Cayman S (981) : Ownership Questions
Discussion
I've been thinking of getting myself a new (to me) car for my 30th birthday and have shortlisted the Cayman S (981). I'd love to get some feedback from current owners about the car and the ownership experience.
The important aspects for me are:
Here's my list of must-haves:
I've got a few questions regarding the ownership proposition so that I can go into this with my eyes open:
The important aspects for me are:
- Sound/Drama: Pretty much the top of the list. I don't race or push hard on public roads, so my enjoyment mainly comes from accelerating to the legal limits and listening to the engine.
- Lower Depreciation: As a depreciating asset, I obviously expect to lose money on a car. On the other hand, I don't like losing my shirt on cars, either.
- Toys/Options: I'm a bit extreme in terms of gadgets, so I like my cars to be very well optioned. I've lowered my expectations a bit when it comes to Porsches as the options seem quite expensive and few people would just tick all the boxes.
- Reliability: I'd only be driving the car on weekends and I usually do about 3-4k miles a year (I take the train to work, so the car is completely unused during the week). Anecdotally, cars that get driven less suffer from more problems as they sit around all day. The last thing I would want to do is deal with car problems.
Options
Here's my list of must-haves:
- Park Assist: front + back
- PASM
- 20" Wheels
- PCM3
- Bluetooth
- PSE
- Universal Audio Interface
- PDK + Paddles
- Sport Seats
- Heated Seats
- Sport Chrono
- Folding Mirros
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- TPM
- Cruise Control
- Extended Leather
- PDLS Lights
- BOSE
Questions
I've got a few questions regarding the ownership proposition so that I can go into this with my eyes open:
- Price/Values: It seems that the cars that I'm looking at (2013) hover around £43-45k, usually from non-OPC. Those values seem quite strong to me given the age and mileage. One thing that I'm aware of is the anecdotally lacklustre reception of the 718, especially when it comes to the sound (that's one of the reasons why I want to go for the 981 flat-6 rather than turbo flat-4). The only thing I care about is whether I'm getting ripped off or those prices represent fair value.
- Annual Ownership Costs: If we exclude the regular items like tyres, petrol, insurance, how much should I budget annually?
- Porsche Warranty: I'm most likely going to get the car under warranty since I want to have the piece of mind and don't want to have to deal with problems, I like the convenience of being able to drop it at the dealers and get things sorted out. Last time I checked, the warranty was about £700 a year without roadside assistant. Is that figure accurate? If I'm buying a car, I'd most likely insist that it gets put under Porsche Warranty as part of the purchase process as I've heard stories where the cars needed significant amount of money spent on. Does this plan sound reasonable?
Ah no! Another person buying a 981. P,ease get a 7. Im waiting for prices to drop on these 
I’d say frequency of use and how you use the car when you drive is more important. I’m similar as you and leave car 4-5 days at a time then use for a couple. As long as you get it nice and warm first then give it a fair blast should be grand I would have thought. Some people leave their cars off road for months over winter. I’d imagine that’s where problems (if any) through lack of use start creeping in.
I’d say frequency of use and how you use the car when you drive is more important. I’m similar as you and leave car 4-5 days at a time then use for a couple. As long as you get it nice and warm first then give it a fair blast should be grand I would have thought. Some people leave their cars off road for months over winter. I’d imagine that’s where problems (if any) through lack of use start creeping in.
Comments on options:
PSE can be retro fitted, as can chrono (minus clock). If you're going pdk I would include the chrono.
I would recommend the sports plus seats, not the standard sport seats.
If bought from OPC you'd get two years warranty/roadside cover so you should factor that into costs. Servicing is every two years (I get an oil change at an indy in between). Major service (with plugs)/brake fluid is about £1100.
I don't have PSE, TPM, nor leather (looks nice but doesn't make it go /handle better), but have the rest of your options as well as PTV.
Pretty decent spec if you can find it.
PSE can be retro fitted, as can chrono (minus clock). If you're going pdk I would include the chrono.
I would recommend the sports plus seats, not the standard sport seats.
If bought from OPC you'd get two years warranty/roadside cover so you should factor that into costs. Servicing is every two years (I get an oil change at an indy in between). Major service (with plugs)/brake fluid is about £1100.
I don't have PSE, TPM, nor leather (looks nice but doesn't make it go /handle better), but have the rest of your options as well as PTV.
Pretty decent spec if you can find it.
Have you considered the Non 'S'?
It may offer more opportunity to do one of the things you mentioned in your list within (reasonably) legal limits. I.e:
'I don't race or push hard on public roads, so my enjoyment mainly comes from accelerating to the legal limits and listening to the engine.'
The S will take you to too higher speeds to be able to rev it out so often. The 2.7 is a lovely sounding, revvy engine (and would save a few grand on the purchase price too).
It may offer more opportunity to do one of the things you mentioned in your list within (reasonably) legal limits. I.e:
'I don't race or push hard on public roads, so my enjoyment mainly comes from accelerating to the legal limits and listening to the engine.'
The S will take you to too higher speeds to be able to rev it out so often. The 2.7 is a lovely sounding, revvy engine (and would save a few grand on the purchase price too).
The 'S' works incredibly well with the paddle shift PDK. I think the 2.7 is better suited to manual.
From my experience, the OPs 'must have' list covers just about everything that you are likely to need, thereafter it becomes a bit of a compromise - finding the best car, in your favoured colours, mileage, warranty, etc.
I can appreciate why they are very sought after, especially with that glorious flat-six and PSE
From my experience, the OPs 'must have' list covers just about everything that you are likely to need, thereafter it becomes a bit of a compromise - finding the best car, in your favoured colours, mileage, warranty, etc.
