Choices - 981 vs 991 vs R8

[Spider1]

Hi,

New to pistonheads however thought I'd start off by asking your advice as I'm starting to bore myself.

I'm looking to buy a new toy and can't make up my mind about a new Boxster S, a new 911 (or even a gen 2 992) or an R8.

I'm guessing everyone on here will push the porker and I don't think either car would be a disappointment. I've previously had 3 boxsters (986, 986s and 987s gen 1) before taking the plunge and buying a Ferrari (360 Spider). I absolutely loved having that car on the driveway however to be honest it spent most of it's life just sitting there and not being driven - too wide, too conspicuous etc.. so have now sold it and looking for something fun.

I'm slightly put off the 981S because I've already had 3 however I'm also reading reports that a lot of people prefer the 981s to the 991s which begs the question - why pay more? Ego is probably the answer to that one..

Thoughts?

[jonnywalker46]

I went to my Porsche centre going to buy a 981s and ended up taking a 991s instead and love it. They quality is much higher as you would expect with the 991.

About the R8 ive only taken a V10 out but its a totally different car all together its much wider and longer than the 981 and 991 and don't think you would find it very practical.

Give them all a test drive and see what you think

[jakesmith]

If the F360 was too impractical & exotic the R8 isn't much different, you can't park it anywhere - it will attract attention. The Porsches are far more discreet. You need to drive them all though, I did this recently & it put me off the R8, Vantage, SLK55 in favor of the 997 C4S. The 981 Boxster S probably drives the nicest but as an overall package the 991 is more complete, and the extra power is always fun

[Nano2nd]

if it were my choice and i wanted a Cab (i do) i would get the 981 (i will )... however if i wanted a coupe i'd get an R8, though I've just sold my 997S which obviously influences my decision somewhat.

saying that i would really like a 360 spider!

[SFO]

I had a 987.1 S, a RS60 Spyder. My first Porsche. Absolutely loved it.

Swapped it for a 981S ..

That lasted 4.5 months and 4500 miles. Was a fantastic car, and much improved over the 987.

But, it didn't do it for me. I was looking for something different. It was like going to the same place on holiday and staying in a much nicer hotel, but what I really wanted was to go somewhere else.

So I got a 7.2 GT3, which is just awesome.

[douglasgdmw]

I know you were asking this question in the Porsche forum but have you thought about the Lotus Evora as an alternative?

I test drove both the Cayman S/Evora and found the Evora to be a better handling car. Admittedly it does have its faults and the quality of the interior is definitely inferior to the Porsche but liveable with day to day. There are a couple of issues with the gearchange but new linkages sort this out. It is also not as common as the Boxster/Cayman.

Before I am shot down I have have both a Porsche/Lotus in my garage

George

[Spider1]

I've always loved Lotus's and was really looking forward (optimistic naivety perhaps) to a new Esprit coming out however the Evora has never really done it for me, to be fair I've never driven one however it's not for me I don't think.

Considered years ago buying an old Esprit and part of me wishes I still had - the person who designed the exterior should be knighted, the person who did the interior should be shot.. imho.. Pop up lights - got to love them.

A Cayman R was also mentioned and again I'm going to show some slightly deranged thinking... I think the Cayman is probably the best looking car Porsche makes and from all accounts one of the best handling however I just don't see myself owning one. If I was going to go for a Cayman I'd go for a Boxster - I know that sentence doesn't make sense however hopefully someone will know what I mean!!

I drove the R8 and wasn't blown away with it, felt a bit ordinary - however it looks amazing in Black or White and possibly something which can feel a bit ordinary is good for a daily commute.. not sure.

[jackal]

douglasgdmw said:

I know you were asking this question in the Porsche forum but have you thought about the Lotus Evora as an alternative?

I test drove both the Cayman S/Evora and found the Evora to be a better handling car. Admittedly it does have its faults and the quality of the interior is definitely inferior to the Porsche but liveable with day to day. There are a couple of issues with the gearchange but new linkages sort this out. It is also not as common as the Boxster/Cayman.

Before I am shot down I have have both a Porsche/Lotus in my garage

George

For pure feel/body control/chassis it's better than anything porsche makes IMO, but there's all sorts of compromises in other aeras of course, not least the drivetrain.

[jackal]

Spider1 said:

Thoughts?

People generally will just recommend what they own (or are about to own) to validate their own choices, not even giving a moments notice to what sort of driver you might be, your skill level, what sorts of cars you've liked before etc.. Go out and test drive them all yourself and make up your own mind.

Me ? I would get a nice low miles manual F430. No need to spend more than about 65k. 500bhp of pure heaven, a plush ride for uk roads, nicely balanced handling and that incredible chrome gated "clickety" stick shift. Or failing that, get a naroow bodied 993 and uprate all the suspension on it and fit a full race cage.

