997 C2 vs 987.1 S - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi everyone, Sorry if this is a debate that has been had multiple times before; it is new ground for me! I'm lucky enough to have a pot of cash to spend on a car that will be used weekly, but not daily. I have a station car for daily duties, this car will be spending more time driving around at weekends or occasionally for a 40 mile round trip commute to the office. The question is, should I go for a 911 997C2 or a Cayman 987.1 S? 911 - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12736057 Cayman - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12591897 The 911 was the car I wanted when I was growing up and is the car I default to; but I know that the Cayman is going to be newer, lower mileage, better condition inside etc etc. So - if it were your choice, would you go 997 or 987, and why?

I’m in a similar predicament myself I think it will depend upon whether you want to use it as a daily driver or not. I will be using mine most days, The only other thing to bare in mind, is if you decide to go for the cayman, will you still be looking at 911, and think that you have gone for second best. It’s a bit like buying a Tudor watch, which is an extremely good watch in their own right, but wishing you had gone and bought a Rolex.

I've had a 2.9 987.2 PDK Boxster, a 2.7 987.1 manual Boxster and have a 997.1 manual C2 currently. For outright chuckability and being able to wring their neck the 987s were more fun than the 997 and as an occassional car without the need for small space in the back I would still choose a Boxster over a 911. However, all of the best attributes that make these cars excellent to drive, the steering, pedal position, seating position etc are very similar across the models. Both are very fun and capable for the occassional track day too if that's of interest. The rear engined and wider tyres on the 911 make it hugely more sticky at the rear which has its positives and negatives and the weight difference does make it a different drive compared to the very neutral mid engined cars. Personally if I were looking in your position I would be going for a gen 2 987, the 2.9 is a fine engine if a 3.4 is out of budget. I'm fairly comfortable with the risk of these engines but I still think I'd avoid the 3.4 in the 987.1. Running costs largely the same across the models as they share so many parts so shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Further to the above Tudor/Rolex analogy, even if Tudor made a watch that was objectively better in every way than its equivalent Rolex, people would still want the Rolex and it'd still command a premium. They're buying the brand, the heritage, what they dreamt of as a kid, and so on. OP, it sounds like a 911 is what you lusted after and imagined yourself driving. So that has to be the right answer. It's an emotive purchase. Personally, I've never liked the looks of the 987 Cayman, and I could never have a car that I didn't like looking back at. Whereas I think the 997 is a stunning, timeless design.

Saintsman1 said: It’s a bit like buying a Tudor watch, which is an extremely good watch in their own right, but wishing you had gone and bought a Rolex. I've got a Tudor and a 911 but I don't want a Rolex but I do want another Boxster, where does that put me

Good luck on your search! Yeah I wonder that as well - but I've got an NC MX-5 at the moment, widely considered to be the worst MX5 OF ALL TIME etc etc. And it is a brilliant bit of kit. So I think I'll be satisfied either way round. The reality is, I want a 911; but I don't want to over-reach myself to soon. Do I play safe, find a good 987.1, enjoy it for a couple of years and then upgrade, or just jump in with both feet and hope for the best?! A lovely decision to have to make...

Saintsman1 said: I’m in a similar predicament myself I think it will depend upon whether you want to use it as a daily driver or not. I will be using mine most days, The only other thing to bare in mind, is if you decide to go for the cayman, will you still be looking at 911, and think that you have gone for second best. It’s a bit like buying a Tudor watch, which is an extremely good watch in their own right, but wishing you had gone and bought a Rolex. I have a 987 and I never once looked at 911s and thought "I wish I'd bought one of those instead". Until I decided to buy a 911 because I thought I should own a 911 at some point in my life. Honestly the Boxster is the better car and I use it way more than the 911. edit to add: I'm not someone who's always lusted after a 911 so it doesn't have that emotional draw for me

I've owned both. There are some good, practical reasons for buying a 911 e.g. you can't get a 4WD Boxster, and the dog won't thank you for putting him in the back of a Boxster. If these don't apply to you then I agree with other posters above: as road cars, 987's are more fun. Of course none of that matters if you're somehow going to feel "inferior" when you see a 911. Best to get that out of your system first.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12254726 ......yeah I want one of these!

