987.1 v 987.2 v 981
Discussion
I have previously owned 986 3.2S and a 981 Spyder and quite fancy a 987.2. I have read about the DFI engine and other enhancements of the 987.2 over 987.1 but are they worth it? The 987.2 is almost as much to buy as a 981 so the 981 also comes into contention but that leaves the 987.1 as a bit of a bargain, or false economy? I want a manual and dont mind if its a 2.9 or S as it will be for euro touring not hooning. Looking for best ride quality, steering feel and interaction over outright speed. Advice and experiences of all would be appreciated, thanks.
Edited by Bispal on Saturday 5th March 14:16
There's overlap, but 981 still much more expensive like-for-like, eg a 981 S with 35k miles versus a 987.2 S with 35k miles.
Best ride quality will be a 981 with PASM on 18s, though a 987 PASM on 17s ride OK, too. The rest is pretty subjective. 987.1 is a bargain, but needs some due diligence on the 3.4. Other 987.1 engines are OK. Probably best value while retain decent performance would be a 987.1 3.4 with a quality rebuild in place. There's a 987.1 3.4 Cayman on AT with Hartech cylinders for £19K. Bit pricey by historic standards, but perhaps decent in today's market.
Best ride quality will be a 981 with PASM on 18s, though a 987 PASM on 17s ride OK, too. The rest is pretty subjective. 987.1 is a bargain, but needs some due diligence on the 3.4. Other 987.1 engines are OK. Probably best value while retain decent performance would be a 987.1 3.4 with a quality rebuild in place. There's a 987.1 3.4 Cayman on AT with Hartech cylinders for £19K. Bit pricey by historic standards, but perhaps decent in today's market.
Bispal said:
Thanks for the replies. Still weighing up the pro's & con's but as always I will probably see one in a colour I like and all the research will go out of the window!
TBH, not a bad way to go about things. One can do all the due diligence in the world, and still buy a dud. At least you'll like the colour for sure!andygo said:
I had a 987.2 Cayman S with 25k then 12 months later had a demo in a 981 Cayman S. No comparison, the 981 CS was on a different level altogether. Love mine!
What did you find better? The 981 definitely feels quite a lot bigger, which is not a good thing for me. Also feels a bit more synthetic with reduced steering feel, more servo assistance to brakes, artificial exhaust pops (compared to a 986). However its very polished and exceedingly consistent on track and comfortable to tour, at least that's what i found. I am not after ultimate speed, I want feel and engagement at low speeds and I was thinking the 987.2 would give all the benefits of the DFI engine but retain the feedback and character of the early cars without being over synthesised?Not that it’s hugely important, but the 2.9 isn’t a DFI engine - only the 987.2 3.4 was.
Went through a similar thought process myself when buying a 987.2.
My logic was - the performance of the 2.9 wasn’t far off the 987.1S, but it comes without the risk of scored bores and IMS failure. If you factor in the cost of a rebuild on the earlier car, and then take into account all the small enhancements that make up the 987.2 vs 987.1, I think the price difference is justifiable.
I think then you’ve got the 987.2 vs 981 debate. If you’re thinking PDK, the newer car will be a bit sharper there. However, I personally preferred the smaller dimensions of the 987.2 - deceptively small car - which made it feel a bit more nimble.
981 is more advanced in terms of design, materials and infotainment, which are the bits that probably matter when you’re living with the car daily.
Tough choice!
Went through a similar thought process myself when buying a 987.2.
My logic was - the performance of the 2.9 wasn’t far off the 987.1S, but it comes without the risk of scored bores and IMS failure. If you factor in the cost of a rebuild on the earlier car, and then take into account all the small enhancements that make up the 987.2 vs 987.1, I think the price difference is justifiable.
I think then you’ve got the 987.2 vs 981 debate. If you’re thinking PDK, the newer car will be a bit sharper there. However, I personally preferred the smaller dimensions of the 987.2 - deceptively small car - which made it feel a bit more nimble.
981 is more advanced in terms of design, materials and infotainment, which are the bits that probably matter when you’re living with the car daily.
Tough choice!
If the budget allows, is a Cayman R out of the question?
Far and away the best in terms of feel, driving pleasure of those listed and although may be a greater initial outlay, the cost of ownership will be limited due to it being a special edition. Still has an amazing ride for passive dampers yet the way it drives is in a different league to the others.
(bias Cayman R owner)
Far and away the best in terms of feel, driving pleasure of those listed and although may be a greater initial outlay, the cost of ownership will be limited due to it being a special edition. Still has an amazing ride for passive dampers yet the way it drives is in a different league to the others.
(bias Cayman R owner)
The 987 is perhaps a smaller car, but that means smaller inside too which is why I ruled it out after several test drives in 2015. Just couldn't get comfortable.
Went off and bought a TTS instead and then a year later, bored with that, stumped up for the far superior (and bigger) 981.
Went off and bought a TTS instead and then a year later, bored with that, stumped up for the far superior (and bigger) 981.
