thinking of changing from a 987 to a 981 advice needed

[rich mich]

I have had two Porsche's over the last 10 years ,Not daily drivers ,fun cars for weekend and nice days.my first was a 986 boxster s which I had for 2 years and my second a 987 2.7 which I have had for 8 years.my car is 10 years old now and done 37k.i am not fussed on the 718 boxster as it is 4 cylinders and turbocharged (I work in a dyno engine testing lab so I know a lot about engines and we have seen a lot of problems with turbo engines compared to n/a ones long term reliability etc). I am thinking of getting a 981 6 months to 2 years old to keep for the next 10 years. is going from a 987 to a 981 a step up or a step sideways? any other 987 owners moved to a 981 views on the two cars please.
I have read on various web sites that "the steering and brake feel are a bit VW Golf, and while cornering speeds are higher I found the chassis just didn’t talk to me through my arse cheeks as much". is there any truth in this or not ? a mate of mine moved from a 996 to a new cayman gts and he told me it took time to get used to the electro power steering.

 

[MrDemon]

It's a step backwards one of Porsche worse IMO,
1st gen ESP is poor. I could not buy a 981. And I have tried to like them and keep test driving them, but just could not do it.

 

[Chappelle]

A late 987 spyder as an alternative?

 

[BoxsterLL11]

This is interesting.
I am new to Porsche having only bought my 987 gen II 2.9 PDK six months ago.
Thought I might change it to a newer lower mileage 981 with a few more "toys" (an S 3.4 perhaps) in 18-24 months time.
My son has said "why?, why not just keep the one you have"
So am interested in any further comments on this.

 

[keiththo]

I moved from a 2008 2.7 Boxster to a new 981 Cayman. I'd driven several 981 Boxsters loaned me by the local OPC but for practical reasons only bought a Cayman.
I'm no expert driver but whilst the steering felt different in a 981 I got used to it each time and in other respects the car is far better in my opinion.

 

[Dylan1]

I had previous 987 3.4s
when mine was in for new engine(bore problem under warranty) for 3 months I was loaned a 981s
wish I could've kept it
altogether a much nicer cabin ,quicker and better all round
pdk was great with the flappy paddles
I don't know what planet some here are on
its pretty much like the 991 is better than the 997
if you agree with that then logic says the same goes for 981
have fun

 

[MrDemon]

I would not have a 991 either ! and would take a 997.2 GTS every time.

I don't know what planet some here are on new is duller full stop lol, larger etc etc I don't get the new stuff ! rather have an Audi for less ££

they might get better ie the GT4 is way better than the 991 or standard 981's steering but atm the people liking the new dullness seems to be PDK owners ! so says a lot about driving a sports car !

it's all about interaction and the new cars don't have it.

If one likes the micro switch automatics than yes the 981 is leaps ahead of the 987.2 PDK, but if one like to have the interaction keep the 987.2 car.

 

[rob.kellock]

Depends what you are looking for in a car.

After 4 happy years in a 987 Boxster Spyder I changed to a 981 Cayman S PDK and in 2 years added 22k trouble free miles. It was a lovely car. It rode amazingly well, handling was sublime, it was fast, fuel efficient, I could Bluetooth music from my phone, it was cheap to service, looked great inside and out, sounded great and if they still made them, I would say with confidence that it was the best all round sports car money could buy. It did the 316 mile return trip to Cornbury House throughout all weathers without fuss, the main reason I bought it.

But I have just changed it for... a 997 GTS.

Surprised myself a little but, ultimately,
Mr D has a point. I might now have satnav that is 2 generations out of date, I have an anachronistic lever between the seats called a hand brake, i don't have a great multi function electronic gauge in the dashboard, the ride is firmer, the bodyshell is not as rigid, I can't even fit my phone in the centre console with its adaptor to old school iPhone, but..

I never fell in love with the 981 and the 997 has everything I missed from the moment I drove it out of the showroom - steering feel, brake feel, dare I say raw character?

I have driven nearly every combination of 981 Boxster/ Cayman - standard car, S, GTS, also 991 Carrera, 991 S cab, 991 turbo, 991 turbo S, 991.2 Carrera S, 991.2 Carrera 4S, 991.2 turbo S and, lovely as they all are, I am genuinely not disappointed with my choice.

Which is "better" depends on your priorities and, to some extent, budget although there is plenty of overlap.

Jump into 981 from 987 you get the same great handling, a nicer interior,
better looks, miles better ride, more space inside, better economy, more
technology, more refinement, it's a great package. Horses for courses.

edited to add - I typed this whilst Mr D was typing his post above and before I saw it.

 

[rich mich]

some good points thanks, thing is when you are going to fork out about 40 k for a car its got to be right I don't want to buy the wrong car when you have a test drive you cannot really open it up !and you only test drive the car for a short time. I agree that the inside on the 981 is far better in looks than my car and the car is a lot bigger outside(my 987 feels like a go kart compared to a 981 more chuck -able on corners more feed back etc) I have even looked at a f-type jag, way to big (and our factory makes the engines for those) and I prefer Germany cars[]also my 987 has served me well , my other option might be a 997 gen 2 cab

 

[Gazoak]

Depends what you are looking for in a car.