Jeenyus161 said: Good luck on your search! Yeah I wonder that as well - but I've got an NC MX-5 at the moment, widely considered to be the worst MX5 OF ALL TIME etc etc. And it is a brilliant bit of kit. So I think I'll be satisfied either way round. The reality is, I want a 911; but I don't want to over-reach myself to soon. Do I play safe, find a good 987.1, enjoy it for a couple of years and then upgrade, or just jump in with both feet and hope for the best?! A lovely decision to have to make... You need to test drive them. If you were writing your bucket list would you put own a 987 or a 911 on it?

I'd go for a late 987.2 2.9 PDK, I've got one at the moment (for sale) and it's a wonderful thing to drive and the balance between power and handling is really as close to perfect I've experienced (I've previously owned a 996 C4S and a couple of Boxster's).

If you are used to an MX5 then the storage in a Cayman will been more than fine for you and is a good entry point into Porsche ownership. It doesn't have to be your forever car...you can always change it in a few years... That 987.1S you linked to seems overpriced to me for a basic spec, no extended leather, nothing special sort of a color. Another 5k would get you a gen 2 and the delta between the 987.2 base and S is so small if I weas goign that way I;d go all the way to the S. Don't be afraid to buy private and get a PPI. £4k less than that 911V gets you this potentially great Red one with extended leather and is the cheaper tax band. Maybe seller needs it away fast and would take £16,500 Drive them both and you will know which one is for you. Edited by Andyoz on Tuesday 18th January 17:51

There is something very special about a 911. Nothing else like them. Have also owned Boxsters, including the Spyder. Unlike the posters above I find the 911 far more engaging to drive (but we all like different things). Edited by elferUSA.com on Tuesday 18th January 20:39

elferUSA.com said: There is something very special about a 911. Nothing else like them. Have also owned Boxsters, including the Spyder. Unlike the posters above I find the 911 far more engaging to drive (but we all like different things). Edited by elferUSA.com on Tuesday 18th January 20:39 This in buckets, I bought my 911 because it is more engaging and demanding of the driver bearing in mind I went initially to look at a Cayman. The 911 was the right car.

I think this really just hammers home the point that a forum is not the way to make a final decision about which car is right for you. Absolutely fine (and I wholeheartedly support it) as a way to get input, ideas and opinions but ultimately it’s down to what turns out to be what works as the best car for you, your needs and ultimately your passion! Enjoy the search as that is such a huge part of owning any car!

gottans said: This in buckets, I bought my 911 because it is more engaging and demanding of the driver bearing in mind I went initially to look at a Cayman. The 911 was the right car. The more 'demanding' thing I don't understand. The 997 has more grip everywhere, the limits are higher, it doesn't notably understeer at road speeds and at the limit (on track at least) it is more benign and more progressive in the way it lets go than a 987. A 987 is much more willing to rotate if you overstep the limit but both are so communicative that neither are particularly tricky and both have the same great steering, pedal and seat of the pants feedback that make them so much fun. I totally get that the 911 is a 911 and for most that is the key and I'm sure a 930 Turbo is a tricky beast on boost but objectively, a 997 (at least in the 18 months and 6000 miles I've done in mine) is a long way from the old school idea of a bobbing front end, understeering, trail braking into the apex, slow in, fast out machine of old. It's just a very competent, practical, do it all sports car that is loads of fun.

Unfortunately I think too many impressions of these cars are formed on relatively short test drives of single examples of a specific model. This can be very misleading because they are so sensitive to spec & condition. For example, a tired 987 on old 17" contis which hasn't had a geo check since it left the factory in 2005 will feel very, very different to a recently geo'd 997 with PASM and fresh 19" PS4s. If you drove those two back-to-back it wouldn't be the difference in platform you were feeling, it would be the other things.

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I know that I need to go and drive a few; but my leaning is still towards the 911. I want something that excites me and makes me proud. I think that is the 911 over the 987. That said, I also want something that I enjoying driving - I'm not vain enough to buy a car purely for posing in, I need to actually enjoy the drive too! So - key question from me - what are the specs you'd say are best to look out for? I'm going manual, don't really care too much about extended leather, but is there anything else you'd say is a feature/spec/trim piece worth holding out for? Budget depending, I think I want to go 997 C2 manual, sunroof, not red interior. Other than that, i'm new to this, so learning as I go!

