What Porsche? (Up to £70k)

[RudeDog]

I’m in the process of changing cars because my C63 is going back to MB at the end of April when the 2 year lease expires. I have had two C63’s in succession and now I fancy getting back in to a Porsche (had a 987 Cayman S before the AMGs). My question though is this...

For a maximum of £70k, which Porsche would you go for? I’m happy to go used but I would want an OPC warranty since it will be my daily. I do about 10k miles per annum.

I test drove a 2012 C2S (991) at the weekend and apart from a terrible reflection in the windscreen from the beige dash, it was rather lovely, but are there better ownership options? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance

RD

[anonymous-user]

I went for a 991.1 c2s for £68k, from an OPC, a year ago. For me, the car (pictured) has been close to perfect; an absolute joy to drive and a nice place to be in too. I still can't get over the drive quality. It tracks confidently over crappy B roads in the softer pasm setting - roads that have hot hatches bouncing around - but is so sharp and direct in the firmer mode.

I have not experienced the windscreen glare and wonder how clean the glass was on the car you drove?

At the time I also considered a brand new 718S at the same price and a 981 Spyder at £85k. I really wanted the Spyder but my fat arse hated the bucket seats. Now I have lost pounds and so have 981 Spyders, I would revisit the decision if I I were buying again.

[Porsche911R]

RudeDog said:

I’m in the process of changing cars because my C63 is going back to MB at the end of April when the 2 year lease expires. I have had two C63’s in succession and now I fancy getting back in to a Porsche (had a 987 Cayman S before the AMGs). My question though is this...

For a maximum of £70k, which Porsche would you go for? I’m happy to go used but I would want an OPC warranty since it will be my daily. I do about 10k miles per annum.

I test drove a 2012 C2S (991) at the weekend and apart from a terrible reflection in the windscreen from the beige dash, it was rather lovely, but are there better ownership options? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance

RD

981 Boxster GTS

[RudeDog]

Thanks, that’s a very similar looking car to the one I looked at on Saturday (albeit a different colour).

I think the windscreen glare was specific to the beige interior (as you can see below). I’d be interested what owners of cars think about it. Do you get used to it? Drove me mad on the test drive and it wasn’t even sunny.

• apologies, don’t know how to rotate image

[kiethton]

Friend is about to list a '12 991 C2S with a very high specification shortly and would think it well inside budget - also doesn't have the beige interior so you shouldn't get the glare.

Give me a PM if interested and I'll put you in touch

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 14th March 09:11

[anonymous-user]

Hang On said:

I went for a 991.1 c2s for £68k, from an OPC, a year ago. For me, the car (pictured) has been close to perfect; an absolute joy to drive and a nice place to be in too. I still can't get over the drive quality. It tracks confidently over crappy B roads in the softer pasm setting - roads that have hot hatches bouncing around - but is so sharp and direct in the firmer mode.

I have not experienced the windscreen glare and wonder how clean the glass was on the car you drove?

At the time I also considered a brand new 718S at the same price and a 981 Spyder at £85k. I really wanted the Spyder but my fat arse hated the bucket seats. Now I have lost pounds and so have 981 Spyders, I would revisit the decision if I I were buying again.

Excellent choice. Although the pricier model there is something cooler about the 991 - appears more effortless, while Boxsters can seem to be trying a bit hard. Not that image is the only factor to consider 😉

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 14th March 09:01

[Twinfan]

I'd suggest a 981 Cayman GTS if you only need two seats, otherwise a 991 C2S. I don't like convertibles!

If going for a 981, I'd get a manual if you can. It's one of the finest gear changes ever.

[RudeDog]

981 GTS is a popular choice. Whats so special about them over the S variant?

[Twinfan]

It's the sum of the parts - you get a lot of "extras" as standard. Sports Chrono, PASM or X73 Sports Chassis, 20" wheels etc. The big draw for me was the alcantara interior which I love. If you're not a fan, a well specced S is cheaper and "close" but well specced S models are few and far between. GTS models tend to have all the bells and whistles.

A lot of people can't get over the fact it's not a 911 - that's their loss IMHO. The Cayman is a fabulous mid-engined car with its own identity

[benmc]

981 Cayman GTS

I have just got back into the Porsche family with a Cayman GTS after previously having the Boxster S and then 991 GT3.

The GTS has been with us for 5 days now and already possibly the best all round sport car I have ever had. Usable everyday but special enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Spec is really good with the sports suspension etc, most noticeable thing for me is the balance, the car just feels right.

Ben

[dan_ps]

RudeDog said:

981 GTS is a popular choice. Whats so special about them over the S variant?

As above, they have a lot of spec as well as alcantara. Plus 14 extra bhp.

Not much that you'd really notice over a similarly-specced S, but rarity helps. Though there were only 218 manual 981s's in the UK I believe over the 3 years, so even they're pretty rare. Finding one in colour and spec you like is not easy.

[Twinfan]

Only 135 manual GTSs too - so not that easy to find one in the spec you may be after. Certainly worth the hunt though!

[dan_ps]

Twinfan said:

Only 135 manual GTSs too - so not that easy to find one in the spec you may be after. Certainly worth the hunt though!

Indeed. I had to forego DAB radio but got everything else I wanted. Often wonder how many there are in the same colourscheme even. Can't be more than a handful.

I looked at both but in the end went for a standard S as I couldn't really justify the cost difference for 4% extra power. Didn't want 20" wheels anyway.

[Twinfan]

It's not about one thing, such as the power, it's all about the package. You either want it or you don't

[dan_ps]

Twinfan said:

It's not about one thing, such as the power, it's all about the package. You either want it or you don't

I'd have definitely taken in... but was looking at at least 10k more for otherwise similar spec and couldn't do it!

[Twinfan]

I bought new so it was a straightforward choice for me. I guess now that S models have dropped more than GTS the decision is a bit trickier based on the financials. You have to go heart rather than head.

[anonymous-user]

Discombobulate said:

Excellent choice. Although the pricier model there is something cooler about the 991 - appears more effortless, while Boxsters can seem to be trying a bit hard. Not that image is the only factor to consider ??

Edited by Discombobulate on Wednesday 14th March 09:01

Thank you. I do love the styling and dynamics of modern 911’s. Still wondering about the spyder though. This one is high spec, low mileage, £77k.....



https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Porsche911R]

Hang On said:

Thank you. I do love the styling and dynamics of modern 911’s. Still wondering about the spyder though. This one is high spec, low mileage, £77k.....



https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

not that high spec missing PCM NAV and the 918 buckets hence the price.

plus I'll sell mine at £74k which has both :-)

[Trgasy]

i had the choice last year, and i chose cayman 981 gts.
i absolutely enjoy every minutes in it.
it drives better than 991.1 S!
only downside is gear ratio are touch tall

[GameofCars]

Porsche911R said:

not that high spec missing PCM NAV and the 918 buckets hence the price.

plus I'll sell mine at £74k which has both :-)

It has buckets, but not the 918 ones. The disadvantage of 918 buckets are that they don;t come with heated options. So, if using as a daily all year round or any winter/autumn day heated seats are essential IMO. It has sound package + with PCM Nav buttons & screen & is easy to retrofit the NAV software. Knowing the guys at JZM they would probably offer that in the price if it became a deal breaker.