acf

How come I can't find many(any) reviews between the 981 and the 987 on youtube, the forums etc?

Just trying to get more opinions on a 981 S/GTS vs a 987 R. Looking to hear what's more "special".

zedcat

Excellence magazine Nov 2015 did a comparison article on the GTS and the R. Overall pretty subjective, but the article concluded the R is a more pure sports car while the GTS is more refined. That's my recollection. I own an R and have driven a GTS and would agree the R is more raw for lack of a better word. Depends what your intended use is. The GTS would be a better regular use car imo.

acf

Dang, I'll try to hunt that article down... sounds like an interesting one. I know there's an old 2014 thread about this but not much else! Usually you can find at least one or two comparison reviews on youtube.

In 10 years what will be more timeless to the eye, the 981 GTS or the 987 R? Which will be more special?

andy7777

My Cayman GTS is faster than my '07 Boxster S, as it should with 45 extra HP. Has better sound too. The Boxster has better steering feel. Cabin in the GTS is several deltas better quality than the 987, but I kind of like the simple layout of the older car. Both are a ton of fun.

There you go.

acf

Thanks for the feedback Andy!

Dr.Bill

I've owned a Cayman R and a Cayman GTS.

For me, the R is one of the most fun cars I've ever owned. The handling is better, more like a go-kart. Steering is better. Personally I prefer the looks of the 987. The interior is a bit dated, particularly if you compare it to the current offerings.

The cabin of the 981 is more refined. More creature comforts and it looks more up-to-date. Exterior looks are more bland than the R. It may be slightly faster. Power to weight ratio is essentially identical to the R.

My crystal ball is a bit hazy, but I think the Cayman R will be a timeless classic. The Cayman GTS will be remembered as the last of the 981 lineup, but nothing special. The one with more of the pure Porsche essence is the R. It's a far better driver's car, but for some the 981 would be a better daily car. Maybe in part because it's not as special.

Don't get me wrong - the 981 GTS is a great car. If you had no experience with the Cayman R, you could rightly say the GTS was amazing. If you have driven the R (or any older 911), you will realize that newer doesn't always mean better.

Zeus993

I'm in agreement with everything said here. The CR, the closest sibling to my Gen 1 Spyder, had the precursor to the 981 X73 suspension package and combined with the the last of the hydraulic steering made for an incredible, more raw, driving experience than the 981. I do find the electric steering on the 981 slightly soul-less but perhaps should I invest in the X73 suspension package, a new set of Michellins and a good turn-in biased set up I'll notice it less.

And, as mentioned, the interior is an upgrade in the 981. It's a great daily driver but not heading to legendary status of the CR's.

My thoughts are
A) daily driver? Go for the 981 GTS
B) week nights / weedend ride for local hills and car meets? Go for a CR.

It's sounds like it's time for a test drive...

Roadster08

I do miss my CR having sold it for the GT4. The car was fun and agile, and begged you to drive it hard to extract more from it. I agree with the other comments re: interior of 987 vs 981

fineito

I own a CR and a 993. I've never driven a CGTS. The term "raw" is a relative thing. I personally don't view my CR as "raw". Now, my 993 is arguably more "raw" as it is a very "mechanical"-feeling car relative to the CR. I personally think one could daily-drive a CR. For sure I'm keeping mine.

acf

Many thanks for the variety of opinions. Dr.Bill, you should go into automotive journalism!

I own a manual 997.1 Turbo, my plan was to add a PDK 987 R to have the best of both worlds, manual and PDK. PDK when I'm feeling "lazy", the manual turbo for when I feel like rowing through gears. I enjoy spirited driving but I'm not a track guy which is why I'm also considering a 981 variant. I'm sure the 981 variant will be the more comfy fun DD out of the two. That being said, the 981 just doesn't inspire me as much as a 987 R, especially one in Peridot Green.

Despite wanting a PDK R, I don't think I'd pass up a manual R if it had all the right options. I'm guessing most of you would prefer the manual 987 R anyways as it seems to be the general consensus that a manual R is more desirable than a PDK version. With the 981 S/GTS I'd get PDK and never look back.

987 R.... PDK or Manual?

terbiumactivated

HAHA If only we had a thread dedicated to contrasting PDK and Manual with pages of posts, that would give you some perspective. You might as well have just asked Coke or Pepsi?

Reno 911

The main downside I see with a 987.2 is the interior. I was eying either a 981 Cayman S or 987 Cayman R (both are around the same $$). To my eye, the 987's interior is almost as bad as the 996. Not as bad, but I think the 981's interior looks much more timeless and obviously more modern.

acf

Sure, the difference here being specifically which transmission makes the R shine the most and/or which transmission years from now in the R will be more desirable.

And come on, doesn't everyone like Coke better than Pepsi?

terbiumactivated

I really like PDK, I fully understand why others would rather have a manual. As for which extracts the most from the vehicle IMO it's PDK hands down but that doesn't mean it's going to be the more desirable car for resale. I do wonder whether the lack of PDK in the second generation spyder will make it desirable just from a perspective of uniqueness and limited availability. Lastly, the 987.2 interior in my opinion is far better than my 986 was. I can't say I think the newer cars are what I would call luxurious or more timeless just different. To me timeless is those old school, air cooled 911 gauges. I also hate when the model, number or silhouette of any car is in the dashboard, hate that!


I don't drink soft drinks and very few beers but I will say this, Creemore Springs (Canadian) is better than coke, pepsi and pretty much any other beer for that matter.

flat6ix

Agree with most of the comments above regarding 987.2 vs 981 having owned 987.2 with PDK and 981 with 6-speed. But would add if going PDK after driving 981 CS, GTS and 991 CS & GTS, the PDK on the newer models seems to have improved in terms of responsiveness, shifting speed and more aggressive down shift blips so overall feels little more exciting over the PDK on 987/997 generation.

I sometimes feel like the 981/991 platform and driving experience was designed or is more suited for PDK while the 987/997 platform was more suited for the 6-speed if that makes sense.

Ohh and no complaints for me interior wise on the 987.2s...classic and elegant