997 vs Cayman 981s or something else?
Discussion
Evening
Looking for some wisdom from those more experienced!
I currently drive a pimped out T6 Kombi as a daily due to a growing family and two big dogs, but I have a Hyabusa powered Kit Car for my thrills, iv had it about 4 years and although its as much fun as you can have with your pants on a track on the road its all the danger of a motorbike with none of the convenience.
Now my son is a bit older (3) im looking to sell the Indy and get something I can use a few times a week for the odd drive out and also the odd track day, Iv always wanted to own a Porsche to I thought it was time to scratch that itch.
I have a budget of 25-35k and have narrowed it down to a 981 Cayman S or a 997 Carrera (2 or 4)
If I go for Cayman its allot newer, but only has two seats , Id want one with PSE, Chrono and PASM, not bothered about much else, these would be towards the top end of the budget.
997 … well it’s a 997, I love the shape, it’s a bit more practical, but the inside is dated a bit (especially in a gen1) and theres the obvious gremlins, but there seem to some nice examples about. Oh and it’s a 911!
What would you do? Or have I missed something obvoious?
Looking for some wisdom from those more experienced!
I currently drive a pimped out T6 Kombi as a daily due to a growing family and two big dogs, but I have a Hyabusa powered Kit Car for my thrills, iv had it about 4 years and although its as much fun as you can have with your pants on a track on the road its all the danger of a motorbike with none of the convenience.
Now my son is a bit older (3) im looking to sell the Indy and get something I can use a few times a week for the odd drive out and also the odd track day, Iv always wanted to own a Porsche to I thought it was time to scratch that itch.
I have a budget of 25-35k and have narrowed it down to a 981 Cayman S or a 997 Carrera (2 or 4)
If I go for Cayman its allot newer, but only has two seats , Id want one with PSE, Chrono and PASM, not bothered about much else, these would be towards the top end of the budget.
997 … well it’s a 997, I love the shape, it’s a bit more practical, but the inside is dated a bit (especially in a gen1) and theres the obvious gremlins, but there seem to some nice examples about. Oh and it’s a 911!
What would you do? Or have I missed something obvoious?
For your budget you will struggle to get a 997 gen 2 with the ‘safer’ engine and peace of mind that comes with it. Have you thought about a 987.2 Cayman S? Last of the hydraulic steering Caymans within your budget, great engine and money to fix it or upgrade. The 981 is a bit dull compared to the 987.2 as the early electronic steering wasn’t the best. Coming from a kit car the differences will be very noticeable.
I’d be inclined to stretch the budget - £35k might just get you into a 997.2 3.6 with a little haggling.
The beauty of the 997 is (obviously) that you can carry more than one passenger. And it’s a 911. I’m currently working on the man maths to swap out my 987S for a 997.2 as I can’t take both kids in the 987.
The beauty of the 997 is (obviously) that you can carry more than one passenger. And it’s a 911. I’m currently working on the man maths to swap out my 987S for a 997.2 as I can’t take both kids in the 987.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...
I'd buy similar for £30k and would want a gen 1 as they sound nicer and can always be rebuilt to 4.0 by a few specialists if worst ever happens. Wouldn't even look at Cayman saw 981 and 997 next to each other recently and the 981 looks not so nice next to the 997 design. More size 981 dwarfs a 997.
I'd buy similar for £30k and would want a gen 1 as they sound nicer and can always be rebuilt to 4.0 by a few specialists if worst ever happens. Wouldn't even look at Cayman saw 981 and 997 next to each other recently and the 981 looks not so nice next to the 997 design. More size 981 dwarfs a 997.
Magnum 475 said:
I’d be inclined to stretch the budget - £35k might just get you into a 997.2 3.6 with a little haggling.
The beauty of the 997 is (obviously) that you can carry more than one passenger. And it’s a 911. I’m currently working on the man maths to swap out my 987S for a 997.2 as I can’t take both kids in the 987.
I have a little girl due at christmas, I know she wont be coming out much for a while but once shes two or if shes anything like her brother she will love it, so its pushing me towards the 997. I also suppose two years is a long time.The beauty of the 997 is (obviously) that you can carry more than one passenger. And it’s a 911. I’m currently working on the man maths to swap out my 987S for a 997.2 as I can’t take both kids in the 987.
I hadnt even thought about hydraulic steering , and in 997 is the PDK a safe bet?
