Help me decide between 996 & 987 - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi all, I’ve had my mind pretty set on purchasing a Cayman (987 gen 2) for what feels like an eternity. This will be my first Porsche and will be my only car - replacing a Z4 and a modern, leased runaround. My circumstances now mean that car needs are no longer for commuting and now purely for pleasure / trips abroad and visiting friends/family around the country. I’d decided on a Cayman as, for my circa £20k budget, it appears to offer a bit of practicality (2x boots and a shelf for the dog), great looks and ‘proper’ Porsche driving experience. I’m comfortable with the expected running costs and it still feels like a fairly modern car. All of this said… I’ve been thinking about 996’s quite a bit, too. Instinctively, a 911 just looks so ‘right’ to me. The two rear seats would be really handy for chucking the dog + shopping in and it all fees like it might be a bit more at home on euro trips. If I bought the 996, it would be a C2 coupe and would only buy from a reputable indi (Friends Green, Portiacraft etc) who put their cars through proper preparation. Can anyone help make my mind up?

I notice you are in Essex, and that some parts of Essex fall into Greater London. And if that is the case for you then consider https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/03/04/sa... ...and that your car will need to be compliant, otherwise it'll be £12.50 each time you pull away. A 996 won't be as will be before 2006.

Owned a 996T for 4 1/2 years, then a 981CS for almost 6, and last Aug went back to a 996C2 (due to a dog and fancying a change). The 981 was a great tourer (we did 5 euro trips) and very practical, apart from fitting dogs. They drive differently and I recommend driving both before making your mind up. Things to remember are that a 996 could be 20+ years old and a 987.2 has no potential IMS/bore score issues. Seats are better in the 987 too, particularly the sports. I've had PCCM+ fitted to the 996 which really modernises the interior functionality.

are you sure your dog will be comfortable and safe on the rear shelf of a Cayman? I would go 996, my dog happily sits in the back and to me a 911 is more special than a Cayman - quintessential Porsche. The 996 has a really nice interior and is great to drive, especially if you upgrade/refresh the suspension and potentially add some bucket seats - I think they are still undervalued/underappreciated. I prefer the 996.1 looks to the 996.2

I think your assessments and assumptions are not far wrong. You probably just need to see and drive both and you’ll easily make up your mind. I’ve had a 987.2 Boxster (and a 987.1) and have a 997.1, along with a small dog to consider and it’s my only car for a similar use case to you. I love the 987 platform and have considered getting a Cayman numerous times since having the 911 but rear seats win out. Another big thing here is that 996 is quite old now and will have a lot more age related maintenance to deal with than a 987.2 (cooling system, brake lines, etc). I would also choose the 987 as a road trip car, I don’t think the 996 is the cruiser option, they’re quite loud and the seating position is worse.

julian987R said: I notice you are in Essex, and that some parts of Essex fall into Greater London. And if that is the case for you then consider https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/03/04/sa... ...and that your car will need to be compliant, otherwise it'll be £12.50 each time you pull away. A 996 won't be as will be before 2006. 996 Carreras are ULEZ compliant (at least my 3.6 is).

Scrump said: 996 Carreras are ULEZ compliant (at least my 3.6 is). Both my 996 C4 (1999) and 986S (2000) have been certified by Porsche and London and now accepted as ULEZ compliant - they weren't originally, but it's very straight forward to get the paperwork sorted and Porsche very quick and sensible to deal with. Lots of threads on how to do it....

Flip a coin. If you are pleased w the result, go w it. If you are disappointed w the result, ignore it and go the other way. Having said that, if you buy a s/hand car and are disappointed, you will lose less than on a new car. Or get a test drive in both. Whichever you choose, hope you enjoy it :-)

996 all day, and i'd buy one private with an engine rebuilt pref Hartech bullit proofed, FGP just change a few parts and put 10k on the price, this would be a good investment as well as a joy to own, as for the dog i'd leave it at home.

Simple: do you want a 911 or a Porsche? Oh, I'm not sure a dog rattling around on the back shelf of a Cayman would be sensible.

996 far more engaging to drive. Cayman does exactly what it says on the tin, and does it incredibly well, but the driving experience is somewhat one dimensional compared with the 996. Best you join the back of the queue for a 996 C2 manual coupe that’s had all the usual wear items replaced and upgrades carried out by a diligent, enthusiastic owner

At that price the 996 will be a 20 year old worn out old nail. I had one for 10 years and it just one thing after another with it, there was never a time when something didnt need doing. The Cayman, will be a more modern proposition, the downside is the lack of interior space. Depends whether you can live with it.

Export56 said: At that price the 996 will be a 20 year old worn out old nail. I had one for 10 years and it just one thing after another with it, there was never a time when something didnt need doing. The Cayman, will be a more modern proposition, the downside is the lack of interior space. Depends whether you can live with it. Obviously not doubting your own experience but as a general summary I'd say it's a little harsh. I have a 996 and yes it's needing work here and there but it more than makes up for it in terms of ownership and driving experience, other owners I know/have spoken to have said the same. Mine has 125,000 miles on it but it looks stunning inside and out and drives exceptionally well, the IMS was changed but the old one was found to be perfectly fine, and the is zero bore scoring, I suspect that is largely down to careful ownership and diligent maintenance. The big thing as I see it is finding one that's been very well looked after as so many were neglected when prices were rock bottom; the flip side of that is that values for good'uns are on the rise, just take your time in finding one.

