Which would you buy?

[HugoBear]

I am moving out of my 87 Carrera.
I have always liked Caymans, whether it be gen 1, 981S or Cayman R.
I also know folks love both 997.1 and 997.2’s.
I know this has been discussed before but prices have changed since I’ve seen the discussion.
From what I see, first gen Caymans have been pretty stable at around 25k with around 40-60k miles.
So, good Cayman 987 for 25k.
Cayman R’s now seem to be in the 60’s.
Phenomenal car but are they worth 15-20k more than a 2014-2016 981s?
It looks like 981S pricing is around 40-45k pretty consistently.
Or. 997.1 for around 40-45, 997.2 for 48-55k.

[Alan A]

997.2

[sugarwood]

Get the one with the lowest horsepower.
That will be the best real world driving experience.

[HugoBear]

That would be the first gen Cayman

[Mocker]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Get the one with the lowest horsepower.
That will be the best real world driving experience.

[juanbenae]

have you driven any examples of the cars you list?

[HugoBear]

Great question.
I have driven several 987S cars and really like them.
I have driven one manual 981s and liked it.
I have only driven one 997.1 but it was clearly not a good example so I didn’t like it.
I need to drive all of them as I’m not even sure if I want PDK vs. manual.
I have a manual 2004 Boxster S and 1987 Carrera.

[MBAtarga]

PDK is not serviceable if there is a code/failure, so you're looking at a $20k bill.

[Bigtoe32067]

I’d keep the 04 Boxster S and the 87 Carrera and if I needed something different I’d put a supercharger or turbocharger on the 87 Carrera and call it done. While I do love the 997.2 it’s a totally different driving experience than an air cooled car.
YMMV
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Tony

[sithot]

The most satisfying 911 I own has the least horsepower. It is also the lightest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfYHCbyo6CE&t=379s (start at 5:28)

"Driving an early 911 is an experience on it’s own:
It’s 1000 kilos. Today we’re driving 1,600 and the 500 horsepower that we use today feel different to the 130 we drove at that time because the extra weight, the 60% more weight is not really compensated by the extra horsepower because there is no compensation for extra weight. There I nothing better than saving weight in an automobile."
Alois Ruf

[thamlin000]

Originally Posted by sithot

The most satisfying 911 I own has the least horsepower. It is also the lightest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfYHCbyo6CE&t=379s (start at 5:28)

"Driving an early 911 is an experience on it’s own:
It’s 1000 kilos. Today we’re driving 1,600 and the 500 horsepower that we use today feel different to the 130 we drove at that time because the extra weight, the 60% more weight is not really compensated by the extra horsepower because there is no compensation for extra weight. There I nothing better than saving weight in an automobile."
Alois Ruf

Following the talk of the low vin number on that video, check out 7:32. Combined two cars or was it a vin donor?

Interesting to watch.

[racer]

987.2 or 981. I'd want a 9A1 engine to prevent even the slightest chance of my engine becoming a paperweight. And, if bore scoring and DFI issues are still a concern, you could consider a base 987.2 with the 2.9l engine.

All of these will outrun a stock '87 Carrera and feel night and day different to it as well.

However, compared to your 986S, I think you would want at least a 981 as they to me do feel a lot different than the 986 - 15 years of overall development will do that afterall.


And as odd as it sounds, Sugarwoods point is valid. The most basic Porsche can be the most engaging, especially away from the track. It is, at its essence, the simplest Porsche.. and its goodness can be appreciated without 50+more HP of an S or thousand$ of dollars of SPASM/Torque vectoring/blah blah tech options.

[Matt Monson]

That’s not Suga’s point. I’ve made the point you are making and owned a base Boxster. I would rock a 987.2 non-S all day long .

But Suga’s point, which he has made many times is that you are a child and a jerk of you want to drive your Porsche hard on the street. He argues that they are just transportation unless you intend to track or auto-x it and that’s the only place it’s acceptable to stretch their legs. And as such the entry level will do as a driver.

[juanbenae]

I have taken folks out in my car and scare the living hell out of them on a bit of tarmac I am somewhat familiar with doing an on road 7/10. im not an idiot when driving on the twisty roads up here where I live, but can go at a decent pace that a passenger can never begin to understand.

it's perspective and hoping a logging truck does not come around the next blind corner.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

It is always amusing to see the celebrations of low horsepower on a sports car forum, of all places. Jayzus H Cryst some of you boyz sure have strange tastes in motoring!

[micah]

I would be careful regarding "moving out" of a clean G series. If and when you want to get back into the game, you may find comparable cars prohibitively expensive.

There will always be used Caymans and 99-whatevers out there.

[usera]

I will chime in with my $0.02. 981S is an amazing car that does everything really, really well. The 997.2 is the same but faster and a bit more everyday usable with the tiny back seats. A Cayman R is your best chance to own a future "special" car, but that has to mean something to you.

I bought my dad a 997.2S and it is simply the most amazing bang for your buck car. It has a laughable service interval and is quite quick. It is 100% all 911 regardless of its cooling option and looks great as well. Best part? You can change the oil in 12 minutes without lifting the car.

[HugoBear]

Thanks for all the replies.

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by Alan A

997.2

X2 - bonus points if it is a six spd manual

[Matt Monson]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/1066608-2009-porsche-911-carrera-s-low-miles.html#post10936504