Archimedes

This. I owned both a 981S with all the performance options and a 991.1 C2S with the same setup, for over a year. Both great cars. Very different experiences, obviously. The 981S felt more nimble and chuckable, but the reality was the the 991 was quicker down every windy road. Better turn in, more grip, more power. The 991 was also a more civilized ride and much quieter cabin. When it came time to sell one, it was no contest. Though I still loved the 981 and was sad to see it go.

There's a video on YouTube of a base 991.1 C2 with zero performance options against a 981 Boxster S on a track that should favor the mid ending car, and the C2 stomped it. If you watch that video, the takeaway is how much more composed the C2 is on corner entry and mid corner.

BTW, there is no way I'd trade a new C4S for a 981 of any type, unless there was something about the C4S that I really hated. And if it was motor, I'd probably look for a 991.1 GTS.

LaCienega

Thanks guys. Based on my test drive of the 981 CGTS as well as the responses here it seems clear I should stay with the 991.2. It seems like those who are happy w/ switch went older generation 911 -> newer generation Cayman. I think the power loss going the other direction would be too great.

randr

I would suggest it is dependant on how you get your fun - occasional country drives with twisties, track time/DE/auto, long cruisy drives, concours events etc.

There is no wrong choice, just changes in performance - at least that how I look at it.

I'll give you this example (from my perspective) - yesterday I went to my first full track "tuning" day with my own 991.2 C2S , my wife took the GTS as she was getting some specific tuition. The bottom line was I put 4.5s on my best GTS time (both vehicles have dorians).

However, the time is not the point but rather how it felt getting to that point.

There was little to no understeer (other than inflicted by self), turn in with RAS was super sharp and very accurate, corner speeds were very high and corner exit was literally devastating. Corner entry from the main straight (VMAX 210 kmh) was very controllable due to the brakes taking off speed (max lateral ~ 1.45) plus modulation was very good, consistent and repeatable.

Bottom line the car felt completely alive with lots of feed back including noise. How did I feel when I got out of the car - confident, energised, invigorated and excited.

The conclusion I came to was quite straight forward, the Cayman is a brilliant drivers car, a car that is fantastic in allowing you to develop and hone your skills. The 911 is the car you then choose to take those skills to the next level where the Cayman can be skittish the 911 can be edgy (in a good way).

Both cars reward good driving. No "wrong" choice

mgent

I recently went from a 991.1 C4S to a 981 CS... The C4S is clearly much more car - larger, more powerful, faster, etc, but does not feel as nimble as the Cayman... Creature comforts, etc are the same, and while you can feel the difference in power between the two, you can also feel the difference in weight/balance which offsets the lack of power...

The main reason for my switch was getting more into track days... Once I decided I was going to get all the parts necessary - pads, rotors, control arms, wheels/tires, etc, the costs of both the parts themselves, and the wear/tear on the much more valuable 991, I made the decision to switch to the Cayman, which for my skill level is still plenty powerful and better balanced, pocket the 30k difference, and built it out as needed without much worry about accelerated depreciation... I figure the Cayman i can keep for many more years as an 'extra' car, where the 991 would get traded in after a few years...

Reno 911

Man, this forum needs a "like" or "appreciate" button . Thanks for the response and you're right, "fun" is hard to quantify. I wish my local Turo (car rental by owners) had more Porsches available. I think renting a 911 and Cayman for a couple of days each would give me a much better idea of what speaks to me the most than the sensory overload that typically comes with quick dealer test drives.

Zeus993

Excellent idea!

P.s. I've also hinted about having a "like" button. Planet 9 must have an updated version of VBulletin...

MagicRat

Another like for the 'like'.

I agree with much of what's been said. The 981 is a car you can pick up and enjoy immediately. The 991 requires a bit more work to master but the rewards are ultimately greater. My 981 Spyder is an awesome sports car. The 991.1 GTS is a starship. Interestingly (to me) is that I have modded the 911 quite a lot, because it always felt like it could handle more power. The Spyder is perfect as it is.

Raghu

+1.

sexfiend

I recently got into the 991.2C2 from a 981S.
NO COMPARISON, ALL EXCUSES. I know because I used to keep justifying. But the reality is, the 911 is Porsche's flagship. There is no substitute.

Marine Blue

I respectfully disagree, none of us are making excuses for our purchase. Reality is that many Boxster/Cayman owners can afford a 911 but chose not to. Personally the only 911's that currently have my interest are the 997.2 GT3 and 991.2 GT3. I will admit the R and 4.0 are above my pay grade so they're not on the list.

As many have noted, each car has its benefits and shortcomings.

schweez

Could of bought a 991.1S or a base 991.2. Bought a 981 Cayman GTS instead. If speed were the ultimate decision maker I'd bought a Corvette Z06. And saved money.

JCtx

I also could have bought a 991.1GTS (or 991.2S), but chose a Cayman GTS (fully optioned). A turbo is an automatic deal-breaker for my sports car after owning a GTR, so no 991.2 911s, except maybe the new GT3. Previous GT3s were also eliminated due to not having any luxury options (like all other even sportier competitors), but seems like Porsche finally woke up and smelled the (option) roses, and looks like the 991.2 GT3 might have memory, power steering column, at least Bose, and hopefully parking sensors front and back with camera. Seems stupid not to have those when a bumper/lip costs an arm and a leg, and it's very easy to hit one without them when you need to park in close quarters. Anyway, I just don't like how 911s feel compared to the Cayman, even at way less than full tilt. I don't care about power alone. Heck, traded a 2015 GTR for the Cayman, and I enjoy the Cayman immensely more. Power is not everything for me. It's all about the driving experience, and nothing feels like a mid-engine Cayman GTS with all luxury and performance appointments. I still have to drive a 991 GT3. Might not even like it either (he he). And since I won't track any toy car, all-out speed is not a factor. This one has more than enough for all my fun driving. I travel a lot for twisty roads, so I need some GT in my sports cars; that's why also any RS is not attractive to me at all... plus no way I'd justify one either. A new GT3 could be most expensive car I'd ever buy, but it'd have to impress the hell out of me to even consider it. Very happy with the 2016 CGTS now.

randr

ELP_JC, RAS is a game changer - this was made available, as an option, for the first time on the 991.2S.

John@Fabspeed

Don't judge a 981's performance by it's cover. Throw a set of Race Headers with a Tune on it and the powercurve improves dramatically. If you're local, come stop by and we'll go for a spin in my car so you can feel the potential.

Archimedes

Having owned both cars simultaneously, it is not all about speed. A properly speccd 991.1 C2S will out corner a 981 S or GTS. It will turn in better and with more composure, carry higher mid corner speed, and allow you to put the power down earlier on exit. The 981 will feel more go karty, balanced and lively, but the 991 will out perform it, even ignoring entirely the power difference. Two different methods to skin the cat, both with their merits and both incredibly satisfying depending upon your proclivities. But the idea that the 981 outperforms the 991 if the power difference is removed is simply not true.