DJMC said:
The 987 is perhaps a smaller car, but that means smaller inside too which is why I ruled it out after several test drives in 2015. Just couldn't get comfortable.
Went off and bought a TTS instead and then a year later, bored with that, stumped up for the far superior (and bigger) 981.
I found the 981 and 718 cabins more claustrophobic and hemmed in and I am not a large chap. That center column really boxes you in I felt. I get its probably to feel more driver focussed, but I found the 987 much more airy and roomy. Went off and bought a TTS instead and then a year later, bored with that, stumped up for the far superior (and bigger) 981.
Bispal said:
I have previously owned 986 3.2S and a 981 Spyder and quite fancy a 987.2. I have read about the DFI engine and other enhancements of the 987.2 over 987.1 but are they worth it? The 987.2 is almost as much to buy as a 981 so the 981 also comes into contention but that leaves the 987.1 as a bit of a bargain, or false economy? I want a manual and dont mind if its a 2.9 or S as it will be for euro touring not hooning. Looking for best ride quality, steering feel and interaction over outright speed. Advice and experiences of all would be appreciated, thanks.
Good condition late 987.2s are close to early average condition, poorly optioned 981s, but there's a still a chunky 10k? gap on like-for-like I think.I spent a while mulling over this a few years ago and ended up with a Gen 2 987 2.9 manual. My thinking was to buy the best of what was available of the improved non-IMS engines: loved but not modified, with the 6 speed gearbox, and I think Gen 2 is just a bit more pleasing to look at on the inside and out.
I really enjoyed driving and owning it: throughout the 2 years I had some fantastic road trips around Wales, Scotland, Europe etc. On the Scotland trip it did just shy of 32 MPG which included some pretty spirited driving at times.
Only slight niggle was a tallish 2nd gear on the tight n twisty stuff.
Just a thought re DFI - 2.9 indirect injection may be a reliability benefit at 10+ years old?
Pictures because I got nostalgic!
julian987R said:
I found the 981 and 718 cabins more claustrophobic and hemmed in and I am not a large chap. That center column really boxes you in I felt. I get its probably to feel more driver focussed, but I found the 987 much more airy and roomy.
Naturally, you would be the only person to prefer being in a 987 cabin.The 981 cabin is on a different level to the 987 - it was a significant step up.
Royal Jelly said:
julian987R said:
I found the 981 and 718 cabins more claustrophobic and hemmed in and I am not a large chap. That center column really boxes you in I felt. I get its probably to feel more driver focussed, but I found the 987 much more airy and roomy.
Naturally, you would be the only person to prefer being in a 987 cabin.The 981 cabin is on a different level to the 987 - it was a significant step up.
Royal Jelly said:
julian987R said:
I found the 981 and 718 cabins more claustrophobic and hemmed in and I am not a large chap. That center column really boxes you in I felt. I get its probably to feel more driver focussed, but I found the 987 much more airy and roomy.
Naturally, you would be the only person to prefer being in a 987 cabin.The 981 cabin is on a different level to the 987 - it was a significant step up.
And I don't disagree - it was a significant step up - I am questioning room and airiness - not the quality.
Had a 986S (2003 facelift), 2007 987.1S & 2009 987.2S - all manual.
Each one was a step up in quality/modernity from the previous one. Loved all of them but the 986 dash definitely felt like a mark 2 VW Golf and was very dated. The 987 dash was a huge leap forward.
Ended up with a brand new 981S PDK as a courtesy car for over a week when someone ran into the back of my 987.2 & that was a massive leap in quality fit & finish, the rear boot was slightly smaller though (couldn’t fit a big headed driver in comfortably!)
My issue with the 981 was I wasn’t keen on the rear design particularly the rear lights & blended in spoiler, also the “stacked” headlights.
So I missed out on the 981 & jumped straight to a 718 base PDK where all the criticisms of the design were addressed - in my mind anyway. I love mine and the steering feel is superb along with the build quality inside - no annoying rattles!
Favourite one probably the 987.2S as it was so highly specced (ex Porsche launch car I think) very closely followed by the 718.
Each one was a step up in quality/modernity from the previous one. Loved all of them but the 986 dash definitely felt like a mark 2 VW Golf and was very dated. The 987 dash was a huge leap forward.
Ended up with a brand new 981S PDK as a courtesy car for over a week when someone ran into the back of my 987.2 & that was a massive leap in quality fit & finish, the rear boot was slightly smaller though (couldn’t fit a big headed driver in comfortably!)
My issue with the 981 was I wasn’t keen on the rear design particularly the rear lights & blended in spoiler, also the “stacked” headlights.
So I missed out on the 981 & jumped straight to a 718 base PDK where all the criticisms of the design were addressed - in my mind anyway. I love mine and the steering feel is superb along with the build quality inside - no annoying rattles!
Favourite one probably the 987.2S as it was so highly specced (ex Porsche launch car I think) very closely followed by the 718.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff