981 S - Boxster vs. Cayman

[8bit]

Considering either a Boxster S or Cayman S as my next car, 981 model and almost certainly PDK. Am I right in thinking that the two are essentially the same car in terms of chassis, powertrain, interior options etc., the only (or at least main) difference being the roof? I'm assuming the Cayman will be stiffer than the Boxster?

I've never owned a convertible before (although Mrs. 8 did have an MX-5 for a while) but I do fancy one so probably leaning more toward the Boxster at the moment - anything the Boxster doesn't get that the Cayman does?

Finally (this is a vanity point I guess), can the Cayman S bumper be fitted to a Boxster?

[Twinfan]

They're essentially the same, although as you point out the Cayman chassis is stiffer.

Boxster specs have slightly less horsepower when compared to the equivalent Cayman. Whether that's a true difference or just marketing "creativity" I don't know. For the 987/981 series Caymans were more expensive than Boxsters so they got a few more BHP.

Aren't front bumpers identical on like-for-like models? They differ with trim levels and possibly options e.g. higher powered headlights, front parking sensors etc.

[AW10]

The Cayman chassis is surely stiffer but not that you would notice in real world use.

[TTmonkey]

Remember the platform is designed as a convertible….. the cayman was a modification.

So it’s not a coupe with the roof chopped off, it’s a sports car with a roof added.

So different from most convertibles, it’s been designed with maximum rigidity from scratch. Yes the coupe will be stiffer, but the conv is not compromised by this.


So choose, roof down, or not…?

[Johnniem]

OP, if it's any help at all, I have had two 987 Cayman S models (Gen 1 the Gen 2). I now have a Boxster 3.2S. My biggest automotive mistake was to sell the Cayman 987. Gen 2 (PDK, Sports plus, sports steering etc etc). I would choose the Cayman over the Boxster but it is a personal view. I know that the 981 is more 'up to date' interior-wise but some are less keen on the electric steering. Perhaps drive a version of each but check out the 987.2 Cayman and Boxster too?

[esotericar]

TTmonkey said:

Remember the platform is designed as a convertible….. the cayman was a modification.

Not true. It's been a modular platform from day one. A single platform for all 991 and 981 models. The Cayman was not a 'modification', the platform was designed to support coupe and convertible, mid and rear engine installations from the get go.

Nor was the 987 Cayman a last minute 'modification'. In fact, the design was done in late 1999 and shown to the board in early 2000, with the actual public launch in 2005. Just as with the 9x1 platform, all 9x7 derivatives inherent to the design.

That said, the 981 is the first Boxster where chassis stiffness is not an issue. The earlier models are a bit bendy and you can feel it.

[Royal Jelly]

For the 981, as noted, there’s a shade more BHP in the Cayman - but it’s largely academic. It comes down to roof up or down as a preference. Stiffness isn’t an issue on the Boxster, despite being materially less rigid than the coupe. Options are the same.

I don’t particularly gel with convertibles, so my choice was an easy one.

I would add that for me, the performance of the S over the base model was an easy choice, but if you’re going topless, working the 2.7 more of the time may provide more of what you’re after in terms of experience. The 981 engines sound mega above 4000 rpm.

[TTmonkey]

esotericar said:

TTmonkey said:

Remember the platform is designed as a convertible….. the cayman was a modification.

Not true. It's been a modular platform from day one. A single platform for all 991 and 981 models. The Cayman was not a 'modification', the platform was designed to support coupe and convertible, mid and rear engine installations from the get go.

Nor was the 987 Cayman a last minute 'modification'. In fact, the design was done in late 1999 and shown to the board in early 2000, with the actual public launch in 2005. Just as with the 9x1 platform, all 9x7 derivatives inherent to the design.

That said, the 981 is the first Boxster where chassis stiffness is not an issue. The earlier models are a bit bendy and you can feel it.

Ok, so my point as the Boxster isn’t a compromised roof chop job. Just didn’t put it right.

I suggest the only criteria in the decision making between the two is do you want to have the roof down, or not….?

If it’s a track car, go roof up, if it’s a car for chilling and enjoying the ride, roof down.

[andygo]

I had a 987.2 Cayman S and had a drive of a 981 Cayman S. Bought it immediately.

It's not just the interior, the whole car feels so much better and IMHO the steering is a bit of a red herring. Feels fine to me!