I can appreciate why they are very sought after, especially with that glorious flat-six and PSE
Had a 981S in the past and currently a GT4. Highly recommend one of these.
Options are down to personal preference. In my opinion PSE is not a must as the standard exhaust is excellent. Bose is not recommended and sound quality is virtually the same as the non-Bose system. Tyre roar and general cabin noise is quite high which lessens the benefit of a top quality sound system. I have no experience of the Burmeister set up which was also an option.
If you're not planning on using the car day-to-day I would also defo consider the base 2.7 engined car . It needs revs to extract the performance but it's no hardship as the engine is so sonorous. It depends how you like to drive.
It may take time to track down your perfect combo as there are not masses of these cars out there. It's the lowest selling individual model line in the Porsche lineout, i.e. excluding the 918.
Personally if you are worried about warranty I would buy from an OPC and get the 2 year warranty for full piece of mind. If not then consider one of the reputable specialists - e.g. Paragon Porsche have a few 981s in stock at the moment. I don't think there are any/many known issues with the car from a reliability perspective, so far at least.
Options are down to personal preference. In my opinion PSE is not a must as the standard exhaust is excellent. Bose is not recommended and sound quality is virtually the same as the non-Bose system. Tyre roar and general cabin noise is quite high which lessens the benefit of a top quality sound system. I have no experience of the Burmeister set up which was also an option.
If you're not planning on using the car day-to-day I would also defo consider the base 2.7 engined car . It needs revs to extract the performance but it's no hardship as the engine is so sonorous. It depends how you like to drive.
It may take time to track down your perfect combo as there are not masses of these cars out there. It's the lowest selling individual model line in the Porsche lineout, i.e. excluding the 918.
Personally if you are worried about warranty I would buy from an OPC and get the 2 year warranty for full piece of mind. If not then consider one of the reputable specialists - e.g. Paragon Porsche have a few 981s in stock at the moment. I don't think there are any/many known issues with the car from a reliability perspective, so far at least.
I went for the base 2.7 after driving the S so I could get to higher engine revs at lower speeds.
Go for two years extended warranty at a time circa £1150, then you only have one 111 point check to pay for and not one every year.
Fuel economy hovers around 36mpg in the 2.7 as a daily driver.
Rear tyres (Goodyears) are half worn at 20k miles. Fronts have more tread. Go F1 A2 or Michelin PS4S (look for reviews as new out).
TPM standard from (I think) Sept '14.
Due 4 year (major) service early next year at circa £1000.
No faults in 2 years owned, other than rusty caliper bolts. I sorted for a tenner.
Go for two years extended warranty at a time circa £1150, then you only have one 111 point check to pay for and not one every year.
Fuel economy hovers around 36mpg in the 2.7 as a daily driver.
Rear tyres (Goodyears) are half worn at 20k miles. Fronts have more tread. Go F1 A2 or Michelin PS4S (look for reviews as new out).
TPM standard from (I think) Sept '14.
Due 4 year (major) service early next year at circa £1000.
No faults in 2 years owned, other than rusty caliper bolts. I sorted for a tenner.
Can anyone share any thoughts on this particular example? http://www.cridfords.co.uk/inventory/used_cars/201...
Seems like it's been hanging around for a while but spec seems pretty good.
Seems like it's been hanging around for a while but spec seems pretty good.
c3m said:
Can anyone share any thoughts on this particular example? http://www.cridfords.co.uk/inventory/used_cars/201...
Seems like it's been hanging around for a while but spec seems pretty good.
Seems a bit pricey when there is a similar spec, similar miles but slightly newer blue one at Porsche Reading for a grand cheaper but has 2 year warranty and 1 year Porsche assistance.Seems like it's been hanging around for a while but spec seems pretty good.
http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/detail...
I personally bought a similar car last year but went for a higher mileage one with a correspondingly lower price tag. Best car I've ever owned by a long way, I love it!
mouseymousey said:
Seems a bit pricey when there is a similar spec, similar miles but slightly newer blue one at Porsche Reading for a grand cheaper but has 2 year warranty and 1 year Porsche assistance.
http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/detail...
I personally bought a similar car last year but went for a higher mileage one with a correspondingly lower price tag. Best car I've ever owned by a long way, I love it!
issue is there is no PSE! shame on that car IMO! need to add 2k for that!http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/detail...
I personally bought a similar car last year but went for a higher mileage one with a correspondingly lower price tag. Best car I've ever owned by a long way, I love it!
Agree with Heathrow on all points - just changed to 64 reg CaymanS from 997Gen2 .
Standard exhaust will make your ears ring if revved to 7000 all the time!!
Road tax is£270 (Gen2 £520 and rising)
insurance £200 cheaper (I am 65 though)
My car is similar spec to original posters ideal and has done 19,000 miles with one owner.
Absolutely superb road car will outhandle anything this side of a GT4
A lot of tosh about gear ratios especially with PDK as 7th is only a cruising gear which is superb on motorways for MPG and tootling about in traffic will do 35 MPG plus,
Standard exhaust will make your ears ring if revved to 7000 all the time!!
Road tax is£270 (Gen2 £520 and rising)
insurance £200 cheaper (I am 65 though)
My car is similar spec to original posters ideal and has done 19,000 miles with one owner.
Absolutely superb road car will outhandle anything this side of a GT4
A lot of tosh about gear ratios especially with PDK as 7th is only a cruising gear which is superb on motorways for MPG and tootling about in traffic will do 35 MPG plus,
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