Cayman GTS Conundrum - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

As many of you know I have placed an initial deposit on a CGTS around five weeks ago (seems like a life time) & had a fantastic PEC day last friday which reinforced what an amazing car I'll be getting. This will be my fourth Porsche - last one being a 996 turbo. Here is a conundrum which I'am sure many of you who already have their CGTS/BGTS or in my situation have placed your deposit & have a long wait. I actually don't mind the wait but with a build cost of around £64K there are some other compelling options: 991 Carrera S - by the time my lock down (Nov) & final delivery (Feb 2016) - prices for some used 991 models will be roughly the same as for a new CGTS 997 GTS - roughly £56-60K+ 997 Gen 2 2S PDK - roughly £44-50K There are no right/wrong decisions, just personal preference. I must admit the one option that appeals is to save £20K & buy a 997 Gen 2 PDK. I am curious to hear from those who battled with this decision. I still feel though the CGTS is a fantastic car, probably more agile than a 911 & great sound etc etc. At the moment I'am sticking with the CGTS - but i could easily be persuaded.

I think in this case, the only thing you can really do to help your decision making process is to take a test drive in all the cars you are looking at. As a side note, I had a very early deposit down on a GT4 (was going to sell my 997 GT3 to buy it) I test drove a Cayman GTS and I didn't like it. The steering wasn't as direct as my GT3 and the noise was a little .... disingenuous. I decided to stick with my GT3, much to the surprise of the dealer If it was my money I would be spending it on a 997 Gen 2 GTS and put a sharkwerks exhaust on it for a 'proper' engine sound.

The 997 GTS. It will barely depreciate, will be as quick and will drive as well as the CGTS, and it comes with some back seats for free. To me, the 997 GTS is a very special car indeed. And I would certainly not put up with waiting a YEAR for a newer car. To be frank, I cannot imagine that I would ever wait a year for a car.

The 997 GTS really is the last of the proper analogue 911s, and in 2wd form in particular takes some beating for driver involvement and is far more challenging than the Cayman GTS but probably no quicker point to point on your average UK B road. Whilst the PDK box in the Cayman is better (despite software upgrades for the 911), the synthetic piped farty exhaust note can subjectively be too intrusive but the electric steering is miles behind the perfect hydraulic set up of the 911. The 911 GTS looks relatively expensive at £55 to £60k, but they have held firm pricewise for nearly three years now, and are likely to remain stable for better spec and mileage cars unlike the 997 C2S which will inevitably follow normal depreciation.Similarly the 991 C2 S, and whilst again the supply of better spec and mileage cars has been down therefore propping up prices, the forthcoming gen 2 will doubtless hit residuals further depending on how well received the new turbo engines are. New 'synthetic' Cayman to your exact spec......or four year old 'analogue' 911. Difficult choice.

I think the CGTS may well hold its value well, too, but it is pretty much a dead cert with the 997 GTS. It is one of the few cars that I would spend £60k on, for that reason alone - quite apart from it being the best (non-GT) version of probably the best 911.

Ummm. Seems like the 997 GTS is a very compelling option. Decisions, decisions.

for £65k there is only 1 car imo a GT4 or even the new 981 Spyder.

PorscheGT4 said: for £65k there is only 1 car imo a GT4 or even the new 981 Spyder. Have you driven the GT4? Have you driven the 981 Spyder? If not, how are you coming to the conclusion that they are the ones to go for?

just my personal opinion, that is the car I have bought and chosen with that money. Time will tell I guess, but quote likes "best Cayman ever" and "top 10 drivers cars ever" looks like it might just be OK ;-)

PorscheGT4 said: for £65k there is only 1 car imo a GT4 or even the new 981 Spyder. Neither looks like a sensible choice as a DD - depends on how the car is going to be used.

PorscheGT4 said: just my personal opinion, that is the car I have bought and chosen with that money. Time will tell I guess, but quote likes "best Cayman ever" and "top 10 drivers cars ever" looks like it might just be OK ;-) Yeah but they said "best Cayman ever" about the 981 GTS when that came out and you drove it and didn't like it! Either way, if you DONT like it I am sure you will be able to clear a quick £20k on it if you decide to sell it

£25k :-)

PorscheGT4 said: for £65k there is only 1 car imo a GT4 or even the new 981 Spyder. Except you can't buy either of them. So they're not choices at all.

Save £20k and get a base spec Cayman S (the forgotten one) All the driving experience without being the latest "in fashion" talked about model

I like your style. You could even find a lightly used one with sports seats plus, leather dash, PDK with flappy paddles and Carrera S wheels then drive it all summer. Like I did.

Presactly - the GT4 has shown the GTS to be the cynical, badge engineering excercse it really is. The S is 99% of the car, now unwanted and probably prove to be the used buy of the decade, due to its FU residuals? Edit to add: Yes, I am bitter and twisted

Having been in nearly your position (potential customer and PEC day with the Cayman GTS) I wouldn't buy one (well I didn't clearly) and would probably go with the 997 GTS as it's a car that feels a little bit special, the Cayman GTS has been produced on mass and aside from the things I didn't like about the car, it's not going to have that something just a little different IMO.

