2015 981 Cayman GTS

[Luke89]

Following on from my previous Readers car thread…

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

After 3.5 years and 25k miles, I decided that it was time to move on from my E90 M3. It was a tough decision to make, the M3 was a car I’d always wanted, but I ultimately decided it was time to experience something else.

So what to replace it with? After agonising for months over 911’s/Guilia QF’s/F8x M3’s CS’s/etc, I naturally went out and bought the first car I saw.









Excuse the filthy pics, I haven’t had chance to clean it yet.

So, what is it?

It’s 2015 981 Cayman GTS, with a bit of a unicorn spec.

Let’s get this out of the way; at the risk of sounding extremely ‘first world problem-y’, shopping for a used Porsche is a f**king pain in the arse. Who buys these new? What kind of psychopaths spec them the way they do? The pain of finding a gorgeous Cayman S with PSE, but no sports chrono and the gopping multi-function steering wheel. Or then finding something with chrono, but no sports exhaust and a bright red interior. It’s painful.

Enter the GTS. Prior to the GT4, it was the flagship 981 model and took all of the popular options that people spec’d their S’s with and included them as standard. This included PSE (sports exhaust), Sports Chrono, PASM (adaptive dampers) as standard, and a few other things I can’t remember. The power was also upped slightly, and they came with a GTS interior, meaning that the interior is clad with leather, alcantara and carbon fibre. Bizarrely, you could also spec a GTS without the GTS interior. Good old Porsche.

The one I found, and why I consider it to be a unicorn, also has the following options:

PTV (mechanical LSD)
X73 pack (passive sports dampers, lowers the car by 20mm)
Carbon fibre buckets (heated!)
Bose
981 GT4 wheels (not a factory option)

It’s also a PDK car. I kind of wanted a manual, but since PDK is so good (and manual 981’s are so rare), it was a a compromise I was happy to make.

The other trade off for such a high spec? It’s on 80k miles, which is high for a Cayman. However, the service history is good, it drives fantastically, so I took the gamble.

Plans?

Within 10 miles of leaving the dealership, the PCM (nav/music/etc) failed. It has a mind of its own, so it’s being fixed under warranty. While it’s in there, I’ve also bought a mr12volt unit, so will have CarPlay running too.

I’ve also bought it (knowingly) with a slight handbrake issue. It’s a stupid electric handbrake, and is currently locked in service mode. It doesn’t affect the drive, but gives me a nice warning light. The dealership have advised to drive for a bit and it may recalibrate, if not, they’ll sort it.

It could do with a PDK and diff service, so that’ll be done in January.

The valves in the PSE failed, so the previous owner removed them rather than fixing. This means that the exhaust is always in party mode. No bother to me, potential bother to my neighbours; it’s louder than the M3 at cold start. More importantly, it may be too loud for some tracks, so if that’s an issue I’ll look to get it sorted. It sounds fantastic on full chat though, really good.

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that it’s currently not running a front plate. I’m a knobhead and removed the vinyl plate yesterday to put on my private plate, only to realise afterwards that my new V5C hadn’t arrived. Genius.

Tyres. It’s running a weird setup at the moment, PS5’s at the rear and all seasons up front. In this weather, it’s fantastic but my OCD of not having matching rubber all around is making my eye twitch. Will revisit in spring.

Mods-wise, nothing planned other than CarPlay. I intend to run this in the same way I ran my M3. Drive it everywhere, over-service it and if it breaks, fix it.

I’ll try and do a detailed comparison against my old M3 at some point. Real world, they’re a very similar pace. The Cayman is far less frantic, it’s almost delicate to drive. The way it flows down a b-road is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. In short, it’s wonderful and I keep on finding excuses to drive it.

Will aim to keep on top of this, but it’ll likely become a picture-diary!

Cheers!

[M11rph]

Congratulations!

Love a bit of GT Silver (GT Silver 718 owner here), it is after all what GTS stands for in the model designation.