After 4 happy years in a 987 Boxster Spyder I changed to a 981 Cayman S PDK and in 2 years added 22k trouble free miles. It was a lovely car. It rode amazingly well, handling was sublime, it was fast, fuel efficient, I could Bluetooth music from my phone, it was cheap to service, looked great inside and out, sounded great and if they still made them, I would say with confidence that it was the best all round sports car money could buy. It did the 316 mile return trip to Cornbury House throughout all weathers without fuss, the main reason I bought it.

I Agree with the above. TBH Ignore Mr Demon. He never has anything positive to say about the 981 or 991.

 

[Gazoak]

I've driven, but not owned everything from a 986 to 991 and can't fault the 981. In my opinion the 981 is the best all round sports car available.

 

[MrDemon]

Depends what you are looking for in a car.

After 4 happy years in a 987 Boxster Spyder I changed to a 981 Cayman S PDK and in 2 years added 22k trouble free miles. It was a lovely car. It rode amazingly well, handling was sublime, it was fast, fuel efficient, I could Bluetooth music from my phone, it was cheap to service, looked great inside and out, sounded great and if they still made them, I would say with confidence that it was the best all round sports car money could buy. It did the 316 mile return trip to Cornbury House throughout all weathers without fuss, the main reason I bought it.

I Agree with the above. TBH Ignore Mr Demon. He never has anything positive to say about the 981 or 991.

that's because they are 1st gen ESP cars and quite dull and lifeless to drive !!
Even our Reg director has gone back to a 997.2 car ;-)

to quote Rob
" never fell in love with the 981 and the 997 has everything I missed from the moment I drove it out of the showroom - steering feel, brake feel, dare I say raw character?"

enough said, so ignore at your peril ! seems you missed Rob's point, his 981 was good but in the end offered nothing, a 991 is much the same (even worse steering than the 981 Cayman infact) !

 

[johnnyspyder*]

A number of people say the newer models are getting bigger but:-

986 Length 4315 Width 1780
987 4329 1801
981 4374 1801
718 4379 1801

So, a little longer yes but the same width since 987

 

[BoxsterLL11]

As I have only owned & driven the 987 I have had for the last six months and therefore have nothing to compare.
And going back to the original post, it really does appear as its personal preference & "horses for courses".
As it happens, my youngest son bought a 981 Cayman a few months after me buying the 987, and yes I know mine is a soft top and his has the roof, but it seemed enormous in comparison to my Boxster.
I do prefer the interior layout though of the 981 as it is more up to date, but again that's personal preference.

 

[MrDemon]

people like Audi and the 981 drives better than most Audi's

So yes it depends what you want.

I want my Porker to feel like a ral sports car and be interactive, if I wanted Audi feel I would save £30k and buy a mk3 TTS
put it this way I would take the mk3 TTRS over any normal 981, 718 or basic 991.

 

[flat6]

I heard of people getting 24hr test drives. As you say, a short test drive is not enough time to make your mind up. I don't think you can conclude for yourself from forum input, whether that be for or against the car. Try anything that you're even vaguely considering whether that be 987, 997, 981, 991. I like the sweetspot of the 997, a blend of tech and how Porsches used to be. The newer cars enter a new chapter that enhances refinement, but they are every bit as good once you adapt.

A point will come whereby what you like will be too old to be considered if you want it to be a regular driver rather than a classic to polish, so adaptation is eventually inevitable. Just depends how long you want to put it off or where factors like age and budget are on your list of priorities.

 

[Dylan1]

Dear dear
now we're comparing the 981 to an Audi !!!!
different world
the ttrs I had for the weekend was totally without the connection to the road which is the reason I buy Porsche
chalk and cheese
only way to find out what you want is to have good long drive in them and make your own mind up
fun too!!

 

[Rocket Man]

if its a weekend toy, a keeper for 10 years and you like the 987 but can afford a 981 then the best car is the 987/2 Spyder. over the next 10 years that car will make money, give you the best boxster drive of any sub 60k Porsche with an individual look like no other. some find the roof inconvenient but real enthusiasts have no problem with it. at just over £40K now that car kept with occasional use milage will be well over £50K in 10 years. your 981 at £40K now wont be worth that muck in 10 years. some say its about the experience not the value, i say the 987/2 Spder is perhaps one of the best experiances you can get, you just you have the bonus of a guarantee of not loosing money on it.
the 987/2 Spyder is one of the few moderrn day appreciating classics produced by Porsche
one of the best driving cars, dont loose money, individual looks, best looking Boxster ever made

 

[Dylan1]

I wouldn't argue with a spdyer being great place to go
sadly outrageous house renovation meant I couldn't get into one
but never say never!!!

 

[tjb]

981 is the way to go, unfortunately Porsche have now spoiled it with the new 718 which does not look as nice and the engine is unfortunately a disaster.