Have owned a 997.1 3.6, a 981 CS and 997.2 3.8 (all manual). First thing I would say is that there is no bad choice here. I dailyed each of them and they fit into life quite well when the children are pre-school age.
Front Isofix in the 981 is a useful option, especially when the kids are old enough to be in front facing seats which I guess your 3 y/o will be. Can be retrofitted too and comes with the airbag deactivation. I found the Cayman really practical despite the lack of rear seats because of the frunk and boot combo.
Personally much preferred the Cayman on track than either of the 911s which felt a bit clumsy by comparison. The Cayman has a lot of balance and the engine is sweet when higher up in the rev range.
If it "has" to be a 911 to my mind the 997.1 represents better value and the engine sounds better (less synthetic) but you need to do your homework regarding the known engine issues of course. PSE sounds excellent in the 997.1 with a lovely rasp to it, but I don't consider it essential in the 997.2 - the engine is a little quieter and PSE makes less of a difference.
Steering is better in either of the 911s than the Cayman. The body control in the 981 is definitely a step on and from a refinement perspective better although the 981 has a lot of tyre roar in comparison to either 997.
Oh and don't rule out the 2.9 Cayman (non-S). The engine is an absolute peach and whilst is needs thrashing this is no hardship because the sound is amazing and the gearbox is excellent. At £30k for a 2014 car for example I think it represents excellent value - possibly the best in the whole Porsche range at the current time. Having said that I think the 997.2 is reasonably depreciation proof if you can find a good one.
Both my 911s were RWD so can't comment on the 4.
Happy shopping!
Front Isofix in the 981 is a useful option, especially when the kids are old enough to be in front facing seats which I guess your 3 y/o will be. Can be retrofitted too and comes with the airbag deactivation. I found the Cayman really practical despite the lack of rear seats because of the frunk and boot combo.
Personally much preferred the Cayman on track than either of the 911s which felt a bit clumsy by comparison. The Cayman has a lot of balance and the engine is sweet when higher up in the rev range.
If it "has" to be a 911 to my mind the 997.1 represents better value and the engine sounds better (less synthetic) but you need to do your homework regarding the known engine issues of course. PSE sounds excellent in the 997.1 with a lovely rasp to it, but I don't consider it essential in the 997.2 - the engine is a little quieter and PSE makes less of a difference.
Steering is better in either of the 911s than the Cayman. The body control in the 981 is definitely a step on and from a refinement perspective better although the 981 has a lot of tyre roar in comparison to either 997.
Oh and don't rule out the 2.9 Cayman (non-S). The engine is an absolute peach and whilst is needs thrashing this is no hardship because the sound is amazing and the gearbox is excellent. At £30k for a 2014 car for example I think it represents excellent value - possibly the best in the whole Porsche range at the current time. Having said that I think the 997.2 is reasonably depreciation proof if you can find a good one.
Both my 911s were RWD so can't comment on the 4.
Happy shopping!
Heathrow said:
Oh and don't rule out the 2.9 Cayman (non-S). The engine is an absolute peach and whilst is needs thrashing this is no hardship because the sound is amazing and the gearbox is excellent. At £30k for a 2014 car for example I think it represents excellent value - possibly the best in the whole Porsche range at the current time.
Happy shopping!
for £19k you can get a 2011 987.2 2.9 which is a much nicer car for the driver and must take the "best value" Porker atm.Happy shopping!
Not driven a 987 of any flavour but from a desirability perspective I don't think they have the presence or cohesion of design of the 981, although that's my subjective opinion. Not knocking how it drives as I suspect they are great and work well on UK roads. Interior architecture is obviously similar to the 997 generation so that's probably a fair comparison as a wildcard option with the money saved going toward a slush fund for routine replacements etc.
Off topic but top three Porsche VFM right now (IMHO) are 981 (except GTS and GT4), 996 GT3 (either gen but not the RS) and 987 Cayman R (acknowledging I haven't driven the latter but on paper it looks absolutely ideal). I'll declare a conflict of interest for the middle of those three!
Sorry for thread diversion OP.
Off topic but top three Porsche VFM right now (IMHO) are 981 (except GTS and GT4), 996 GT3 (either gen but not the RS) and 987 Cayman R (acknowledging I haven't driven the latter but on paper it looks absolutely ideal). I'll declare a conflict of interest for the middle of those three!
Sorry for thread diversion OP.
Heathrow said:
Have owned a 997.1 3.6, a 981 CS and 997.2 3.8 (all manual). First thing I would say is that there is no bad choice here. I dailyed each of them and they fit into life quite well when the children are pre-school age.