A mix of tyres is a bit odd! I'm thinking I'd like to try Conti SC7 come the next change. Original Pirellis had good feel, but only lasted 8Kof road driving, Current Michelin PS4s are grippy and lasting very well, but are a bit soft on the front end and rob some steering sharpness.

Wishing you many happy miles.

[SP_]

Nice, always had an eye on these whilst buying my M2 as an alternative.
Did you buy it from a Porsche dealer? Will they fit the Mr12volt system as well?

[Crudeoink]

I feel your pain. There's few about in manual, and you usually have to compromise in some way. The interiors are awful (IMO) when it's all one colour other than black.
All grey just looks unbelievably dull in 1998 pc colour

Then there is the gynaecologist spec with all red interior

[Luke89]

M11rph said:

Congratulations!

Love a bit of GT Silver (GT Silver 718 owner here), it is after all what GTS stands for in the model designation.

A mix of tyres is a bit odd! I'm thinking I'd like to try Conti SC7 come the next change. Original Pirellis had good feel, but only lasted 8Kof road driving, Current Michelin PS4s are grippy and lasting very well, but are a bit soft on the front end and rob some steering sharpness.

Wishing you many happy miles.

Thank you, it’s a lovely colour and suits the shape perfectly.

The car was daily driven up in Scotland for the past 40k miles, maybe something to do with the tyres. It’s an odd set up, but works nicely. That being said, I’ll do some research next spring. Big fan of PS4S’s, had them on my past two cars!

SP_ said:

Nice, always had an eye on these whilst buying my M2 as an alternative.
Did you buy it from a Porsche dealer? Will they fit the Mr12volt system as well?

Interesting, an M2 Comp was also on my list, but fancied a change from the marque. Great cars.

Nope, not an OPC, but a well known performance car dealer which, thankfully, are local. Once the PCM has been fixed, they’ll do it. Doesn’t look too hard of a job tbh, hardest part is going to be hiding the ‘box’ but opted for the mr12volt over the cheaper alternatives due to the fact that its fibre optic.

Crudeoink said:

I feel your pain. There's few about in manual, and you usually have to compromise in some way. The interiors are awful (IMO) when it's all one colour other than black.
All grey just looks unbelievably dull in 1998 pc colour

Then there is the gynaecologist spec with all red interior

Do you know what? I could have compromised on a Gulag Grey interior (not happily, mind) for the right spec car, providing it didn’t have the multi-functional steering wheel. Not only is it an ugly wheel, but has PDK ‘buttons’ and not the lovely machined paddles. It was an absolute deal breaker for me.

[Ken986]

That looks lovely and the PSE sounds really tasty in sports mode.
I had been looking for a GTS in manual but ended up with a 718 GTS in the end.
Best of luck with it , I’ll be keeping an eye on your progress.

[Whistle]

Been looking at caymans for ages.

After having my budget creep so now looking at either a 2.5 GTS or a 4.0 GTS
But when I think how much a 4.0 GTS is I started looking at older 911’s

I seem to go round and round in circles.

[Luke89]

Ken986 said:

That looks lovely and the PSE sounds really tasty in sports mode.
I had been looking for a GTS in manual but ended up with a 718 GTS in the end.
Best of luck with it , I’ll be keeping an eye on your progress.

I’m quite surprised at how good it sounds to be honest. When I first put the M3 up for sale, I accepted the fact that whichever car I bought next would never be able to compete with how that sounded. I’m pleasantly surprised with the Porsche though.

Congrats on the 718!

Whistle said:

Been looking at caymans for ages.

After having my budget creep so now looking at either a 2.5 GTS or a 4.0 GTS
But when I think how much a 4.0 GTS is I started looking at older 911’s

I seem to go round and round in circles.

Porsche Paralysis is real. As is budget creep. I’m pretty sure you can start looking at a 986 Boxster as a cheap summer car, and all of a sudden you’re looking at GT4’s.

I was looking at 991.1’s. Then realised for about the same budget you can look at a newer 718 4.0. But for that, you can get a 981 GT4. But that’s a bit compromised for a daily, so let’s look at a 981 GTS. Cool, sold on that. Better check out a low milage 996 C4S just in case…

[Bright Halo]

Luke89 said:

Porsche Paralysis is real. As is budget creep. I’m pretty sure you can start looking at a 986 Boxster as a cheap summer car, and all of a sudden you’re looking at GT4’s.

I was looking at 991.1’s. Then realised for about the same budget you can look at a newer 718 4.0. But for that, you can get a 981 GT4. But that’s a bit compromised for a daily, so let’s look at a 981 GTS. Cool, sold on that. Better check out a low milage 996 C4S just in case…

Excellent, I love your logic!

[Crudeoink]

Luke89 said:

Porsche Paralysis is real. As is budget creep. I’m pretty sure you can start looking at a 986 Boxster as a cheap summer car, and all of a sudden you’re looking at GT4’s.

I was looking at 991.1’s. Then realised for about the same budget you can look at a newer 718 4.0. But for that, you can get a 981 GT4. But that’s a bit compromised for a daily, so let’s look at a 981 GTS. Cool, sold on that. Better check out a low milage 996 C4S just in case…

This is exactly where I am! Looking at 991.1's (Ideally need the back seats for the dog to join us) but for that kind of money you're then in 981 GT4 range (sorry dog) but also 996 Turbo territory, or do I save 20k and get a decent 997 with a rebuilt engine .... AHHHH.

You car looks amazing though, and some of you're photos are mega too, well done! Its nice to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel

[Luke89]

Glad it wasn’t just me.

The worst thing is, you ‘settle’ on a model, and then go down the rabbit hole of trying to find the right spec. People shouldn’t be allowed to spec Porsche’s new without a car nerd vetoing the build.

As someone on another forum said:

Porsche: Hello Sir
Buyer: Yes, I'd like one of those cars there
Porsche: Wonderful, what colour for the interior?
Buyer: Dog dick red, or that revolting blue last used on a 70's leather sofa
Porsche: Strong choice, can I tempt you with any performance upgrades?
Buyer: Yes, but none that work together
Porsche: You look puzzled Sir
Buyer: This steering wheel is lovely, do you have one significantly worse?
Porsche: Oh yes, much, much worse
Buyer: Here's my credit card

-

I’m being facetious of course, and sounding really entitled, but used Porsche shopping is a painful process.

[Jhonno]

Crudeoink said:

Luke89 said:

Porsche Paralysis is real. As is budget creep. I’m pretty sure you can start looking at a 986 Boxster as a cheap summer car, and all of a sudden you’re looking at GT4’s.

I was looking at 991.1’s. Then realised for about the same budget you can look at a newer 718 4.0. But for that, you can get a 981 GT4. But that’s a bit compromised for a daily, so let’s look at a 981 GTS. Cool, sold on that. Better check out a low milage 996 C4S just in case…

This is exactly where I am! Looking at 991.1's (Ideally need the back seats for the dog to join us) but for that kind of money you're then in 981 GT4 range (sorry dog) but also 996 Turbo territory, or do I save 20k and get a decent 997 with a rebuilt engine .... AHHHH.

You car looks amazing though, and some of you're photos are mega too, well done! Its nice to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel

Yep... Started looking at cheap 986's, ended up with a 996, partly for the dog.

[mattdavies]

Luke89 said:

Glad it wasn’t just me.

The worst thing is, you ‘settle’ on a model, and then go down the rabbit hole of trying to find the right spec. People shouldn’t be allowed to spec Porsche’s new without a car nerd vetoing the build.

As someone on another forum said:

Porsche: Hello Sir
Buyer: Yes, I'd like one of those cars there
Porsche: Wonderful, what colour for the interior?
Buyer: Dog dick red, or that revolting blue last used on a 70's leather sofa
Porsche: Strong choice, can I tempt you with any performance upgrades?
Buyer: Yes, but none that work together
Porsche: You look puzzled Sir
Buyer: This steering wheel is lovely, do you have one significantly worse?
Porsche: Oh yes, much, much worse
Buyer: Here's my credit card

-

I’m being facetious of course, and sounding really entitled, but used Porsche shopping is a painful process.

