997 C2 vs 987.1 S

[Fink-Nottle]

Jeenyus161 said:

So - key question from me - what are the specs you'd say are best to look out for?!

I hate to bring up this depressing topic, but the most vital spec for all 997.1 and 987.1 models is a negative endoscopy result for the cylinders.

To understand why, read this current PH thread all the way through...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[leegrear]

Hi I own a 997.1 S, but it took me 7 months to research and find the right one. I finally drove only two. Both lovley, but I purchased the one that had a FULL HARTECH REBUILT ENGINE.
If I had to choose one option it might just be a Hartech rebuild.
My greatest fear was the "sword of damocles" hanging over my head as I drove a 911 waiting for the engine to go bang!
Do some reading and check out Hartech.
Had mine now three years and will part with it on death only.

[Jeenyus161]

Thanks for the warning - yep familiar with the bore score scare stories.

I'll certainly be mindful as I go hunting, as I would be with any car of this type/age. I'm certainly not buying it expecting a cost-free ownership

[swanny71]

Go try decent versions of each - it’s the only way to know for sure.

Thought I wanted a 997C2S, wasn’t for me. So tried various newer Cayman’s, again not for me.

2 miles down the road in a 987 and knew I’d found “my” Porsche (even though I still think the others are better looking).

[Swine Enthusiast]

Jeenyus161 said:

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a debate that has been had multiple times before; it is new ground for me!

I'm lucky enough to have a pot of cash to spend on a car that will be used weekly, but not daily. I have a station car for daily duties, this car will be spending more time driving around at weekends or occasionally for a 40 mile round trip commute to the office.

The question is, should I go for a 911 997C2 or a Cayman 987.1 S?

911 - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12736057
Cayman - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12591897

The 911 was the car I wanted when I was growing up and is the car I default to; but I know that the Cayman is going to be newer, lower mileage, better condition inside etc etc.

So - if it were your choice, would you go 997 or 987, and why?

Bit late to the party but I would go 987.2 Cayman S Manual - totally biased as I owned one for 2.5 years and was all the car I could need. Fantastic, quick, balanced, practical and lovely. The gen2 with the updtaed dash, DFI engine is a real sweet spot.

Combined with a short shift box and you're golden!

[Lindisspa]

Hi, I too have had the same problem deciding which Porsche to buy, I had a budget of around 22k having just parted with my lotus Exige. A very nice tidy, low mileage 08 plate cayman is at 911 sport for 19k which I fell in love with but the bore score issues was a gamble I didn’t want to take so for peace of mind took the plunge on a 987.2 cayman s.

[T1547]

Jeenyus161 said:

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a debate that has been had multiple times before; it is new ground for me!

I'm lucky enough to have a pot of cash to spend on a car that will be used weekly, but not daily. I have a station car for daily duties, this car will be spending more time driving around at weekends or occasionally for a 40 mile round trip commute to the office.

The question is, should I go for a 911 997C2 or a Cayman 987.1 S?

911 - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12736057
Cayman - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12591897

The 911 was the car I wanted when I was growing up and is the car I default to; but I know that the Cayman is going to be newer, lower mileage, better condition inside etc etc.

So - if it were your choice, would you go 997 or 987, and why?

For the price of the 911 linked it would just about get you into a 987.2 S which would be newer, higher power to weight and almost certainly more reliable. I haven’t driven a 997 but can attest to the 987 being excellent (and in the right spec a really good looking car).

[S600BSB]

911 for me. I bought my 997 C4S just over two years and love it.