987.1 v 987.2 v 981

[Bispal]

ATM said:

Good man

How are you 2 getting on?

Great thanks. In my first week I did around 800 miles, including 550 miles in one day. The car drives superbly and I think much of that is down to the 17" wheels. The difference between the 17" on my current 986s and the 18" on my previous 986s is considerably more noticeable than I would have thought. Not only does the car ride better but every input seems sharper and more feel-some, perhaps its the lower un-sprung weight? The net result is a car that feels much more nimble and light on its toes, more like a Lotus. I do think the 18" look better but there is no way I will ever go back to them. the 17" are here to stay.

Sean at flat six has taken the car back to sort out a suspension rattle. We suspect its the tuning forks but as the rattle is only noticeable after an hour or more of driving I would not have expected a trader to have picked that up so its good that he is sorting it.

I do miss the trip computer, I naively thought they all had it, and cruise control would be welcome with all the average speed cameras. I might look into getting both retro fitted. I bought the car for its colour over other spec items. Waiting for a rainforest green car with trip and cruise may have taken a few years! The only other rainforest I know of that changed hands recently was between friends so it didn't even go up for sale. I believe there are only 50 in the UK?

I will update later when the necessary suspension is refreshed but so-far very happy with my choice and the way it drives.

[deebs]

Bispal said:

I've bought 986 S in Rainforest Green from Sean at Flat Six Classics, a great chap to deal with. Thanks for all your replies.

That looks sublime!

[ATM]

Bispal said:

The car drives superbly and I think much of that is down to the 17" wheels. The difference between the 17" on my current 986s and the 18" on my previous 986s is considerably more noticeable than I would have thought. Not only does the car ride better but every input seems sharper and more feel-some, perhaps its the lower un-sprung weight? The net result is a car that feels much more nimble and light on its toes, more like a Lotus. I do think the 18" look better but there is no way I will ever go back to them. the 17" are here to stay.

Yes

Going from 18 to 17 is a game changer on the 9x6 platform. I also experimented with 4 fronts on my 986 and it drove lovely - no lurid sliding around or other such nonsense even when I tried to provoke it. You really dont need the over sized tyres but I can understand it feels like a down grade going down in width and diameter. This pic is of the car wearing 4 fronts. Not sure if you can see how inboard the rear wheel looks.

[Bispal]

ATM said:

Bispal said:

The car drives superbly and I think much of that is down to the 17" wheels. The difference between the 17" on my current 986s and the 18" on my previous 986s is considerably more noticeable than I would have thought. Not only does the car ride better but every input seems sharper and more feel-some, perhaps its the lower un-sprung weight? The net result is a car that feels much more nimble and light on its toes, more like a Lotus. I do think the 18" look better but there is no way I will ever go back to them. the 17" are here to stay.

Yes

Going from 18 to 17 is a game changer on the 9x6 platform. I also experimented with 4 fronts on my 986 and it drove lovely - no lurid sliding around or other such nonsense even when I tried to provoke it. You really dont need the over sized tyres but I can understand it feels like a down grade going down in width and diameter. This pic is of the car wearing 4 fronts. Not sure if you can see how inboard the rear wheel looks.

So you went down to 225 or 205 on the rear? I currently have new Toyo Proxes 17" all round, 205 front and 255 rear. Did you try the rears with spacers? What tyre pressures do you run with the normal staggered set up? I've tried 29 psi all round and 29 psi front and 36 psi rear but interested to hear what you think works best? Cheers.

[ATM]

Bispal said:

So you went down to 225 or 205 on the rear? I currently have new Toyo Proxes 17" all round, 205 front and 255 rear. Did you try the rears with spacers? What tyre pressures do you run with the normal staggered set up? I've tried 29 psi all round and 29 psi front and 36 psi rear but interested to hear what you think works best? Cheers.

205 50 17 all round

I tend to use the same pressures between 29 to 32 depending on my mood.

The 17 setup on the 996 is the same sizes as your car. Factory recommended pressure is 36 36. So I used to run the 996 on 32 32. Then when I got the 986 I found that they recommend the same pressure for 17 as they do 18 which is 29 36. So I think 36 is way too high personally. So I've done as low as 29 29 and not noticed much difference compared to 32 32.

My advice is play around and see how you get on. I'd prefer to go a bit low as high tends to wear the centre first which makes me think the tyre is ballooning.

I've been as low as 12 - not intentionally - on the front of my 996 and the only difference I noticed is under heavy braking when the car scrabbled a bit.