As others point out, the roof is a personal thing, I loved my 987.1 Boxster S, but wht made me lean towards the Cayman was that the Boxsters always get the crease lines where the roof folds. Used to annoy my OCD when the rest of the car was mint.

[TTmonkey]

andygo said:

I had a 987.2 Cayman S and had a drive of a 981 Cayman S. Bought it immediately.

It's not just the interior, the whole car feels so much better and IMHO the steering is a bit of a red herring. Feels fine to me!

As others point out, the roof is a personal thing, I loved my 987.1 Boxster S, but wht made me lean towards the Cayman was that the Boxsters always get the crease lines where the roof folds. Used to annoy my OCD when the rest of the car was mint.

Roof up or roof down, you can’t see the crease lines whilst driving the car.

[the-norseman]

I had a 981 S (modified Stage 2 so basically a GTS) and loved it.

[testdrive]

You are well covered by the feedback above, but I'll add the following, haven driven lots of 981 cars back to back and together in groups the differences in quoted peak power outputs seem to be marketing led rather than real world, GTS included. Cars with sports chrono are quicker than cars without.

Suspension specification on the cars you compare is more important than the roof, an x73'd Boxster will feel stiffer than a regular or pasm'd Cayman.

The equivalent Boxster is quieter than the Cayman at motorway speeds, the Cayman drones with pdk and PSE.

[mr pg]

My 981CS never droned due to PDK. There was PSE drone after I had it fitted, but that was drowned out by the usual Porsche tyre roar, which is less on a Boxster as the noise isn't contained within the cabin.

[981Boxess]

8bit said:

I've never owned a convertible before (although Mrs. 8 did have an MX-5 for a while) but I do fancy one so probably leaning more toward the Boxster at the moment - anything the Boxster doesn't get that the Cayman does?

I could see no area the Cayman did a better job than a Boxster so the Boxster was my choice. There is no down side to having the option to have the roof up or down, it really cannot be compared to an MX5 roof wise, you would never know you are driving a convertible with the roof up, it really is that good.

If I parked my car outside in a rough area every night then the solid roof might be better security wise but other than that I see no advantage in having the Cayman over a Boxtser.

[981Boxess]

mr pg said:

.............but that was drowned out by the usual Porsche tyre roar, which is less on a Boxster as the noise isn't contained within the cabin.

Spot on - the tyre noise is the only thing I would fault the car on, but a small price to pay for the overall enjoyment.

[craigjm]

981Boxess said:

8bit said:

I've never owned a convertible before (although Mrs. 8 did have an MX-5 for a while) but I do fancy one so probably leaning more toward the Boxster at the moment - anything the Boxster doesn't get that the Cayman does?

I could see no area the Cayman did a better job than a Boxster so the Boxster was my choice. There is no down side to having the option to have the roof up or down, it really cannot be compared to an MX5 roof wise, you would never know you are driving a convertible with the roof up, it really is that good.

If I parked my car outside in a rough area every night then the solid roof might be better security wise but other than that I see no advantage in having the Cayman over a Boxtser.

Luggage space because you have the extra storage in the rear but that’s about it

[981Boxess]

craigjm said:

Luggage space because you have the extra storage in the rear but that’s about it

Are the rear boots not the same size, they look it?

Unless you are counting the space visible under the glass, which I would never use?

[Maxym]

It's bodyshell stiffness, not chassis. But, as others have said, you won't be troubled by creaks and rattles in a Boxster.

OP, try one of each. I think the S is the better drive compared with the base in that the power is more accessible, but in PDK form the difference might not be so noticeable. Both engines need to be revved to make swift progress though.

Spec-wise, it's S vs non-S that's significant, not Boxster vs Cayman. See what's on offer out there. Personally, I'd want PASM with 20-inch wheels but with 19s the standard suspension is comfortable enough.

[mr pg]

981Boxess said:

re the rear boots not the same size, they look it?

Unless you are counting the space visible under the glass, which I would never use?

Boots are the same, but Cayman has the advantage of the space above the engine cover.

[testdrive]

mr pg said:

My 981CS never droned due to PDK. There was PSE drone after I had it fitted, but that was drowned out by the usual Porsche tyre roar, which is less on a Boxster as the noise isn't contained within the cabin.

The 7th cog on the pdk cars makes it worse but can just use 6th if needed.