981S vs Base 781 Cayman ?

981S vs Base 781 Cayman ?

Author
Discussion

bob2146

Original Poster:

201 posts

73 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Hi all, currently looking at a purchase. I see 981S values holding firm in the OPC network and some tell me the 718 is a better car although the 981 sounds better. Which one would be more fun and easier to live with (and use as a DD) ? In terms of performance it seems they are fairly similar and as I've test driven both can say I'm am still split between the two. I guess what I am asking is, in pure unemotional cash terms which offers better "£ bang per buck" ?

I'm not overly concerned about turbos vs NA as am not a track driver and I get that both will depreciate. I guess I would expect a "lightly used" 981 to be the cheaper ownership proposition as it is not new. Except the OPC used market is clearly very controlled and prices are very firm. I also see the residuals on the latest 781 finance deals seem very high also (I am not looking for at PCP). I am not precious about speccing particular options on a new one either - as long as the basics are there.

Any thoughts ?

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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buy the one you liked test driving the most, nothing else matters.

Edited by Porsche911R on Tuesday 20th February 13:01

James McScotty

457 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Agreed. I got hold of a 14 plate manual 981 Cayman GTS last weekend. It's glorious, and hard to see the need for more power on a public road (with my limited skills). The flat-six sound is peerless. It eggs you on to go faster all the time.

I had a 718 Boxster S for a day a while back. Very fast, but the soundtrack ruined it for me. So 981 S all day long.

Edited by James McScotty on Tuesday 20th February 13:20

Retired01

39 posts

75 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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IMO the engine noise point is overstated. Yes, the six cylinder sounds better but I'm not unhappy with the cylinder.

Having said that the engines have quite different characteristics. To get the best performance out of the six you need to rev it. This is fine if it's a weekend car or your in the mood to have some fun. The four develops lots of low speed torque and has really accessible performance. The engine, coupled with the chassis, makes quick progress so effortless.

I have C718S which is my DD and I can enjoy driving it to the supermarket or having some fun on a twisty road.

jimbo761

369 posts

81 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Retired01 said:
IMO the engine noise point is overstated. Yes, the six cylinder sounds better but I'm not unhappy with the cylinder.

Having said that the engines have quite different characteristics. To get the best performance out of the six you need to rev it. This is fine if it's a weekend car or your in the mood to have some fun. The four develops lots of low speed torque and has really accessible performance. The engine, coupled with the chassis, makes quick progress so effortless.

I have C718S which is my DD and I can enjoy driving it to the supermarket or having some fun on a twisty road.
Agree 110%. I also went with the torque vs the noise, as a DD the 718 PDK is superb. 718 sound actually changes as you put the miles on, definitely a much rougher edge, especially if sport mode is engaged.

Edited by jimbo761 on Thursday 22 February 22:28

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Retired01 said:
IMO the engine noise point is overstated. Yes, the six cylinder sounds better but I'm not unhappy with the cylinder.

Having said that the engines have quite different characteristics. To get the best performance out of the six you need to rev it. This is fine if it's a weekend car or your in the mood to have some fun. The four develops lots of low speed torque and has really accessible performance. The engine, coupled with the chassis, makes quick progress so effortless.
A Golf is effortless so why spend £70k on a 718 when a Golf is 30k

a sports car for me needs to be a cut above a 4 pot, so the Flat 6 feels and sounds great, gives you a feel good factor, the 718 is a Golf in a nice dress and even then I would rather the Golf and £40k in my pocket to buy an Elise for the week ends.

Pinball

456 posts

129 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
A Golf is effortless so why spend £70k on a 718 when a Golf is 30k

a sports car for me needs to be a cut above a 4 pot, so the Flat 6 feels and sounds great, gives you a feel good factor, the 718 is a Golf in a nice dress and even then I would rather the Golf and £40k in my pocket to buy an Elise for the week ends.
It's probably pretty difficult to spec a base Cayman to £70K unless you're adding stuff you absolutely don't need. You could get a nicely specced one for £50K. Still a better prospect for me than a Golf.

jimbo761

369 posts

81 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
A Golf is effortless so why spend £70k on a 718 when a Golf is 30k

a sports car for me needs to be a cut above a 4 pot, so the Flat 6 feels and sounds great, gives you a feel good factor, the 718 is a Golf in a nice dress and even then I would rather the Golf and £40k in my pocket to buy an Elise for the week ends.
You are suggesting a dull handling front engined hatchback vs a Cayman ? How dare you ! smile

(I hasten to add I'm not trying to insult Golf-R's, they are definitely quick for a four seat hatchback). I expect the OP is suggesting starting at around 45k on a base 718 rather than fully loaded or a GTS as per the thread title.

I think the sound is a factor, just not as much of a factor for some than for others. As you say, test drive both and make the call on what you prefer. 3 year unlimited mile warranty on a new 718 also swings favour a bit vs a used 981 for me.

Edited by jimbo761 on Thursday 22 February 22:31

James McScotty

457 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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I think he was suggesting a Golf plus an Elise, a pretty reasonable alternative to a 718.

For me, it's really music versus noise.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
James McScotty said:
I think he was suggesting a Golf plus an Elise, a pretty reasonable alternative to a 718.

For me, it's really music versus noise.
Correct a Golf CS and a Elise cup over a base 718 every day of the week.

the Golf CS is prob quicker and more fun any way.

jimbo761

369 posts

81 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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James McScotty said:
I think he was suggesting a Golf plus an Elise, a pretty reasonable alternative to a 718.

