Buying Advice - 718 vs 911

[SK555]

So I have reached a point in life where I am reasonably comfortable financially and am looking to treat myself to a new car. I drove a 718 Cayman 2.0 at PECLA a couple of years back and fell in love. I have been keeping an eye on 718 S's ever since.

Working on the basis that it will be financed I am looking for cars around the £50k mark. I feel as the used market normalises I shouldn't have an issue finding a well specced Cayman S (2018~) with a reasonable number of miles on the dial.

But here is my dilemma - for similar money I could pick up an early 991 Carrera with 60k miles on the clock, or a 2010~ 997 4S with similar mileage.

I would like to avoid buying a lemon - but am I in the right frame of mind to choose a newer car even if it isn't a full fat 911? Easy solution is to drive a 911, and although I have a trackday planned in a couple of months I am assuming this will be a 991 or newer.

Has anyone else been faced with this choice? Any advice to steer my research would be helpful!

[markiii]

if you want it because you want a sportscar the 718 will do you fine. If you want it because you want a Porsche, you'll probably always wonder what if, if its not a 911

[AJB88]

how about a really well spec 981 S or even GTS

You get the Porsche then that handles well, but with 6 cylinders.

I test drove a 2.0 and 2.5 but coming from a 420 PS 2.0T hot hatch they didnt feel special... the 981 S however was a peach for me.

[esotericar]

The ease of ownership option is certainly a low mile 718 from an OPC with a Porsche warranty. The older 911s with 60k miles are likely to throw up at least a few problems. If that is likely to sour the experience, you have your answer.

Main attraction of the 911s in this context is the NA flat six. You haven't mentioned anything along those lines, so that suggests the 718 could be the right choice.

[david-j8694]

Nice situation to be in and a tough question that I suspect many people have gone through.

It'll come down to your personal preferences and what you're in the mood for right now, as they're quite different cars. On the one hand you have a much newer MR with a 4 pot turbo engine, and on the other an older RR/AWD with a flat 6 NA engine - some even claim it has back seats . The power delivery is chalk and cheese and the handling dynamics are very different too. Even aesthetically they're quite different - the Cayman is lean and svelte, whereas the 991 has much more presence and is quite a muscular looking thing, especially from the rear. I really like both.

You said you fell in love with the 718 after a test drive, so if your heart is set on that then get that. If a 911 has always been an itch you wanted to scratch, then you're going to need to test drive one before making a decision.

FWIW, I was in a similar position last year - £50k to spend and wanting a sports car, ideally a Porsche. After similar deliberations, I ended up in a 981 GTS. For me it was the best all-round Porsche offering at that money and, 5 months on, honestly I absolutely adore it. It's completely nailed my car itch for the time being. I think if I were to get a 911 in the future, it'll probably be a 991.2 with a sledgehammer turbo 6, just to make it completely different to the 981.

Edited by david-j8694 on Wednesday 13th April 10:50

[Lexington59]

So in effect you are looking at new/nearly new 718s vs what will presumably be at least a 10 year old 911. Very different prospects indeed, if it were me I'd be looking at running costs which should be much lower on the newer car with the original 3 year warranty as well so much less to worry about.

But pragmatism is one thing and if you must have a 911 then only that will do. Nice decision to have.

[RT]

Very difficult choice and one I have failed at many times - hence owning a GT3, a 991.2, a Cayman and soon a Boxster S too.

The reality is they all do slightly different things - so you just have to drive them all and choose - there really is no other answer.

There is (for me and many others) a real sense of occasion in a 911, and something quite special about owing and driving one. But for fun - you can't beat a Cayman or Boxster IMHO.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I’d go newer than older. My 997.2 was too old. Went from that to a 2015 981 Spyder which feels just right. Out of a Cayman or 991 I’d go 991 every time though.

[julian987R]

SK555 said:

So I have reached a point in life where I am reasonably comfortable financially and am looking to treat myself to a new car. I drove a 718 Cayman 2.0 at PECLA a couple of years back and fell in love. I have been keeping an eye on 718 S's ever since.

Working on the basis that it will be financed I am looking for cars around the £50k mark. I feel as the used market normalises I shouldn't have an issue finding a well specced Cayman S (2018~) with a reasonable number of miles on the dial.

But here is my dilemma - for similar money I could pick up an early 991 Carrera with 60k miles on the clock, or a 2010~ 997 4S with similar mileage.

Go older and then work forward. Assuming you are not reaching pension age - for when the lazy boy 991/992 probably makes sense - until then live a little and go back in time to the 997 GTS to scratch the 911 itch....or a Cayman 987R to scratch the Cayman itch.

[67Dino]

julian987R said:

Go older and then work forward. Assuming you are not reaching pension age - for when the lazy boy 991/992 probably makes sense - until then live a little and go back in time to the 997 GTS to scratch the 911 itch....or a Cayman 987R to scratch the Cayman itch.

I thought this might be the case too, but having driven them, think it’s a myth.

The 991 may be a little larger and better appointed, but it is a considerable improvement in handling and pace over its 997 equivalent. I gather they’ve taken a load of weight off, and the chassis, steering and gear change are also now all a delight. I’ve had every series since the 964 and the 991 is my favourite yet.