[Bispal]

ATM said:

Bispal said:

So you went down to 225 or 205 on the rear? I currently have new Toyo Proxes 17" all round, 205 front and 255 rear. Did you try the rears with spacers? What tyre pressures do you run with the normal staggered set up? I've tried 29 psi all round and 29 psi front and 36 psi rear but interested to hear what you think works best? Cheers.

205 50 17 all round

I tend to use the same pressures between 29 to 32 depending on my mood.

The 17 setup on the 996 is the same sizes as your car. Factory recommended pressure is 36 36. So I used to run the 996 on 32 32. Then when I got the 986 I found that they recommend the same pressure for 17 as they do 18 which is 29 36. So I think 36 is way too high personally. So I've done as low as 29 29 and not noticed much difference compared to 32 32.

My advice is play around and see how you get on. I'd prefer to go a bit low as high tends to wear the centre first which makes me think the tyre is ballooning.

I've been as low as 12 - not intentionally - on the front of my 996 and the only difference I noticed is under heavy braking when the car scrabbled a bit.

Thanks.

I didn't notice much difference with the rear pressures 29 'v' 36. I would probably keep at 36psi to rear for long m-way runs but will try 32 psi at rear for everyday and B roads. Will experiment.

[SV_WDC]

Such an interesting thread this. Currently on a 987.2 Cayman, with the 2.9 engine. Absolutely love the thing but I do like the look of the 981 cars & want to get into something a bit more modern.

Seriously considered a GT4 but after assessing practicality & taking into account this is my only car have settled on a GTS.

I've read about/heard comments on the steering differences between 987.2 & 981. But with various comments on PH about people actually preferring the 987.2 I am wondering which dealers actually allow a proper test drive? Understandably most are reluctant unless you're putting down a deposit first but how are you supposed to without knowing if it truly is the right model for you?

[Bispal]

SV_WDC said:

Such an interesting thread this. Currently on a 987.2 Cayman, with the 2.9 engine. Absolutely love the thing but I do like the look of the 981 cars & want to get into something a bit more modern.

Seriously considered a GT4 but after assessing practicality & taking into account this is my only car have settled on a GTS.

I've read about/heard comments on the steering differences between 987.2 & 981. But with various comments on PH about people actually preferring the 987.2 I am wondering which dealers actually allow a proper test drive? Understandably most are reluctant unless you're putting down a deposit first but how are you supposed to without knowing if it truly is the right model for you?

Is an odd scenario but myself and some mates, who are all fortunate enough to be able to buy 981 / 718 spyder's and GT4's if we wanted to, are regressing to 986 Boxster's, in preference to the newer cars. For me the 986 is the best looking of the Boxster's BUT I have heard many times that the 987.2 is the driving sweet spot with all the power of the 981 but with hydraulic steering in a smaller footprint. It also does not suffer from the fake pops / bangs / farts of the newer cars. I still have not driven one but would really like to try one. I think going forward, if what I hear is correct, eventually 987.2 desirability and values will surpass the 981.

Edited by Bispal on Wednesday 20th April 17:08

[esotericar]

The thing about the 981 Box is that it is the only one with a genuinely rigid body. The 987 is a bit bendy, the 986 is really quite bendy. Of course, the 987 Cayman is very rigid.

That aside, I'd say the 986 and 987 are quite a bit more enjoyable to drive than the 981. 987 is definitely more insulated and generic to drive at lower speeds than the 986. The 986 feels special at any speed. But the 987 has a bit more competence and depending on what you like, can be more fun to really fling down a great B road. And as you say, with the gen 2 987 you get basically all the power of a 981 from the same more reliable engine.

That said, a 987.1 3.2 is pretty reliable and has an adequate turn of speed. A low mile one of those in a good spec is stupendous value for money, even in the current market. You'd get a really, really nice one privately for £15k and even the priciest dealer will struggle to charge you £20k for one. Lots to choose from, plenty of low mile cars left.

When you compare that to, say, a 997.2 for £40k+, or shagged 996s going for £20k...or awful, rotten, bitsa air-cooled cars going for telephone numbers...

[ATM]

I think it really depends on what you want from the car. Do you want an occasional use car to enjoy at sensible speeds. Do you want something to tour Europe in relative comfort. Do you want maximum lateral g when in full attack mode. Do you want something in the middle so comfy and charming and quite quick. When I drive my 986 it feels nice but it isn't what you would call fast. But it does feel nice driving around in a 21 year old Porsche which has a lot of charm and character and has bags of feel. Then I drive my 981 and it feels way way faster if you provoke it but for pottering around in it just feels like a nice modern civilised car which means very little feel if any.