For me, it's really music versus noise.
Golf R + Elise for 45K? I think I'd rather commute in the Cayman and get better handling everyday than run two cars but maybe it could work for some. My commute is split between town and country so do get the opportunity to open it up a bit. Why wait for the weekends to enjoy it ? !


Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
jimbo761 said:
You are suggesting a dull handling front engined hatchback vs a Cayman ? How dare you ! smile

(I hasten to add I'm not trying to insult Golf-R's, they are definitely quick for a four seat hatchback). I expect the OP is suggesting starting at around 45k on a base 781 rather than fully loaded or a GTS as per the thread title.

I think the sound is a factor, just not as much of a factor for some than for others. As you say, test drive both and make the call on what you prefer. 3 year unlimited mile warranty on a new 781 also swings favour a bit vs a used 981 for me.
I would not buy a dull Golf R either, but a Clubsport is one hell of a nice drive, so much so I bought one and it's bloody fantastic :-)

mabosh

299 posts

185 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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I had a very similar dilemma recently and ended up ordering a new 718 Cayman last week.

I currently have an 2014 Audi S3 (and before that a succession of turbo diesels) so I'm well used to a four-pot turbo and the relatively torque centric power delivery. I did consider a late 981 though but felt that a base 981 would be a little too slow and so concentrated on late 981S models. However the OPC prices of these are still very strong, typically £45k plus for anything from 2015 onwards with a nice spec and relatively low mileage. I am quite picky on colour too and didn't want black or red. This left very few cars compared to base 981 - in fact there are only 4 981S 2015 or later compared to 25 base 981 in the OPC network.

In the end I felt I could be waiting forever and possibly having travel some distance to find a car. I decided I would rather order a brand new car that I could spec rather than spending roughly the same money on a two or three year old car where I would perhaps have to compromise on spec or colour.

I did drive a base 718 PDK back to back with a base 981 PDK. There is no doubt that the 981 sounds nicer but for me that was the only advantage. The imminent suspension of 718 production and an early build slot sealed the deal for me.

You need to try both cars and see what you think. You might reach the entirely opposite conclusion I can fully appreciate why you would. There is no right or wrong answer, they are both great cars.

DJMC

3,431 posts

102 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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I test drove several 981 base and 981S before choosing a well specced base 2.7.
The S was too easy to drive fast whereas the base gets me into the higher rev band more often, for the engine sound.

Stepping from a launch 718S, after an extended test drive, back into my base 981 I was happy, but then I am turbo averse due to lag.
I did notice lag in the 718S several times, and it put me off (as did the sound).
I'd owned a TTS prior which was also hampered by lag and overrun.

However, if you like turbo cars, go for the base 718.

Toltec

7,159 posts

222 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
James McScotty said:
I think he was suggesting a Golf plus an Elise, a pretty reasonable alternative to a 718.

For me, it's really music versus noise.
Correct a Golf CS and a Elise cup over a base 718 every day of the week.

the Golf CS is prob quicker and more fun any way.
Nah, I'd rather a 981/987/997 for everyday and a seven for the weekend. wink

Retired01

39 posts

75 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
Correct a Golf CS and a Elise cup over a base 718 every day of the week.

the Golf CS is prob quicker and more fun any way.
@911R

I'm confused. Do you think an Elise is a sports car? After all it only has four cylinders and ''a sports car for me needs to be a cut above a 4 pot''.

''the 718 is a Golf in a nice dress''. How so? front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive, front engine vs mid engine, seats vs 2 seats, dull handling vs one of the best handling cars available etc. The similarities are endless.

diffstar

467 posts

192 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
Retired01 said:
IMO the engine noise point is overstated. Yes, the six cylinder sounds better but I'm not unhappy with the cylinder.

Having said that the engines have quite different characteristics. To get the best performance out of the six you need to rev it. This is fine if it's a weekend car or your in the mood to have some fun. The four develops lots of low speed torque and has really accessible performance. The engine, coupled with the chassis, makes quick progress so effortless.
A Golf is effortless so why spend £70k on a 718 when a Golf is 30k

a sports car for me needs to be a cut above a 4 pot, so the Flat 6 feels and sounds great, gives you a feel good factor, the 718 is a Golf in a nice dress and even then I would rather the Golf and £40k in my pocket to buy an Elise for the week ends.
911R, read that back, it is utter waffle!

Seriously think about what you have wrote.

Tony 1234

3,465 posts

226 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Another vote for the 2lt Cayman, I'll be on my second one soon and they're just great and easy to live with plus good mileage for a daily and a good ride.

Jimmckay67

76 posts

143 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Porsche911R said:
I would not buy a dull Golf R either, but a Clubsport is one hell of a nice drive, so much so I bought one and it's bloody fantastic :-)
So lets sum this up.
Every car you buy or have is stunningly brilliant but if someone makes an alternate choice that car is crap.
Seems fair!

Green1man

549 posts

87 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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I had this exact dilemma 18 months ago. I went for the 981S. I haven’t regretted it for a minute, however even though mine is a daily driver I don’t really do any commuting as such, but the 981 is perfectly capable as a DD but really comes alive when you get the revs up and hear the engine roar. The 718 is great but just hasn’t got that level of thrill that that F6 gives at 4000-7000rpm.