Beanoir said: 997 GTS as it's a car that feels a little bit special, the Cayman GTS has been produced on mass Am I missing something...997 GTS this was also a mass produced car...? I considered one prior to buying the Cayman GTS, drove b2b same day, picked the cayman....but couldn't fault the 997 though, just felt bigger and I've never liked the 911 stigma, quite enjoy having a poor mans Porsche and being different. Edited by Trotmant on Friday 27th March 19:41

I've had a CGTS for 4 months and have had a 991 GTS on loan today. That is supposedly the pinnacle of the current NA 911 (except for the GT cars), I much prefer my Cayman. At £64k they are a bargain.

I'm probably not going to help matters here but I'd go for a 997 GTS!

Trotmant said: Am I missing something...997 GTS this was also a mass produced car...? I considered one prior to buying the Cayman GTS, drove b2b same day, picked the cayman....but couldn't fault the 997 though, just felt bigger and I've never liked the 911 stigma, quite enjoy having a poor mans Porsche and being different. Edited by Trotmant on Friday 27th March 19:41 Less 100 UK Carrera Manual RWD cars as I understand.

About 89 manual 2wd 997 GTS sold in the UK so pretty rare. I have a 987.2 and was ready to buy a Cayman GTS but didn't want to wait til next year and refuse to pay list or above for an OPC demonstrator that has probably been thrashed. Also after driving a 981, it still has the booming from the large tail gate that I from the 987 and my wife hates this so the CGTS became less appealing. Have now bought a 997 GTS and after a 2 hour test drive all I can say is wow I love it. Still feels special with the right spec and as someone has said about the 991 GTS it is a less 'manufactured' 'marketing' model. I think resale should be pretty good too as it is fairly rare (not expecting appreciation in price btw, maybe slower depreciation). As suggested strongly recommend a test drive of all the models so you can make your own decision.

Shiverman said: About 89 manual 2wd 997 GTS sold in the UK so pretty rare. I have a 987.2 and was ready to buy a Cayman GTS but didn't want to wait til next year and refuse to pay list or above for an OPC demonstrator that has probably been thrashed. Also after driving a 981, it still has the booming from the large tail gate that I from the 987 and my wife hates this so the CGTS became less appealing. Have now bought a 997 GTS and after a 2 hour test drive all I can say is wow I love it. Still feels special with the right spec and as someone has said about the 991 GTS it is a less 'manufactured' 'marketing' model. I think resale should be pretty good too as it is fairly rare (not expecting appreciation in price btw, maybe slower depreciation). As suggested strongly recommend a test drive of all the models so you can make your own decision. Sounds good. I must admit I am leaning more towards the 997 GTS & will save a few £££ on my CGTS speced car & won't have to wait a year either. Not much choice in colours though looking at the classifieds - most seem to have chosen white (which is fine for me) or black (my last porsche a 996 turbo was black & fancy a change). Would be nice to see grey, GT Silver or PTS. I'am in no rush though. Have yet to tell the OPC I want my deposit back - sure he will understand

Andrew911 said: Sounds good. I must admit I am leaning more towards the 997 GTS & will save a few £££ on my CGTS speced car & won't have to wait a year either. Not much choice in colours though looking at the classifieds - most seem to have chosen white (which is fine for me) or black (my last porsche a 996 turbo was black & fancy a change). Would be nice to see grey, GT Silver or PTS. I'am in no rush though. Have yet to tell the OPC I want my deposit back - sure he will understand Unfortunately colour choice is one of the problems buying second hand. I find you have to make a list of what you ideally want and then decide which of them are essential. I didn't want another white car as my Cayman is white and my wife's car is as well, but everything else about the 997GTS was right so I had to accept white again. Did get a 2011 car with 4,800 miles, extended leather and bucket seat amongst a load of other extras so I'm complaining. They do also look v. Good in white. And it is the fastest colour!! Go and drive and let us know what you feel.

anonymous said: [redacted] Tbh I like the look of the centre locks and think they add to the special-ness of the GTS. We shall see if they become a total pita, but I don't take the wheels off my own car very often and not sure I'd let kwik fit handle my polished rims.

Shiverman said: Go and drive and let us know what you feel. Porsche were very kind to let me have a 997 GTS for a weekend when it was released. But I can't fully remember how good it was So, yep, will take one out. I have tried to convince myself I don't mind waiting a year for the CGTS, but given how attractive (in many ways) the 997 GTS is it is a compelling alternative. Sounds like you have no regrets.

anonymous said: [redacted] Can't argue too hard with any of that, and I'll RUE the day I picked them when I'm stranded. In the meantime I'll live with cool looks. ;-) Edited by Shiverman on Monday 30th March 12:49

anonymous said: [redacted] Thank you for pointing out my wayward sofa spelling and it has been duly changed and updated.