997.1 vs 997.2 vs 991 vs 981 Cayman

[MMiller]

I'm looking to buy another Porsche later this year or early next year. There has been some good Porsche discussion recently on the board so I was curious what the PPOT would choose of the cars I'm interested in. Only interested in manual trans cars.

997.1- known issues left over from the 996 but more affordable and if I lost the engine I would probably do an LS conversion.

997.2- Where I'm leaning currently, however they asking price is quite a premium over the 997.1.

991- about the same price as the 997.2 from what I've seen. Bigger and more complicated, newer, faster.

981 Cayman- Seems to be a lot of car for the money, S can be had for about 997.1 money, GTS is about 70k.

Anyway, any input is much appreciated!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

My perception only, 991 is in the GT category and maybe as different from a 997 as the Cayman is to a 997.

Cayman: sports car
997: sport touring
991: GT

Each car is pretty different I think. What's the intended use?

Only thing I am sure of is you will enjoy driving and testing each.

[rattlsnak]

991 is a much more capable car over the 997.2 .. and it looks a LOT better .. especially the interior..

[David]

I’ve owned a 997.1 and now a 981. The 997 accelerates better but the 981 handles better. I’ve driven a 992 and I imagine a 991 is similar and handling seemed on par with the 981 plus the better acceleration. For the street it’s hard to beat a 911 but I still love my 981 for all around performance and functionality.

[WPOZZZ]

I have a 997.1 and would get a 981 Cayman, but in PDK for the gf to drive. I had a 987.1 Boxster base and it was a blast to drive in Tip. Would love a stick 981, but the gf can't drive stick, so a PDK is what I would get.

[aschen]

Top of the heap in 70k modern porsche sports cars is 718 cayman gts. I voted that way with my dollars. It is much faster and has some other improvements in steering and tech over 981 while still being relatively simple/old tech.

I know the snobbery against the 4cyl is there, but it is a strong and reliable motor. It is at least as fast as the cars listed if 991 is not S, and more of a sports car. At least drive one to compare to 981 if you are leaning that way. Either of the gt4s would be my first choice but consuderably more $$

[don911]

I’d agree with Aschen on the 718 GTS.
I’ve had a 991. Love the look and the interior but it felt like such a big car. Really nice car tho. Mine had sport pasm and I thought rode a little rough.
I currently have a 718 cayman GTS 4.0. Interior is the same as the 991 but feels more like a sports car. Still not the same as an air cooled 911 but the 718 GTS (either engine) is best of the modern Porsches in my opinion. Crazy fast and has good handling. It’s a great compromise for primary a street car. GT4 would be my pick for more track focus.

[look 171]

I have a 987.2 S. That's the car I grab the keys to when I go buy a jug of milk or get out to blast off up Angeles Crest Hwy. I also have a 930 and a 993 but those just sit for the most part. Plus, I love PDK. Sure, shifting is fun but I have gotten use to the extremely quick shifts that the transmission is blue toothed to my brain. Ohlin shocks are on there now and it rides like siht compared to stock, but I love it. When I grow up, I love me some 991 or 2 turbo. If I ever get it, it will be stock or leave it "Old man car" for the pot hole LA streets. its will be plenty fast and more them capable for this dumb driver.

OP, the Cayman drives and feels like a small car but not the modern 911s.

[911boost]

997.2 all the way.

I have one and love it, my first non turbo 911 in over 10 years.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

My perception only, 991 is in the GT category and maybe as different from a 997 as the Cayman is to a 997.

Cayman: sports car
997: sport touring
991: GT

Each car is pretty different I think. What's the intended use?

Only thing I am sure of is you will enjoy driving and testing each.

Thanks Shaun, intended use is road trips, cars and coffee, something tinker with in the garage. I doubt it ever sees track time. So sport touring may be the mark.

[cockerpunk]

this really seems like 997.2 v 981 when you boil it down. both are good choices.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by MMiller

Thanks Shaun, intended use is road trips, cars and coffee, something tinker with in the garage. I doubt it ever sees track time. So sport touring may be the mark.

I did some googling last night and it turns out the 991 is a fresh redesign while the 997 is an evolution of the 996. Was surprised to learn that the 997 used the same suspension. Also it was the last of the cockpit 911 design. I confirmed a lot of my suspicions about the 2 cars. I would love a 997 myself.

One theme that came up a lot was to get the GTS model, this was from both 997 and 991 owners. And this article may confirm that in the long run.

Future Classic: Porsche 911 GTS (997)

They are pricey but there may be a real chance that a 997 GTS will increase in price over the years.

Envious of the position you are in and looking forward to what you get.

[Tidybuoy]

I have a 2006 Cayman S and I love it. I've yet to have a 991 keep up with me on the twisties. I have a computer tune, FV Brombacher headers, Porsche Sport Exhaust, and GT3 Plenum. These mods have added a bit of HP. Manual Transmission.

[911boost]

The GTS is in a sweet spot, I agree.

On an anecdotal note, my 997.2 has more than doubled in value since I bought it in 2018 and I have not seen any sign of it cooling off, if you care about those things.

For me the size, drivers feel and subtle rawness compared to the newer models are what I love.

[wildthing]

I bought a 991.1S because people were selling 997.2 for about the same price two years ago. I have not driven a 997.2S. My only comparison is my 88. The 991 is bigger. More comfortable. Better for modern day commuting with the A/C and the PDK. I have driven both at Laguna Seca and it is true what they say: the 88 is more engaging, even though it's just as fast if not slower than a GR86. It may very well be the raw steering feedback, or the lack of ABS. (I know you're not looking for a comparison to air cooled...)

Would I enjoy the 997.2 more for my purposes (autocross/HPDE and commuter)? Maybe. I do like that it's smaller. I can't say for sure if I'd notice the electronic vs. hydraulic steering.

I would say, test drive both if you can. And as someone said, what is your purpose? Prices have come down a bit, but not by much, unless you're open to higher mileage 997.2 cars.

[MBAtarga]

997.2 is considered pretty much the end of DIY cars. If you're into the DIY aspect that might matter. I'm slightly biased - but mine is PDK. MT do call for a premium - as I think only about 20% produced were MT - 80% were PDK.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

997.2 is considered pretty much the end of DIY cars. If you're into the DIY aspect that might matter. I'm slightly biased - but mine is PDK. MT do call for a premium - as I think only about 20% produced were MT - 80% were PDK.

The DIY does matter to me, part of the ownership enjoyment. So you prefer the PDK to manual? What's the biggest differences to you between your 06 and the 2011?


I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts..

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Is color important? I'd have to have one of the blues myself.

The Blue 997 Thread

[HardDrive]

Absolutely love my 2014 Cayman S. I had a 997.1 S years ago, hard to compare given the time gap. But the 997 felt like more of a GT car. The Cayman is pure sports car, razor handling. I like the newer interior as well. The PDK is brilliant, hope it last. Porsche will not service them, full replacement only. That said, there are a few shops that will work on them.

[KRLocke]

I've driven both 991s and 997s, no Caymans. 997 is a gentleman's racer, 991 is getting into Mercedes territory as a comfortable cruiser IMHO.