To ‘upgrade’ or not? 981GTS to 911.
Discussion
A question of perspective to some extent.
I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
Edited by ellroy on Monday 5th March 22:22
Well, I think everyone should have a 911 before they die. I've had one (991 Cab for 4 years) but now have a 718 Cayman GTS. I could have bought another 911 ( and may still again) but I thought I'd have a Cayman for a change. It's not got the prescence of a 911 though. I'd go for it if I were you.
By big brother do you mean a 991.1 or 991.2 GTS ? Owners love both of them and the 991.2 has got glow8ng reviews from owners on here..despite the Turbo.
I think you can only answer the question once you’ve driven them!
I know what you mean about not wanting to sell cars because once they are gone they’re gone. I have a manual 997 GTS that I really don’t want to ever sell despite having a new 911 incoming....I know it’ll be bloody difficult to replace beacsue they’re rare and it’s a pretty good spec car. I intend to run both cars for a year or so and then decide on the GTS.
I think you can only answer the question once you’ve driven them!
I know what you mean about not wanting to sell cars because once they are gone they’re gone. I have a manual 997 GTS that I really don’t want to ever sell despite having a new 911 incoming....I know it’ll be bloody difficult to replace beacsue they’re rare and it’s a pretty good spec car. I intend to run both cars for a year or so and then decide on the GTS.
ellroy said:
In answer to a valid question, probably the 991.2 GTS.
Didn’t think it’d ever be as tough a call as it’s starting to be!
I’d go to a couple of OPC’s and have a look at cars....try and get a test drive. There are plenty around at the moment. Spec all important as it is on any Porsche! That way you’ll be better informed about whether you even want one. OPC’s can arrange for test drives at PEC not just for when you have ordered a car. Didn’t think it’d ever be as tough a call as it’s starting to be!
I am going through this now.
I’ve had a 981 Boxster gts for just over 2 years and wanted something new, 718 didmt interest me but I’m a Porsche convert now so the obvious choice was a 911.
Test drove a 991.1 gts about a year before and liked it, but wanted the better entertainment system. So test drove a 991.2 S, didn’t like it.
Knew that I wanted to try a gts though as I test drive a Boxster s before I got my gts and didn’t like that either. The gts just has something about it.
So eventually managed to get a drive in a 991.2 gts and ordered the following day, loved it.
Now I’m 2 weeks from picking it up, and quite honestly I don’t know whether it’s going to be worth nearly double the cost (981 was £69k, 991 was £131k), but I just needed to get it out of my system and own what is without doubt one of the best daily driver Porsche’s there’s ever been.
I’ve had a 981 Boxster gts for just over 2 years and wanted something new, 718 didmt interest me but I’m a Porsche convert now so the obvious choice was a 911.
Test drove a 991.1 gts about a year before and liked it, but wanted the better entertainment system. So test drove a 991.2 S, didn’t like it.
Knew that I wanted to try a gts though as I test drive a Boxster s before I got my gts and didn’t like that either. The gts just has something about it.
So eventually managed to get a drive in a 991.2 gts and ordered the following day, loved it.
Now I’m 2 weeks from picking it up, and quite honestly I don’t know whether it’s going to be worth nearly double the cost (981 was £69k, 991 was £131k), but I just needed to get it out of my system and own what is without doubt one of the best daily driver Porsche’s there’s ever been.
Stick with the poor man's Porsche. A 997 C2S was my DD for four years, swapped for a 981 2.7, and now I'm driving a 981 Cayman GTS, all manual. In my opinion, the Cayman is the better sports car. So, in your position, I wouldn't bother changing (unless you feel you really have to). The Cayman GTS is a peach.
ellroy said:
A question of perspective to some extent.
I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
The 981GTS is a peach and all the sports car you could ever want for the road, while it does not have a much power as the 911 it is just about right for road use you can use it and rev it out which makes it involving and fun with a lovely 6 speed gearbox. The 911 GTS will cost you twice the price and it is not twice the car but if its an itch you need to scratch then try the 911 and make the decision. Be aware half the fun comes from getting the car to come alive and the 981 will do that at sensible speeds.I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
Edited by ellroy on Monday 5th March 22:22
Only you can decide. Your opc will doubtless give you one for the day. Personally the 911 is the dynamically inferior car, and I'm not a fan of its particular (or peculiar) handling so it's a no contest for me (even at the same price). If you value 4 seats or the kudos.... A point to note if you are thinking of a convertible - the 911cab is nothing like as stiff as the Boxster which is very obvious when you drive it!!!
Edited by bcr5784 on Tuesday 6th March 01:03
ellroy said:
A question of perspective to some extent.
I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
I went from a 981 CGTS to a 991 C4S for pretty much the reasons you state. 6 months later I had my dealerships last ever CGTS slot spec’d and gave the 911 back. I just never fell in love with the 911 the way I did the CGTS. But I guess it’s a personal thing so drive your options as much as you can and see how you feel, I was definitely guilty of changing for the sake of it.I’m lucky enough to have a 981GTS in manual and I adore it, but I can afford to move up to the big brother in coming months.
Part of me has always wanted a 911, but part of also knows that i’ll be hard pressed to get a better car than I’ve got and once sold, i specced from new, it’ll be gone for ever.
So, any thoughts as to what route to take.
Edited by ellroy on Monday 5th March 22:22
That said I then changed that subsequent CGTS for a 981 Spyder and had no regrets. My GT3 arrives next week so my Spyder will go... and I’m still not sure how I feel about that!
Sounds like its an itch you need to itch 
As people have already said, test drive & only you will know whats right for you.
I had a 981 Spyder from new - kept it a year but had always fancied a 997 turbo & jumped into one. It was probably the best spec'd Porsche's I've had - PCCBs & every leather box ticked. But really didn't get on with the turbo. I missed the noise & stick of the Spyder (the turbo was tip).
As people have already said, test drive & only you will know whats right for you.I had a 981 Spyder from new - kept it a year but had always fancied a 997 turbo & jumped into one. It was probably the best spec'd Porsche's I've had - PCCBs & every leather box ticked. But really didn't get on with the turbo. I missed the noise & stick of the Spyder (the turbo was tip).
ellroy said:
In answer to a valid question, probably the 991.2 GTS.
Didn’t think it’d ever be as tough a call as it’s starting to be!
That's exactly what I did last year - had a 981 Boxster GTS - I loved that car as it was brilliant all round and was my first Porsche, but always wanted a 911. I could afford it at the time but had no idea where prices/investments would go so decided to get one while I could and achieve my ambition. Love my 991.2 GTS Coupe - it's a fantastic drivers car, very quick (arguably too quick to use all the performance on the road). It looks great from all angles but has most presence viewed from the rear. I have no idea how long I'll keep it but am loving the experience and plan some European trips in it this year and next year. What I'll get next I don't know either, have managed to stop looking which is a sign I'm very happy with what I have.Didn’t think it’d ever be as tough a call as it’s starting to be!
If you want a 911 you could do a lot worse than a 991.2 GTS.
DJMC said:
I'm lucky, and perhaps strange, in that I've never been remotely attracted to the 911 shape or weird engine out the back configuration.
Plus, if you move from CGTS to 911 you'll lose the ability to wave at other 987/981/718 drivers!
Like anyone does that!Plus, if you move from CGTS to 911 you'll lose the ability to wave at other 987/981/718 drivers!
I'm not tied to the 911 either, and much prefer the two seater mid-engine Cayman platform. Especially at half the price!
[718 excepted...]
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff