991S versus 981 GTS

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question. I realize this is the 911 part of the board. However, Planet 9 doesn't seem to have a general discussion sub-board (Grr). Anyway, I am considering amongst used options a new car to replace my beloved 2006 Cayman S . The two models I am considering are a 991S and the new 981 GTS . Various track rats have suggested I really should consider the Cayman GTS . Of course, it is not available to test drive so I test drove a Cayman S . It was very nice but my immediate impression was that it wasn't so different from my lightly modified 2006 so I was a bit underwhelmed. It still seemed to have that lack of linear power until you hit 4000 rpm that I find annoying in my Cayman . I had a very different impression of the 991S, and I liked it. However, I really like the nimbleness of a Cayman and I am worried that I could be spending a lot of money for a what is really a grand tourer when what I really like is a sports car. I'm impressed also that so many experienced track drivers are recommending the Cayman GTS , and of course I realize it has 15hp and 7 pounds of torque more than an S anyway. I'll be driving the car daily in Dubai, which means a combination of stop and go with fast highway driving with stock car racing shenanigans thrown in. I will be tracking the car as well 4-5 times a year or so.

The 981 GTS isn't even out yet. The "expert" recommendation you keep referring to is just basing it off the numbers. The suspension aspect is no difference than what is available on a S: PASM or SS. Therefore the difference comes down to a .1 or .2 sec difference. But behavior-wise there will be no difference.

Thanks very much. I think it would be more accurate to say that the opinions I have received about the Cayman GTS are based on the Cayman S . The GTS is just a tweak to an existing car with known excellent handling. What is difficult to determine is what difference those tweaks would make. What surprised me and a bit disappointed me on a short and not very comprehensive test drive was how much the new Cayman S felt like my old 2006 Cayman S . Granted, I have made a few adjustments to the car but I expected more. On a track or more open twisty road it may be a different story of course, which is why I ask the question here.

I bought my Boxster S because I like convertible. If I am going to buy a coupe I would take 911S over 981GTS. The squat and shoot way of driving a rear wheel drive car out of a corner is addictive.

I had a Cayman , and now a 991S. I've been in several 981S' as well. I track my 991S, and it's really just a spectacular car. It does not feel like a rear engine car. Honestly, I can't see myself getting back in the Cayman / Boxster platform unless they started putting the 3.8 in there. The engine alone is worth the price of admission. Not only does it sound amazing ( PSE required) but the power is smooth and strong. Asking on this forum is tough because it's mostly 987/ 981 owners. If there is any concern about nimbleness, have no fear. There is a reason why the 991S was named best drivers car.

For most people, the 991 will be their choice, during last year's Road show, after we finished our drives ( Cayman , Cayman S , 991 C2, and 991 C4S), the instructor asked which car do you prefer, the overwhelming majority said the 991 C4S, only a few raised their hands for the Cayman and they were all current Cayman owners. The instructor said that is the norm. Most people prefer the torque, hp, and the stability of the awd. I am a roadster guy and the 981 Boxster seems to be the best roadster in the market. The 991 is a nice car but it's not nice enough for me to trade in my 997 for.

