec doesn't exist. My 981 is high spec and if it was my daily driver I might appreciate it more but it's a weekend fun car and all about the driving experience. So I'm back to the classifieds again looking for the R I should have got, with a new perspective on what's important and what's not!
Hmmm... this might be the reality check I was looking for. Perhaps I'm in a grass-is-greener situation and should just be grateful that I love the car I'm in - not that there's any harm in testing/excluding lots of others! Ha! - Cheers for your input!I wanted a Cayman R but was too hung up on finding a high spec like my Gen 1 and eventually concluded my ideal spec doesn't exist. My 981 is high spec and if it was my daily driver I might appreciate it more but it's a weekend fun car and all about the driving experience. So I'm back to the classifieds again looking for the R I should have got, with a new perspective on what's important and what's not!
tyred said:
I've actually never considered a Boxster - not sure a soft-top is for me if I'm honest, but wouldn't rule trying one out if I really wanted to change. I really love the Cayman R, but I think it'd feel like a lot more money for a little more car.
I had generally ruled out 911's due to the cost of getting a more modern model - perhaps I need to do a bit more homework on the 997.2, even though interior wise it'd be much the same as I'm in.
Would be interested to see what you think if you test a 997.2 - I considered looking into a 997.2 base when getting my Cayman S but read quite a number of posts from people who had driven both cars and preferred the balance of the Cayman. GT3s etc obviously a different proposition. I had generally ruled out 911's due to the cost of getting a more modern model - perhaps I need to do a bit more homework on the 997.2, even though interior wise it'd be much the same as I'm in.
I agree with you about the Cayman R, they're lovely cars but not a whole lot different to an S (particularly an S with some light upgrades) for the money and I'd be conscious of not putting too much mileage on the R.
I've had my manual 987.2 S for seven years and wouldn't swap it out for any other Cayman, I seriously considered a GTS at one point as its a lovely looking car and the X73 suspension appealed to me lots, I drove a GTS with X73 and PCCB which was superb but the steering was a massive disappointment compared to the 987 it just lacked feel and feedback...it ruined a fabulous car.
T1547 said:
Would be interested to see what you think if you test a 997.2 - I considered looking into a 997.2 base when getting my Cayman S but read quite a number of posts from people who had driven both cars and preferred the balance of the Cayman. GT3s etc obviously a different proposition.
It'd certainly make for a tempting proposition if financially viable, but I'm not sure it offers the change I'm looking for. I think I'll do some homework and read some opinions...Have you considered changing your Cayman at any stage, or are you in it for the long haul?
Klippie said:
I've had my manual 987.2 S for seven years and wouldn't swap it out for any other Cayman, I seriously considered a GTS at one point as its a lovely looking car and the X73 suspension appealed to me lots, I drove a GTS with X73 and PCCB which was superb but the steering was a massive disappointment compared to the 987 it just lacked feel and feedback...it ruined a fabulous car.
This is good to hear - makes me feel like I'm not not missing out without an upgrade. If anything, seems I'm better off! Cheers!
Was seriously considering a 981 as an upgrade from my long term 987.1 but after a test drive was'nt for me,the 981 felt very good overall but insulated and a little numb compared to the raw feeling of the 987 and where's my steering feel gone? very good car but will stick with the trusty 987 for the forseeable future.
Klippie said:
Its nothing to do with being raw...they ruined the steering feel by going electric in the 981.
The feel you actually get through your hands in these is of course nice but it's really not as good as it is made out to be on the internet, describing newer systems with words such as 'ruined' is OTT.I have to say after reading so many posts in this section of PH I expected the world before getting behind the wheel of a 997 again but it changed very little in terms of the overall experience. Don't get me wrong it was great to have the sensation but once you get to know the 981 (i.e. not after a 25 min test drive) you know exactly where you are with it and can drive it accordingly.
testdrive said:
The feel you actually get through your hands in these is of course nice but it's really not as good as it is made out to be on the internet, describing newer systems with words such as 'ruined' is OTT.
Ruin the 981 range for me enough to not own one, Cayman S was my dream car when it came out, ruined :-( I would buy one as a daily, but the dead steering in the 991.1 and 981 range of cars was shockingly poor. 981 Spyder not much better and GT4 only just ok in the dry, still poor in the wet I thought to be at one with the car to be able to drive it on the limit.
That’s why I spent 5 years in Cayman R,s and bought a 2nd to run along side my GT4.
And would never sell my 987.2 Spyder as it's a special car to drive.
Edited by Porsche911R on Sunday 10th March 19:48
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