Front Isofix in the 981 is a useful option, especially when the kids are old enough to be in front facing seats which I guess your 3 y/o will be. Can be retrofitted too and comes with the airbag deactivation. I found the Cayman really practical despite the lack of rear seats because of the frunk and boot combo.
Personally much preferred the Cayman on track than either of the 911s which felt a bit clumsy by comparison. The Cayman has a lot of balance and the engine is sweet when higher up in the rev range.
If it "has" to be a 911 to my mind the 997.1 represents better value and the engine sounds better (less synthetic) but you need to do your homework regarding the known engine issues of course. PSE sounds excellent in the 997.1 with a lovely rasp to it, but I don't consider it essential in the 997.2 - the engine is a little quieter and PSE makes less of a difference.
Steering is better in either of the 911s than the Cayman. The body control in the 981 is definitely a step on and from a refinement perspective better although the 981 has a lot of tyre roar in comparison to either 997.
Oh and don't rule out the 2.9 Cayman (non-S). The engine is an absolute peach and whilst is needs thrashing this is no hardship because the sound is amazing and the gearbox is excellent. At £30k for a 2014 car for example I think it represents excellent value - possibly the best in the whole Porsche range at the current time. Having said that I think the 997.2 is reasonably depreciation proof if you can find a good one.
Both my 911s were RWD so can't comment on the 4.
Happy shopping!
Would a 2014 non-S 981 Cayman not be a 2.7 motor rather than a 2.9 ?Front Isofix in the 981 is a useful option, especially when the kids are old enough to be in front facing seats which I guess your 3 y/o will be. Can be retrofitted too and comes with the airbag deactivation. I found the Cayman really practical despite the lack of rear seats because of the frunk and boot combo.
Personally much preferred the Cayman on track than either of the 911s which felt a bit clumsy by comparison. The Cayman has a lot of balance and the engine is sweet when higher up in the rev range.
If it "has" to be a 911 to my mind the 997.1 represents better value and the engine sounds better (less synthetic) but you need to do your homework regarding the known engine issues of course. PSE sounds excellent in the 997.1 with a lovely rasp to it, but I don't consider it essential in the 997.2 - the engine is a little quieter and PSE makes less of a difference.
Steering is better in either of the 911s than the Cayman. The body control in the 981 is definitely a step on and from a refinement perspective better although the 981 has a lot of tyre roar in comparison to either 997.
Oh and don't rule out the 2.9 Cayman (non-S). The engine is an absolute peach and whilst is needs thrashing this is no hardship because the sound is amazing and the gearbox is excellent. At £30k for a 2014 car for example I think it represents excellent value - possibly the best in the whole Porsche range at the current time. Having said that I think the 997.2 is reasonably depreciation proof if you can find a good one.
Both my 911s were RWD so can't comment on the 4.
Happy shopping!
Tyre roar ? Would that be on 20" wheels/tyres, and worse still on Pirellis ?
I would suggest that you try both a Cayman/Boxster and a 997.
I was in your position two years ago.
Went to a Porsche dealer looking to possibly become an owner, in my case i was a long term Lotus driver.
Tried a Cayman (was a 981) and was impressed by a lot of things - especially how compliant it was on 20 inch wheels - i expected the ride to be rough.
Moved to a late 997 (it was a Black Edition, so run out 997.2) and this was a very different beast indeed.Maybe not as nimble but so much more together in every way.
Bought it that day.
Two years on (yesterday) ,needed to decide what to do since warranty was running out,
Test drove a Boxster (718), liked it (OK the noise wasn't great compared to a 6 cylinder, but could get over that) and it was a PDK rather than manual (which an old git like me prefers), but it frankly felt cheap and nasty compared to my 997.
Warranty renewed and off home.
I was in your position two years ago.
Went to a Porsche dealer looking to possibly become an owner, in my case i was a long term Lotus driver.
Tried a Cayman (was a 981) and was impressed by a lot of things - especially how compliant it was on 20 inch wheels - i expected the ride to be rough.
Moved to a late 997 (it was a Black Edition, so run out 997.2) and this was a very different beast indeed.Maybe not as nimble but so much more together in every way.
Bought it that day.
Two years on (yesterday) ,needed to decide what to do since warranty was running out,
Test drove a Boxster (718), liked it (OK the noise wasn't great compared to a 6 cylinder, but could get over that) and it was a PDK rather than manual (which an old git like me prefers), but it frankly felt cheap and nasty compared to my 997.