Mind you, I am approaching pension age…

[timberman]

My only experience of the 718 is when I took my 991s in for a MOT and again for some warranty work

the 1st time they gave me a 718 boxster GTS and the second time a Boxster S,

both times I was impressed by the performance and handling but never got any sense of occasion, and was very happy to hand them back and get back behind the wheel of my 911

for me, even though the 991 is an older car, it feels more special and more of an event,
the 718 just felt like a nice sports car.

You may well feel differently and arranging a test drive is definitely worthwhile, hopefully for long enough to make an informed decision

[SK555]

A lot to think about! I never considered a 981 but assume the age/mileage question comes into it? For what its worth they are still great looking cars which have aged really well.

My plan (in theory) would be to start with a Cayman, and move to a 911 in a few years (funds allowing). But with the way things are going I feel this may my last dance with a fun ICE car

Julian - I am 30+ years off pension age, so getting in and out of a smaller car shouldn't be an issue for me

Thanks for all the great advice guys - as I presumed, plenty to think about but very excited to finally get into a Porker

[julian987R]

SK555 said:

Julian - I am 30+ years off pension age, so getting in and out of a smaller car shouldn't be an issue for me

Oh well you are fine then, 997 GTS or Cayman 987 R, these are the droids you're looking for. Do the old man printer toner salesman 991/992 when you are retired.

[67Dino]

julian987R said:

SK555 said:

Julian - I am 30+ years off pension age, so getting in and out of a smaller car shouldn't be an issue for me

Oh well you are fine then, 997 GTS or Cayman 987 R, these are the droids you're looking for. Do the old man printer toner salesman 991/992 when you are retired.

Harsh. Perhaps he’s just getting fed up saying that yes, I’ve got a Porsche, but no, it’s not a 911? Can be wearing I imagine….


Only being mischievous, and see julian987R has previously had a 930 so knows what he’s talking about. There’s of course a lot to be said for both choices, and as others have said, best thing to do is test drive and make your own mind up.

Edited by 67Dino on Thursday 14th April 07:44

[david-j8694]

SK555 said:

A lot to think about! I never considered a 981 but assume the age/mileage question comes into it? For what its worth they are still great looking cars which have aged really well.

Looking on AT, most of the 981 GTS examples have a Porsche Extended Warranty on them. And ones bought from an OPC will come with the 24 month one anyway, so potentially hassle/worry free motoring.

Also, 30 years off retirement would put us about the same age, so plenty of time to explore the Porker back catalogue

[Demhcs]

I read the thread title 718 vs 911 so was surprised to see someone recommending a 981 GTS. Then I remembered this is Pistonheads where the 981 GTS is the most overrated car ever despite being slower than a base 4 pot...

Newer will be the easier ownership experience; but if you like 'character' and don't mind the higher maintenance + cost then a ten year old one could be workable. Personally I'd go newer.

[david-j8694]

Demhcs said:

I read the thread title 718 vs 911 so was surprised to see someone recommending a 981 GTS. Then I remembered this is Pistonheads where the 981 GTS is the most overrated car ever despite being slower than a base 4 pot...

Newer will be the easier ownership experience; but if you like 'character' and don't mind the higher maintenance + cost then a ten year old one could be workable. Personally I'd go newer.

Appreciate it's not the case for everyone, but an often cited downside of the 718 is the 4 pot engine, so I think some of us might've thought a 981 provided a good intersection of mid-engine Cayman but with an NA engine like that in the 991.1, especially given they're new enough to still have warranties.

In the absence of a list of requirements from the OP, it didn't seem like an unreasonable suggestion.

Various other models were suggested that the poster also didn't ask about.

[esotericar]

Demhcs said:

I read the thread title 718 vs 911 so was surprised to see someone recommending a 981 GTS. Then I remembered this is Pistonheads where the 981 GTS is the most overrated car ever despite being slower than a base 4 pot...

Newer will be the easier ownership experience; but if you like 'character' and don't mind the higher maintenance + cost then a ten year old one could be workable. Personally I'd go newer.

You can have a Porsche warranty up to 15 years old. So once the car is three years old, it's the same prospect whether 718 or 981, actually.

Right now, you could buy a late 981 and run it under Porsche warranty for nearly 10 years. Or you could get a brand new 718 with a lawn mower engine!

[Lexington59]

esotericar said:

Demhcs said:

I read the thread title 718 vs 911 so was surprised to see someone recommending a 981 GTS. Then I remembered this is Pistonheads where the 981 GTS is the most overrated car ever despite being slower than a base 4 pot...

Newer will be the easier ownership experience; but if you like 'character' and don't mind the higher maintenance + cost then a ten year old one could be workable. Personally I'd go newer.

You can have a Porsche warranty up to 15 years old. So once the car is three years old, it's the same prospect whether 718 or 981, actually.

Right now, you could buy a late 981 and run it under Porsche warranty for nearly 10 years. Or you could get a brand new 718 with a lawn mower engine!

Warranty doesn't cover wear & tear; and parts will wear out on an older car. The maintenance cost should be factored into the decision, particularly if you have to use OPCs at premium cost to retain the official warranty.

Need to get away from this "lawnmower" nonsense, the 4 pots are actually pretty good and really belt out the acceleration & torque.

I say that as an F6 owner. I actually think the "F6" is massively overrated.

[Lexington59]

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