Cayman 987 R or 981 S? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hi there, On the hunt for a new car, started looking at 997s having come out of a GT3, but the fact that my girlfriend has got to be able to drive this one has led us to a Cayman. I'll start by saying both will be PDK. The R is obviously going to have much better residuals, and they seem to be about 40-45k from an OPC. That puts us right up to 981 S money, as we've seen a few at high 40's. Problem is the 981 is so much nicer looking than the 987, and the girlfriend prefers it by a long shot as it's much more modern, but is it worth the hit on residuals? Car will only be used at weekends and the occasional trackday. Thanks in advance!

How come she can't drive a 997?

funtimee said: Hi there, Problem is the 981 is so much nicer looking than the 987, and the girlfriend prefers it by a long shot as it's much more modern, but is it worth the hit on residuals? Thanks in advance! Surely, only you can answer that as its totally subjective.

I think a 981 S is the car for you guys

PorscheGT4 said: I think a 981 S is the car for you guys Or possibly a GTS if you fancy it and can stretch that far - at the moment it's looking like it will retain it's value better than an S.

If you are buying the car on ascetics then go for the 981. For a more purer driving experience it has to be the R.

Trev450 said: If you are buying the car on ascetics then go for the 981. For a more purer driving experience it has to be the R. I think this is the key "girlfriend prefers it by a long shot" and "I'll start by saying both will be PDK" not knocking PDK but you may as well have gen 2 PDK if you want PDK. shame, when to me a car is such a personal buy, my GF keeps well out the way, in fact the 1st time she knows I have a new car is when it's on the drive :-)

PorscheGT4 said: shame, when to me a car is such a personal buy, my GF keeps well out the way, in fact the 1st time she knows I have a new car is when it's on the drive :-) Ha, ha, I've always operated with this policy too!

Thanks for the replies everyone. OK sorry, maybe I should have given some more colour. So the car will be ours and not mine, so it’s got to be something we both like. I had a 997 GT3 before and suggested we get another, but she doesn’t like them, mainly because they’re a lot bigger than the Cayman and she wouldn’t be as comfortable driving it. BCR5784 – Afraid we can’t stretch to the GTS, but would love one of those and like you say, inevitably gong to hold its money better. Cmoose – it’s just going to be used at weekends, not daily. By friendlier, if you mean that the Cayman is more snappy on the edge than a 911, then that wouldn’t concern her as she’ll never be driving it anywhere near the edge. What I suppose I was looking for was more around how the cars drive in comparison. The R is obviously the best 987, but do the improvements that the 981 brings (be it in the updated chassis or PDK etc.) mean that the 981 S is equal or even a better car overall? We’re going to drive both on Friday, but in the meantime just looking for opinions of those that own them or even had a 987 and changed to a 981. Thanks!

anonymous said: [redacted] Cmoose, I thought you would know about 'wayward' 911's, they have got a REAR engine!!!! They are so dangerous, that they eventually crash into hedges, spin in circles and kill fluffy kittens!

anonymous said: [redacted] That's my thoughts. I had a 997 3.6 for 3 months and it was a lot more 'GT' than my 987 2.7 Boxster.

Coming from a GT3 I would say R so have changed my mind what you should buy, just tell the other half the R is the best choice and let here choose the colour plenty of PDK cars about on the R model, but then that brings it's own resale issue with it, if you see resale as an issue. a R with PDK and chairs will not be a easy sell imho as can be seen with the 8 OPC cars for sale ! non of which are Manual, bucket seated cars which always sell.