If you're going for a 997.1 then I'd agree that manual is the way to go. C2 vs. C4 is harder though: any reason you are limiting yourself to C2s?

I have a poverty spec 997.1 Carrera S. It has minimal options - top tint screen, colour crest wheels and that's about it (no sat nav even). But, it does have Sports seats and that was an essential for me. Just makes the interior look so much nicer IMO (solid grey backs, wide shoulders etc). I was picky about colours but that's subjective of course. A lot of gen 1 997s are Silver and I really didn't want silver. I managed to find a Seal Grey car with Black sports interior and I'm still really pleased with it 6 years down the line.

Jeenyus161 said: So - key question from me - what are the specs you'd say are best to look out for?! I hate to bring up this depressing topic, but the most vital spec for all 997.1 and 987.1 models is a negative endoscopy result for the cylinders. To understand why, read this current PH thread all the way through... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Hi I own a 997.1 S, but it took me 7 months to research and find the right one. I finally drove only two. Both lovley, but I purchased the one that had a FULL HARTECH REBUILT ENGINE. If I had to choose one option it might just be a Hartech rebuild. My greatest fear was the "sword of damocles" hanging over my head as I drove a 911 waiting for the engine to go bang! Do some reading and check out Hartech. Had mine now three years and will part with it on death only.

Thanks for the warning - yep familiar with the bore score scare stories. I'll certainly be mindful as I go hunting, as I would be with any car of this type/age. I'm certainly not buying it expecting a cost-free ownership

Go try decent versions of each - it’s the only way to know for sure. Thought I wanted a 997C2S, wasn’t for me. So tried various newer Cayman’s, again not for me. 2 miles down the road in a 987 and knew I’d found “my” Porsche (even though I still think the others are better looking).

Jeenyus161 said: Hi everyone, Sorry if this is a debate that has been had multiple times before; it is new ground for me! I'm lucky enough to have a pot of cash to spend on a car that will be used weekly, but not daily. I have a station car for daily duties, this car will be spending more time driving around at weekends or occasionally for a 40 mile round trip commute to the office. The question is, should I go for a 911 997C2 or a Cayman 987.1 S? 911 - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12736057 Cayman - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12591897 The 911 was the car I wanted when I was growing up and is the car I default to; but I know that the Cayman is going to be newer, lower mileage, better condition inside etc etc. So - if it were your choice, would you go 997 or 987, and why? Bit late to the party but I would go 987.2 Cayman S Manual - totally biased as I owned one for 2.5 years and was all the car I could need. Fantastic, quick, balanced, practical and lovely. The gen2 with the updtaed dash, DFI engine is a real sweet spot. Combined with a short shift box and you're golden!

Hi, I too have had the same problem deciding which Porsche to buy, I had a budget of around 22k having just parted with my lotus Exige. A very nice tidy, low mileage 08 plate cayman is at 911 sport for 19k which I fell in love with but the bore score issues was a gamble I didn’t want to take so for peace of mind took the plunge on a 987.2 cayman s.

Jeenyus161 said: Hi everyone, Sorry if this is a debate that has been had multiple times before; it is new ground for me! I'm lucky enough to have a pot of cash to spend on a car that will be used weekly, but not daily. I have a station car for daily duties, this car will be spending more time driving around at weekends or occasionally for a 40 mile round trip commute to the office. The question is, should I go for a 911 997C2 or a Cayman 987.1 S? 911 - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12736057 Cayman - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12591897 The 911 was the car I wanted when I was growing up and is the car I default to; but I know that the Cayman is going to be newer, lower mileage, better condition inside etc etc. So - if it were your choice, would you go 997 or 987, and why? For the price of the 911 linked it would just about get you into a 987.2 S which would be newer, higher power to weight and almost certainly more reliable. I haven’t driven a 997 but can attest to the 987 being excellent (and in the right spec a really good looking car).

911 for me. I bought my 997 C4S just over two years and love it.