Warranty renewed and off home.
IMI A said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...
I'd buy similar for £30k and would want a gen 1 as they sound nicer and can always be rebuilt to 4.0 by a few specialists if worst ever happens. Wouldn't even look at Cayman saw 981 and 997 next to each other recently and the 981 looks not so nice next to the 997 design.More size 981 dwarfs a 997.
Morning chap, hope you’re well ?I'd buy similar for £30k and would want a gen 1 as they sound nicer and can always be rebuilt to 4.0 by a few specialists if worst ever happens. Wouldn't even look at Cayman saw 981 and 997 next to each other recently and the 981 looks not so nice next to the 997 design.More size 981 dwarfs a 997.
Best get yourself an appointment booked at Specsavers
And if Wiki is to be believed
the 981 is no wider and no longer than the 987. On the basis the 987 is the same front end as the 997, I’d guess the 997 is probably wider in both N/B and W/B form than either of the Caymans ?As ever, happy to be proven wrong
Mr Dan. They're both a great drive; on the road there's probably little difference in feel or performance. I can't comment on track performances as I've never tracked mine.
the only thing which goes against the cayman is; it's not a 911. If you've always hankered toward getting a 911, then you'll possibly buy a cayman then always wonder "what if....." (I like both, BTW, but a friend of mine did exactly that)
The 997.1 can't be far off bottom of its depreciation curve by now. If you can find one cheap enough to keep the rebuild fund in your back pocket OR buy one thats had the rebuild (which is what I did) which should be within your budget.
Yes the interior (i.e. the info system really) DOES feel dated, but it isn't SO BAD & I like CD's luckily
the only thing which goes against the cayman is; it's not a 911. If you've always hankered toward getting a 911, then you'll possibly buy a cayman then always wonder "what if....." (I like both, BTW, but a friend of mine did exactly that)
The 997.1 can't be far off bottom of its depreciation curve by now. If you can find one cheap enough to keep the rebuild fund in your back pocket OR buy one thats had the rebuild (which is what I did) which should be within your budget.
Yes the interior (i.e. the info system really) DOES feel dated, but it isn't SO BAD & I like CD's luckily
My experience is having a cayman 987 S and then going to a 997 S but found it didn't live up to the cayman. I found the cayman worked with me and the 997 worked against me in braking and corners.
Cayman a bit lighter and more weight over the front wheels so the brakes seemed better, I find the front end of the 997 a bit light so when braking on bumpy surfaces it's a bit poor.
On handling the cayman liked to turn around its central mass whereas the 997 didn't really like to turn in and I was fighting the balance or driving round it all the time.
This is all in my opinion and experience, this will differ for others. In looks I probably prefer the back end of the 911, the front is the same.
Apart from that the other difference is the back seats, I've never used them though.
I think with 911's some people like the traits and some people don't basically (I'm the latter), so you'll have to try yourself I'm afraid
Dunc.
Cayman a bit lighter and more weight over the front wheels so the brakes seemed better, I find the front end of the 997 a bit light so when braking on bumpy surfaces it's a bit poor.
On handling the cayman liked to turn around its central mass whereas the 997 didn't really like to turn in and I was fighting the balance or driving round it all the time.
This is all in my opinion and experience, this will differ for others. In looks I probably prefer the back end of the 911, the front is the same.
Apart from that the other difference is the back seats, I've never used them though.
I think with 911's some people like the traits and some people don't basically (I'm the latter), so you'll have to try yourself I'm afraid
Dunc.
Thanks for all the advice guys, you have swung me towards a 997.
Im not too stressed about a Mk1 as long as its the right price, I live right near Hartech so will keep the cash to one side incase any issues occur and will probalby just try to get the highest spec / best condition i can find.
I would just change the infotainment to an aftermarket if it bothered me massively.
Spotted this on Ebay at the bottom end of the budget but its an auto, , will get the indy up for sale and update the thread with what I end up buying!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-997-Carrera...
Im not too stressed about a Mk1 as long as its the right price, I live right near Hartech so will keep the cash to one side incase any issues occur and will probalby just try to get the highest spec / best condition i can find.
I would just change the infotainment to an aftermarket if it bothered me massively.
Spotted this on Ebay at the bottom end of the budget but its an auto, , will get the indy up for sale and update the thread with what I end up buying!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-997-Carrera...
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