Interesting...!! I think I can help answer this as I was in a lot of similar situation AND my name is Simon too... I had a 2006 Cayman S. Which I loved. Now I have a 991 CS. I got the 991CS before the GTS announcement so that part is different. I was not deciding between the 2. But was heavily considering the 981 Boxster / Cayman S vs 991. Before I pull the trigger, I had a lot of very involved experience with the new Cayman S, was able to take it for some heavy driving on the canyons.. etc. And from those experience, I know the new 981 Cayman S is VERY capable! 2 things that stood out compare to my old CayS. 1) How much better its everyday usability is compare to my old car. It was A Lot more comfortable, compliant, and just drives better in the street for everyday usage than my old car. 2) and second, how much better this car is in its performance and handling. It is really the first time for me, how numbers on paper do not translate to real world differences. The new 981's limit is So much higher than my old car it was crazy to experience. How you can feel, predict, and play at the limit was unbelievable. You have to drive the car hard enough to really see that difference. You can really "dance" in hard, tricky corners in the canyons. Unbelievable. Also, the slight bump in HP and torque AND how they pushed the redline to a bit higher actually made a very big difference. It was very very well designed and tuned with the PDK. This translates to, being able to stay in the same 2nd gear in turns and getting out of turns much faster compare to before where I would have to go 3rd gear first cause I would hit redline sooner, and then back down to 2nd later as needed.. which translates to a much less fluid and quite a bit slower reaction and drive. And its use of power in the new 981 is much better than my old car. So, why did I get the 991 CS at the end. It was a combination of reasons. I got a really good deal on it and I have always loved the 911, especially 991, in both looks and the new handling they made. I would not buy the older models as I liked the cayman / boxster drive way better. But most of all, I finally decide on it was because after all the drives in cayman and boxsters, and how great they are, they still feel similar. It would be quite a better and suped up Cayman which I would love. But still a 981 / 987 similar type experience. Where as the 911 experience is different. If I was spending that much money, inside me, I kind of did not want to get the same thing so to speak. I wanted to try something different. A higher power engine that has good torque and that is not "caped" so to speak. Having more room inside the cabin also helped and made daily driving more comfortable and convenient. Definitely roomier inside compare to 981. And my dog sits in the back. Driving wise, I do love the 991 as well. It was a hard decision though. As many things I love about Cayman you just will not exactly get in the 911, like the lightfooted-ness of the car, how nimble and forgiving it is in cornering. And how balance the mid engine layout is and how light it is, all those add up to the experience. So after about 6 months of the 991 CS, what do I think. I love it! Yes it is different, for sure. It "is" not as nimble and light and so easy to change direction as the 981. I have to learn a whole new language in how to drive it fast and how to best optimize power and handling of the car. Yes, the car will not be as flexible in handling compare to 981. For sure. Certain drive and feel are probably not as direct either. But it does have immense traction but you have to know how to drive it and the timing makes a night and day difference. And I am having a blast learning all the new things and what makes it ticks, (and what not too... ) If you are not careful with the 911, yes, it can get upset in the tail... but I find the challenge fun. Very Fun! If you know the car well and the timing are good, this car excels out of corners like nothing I have driven... its awe inspiring awesome! 981 imo can carry turns faster into corners and mid corners, but 911 can exit faster out of them. I know this is getting long, but I have to mention, the Engine of the CS is one of my favorite engine!! It is VERY VERY VERY good imo. Great power! Torque is great. You still have to push the rpm a little to get some, but not nearly as high as the 981 engines. And very well tuned to the PDK, they work so seamlessly. And the sound even the default exhaust sounds really really nice. Personally, I love the sound of Cayman, but I love this even more. The kind of sudden rush of power on demand has always been something I felt missing on the 981s. I doubt the GTS will give you that either. Even 991 base did not quite give me that. So this is my experience and take. And how I got the 991CS instead of the new 981 from an old Cayman. Would I consider and want to buy Cayman / Boxster again the in the future. Absolutely! Once I experienced more P cars, I can see I would still love these mid engine, well balanced cars. They are fantastic and are one of the best driving cars. But I would love to try a GT3 before I go back to it. Who knows, maybe that would change my experience entirely... if the GT3 is the best of both worlds, great handling and great power... then ... ahhh.. I will be confused again.. haha. Just wanted to share my experience and hope it helps someone in their buying process. Cheers and drive safe! Simon

Thanks everyone for the comments, views and suggestions. In the end I made a different choice. I was leaning towards the 991 S but I decided to take a look at a couple of 997 first. One of them was a 2012 997.2 turbo cab which I test drove, and well, that was that. I have only had it a few days and I am still collecting my impressions but after one drive up an impressively twisty mountain road I can say that I really like it. It's very different from my 987.1 CS though, and I will miss that car for it's agility and for its wonderful aftermarket FVD exhaust (hearing the new owner driving it away almost brought a teat my my eyes - it really does sound a lot better than the turbo). But, the turbo has its own character that I am really looking forward to getting to know better - especially when I can get it on a track and really open it up.

Good luck trader

Nice review. As a former owner of a 997S with sports suspension and PSE , I can certainly appreciate your point of view. In my case I was about to purchase a 991S cabrio until I test drove a 981 BS. Since I have tracked various 911 iterations over the years, I certainly have an appreciation for how far the the 911 has evolved over the past 40+ years. So although there's no question that a 991S is clearly superior to a 981S or even I suspect a 981 GTS , I still purchased a 981S. The reason was price. I just couldn't justify the $50K premium of a 991 S cabrio over a 981 BS.

If money were no object I would probably have a 911S . Sadly money is an object so I am content with my Cayman . I would love to have a 981GTS but that won't happen either. Oh well.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I think that conclusion puts you in a minority position vis-a-vis the 987 vs 981 raging comparisons & debates in the other 987/981 forums. Particular with regard to PDK vs. anything else equipped cars. This is of course, your driving impressions and assessment, but I think you'd get some strong argument from the other Cayman forums - particularly vis comparison with the original 2006 MY car. And adding 991 into the mix, oh my