Lovely looking car and a Cayman is always on the radar.

A couple of years ago my girlfriend bought a 987.2 Cayman, some of the colour specs, Beige exterior with a brown interior, Orange exterior with the same brown interior. My GF didnt want silver with black so we ended up White with Stone Grey. You can see why unofficially Ferrari vet your spec.

[IroningMan]

Nice car.

The Sport Design steering wheels come up on eBay from time-to-time: I paid £900 for mine, paddles included, a year or so ago.

They fit 9x7 and 9x1 - from memory mine has a 991 part number.



(My car, but not my pic.)

[Luke89]

Thank you, already fitted though

[e46m3c]

Luke89 said:

Glad it wasn’t just me.

The worst thing is, you ‘settle’ on a model, and then go down the rabbit hole of trying to find the right spec. People shouldn’t be allowed to spec Porsche’s new without a car nerd vetoing the build.

As someone on another forum said:

Porsche: Hello Sir
Buyer: Yes, I'd like one of those cars there
Porsche: Wonderful, what colour for the interior?
Buyer: Dog dick red, or that revolting blue last used on a 70's leather sofa
Porsche: Strong choice, can I tempt you with any performance upgrades?
Buyer: Yes, but none that work together
Porsche: You look puzzled Sir
Buyer: This steering wheel is lovely, do you have one significantly worse?
Porsche: Oh yes, much, much worse
Buyer: Here's my credit card

-

I’m being facetious of course, and sounding really entitled, but used Porsche shopping is a painful process.

Nice to hear im not the only one in this boat. Great drivers spec but missing PSE and zimmer-frame-grey interior top to bottom, yuk.

[WhisperingWasp]

e46m3c said:

Luke89 said:

Glad it wasn’t just me.

The worst thing is, you ‘settle’ on a model, and then go down the rabbit hole of trying to find the right spec. People shouldn’t be allowed to spec Porsche’s new without a car nerd vetoing the build.

As someone on another forum said:

Porsche: Hello Sir
Buyer: Yes, I'd like one of those cars there
Porsche: Wonderful, what colour for the interior?
Buyer: Dog dick red, or that revolting blue last used on a 70's leather sofa
Porsche: Strong choice, can I tempt you with any performance upgrades?
Buyer: Yes, but none that work together
Porsche: You look puzzled Sir
Buyer: This steering wheel is lovely, do you have one significantly worse?
Porsche: Oh yes, much, much worse
Buyer: Here's my credit card

-

I’m being facetious of course, and sounding really entitled, but used Porsche shopping is a painful process.

Nice to hear im not the only one in this boat. Great drivers spec but missing PSE and zimmer-frame-grey interior top to bottom, yuk.

This is so funny. I too am looking at a Cayman or Boxster (987.2/981) as potentially my next car. The amount you see where you think who on earth has specced this interior??

I can never decide if it is the full tan or the full red which is worst, or is it the grey that wins due to the blandness? Blue can sometimes work and all are improved with a black upper dash area (in fact I LOVE the tan or red when paired with the black). There is also the crayon and pebble (?) two-tone where the crayon looks great but the pebble has that is-it-or-isn't-black look.

The other one is the wheel, like you say. It is the one single no-compromise red flag for me where I will instantly dismiss the car. It's not so much the looks, it's pushing forward to change up. If the gear stick was the right way round that might change things but that didn't seem to be corrected until the 718 from what I can tell.

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations on the new car.

I can see a Cayman as an option if/when I decide to move on from my Z4M Coupe.

[CABC]

WhisperingWasp said:

I can never decide if it is the full tan or the full red which is worst,

both fantastic. full red for the drama.
embrace colour. it's a sports car ffs.

[Bright Halo]

I’m a little confused on the spec of your car because on your intro page in one place you say it has adaptive suspension then in an other it says x73 passive shock absorbers. Can you have both together?