Edited by jackal on Friday 2nd November 16:44

[cayman-black]

[quote=jonnywalker46]I went to my Porsche centre going to buy a 981s and ended up taking a 991s instead and love it. They quality is much higher as you would expect with the 991.

I think a lot of people would question this.

[jakesmith]

cayman-black]onnywalker46 said:

I went to my Porsche centre going to buy a 981s and ended up taking a 991s instead and love it. They quality is much higher as you would expect with the 991.

I think a lot of people would question this.

I'd have thought they'd share almost every interior component? I just went from 987 to 997 and apart from the 997 having full leather which u can spec on the boxster, they are pretty identical

[Yell_M3]

Yip, test drove both at OPC Cambridge recently and there is no difference in build quality. The new Boxster would almost certainly kill off the 911 (except turbos) if it wasn't for snobbery.

[Spider1]

Yell_M3 said:

Yip, test drove both at OPC Cambridge recently and there is no difference in build quality. The new Boxster would almost certainly kill off the 911 (except turbos) if it wasn't for snobbery.

What did you think performance wise between the two cars. Taking snobbery out of the equation there is an argument that says for another 30k you get two additional seats which you cant use and a smaller boot... but it's a 911.. Damn my ego..

[DMC2]

V10 R8. Much more special than a 991 or Boxster.

And contrary to other posts they are very every day usable. Not too big, gets great attention and I left mine all over the place with no issues. And mine was blue.

Very, very quick on b roads. Only get a manual though.

[itsybitsy]

from what i have read on here a lot of people favour the 981 to the 991 but to be honest and in imho if you want a looker i would take a spyder over a 981s(also the spyder weighs less and more power and only 230 in the uk) which i did and what a car if you can live with the compromise of the roof.also i absolutley love the cayman but if the new one has the ugly rear end of the 981 boxster i would have the caymanR.but if you got to have a 911 and dont want a gt model why not a 997.2 gts i am sure that will tick most of the boxes aslong as its a coupe if its a cab you want boxster all the way

Edited by itsybitsy on Friday 2nd November 17:17

[Emeye]

A friend has a 2006 Boxster 3.2S and has just bought a 2009 997 and says the cars are completely different in character - the 997 is much quieter and refined for starters. He's keeping them both over winter, so I'm hoping to go visit him and try out a side by side comparison!

Edited by Emeye on Friday 2nd November 21:19

[Yell_M3]

Spider1 said:

What did you think performance wise between the two cars. Taking snobbery out of the equation there is an argument that says for another 30k you get two additional seats which you cant use and a smaller boot... but it's a 911.. Damn my ego..

For me it's the new Boxster all the way. Performance wise in the twisty bits it's miles better, but from a standing start in a straight line the 911 is more torquey. But over all on looks, practicality and fun, it’s just the better package. Not even counting the price diff.

[Old Trout]

Wait until you read this month's evo when it hits the shelves!!


From my perspective, as I drove both this week, I preferred the Boxster S to the 991 Carrera S. And this is coming from the GT3 RS!!!

The Boxster was simply so much fun. Quality inside is identical to 991 - so I am surprised at the comment that the 991 was better quality.

991 was clearly faster and more complex - but for day to day driving the Boxster would easily win my vote. It was more like a shrunk in size GT car, the 991 felt like a heavy sports tourer.

[gl20]

Spider1 said:

What did you think performance wise between the two cars. Taking snobbery out of the equation there is an argument that says for another 30k you get two additional seats which you cant use and a smaller boot... but it's a 911.. Damn my ego..

It's amazing how easily one can be lead by market positioning. For any other brand a soft-top version of a hard-top would be priced higher because it costs more to make. Yet the cheaper to make Cayman is priced higher than a Boxster and still sells fine. People can justify that in their head (and I'm one of them!) that you pay the premium for better handling but then a 911 Cabrio costs mosts more than a hardtop 911 so there is little consistency in that argument. The way I look at it is I have £x to spend and I can get either a Boxster/Cayman or a slightly older 911 but either will be pretty new so I will just buy whichever grabs me more and screw the logic..

[ernestoteles]

I used to own an R8 and now I drive a brand new 991 C2S. In all honesty the 991 is the better car. Hands down. It is also a lot more comfortable and luxurious than the R8. So even though I used to pooh-pooh 911s when I was an R8 owner (and let's face it, the 997 was no match), nowadays I'd say Porsche have the more accomplished, exciting and dynamic car. Oh and my R8 was vandalised six times in three months parked outside my house. That's why I ended up selling it. In contrast, no-one minds the Porker. There are a lot of them about. I call it my "fast Golf".