[KPB1973]

ATM said:

I think it really depends on what you want from the car. Do you want an occasional use car to enjoy at sensible speeds. Do you want something to tour Europe in relative comfort. Do you want maximum lateral g when in full attack mode. Do you want something in the middle so comfy and charming and quite quick. When I drive my 986 it feels nice but it isn't what you would call fast. But it does feel nice driving around in a 21 year old Porsche which has a lot of charm and character and has bags of feel. Then I drive my 981 and it feels way way faster if you provoke it but for pottering around in it just feels like a nice modern civilised car which means very little feel if any.

I'd agree with this when also comparing 987.2 to a 986. I sold my last 986 S (with full m030 suspension refurb and new clutch), for a 2009 BS.

The former was way, way more fun at any speed. The engine has bags more charm, the steering is more feelsome, and I actually felt I could work the chassis a bit more even if the speeds i'd be doing were lower than in the replacement 987.2 over the same roads.

That said, the 987.2 is quicker, torquey-er in gear, more economical on a cruise, much more comfortable for my dodgy hip and in the right spec, I believe a better looking car (mins is aqua blue with 19" carreras and looks stunning).

2 out of the 3 986's i've owned have crippled me on a medium-long distance drive. No amount of adjustment of the seat, or using small bean bag cushions to bolster myself, seemed to resolve it. If it weren't for that, i'd have not sold my last one. Bar a few creaks it was perfect.

[Bispal]

KPB1973 said:

ATM said:

I think it really depends on what you want from the car. Do you want an occasional use car to enjoy at sensible speeds. Do you want something to tour Europe in relative comfort. Do you want maximum lateral g when in full attack mode. Do you want something in the middle so comfy and charming and quite quick. When I drive my 986 it feels nice but it isn't what you would call fast. But it does feel nice driving around in a 21 year old Porsche which has a lot of charm and character and has bags of feel. Then I drive my 981 and it feels way way faster if you provoke it but for pottering around in it just feels like a nice modern civilised car which means very little feel if any.

I'd agree with this when also comparing 987.2 to a 986. I sold my last 986 S (with full m030 suspension refurb and new clutch), for a 2009 BS.

The former was way, way more fun at any speed. The engine has bags more charm, the steering is more feelsome, and I actually felt I could work the chassis a bit more even if the speeds i'd be doing were lower than in the replacement 987.2 over the same roads.

That said, the 987.2 is quicker, torquey-er in gear, more economical on a cruise, much more comfortable for my dodgy hip and in the right spec, I believe a better looking car (mins is aqua blue with 19" carreras and looks stunning).

2 out of the 3 986's i've owned have crippled me on a medium-long distance drive. No amount of adjustment of the seat, or using small bean bag cushions to bolster myself, seemed to resolve it. If it weren't for that, i'd have not sold my last one. Bar a few creaks it was perfect.

Can't you put 987 seats in a 986? I'm sure the are a direct fit? The 986 seats are not the best and do give me a bit of leg pain if over 2 hours, i do wonder how much of that could actually be fixed by cruise control for a leg stretch?

Interesting comments re 987.2, i still need to try one to experience for myself. The 981 is obviously faster than a 986 but faster isn't always better, especially on real roads these days where involvement and interaction at medium speeds, 7/10ths, is often as much as you can hope for.

[ATM]

Bispal said:

Can't you put 987 seats in a 986? I'm sure the are a direct fit? The 986 seats are not the best and do give me a bit of leg pain if over 2 hours, i do wonder how much of that could actually be fixed by cruise control for a leg stretch?

Yes

I was considering selling my 986 until I got the 987 seats in. Totally transformed the car. By far and a way the best mod I have ever done to a car. I liked them so much I got some for my 996 too. I'm still a bit cramped in the 986 but its not painful now. I should try removing the centre console and maybe a different steering wheel. I really do think the 9x6 seats are just rubbish. I may try some different seats at some point but the 987 seats are good enough to make the car usable and enjoyable.

[Bispal]

ATM said:

Yes

I was considering selling my 986 until I got the 987 seats in. Totally transformed the car. By far and a way the best mod I have ever done to a car. I liked them so much I got some for my 996 too. I'm still a bit cramped in the 986 but its not painful now. I should try removing the centre console and maybe a different steering wheel. I really do think the 9x6 seats are just rubbish. I may try some different seats at some point but the 987 seats are good enough to make the car usable and enjoyable.

Good job. Are they a direct fit, in and out? Any issues with air bag / heated seat connectors?

