First Time Porsche Owner looking for a Cayman 981

[Reck]

Ive got money burning a hole in my pocket...I know I want a Cayman 981, I want PDK, I would like Sports Crono (Tell me if you don't think so other than for inside aesthetics :-) Sorry)), I want 20" wheels, I want full leather and I know they are out there but I want it in Red, Guards Red......I can't get the package I really want...hold out, any offers out there....don't want a lost summer due to nothing on the market (Plenty of White, Black and Grey...nothing Red)?

All your experience and thoughts welcome as a new, want to be owner....

Thanks

[KittyLitter]

Reck said:

Ive got money burning a hole in my pocket...I know I want a Cayman 981, I want PDK, I would like Sports Crono (Tell me if you don't think so other than for inside aesthetics :-) Sorry)), I want 20" wheels, I want full leather and I know they are out there but I want it in Red, Guards Red......I can't get the package I really want...hold out, any offers out there....don't want a lost summer due to nothing on the market (Plenty of White, Black and Grey...nothing Red)?

All your experience and thoughts welcome as a new, want to be owner....

Thanks

You'll have more options with full leather on the 981GTS than the base and S... such as

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...


That has everything and more you seek.

[Reck]

Amazing, love it…thanks.

[Softsand]

Reck said:

Ive got money burning a hole in my pocket...I know I want a Cayman 981, I want PDK, I would like Sports Crono (Tell me if you don't think so other than for inside aesthetics :-) Sorry)), I want 20" wheels, I want full leather and I know they are out there but I want it in Red, Guards Red......I can't get the package I really want...hold out, any offers out there....don't want a lost summer due to nothing on the market (Plenty of White, Black and Grey...nothing Red)?

All your experience and thoughts welcome as a new, want to be owner....

Thanks

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with Sports Chrono. Sports Plus mode is a bit extreme for my liking but the Active Engine Mounts that are a part of the package seem pretty problematic (and aren’t cheap to replace).

The Sports Exhaust system however is something you do need :-)

[n12maser]

Sports Plus is probably only something desirable if you plan to go on track - the car will change up at max revs in auto mode.

Helpful if you want the car to do the gear-changes while you focus on brake points, apexes etc. Then can always move on to controlling gears yourself once learnt the track

Minor thing on the road is, from memory Sports Plus ditches the pops & bangs (from Sports mode)

[Reck]

Softsand said:

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with Sports Chrono. Sports Plus mode is a bit extreme for my liking but the Active Engine Mounts that are a part of the package seem pretty problematic (and aren’t cheap to replace).

The Sports Exhaust system however is something you do need :-)

Thanks, did think I was going overboard, maybe over excited so great insight…appreciated….I will throttle back for my first outing.

Sports Exhaust a must!

Thanks again.

[Reck]

n12maser said:

Sports Plus is probably only something desirable if you plan to go on track - the car will change up at max revs in auto mode.

Helpful if you want the car to do the gear-changes while you focus on brake points, apexes etc. Then can always move on to controlling gears yourself once learnt the track

Minor thing on the road is, from memory Sports Plus ditches the pops & bangs (from Sports mode)

I’m getting carried away, not planning track days more day to day and touring so great advice….thanks

[Armitage.Shanks]

Sport Chrono all the way. Ignore the scaremongering regarding active engine mounts. They don't all break. If you listen to all the 'issues' that could go wrong you'll either being driving a base model manual (given someone is bound to put you off a PDK) with zero extras or a Kia.

[981Boxess]

Softsand said:

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with Sports Chrono. Sports Plus mode is a bit extreme for my liking but the Active Engine Mounts that are a part of the package seem pretty problematic (and aren’t cheap to replace).

The Sports Exhaust system however is something you do need :-)

This - most people I know who have had active engine mounts have had issues with them.

PDK and PSE however I would not want to be without.

[KittyLitter]

Reck said:

Amazing, love it…thanks.

Be quick! as it was only listed a few days ago.

[MrVert]

The GTS is definitely the one to go for if within budget.

It’s one of those cars that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Had mine about 9 months, superb road car, loads of space for luggage for touring holidays, possibly one of the best sounding Porsche”s I’ve had and totally planted.

Gratuitous pic

[andygo]

This is my 2016 GTS. I paid a premiom over the S which I had owned previously, but what a fantastic car. Looks like a million dollars, better still after I put Zunsport grilles on and some wannabe GT4 side intakes.