996 all the way . All about how they have been looked after . I have an absolutely preach of a 996 non sunroof C2 with a stack of work recently completed and drives superb . I’ve also had a cayman but the 996 is far more engaging

I'm biased. 996 all day any day. But I am looking to move out of mine (fancy a change). Hartech'd too. There's not many in the classifieds either - the range of £10k difference in cars says a lot about how difficult they are to pitch too. The only advice I can offer is to buy on condition and history - you buy the paperwork/history and a car is thrown in for free Dan

Did 1,900km in my 996 this week, mostly highway driving, but still enjoyed it a lot - it is very engaging and so small. Just a joy to drive. Never driven a Cayman, but the 996 I can highly recommend. While I am selling other cars, this one will stay

Switched my cars around tonight ( 996 c2 vs my 996 4S cab) for the weekend) and I’m taking the 4S back in the morning and getting the c2 cab coupe back . My 4S is 32.5k miles and stunning but the c2 drives soooo much sweeter

I went from a 987 boxster to a 996, both great cars, but despite the 911 being older, feels more grown up, better at cruising, and just as engaging. Both were practical enough for my needs, 2 boots in the 987 make up for the lack of rear seats. The only thing I would say is that you can work the 987 through the rev range without getting to silly speeds, where as the 911 reaches silly speeds much quicker, prefer the 911 noise as well. Both cars are met the ulez criteria.

K1909 said: I went from a 987 boxster to a 996, both great cars, but despite the 911 being older, feels more grown up, better at cruising, and just as engaging. Both were practical enough for my needs, 2 boots in the 987 make up for the lack of rear seats. The only thing I would say is that you can work the 987 through the rev range without getting to silly speeds, where as the 911 reaches silly speeds much quicker, prefer the 911 noise as well. Both cars are met the ulez criteria. Took my 996 C2 out last night for a blast . Such a great little car . Have a guy coming over tomorrow who wants to drive both as he’s looking for a car after 20 years of last owning a 911. He’s not interested in the 987’s just the 996 model. Providing you buy one with lots of service history and maintenance done they are great cars. I have a feeling he wants my 4S but the truth is the drive of the C2 I much better IMO

I have a 996 & a 987. 996 all day & all night. Different cars, very different. The cabin will seem much more modern in the 987, but thats about the only advantage i could see. Best thing is drive both & see.

Thanks all! Much appreciate the feedback. Despite the general consensus of “go with the 911”, I’ve bought a very nice, 1 owner, 38k miles, 2.7 gen 1 987 in Midnight Blue. Absolutely appreciate the 911 being a more “special” feeling car but I’ve weighed this up against the Cayman’s slightly more “introductory” Porsche ownership risks. Anyway, always nice to have the next car to aim for, right? 😉

FieldAtlanta said: Thanks all! Much appreciate the feedback. Despite the general consensus of “go with the 911”, I’ve bought a very nice, 1 owner, 38k miles, 2.7 gen 1 987 in Midnight Blue. Absolutely appreciate the 911 being a more “special” feeling car but I’ve weighed this up against the Cayman’s slightly more “introductory” Porsche ownership risks. Anyway, always nice to have the next car to aim for, right? ?? Nice purchase hope you enjoy the car good luck

The best advice given here was to drive the different cars and see. When I first wanted a Porsche, nine years ago, like many I suspect, I assumed I wanted a 911. I drove both 996 and 997 models and just didn't really get on with them. Someone suggested why do you just try a Boxster. Slightly reluctantly I did so and was instantly at home in it. I bought a 987.2 and absolutely loved it. You've made a great choice with your car and I very much hope that you will have as much in it as I had in mine.

Congratulations on the new car! My first Porsche was a Boxster and I absolutely loved it from my first drive. I owned it for a year but still had an itch for a 911. I eventually sold the Boxster to scratch that itch but I was so underwhelmed coming from a Boxster. I owned two 911s but missed my Boxster so much that I bought another 987 last year. I still have a 911 (997.2 Turbo) but it’s the Boxster I drive mainly now for fun. Anyone that says a Boxster is a poor man’s Porsche has never driven one.

FieldAtlanta said: Thanks all! Much appreciate the feedback. Despite the general consensus of “go with the 911”, I’ve bought a very nice, 1 owner, 38k miles, 2.7 gen 1 987 in Midnight Blue. Absolutely appreciate the 911 being a more “special” feeling car but I’ve weighed this up against the Cayman’s slightly more “introductory” Porsche ownership risks. Anyway, always nice to have the next car to aim for, right? ?? I bought similar about 5 years ago, now on 63k miles. Warm it up then wring it's neck and it's lovely, that 245bhp is so low by modern hot hatch standards but feels great in the overall package. It's brilliant being on an open road and reving it out in 1st-2nd-most of 3rd gear. In my head the car thanks me for waking it up Enjoy many miles together. Maybe a reader's car thread in the making?

Well done, you get more for your money in a 987, plus cooler looking headlamps. Covid has pushed the 996 prices crazy high for all models, so you dont get good vfm.

Export56 said: Well done, you get more for your money in a 987, plus cooler looking headlamps. Covid has pushed the 996 prices crazy high for all models, so you dont get good vfm. What’s a well maintained 996.2 C2 coupe selling for these days with IMS & RMS bearings done , new clutch , condensers, rads , bump stops and all rubbers replaced , new rear tyres & Porsche car play unit added ? Manual car FSH Edited by GT3Manthey on Wednesday 30th March 18:06 Edited by GT3Manthey on Wednesday 30th March 19:14