[JayK12]

SV_WDC said:

Such an interesting thread this. Currently on a 987.2 Cayman, with the 2.9 engine. Absolutely love the thing but I do like the look of the 981 cars & want to get into something a bit more modern.

Seriously considered a GT4 but after assessing practicality & taking into account this is my only car have settled on a GTS.

I've read about/heard comments on the steering differences between 987.2 & 981. But with various comments on PH about people actually preferring the 987.2 I am wondering which dealers actually allow a proper test drive? Understandably most are reluctant unless you're putting down a deposit first but how are you supposed to without knowing if it truly is the right model for you?

I am sure most dealers will let you drive a 981 GTS, find one you would buy if it ticks the test drive box, call them up and explain your situation. As your already in a Cayman I'm sure they will be more inclined to get you out in a 981 GTS.

[ATM]

Bispal said:

Good job. Are they a direct fit, in and out? Any issues with air bag / heated seat connectors?

Here we go. These pics are form my 996 thread. These are also easier to understand because red seat = 9x6 seat.

I did some butchering of the driver seat buckle. I removed this form the 9x6 seat and transferred it over to the 9x7 seat. in this way the little plug on the wire from the buckle just plugs into the wiring harness in exactly the same way. There is no wire on the passenger seat buckle.

Picture 3 shows the little white plug removed from the main plug of the original 9x6 seat. This is the one which runs to the seat belt buckle. So you remove the buckle with wire and plug and transfer it to the 9x7 seat. It is held on with a big 17 or 19mm bolt and has some little metal clips keeping the cable tidy along the underside of the seat. Then I just plugged this little white plug into the big socket of the car's harness and held it in with a zip tie. I think it works fine.

You may be able to use the original 9x7 buckle but I didn't want to risk an airbag light on. They are difficult to turn off.

So I dont have power wired up for the adjustment. Seats are locked in position. My mate did the same thing to his 996 and wired up the power to the adjuster. It was not difficult but I was too excited about just getting the seats in to try. So I'm happy leaving the angle as is for now. If I want to do the wiring I would need to remove them again. Airbag in the 9x7 seat you can just ignore.

[Bispal]

Thanks ATM, definitely something to consider. Would really like alcantara too which is probably cheaper, or green pepita inserts :-)

Cheers

[ATM]

Bispal said:

Thanks ATM, definitely something to consider. Would really like alcantara too which is probably cheaper, or green pepita inserts :-)

Cheers

I did quite well on both pairs of seats. The standard seats are perfectly comfortable. I'm not sure I'd get too excited about the sports seats. I think mostly people are upgrading from standard to sports so the sports do command a premium.

[Bispal]

Bit of a thread resurrection / update.

I owned my Rainforest Green 986s for 18 months and 15k miles. Some of the touring we did included the South of France, The Dolomites, Slovenia & NC500. I had cruise and OBC fitted and it was the best touring car I ever had. It even reached 165mph on the A-bahn and surprisingly was still pulling. I took it from 65,000 miles to 80,085 miles (yes that's really where it ended up as I p'xd it).

I replaced it with a 718 Spyder. In which we toured France (twice) Dolomites, Isle of Skye, Wales & Northumberland. Completing 11k miles in 12 months.

My honest opinion. I preferred my RFG 986 to the 718 Spyder, even though it cost 10 times more (exactly). My 986 is now owned by a photographer who has an active Instagram page with 100's of pics of it posted, so I miss it even more and am constantly reminded I should not have sold it.

So I sold the 718 Spyder last week and am back to square one and on the hunt.

My green 986 was so much nicer to drive than my silver one, I put this down to the 17" wheels it had over the 18" on the silver one.

So the green 986 is the best Porsche I have owned, even over my 911 (996).
My 981 Spyder sounded nice but was too hard and the engine map (as standard) was not great.
The 718 Spyder just didn't do it for me, at all.
Strangely neither did the polar silver 986.

So here I am, as I said back to square one, looking at 987.2s manual's and realising there is not a lot of choice. I have a short list of other cars including the Z4M, MX5 (30th anniversary) and SL63AMG. But the 987.2 has floated to the top. Its a fact that the 2 boots on the Boxster make it supreme for touring, its mid engine, NA, RWD & properly engineered. The 987 is the only Boxster variant I haven't owned.

So any 'new' words of wisdom on what do go for in regards of 987.2 ??? I'm even open to a 2.9 with a good spec.


718 Spyder - Sold Last week


986s - Sold 18 months ago with BIG regrets

[ATM]

What about a 987 spyder?