[SkinnyPete]

Reck said:

Ive got money burning a hole in my pocket...I know I want a Cayman 981, I want PDK, I would like Sports Crono (Tell me if you don't think so other than for inside aesthetics :-) Sorry)), I want 20" wheels, I want full leather and I know they are out there but I want it in Red, Guards Red......I can't get the package I really want...hold out, any offers out there....don't want a lost summer due to nothing on the market (Plenty of White, Black and Grey...nothing Red)?

All your experience and thoughts welcome as a new, want to be owner....

Thanks

You've just described my car. Not a GTS but I do have the GTS rear end fitted.

Sports chrono is a must if you have PDK imo.

[Reck]

Wow, first time on this forum and must say I appreciate your insight, passion and knowledge..given me some direction, just need to get on with it now.

[DJMC]

Don't be afraid of the base 2.7 engine.

All the noise, and easier to keep your license too!

Had mine coming up 9 years now.

PASM would be my number one option.

[rawenghey]

Reck said:

Ive got money burning a hole in my pocket...I know I want a Cayman 981, I want PDK, I would like Sports Crono (Tell me if you don't think so other than for inside aesthetics :-) Sorry)), I want 20" wheels, I want full leather and I know they are out there but I want it in Red, Guards Red......I can't get the package I really want...hold out, any offers out there....don't want a lost summer due to nothing on the market (Plenty of White, Black and Grey...nothing Red)?

All your experience and thoughts welcome as a new, want to be owner....

Thanks

You've just described my car lol. Guards Red, GTS, leather everywhere, PDK... Suspect it'll be too late for you though, as I'm probably not moving it on until the end of the year.

They are out there, just gotta be patient. Used shopping for Porsches can be a pain if you like colours.

EDIT: On the dynamic engine mounts, I bought mine at 18000 miles, it's now on 37000 miles and I've just had the PADM disabled message pop up. That'll pay for the warranty I recently extended

Edited by rawenghey on Tuesday 6th August 10:12

[Quickmoose]

Love a 981 chat.
The only negative regardless of spec, is the lack of feel in the steering.... this for me gets surpassed by the chassis which just allows you to place it anywhere at any point almost at any speed....laser guided.
At any entry point you have yourself a sweet sweet sports car - the rest is just cherry picking, seats, colour, gearbox etc.
Biased of course but accepting Porsche have nailed the evolutionary aspect of their model lineage and each iteration is an 'improvement' over the last....I'd argue at this tipping point into EV, IF you prefer character and noise, the 981 (and by relation the 991.1 that it is underneath) are the final sweet spot. Not restricted by legislation, now made more special by lesser production numbers... they are a car massively overlooked and underrated imo.
After 2 years of ownership, the gear ratio argument has yet to get under my skin in any way....and I'm well aware of all the very many highly qualified nay-sayers...

I was all about the colour, the seats, the gearbox and some stripes.

A good friend has a 981 GTS in Carmine...It HAS to be the best all round option doesn't it? a GTS Cayman or Boxster.......Is there a reason you're not including the additional feedback of having the Boxster alternative?

[johnao]

Reck said:

I’m getting carried away, not planning track days more day to day and touring so great advice….thanks

19” wheels are the best option. The Porsche engineers will have designed the car around this specification. 19” wheels will give you the best ride option; there will then be no need for PASM.

[Reck]

Quickmoose said:

Love a 981 chat.
The only negative regardless of spec, is the lack of feel in the steering.... this for me gets surpassed by the chassis which just allows you to place it anywhere at any point almost at any speed....laser guided.
At any entry point you have yourself a sweet sweet sports car - the rest is just cherry picking, seats, colour, gearbox etc.
Biased of course but accepting Porsche have nailed the evolutionary aspect of their model lineage and each iteration is an 'improvement' over the last....I'd argue at this tipping point into EV, IF you prefer character and noise, the 981 (and by relation the 991.1 that it is underneath) are the final sweet spot. Not restricted by legislation, now made more special by lesser production numbers... they are a car massively overlooked and underrated imo.
After 2 years of ownership, the gear ratio argument has yet to get under my skin in any way....and I'm well aware of all the very many highly qualified nay-sayers...

I was all about the colour, the seats, the gearbox and some stripes.

A good friend has a 981 GTS in Carmine...It HAS to be the best all round option doesn't it? a GTS Cayman or Boxster.......Is there a reason you're not including the additional feedback of having the Boxster alternative?

Great question and thanks for your comments…the shape of the Cayman is what got me set on one and that’s the 981 and 987, I just don’t feel it with the Boxster…though very nice

[Gareth-C-1980]

Thinking of selling my Cayman GTS as it never gets driven

Guards Red here also